Rebirth: Splendid Marriage in the 80s Chapter 2394 - 2330: Don’t I Deserve Some Dignity?

Chiang Xiao felt a jolt of surprise, then she faced Hu Xiangyong, "Impossible, I ran into this uncle aboard the flight returning from Country Y. During my stay in Country Y, I lodged at Mr. Wen Li’s estate for the contest. Did uncle drop by Mr. Wen Li’s estate as well?"

Hu Xiangyong fixed his intense stare on her, "Perhaps I confused you with another. That evening, I caught sight of an Eastern girl in a little tavern who resembled you perfectly."

"A little tavern?" Chiang Xiao promptly stuck out her tongue and cast a sly peek at Liu Guoying, murmuring, "Teacher, I'm blameless. I never stepped into any tavern. I hadn't turned eighteen then, and I stuck by you at the hotel. How would I have the nerve to slip away to a tavern on my own?"

Liu Guoying adopted a severe expression and declared gravely, "I wager you wouldn't have the guts. If you tried slipping off to a tavern, I'd definitely snap your leg!"

Chiang Xiao pulled her neck back in shock, a touch indignant, "Teacher, come on, give me a bit of face around others. Even I require some respect from time to time."

"Why bother with respect? Isn't stirring up chaos sufficient for you?" Liu Guoying huffed.

"I haven't caused any mischief, have I?"

"In any case, obey me and quit acting on your impulses!" Liu Guoying shot her a look.

Listen to me.

Liu Guoying had seldom uttered such words to her earlier, since he realized she wouldn't heed all his advice—this young woman possessed a fierce independent streak.

Chiang Xiao deemed his statement rather fascinating.

She responded right away with full compliance, "Fine, fine, I'll heed you."

Overhearing the exchange between teacher and student, the principal hastily chimed in, "Chiang Xiao, attend to Mr. Hu’s issue first."

Five hundred thousand, indeed five hundred thousand.

He didn't consider himself overly fixated on wealth, yet five hundred thousand demanded careful thought, didn't it?

Free from money troubles, one could pour greater focus into artistic works, couldn't they?

Chiang Xiao eyed Hu Xiangyong with curiosity, "Uncle, what's this business you have with me?"

Her repeated use of "uncle" started to grate on Hu Xiangyong.

Fine, given his years, being termed uncle by her held accuracy, but why did it leave him sensing aged?

"Truth be told, I'm merely thirty-two this year." Hu Xiangyong quipped, "If Miss Chiang Xiao has no objection, feel free to address me as Brother Hu."

Brother Hu...

Pfft.

Chiang Xiao mocked him endlessly inside her mind, yet outwardly she feigned purity, "Wouldn't that be improper? My father is thirty-five, so you're roughly his peer."

Hu Xiangyong: "..."

"Still, I'll go with Mr. Hu. I used uncle only because I didn't recognize you, so it was informal." Chiang Xiao added, "Thus, Mr. Hu, what brings you to me?"

Now, with her saying Mr. Hu, it struck him as even less appealing than uncle.

"I'd like to hire Miss Chiang Xiao to create two paintings for me."

"Paintings?"

Chiang Xiao had already braced herself inwardly for this.

Ji Yuzhi had casually brought it up before.

However, she held zero enthusiasm for crafting art for Hu Xiangyong.

Would refusing the commission outright seem odd?

Right then, Liu Guoying jumped in swiftly.

"Xiao Chiang, Mr. Hu approached you after viewing the Welcoming Pine you did for the Lee Family Hotel. He mentioned your artwork draws crowds like gathering clouds!"

He aimed to nudge Chiang Xiao.

Five hundred thousand wasn't trivial; he worried she might chase the cash even aware of the risks tied to this man.

At times, he thought this girl chased riches excessively.

Welcoming Pine!

Chiang Xiao's pulse quickened as well.