Shi Xu was not at all angry.
With his status, there was no need to take a man like Shi Kang seriouslyâa farmer who would spend his entire life in a rural village, tending to a tiny plot of land. Besides, he, Shi Xu, had returned home in splendor. How could he give people ammunition against him and tarnish his own reputation? Most importantly, he couldn't stop thinking about that girl, Shi Qinghan.
He and Shi Qinghan had played together since they were little. While the girl might not have been exceptionally beautiful, her simple innocence and the fixation he'd had since childhood had always tugged at his heart. If he didn't win her over this time, his mind wouldn't be at peace. He had to spend every day with a fat, old woman. Now that he finally had an opportunity, how could he possibly let it pass?
"Xu'er, rest assured, I will handle this for you," Shi Jiu said, knowing full well what his son was thinking. He patted his chest and made a solemn promise.
"Wait until the banquet tomorrow, when everyone in the village is trying to curry favor with us. I refuse to believe Shi Kang won't be tempted. I'm afraid he'll come knocking himself, shamelessly asking to discuss the marriage, right?"
Shi Xu grinned and laughed heartily. "That's interesting, haha!"
Not long after they left, Chen Yang's business van pulled up in front of Shi Kang.
"Uncle Kang!" Yang Hu called out as he jumped out of the car and walked over. "Your leg hasn't fully healed. Why are you outside?"
"I can't stand staying in bed!" Shi Kang laughed, the earlier unpleasantness completely gone. His gaze fell on Chen Yang and Qin Qiu. "And these two are...?"
"This is my Boss, my direct superior," Yang Hu said, gesturing first to Chen Yang, then to Qin Qiu. "And this is my sister-in-law."
"Hello, it's nice to meet you," Shi Kang said, suddenly becoming a bit reserved.
Yang Hu is already an Eighth Rank Military General, so what rank could his leader be?
Ultimately, his experience was limited; otherwise, he would have recognized Chen Yang's identity at a glance.
"Quick, please, come inside," Shi Kang invited warmly.
BOOM!!
In the distance, dazzling fireworks exploded in the sky.
Shi Kang frowned but didn't spare them a glance.
"Uncle Kang, who's celebrating?" Yang Hu asked curiously.
"Shi Jiu," Shi Kang said flatly. "He earned some money out of town over the last few years. Now he's back, planning to build a villa and host a 'Hundred-Family Banquet' for the entire village."
Yang Hu nodded and didn't ask any more questions. This sort of thingâreturning home rich and showing offâwas quite normal in the countryside.
Shi Qinghan's mother, Madam Huang, had already prepared a table full of dishes. There was home-raised chicken and duck; in short, every high-quality country dish imaginable was served.
"Sir, can you hold your liquor?" Shi Kang asked with a smile, bringing out a large clay jar.
Looking at the huge jar, which could clearly hold over a gallon, Chen Yang touched his nose. "I can handle it."
"Good!" Shi Kang roared with laughter and immediately poured Chen Yang a full bowl.
That single bowl held at least a pound of liquor, which made Qin Qiu's eyelids twitch.
"Uncle Kang, my Boss can drink so much that you could bring out all your treasured reserves and still not get him drunk," Yang Hu joked.
"Heh heh, I have more than enough good liquor," Shi Kang replied, not willing to back down.
After three rounds of drinks, Chen Yang brought up the main topic. "Uncle Kang, Yang Hu grew up without parents and has been with me for a long time. I've always treated him like a younger brother, so when it comes to his marriage, I think I have the right to speak on his behalf."
At his words, Yang Hu grinned foolishly, while Shi Qinghan immediately lowered her head.
Saying this, Chen Yang placed a bank card on the table in front of Shi Kang. "Here's one million. Consider it a betrothal gift. When we go back, I'll help Yang Hu buy a property in Cangyun City."
"Of course, if you two feel Cangyun City is too far, buying a house in our own city is also an option."
Shi Kang and Madam Huang were stunned. While accepting a betrothal gift was customary, the amount was usually around a hundred thousand. But this man... offering a million right off the bat? To them, this was an astronomical sum.
And he was going to buy a house in Cangyun City? They had never been there, but they had seen on TV that housing prices there exceeded one hundred thousand per square meter. Even if they worked for a full year without eating or drinking, they couldn't afford half a square meter.
They could tell this young man was no ordinary person, but his offer had truly shocked them.
"We can't accept this money," Shi Kang said, pushing the bank card back toward Chen Yang. "Qinghan is our only child. As long as she has a good life, that's all that matters."
"These are two different matters. This is just how it's done." Chen Yang stuffed the card directly into Shi Kang's pocket. "As for the property, I'll start arranging it as soon as I get back."
"Oh, you have guests."
Just as Shi Kang was about to refuse again, a middle-aged woman walked in from outside. She was over forty but wore heavy, flamboyant makeup. It was a tacky, overdone style, and the powder on her face was caked on so thick it looked like peeling paint, ready to flake off at any moment.
"Wang Po, what are you doing here?" Madam Huang asked, puzzled.
"I'm here for a happy occasion, of course," the woman named Wang Po said. Without any ceremony, she pulled up a chair and sat down. Grabbing Shi Qinghan's hand, she said with a beaming smile, "I always knew this child, Qinghan, was destined for a life of wealth and honor."
"And look, even though that boy Shi Xu has become so successful, he still has his heart set on you. He specifically asked me to come be the matchmaker."
"You must have heard that Shi Xu started his own company. He manages over five thousand people and has assets worth tens of millions," Wang Po said with unconcealed envy. "This time, it's your ancestral graves producing green smoke, Old Kang. Otherwise, how could such a wonderful opportunity ever fall into your lap?"
Everyone except Shi Kang was momentarily stunned.
"I'm sorry, I already have a boyfriend," Shi Qinghan said, quickly pulling her hand away and linking her arm with Yang Hu's.
Wang Po was speechless.
Madam Huang smiled. "Wang Po, you really are too late. Please trouble yourself to inform Shi Xu."
"Oh? When did this happen?" Wang Po asked, her face a mask of astonishment. She sized up Yang Hu, then pursed her lips in disdain. "Just a country bumpkin, is he? How can he be compared to a talented young man like Shi Xu?"
"This is a chance for a chicken to become a phoenix. You'd be wise not to miss it."
"Who are you calling a country bumpkin?" Shi Kang, never known for his good temper, exploded at Wang Po's passive-aggressive tone. "Get out right now! Even if Qinghan were single, she would never marry that Shi Xu."
"Boss Shi Xu said he would give five hundred thousand as a betrothal gift, and he would even renovate this old house for you," Wang Po said, unfazed, even winking as she spoke.
Shi Kang sneered and ordered her out. "Leave. You're not welcome here."
"So ungrateful!" Wang Po snapped. As she turned to leave, she tossed a threat over her shoulder. "You'd better be careful. Don't let someone run you out of this village."
THUD.
Shi Kang drained the wine from his bowl and slammed it on the table. He then recounted what Shi Jiu had said to him earlier.
"They've gone too far!" Shi Kang finally said in a cold voice.
"It's a small problem. Don't worry about it," Chen Yang said, patting Shi Kang's shoulder. He had intended to leave today, but it looked like he would have to stay for another day.