142 Playing Around

Iris blinked a couple of times before taking the CD and writing "Elder Brother Hui" instead of his requested "Long Hui". She didn't like how he was talking down at her like a child, so why should she completely heed to his request? She gave the signed CD back to him.

Long Hui frowned, displeased that she didn't follow his exact instructions. However, he didn't complain, nodding at her instead.

She smiled sweetly at him, oddly enjoying his expression of displeasure.

Long Tengfei nodded. He was pleased that his two legitimate children were acting in a civil manner to each other. Yang Jiahui released the breath she was holding and smiled. Meimei started chatting again with Iris.

The topics of their conversations changed frequently. Iris mentioned that she was looking for a female bodyguard. Long Tengfei offered to help her look for one.

"Thank you, Father."

"En." Long Tengfei nodded.

"Do you have any specific requirements for a female bodyguard?" Long Hui unexpectedly asked, joining the conversation on his own accord.

She tilted her head to the side, thinking. "I personally don't have any specific requirements other than loyalty, trustworthiness, and of course martial arts skills. I actually don't want bodyguards but my boyfriend and my manager, even Father, want me to have at least two. They managed to convince me so I'm currently hiring."

Long Hui had a serious look on his face as if thinking deeply of something.

"Wait!" Meimei interrupted. "Xiulan, you have a boyfriend?"

Iris nodded.

"Really? How come we don't know? Oh, is it supposed to be a secret? Is he from showbiz too? Who is he? Oh, it's okay if you don't want to say."

"He's not from showbiz. He's just a regular businessman, no one special."

Long Tengfei coughed hearing his daughter's description of Jin Liwei. When did the President-CEO of the number one company in the country become just a "regular businessman" who was "no one special"?

For Iris, Jin Liwei was indeed just as she described him. In her definition, anyone legally running their businesses out in the open―a.k.a. not directly related to the black market or criminal organizations―were "regular" and "no one special". So what if Jin Liwei was a multi-billionaire and the head of the number one company in the country? Lots of crime bosses were multi-billionaires as well with organizations spanning several countries, even continents. Compared to these hidden dragons and crouching tigers of the underworld, Jin Liwei couldn't be any more than regular. Besides, Jin Liwei wasn't the only business leader in the world. Each country had its own business leader, so Jin Liwei was really no one special―this was according to Iris. (Poor guy! His own girlfriend thought that he was no one special.)

If Long Tengfei knew what his daughter's thoughts were, he would probably choke on his own disbelief.

The conversation changed topics several times afterwards before moving on to Long Tengfei's offer to Meimei to work at Long Industries after she graduated.

Iris was the only one who noticed Meimei's discomfort because she knew that the other's true ambition was not to become a corporate worker but a digital manhuajia instead.

"Digital artists are increasingly becoming important in the company, especially in the advertising department," Long Hui said. "Long Industries pays well with good benefits. Many newly-graduated digital artists will fight for you for this job offer, so don't waste it. However, don't expect any preferential treatment once you start working. I will not allow you to use your connection with Father once you're inside the company. You can only use your own skills and hard work to climb up."

The corners of Meimei's mouth turned down. She knew that he was right, but the way he said it was just too insensitive for her. She could only mumble, "Yes, Big Brother. I understand."

Long Hui nodded before turning to Iris. "How about you, Little Sister? Are you planning on working in showbiz for the rest of your life? I think that you need to start thinking about your future seriously. A showbiz career is very uncertain and irregular. You might be popular now but what about in 3 years? 5 years? 10 years? The two of us are the only legitimate heir and heiress. Don't tell me you're planning on receiving your portion of the inheritance without even making any contribution to the family?"

Yang Jiahui paled hearing the word "inheritance" because this would only be received once her husband was dead. She didn't even want to think about it.

On the other hand, Long Tengfei was silently listening to his children's conversation. As a matter of fact, he approved of this kind of discussion. He didn't mind their talks about inheritance because it was indeed inevitable that he would die someday and pass on his wealth to his own children. Except for Long Hui who was his immediate heir, he never forced any of his other children to work at his company. He let them decide what careers they wanted to pursue, but deep inside he still wanted all his children to follow in his footsteps and continue his legacy by working for the family business.

"Even our other siblings are aiming to work at the main company," Long Hui continued. "Our brother is already working at a small branch division. Once he gains enough experience and skills, he'll transfer to the main company. Our sister is in her last year of university and has also expressed interest in entering the company like our brother by starting at a small branch division first. You're the only one who's still playing around. I know that you're the youngest, but you're already 20. You're now an adult, no longer a child."

Iris' eyes narrowed, but her face remained calm. This man said that she was 'playing around'?

"Thank you for your advice, Elder Brother Hui," she replied in a light yet cold tone. "I'll be sure to never forget what you just said to me."

She would indeed never forget how he described her current career as 'playing around'.

Meimei felt sorry for Iris, so she ended up speaking before thinking. "Xiulan's career is off to a great start ever since her comeback. Her songs and album debuted within the top 10 rankings in the music charts and they're only getting more popular by the day. And even if her showbiz career isn't doing well, Big Brother just said that she's an heiress of this family. I'm sure she can also enter the company and start working anytime she wants like your other siblings."

"Oh?" Long Hui raised an eyebrow. "Is that what you think?"