Don't underestimate the poor and elderly; I was thrilled to refuse the class beauty's adva

He picked up the tea beside him and took a sip, silently rejoicing that he had been mentally prepared and had made up his mind long ago.

Borrow money? No way!

He had worked hard for so many years and finally had some start-up capital thanks to his son's winnings in the lottery. Before the shop even opened, people came to his door to beg for money.

What's wrong with this relative? Last year, when my son went to deliver New Year's gifts to his house, they wouldn't even let him in the door. Now they have the nerve to ask me for money?

He put down his teacup, cleared his throat, and was about to refuse.

It wasn't his turn.

Liu Guilan had been holding back for quite some time.

From the moment he walked in, Fang Zhiyuan acted like a big shot, ordering food without asking what they wanted to eat, and now he's shamelessly asking to borrow money.

Buy a house in a good school district? You, Fang Zhiyuan, can afford a house in a good school district, but my family has to chip in to help you.

She didn't even pick up her chopsticks before retorting:

"Borrow money? You've invested all your money in opening the shop, where would you find spare money to lend you for buying a house?"

"You're a civil servant in the Housing and Urban-Rural Development Bureau, and your wife works at a hospital. Your combined income is significantly higher than ours. How come you're the one asking us for money?"

Fang Zhiyuan's expression froze, stifled by these words. He rubbed his hands together on the table several times, leaned back, and his tone became even more aggrieved:

"Cousin, how much can we earn with our meager fixed salary? Don't be fooled by my job at the Housing and Construction Bureau; I'm just an ordinary staff member, and I don't make much money each month."

Not to mention the situation with my wife; after the hospital reforms, performance bonuses were cut in half, and we're really struggling to make ends meet.

Besides, your store hasn't even opened yet, and you haven't finished spending the money on renovations, right? A few more days won't make a difference..."

"Alright."

Zhang Rongshan waved his hand to interrupt his rambling, his tone resolute.

"Fang Zhiyuan, don't even think about borrowing money."

Every penny we spend now has to be spent wisely; whether the shop can open depends on this month.

If you're coming to eat, this meal is on my family. After you finish eating, you can take your child home.

If you're here to borrow money, you can leave now.

There's no room for negotiation now.

Zhang Rongshan's voice wasn't loud, but the determination in his tone was like a solid wall.

Liu Guilan stood beside her with her arms crossed, her face clearly saying "Well said."

Zhang Yifan remained leaning back in his chair, tapping his fingers absently on the table, his gaze never leaving Fang Zhiyuan's face.

He is waiting.

Wait until Fang Zhiyuan reveals his true cards.

Fang Zhiyuan's smile froze for less than half a second after being cornered by Zhang Rongshan, then he waved his hand as if nothing had happened, his tone changing quickly and naturally:

"Alright, alright, since my cousin and brother-in-law have brought it up, let's forget about the loan. Just pretend I didn't mention it. Let's eat, let's eat."

He picked up the cup and took another sip of tea, his movements so natural that it was as if nothing had happened.

Zhang Rongshan had expected to have to say more, but he was surprised that Fang Zhiyuan agreed so readily.

He picked up his teacup, took a sip, and breathed a sigh of relief.

If he doesn't mention borrowing money, the meal will end here, and he won't even open the door for Fang Zhiyuan if he comes back again.

But Fang Zhiyuan's next words made him breathe a sigh of relief again.

"By the way, brother-in-law, are there any other houses for sale in your neighborhood?"

Zhang Rongshan put down his teacup, his brows furrowing, thinking he had misheard:

Why are you asking this? We live in a small, old neighborhood. Didn't you just say you wanted to buy a house in a good school district?

"You have a nice little villa, why would you leave your perfectly good new house and come to live in our old, run-down place? You must be joking!"

Fang Zhiyuan smiled, leaned forward, and spoke with a smug tone that implied "you don't know anything about this":

"Brother-in-law, you don't understand. Although the buildings in your neighborhood are old, the location is good."

