The dating reality show host just wanted to give up, but the rich girl fell for him.

The nights in early autumn in Jiangnan always carry a lingering coolness.

The century-old osmanthus trees lining the streets and alleys are in full bloom, with delicate yellow flowers falling in the wind.

The air was filled with the sweet fragrance of osmanthus blossoms, mixed with the faint moisture from the bluestone slabs, creating a unique and gentle atmosphere characteristic of the water town.

The glass door of Lin's Noodle Shop was polished to a shine.

The old signboard, which had been exposed to the elements and was originally a bit shaky, has been reinforced by Lin Mo with a high-quality mortise and tenon structure and is now hung firmly on the lintel.

The shop was brightly lit by incandescent lights and steaming with heat.

With the family's debt crisis completely resolved, the huge weight that had been pressing on the elderly couple's hearts was finally lifted.

With neighbors coming to join in the fun every day these past few days, the noodle shop's business is even more booming than during holidays.

At 8:30 p.m., the last table of regular customers, burping contentedly, scanned the QR code to pay and left.

Wang Cuiping quickly and efficiently cleared away the empty bowls on the table.

The rag was so shiny from wiping the wooden table that it reflected light, and she had an undisguised relaxed smile on her face.

Lin Ankang brought out a plate of freshly fried prawns from the kitchen. The prawns were bright red and had a wonderful aroma.

The old man turned around and pulled out a bottle of aged liquor that he would never normally drink from under the counter.

"We finished work early today, let's have a couple of drinks, you and me."

Lin Ankang was clearly in a good mood; even the deep wrinkles at the corners of his eyes had smoothed out, revealing a triumphant air.

Lin Mo had just finished washing her hands in the backyard and was wiping the water droplets from her fingertips with a clean towel.

He pulled out a long wooden bench and sat down, casually taking the small glass of wine that his father handed him.

The food tonight is plentiful.

Besides the plate of deep-fried prawns, there was also a dish of crispy fried peanuts and a plate of thickly sliced, translucent braised beef.

Right in the middle, there was a large bowl of steaming hot pork rib and lotus root soup.

This is pure, down to the core, the warmth of everyday life.

Lin Mo picked up his wine glass and gently tapped it against his father's, producing a crisp clinking sound.

The pungent liquor slid down my throat and into my stomach, bringing a wave of warmth that dispelled the autumn chill.

He put down his wine glass, picked up his chopsticks, and first placed the fattest and most delicious shrimp on his mother's plate.

Then, he put down his chopsticks and casually crossed his hands on the greasy, faded wooden table.

"Dad, Mom."

Lin Mo's voice wasn't loud, and his tone remained as calm as ever, as if the sky were to fall.

"The noodle shop business has now completely stabilized, and I've also finished repairing most of the old house at home."

He raised his eyelids, his gaze slowly sweeping over his parents' weathered faces.

"The waterproofing layer in the east wing will need to dry for another two or three days to fully dry. The work in the shop is basically finished."

Lin Mo paused for a moment, then casually continued.

"After I finish everything at home in a couple of days, I plan to go to the capital to give it a try."

He said it so casually, without even emphasizing a single punctuation mark.

It landed on this small dining table, but it did not cause the uproar I had imagined.

The entire table fell silent for a fleeting moment.

Wang Cuiping's chopsticks, which were just about to pick up some vegetables, stopped in mid-air.

She didn't make a fuss like a typical rural woman, nor did she panic and shed tears.

She simply withdrew her hand quietly, placed the chopsticks on the rim of the bowl, and sighed softly.

"Mom knew it."

Looking at her son, who was tall and upright with a youthful look that had long since faded, Wang Cuiping's eyes were full of love.

"I could tell from how meticulously you've been working on that house with underfloor heating these past few days, even the shoe bench by the door was crafted."

"Your heart has already flown to the capital."

She reached out her rough hands and helped Lin Mo straighten his collar a little.

"Our son has grown up, and this little temple in Qingshui Town can no longer keep you here."

Lin Ankang sat opposite him without speaking immediately.

The old man held his wine glass, his thumb gently stroking the rough rim of the glass.

He tilted his head back and slowly swallowed the liquor in the glass.

"Your mother is right, we both figured this out a long time ago."

Lin Ankang put down his wine glass, his bloodshot eyes fixed on Lin Mo with a solemn expression.

