Bloody Romance: I, the big troublemaker, Zhong Yuemin!

After a busy morning, everything was finally tidied up. The weather was nice today, with warm sunshine, so we set up two tables in the courtyard of the courtyard house. Zheng Tong's family and a few of his colleagues, who had helped with the move, were invited to join us. We started the meal right there in the courtyard.

During the meal, Zheng Tong poured Zhong Yuemin a glass of wine and remarked with emotion:

"Yuemin, thank goodness I listened to you back then. This house cost a little over ten thousand when I bought it, and now the price in this area has risen to over thirty thousand."

If we resell this, we'd make over 20,000 yuan in profit. Even if Biyun and I didn't eat or drink, it would take us more than ten years to save that much.

"Where is this?"

Zhong Yuemin took a sip of his drink, his tone calm yet resolute.

"This place may not be in a prime location, but it's still within the Second Ring Road, right under the walls of the capital. If you leave it for another ten years or so, I can't guarantee anything else, but you could easily sell it for a million or two hundred thousand. Believe it or not?"

"Millions?!"

Jiang Biyun was serving soup when she heard this, her hand trembled, and she almost dropped the soup ladle.

"Yuemin, are there really that many?"

"You'll find out when the time comes." Zhong Yuemin simply smiled and didn't say anything more.

Jiang Biyun put down her soup bowl and said gratefully.

"Yuemin, even if there really is such a chance to make a fortune, we are so grateful that you were willing to lend us money back then. Otherwise, with our meager salaries, we would never dare to even think about buying a house. We will definitely find a way to pay back the money as soon as possible."

"Not urgent."

Zhong Yuemin waved his hand.

"I don't need that. You guys should focus on making a good living first, and we can talk about it slowly when we have more money."

The lunch was lively. After the meal, Zheng Tong saw Zhong Yuemin to the door, paused for a moment, and hesitated for a moment.

"Yuemin, there's something... I don't know if I should tell you."

"Don't give me that crap. Spit it out." Zhong Yuemin kicked him.

"Just two days ago,"

Zheng Tong lowered his voice.

“I was on my way back from the Education Bureau with the school leaders when we encountered a staged accident. I didn’t even bump into him. He was pushing a broken bicycle and just fell right in front of my car, yelling that he had a broken leg and demanding 500 yuan. He was really audacious, begging and groveling like a complete scoundrel.”

"I really didn't recognize him at first,"

Zheng Tong sighed.

"The man was disheveled, with a stubble beard and long hair, looking like a beggar."

"Guess who this person is?"

"Who?"

"Cao Gang."

"Cao Gang?"

Zhong Yuemin frowned, somewhat surprised.

"How did he end up doing this? When did he go back to the city? I remember he was working in a factory in the county where we were sent to work in the countryside. Was he doing well there?"

“I heard him say a few words in fits and starts, it seemed like he came back last year after trying to find a way.”

Zheng Tong's tone was heavy.

"I've been back for over a year and haven't been able to find a proper job. I have a family to support, and his wife from northern Shaanxi came with us, bringing two kids with her. We all need to eat and drink, so I had no choice but to do this."

I gave him all the two hundred yuan I had on me, but he refused to take it. I guess he was embarrassed or ashamed. In the end, he just limped away, pushing his bicycle... Sigh, watching him like that, I felt really bad.

Zheng Tong raised his head and looked at Zhong Yuemin.

"Back then, we all lived in the same cave dwelling, slept on the same kang (heated brick bed), boasted and joked around, and worked in the fields together. Now, we're all this age, not young anymore."

But that scene is still vivid in my mind; it feels like it was just yesterday.

He patted Yuemin on the shoulder.

“Yuemin, I’m telling you this not because I want you to help him. Actually, you’ve helped us enough. It’s just… this matter is weighing on my mind, and I feel uncomfortable if I don’t talk to you about it.”

"Okay, I get it."

Zhong Yuemin nodded.

Do you have his current address?

Zheng Tong took a neatly folded piece of paper out of his pocket and handed it over.

"I asked, and I wrote it down here."

Zhong Yuemin took the note and put it in his pocket: "I'll go check on it later."

We're leaving the courtyard house and on our way back.

Gao Yue, driving, couldn't help but ask,

"Mr. Zhong, you just said... that courtyard house can really be worth millions in the future?"

"of course."

Zhong Yuemin looked out the window at the rapidly receding street scene.

"What, you want to buy? Then hurry up, the sooner the better, these days housing prices in Beijing are changing every month!"

"I can't afford it."

Gao Yue quickly shook her head.

"A set costs 20,000 to 30,000 yuan; I couldn't even scrape together that amount if I sold myself."

"Then work hard with me."

Zhong Yuemin spoke casually.

"You don't necessarily have to focus on courtyard houses. Buying apartments is also an option. Remember, when it comes to real estate investment, you can buy blindly these days and you're guaranteed to make a profit."

Gao Yue seemed to understand, but not quite, and nodded slightly.

As the car drove into the company compound, Zhong Yuemin could see from afar that his assistant, Liu Jing, was standing next to her red Audi under the office building in front, being harassed by a slovenly-looking man. The man was agitated and even reached out to pull at Liu Jing's handbag.

"Let go of me, let go of me, or I'll call for help!" Liu Jing was both shocked and angry, and struggled fiercely.

"Shout all you want, shout until your throat is hoarse, it won't do you any good!"

The man was breathing heavily.

"I'm not leaving until you give me the money today. Give me your wallet..." he said, reaching out to snatch it again.

Just as the man's hand was about to touch Liu Jing's bag, a steady and powerful hand suddenly reached out from the side, gripped his wrist firmly like an iron clamp, and twisted it sharply!

"Ouch, ouch, ouch! Let go, let go!"

The man screamed in pain, his face contorted in agony.

"Who...who are you?! Mind your own business, I'm calling the police!"

The person who restrained him was Zhong Yuemin. He looked at the man who was grimacing in pain and snorted coldly.

"Call the police? Robbery in broad daylight, I'd like to see who the police arrest when they arrive."

"What robbery!"

The disheveled man struggled and shouted,

"I...I'm her brother, what's it to you!"

"Brother?"

Zhong Yuemin froze, his grip tightening, and turned to look at Liu Jing beside him.

"Is he really my brother?"

Liu Jing nodded helplessly, with an apologetic tone, "President Zhong, perhaps...you could let him go first?"

He then let go, pushed him away, and collapsed to the ground, only managing to get up awkwardly after a while.

Liu Ning sized up the newcomer.

"Who are you? You're not my sister's lover, are you? That's perfect, she's broke, you give me some."

"Liu Ning, what nonsense are you spouting!"

Liu Jing's face turned red.

"This is my boss. Stop making trouble. I'm not giving you a single penny. Get out of here, or I'll call the police."

"boss?!"

Liu Ning was stunned.

"Xiaojing, I'm your own brother. I doted on you when you were little, always saving the best food for you. And this is how you treat your own brother? You have no conscience! Anyway, I'm not leaving until I get the money."

You're her boss, right? My girl is so beautiful, she's got a face and a figure, you're lucky! Give me some money and I'll try to set you two up..."

"Shut up!" Liu Jing snapped angrily.