Soft-centered strawberry cake

Chapter 26 My brother-in-law is really amazing!
It rained heavily during the day, and the streets were much quieter at night.

Ming Chengze chose a Chinese courtyard-style restaurant for dinner tonight. The restaurant had an interwoven courtyard, with small bridges and flowing water. The flowers along the way looked even more charming after being wet by the rain.

The elegant seats near the lake had windows slightly ajar, allowing those sitting by the window to smell the faint fragrance of roses.

At her seat, Ming Wei had already started looking through the menu, while Pei Ming, sitting next to her, picked up the water on the table and took a sip.

"You two arrived quite early."

Ming Wei also looked up when she heard the sound, and saw that Ming Chengze had already taken a seat with Ouyang Xin by the hand.

"The place you chose has a pretty nice environment..." Ming Weiyi gave Ming Chengze an approving look.

"Let me introduce you. This is Pei Ming, my sister's legal husband," Ming Chengze said, gesturing to Ouyang Xin as he introduced Pei Ming. Then he turned his hand towards Ouyang Xin, "This is my girlfriend, Ouyang Xin."

The phrase "legal husband" perfectly encapsulates Pei Ming and Ming Wei's current relationship: aside from legal recognition, they don't seem to have mutual emotional recognition.

"Hello..." Pei Ming greeted Ouyang Xin politely.

"Hello, brother-in-law..." Ouyang Xin smiled politely. Pei Ming was even more outstanding than he looked in the video. No wonder Sister Weiwei did not resist this marriage.

Pei Ming was surprised by how sweet Ouyang Xin's words were; she called him "brother-in-law" the moment they met.

Hearing Ouyang Xin call Pei Ming "brother-in-law" so naturally, Ming Wei felt a little uncomfortable for some reason, but she didn't say anything.

"Take a look, what do you two want to eat?" Pei Ming said, flipping open the menu in front of Ming Chengze and Ouyang Xin.

"I'll order a few of Jiangcheng's specialties. You haven't been in Jiangcheng long, so please have a good taste," Ming Chengze said while flipping through the menu.

“Okay, I’ve heard that Jiangcheng has a lot of delicious food.” Pei Ming agreed to what Ming Chengze said. These past two days, Ming Chengze seemed less resistant to him.

“Our Chengze has matured a bit more today.” Ming Wei was genuinely surprised that Ming Chengze would prioritize entertaining Pei Ming.

Ming Chengze raised his eyes and glanced at Ming Weiyi with disdain. He was now seriously selecting dishes and didn't want to argue with Ming Weiyi.

While waiting for the dishes to be served, it was time to get down to business. Pei Ming turned his gaze to Ming Chengze.

“Chengze, that girl’s interest has only grown after she received your painting.”

"With such high popularity, you must have invested in it, right?" Ming Chengze also looked at Pei Ming.

"I have invested, so I hope to get a return."

"What do you want in return from me?" Ming Chengze asked curiously, as he really didn't know what Pei Ming wanted him to do next.

“Sign your artwork with the Ming Group. Your sister’s planning department is in charge of launching a new product, and I want your artwork to be used on the packaging.”

"My painting? Is my painting even acceptable?" Ming Chengze became a little insecure.

Both Ming Wei and Ouyang Xin were a little surprised to hear what Pei Ming said.

"You and your paintings are very popular right now, and the Ming Group signed your work for a very low price."

"Pei Ming, you said a few days ago that you had your own plans, is this it?" Ming Weiyi looked at Pei Ming, somewhat incredulous that he would seek cooperation with Ming Chengze. Pei Ming nodded slightly at Ming Weiyi, "The Ming Group hasn't fully recovered yet, and there's no absolute evidence to prove I'm being wronged. Rather than discussing cooperation with others, it's better to leverage our own strengths and rely on ourselves."

"Do you think that Ming's Group won't easily agree to cooperate with others, whether it's a celebrity company or a major IP?"

Following up on Ming Wei's question, Ouyang Xin also analyzed, "Although the Ming family has negative news, their status is still there. They will either refuse due to concerns about the negative impact, or they will take the opportunity to lower the price."

"Businessmen prioritize profit. Signing Chengze's work will maximize the Ming family's future development benefits." Pei Ming's answer was a response to Ming Weiyi and Ouyang Xin's questions.

Pei Ming's decision to enter the game himself from the very beginning made Ming Chengze begin to agree with Ming Hui's initial decision. "You've made me realize something now."

Seeing the way Ming Chengze was looking at him, Pei Ming asked, "What is it?"

“My dad made the right decision back then,” Ming Chengze said, then picked up the tea that had been brewed on the table and took a sip.

"If Chengze can participate in the launch of the Ming family's new products and the new products sell well, the directors of the Ming Group might criticize you less. At least for the time being, they won't say you are the Ming family's good-for-nothing son."

Ming Wei raised an eyebrow slightly, her eyes full of teasing as she looked at Ming Chengze.

"This way, Chengze can pursue his dreams or return to the Ming Group with dignity. Brother-in-law is truly amazing, killing three birds with one stone." Ouyang Xin finished speaking and gave Pei Ming a thumbs up in admiration.

“If Chengze has no objections, I’ll have Du Lian come to you tomorrow to sign the contract.” Pei Ming knew that Ming Chengze would definitely not refuse his proposal; he was certain that Ming Chengze was part of the Ming family.

"You've arranged everything so well for me, what objections could I possibly have?" Ming Chengze crossed his arms, looking completely at ease.

Ming Wei also thought about it. Pei Ming hadn't told her anything about his plans since the beginning of the project, which made Ming Wei question Pei Ming.

"Pei Ming, since you had this plan, why didn't you tell me when we were having hot pot a few days ago?"

Pei Ming looked earnestly into Ming Weiyi's eyes, "At that time, it wasn't certain that Chengze had the value he has now. Telling him would only increase your expectations."

“Look how reliable my brother-in-law is. He only speaks up after everything is settled.” Ouyang Xin has now firmly decided to stand on Pei Ming’s side.

Pei Ming's kindness towards Ming Chengze made Ouyang Xin think that he must care about Ming Weiyi to treat Ming Chengze so well.

Although Ming Chengze thought Ouyang Xin was right, he still stubbornly complained to her, "Xinxin, how come you've become Pei Ming's straight man now?"

"Am I wrong? I'm just telling the truth."

In the restaurant's aisle, a waiter carried dishes toward Ming Weiyi's table and then gently placed them on the table.

"Alright, alright, the food's here, let's eat..."

Ming Wei also interrupted Ming Chengze and Ouyang Xin's conversation under the pretext of eating. She had indeed seen and remembered Pei Ming's excellence.

In just a few weeks, Pei Ming not only stabilized the Ming Group, but also came up with a strategy for the Ming Group's new products, which made Ming Wei also acknowledge that Pei Ming was indeed a person with a business mind.

Sitting opposite Pei Ming, Ming Chengze watched as Pei Ming carefully served tea and water to Ming Weiyi and spoke to her gently. At that moment, he couldn't help but think that Pei Ming, his brother-in-law, was not bad.

(End of this chapter)