Making you a son-in-law is not about making you conquer the world.

"Not enough?" Duan Xiu gasped, almost falling to the ground.

He knew Lin Ping was a petty and vindictive man, and now that he had the chance, how could he let him off easily? The last few conditions he demanded could very well be the final straw that broke the camel's back.

“That’s right, I also want Boss Duan’s dental clinic,” Lin Ping said casually.

This brokerage firm was the culmination of Duan Xiu's life's work. Not only was it located in a prime location, but it was also very spacious. After all, it had accumulated a reputation over more than a decade, and he wouldn't sell it even for 100,000 taels of silver.

Did he have a choice? If he didn't agree, he would have his legs broken by the people from Bafang Money House, or even be arrested by the government and spend the rest of his life in prison.

"This seems a bit excessive..." Even Ma Dayun felt that Lin Ping was asking for too much, and that he was trying to ruin Duan Xiu.

He had spent all his savings to buy these shops, and the brokerage firm was his only chance to turn his life around.

If he were to give the entire brokerage firm to Bafang Money Shop, he would truly be destitute forever, with no hope of ever recovering.

Duan Xiu was panting heavily, his eyes darting around, unsure of what to choose.

He exhaled a breath of stale air, gritted his teeth, and said, "Fine, I promise you!"

"Boss Duan is such a straightforward and genuine person. He's sure to have a bright future!" Lin Ping exclaimed, giving him a thumbs up.

Fly your sister!

Duan Xiu was practically cursing. His path to wealth had been cut off, so how could he possibly rise to prominence? Even if a pie fell from the sky, he wouldn't have the ability to catch it.

He still had some support. Although he had lost the shops and houses he had recently acquired, as well as the brokerage firm, he still had the Zhou Mansion, which he had acquired not long ago.

That's a prime location; you can easily make 70,000 or 80,000 taels of silver with a single transaction, so there's a chance to turn your life around.

He was filled with hatred and determined to bring Lin Ping down.

"Is Boss Duan in a bad mood?" Lin Ping stared at him for a long time, as if he could see right through him.

How can I be in a good mood after being tricked like this?

"Young Master Lin is too kind. Your arrival has brought honor to my humble establishment. How could I, Duan, be in a bad mood?" Duan Xiu forced a smile.

Before Bafang Money Shop handed over the IOU, Lin Ping was like his own grandfather. Even if he was so angry that he defecated on his head, he would still accept it without letting a drop of water slip through his fingers.

"Boss Duan misspoke again. This is clearly Boss Ma's brokerage firm," Lin Ping hurriedly corrected him.

Duan Xiu slapped himself hard across the face, almost knocking out his teeth. He really hated himself for being so talkative, and considered the slap a lesson learned.

"I suddenly remembered," Lin Ping said with a sudden realization. "Boss Duan bought the Zhou family's house a few days ago, and it seems he spent ten thousand taels of silver. That's quite a sum."

Duan Xiu was shaking like a leaf, completely distraught.

He couldn't help but understand what Lin Ping meant by those words, and slapped himself again.

He suddenly had the illusion that all of this was meticulously planned by Lin Ping, just waiting for him to jump into the trap.

If I hadn't offended them a few days ago, I wouldn't be in this predicament.

"I...I've spent it all, fifty thousand taels..." Duan Xiu said tremblingly, determined to fight for his last chance at survival.

"Fifty thousand taels?" Lin Ping immediately frowned. "Boss Ma, you shouldn't do this business. Boss Duan is a liar. He clearly spent ten thousand taels of silver to buy the Zhou family's house, but now he insists on saying it's fifty thousand taels. Who knows how he's trying to cheat you?"

Ma Dayun forcefully shoved his hand back into the IOU. Lin Ping had helped him so much; how could he not repay the favor?

"Boss Duan, I never expected you to be such an untrustworthy person. We might as well not do business with you!" Ma Dayun said angrily. "Men, beat him up! I'll take responsibility if someone dies."

This was a recipe for murder, even Lin Ping kept shaking his head.

"Young Master Lin, spare my life! Please spare my life! From now on, I'll be your dog!" Duan Xiu pleaded, clinging to Lin Ping's leg. He knew Ma Yun had the guts, and death seemed to beckon him.

Lin Ping abandoned his previous playful demeanor, revealing a cold glint in his eyes. He rummaged through Zhou Xiyin's bosom for a long time before finally finding a ten-thousand-tael silver note, almost causing her to burst into laughter.

"Boss Duan, do you want this ten thousand taels of silver or not?" Lin Ping slapped Duan Xiu's cheek with a silver note, his voice as cold as ice.

Duan Xiu was panting heavily. Seeing that the servants of Bafang Money House were about to attack him, he dared not disobey and lowered his head, saying, "Deal!"

"Hey, that's right." Lin Ping nodded in satisfaction. "Boss Duan is quite honest, he's suitable to do this business with Boss Ma."

Duan Xiu, whose face was as pale as frost, held the ten thousand taels of silver notes in his hands as if they were his life and fortune.

From now on, this 10,000 taels of silver was his last savings. It would be more than enough for him to live an honest life, but he would never have the chance to make a comeback.

Ten thousand taels of silver may seem like a lot, but if you use it to do business, it's really negligible, not even enough to buy a shop.

Starting from scratch is no easy feat.

It requires not only intelligence, but also unwavering perseverance, and even a bit of luck.

Those who can truly achieve all of these points are extremely rare, and even if they succeed, it will take at least twenty years.

Duan Xiu was past forty and no longer had that drive; he dared not gamble with his life and fortune.

He placed all the land deeds and house deeds on the table, then walked out of the brokerage alone. His pitiful figure evoked pity.

If you do something wrong, you have to take responsibility. He was just brought back to his original state, which is better than losing his life.

"Young Master Lin has taken control of three major industries in Yingtian Prefecture at such a young age, which is admirable. He will surely become an outstanding person in the future." Ma Dayun said with his hands clasped, his heart filled with indescribable joy.

Before coming here, he was disheartened and never thought he could get his money back. He just wanted to vent his anger on Duan Xiu.

However, with Lin Ping's help, he could not only get back 500,000 taels of silver, but could even earn hundreds of thousands more.

The fact that he didn't jump up in excitement already shows that he has a lot of composure.

"The three major industries? I'm really not that interested. The reason I've made such a fuss is simply to buy back the Zhou family mansion for ten thousand taels of silver." Lin Ping smiled faintly, truly disdainful of such fame and fortune.

The reason why he caused such a stir in the city, even bankrupting many wealthy businessmen, was entirely to win a smile from a beautiful woman.

Even King You of Zhou, who lit the beacon fires to amuse his concubine, couldn't have done anything more egregious.

"Boss Ma, don't listen to his nonsense. My husband did this for the people of Yingtian Prefecture, not just for Xiyin alone." Zhou Xiyin hurriedly defended Lin Ping, but she was secretly overjoyed, hoping that Lin Ping could become a sensation and a dragon that could soar to the heavens and dive into the earth for her sake.

"Young Master Lin is a man of great benevolence and righteousness, a true role model for us all." Ma Dayun's attitude became even more humble, but his heart was in turmoil. How could he not see that Lin Ping was indeed doing this for Zhou Xiyin alone?