"Heh heh, since that's the case, what's there to fear?" Zhou Hong let out a hearty laugh. Though he didn't know the old man's intentions, he could see the genuine desire in his eyes. If the old man wasn't afraid, why should he be?
In this unfamiliar world, being a kept man seemed like his only viable path apart from relying on others.
"Good, excellent! Then I'll have someone go to Jinzhou University right away to bring my granddaughter, Xiao Yu, back. We'll arrange your wedding night tonight," the old man said eagerly.
"No rush, take your time. If your granddaughter turns out to be like Qin Mengxue in the end, then I'll pass," Zhou Hong replied.
"Never, never. Then let's sign a marriage contract first. Otherwise, it's not official without proof," the old man suggested.
"Whatever you say," Zhou Hong shrugged.
Qiao Wanli immediately produced a pre-prepared marriage contract.
"Looks like you came prepared," Zhou Hong chuckled and signed his name. After all, the contract was merely symbolic. If he didn't like it later, it would be just a piece of scrap paper.
"Zhou Hong, take this card," Qiao Wanli immediately produced a bank card and handed it to Zhou Hong.
"What's this?" Zhou Hong frowned slightly.
"There's ten million in this card for your daily expenses."
Though Zhou Hong didn't have a deep concept of money, he knew that ten million was a substantial sum.
"I didn't expect you to be serious," Zhou Hong sighed deeply. He hadn't received any living expenses from Qin Changhui, his former father-in-law.
"Of course, I'm very sincere. Otherwise, I wouldn't be giving you ten million as pocket money right off the bat."
"Alright," Zhou Hong accepted the card without hesitation. He didn't know how to withdraw money yet, but he'd figure it out later.
"Zhou Hong, you haven't had dinner yet, have you? I'll take you to the best restaurant."
"Haha, I won't refuse then."
Afterward, Qiao Wanli took Zhou Hong to Jinzhou City's finest restaurant for a delicious meal.
An hour later, Zhou Hong patted his bulging belly, seemingly very satisfied. He mused that being a live-in son-in-law was much more refined with the Qiao family, who offered money and a lavish meal, compared to the Qin family's stinginess.
"Zhou Hong, are you going back to live with your biological parents now?" Qiao Wanli asked after the meal.
"Uh!" Zhou Hong paused. The biological parents of this body lived in a poor shantytown, a place Zhou Hong hadn't visited yet. Logically, he should go see them.
"Yes, don't worry, I won't be going back to the Qin family again," Zhou Hong nodded.
"Good." Qiao Wanli produced a set of keys from his pocket and handed them to Zhou Hong. "Keep these keys. Tianhe Residential Area, Building 1, Unit 2904. It's a spacious 306-square-meter apartment. You can move in anytime. I'll transfer ownership of this property to you in the future."
"Ah." Zhou Hong was a bit stunned. They were giving him a large apartment of over three hundred square meters.
"By the way, Zhou Hong, what are your plans for the future?" Qiao Wanli inquired again.
"I was originally the security captain at Qin Hai Group, but my former father-in-law said he'd send me to Jinzhou University. I was supposed to report tomorrow and be in the same major as Qin Mengxue."
"Haha, that's excellent. To be frank, my granddaughter, Xiao Yu, is also in that class. Tomorrow morning, I'll pick you up. I'll personally take you to register at Jinzhou University and arrange for Xiao Yu to meet you. You two can have a private meeting, and I'll lay out your relationship to her. What do you think?"
"No problem," Zhou Hong grinned. He had to admit, the Qiao family was incredibly sincere.
"Then I'll be heading back. You can decide whether to live with your parents or at Tianhe Residential Area."
"Alright."
Qiao Wanli then left with his servant. The middle-aged man who had been driving behind Zhou Hong was his personal attendant.
"Master, I really don't understand. This Zhou Hong, from the poorest shantytown, such an ordinary person, even a bit foolish. Why are you...!" After they left, Qiao Wanli's servant couldn't hold back his question. He felt he was a thousand times better than Zhou Hong.
"What do you know? There's a reason why I'm so eager to have him as my grandson-in-law."
"What reason is it?" the servant pressed.
"Xiao Wang, since you've been with me for decades, I'll be honest with you, but don't tell anyone."
"Okay." The servant nodded, eager to know the truth.
"It was Master Duan's guidance."
"What? Master Duan?" The personal servant was startled, as if Master Duan was an immensely important figure.
"Yes, he told me to do everything I could to snatch Qin Changhui's live-in son-in-law. He didn't tell me why. I believe that Master Duan, a recluse of high standing, wouldn't offer such advice without reason. He must have seen something."
The servant gave a wry smile. No wonder his master was so proactive, offering money and property. It turned out to be Master Duan's recommendation.
"Master, haven't you ever doubted Master Duan?"
"How dare you! Do you not know who Master Duan is? If he hadn't been reminded by my past assistance to him, he wouldn't have guided me."
"I understand." The servant was now convinced. Initially, he was unconvinced, but since it was Master Duan's guidance, he had no right to question it. Zhou Hong must have some extraordinary qualities. It was even possible that Master Duan saw Zhou Hong's potential and might even take him as a disciple in the future.
At this moment, Zhou Hong, having eaten and drunk his fill, walked happily on the street. With money and a place to live, he no longer had to worry about starving.
"Hey, Liu Hua," Zhou Hong called Liu Hua.
"Zhou Hong, what is it now?"
"Come out, I need you to take me somewhere." Zhou Hong wanted Liu Hua to accompany him to Tianhe Residential Area to see his new apartment.
"Where are we going?"
"Hurry up, no more questions. I'm waiting for you at the entrance of a place called Tianxiang Foot Bath City."
"Okay, I'm coming right over."
About twenty minutes later, Liu Hua arrived on an electric scooter.
"Zhou Hong, why are you calling me out so late at night?"
"Take me to a place called Tianhe Residential Area," Zhou Hong instructed.
"What are we going there for? That's a wealthy residential area. Is it a place we can go?" Liu Hua asked, puzzled.
"To tell you the truth, I have an apartment there," Zhou Hong chuckled.
Liu Hua couldn't help but roll his eyes, as if saying, "You must be dreaming."
"Hurry up, you'll know when we get there." Zhou Hong got on the back of Liu Hua's scooter, urging him on.
Liu Hua didn't bother asking further and started the scooter.
Soon, they arrived at the entrance of Tianhe Residential Area.
Upon seeing the grand and opulent entrance, Zhou Hong was somewhat taken aback. It indeed seemed to be a place for wealthy people.