After the school beauty rejected me, I became her mom's number one fan!

Seeing them come in, the old man didn't stand up, or even change his posture. He just slightly raised his eyelids and uttered three words.

"You're here? Have a seat."

The voice was soft and calm, yet it carried an undeniable command.

Qiao Feiyu and Qiao Jinlin were clearly used to it, and respectfully called out "Dad" and "Grandpa".

Ning Xiuyang stepped forward and handed over the camphor wood box with both hands.

He didn't say anything polite like "This is just a small gift," but simply said calmly, "Grandpa, I don't know what to bring, but I think this set of books might suit your taste."

Qiao Jingtang's gaze fell on the simple wooden box, but he did not immediately take it.

He first glanced at Ning Xiuyang, as if trying to discern something from his face.

After a few seconds, he reached out his withered hand and took the box.

When he opened the box and saw the set of yellowed thread-bound books inside, a barely perceptible glint of light flashed in his cloudy eyes.

He picked up a book at random and flipped through a couple of pages.

When he saw the edition and the seal on the page, his fingers paused noticeably.

With his discerning eye, he naturally recognized the rarity and value of this set of rare books from the Republican era at a glance.

This is beyond what money can measure; it's a national treasure.

But his expression quickly returned to calm. He simply hummed in agreement and placed the book on the coffee table beside him, as if it were just an ordinary old book.

This composure earned Ning Xiuyang's silent approval.

"Grandpa, this is the senior I mentioned to you, Ning Xiuyang." Qiao Jinlin walked over, naturally took Ning Xiuyang's arm, and introduced him to his grandfather.

Qiao Jingtang's gaze lingered on their clasped arms for a full two seconds.

Then, he turned to Qiao Feiyu and calmly instructed, "Feiyu, go to the kitchen and help prepare tea."

"Yes, Dad." Qiao Feiyu replied and turned to leave, but as she stepped out of the courtyard gate, she still turned back with concern and gave Ning Xiuyang a look that was both worried and encouraging.

Only the grandfather, grandmother, and grandson remained in the courtyard.

"You should go and help too," Qiao Jingtang said to Qiao Jinlin.

"Grandpa..." Qiao Jinlin hesitated. She was worried about leaving Ning Xiuyang alone here to face her grandfather's scrutiny.

"Go." Qiao Jingtang only said one word.

Qiao Jinlin had no choice but to release Ning Xiuyang's hand and leave, turning back every few steps.

In the blink of an eye, only the elderly and young people remained in the huge courtyard.

One old and one young sit opposite each other.

The afternoon sun filtered through the branches of the locust tree, casting dappled light and shadow on the stone table between the two people.

Qiao Jingtang picked up the cup of goji berry tea, took a slow sip, and finally spoke again.

"Kid, tell me about yourself."

Ning Xiuyang was just about to speak, introducing himself according to his prepared remarks.

Qiao Jingtang raised his hand, interrupting him.

"You don't need to memorize a resume. I've had someone investigate your background thoroughly."

The old man's gaze was like two scalpels, as if he wanted to dissect Ning Xiuyang completely, inside and out.

"That's not what I was asking."

"I was asking..."

"What makes you think you're good enough for my granddaughter?"

This question is extremely pointed and extremely blunt.

It bypassed all the empty pleasantries and probing, getting straight to the heart of the matter.

What gives you the right?

Because you have money?

Just because you're handsome?

Or is it because you know how to make girls happy?

Compared to the prestigious Qiao family, these worldly virtues are utterly insignificant.

Ning Xiuyang could feel that as soon as the question was raised, the air in the entire courtyard seemed to freeze.

The sun was still warm, but the atmosphere suddenly plummeted to freezing.

This is a trap.

If he were to start listing his wealth, career, and abilities, it would play right into Qiao Jingtang's hands, confirming his reputation as "mercenary" and "shallow."

If he humbly says that he has no merits and that he is only truly in love with Jinlin, then he will seem hypocritical and irresponsible.

No matter how you answer, it will be wrong.

But Ning Xiuyang is no ordinary person.

Looking into Qiao Jingtang's eyes, which seemed to see through everything, he not only didn't feel nervous, but actually smiled.

He didn't rush to answer, but instead asked a question in return, unhurriedly.

"Mr. Qiao, what kind of person do you think is worthy of Jinlin?"

Qiao Jingtang's eyelid twitched almost imperceptibly.

He clearly didn't expect that this young man, instead of being intimidated by his aura, would instead kick the question back to him.

This is someone who is not bound by rules, is good at finding contradictions, breaking rules and using them!

He stared at Ning Xiuyang for a full three seconds, a strange light flashing in his cloudy eyes.

Suddenly, he smiled too.

It was a laugh that sounded like someone had discovered interesting prey.

"Kid, you're interesting."

He didn't answer Ning Xiuyang's question, but instead continued, "Your parents died early, and you grew up in the Bai family, where you and that girl from the Bai family were childhood sweethearts. Before your senior year of college, your resume was mediocre; you were just an ordinary college student. Half a year ago, your luck suddenly turned around, and your crazy life began. You rose to the top overnight and became a billionaire."

He spoke slowly, explaining each point clearly, which showed that he had indeed put in the effort to investigate.

"Your story of how you made your fortune is legendary, and also... suspicious. But I'm not interested in how you made your money; a hero's origins don't matter."

"I only ask you, what is the current market value of your Hanhai Shipbuilding? What is its annual profit? How much cash flow do you have?"

He began his formal interrogation, with each question more practical and more difficult than the last.

Ning Xiuyang answered fluently.

"Hanhai Shipbuilding currently integrates 70% of China Shipping's shipping resources, with total assets of around 150 billion yuan. It is currently profitable and has a healthy cash flow."

His answer was neither exaggerated nor deliberately modest; he presented every statistic clearly and frankly.

After listening, Qiao Jingtang showed no expression on his face and made no comment. He simply tapped the empty goji berry teacup in front of him with his finger.

This was a very subtle action, but it was a test of Ning Xiuyang's eyesight and attitude.

Ning Xiuyang understood immediately, stood up naturally, picked up the thermos on the table, walked to Qiao Jingtang's side, and respectfully refilled his thermos.

The entire movement was fluid and natural, without the slightest hint of flattery or awkwardness, just like a junior serving tea to an elder.

Qiao Jingtang watched his movements out of the corner of her eye, a hint of approval flashing deep in her eyes.

However, just as Ning Xiuyang put down the thermos and was about to sit back down, Qiao Jingtang suddenly changed the subject.

"Twenty-one years old, a net worth of hundreds of billions, self-made, not bad."

"But I found out that the woman around you seems to be... more than just Jinlin."