Chapter 69: A Sister from a Different Father and Mother

Time quickly flew by, and soon it was Friday.

In the afternoon.

Jiang Ning put in a lot of effort to secure a half-day leave from Yang Mei’s supervisor.

The price? She had to place in the top five of next month’s math competition at school and represent the school in the city’s Olympiad contest alongside other high school students.

To be honest.

If it were just a competition among first-year students, getting into the top five wouldn’t be a problem for Jiang Ning.

But this selection included both first and second-year students.

That made her uncertain—after all, the second-year students had an extra year of competition practice under their belts.

But that was a concern for another time.

Right now, the top priority was securing the bus station bid.

As for whether she could place in the top five?

Well… she’d think about that later.

Jiang Ning stepped out the door, scanned her surroundings, and soon spotted a familiar red BMW parked in a street-side parking space.

She opened the door and got in.

Sitting in the back seat, she adjusted her school uniform.

Then, the car set off.

However, Jiang Ning quickly noticed that they weren’t heading toward the automobile company.

Puzzled, she asked,

“Mingyu-jie, where are we going?”

“The mall.”

“What for?”

Hearing Jiang Ning’s question, Li Mingyu glanced at her through the rearview mirror, rolling her eyes.

“Are you really planning to attend the bidding event in that outfit?”

Oh…

Jiang Ning looked down at her school uniform, scratched her head sheepishly, and chuckled.

An hour later.

When Jiang Ning and Li Mingyu walked out of the mall, Jiang Ning’s outfit had completely changed.

A pure white, fluffy top, matching straight-leg white pants, and a pair of small white leather shoes. Combined with her naturally pure yet captivating face…

The striking contrast of her monochrome outfit immediately drew astonished glances from the passersby.

However.

Li Mingyu still seemed dissatisfied.

She pulled Jiang Ning to the side of the road, giving her a once-over.

“What’s wrong, Mingyu-jie?”

“Wait a second.” Li Mingyu suddenly reached out and unfastened the tie in Jiang Ning’s hair.

The next moment.

Her long, silky hair cascaded down like a waterfall.

“This—”

Jiang Ning, unaccustomed to the change, pushed aside the strands falling over her forehead.

But Li Mingyu nodded in satisfaction.

“Not bad, not bad.”

“You actually have a bit of a celebrity aura like this.”

Jiang Ning let out a soft humph.

“Mingyu-jie, if you keep teasing me, don’t blame me for getting back at you.”

Getting back at her?

Just as Li Mingyu was wondering how Jiang Ning planned to retaliate—

Jiang Ning’s hand had already reached down toward her waist.

Then— slap!

A crisp sound rang out.

Immediately after, Jiang Ning bolted away.

Leaving Li Mingyu momentarily frozen in place.

A second later—

“You little brat! You’re rebelling, aren’t you?!”

Li Mingyu, her face tinged pink, lifted the hem of her dress and chased after the mischievous “white elf” ahead of her.

An hour later.

The red BMW slowly drove through the gates of the automobile company.

As soon as they got out, a balding man with glasses approached them with a fawning smile.

“President Li, welcome, welcome!”

“I’m Wang from the office. Our director is currently tied up with the bidding event and can’t step away.”

“So, I’ve been assigned to guide you, President Li.”

“Please, this way.”

Li Mingyu nodded, then turned to Jiang Ning.

“Make sure you’ve got the bidding documents ready.”

Got it.

Jiang Ning made an “OK” gesture.

Then, the two of them followed the balding man into the company.

Along the way, they passed numerous people coming and going, many of whom were carrying documents similar to bidding proposals.

It was clear that the commercial spaces at this bus station were highly sought after.

Seeing this, Jiang Ning began to feel uncertain.

Seizing a gap in the conversation between Li Mingyu and Wang, she nudged Li Mingyu’s arm.

Li Mingyu looked back at her questioningly, then followed her gaze to the surrounding bidders.

Understanding immediately, she smiled and said,

“Don’t worry, with me here, everything will be fine.”

That overwhelming confidence instantly reassured Jiang Ning.

Damn.

So this was the confidence of a government official’s child?

At this moment, the balding Wang suddenly smiled flatteringly and asked,

“President Li, may I ask, who is this young lady?”

“My younger sister.”

“Oh, Miss Li, nice to meet you!”

“Oh, my surname is Jiang.”

The balding Wang froze for a moment, but his smile quickly returned.

“Miss Jiang, nice to meet you!”

“I’m Wang Xianwei, Deputy Director of the Jiangzhou Automobile Company’s office.”

As he spoke, he handed over a business card.

Such a humble attitude.

Jiang Ning immediately thought this balding man had a bright future ahead.

She accepted the business card, and the moment she saw his name, memories from her past life flooded her mind.

Her eyes widened slightly in surprise.

Damn.

This guy was the future chairman of Jiangzhou Automobile Group.

He was a frequent guest on television.

Thinking of this, Jiang Ning discreetly gave him a once-over.

At this moment.

The future chairman had already led them to the director’s office.

He poured two cups of tea.

“Please wait here, the director will be here shortly.”

With that, he turned and left, closing the door behind him.

Once the door was shut—

Jiang Ning picked up her tea and took a sip.

“Mingyu-jie, why aren’t we at the bidding venue?”

In response, Li Mingyu simply smiled, pulled a small mirror from her bag, and touched up her makeup while saying,

“Xiao Jiang Ning, bidding is just a formality.”

“Some commercial spaces don’t require bidding at all.”

Hearing this, Jiang Ning instantly understood.

She thought back to how, in her past life, shopping malls would often reserve prime locations for major brands before opening them up for general leasing.

It was a common business strategy.

She just hadn’t expected a state-owned enterprise like the automobile company to play the same game.

Just then, the office door opened.

A middle-aged man with a protruding belly walked in.

He approached Li Mingyu with a warm smile.

“President Li, my apologies for the wait.”

Fifteen minutes later.

Wang Xianwei returned to the office and stood before the director.

“Director, they’ve left.”

“Good. Now go downstairs and take care of the bidding applicants.”

However.

Wang Xianwei hesitated and didn’t leave immediately.

After some contemplation, he finally asked,

“Director, why did you lease them a prime spot? We only have four first-tier commercial spaces.”

The director looked up at Wang Xianwei, then smiled meaningfully.

“You have to learn to invest.”

“But… weren’t you planning to give that space to Deputy Director Wang from the Commerce Bureau?” Wang Xianwei asked, looking worried.

Hearing this.

The director maintained his genial expression and said,

“Since you’re related to your cousin, let me ask you this—”

“Who holds more influence, the Deputy Director of the Commerce Bureau or the Deputy Mayor of the city?”

With just that one question—

Wang Xianwei froze.

Then, he gasped in realization.

“You mean… Qinghu District’s Deputy Mayor Li—”

The director merely smiled in silence.