Before even entering the door, the sound of Xue Lianyu's laughter could be heard. Seeing Cheng Xiran coming, Xue Lianyu immediately scurried over like a sycophant and poured tea for her.
Helian Duo gave him an annoyed glare. Xue Lianyu smiled smugly and said, "Xiran, why are you here so early?"
Cheng Xiran deliberately put on a gloomy face. Leaning on her arm, she took a sip of tea and sighed.
"I got scolded by my father this morning. He told me to suspend the publication of the newspaper. I disagreed. My father listened to Lady Liu and cut off my funds directly." Cheng Xiran said with an aggrieved look.
Helian Duo almost spat out his tea. He just couldn't believe this girl would be at a disadvantage. She must be up to some mischief.
He kept silent and continued to listen to the two chatting. Sure enough, upon hearing this, Xue Lianyu was extremely indignant. "Xiran, don't be sad. The most abundant thing in my Feiyu Villa is money. Don't worry. Even if Prime Minister Cheng cuts off your funds, the newspaper has me and Mu Tou. You don't need to spend a single silver coin."
Hearing this, Cheng Xiran looked at Xue Lianyu with a touched expression. "The young villa - master is really generous. This little girl is extremely grateful."
Hearing this, Xue Lianyu felt something was off. It was as if he had been sold. Cheng Xiran quickly took out today's manuscript. To show her gratitude to Xue Lianyu, she decided to let him be the first to read the latest chapter.
Looking at the as - sly - as - a - fox Cheng Xiran, Helian Duo felt a slight itch in his heart. When did this girl change so much?
Cheng Xiran, feeling a bit guilty, sensed a gaze on her. She looked up and gave Helian Duo a mischievous smile. "I'll count on the prince's help in the future."
"The money issue will be taken care of by Xue Lianyu. You just focus on writing your stories. When will the newspaper start implementing the new plan?" Helian Duo asked expressionlessly.
Cheng Xiran blinked her starry eyes and thought for a while. "If the funds are in place and the printing can keep up, we can start."
After they finished speaking, they both looked at the money - bags Xue Lianyu. "Why are you looking at me? As long as there are enough manuscripts, money is not a problem. I'll go back and talk to my father today and ask him to allocate the funds so we can start officially."
Xue Lianyu looked at Cheng Xiran worriedly. "But then again, your own father has cut off your financial resources. What will you do in the future?"
Cheng Xiran looked at Xue Lianyu with a smile like a wolf - grandma. "So we have to start running the newspaper quickly! I'll also publish some picture books. Then the silver will come pouring in."
Seeing the intimate interaction between the two, Helian Duo coughed. Xue Lianyu didn't care about Helian Duo at all.
Helian Duo stood up and pulled Cheng Xiran up. "It's noon. I'm hungry. Xue Lianyu, you're treating."
After saying that, he pulled Cheng Xiran out of the newspaper office without looking back. Cheng Xiran looked at Helian Duo's back in a daze. What on earth was going on?
Xue Lianyu cursed Helian Duo as a heartless merchant behind their backs. He felt that Helian Duo was even more of a merchant than his own father.
Cheng Xiran was thinking about what interesting picture books to add, so she ate absent - mindedly. Xue Lianyu thought she was unwell and was about to ask. Suddenly, Cheng Xiran had a brainstorm and slapped the table hard. "I've got it!"
Helian Duo looked at Cheng Xiran like she was a strange creature. Only then did Cheng Xiran realize they were having a meal! Fortunately, they were in a private room. Otherwise, others would have looked at her with strange looks.
"What did you get? Tell us. You seem so excited." Helian Duo said calmly.
"I've thought of what interesting content to put in the picture books. We can write some folk tales and some strange and mysterious stories to attract the readers' attention." Cheng Xiran said excitedly.
Hearing these new terms, Helian Duo and Xue Lianyu were completely bewildered. They knew what folk tales were, but what were these strange and mysterious stories?