So what if I have to swallow my pride? In an era where poverty is shamed but not prostitution, what's wrong with me sucking up to my dad? It's not humiliating at all! Back in the dorm, I had to call out 'Dad' several times just to get someone to fetch me a meal. Is cafeteria slop tastier than king crab? Just you wait and see!

「...」

The noon meal was a lively affair.

Ma Honglian counted heads and immediately divided the seafood.

First Uncle, Second Uncle, Youngest Aunt, and the four older cousins each received a share for their household.

She also set aside enough portions for her own relatives, spending around 250,000 yuan in total.

There was still plenty left, so all the neighbors received some as well.

Those with whom they had a good relationship received more valuable items, like Sister Liu from upstairs and Wang, the ever-helpful chatterbox.

As for those whose relationship wasn't as good, they weren't left out either; sweet shrimp, Arctic surf clams, and sea fish were generously portioned.

Consequently, loud praises for Han Yong, Ma Honglian, and Han Lie echoed through the hallways.

"Hong Lian, thank you so much!"

"This family is so generous!"

"I've always said the Han Family would make it big. That kid, Han Lie, showed promise since he was little!"

"Oh, Han Lie? That kid's got something special about him!"

"Right, right, right! He fell from a tree and got two huge bumps on the side of his head, remember?!"

Hearing that last sentence, Han Lie's head began to throb faintly again.

You all remember that with such clarity...

The specifics of the meal aren't important; suffice it to say, it was so delicious that adults and children alike were smacking their lips contentedly.

Dream City was a resource-based city with exceptionally high living costs; everything was available, but nothing was cheap.

It was the first time in Han Yong and Ma Honglian's lives that they had tasted king crab, Arctic surf clams, leopard coral grouper, netted abalone, Hawaiian scallops, Australian lobster...

Actually, every single seafood item on the table was a first for them.

Although they didn't necessarily like every single dish, they enjoyed every bite with great happiness.

Seeing the unending smiles on his parents' faces, Han Lie felt the money was well spent.

People in finance are the most sensitive to costs, but some things simply cannot, and should not, be measured by their price.

One needs to be meticulous when earning money, but the ultimate purpose of earning money is precisely to no longer have to be meticulous about every expenditure.

Han Lie was delighted to see everyone fawning over his parents and choosing their words carefully. So, without waiting for them to ask, he proactively inquired about his three older male cousins and his older female cousin.

"Sister Qingqing, how are things going with your partner? Are there any difficulties?"

Du Qingqing's eyes lit up, and she began to talk animatedly without any reservation.

"My partner's family is quite well-off, but I think my future mother-in-law looks down on my education and family background a bit. It's not like she's completely oblivious, and there haven't been any major conflicts, but there's definitely this attitude of inequality..."

Han Lie pondered for a moment, then decisively cut to the chase.

"Your situation is easy to resolve. Later, I'll transfer ten million in cash to my mom. You take her to your bank branch to make a five-year fixed deposit. This will help secure you a deputy manager position, and you can prepare to take over as branch manager.

Once your status is higher and you earn more, you won't have to put up with any nonsense, no matter whose family you marry into."

Having already been through the experience of the gifts and the seafood, when Ma Honglian heard the sum of ten million, she was already somewhat numb to it; it didn't seem quite so astonishing anymore.

His aunt, however, was deeply moved, clutching Ma Honglian's hand, almost bursting into tears.

"Look how thoughtful Little Lie is! Oh, sister-in-law, this son of yours truly brings honor to your family!"

How on earth did the conversation end up there?

Han Lie was exasperated, not knowing whether to laugh or cry. He ignored the chattering Du Qingqing and turned to Han Zhiyuan.

"Third Brother, what are your plans?"

Han Zhiyuan looked up at his parents, then mumbled hesitantly, "Well, uh, you know... staying here in our city... um, it's not very comfortable. A lot of people are gossiping about me..."

Han Lie understood.

In a small city like Dream City, a man divorced for not attending to his proper duties truly didn't have a good reputation.

"Then come to Magic Capital and be my driver. The money isn't the main thing. What's important is that you control your tongue, quit drinking, and cut down on card games. Can you do that?"

Han Zhiyuan was overjoyed. "Yes, yes, yes! President Han, just you watch me!"

This drew unanimous ridicule from his peers.

"Look at you, so promising!"

"Bootlicker!"

"Third Han, do you have any dignity left as an older cousin?"

Han Zhiyuan couldn't care less what they were blabbering about, gleefully lighting a cigarette.

Arranging things for the eldest brother and Han Er was even simpler.

Han Lie barely had to think; an idea quickly formed in his mind.

"Eldest Brother, you should open a teahouse. Combine it with chess and mahjong, and sell tea. Han Er has connections with officials, Third Brother can introduce you to plenty of card-playing friends, and I'll sort out the tea supply channels for you. I'll even get you some rare teas to be the treasures of your shop each year.

Discuss the initial capital with Dad; no matter how big the shop, consider the money a loan from him.

This business is simple and relaxed, so from now on, you'll need to take responsibility for looking after the elderly and children in the family. Make sure you're around when you're needed..."

"Absolutely!" the eldest sister-in-law chimed in hastily, then immediately turned to Han Yong and Ma Honglian to reassure them.

"Third Uncle and Aunt, please don't worry. I'll quit my job too and dedicate myself to looking after the elderly and children of our families!"

Ma Honglian was rather displeased. "Why would we need you to look after us?!"

Let her be stubborn if she wished; the most important thing was that the eldest brother and his wife understood Han Lie's intentions.

The teahouse idea wasn't something Han Lie had come up with on the spur of the moment.

If one had the right connections, this kind of business was genuinely profitable and, moreover, hassle-free.

Of course, from Han Lie's perspective, the hassle-free aspect was even more important.