After the Divorce, I Could Hear the Voice of the Future
Chapter 514 - 509: Just Want an Attitude

"How about I organize tonight's New Year's Eve party?"

Little Wang chuckled mischievously, while stroking the pure gold bull he once gifted to Liang when the company opened.

Even though Panda's stock price was halved the night before and the market frenzy faded away, it didn't dampen his mood for having fun.

A stock price above ten US Dollars, a market cap over two billion US Dollars, and being listed on the Global Select Market weren't exactly the treatment Panda deserved.

Now it's just the tide receding; apart from wanting to show off, he never considered his current wealth as actual wealth.

"You sure have a care-free attitude."

Liang couldn't help but laugh, calling Xu Jiawei to organize the documents: "Let me hear your plans first, then I'll decide if I want to join."

Modu was his turf, so he wasn't worried about having nowhere to go. He had two appointments tonight: one with Li Manli, the other with Wang Chuting.

If Little Wang's New Year's Eve plan was fresh enough, Liang wouldn't mind ditching them and flying solo.

"First, we'll have a few drinks on Hengshan Road, then pick a few girls we fancy, get on the yacht at the Bund. I bought a yacht, we'll sail down until reaching the Baoshan estuary. I have a villa there too, we'll sleep over and head to Zhoushan tomorrow..."

"Stop right there, you go ahead and play by yourself. I have plans tomorrow."

Liang's face was full of disdain, it's the same old routine without any novelty.

Besides, he had plans to meet Zhang Peiqiang tomorrow to finalize versions and some details, not convenient to go far.

"The final version?" Little Wang's eyes lit up, he coughed and said: "Actually, I have some knowledge about cars."

Liang chuckled: "Then join me tomorrow, just in case you can give some advice."

"No problem." Little Wang patted his chest, agreeing swiftly, and asked: "Then what about tonight?"

"You don't need me, just have fun yourself."

Liang put on his jacket and sent Wang Chuting a message: "I'm still in Beijing, won't be back tonight."

Little Wang heard this, shook his head with a face full of disdain: "Your level of lying is way above mine."

"Hurry up and leave, don't dilly-dally, others are waiting to clean up and lock the door."

Liang glared at Little Wang, left the company, and drove to the villa area on She Mountain.

Tonight, he planned to spend time with Li Manli.

Since meeting Sakurada Miyuki, Li Manli's age became the second youngest among his friends.

But Miyuki always had her mother with her, while Li Manli had fallen out with her family early on, she only had him.

"Ta-da~ Tonight we have salt and pepper ribs, oil-burst shrimp, steamed grouper, garlic greens, and oyster soup."

Seeing Liang arrive, Li Manli was all joyful, pulled him to the dining room and introduced tonight's menu.

Liang tasted a bit of everything, sincerely praising: "Almost at the level of a star chef."

Since signing with Panda, she stopped doing food production videos, and shifted to lifestyle and home dance-related blogging.

Unexpectedly, her cooking skills didn't decline but improved, even surpassing ordinary star hotel chefs.

Li Manli smiled with joy: "Take your time eating, I'll go shower first, see you later."

She walked with her hands behind her back, jumping lightly. Despite the praise from millions of followers, nothing compared to a compliment from Liang in her heart.

Liang knew Li Manli would take a long time showering, so he didn't wait, slowly enjoying the meal.

Meanwhile, he chatted with Su Wanyu over the phone and learned that mother and daughter were returning next month on the 20th.

Su Wanyu also shared her plans for next year: staying at school to pursue her Ph.D. while also aiming for a teaching certification.

"Is it at Shangwai or Tongji?" Liang asked.

"Shangwai, I've agreed with my tutor to be an assistant for a year while preparing for exams."

"Assistant? That's exhausting." Liang frowned; freshman counselors typically serve as assistants.

Getting up earlier than the chickens and sleeping later than the chickens, he had been a student once and understood how challenging it was to manage freshmen.

His former advisor was female and seemed to frequently cry in the office.

An ever-smiling young woman around twenty-five or twenty-six, after serving as an assistant for a year, gradually became a trusted teacher parents relied on, often with a tired demeanor.

Su Wanyu explained: "My tutor helped me apply for an assistant role in research projects, primarily organizing and translating documents."

