Seeing Jiang Cheng holding Annie, she paused, the tips of her ears subtly flushing red.
Jiang Cheng asked, "Are you going out?"
"Yes," An Xin nodded, her fingertips gently twisting the fringe of her shawl. "There's a special interview for intangible cultural heritage at noon today. China Television will be there, so I have to go personally to supervise." She then looked up at Jiang Cheng, a hint of an unreadable emotion in her eyes. "Thank you for broadcasting tonight's gala."
Instead of responding to An Xin's thanks, Jiang Cheng said, "It's cold outside. Did you bring a jacket?"
Hearing Jiang Cheng's words of concern, An Xin's long eyelashes trembled slightly.
Her face slightly red, she nodded: "Yes. You talk to my dad first; I'll go ahead."
Seeing Jiang Cheng nod, An Xin lowered her head and said to Annie, "Annie, be good at home. Mommy will be back after she's done working."
"Okay, okay, don't worry, Mommy."
She walked towards the maybach at the entrance.
As soon as she reached the door, two Bodyguards immediately stepped forward to open the car door for An Xin.
After getting in the car, An Xin still reluctantly glanced at Jiang Cheng.
An Jingsheng, standing at the door, watched his daughter's reluctant gaze.
He shook his head helplessly, then called out to Jiang Cheng: "Come in quickly, it's cold at the door. Annie, you come in too."
"Okay, Grandpa," Annie responded cheerfully.
Before her words finished, she eagerly took Jiang Cheng's hand and, like a cheerful little bird, lightly skipped into the house.
Upon entering the An Family villa, Jiang Cheng was enveloped by a unique atmosphere.
The design of this house was exquisite, blending Eastern and Western aesthetics without any sense of clutter.
The living room had a ceiling height of three meters, and looking up, one could see the crystal chandelier hanging from the dome. The lamps were cut like icicles, reflecting the morning light pouring in through the floor-to-ceiling windows, casting fragmented light spots on the floor.
The rosewood floor underfoot was as warm as jade; stepping on it was silent, and a light touch of the fingertips revealed the delicate wood grain. The air was filled with a faint scent of wood wax oil, mixed with the osmanthus fragrance wafting in from outside, bringing a strange sense of peace.
Several oil paintings in the Great Goose Country style hung on the walls, with rich and bold brushstrokes—one depicted a winter birch forest, with docile reindeer in the snow.
Another was of Volga boatmen, their muscular lines full of power under the setting sun.
The fervor of these oil paintings formed a wonderful echo with the blue and white porcelain vase in the corner: the vase featured a typical blue and white lotus scroll pattern, with a lustrous glaze, a slightly flared mouth, and smooth curves, standing quietly on a zitan wood stand, exuding a Chinese sense of calm elegance.
Before he had a chance to properly look around, Annie pulled Jiang Cheng's hand and led him directly to a corner of the living room.
There, an easel was set up, and the oil painting on it was particularly eye-catching.
The colors in this painting were used very boldly: the deep blue night sky was like a profound ocean, with a golden dragon coiling within, as if dancing to a mysterious melody.
Beside the dragon stood a small figure wearing a top hat. Although the figure was simple, it added a touch of humor and fun to the entire painting.
An Jingsheng smiled and pointed at the little figure, saying to Jiang Cheng, "I heard that after you went to the intangible cultural heritage gala, she insisted on adding this little figure to the painting and said that this person is you."
"It's really well drawn. Especially the color of the dragon scales, it's very similar to the Shu Brocade in the An Group's display cabinet yesterday. Annie, you observe so carefully," Jiang Cheng praised sincerely.
When he was eight, he was still playing in the park with mud; he never expected Annie could paint oil paintings.
Although the painting wasn't exquisite, the overall framework and atmosphere were very well captured.
Annie's face turned red from the praise, and she ran off to get fruit for Jiang Cheng.
Her small figure bustling back and forth in the living room added a touch of homely warmth to what was originally a somewhat probing meeting.
After Annie was called away by the nanny for snacks, An Jingsheng made a gesture for tea towards Jiang Cheng.
"Thank you. I just received news that China Television will broadcast last night's intangible cultural heritage gala tonight."
An Jingsheng took a sip of tea and continued, "Even my old associates in the capital called, saying that the An Group really made a name for itself this time."
Jiang Cheng picked up his teacup, his tone calm: "The An Group's intangible cultural heritage projects are solid and deserve to be seen by more people. China Television just made a quick call; it was simply going with the flow."
Though his words sounded understated, An Jingsheng knew very well what was going on.
A prime-time broadcast on China Television's network—how many companies would fight tooth and nail for that and still not get it?
Moreover, in the latter half of the gala, a three-minute special report was specifically dedicated to the An Group's Shu Brocade craft.
Even An Xin's opening speech was edited into a warm-up preview—this kind of treatment was enjoyed by only a handful of companies in the country.
Jiang Cheng called it "going with the flow," but he was the one who personally brought that "flow."
He watched Jiang Cheng lower his eyes to sip tea, the sunlight through the floor-to-ceiling window falling on the side of his face, outlining his jawline with exceptional clarity. His expression was serene, completely devoid of the eagerness of seeking credit.
An Jingsheng suddenly smiled. As he set down his teacup, it clinked softly against the tea tray, the sound carrying a hint of relief.
"No wonder An Xin and Annie like you so much. These grandmother and granddaughter are notoriously 'difficult to please' normally. You're the first person they've truly warmed up to."
Seeing An Jingsheng praise him, Jiang Cheng waved his hand: "Ah, Old An, wait a moment, don't praise too soon."
PS: This book has a new anime adaptation on Kuaikan Manhua. Those interested can check it out; the art style is good.