All the heavens begin with the love in the courtyard.

Xu Damao held up three fingers, his eyes wide as he cautiously guessed.

"Thirty...thirty thousand"

Xu Damao shook his head and said the number himself.

Three million!

Liu Haizhong lost his grip on the wine glass, which fell onto the table. The shock and envy on his face were indescribable.

Xu Damao waved his hand and shook his head casually as he spoke.

"This is nothing, nothing at all. I'm the worst performing general manager in the entire global branch. You know, the US? Our US branch has annual sales of 800 million US dollars, and the general manager's commission alone is 20 million US dollars!"

Liu Haizhong couldn't even hold his wine glass anymore; his whole body felt weak, and he felt that the person sitting in front of him was no longer a simple Xu Damao, but a mountain of gold.

It's a moving gold mine! No wonder they can spend hundreds of dollars on a single meal without batting an eye. That's what real rich people are like! My imagination is completely lacking!

Those numbers of millions and tens of millions made Liu Haizhong feel dizzy. He used to be a little smug about his retirement pension of just over two hundred yuan a month.

Because those young people who have just started working can't earn that much, and now, compared to Xu Damao, they feel like they've wasted their lives.

Xu Damao wasn't surprised by Liu Haizhong's reaction at all. He remained very easygoing, refilling Liu Haizhong's glass once more. His tone was devoid of any boasting or showing off as he continued speaking slowly.

"Second Uncle, be content with what you have. At your age, you should enjoy life. Don't worry too much about these things. I've met some benefactors, otherwise I would still be struggling in the mud my whole life. So I am very grateful and thankful for everything I have now!"

Liu Haizhong couldn't listen to Xu Damao's Versailles-like persuasion. His mind was a mess, filled with Xu Damao's words: earning three million in six months. When Xu Damao said it, it sounded like earning millions or tens of millions was an easy task.

Suddenly, he seemed to have grasped something. Xu Damao had just said that he had met a benefactor, which was why he had soared to great heights. Now, wasn't there a benefactor right in front of him?

Yes! If you want to make money, isn't Xu Damao the best benefactor in front of you?

Let alone earning millions, as long as I earn tens of thousands, or even a few hundred thousand, why would I care about those unfilial children? With a few hundred thousand, I can eat whatever supplements I want, and that would be a truly carefree life!

Thinking of this, Liu Haizhong's eyes lit up, and he stepped forward to grab Xu Damao's hand, saying excitedly.

"Da Mao, my old bones can still move. You're making money selling things, how about you take me along?"

Xu Damao was startled by Liu Haizhong's sudden action and quickly broke free, saying something as he did so.

"Second Uncle, please don't make things difficult for me. How old are you? You should be enjoying your retirement now. Don't worry about making money!"

How could Liu Haizhong possibly listen to that? Of course he wanted to.

Now his sons don't care about him. If it weren't for the money he saved for retirement over the years, he wouldn't even have money to pay for his wife's hospitalization. In this situation, while he can still move around, wouldn't he want to earn more money for his retirement?

Whether it was because he remembered something sad or because he was drunk, Liu Haizhong slammed his wine glass heavily on the table, looked up, and tears welled up in his eyes as he pleaded with Xu Damao.

"Da Mao, please help me out. To be honest, I'm dreaming of getting rich right now. Your second aunt was hospitalized a few days ago because of a heart attack. This is her second hospitalization. My kids don't even care about their parents anymore. Tell me, how are we old folks going to survive if we don't make some money?"

As the old man spoke, tears streamed down his face, and he sobbed uncontrollably. Across from him, Xu Damao looked at the old man with sympathy and sighed repeatedly. Finally, he sighed again, took out his wallet, pulled out a stack of ten-yuan notes, worth over a thousand yuan, and stuffed them into the old man's hand.

Chapter 111: What a good person!

Liu Haizhong looked at the money Xu Damao handed him, unsure whether to accept it or not, and hesitated.

Xu Damao forcefully pulled his hand, stuffed the stack of ten-yuan notes into it, and said earnestly.

"Second Uncle, it's not that I don't want to help you make money, but to be honest, I've just arrived in Yanjing to develop the market. I currently have almost no resources or connections, and I'm starting from scratch. I might lose hundreds of thousands or even millions a month, which could happen in no time. In this situation, do you think I would dare to bring you in?"

