NOVEL NEXT Chapter 273: Being Favored
"Professor Xu, I didn't expect you to attend such events either?"
In the Lexus, the one driving was not Xu Yingning, but Li Jing, who had also just arrived.
Earlier, when Li Jing had parked and was about to enter the venue, he saw Xu Yingning parking and asking a security guard by the roadside about the parking lot's location.
Perhaps due to the heavy flow of people and cars today, the security guard was overwhelmed. After explaining once and not being understood, his expression became impatient, and his voice grew louder.
Hearing the commotion, Li Jing turned his head and thus discovered Xu Yingning.
Due to the crowded venue and Xu Yingning's less than proficient driving skills, Li Jing eventually offered to drive and helped her park the car.
"President Li, you came too. I also didn't expect that."
Sitting in the passenger seat, Xu Yingning displayed a satisfied smile as Li Jing successfully parked the car for her: "This time, I'm really lucky to have met you. Otherwise, I probably wouldn't have found this parking lot."
"You came at the peak time, and being unfamiliar with the place, it's easy to get confused."
Li Jing explained, "I have a friend competing here who told me where the parking lot is, so that's how I found it."
"You have friends who are professional fitness athletes?"
Xu Yingning was a bit surprised, "I thought your friends were all entrepreneurs or bosses."
"Professor Xu, you're overestimating me. My social circle is not that high-class." Li Jing chuckled and shook his head, "Besides, those bosses have endless business banquets, but I'm too carefree and laid-back to fit into those occasions."
After attending a private bank event, Li Jing was invited to several more gatherings and dinners of private bank members.
But after going once and understanding what it was about, Li Jing really couldn't take an interest in the business flattery and behind-the-scenes scheming at those meals and mostly declined them.
To him, resources and connections are indeed important, but continuously attending social events and uneasy gatherings goes against his original intention of enjoying life.
He's willing to meet more people, but the premise is that it shouldn't make him uncomfortable.
Even if it's Hu Yongbo or Xu Yingning, if they were overly controlling and wanted to restrain Li Jing, he would absolutely not continue interacting with them, even if they could become valuable connections.
"Oh? For someone as young and successful as President Li, you don't seem like a laid-back person."
Professor Xu, with a few traces of time in her eyes, smiled at Li Jing and then casually asked, "President Li, have you heard about the Cultural Park project in the development zone recently?"
"The Cultural Park in the development zone?" Li Jing raised an eyebrow, then shook his head.
Seemingly having anticipated this response, Xu Yingning smiled, "It's a project the city is planning to launch recently, and many companies are already eyeing it. The threshold of Teacher Hu's office is almost worn out by those people."
Li Jing's expression shifted at these words, and after pondering for a moment, he said, "Professor Xu, are you suggesting..."
"It's nothing serious, if you're interested, you can look into it. If not, it's no big deal."
Xu Yingning laughed openly, "But according to Tianhai's future plans, the development prospects over there are quite good, and the Cultural Park is a crucial step in Tianhai's expansion in that direction, leaving no room for error."
With the last sentence, Xu Yingning's tone notably intensified.
Li Jing's brow furrowed slightly, recalling words once spoken by Liu Huaming in his mind.
Hu Yongbo, newly transferred to Tianhai, seems to distrust companies too entangled with Tianhai's interests and requires clean, straightforward companies for cooperative development.
Having guessed the other's intentions, Li Jing considered for a moment before speaking again, "Professor Xu, actually, I don't lack money, so I'm not very interested in projects."
Upon hearing this, Xu Yingning's smile didn't fade, becoming even more enthusiastic: "I know, what Teacher Hu and Hua Ming value most about you is the fact that you don't need money... and you're not greedy for money."
Looking into Li Jing's eyes, Xu Yingning smiled and spoke, "The Cultural Park project is guaranteed to be profitable without any losses. But Teacher Hu hopes the investing companies will earn only the profits they're supposed to, while most of the money should still be spent where it's needed."
However, many bosses feel that the rightful earnings are too little, and they want to earn unrightfully gained money..."
With that, feeling perhaps she'd said too much, Xu Yingning smiled, waved, and willingly ended the topic:
"Alright, alright, it's my fault for making you uncomfortable. I'm just mentioning it casually; whether you're willing or not is up to you, so don't feel like you can't refuse. I don't represent Teacher Hu, so don't overthink it."
As she finished, Li Jing nodded, parked the car neatly for her, and turned with a fresh smile, "Professor Xu, rest assured, I'll look into it. If it seems viable, I'll invest. If it doesn't suit, I won't get involved."
Seeing the sincerity in his eyes, Professor Xu's eyes slightly moved as she slowly nodded, showing a gentle, satisfied smile, "Great, if you agreed now, I'd actually be a bit worried."
Then, she unbuckled her seatbelt and warmly addressed Li Jing, "President Li, you see, even Hua Ming calls me sister-in-law, so you can too.
If you don't mind my age, you don't need to call me Professor Xu; just calling me sister-in-law will do, otherwise, it seems too distant."
Li Jing was taken aback, then said, "Director Liu calls Teacher Hu older brother, so he should call you sister-in-law. Addressing you by your position seems more appropriate for me..."