"I’ve heard your nephew is doing even better than the Fang Family’s daughter..."

This sentence must be her main point. By relation, she should be the aunt.

"Whether he’s doing well or not, what’s it to you? How many times have you seen him?"

Zhang Zhongquan wanted to educate, unaware he himself hadn’t seen his nephew in years.

Mai Encui caught the blame in his words, displeased and frowning. Although flattered recently, it didn’t mean indulgence was permitted!

"Is it my fault? Could you as an uncle have predicted that the kid would turn out successful after losing his parents?"

Zhang Zhongquan wanted to argue but found no words.

Can he put it all on his wife?

Surely not.

Though the wife was selfish and greedy, fearing ill-fated relatives’ burdens, didn’t he have any responsibility?

Truth be told, he had the same mindset; none of his relatives or friends were more important than the comfort of his own household.

"Alright, what’s the point in bringing this up? Nobody owes us, and we owe no one, isn’t that enough?"

"It’s you who’s being sarcastic here, as if it’s my fault. We’re just distant relatives, what duty do we have?"

Mai Encui poked at her rice, appearing quite aggrieved.

"I didn’t mean that at all."

Zhang Zhongquan took a sip of beer. "I’m saying, don’t jump to conclusions based on rumors. People said the Fang Family’s daughter was very capable, and what happened?"

Mai Encui pondered and nodded. "Hmm, could just be bragging!"

"Bragging doesn’t cost anything. The kid’s parents are gone, with no support. Surviving outside is hard enough, let alone succeeding, is it realistic?"

The more Zhang Zhongquan spoke, the more he felt it made sense—like an awakening.

"Besides, I also think he won’t come back."

"Why not?"

"If he was going to return, he would have done so already. Though they were childhood friends, that’s in the past. How many childhood friends do you still keep in touch with?"

Mai Encui nodded unconsciously.

"Moreover, the Fang Family’s daughter has a boyfriend now. If he comes back and sees them, wouldn’t it be awkward?" Zhang Zhongquan continued.

"Did the Fang Family’s daughter and your nephew really have a thing for each other?"

Mai Encui couldn’t resist gossiping.

Zhang Zhongquan shook his head. "How would I know? Though there was talk of them being betrothed as kids, I really was a bit worried before..."

"No matter what, the Fang Family’s daughter is now a prominent lawyer. If your nephew and she were together, it would be a dream come true..."

"Ha, it’s all just an illusion."

Zhang Zhongquan sneered. "All fake. The Fang couple seems altruistic, good people on the surface, but in reality? Just hypocritical drama kings. They would never let their daughter marry a lone soul; it would ruin her life. Before, it was just courtesy when my cousin was alive. Now that he’s gone, true colors are showing. I’ve seen the Fang Family’s daughter’s current boyfriend at Jiang Huazi’s house: same character as their family—pretentious, boastful. That’s probably why they’re so pleased with that guy, considering him a son-in-law, even letting him stay over."

"Stay over? Really? Isn’t the Fang Family’s house just two beds?"

Mai Encui was shocked.

"I saw it myself when I visited the Fang Family house that night. How could it be fake?"

Zhang Zhongquan scoffed, "So they’re all hypocrites. Talk all they want about closer ties, but in the end? Daughter gets a new love, and not a word about it."

Mai Encui sighed, "Sigh, who would’ve thought the Fang Family was that kind of people."

"So, people are all damn selfish!"

Zhang Zhongquan drank his beer, not only justified but felt as if he held a moral high ground, looking down on everyone.

Mai Encui nodded, eating the food, and asked, "How are you planning it?"

"Planning what?"

"The house."

Mai Encui said, "Just look at this place, is it even livable? I can’t stand it any longer."

Hmm.

The house was successfully returned.

And the money was reclaimed.

But the fundamental issue remained unresolved.

Their aim wasn’t to fight over the old place, but to move to a new residence.

"Buying new or second-hand?"

Mai Encui asked.

"Of course, new."

Zhang Zhongquan answered without hesitation. Buying second-hand, not only feels uncomfortable but think of the reputation loss?

"New ones are pre-sales, have to wait. Who knows if the same thing might happen again."

Mai Encui looked worried.

Once bitten, twice shy.

Though this was a safe escape, lingering fear persisted. How could one not fear a repeat?

Zhang Zhongquan’s brow furrowed as well, pleasant mood dissipating, quietly drinking beer.

Actually, if a real choice exists.

He would rather forego the money and receive his house peacefully. Though posing as no loss, he sure didn’t gain anything and, spent a lot of time and energy.

To buy a house again, might have to wait anew. Could be a year and a half, or three to five years. If encountering a developer like Green Land again, he might as well jump off a building!

"Next, I’ll visit various developments for investigation..."

Sha Bei New District.

At a private club.

A dinner party equally underway, but far richer than the meal on Zhang Family’s commoner dining table. There were forbidden dishes to be seen.

The ban?

Just to be broken.

Aren’t humans the pinnacle of creation, rulers of the world, eating other creatures, so what?

"Thanks to Dean Gao."

Sha City’s outstanding entrepreneur, Chairman Fan of Green Land was surprisingly present, and he wasn’t even the main guest tonight, but a bald middle-aged man, oval-faced, skin-and-bone, appearing somewhat malnourished.

"Chairman Fan is quite courteous. Solving problems for exceptional local businesses like Green Land is naturally our job, nothing worth mentioning."

"Clink."

Glasses friendly met.

"With leaders like Dean Gao, truly a blessing for Sha City, letting us entrepreneurs sleep soundly."

"Haha, the city’s construction depends on various facets; Chairman Fan, we complement each other."

Taking on a kind face in front of the camera, Fan Wanli smiled and nodded, "Have some food."

"The egrets here are the most authentic."

Dean Gao, with a head brighter than lamps, tasted a bite, exclaiming.

"If Dean Gao likes, feel free to visit anytime."

Dean Gao waved a hand, "Sigh, with my salary, how could I frequently visit here, and I still have my incompetent daughter to support."

Here’s a detail.

Fan Wanli drank alcohol, but the other’s cup held water.

Why?

Due to the alcohol ban.

"Has your niece graduated?"

"Graduated, been a year, sigh, don’t mention her, lazy, all talk no action, I’ve misguided her..."

"Dean Gao, how about letting her try at Green Land if you don’t mind?"

Dean Gao’s eyes lit up, "Really? But she has no civil engineering experience."

"No experience, can learn. Green Land has many departments, one will fit."

"Then... Chairman Fan, I won’t stand on ceremony, shall I have her intern at Green Land next week?"

"Internship?"

Fan Wanli casually said, "Check which department later; she can directly be a supervisor."

Dean Gao was taken aback, then quickly said, "Chairman Fan, how could I possibly accept..."

Fan Wanli replied with the same line, "No ceremony between family."

Dean Gao, touched, toasted mutually.

"No more words, Chairman Fan, count on me if needed."

Fan Wanli smiled.

"Dean Gao, that’s not it, we serve the people."

Dean Gao laughed, nodding repeatedly, their glasses clinked in the lavish light, creating a crisp sound.

"Yes, serve the people."