After the signing agreement was negotiated, Jiang Li stood up, nodded to Du Shiming, and then bowed deeply to President Sheng.
"It wasn't my idea," Sheng Shuocheng said, raising his eyebrows slightly. "It was Du Shiming who thought you were a promising talent. I just didn't stop him." Sheng Shuocheng glanced at her.
"Then I'd like to thank President Sheng for showing mercy," Jiang Li said, smiling and winking. "Let's just write off all the previous grudges."
After saying that, she exchanged a look with Sister Chen and was about to leave.
"Wait a minute."
Sheng Shuocheng asked Sister Chen and Du Shiming to wait outside first, saying that he wanted to catch up with Jiang Li.
Jiang Li wasn't surprised. She just nodded to Sister Chen, signaling with her eyes that she didn't need to worry.
She could sense that the atmosphere today was quite good, and obviously Sheng Shuocheng had something to say to her.
Otherwise, for the mere matter of signing her into the drama troupe, he didn't need to come in person.
Soon, the waiter brought in the dishes.
Most of the dishes were in the local Huacheng flavor, mainly fresh and sweet. The ingredients were all very fresh, especially the trout in the middle of the dining table. It looked very fresh at first glance.
With a table full of delicious dishes in front of them, Jiang Li didn't pick up the chopsticks until Sheng Shuocheng started first. She lifted her hand very slightly, showing perfect courtesy and grace.
Sheng Shuocheng didn't say a word, and Jiang Li didn't ask either. The two of them just ate quietly, facing each other.
When they were almost done eating, Sheng Shuocheng picked up the handkerchief beside him, wiped his mouth, and finally said his first words: "Jiang Li, in terms of getting along with others, you're more composed than any young people I've met. You know how to handle things."
"If it were someone else, they would have asked me what I wanted to talk about during the meal."
Jiang Li couldn't tell if it was a compliment or a criticism. "One should not talk during meals or in bed. I don't think you'd like someone too impetuous."
"Being impetuous is definitely not advisable, especially the kind of impetuosity that is eager for quick success and greedy. That's even worse," Sheng Shuocheng said, looking up at her with a meaningful look in his eyes. "But you can't be like you, this little girl. You're so composed that it's hard to figure out what's on your mind."
What he meant was that he couldn't see her true intentions.
Jiang Li smiled. "There's no such thing as having it all."
"Why didn't you come to explain about the misunderstanding before?" His tone was calm, and it was hard to tell his emotions. "I even specifically told Zhang Yi to pay attention to your calls. But who would have thought that you, this little girl, didn't even send a single message."
"If you want to frame someone, you'll surely find a pretext," Jiang Li said calmly and confidently. "You didn't ask me before taking action, which means you had already made up your mind. What else could I forcibly explain? You know, an ant can't shake an elephant."
"You're still mad at me, this little girl," Sheng Shuocheng was amused by her metaphor. He found her quite interesting and couldn't help shaking his head. "You're really hard to figure out."
"Sometimes you're full of mischief, and sometimes you're very reserved and composed. Even at my age of nearly fifty, it's hard to fathom your thoughts."
He spread out his hands and said casually, "I'm afraid I'm getting old and my mind doesn't work as fast as it used to. I surrender. Just tell me directly. What's your purpose for approaching me?"
Jiang Li was momentarily speechless, and her expression instantly faded.
"You've already asked this question the first time you met me," Jiang Li said, looking extremely calm. "Saving you in the restaurant before was really just a piece of cake. I went to see Ms. Cheng Yingchun because there was an embroidery element in the drama I wanted to shoot. I wanted to learn and understand it more deeply. I never had the thought of relying on you for protection - sorry, I'm being too straightforward."
She said everything in one breath, and every word was filled with a hint of annoyance. "I answered you at that time, and my answer hasn't changed until now. From the very beginning, I've never asked anything from you. Whether you believe me or not is entirely up to you."
She admitted that her words were a bit offensive, but she really said them.
Sheng Shuocheng wasn't angry. He just looked at her and casually repeated, "You want nothing?"
Jiang Li remained silent as an answer.
"Okay, I'll take it that you want nothing. But what about others? Do they also want nothing?"
"I heard that you and Chen Siqi are going to get engaged?" Sheng Shuocheng rarely left home, but he knew everything. "Do you know that this young man has been eyeing my real - estate business this year, trying to get a share of the pie?
"Coincidentally, I deliberately set up a situation at the dinner table and said that I owed you, this little girl, a favor. Right after that, he spread the news of getting engaged to you, and I just happened to hear it. What do you think his intention is?"
As soon as he finished speaking, Jiang Li suddenly looked up. Her mind started to work at high speed, and she immediately understood something.
So that's why he agreed to sign her into Baijiao when she most needed income and a job, to offset the misunderstanding and the favor.
"Also, even if I believe that saving me in the corridor was just a coincidence and a piece of cake, why, when I asked you to make a request, didn't you think about your own interests but instead tried to get investment for Xiao Yanzhi?"
Sheng Shuocheng smiled. There was a deep meaning in his wrinkled eyes. "Jiang Li, you say you want nothing, but every single thing you've done has somehow benefited others. How can you call that 'wanting nothing'?"
President Sheng's words were like a bucket of cold water poured over her head, waking her up.
"Don't blame me for always speculating about you. None of the things you've done can be called 'wanting nothing'."
Jiang Li's face gradually became solemn.
"Don't blame me for being suspicious. Anyone in this situation would have to think twice."
Jiang Li's mind was in a complete mess. Her throat tightened. She wanted to open her mouth to explain, but she found that she didn't know where to start.
She suddenly felt that the self who had tried so hard to prove her innocence just now was like a big joke.
Jiang Li slowly lowered her head. Her hands hanging by her sides tightened little by little. For the first time, she felt what it meant to be unable to defend herself.
Yes, every single thing was done by herself.
"It's the first time I've seen you show such an expression," Sheng Shuocheng glanced at Jiang Li and calmly brewed another cup of tea. "Why, not explaining now?"
The room was quiet for a few seconds. Jiang Li took a deep breath and raised her voice. "I don't have anything to explain. What you said is the truth. It's all my own fault that I'm being suspected."
"Okay, I don't want to be the bad guy who makes girls cry," Sheng Shuocheng cleared his throat and said calmly. "Anyway, I can see that you're a kind - hearted girl."
What he said just now wasn't meant to embarrass Jiang Li. He just wanted to give her a wake - up call.
"At first, I thought you were a very smart girl. Now it seems that you're clearly a silly girl."
He smiled slightly. "If you had asked me to protect you the first time, as an old man like me, it wouldn't be impossible for me to take you as my god - daughter."
"But you took the long way around. You asked me to help Xiao Yanzhi and became a stepping - stone for Chen Siqi. I'd like to ask you - little girl, what exactly do you want?"