After Xu Ke went up to the top floor, it was different from the hall below, very quiet, and each room was spaced very far apart.

Walking to the address given by the old gentleman, Xu Ke knocked on the door, and soon it opened from the inside.

Old Li was momentarily stunned to see Xu Ke. It was really not easy for someone to earn the appreciation of his old friend. He stepped aside with a smile on his face.

"I didn’t expect to see you here, young man. It seems we really are fated. But what happened earlier was a misunderstanding; I hope you don’t take it to heart."

Old Li hadn’t done much, so Xu Ke wasn’t bothered at all, especially since if it weren’t for Old Li’s words that day, he might not have managed to hold on at the airport.

"How could I possibly mind? Besides, if it weren’t for you that day, I might not have held on at the airport."

Furthermore, for Old Li to help him so selflessly without knowing the whole situation was truly a rare quality.

Seeing that Xu Ke didn’t blame him, Old Li felt much relieved, but also became more curious about the relationship between Xu Ke and his old friend, since his old friend was particularly proud and generally didn’t take to young people.

And just a moment ago, his old friend was saying that there are few reliable young people nowadays, especially in the business field where the young can’t handle it, always complaining about being tired and suffering without any grit.

Seeing Xu Ke come in, Old Master Xiao quickly stood up.

Old Master Xiao felt guilty towards this young man. He had to admit that Xu Ke was exceptional, had helped them greatly, and had a good character.

It was a pity he only had one granddaughter; if he had two, Old Master Xiao would very much hope Xu Ke would become his grandson-in-law.

Thinking of what they were going to do today, Old Master Xiao slightly lowered his eyes.

"I’ve been worried, thinking you might be angry and not want to come. I’m really happy you came by. I hope today we can let go of any past prejudices and have a good drink together."

Saying this, Old Master Xiao pulled Xu Ke to sit by his side, making Xu Ke appear even more important in others’ eyes.

Old Li couldn’t help but laugh out loud; after all, he and Old Master Xiao were good friends when they were young, and despite the long time, their feelings for each other hadn’t changed.

Jokingly, he remarked, "Hey, didn’t you just say there weren’t many young people to catch your eye? How come you now think this young man is good? Looks like you have one version here with me and another with the young ones. You’re really shrewd now."

Old Li laughed while Old Master Xiao felt embarrassed. He hadn’t expected this old fellow to bring it up in front of Xu Ke—wasn’t that making him lose face? But since they were good friends, there wasn’t much he could do about it.

He only coughed lightly to cover his embarrassment: "Don’t listen to your grandpa’s nonsense; I was just talking. Among your age group, very few are as capable as you, and you are the pinnacle among them."

After hearing Old Master Xiao’s praise, Xu Ke felt a bit uncomfortable: "Chairman, please don’t praise me. There are many more capable than me. I’m just being opportunistic. When it comes to skills, you’re definitely much stronger than I am."

When Old Master Xiao was young, he could single-handedly support the vast real estate industry during its lowest point, and even let other industries develop under the Xiao Group. It was no easy feat.

During his peak, Old Master Xiao was acclaimed as a business genius—not a title he gave himself, but one that was publicly recognized. Even current real estate developers study Old Master Xiao’s methods from back then.

If Old Master Xiao hadn’t retired to the background, those real estate developers wouldn’t even have a chance to develop.

So when Old Master Xiao retired, those developers couldn’t have been happier.

"The old chairman was the one who was really impressive in his youth. I’ve just been following in his footsteps and haven’t even done that well. Chairman, please don’t praise me anymore."

Xu Ke said this, but he didn’t expect Old Li to nod in agreement.

Feeling particularly emotional, Old Li said, "At that time, my brother and I intended to make a mark in the business world together, but who would have thought this old fellow would soar on his own, leaving me in the Art and Calligraphy Industry. This old guy was famous in the arts back then, and I didn’t expect him to also excel in other fields after entering them."

Old Li came from a business family, and back then, the business was doing particularly well. They wanted him to take over the family business, but Old Li was fully dedicated to art and calligraphy, and even now, he remains the same, much to his family’s disappointment.

Back then, Old Li used to joke with Old Master Xiao: "If you were my father’s son, he would be thrilled. My father is now disappointed, especially after this incident. It’s said my dad is going to give the shares to someone else."

At that time, Old Master Xiao almost started from scratch but could still take his business to the top, making everyone envious.

Even Old Li’s father had to admit that Old Master Xiao had exceptional talent.

Xu Ke evidently didn’t realize that in his youth, Old Master Xiao was involved in the Art and Calligraphy Industry. No wonder there was a subtle air of stability about him, but now, those things about art and calligraphy seem absent.

Maybe he got too busy with business and didn’t have time for these things; Xu Ke didn’t dwell on it.

Old Master Xiao also felt especially emotional: "When I was young, I was especially fond of art and calligraphy, especially landscape painting. But life at home was too poor. I had no options, and was almost forced onto the business path. Art and calligraphy require a foundation, and with no family funds to support my inspiration, I had to find other paths. If I had your resources, of course, I would choose art and calligraphy."

No one expected Old Master Xiao’s career in business was not because he liked it, but because he was forced down that path. Even Old Li only understood today.

There was no money back then. If there had been, Old Master Xiao would have continued with art and calligraphy. In Old Li’s impression, the person most praised by the mentor back then was always Old Master Xiao. He was said to be the most likely to become a great artist. However, unexpectedly, with such great prospects, Old Master Xiao turned to business instead.

Even the mentor at the time couldn’t understand this and was angry about it for a long time.