Courtyard House: Drunk and tipsy, the whole courtyard exposed at the start.

Yan Jiecheng's legs were even trembling slightly, but Zhang Dabiao chuckled and put his arm around his neck, saying, "Don't panic, don't panic. I've done this before, just not as exaggerated as you, Yan Jiecheng."

He pulled out two packs and said, "Here, I picked these up yesterday when I was smoking at Liu Guangqi's place."

Liu Guangqi also pulled out a box: "I was wondering why my matches were missing, so I borrowed a box of matches from Tian Baocheng this morning."

Xu Damao nodded: "I lose at least four or five boxes a week in the office."

Sha Zhu: "I just grab a pack of cigarettes when I'm out of lighters, I don't know whose they are, I just put them in my pocket, I can understand."

All the men burst into laughter. It wasn't exactly a shameful thing, but everyone had been through it; it wasn't a big deal. It seemed Zhang Dabiao had no intention of pursuing the matter further.

So Zhang Dabiao patted Yan Jiecheng on the shoulder and explained to everyone, "It was because Yan Jiecheng often stole my matches that I came up with the idea of ​​making disposable lighters."

"Speaking of which, you, Yan Jiecheng, deserve some credit for the construction of this factory!"

"If you hadn't always lent me matches, I wouldn't have thought of inventing this thing."

Yan Jiecheng's lips twitched—damn, is this a compliment?

Or are you mocking me?

Liu Guangqi, however, brought over a bottle of baijiu (Chinese liquor): "So, Yan Jiecheng."

"You have to finish this bottle of wine; no one else is allowed to do it for you."

"Is it alright if we celebrate together?"

Yan Jiecheng wore a bitter expression, looking at the four boxes of matches in Zhang Dabiao's hand, then at the bottle of loose liquor in Liu Guangqi's hand—

It's done!

What goes around comes around!

------------

After the meal was finished, Zhang Dabiao began to consider an important question—

School is about to start, and there's the issue of junior high school registration, and also the question of who to contact to register the patent in Hong Kong, which I can't do myself—

How do I transfer Hong Kong dollars? How much money do I need? Do I still need to register if I don't have enough? What's the process? How long does it take?

After much deliberation, Zhang Dabiao concluded that among his circle of friends, only Lou Xiao'e's father, Lou Bancheng, could handle this matter.

The eldest son of the Lou family is now developing his career in Hong Kong.

Let Lou Xiao'e go home and ask her first.

------------

"Go register the patent with my dad?"

At the food processing plant, Lou Xiao'e looked completely bewildered. However, after Zhang Dabiao explained the situation, Lou Xiao'e said she would ask about it when she got home from get off work that day.

The Lou family is a prominent and wealthy household. It's not like you can just go to Lou Bancheng (Lou Bancheng) excitedly if you have something to do with him. Whether he has time or even wants to talk to you is another matter entirely.

However, Lou Bancheng agreed and immediately arranged for people to gather information; they naturally had their own methods.

Two days later, Lou Xiao'e took leave in the afternoon and returned to the Lou Mansion with Zhang Dabiao.

Zhang Dabiao looked at the two-and-a-half-story villa, whose yard was over 400 square meters, comparable to his own small courtyard.

The interior design, reminiscent of the late Republican era, exudes a sophisticated, bourgeois charm, and a vintage car is even parked in the courtyard…

The house has everything you need: a butler, a driver, and a nanny...

Zhang Dabiao curled his lip. With the Lou family's style, if they were to cause trouble, who else would they target if not them?

Zhang Dabiao brought chocolates, two cans of Tieguanyin tea, two bottles of Fenjiu liquor, two cartons of Daqianmen cigarettes, and some snacks—he certainly went all out in terms of etiquette.

After explaining his purpose, Lou Bancheng didn't mention how to get a patent. Instead, he asked with a smile, "Da Biao, I told you at the beginning of the year to come over and have a chat at my place."

"You only come to me now that you need something, do you have a problem with Uncle Lou?"

Zhang Dabiao was also a little embarrassed. Could he say that he had tried his best to avoid contact with you capitalists?

We only came here because we had no other choice.

"Uncle Lou, I've been so busy these past six months, skipping grades, repairing the yard, and farming. Haven't I been incredibly busy...?"

Zhang Dabiao chuckled.

"Oh, I heard that you're involved in inventions, revitalizing two factories, and even making cream cakes. You also got into a fight with loan shark Master Ma, and almost died from a knife wound. There are quite a few rumors about you, Sang Biao, circulating in Dongcheng District, aren't there?"

Zhang Dabiao scratched his head awkwardly: "Those are all empty names, empty names, not worth mentioning."

Lou Bancheng scoffed, "Uncle Lou wants to advance too, huh? You have good opportunities but don't remember Uncle Lou. Instead, you go to Director Li or that comprehensive utilization plant. Uncle Lou could do that too, could he?"

"You're probably looking down on Uncle Lou's background, aren't you?"

These words were so sarcastic and unpleasant that Zhang Dabiao couldn't stand them.

He started lashing out online.

He lit a cigarette for himself, a Yellow Crane Tower with a filter, without being polite to Lou Bancheng in the slightest.

"Uncle Lou, no, Boss Lou."

"Who I ask for help with what is none of your business, is it?"

"Besides, even if I gave you the invention, would you dare to open a factory? Or would you dare to do business again?"

"At most, they'll just send my stuff up to claim credit, am I right?"

"They all try to curry favor by going up there. I'm ignoring the readily available, politically reliable Li Huaide, Tian Baocheng, and others."

"I'm here to see a capitalist like you? To use your connections to get ahead and curry favor?"

"Isn't this just telling the higher-ups that I have a very close relationship with you, you big capitalist?"

Do you think I'm stupid?

Zhang Dabiao didn't give Lou Bancheng any face at all. Why should I give you face?

From my father's perspective, he saved your life, and you gave him a job and a house in return. So, we're even.

From my perspective, my reminder saved you from having a son-in-law who would have no descendants, and you haven't even thanked me yet.

Why should I have to give you face in return?

Lou Bancheng's face darkened; he hadn't expected such a young boy to speak to him like that.

This was before liberation; in the afternoon, Zhang Dabiao would appear in the stinking ditch by the street.

Do you really think Lou Bancheng got his name from doing charity?

But now, Lou Bancheng dares to take action against ordinary people, or even insignificant people.

He really wouldn't dare to touch someone like Zhang Dabiao, who has received numerous honors.

"As for the ingredients in your family's products, I actually have some reservations."

"I personally have no problem with capitalists, but what is your social class's position in this day and age?"

"You should know the truth in your heart, which is why you're in such a hurry to find Lou Xiao'e someone with a good family background to neutralize her background. I'd rather avoid capitalists like you than not."

"If I didn't need your help, I would never have come here."

"I get along well with Lou Xiao'e because she's young, and she didn't have a choice about her capitalist background, which I understand. But what do I have to talk about with you?"

"Say something, can this be done or not?"

"I can do it. Just name your conditions."

"I can't do it. I'm sorry to bother you. I'll turn around and leave."

Zhang Dabiao was extremely arrogant; that's the attitude of a real man.

What can you do with me?