If her child were a bit older, she might choose to be a freshman counselor to train herself, but considering her child's young age, having her mother by her side remains necessary.

"That's more manageable, what about the tomboy?"

Liang was talking while digging through Shangwai contacts to notify the director in advance.

"Xiaoxuan? She's planning to return with me and has submitted an application to study abroad." Su Wanyu said.

Studying at East Country was very straightforward, especially since Liang had donated £100,000 under her name, making it even smoother.

"Tough one." Liang sighed with a wry smile.

"Actually, it should be okay. At that time, I'll introduce her to some friends, hoping it might spark a change."

Su Wanyu felt amused yet understood Zheng Xiaoxuan's minor issues with orientation. Nonetheless, she wished to help Xiaoxuan, as Xiaoxuan had helped her when she was at her lowest.

"Let's hope."

Upon hearing the shower stop, Liang said: "Let's leave it for now. If you plan to come back, give me a heads up, I'll pick you up. There's still something I need to take care of later."

"Alright, bye-bye~" and amidst her child's babbling, Su Wanyu hung up.

Liang finished his dinner, watched TV for a bit, and finally Li Manli emerged from the bathroom.

He smiled, "If it weren't for knowing you take half an hour, I almost wanted to go in and fish you out."

"I shower really quickly, you know. It's just the makeup and dressing that take time."

Li Manli walked with small steps towards Liang, beaming to show off her outfit for tonight.

A yellow plaid beret, white sweatshirt paired with a black leather skirt, and calf-length boots.

She no longer only cosplays anime; her attire has developed into a personal style.

"How do I look?"

Li Manli looked expectantly, awaiting Liang's critique.

"We're not going out, why dress so nicely?"

"As long as you find it nice, that's all that matters."

Li Manli giggled, hugged Liang's arm, and accompanied him watching TV. She spoke about a new job opportunity from her platform, participating in a web variety show called "Please, Fridge."

The show is sponsored by Panda investments, giving her the chance to secure a regular guest role.

The whole night passed with Li Manli sharing little bits and pieces of recent happenings with Liang listening.

Until midnight struck, and the sound of fireworks exploding outside filled the air along with dazzling lights.

Liang laughed: "Come on, let's go see the fireworks."

Li Manli widened her eyes with joy: "Liang, did you arrange this?"

"You put a lot of thought into preparing this meal and dressing so beautifully. How could I disappoint you?"

Liang chuckled, pinching Li Manli's cheek, and led her to the small garden: "This is my gift for you."

Suddenly, several fireworks shot into the sky simultaneously, exploding into gorgeous blossoms, illuminating the night sky.

Often, they say they want an attitude, excluding the money-grubbing ladies; they actually desire to be cared for.

Even if Liang bought a ten-dollar rose from the roadside for Li Manli, she would be delighted.

But a ten-dollar rose and tens of thousands worth of fireworks made no difference to him; it was just a phone call.

The movie "First Rich" inspired Liang greatly. Some girls may not like money, but every item they like costs money, so men should still focus on their career.

Despite the splendid fireworks covering the sky, at this moment, Li Manli's eyes only saw Liang: "Liang, this is our second New Year's Eve together."

If it weren't for Liang, she might have ended up like her former friend, gradually becoming just another girl pouring drinks.

The environment easily changes a person; night scenes never recruit hostesses, only servers.

The base monthly salary of seven or eight thousand might not be low, but when constantly facing peers holding Apple phones, wearing branded clothes, with monthly salaries of tens of thousands, comparing becomes inevitable, leading naturally to joining them.

Liang brought her out, allowing her to become an affluent and glamorous young internet celebrity.

"Was the last time last year?" Liang's eyes showed a hint of pain, perceiving Li Manli's insecurities.

"It was the year before, last year at this time, you were touring many cities for inspection, probably for production bases."

Li Manli recalled clearly that she booked a suite a month in advance at the Global Center, and watched the light show with Liang at the hotel.

"Right, now I remember."

Liang chuckled, fetched a blanket from inside, wrapped them both in it, appreciated the vast fireworks display with Li Manli.

"Will there be more chances in the future?"

"Yes, there will be."