"I won't stop you from going to Beijing. That's the responsibility of a man from the Lin family."

"But the water is deep there, and the thresholds of people's houses are too high."

The old man took out half a pack of cigarettes from his pocket, lit one, and took one out.

"Have you figured out how you're going to establish yourself over there?"

Faced with her parents' profound understanding, Lin Mo felt a warm current flowing through her heart.

This is what family is all about.

Even if you guess he's going to hit a wall, you'll still give him the strongest support while worrying about him.

Lin Mo took the wine bottle and refilled his father's empty wine glass.

Then, he met his parents' gaze, his eyes unusually clear, and began to explain his plan in a logical and organized manner.

"Dad, Mom, don't worry, I'm not going to Beijing to wander around aimlessly."

"With the money I had saved up before, I now have a total of five million in cash on the island."

"Before I leave, I will leave one million on that card at home, and the password will be my mother's birthday."

He picked up the pork rib soup beside him, took a sip, and moistened his throat.

"I will take the remaining four million to the capital."

"I will not seek refuge with anyone, much less become a live-in son-in-law."

Lin Mo's tone revealed a deep-seated strength and clarity.

"I will find a suitable place, rent a courtyard, and open my own little restaurant."

"Start with a small shop, take it one step at a time, and get a firm foothold."

He looked at his parents and set a clear deadline and bottom line for himself.

"A six-month period."

"If I can't make a living in Beijing within six months, and I can't support myself..."

"I'll obediently roll back and assist you two, and I'll never mention going back again."

These words were spoken with conviction and were based on the most practical and down-to-earth planning.

Lin Ankang's tightly furrowed brows relaxed slightly.

A man can only feel at ease in this society if he has enough money in his pocket.

But the old man exhaled a puff of smoke, which still hit the nail on the head.

"If you're really short of money or in trouble, just ask, and that girl will definitely be willing to help you."

Lin Mo remained silent for two seconds.

A faint, self-deprecating smile appeared at the corner of his mouth.

It's not about mocking others, but about mocking the weakness of those who depend on capital.

"Dad, I can't do that."

Lin Mo's voice was still not loud, but in this quiet autumn night, it sounded as heavy as a thousand pounds.

"She's in the capital, so I'll definitely go find her."

"But I will absolutely not go there and live off her charity. I'm going there to get a wife, not to be a caged bird."

"I want her family to know that my spine, Lin Mo's spine, is straight and unbreakable."

This statement completely preserved Lin Mo's ultimate pride as a man.

Silence fell over the dinner table once again.

Only the old-fashioned wall clock ticked.

Lin Ankang stared intently at his son's broad shoulders, at the natural composure in his eyes.

I don't know how much time passed.

The old man suddenly smiled; it was a smile of relief and pride.

He picked up his wine glass, tilted his head back, and drank it all in one gulp.

"Good lad, you've got guts."

Lin Ankang chewed the beef vigorously. "If you've thought it through, go for it. Don't be afraid of falling down. If all else fails, come back and I'll pass this knife on to you."

This is the most solid tacit support between men.

Wang Cuiping sat beside her, her eyes slightly red, but her face full of smiles.

"You're such a stubborn child."

She stood up and whispered another serious instruction.

"I like that girl. You're the best, buddy. You really brought her back to me."

Lin Mo paused slightly as he picked up some food with his chopsticks.

He didn't reply, he just lowered his head and drank his soup.

But under the dim lights of the noodle shop, an unnatural blush crept up behind his ears, which were hidden in his collar.

Night was falling.

The noodle shop closed, and the lights in the old house went out one by one.

After washing up, Lin Mo lay down on the wooden bed in her room, wearing loose black pajamas.

Outside the window, the chirping of insects in early autumn rises and falls.

He leaned against the headboard, holding his phone in his hand, the light from the screen illuminating his sharply defined profile.

Lin Mo skillfully opened several rental apps.

In the past few days, he has actually looked for a house many times, but the reality is far more difficult than he imagined.

Four million in start-up capital would be enough to get by in an ordinary city, but it would be quite embarrassing in Beijing.

The rents in high-end commercial areas within the second and third ring roads are ridiculously expensive, and there are many regulations and restrictions on cooking fumes.

The places outside the Fifth Ring Road are cheap, but so remote that even delivery drivers get lost.

What he wanted was an old house with a yard, even if it was a little dilapidated and old.

