“Tonight?” Xiao Chang Kun said in some surprise. “So rushed?”
Ma Lan asked curiously from the side, “Tahiti? Is it that Tahiti famous for pearls?”
Xiao Chu Ran nodded and said to Ma Lan, “Yes Mum, it’s that Tahiti; they say it’s even better than the Maldives, just not hyped and promoted as much as the Maldives.”
Then, turning to Xiao Chang Kun, she added, “Dad, the cruise sets sail tomorrow morning, and we’re far away, so to make it on time we need to leave now; their company has already arranged a business car, it’s waiting right outside the door, you two go back to your rooms and pack a few things, then we can head straight out.”
Ma Lan asked with concern, “Daughter, taking a cruise that far must cost quite a bit, right?”
Xiao Chu Ran knew her mother loved a bargain her whole life, so she went along with it. “They say it’s super luxury first-class cabin, one ticket over two hundred thousand, and all meals and drinks are completely free.”
Ma Lan immediately perked up, excitedly saying, “Go! We absolutely have to go!”
Xiao Chang Kun was somewhat hesitant, saying, “Oh, this is too rushed; the association has quite a few things not handed over yet, leaving just like that feels a bit inappropriate!”
Ma Lan blurted out, “What’s inappropriate about it? Your association doesn’t have any real work anyway, just a bunch of old folks and ladies messing about with empty-headed stuff all day, and besides, President Pei has such a good relationship with you, if something comes up, just have him sort it out for you, it won’t be a problem for him at all.”
Xiao Chang Kun smacked his lips, then asked, “But taking the cruise out, round trip would be at least a month, right? Should we say something to Ye Chen?”
Xiao Chu Ran lied, “This project is run by a friend of Ye Chen’s; they’re giving us this free opportunity out of regard for Ye Chen’s face, and Ye Chen’s trip to Australia will take a long time anyway, he’s just worried we’d be bored at home, so he arranged this trip for us.”
“Oh, like that.” Xiao Chang Kun nodded slightly and said, “Then I’ll say hello to President Pei and have him arrange the work.”
Ma Lan jumped up joyfully, saying, “I’ll hurry upstairs and pack my luggage, don’t want to miss boarding tomorrow morning! Lately we’ve been flying everywhere, haven’t experienced a luxury cruise yet!”
At this point, Xiao Chang Kun also pulled out his phone and called President Pei.
As soon as the call connected, he said to President Pei, “Old Pei, let me tell you something; my son-in-law has gone to Australia on business with Mr Hong.”
President Pei asked curiously on the other end, “With Fifth Master Hong?”
Xiao Chang Kun laughed, “Yes yes yes, exactly Fifth Master Hong; you know how Fifth Master Hong is always begging my son-in-law for help, and my son-in-law can’t really refuse.”
President Pei praised, “Who can blame Ye Chen for having real skills! All those rich and powerful folks in Jin Ling respectfully call him Master Ye.”
Xiao Chang Kun felt smug inside, laughing heartily, “Yes yes yes, my son-in-law does have some ability; by the way Old Pei, that’s not the main thing I wanted to tell you, mainly my son-in-law is going to Australia this time and it might take quite a while, he’s worried that me, Ma Lan, and Chu Ran would be bored, so he arranged a luxury cruise to Tahiti for us, probably a month’s time, and it starts tomorrow, I didn’t expect it to be so sudden, so many things at the association I haven’t handled yet.”
When President Pei heard this, he understood Xiao Chang Kun’s intent; after screwing Xiao Chang Kun over last time, his own long-awaited promotion opportunity had vanished too, and since then he realised he absolutely had to keep Xiao Chang Kun on side, otherwise his future would be capped at the Calligraphy and Painting Association, no chance to climb higher in this lifetime.
Now that Xiao Chang Kun wanted to take leave for a trip, normally no one could approve a month’s holiday for fun, but since it was Xiao Chang Kun, he definitely could not refuse.
