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

Zhang Dabiao was truly at his wit's end. He had only intended to fleece the capitalists, but who would have thought he would end up getting himself involved?

This means Lou Bancheng has found a weakness in himself!

We cannot refuse to back down.

Capitalists are capitalists; the simple-minded Zhang Dabiao was no match for them. He was too greedy back then, which is why he was manipulated.

Lou Bancheng smiled and said, "Don't put it so harshly. If something really serious happens, even if I give you up, you're just a half-grown boy, it won't do you any good."

"I just hope that, considering the kindness of our Lou family in helping you register as an agent and giving you a house, you can give me some guidance if anything happens."

"Then my money wasn't wasted."

Zhang Dabiao thought for a moment and could only nod.

What else can we do?

To kill Lou Bancheng's entire family outright? That's not quite the case.

If anyone has a grudge, it's my own greed at the time.

"By the way, if the higher-ups ask why I was willing to help you, just say that you sold me a 50-year-old wild ginseng, which is extremely precious, so I spent money to help you, which is an equal exchange."

"Huh?" [When did I sell it?] Zhang Dabiao was a little confused.

"It's that 15-year-old ginseng from last time. I recently spread the word that I've acquired a 50-year-old ginseng. That's what you should tell everyone," Lou Bancheng reminded him.

"Oh, oh..." Zhang Dabiao finally realized that Lou Bancheng was filling in all the loopholes.

Another thought...

This is essentially telling the Ministry of Foreign Trade through their own words that the Lou family has 50-year-old ginseng, and those interested can contact them...

Holy crap, they always think things through before taking a step forward; capitalists never lose money!

Their family must have 50-year-old ginseng!

My own branch was just a pretext, a trigger.

He caught the big fish himself!

Capitalists... they are truly terrifying!

Zhang Dabiao decided to shut up and stop asking questions; he simply couldn't outsmart these people!

Think ahead before you take a step!

"Alright, regarding the patent, just sign the contract and leave me a copy of the agency agreement."

"Let's have dinner together later. Can you give Uncle Lou some advice? I don't like Xu Damao or Shazhu, so how can I refuse them?"

Zhang Dabiao's eyes suddenly lit up. "You're trying to scam me, huh? Well, I'll scam you back."

"No, Uncle Lou, Xu Damao and Shazhu are both quite good, they're promising young men, you can't just reject them both, can you?"

Lou Bancheng was stunned upon hearing this: "Promising young people? The two of them?"

"A hooligan projectionist who's practically childless, and a simple-minded canteen cook who's supposedly violent—are they promising young men?"

"If you, Zhang Dabiao, agree, I'll arrange for Lou Xiao'e to marry you immediately without hesitation."

"But if it's those two... then don't try to trick your Uncle Lou."

Lou Bancheng shook his head, thinking that Zhang Dabiao was just joking with him.

But Zhang Dabiao explained with a smile, "Uncle Lou, don't let their current arrogant appearance fool you. I can tell you frankly, if one day your Lou family suffers and gets arrested..."

"Even I am not sure I can protect you, but those two people can find connections to get you all released unharmed."

Upon hearing Zhang Dabiao's words, Lou Bancheng, who was about to get up, stopped, his face filled with disbelief!

"Just the two of them? They think they can get this done? Da Biao, are you sure?!"

"Absolutely certain!"

In the original series, it was Xu Damao who reported it, but given the current relationship between Xu Damao, Zhang Dabiao, and Li Huaide, as well as Xu Damao's abilities, he either wouldn't report it, or he would get the news and let the Lou family run away first. If something really happens, Xu Damao probably has the ability to find a way to secure someone's safety—in the current timeline.

As for Sha Zhu, it goes without saying that in the original series, he was the one who asked a high-ranking official for help and used his connections to get the people released.

These two were originally Lou Xiao'e's first wife and the biological father of her child. In this timeline, it's up to Lou Xiao'e and her family to decide what to do.

Lou Bancheng was stunned for a long time, unable to believe Zhang Dabiao's words.

Zhang Dabiao is registered on the list and has many honors, so there's a good chance he has the ability to protect his family.

But how could Xu Damao and Sha Zhu, those two blockheads, possibly be?

However, one couldn't disbelieve what Zhang Dabiao said, so they dragged him along to dinner.

Zhang Dabiao – [Can he still get a meal?]

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

After a few rounds of drinks, Lou Bancheng realized that Xu Damao's sweet talk and glib tongue had everyone entertained. Lou Xiao'e wasn't annoyed by him, and Xu Damao had also produced a hospital report showing that he was basically fine now. His chances of having children were lower than normal, but he wasn't going to be childless.

Sha Zhu is still the same old guy who looks down on everyone. He's always pointing at Chen Ma's cooking and saying things like, "This cooking isn't done right," "That ingredient is wrong," or "That ingredient wasn't prepared properly."

If this weren't at the Lou family's house, Chen's mother would have already turned on him. The Lou family members were also speechless. Inviting you to dinner was a matter of courtesy and politeness, not an opportunity for you to critique their cooking.

This guy has absolutely no sense of propriety. If Xiao'e marries him, the old couple will be furious every day.

Therefore, the Lou family had a very poor impression of Sha Zhu and kept their distance from him.

But Xu Damao is too much of a sly old fox. I heard he started frequenting the Eight Great Hutongs in his senior year of high school. Although this kind of thing isn't a very serious problem for a big capitalist like Lou Bancheng...

But Xu Damao wasn't exactly a good person either, so the Lou family was in a dilemma.

After much consideration, he asked Zhang Dabiao, who was eating silently to the side.

"Da Biao, give Uncle Lou some advice. Which of these two talented young men is more suitable for our Xiao'e?"

Everyone was taken aback. Why are you asking Zhang Dabiao about the Lou family's daughter's marriage?

Zhang Dabiao himself was stunned.

Holy crap? I've gotten myself involved in this drama?!

Choosing Da Mao might offend Sha Zhu, though it's not a very serious matter.

Choosing Sha Zhu would offend Da Mao? That scoundrel is far more troublesome than Sha Zhu.

The most crucial question is, regardless of which option I choose, what if Lou Xiao'e is dissatisfied and causes me trouble later? A woman's entanglement is far more troublesome than a man's direct retaliation.

Zhang Dabiao immediately shook his head: "Uncle Lou, why are you asking me about this? You should ask Sister Xiao'e!"

"Who does she have her eye on? It's not like I'm going on a blind date, right?"

Lou Xiao'e finally relaxed her furrowed brows and gave Zhang Dabiao a look—[You're a decent kid at least.]

Lou Bancheng objected, saying that you were the only one who was suitable for either of these two. He asked you which one to choose and you didn't even give him an opinion. He said that after spending so much money on you, you wouldn't even help with such a small favor.

Isn't that cheating people? No way!

"Da Biao, what do you want? Help Xiao'e choose a suitable husband."

"Or you can marry Xiao'e from our family."

"You choose."

Zhang Dabiao was embarrassed—he should have just taken the things and left, why did I have to get involved?