Upon hearing Xu Damao's words, Liu Haizhong was taken aback. His previous enthusiasm subsided somewhat, and he unconsciously clutched the money in his hand tightly, as if afraid that Xu Damao would take it back.

Xu Damao, however, maintained his smile, took the initiative to let go of his hand, and said with emotion.

"Second Uncle, don't worry. After my market research over this period of time, I've found that the market in Yanjing is actually quite large. Since ancient times, it has been a gathering place for elites from all over the world. Now that the reform and opening up has begun, countless wealthy people have flocked to Yanjing. Where there is a market, there is demand. I believe that I can open up the market in at least three months, and at most six months. Think about it, if I can earn three million in six months on a small island like Taiwan, then I believe that at most, I can earn at least two million in six months, if not three million!"

Liu Haizhong's heart, which had just settled down, was stirred up again by Xu Damao's words. Just as he was about to speak, Xu Damao continued.

"Uncle, I understand your purpose in making money. We've been neighbors for so many years, so I'll definitely help you if I can, but I certainly can't let you suffer a loss. How about this? I certainly can't promise you anything right now. How about this: in a month or two, if my market opens up, I'll explain our company's philosophy to you when I have time. I can't say you can become a multi-millionaire, but if you have strong performance capabilities, becoming a millionaire in a few years is not a problem!"

Liu Haizhong's eyes turned red from the shock of these words. He stood up, shoved the stack of ten-yuan notes he had just been holding into Xu Damao's hand, and said earnestly.

"Da Mao, I'm relieved to hear you say that. I entrust my happiness in my later years to you. Don't worry, I'm healthy enough to work for another ten years. I absolutely cannot accept this money. Although I am poor compared to you, I must not be poor in spirit. Otherwise, how will I make money with you in the future?"

Xu Damao did not accept the money, but was deeply moved. He held the second uncle's hand and said with heartfelt emotion.

"Uncle, this money is just the cost of a meal for me, but it's several months' salary for you. Take it. Auntie was sick and hospitalized, and I didn't do anything to help her. Consider this money a small token of my appreciation. If you think highly of me, then take it. As for making money, I promise you here that if I have the chance, I will definitely take you with me!"

"What a good person! What a good person!"

Liu Haizhong was deeply moved by Xu Damao's generous and heartwarming words, which made him feel that Xu Damao was a guiding light for his future, illuminating his happy life in his later years!

He clutched the money tightly in his hand, as if his happiness would finally arrive in a few months.

Seeing that his second uncle was already immersed in his dream of getting rich, Xu Damao did not disturb him, but let him continue to dream.

The meal had been going on for over two hours without them realizing it. Both of them had drunk quite a bit, especially Liu Haizhong, whose face was now flushed and full of energy.

During those two hours, Xu Damao explained many successful cases to him, such as a Taiwanese housewife who was over sixty years old, was beaten by her husband every day, had unfilial children, and lived a very difficult life.

Finally, she joined the Health Treasure family and became a level 4 agent in less than a year, becoming an outstanding sales elite with hundreds of agents under her. Her commission alone exceeded five million yuan a year, making her a winner in life. All her former unfilial children came to flatter her.

This story really hit Liu Hai right where it hurts; he could totally relate. Wasn't he just like that housewife? His children were unfilial, and now he was living a miserable old age. If he had made a lot of money, wouldn't all his children come back to flatter him?

Thinking of this, Liu Haizhong felt excited and his heart was pounding. He hurriedly asked Xu Damao how to join the Health Treasure family!

Xu Damao deliberately kept everyone in suspense, refusing to say anything under the circumstances. He only said that his foundation was not yet stable and it was not suitable for his second uncle to join. However, Xu Damao did not make any absolute statements. In short, once he had established himself, he would definitely help his second uncle make a fortune!

Second Uncle nodded in agreement. Xu Damao was also a little dizzy. He borrowed Second Uncle's bed and lay down for a while. Although Second Uncle had also drunk a lot, he was too excited to fall asleep. He stood up, staggered out of the house, and went to find someone to brag to.

Xu Damao slept until 5:30 pm before being woken up. When he opened his eyes, he was startled to see a dark mass in front of his bed. He thought something had happened and cold sweat broke out on his forehead.

But he quickly came to his senses and looked at the expectant eyes in front of him, eyes that practically screamed "that."

