Chapter 541: Chapter 541: Brothers Keep Clear Accounts
Yi Chichi always believed that no matter who you have a grudge against, never have a grudge against money.
So, when she heard there was more money, she decisively agreed.
"Alright, I’ll draw."
Even if it meant staying up late to rush the work, she had to earn that money.
Ning Jiandong, who had a big problem solved, was pleased and began discussing the design requirements with her.
Yi Chichi listened attentively and nodded after he finished speaking.
"Not difficult, just some modifications to the original design will suffice."
Hearing this, Ning Jiandong was bewildered. What does she mean by some modifications to the original design?
"You’re not going to redraw it?"
"No need."
She stretched out her hand, "Give me the original design."
Oh wow, she’s really planning to slack off.
"The original design is gone."
"??? Where did it go? I remember we kept all the original designs."
"Previously, a manager from the Shanghai Friendship Store came over on a business trip, liked your and Master Tang’s embroidery samples, and took them all."
Yi Chichi’s eyes widened, "...You just gave them away like that?"
"Of course not, I got paid."
Embroidery pieces are valuable, and good embroidery samples are equally valuable.
As it happens, his embroidery samples are top-notch.
Ning Jiandong was smug, "Old Peng has good taste."
He waved a hand, "I sold each of those embroidery samples for quite a sum."
Yi Chichi sighed, "I have to draw it all over again."
Tried to slack off, but couldn’t.
"I now realize, I am destined for hard work."
Gu Xinghua chimed in with a sarcastic tone, "If I could make money like you, I’d also be happy with such a hard-working life."
Ning Jiandong nodded in agreement, "Xiao Yi really knows how to make money, and the disciples she trains aren’t bad either."
Thinking about apprentices, he remembered Niu Niu, whom Yi Chichi mentioned.
"What’s the situation with your little apprentice now? Can she start working?"
Yi Chichi was immersed in her work and replied without looking up, "Uncle, don’t think about using Niu Niu anytime soon. She’s still a child, and her main task is to study."
It’s only during her free time that she can practice and learn embroidery.
"Are her grades good? Can she get into college in the future?"
"Her grades are alright, but it’s hard to say about college since she’s only in elementary school."
The college entrance exams are still a long way off.
Ning Jiandong made a sound of acknowledgment and didn’t continue the topic.
Instead, he said, "You keep drawing, I’ll head out for a while."
"Go ahead."
They can’t help much with drawing embroidery patterns, their presence or absence makes no difference to Yi Chichi.
Therefore, she didn’t mind Ning Jiandong and the others leaving.
She focused on her work.
With Ning Jiandong and his company’s departure, the previously noisy office quieted down.
Being engrossed in work makes time fly, and when the large clock’s hands pointed to eight, Ning Jiandong and the others returned.
Along with them came Wen’s mother and company.
Since waking up, Wen Yi hadn’t seen his mother. Originally content in Ning Jiandong’s arms, chatting idly, he got excited and restless upon seeing Yi Chichi.
He bounced in Ning Jiandong’s arms, wanting to go to Yi Chichi.
"Having mommy means you don’t want grandpa anymore. Grandson, it’s not good to abandon the old for the new."
Though complaining, Ning Jiandong squeezed Wen Yi’s little hand and handed him to Yi Chichi, "Go on, hug your son."
Yi Chichi put down her brush and, instead of hugging, stood up and said, "Yi Yi, wait for mommy to wash her hands first."
Her hands were covered in paint, not something appropriate for contact with a child.
Wen Yi didn’t understand. Seeing that his mom didn’t hug him and even walked away, his bottom lip trembled, ready to wail.
Wen’s mother saw this coming and quickly took him from Ning Jiandong, "Don’t cry, grandma will take you to mommy."
Thus, Yi Chichi, who was washing her hands with soap by the sink, was greeted by the grandparent and grandchild duo.
Seeing mommy again, Wen Yi immediately started his chattering mode.
Yi Chichi glanced at his expression; his little eyebrows furrowed, looking a bit fierce.
That’s his angry face.
While wiping the water off her hands, she said to Wen’s mother, "I feel like he’s scolding me."
Wen’s mother couldn’t help but laugh, "There might be a bit of complaining, but no scolding."
They hardly ever use bad language at home, and Wen Yi neither heard nor learned any curse words.
"He’s never heard people sass each other."
"It’s good he can’t swear."
In the neighborhood, there’s a kid who learned a bunch of foul language from his mother, always spewing it out, so much so that Yuan Chu and the others don’t want to play with him. The kid even complains about being left out by everyone.
The thought of her child growing up with such a personality made Yi Chichi’s vision go dark, yearning to give her child a wholesome childhood.
She took Wen Yi from Wen’s mother, gave him a little nuzzle, and began to educate him, "You must not swear in the future, or mommy will spank you."
This statement carries a lot of information, too profound for Wen Yi’s mind, possibly even less complex than a kitten’s.
Commonly known as not understanding.
So, his response was to hug Yi Chichi’s neck with his little arms, pressing his little mouth to her face.
"Such a good boy."
Yi Chichi was drawn to his response, smiling brightly, carried the child, and returned to the office with Wen’s mother. She saw Gu Xinghua having Qin Jiu practice calligraphy, while Ning Jiandong held a red paper package.
Unused red paper was still on the table.
Seeing Yi Chichi coming over with the child, he swiftly handed the red envelope to Wen Yi, "Grandson, this is a welcome gift from Grandpa Ning."
Wen Yi is still young and has no concept of not taking things from others.
If Ning Jiandong dared to give it, he dared to take it.
His little hands expertly grasped the red paper package and tucked it away. Yi Chichi watched and only said, "Baby, say thank you to Grandpa Ning."
Wen Yi understood the words "thank you" and could express them.
Thus, Ning Jiandong received a flying kiss from him.
Watching his chubby little hands cover his mouth and then wave, Ning Jiandong paused before realizing, "Is he blowing me a kiss?"
"Yes."
Yi Chichi nodded, which delighted Ning Jiandong, "It’s my first time receiving a flying kiss from a baby. Give me the kid, and go do your work. I’ll babysit for you."
Before Yi Chichi could respond, he reached out to Wen Yi, "Baby, grandpa will take you to play."
Wen Yi understood the word "play" as well, his eyes lighting up as he eagerly reached out to him.
Yi Chichi handed the child over to him and, after saying a few words to Wen’s mother, sat back down at the table to continue her work.
Wen’s mother glanced at Qin Jiu, who was pulled aside to practice writing, and then at Yi Chichi who was engrossed in her drawing, contemplating for two seconds before walking over to Ning Jiandong, who was holding Wen Yi and standing by the window admiring the scenery, "Xiao Ning, is Chichi working an all-nighter tonight?"
Outside the window, there was a magnolia tree, with a branch reaching over. Seeing this, Wen Yi stretched his hand wanting to touch the glossy magnolia leaves, and Ning Jiandong picked a leaf for him to play with, apologetically saying, "Yes, big sister, Liu Lan needs her embroidery designs, so she has to work overtime to draw them."
Wen’s mother said, "...Which means she won’t get to sleep tonight."
"She’ll sleep on the car tomorrow."
That’s the only way.
"Does she get paid for the drawings?"
"Yes."
Not only will she get paid, but there’s also a bonus, otherwise, she wouldn’t agree to do it.
Ning Jiandong couldn’t resist adding, "Xiao Yi’s motto is that even among close friends, accounts should be settled."