He wanted to personally transform it into a warm and welcoming private restaurant, leaving that pampered young lady a quiet haven where she could peacefully enjoy a bowl of noodles.

However, such old courtyard houses are a scarce resource in Beijing and are rarely found on the market.

Lin Mo scrolled through the screen, looking at more than a dozen newly listed property listings.

Either the transfer fee is exorbitantly high, or the location is unsuitable.

He frowned slightly, glanced at the time in the upper right corner of his phone, and realized it was almost midnight.

"Never mind, I'll check again tomorrow."

Lin Mo muttered to himself, preparing to turn off his phone and go to sleep.

Just as his thumb was about to press the power button.

The interface of the rental app suddenly refreshed.

A newly popped-up property listing caught his eye without warning.

A century-old abandoned courtyard house near Liulichang in Dongcheng District is available for rent.

[Large area, with a courtyard, suitable for dining.]

[Note: The house is old and in poor condition. If the tenant can repair it themselves, the rent will be very low, and a ten-year lease is possible.]

Lin Mo's eyes suddenly lit up.

My nerves, which had been feeling a little sleepy, suddenly tensed up.

The area near Liulichang is a place with a rich cultural heritage within the Second Ring Road.

It has a courtyard and can be used as a restaurant.

The most crucial point is the phrase "severely damaged, self-repairable, extremely low rent".

This is practically tailor-made for him, a master carpenter!

These kinds of houses, once put on the market, will be snapped up by landlords from all walks of life the very next morning.

Without any hesitation, Lin Mo immediately opened the property details and sent a private message to the salesperson who listed the property.

"Hello, is the house still available?"

I was just trying it out, since it was the middle of the night and the real estate agent was probably already asleep.

Unexpectedly, the other party replied instantly.

"Yes, Mr. Lin. Are you interested in this courtyard house?"

Lin Mo didn't think too much about why the other person called him by his surname directly, assuming it was because he had filled in his real name on the software.

His fingers flew across the keyboard as he quickly asked a few key details.

"What is the extent of the damage? Are there any problems with the load-bearing columns and beams? Is the property title clear?"

The salesperson on the other end was surprisingly friendly and extremely professional.

"The beams and pillars are intact, but the doors and windows are broken, the roof is leaking, and there are a lot of weeds in the yard."

"The property rights are completely clear. The landlord is overseas and has plenty of money; he just wants to find someone with the skills to revitalize the yard."

"If you can fix it yourself, the first three years are rent-free, and only a basic deposit will be charged."

Looking at the reply on the screen, Lin Mo's heart couldn't help but beat faster.

Excellent location, intact structure, rent-free for the first three years.

This is tantamount to giving him a free territory to show off his skills!

Once you miss this opportunity, you'll never find another like it.

Lin Mo's inherent decisiveness was instantly unleashed.

"Can we sign an electronic contract online? I'll pay the deposit now," Lin Mo typed directly.

"Sure. We'll generate your own e-contract right away." The salesperson's reply arrived instantly, just like always.

In less than five minutes, a clearly defined electronic rental contract was sent over.

Lin Mo scanned the text quickly, finding no traps.

He signed his name without hesitation and transferred the 100,000 yuan deposit directly.

"bite."

The moment he received the deposit confirmation, Lin Mo let out a long sigh of relief.

The place to stay in the capital was settled in such a dramatic way.

Now that the house has been rented, there's no need to wait around in our hometown for a few more days.

The old man can apply two coats of waterproof paint to the east wing tomorrow.

Lin Mo switched directly to the ticket purchasing software.

With a few taps of his finger, he decisively bought a ticket for the earliest flight to Beijing tomorrow morning.

After doing all this, Lin Mo leaned against the headboard, feeling a warm sensation throughout his body.

He exited the ticketing app and opened WeChat.

On the screen, the cartoon cat head wearing sunglasses is still pinned to the top.

The chat history was still from the afternoon, with Jiang Ruoyun complaining that the coffee on set was too bitter.

Lin Mo opened the dialog box.

The keyboard popped up.

His finger hovered over the 3x3 grid, hesitating to drop it.

Should I tell her now that I'm flying to Beijing first thing tomorrow morning?

Or should we wait until we get there, tidy up the dilapidated yard to make it look somewhat like a normal place, and then give her a surprise?

Lin Mo looked at the blinking cursor in the chat box.