The shop assistant eagerly introduced, "This set is our latest design, fashionable and modern, and it's the only one we have. The design is inspired by the sun and moon. In ancient times, it was said that the sun represents morning and the moon represents evening. The union of sun and moon symbolizes lovers staying together day and night."
Before Susu could even ask about the price, Tianyi declared, "We'll take this set. Please wrap it up."
The shop assistant happily wrapped the brocade box and went to retrieve the handheld POS machine.
Susu was accustomed to Tianyi's extravagant shopping habits, but she couldn't help but whisper to him, "You didn't even ask the price. If it's too expensive, you could have asked for a VIP discount."
"You like it a lot, don't you?" Tianyi smiled at her. "As long as you like it, the price doesn't matter. Besides, it's worth buying for the symbolism."
"Young Master, you believe anything the shop assistants say."
"I do. Don't you like spending your days and nights with me?" Tianyi playfully tapped her forehead with his finger.
Susu's heart filled with sweetness as she replied, "I do."
After Tianyi paid, the shop assistant asked them to leave their address, stating that they would send a dedicated person to deliver the expensive jewelry set to their home.
Susu then picked out a necklace as a Christmas gift for Xiao Mei, and handed the large toy box to the jewelry store staff to be delivered together.
The shop assistant gladly agreed and asked if they had any other requests.
They browsed the mall a bit more, bought a gift for Xiao Lin, and Tianyi also bought a few things he and Susu liked on impulse.
Feeling hungry, they headed to a restaurant, with Tianyi still carrying bags of various sizes.
Susu, worried he was tired, offered to carry some of the bags. He refused, saying, "I'm not that delicate. Have you forgotten I used to be Lu Yuanhong's bodyguard? I've carried more shopping bags than this."
Thinking of the dangerous experiences Tianyi had endured, she felt a pang of concern and insisted on taking some bags from him.
Tianyi smiled and said, "Let's go into the restaurant quickly. Don't be like this. We have bodyguards protecting us discreetly. If they see us, they'll think we're being intimate in public."
Susu glared at him, thinking he was joking again, and hurried into the restaurant ahead of him.
Tianyi laughed heartily, confident in her easily embarrassed nature.
While eating at the restaurant, they were chatting happily when Tianyi suddenly received a message. Seeing him frown as he looked at his phone, Susu curiously craned her neck to see what he was looking at.
She caught a glimpse of a picture on his phone and asked, "Who sent you this? Why do you look so serious?"
Tianyi didn't hide anything from her or avoid her. He handed her his phone and said, "Look, Xie Zhendong's cultural wall project has already completed several walls. The paintings all reflect the historical development of Lancheng, making it seem like a great and virtuous undertaking. I didn't expect that the land that had previously wronged Xie Qining would allow him to turn it into something valuable and make a comeback."
He didn't want to be in the group today; coming out for some fresh air was also related to this matter.
Now, the attitude of the city construction project's responsible party towards their company, Aoxiang, was becoming increasingly indifferent. It seemed that Xie Group had already been chosen, and Aoxiang's chances were indeed slim.
The high-level executives in the group, along with Xiao Anjing, were all wavering, believing there was no point in participating in the bidding anymore to avoid wasting more manpower and resources. But he just couldn't accept it.
If they didn't win this project, they would continue to be suppressed by Xie Zhendong, with no chance to even catch their breath.
Susu didn't understand these matters much. Holding his phone, she looked at the paintings on the cultural wall, which indeed had artistic conception and cultural depth. However, as someone who came from an art background and dealt with brushes and paints daily in design, she casually remarked, "Is this a newly made cultural wall? Why are there fine cracks on the surface of the paint? Didn't Xie Zhendong use waterproof paint? If it gets soaked during the flood season, all this work will be in vain. Sigh, what a waste of money just for show..."
"What did you just say?" Tianyi suddenly asked seriously.
"I said they're too hypocritical, wasting money on a superficial project..."
"Not that," Tianyi said excitedly. "What did you say about the paint?"
"It's not waterproof coating," Susu repeated.
Tianyi asked again, "Can you be sure?"
Seeing his sudden nervousness and excitement, Susu knew he cared deeply about this matter. She couldn't say for sure, "Looking at the photo, there are indeed tiny cracks, but to know for sure if it's waterproof paint, I'd have to see it in person and touch it."
"Then let's go to the cultural wall construction site now," Tianyi said, standing up immediately.
Susu agreed, happy that she could help him.
They drove to the area where the cultural wall was being built, but upon arrival, they found they couldn't just enter. The construction site was already fenced off, and access required a card swipe.
They walked around the perimeter of the construction site, and Susu had an idea, saying, "Let's go back to the car to discuss it."
Tianyi understood and, after returning to the car, asked, "Do you have a way to get in?"
Susu nodded and said, "Do you have a briefcase or a document folder in your car, and some white paper?"
"I have a briefcase, and there should be blank A4 paper inside," Tianyi replied.
Susu said, "Go get the white paper and a pen. I'll draw a sketch of the cultural wall. I should be able to blend in by pretending to be a painter here. As soon as I see the completed cultural wall, I'll know what kind of paint it is."
"Then I'll carry the briefcase and follow you, acting as your assistant," Tianyi said, concerned.
"No need. The two of us might attract attention. You wait for me in the car," Susu said confidently. "I didn't see anyone we know around, so it should be fine. If you notice anything wrong outside, call my phone."
"But I'm worried..."
Susu interrupted him, "It's okay, I'll just take a look and come right back. Hurry and get the briefcase, pen, and paper. Go on."
Tianyi retrieved them from the trunk. Susu quickly drew a sketch on the white paper, which looked quite convincing. She then put the sketch in her bag and headed off.
Tianyi watched the situation at the entrance with some nervousness from the car. He also sent a message to the bodyguards, telling them not to reveal themselves and not to follow Susu inside.
He saw Susu reach the entrance, say a few words to the security guard, and then present the sketch from her bag.
The guard glanced at it, swiped his card, and let her in.
After entering the area, Susu found that most of the place was still undeveloped, with only a few newly erected cultural walls in the distance.
Without daring to delay, she ran over and carefully examined the completed paintings on a wall. She smelled the paint and touched it with her hand, confirming that the paint was not only not waterproof but also cheap and of poor quality.
As she stood under the cultural wall, about to text Tianyi, someone called out to her, "Young Miss, why are you here?"
Susu was startled by the voice, quickly put away her phone, and looked up to see Zhan Jiayi.