322: Is there a battle of wits in Chapter 322? - 1

“Hehe, good, very good! Young and promising!”

Thinking of this, the director nodded with a smile, his gaze sweeping seemingly casually over Ye Cheng and Jiang Ye's empty hands, his tone becoming even more amiable:

“Mm, that's right! Coming here is just like coming home, don't be formal! Visiting an old man like me, your presence is worth more than anything; you don't need to bring big bags and small parcels! The orphanage has good policies now, and there are many kind-hearted people in society, so we aren't lacking in food or daily necessities!”

He shifted the topic slightly, his gaze looking at Jiang Ye with affection, his tone filled with admiration:

“I've always told these kids, if you really have a heart, it's not about these superficial gestures. Mm... It seems you, Little Jiang, are a sensible person, a thoughtful person!”

This sounded like a compliment, but in reality, it was digging another pit.

As long as you admit to being “thoughtful,” you won't be able to refuse when it's time to actually show it later.

If you try to explain that you “came in a hurry,” or show even the slightest bit of embarrassment...

That's even better; you've directly fallen into a disadvantageous position and have to start scrambling to make up for it.

Jiang Ye naturally understood the implication, his smile becoming even brighter. He quickly stepped forward, his tone incomparably sincere:

“Director, you are absolutely right! Although I haven't graduated yet and have limited ability and not much money, I still have plenty of enthusiasm to do what I can for the orphanage!”

He patted his chest with a thud:

“If there's any manual labor in the orphanage that needs doing, just order me around! Moving things, cleaning, repairs—I can do it all! I'm young, I've got plenty of strength!”

As he spoke, Jiang Ye beamed at the director and gave a solid bow, his voice resonant:

“You absolutely don't need to be formal with me! Ye Cheng grew up by your side and received your nurturing grace, so you are my elder! As a junior, I'm wishing you an early Happy New Year! Wishing you good health in the Year of the Horse, high spirits, and may everything go your way!”

As his voice fell, he straightened up, as if suddenly remembering something important, waving his hands repeatedly, his expression carrying a hint of panic:

“Oh right, right! Uncle Director, you absolutely must not give me a red envelope! Although this is my first time visiting formally as Ye Cheng's boyfriend, you must not engage in those superficial formalities! We are one family, no need to talk like two; I appreciate your intention, but a red envelope is absolutely out of the question!”

This was Jiang Ye's response.

First, he expressed that he was “thoughtful” but “broke,” offering only labor; then, he used a grand bow to solidify his status as a junior, seizing the moral high ground of respecting elders; finally, he pointed out that the other party should take the initiative—according to custom, when an elder meets a junior's partner for the first time, they usually give a gift.

This move of “retreating to advance” directly put the director in a dilemma:

If he didn't give a red envelope, it would seem like he, the “elder,” wasn't generous; but if he did...

Who the hell is actually soliciting whom here?

The director's mouth twitched slightly, but he quickly adjusted, smiling even more kindly:

“Hehe, if you really don't want it, then Uncle won't give it to you, okay? You're quite straightforward, kid.”

He paused, his gaze sweeping back and forth between the two young people, and patted Jiang Ye's shoulder as if joking:

“However... you can refuse the red envelope, but the bride price for marrying our Little Chengzi in the future, that can't be skimped on, right? Don't you dare try to pull any fast ones on me when the time comes!”

The two's gazes met briefly in the air, a flicker of wariness regarding each other's “cultivation” flashing in their eyes.

The director cursed inwardly: (What a sharp-tongued kid! Truly shameless and difficult to deal with! Thick-skinned, cunning, and quick-witted! No wonder he was able to completely win over the haughty Little Chengzi so quickly.)

Jiang Ye felt wary internally: (This old man is indeed a formidable opponent! His tricks are layer upon layer; no wonder he could raise a player like Ye Cheng with maxed-out resistance. It seems it won't be so easy to get out of this unscathed today.)

The next second, both of their faces bloomed with even brighter, even more “sincere” smiles, as if the brief eye contact from just a moment ago had never happened.

The director laughed aloud: “Oh my, this young man is truly clever, sensible, and well-spoken! Not bad, not bad at all, your future is limitless!”

Jiang Ye wore a look of “being overwhelmed by the favor”: “Uncle Director, you flatter me! You are the one who truly has the bearing of an immortal, kind and wise, exactly like the old immortal I imagined!”

For a moment, the scene looked harmonious and joyous, with both host and guest enjoying themselves, filled with an atmosphere of harmony and love.

Ye Cheng: “...”

She stood to the side, watching these two blowing smoke at each other as if no one else was around, their acting skills competing to be the most masterful, and felt a deep sense of powerlessness wash over her, unable to help but rest her hand on her forehead.

No! Can't stay here any longer!

If these two keep chatting “appreciatively” like this, who knows what even more outrageous plot might emerge!

She quickly coughed to interrupt this “harmonious” scene, reaching out to tug on Jiang Ye's sleeve:

“Old... cough, Director! I just brought Jiang Ye here today to see the place and get him familiar with the environment. Um... we're going to walk around elsewhere, and we'll be leaving in a bit. You go about your business, don't worry about us.”

As she spoke, she gave Jiang Ye a hard look, signaling him to hurry up and slip away with her.

“Hey, not busy, not busy!”

The director remained smiling, waving his hand unhurriedly: “Since you're here, how can you leave so quickly? It just so happens that Uncle has a small favor here, I wonder if it's convenient for you to help out, Little Jiang?”

Ye Cheng was slightly stunned, completely not expecting the director to be so direct and “throw a straight ball.”

This didn't fit the old man's usual subtle and indirect style, did it?

“Director, Jiang Ye hasn't even graduated yet, he's just an intern, he doesn't have the ability to...”

“Little Chengzi, look at you, where is your mind wandering off to again?”

The director smiled and interrupted her, but his gaze remained fixed on Jiang Ye: “I just want Little Jiang to help me scan a QR code, it's a very simple matter.”

“Scan a QR code?” Ye Cheng was stunned, not quite reacting in time.