Right next to the Experimental School and the city's best high school, No. 1 High School, it's a straight path from elementary to high school, making it a genuine school district property.

The only downside is that the houses are really old and dilapidated, and they're all small units, so they won't fetch a high price.

He paused, as if doing some calculations, and then continued:

"I'll just tell the truth."

The school district housing policy changes every year now. Instead of buying those ridiculously expensive new buildings, why not get one in your own neighborhood and get a lot for a little money?

Wouldn't that solve all of Jiahao's future schooling problems?

So I was wondering if anyone in the neighborhood is selling a house? If there's a suitable one, I'd like to buy it.

After listening, Zhang Rongshan nodded thoughtfully.

He had to admit that Fang Zhiyuan's words did make sense.

Although their neighborhood is run-down, the school district is truly excellent, with both the Experimental School and No. 1 Middle School being among the top schools in the city.

If Fang Zhiyuan bought a house here for his child's schooling, it would make perfect sense.

"That's true."

He put down his teacup, his tone softening considerably.

"Last year, a family did sell one of their apartments for about 200,000 yuan."

However, there aren't many people selling. As you know, this neighborhood has been talked about for over twenty years, but there's still no sign of it happening, so it doesn't fetch a high price.

Many neighbors no longer live here. The houses are rented out to families who want convenient access to schools. The houses are just sitting empty anyway, and what if they get demolished someday? They can make a profit from it.

So there aren't many people selling it outside; you have to be lucky.

He was about to say, "I'll ask around for you," when he saw Liu Guilan suddenly stand up.

"I'm going out to make a phone call."

After she finished speaking, she picked up her phone and walked out. As she passed Zhang Rongshan, she winked at him.

The wink was swift and ruthless, the eyeballs practically popping out of their sockets, and the chin jutted out towards the door, the meaning couldn't be clearer.

You get out here, you old hag.

Zhang Rongshan had spent most of his life with her, so they had this much understanding.

Liu Guilan had just stepped out of the Sichuan restaurant when he stood up and nodded to Fang Zhiyuan:

"I'm going to the restroom, you guys eat first."

After saying that, he left without looking back.

As Fang Zhiyuan watched the two leave their seats one after the other, the corners of his mouth slowly curled up.

He leaned back in his chair, picked up his teacup, took a sip, and a triumphant smile spread across his face.

Then he glanced at the other side out of the corner of his eye.

Zhang Yifan was leaning back in his chair, a faint smile playing on his lips, carrying a hint of eeriness and mockery.

It's as if it's saying, "Keep acting, I'm watching."

Fang Zhiyuan felt a chill run down his spine from that smile, and the smug look on his face vanished instantly.

He coughed lightly, sat up straight, quickly switched back to elder mode, and spoke in a deliberately gentle tone that was almost hypocritical:

"Yifan, how are your studies going lately? You go to No. 1 High School, right? No. 1 High School is a good school. The fact that you were able to get in means you have a good foundation. You should cherish this opportunity."

Your uncle is telling you, the college entrance exam is the biggest watershed moment in life. If you do well, you'll leap over the dragon gate; if you don't, well, that's another story.

What year are you in high school? Second year? You'd better hurry up and stop playing on your phone all day. Focus on your studies, okay?

Zhang Yifan leaned back in his chair, the corner of his mouth remaining perfectly still.

"Uncle, you're clearly not paying enough attention to me. I'm already a senior in high school, and I've consistently been in the top three of my grade. I have a good chance of getting into Tsinghua or Peking University."

The college entrance exam is next month; just prepare the congratulatory red envelopes then.

Fang Zhiyuan's hand holding the teacup froze in mid-air, his lips moved, but for a moment he didn't know what to say.

He realized he knew almost nothing about his nephew, and all those words of sharing his experience and showing his superiority stuck in his throat; he couldn't utter a single one.

He chuckled dryly twice, raising the teacup to his lips to hide his embarrassment: "That...that's good news, good news. There will definitely be a red envelope, there definitely will be."