"Me? How do I decide?" Li Yang asked, confused.
"I need to wear something nice for the interview, right? I brought them with me when I left. I'll change into them in the car later. Help me pick an outfit," Long Lingling replied with a smile.
"So that's it!"
Li Yang suddenly understood, thinking she needed him for something else.
Soon, two cups of lemon tea and some desserts were served by the waiter. They drank and chatted, and Long Lingling shared her childhood experiences of learning acting with her teacher.
From her explanation, Li Yang could tell that she genuinely loved stage acting.
As for the antique business, that was the family's livelihood. She was the only child, and with such a large family business, if she didn't take over, it would mean handing it over to outsiders.
It was the culmination of Master Long's life's work, and he naturally wouldn't bear to give it up.
"If you pass the interview and become an actress, will you still be able to manage the family business?" Li Yang guessed Master Long's reaction to her auditioning for a stage play and asked casually.
"I haven't figured out how to tell my dad about this yet. But as long as my dad is still capable, let him do it for now. At worst, I'll have him hand over the entire family business to you to manage. After all, you're my man, and therefore his son-in-law."
Long Lingling was quite frank, essentially marrying off the Long family business to Li Yang.
This immediately stunned Li Yang.
This pie falling from the sky was too big!
In other words, Long Lingling, this little padded jacket, seemed to not only have holes for wind to blow through but was actively poking holes in his father's clothes.
Seeing her indifferent expression, Li Yang was left speechless, unsure whether to laugh or cry.
A moment later, Li Yang stopped joking and remembered what Xue Xigui had asked him to do. He suddenly asked, "By the way, Lingling, that calligraphy and painting you showed me last time, do you still have it?"
"Yes, I do. But I've already asked someone to come pick it up. It should be delivered to Jiangcheng this afternoon," Long Lingling replied.
"No need to send it for now, I have a better idea!"
Seeing that the painting was still there, Li Yang was relieved and immediately said, "I have a friend who has a calligraphy and painting exactly like yours. Since we're selling it to the Ma family anyway, why not sell that fake one to him?"
"Ah? Aren't the Ma family people smart? Won't they be able to tell?" Long Lingling asked in surprise.
"Don't worry, even ordinary treasure appraisers wouldn't be able to tell the difference. I stumbled upon that painting by chance. However, before we do this, there's something I need to discuss with you," Li Yang said, stroking his chin seriously.
"What is it? Tell me!" Long Lingling said.
"That fake calligraphy and painting isn't with me right now; it's with my friend. He wants to exchange that fake painting for the real one you have. You can name your price," Li Yang continued.
"He wants to buy my painting?"
Long Lingling hesitated, thinking that this painting was surprisingly popular.
However, after careful consideration, since the secret within the painting had already been extracted, a mere painting itself wasn't worth much. She had originally planned to sell it to the Ma family. Now that someone was willing to let her set the price and buy it sincerely, it wasn't impossible to sell.
Moreover, this person was Li Yang's friend, and it would be unreasonable to refuse.
After thinking for a moment, Long Lingling said, "Okay, I agree. But I bought the painting for eighty million yuan when I acquired it, so I can't sell it at a loss. How about one hundred million yuan? Let your friend buy it."
"That price is rarely seen in the entire market."
"One hundred million is a bit low?"
Li Yang was surprised that this young lady would give him so much face. That painting could easily double in price in the market, selling for at least one hundred and sixty million.
One hundred million was clearly asking too little.
Li Yang didn't have that deep a friendship with Xue Xigui, so there was no need to make Long Lingling earn less for his sake.
After thinking about it, Li Yang proposed a price himself: one hundred and fifty million yuan, selling it to Xue Xigui at this price.
This was ten million yuan less than the market price, but at the same time, Long Lingling could earn fifty million more. Neither party felt they were losing out.
Xue Xigui was well aware of the price of this calligraphy and painting. It was already difficult to acquire it at the normal market price; such scarce items usually required a premium.
And the price Li Yang offered him was lower than the market price, so he would naturally be extremely grateful.
"Alright then, we'll do as you say. I'll have my friend come to pick up the painting later. After my interview, you'll accompany me home to get the painting," Long Lingling finally reached a perfect agreement with Li Yang.
After they finished their afternoon tea, Long Lingling eagerly pulled Li Yang into the car to change clothes.
She had brought over a dozen outfits in different styles, even dance costumes. She changed them one by one in the car, dazzling Li Yang.
As she was changing, the car kept shaking in its parking spot.
Many passersby noticed the dancing car, and their imaginations ran wild.
It took a full half hour before Long Lingling changed into an outfit that satisfied Li Yang. Then, they drove to the stage play company for her interview.
Li Yang had enjoyed a feast for his eyes, seeing over ten different styles of Long Lingling's beauty. He sat in his seat and used his phone's memo app to jot down all the ones he found sexy.
This way, for their next date, he could ask her to wear those very sexy clothes to meet him, adding to the romantic atmosphere, which would be a very good choice.
Soon, Long Lingling brought Li Yang to the stage play company.
As they got out of the car, they saw a very grand thirty-story building. The words "Creative Song and Dance Theater Company" were written on the wall.
This song and dance theater company was very reputable and the largest entertainment company in the entire Jiang Province.
Looking at the building she had long admired, Long Lingling felt a bit nervous. She worried that her qualifications might not be enough to pass the interview, but this was a rare opportunity, so she forced herself to calm down, filled with anticipation, and entered the company with Li Yang.
As soon as they entered the company lobby, the magnificent decoration unfolded before their eyes. It was like a giant palace, grand and imposing.
"Hello, what are you two here for? Please register over here." The receptionist saw them heading straight for the elevator and immediately ran out to stop them.
"My name is Long Lingling, and I'm here for an interview. This is my boyfriend," Long Lingling introduced herself.
"So you are Miss Long. Our interviewer is already waiting for you upstairs. You can go up, but he cannot," the beautiful receptionist said, pointing at Li Yang and refusing.