"I want to get rich!"

Xu Damao felt relieved. Looking around, he saw that most of them were from the compound, and a small number were old neighbors from several nearby compounds. Most of them were elderly people who had been thoroughly swayed by Liu Haizhong that afternoon and were now completely excited.

People in the 1980s were so innocent!

However, Xu Damao clearly felt that the time was not yet right, so he cleared his throat and began to tell his neighbors what he had told Liu Haizhong at noon. He said that he had just arrived in Yanjing and his foundation was not yet stable. He promised to make everyone rich once he was settled!

Having received the promise, everyone invited Xu Damao to their homes, treating him with even more hospitality than they would their own fathers.

Seeing this, Xu Damao gritted his teeth and spoke up.

"Dear neighbors, since you all think so highly of me, I, Xu Damao, am not a stingy person. So, I, Xu Damao, will invite every one of you here to dine at the most famous restaurant in Yanjing, Jingchuan Restaurant, tomorrow. I have offended you in the past, and I bow to apologize to you all here!"

As he spoke, Xu Damao bowed deeply to everyone, but before he could finish, he was helped up. At that moment, someone called out to Xu Damao.

"Xu Damao, your wife is home from get off work!"

Upon hearing this, Xu Damao quickly apologized to everyone and made an appointment to meet at the Jingchuan Restaurant the next day at noon!

Xu Damao stood up, straightened his suit, feeling a mix of mixed emotions and trepidation. Finally, he mustered his courage and walked confidently toward the door.

As everyone prepared to escort Xu Damao out the door, Second Uncle, with his ruddy bangs glowing, as if he were already Xu Damao's follower, blocked everyone at the door, shouting under his breath.

"They haven't seen each other for so many years, why are you all joining in? Let's go, let's go. See you at Jingchuan Restaurant tomorrow at noon. Let me tell you, this restaurant is the most famous Sichuan restaurant in Beijing. I heard that many big shots in Beijing go there to eat. The Sichuan food there is the most authentic in Beijing. Do you know who wrote the calligraphy for that signboard?"

Everyone simultaneously looked up at his bangs!

Chapter 112: Pain and Hatred

Liu Haizhong looked at everyone as if they were country bumpkins, his arrogance was indescribable.

Actually, he had never eaten at Jingchuan before, and he had never even heard of Jingchuan before today. It was only at the dinner table that Xu Damao told him about it.

Indeed, in the 1980s, information was scarce. Only upper-class people in Beijing, or out-of-town businessmen like Lou Xiao'e, knew about the famous restaurants in Beijing.

Liu Haizhong, a retired old man who can't even afford to buy a certain newspaper these days, how could he possibly know about restaurants that charge more than twice the price of ordinary restaurants?

If there were a few young people here, they might have heard of it, but at midday, young people are all at work or out, and this place is full of elderly men and women, so it's understandable that they don't know.

While Liu Haizhong continued to boast, Xu Damao had already arrived at the door of his home, which he had left eight years ago.

The door was half-open. Xu Damao gently pushed it open. The creaking of the door did not disturb Qin Jingru, who was starting a fire inside. She was holding a palm-leaf fan and slowly fanning the embers in the stove, looking serious and focused.

Xu Damao looked at the slender figure a few meters away, and his mind was filled with many thoughts.

He had never truly loved this woman. He married Qin Jingru simply because he wanted a son, but things didn't go as planned, and she ended up giving birth to a daughter. Over the years, he thought about divorcing her countless times. If it weren't for Qin Huairu's incident, whether the two of them could have stayed together for another eight years is truly an unknown.

However, his years in prison made Xu Damao realize many things and people clearly, and he knew he couldn't let this woman down.

He gently stepped forward, nestled against Qin Jingru's back, and slowly pulled her into his arms.

Qin Jingru was startled and immediately tried to break free, but Xu Damao immediately hugged her tightly and whispered in her ear.

"Jingru, it's me!"

Qin Jingru's body stiffened, and the fear on her face slowly subsided. She didn't speak, and the two leaned on each other silently. But before she knew it, tears were streaming down Qin Jingru's face.

She didn't cry out loud like the silly girl she used to be, but cried silently, yet her tears flowed more and more, as if all the bitterness of so many years was finally released at this moment.

Xu Damao could feel the crying in his arms. His face was somber, and his eyes showed no attempt to hide his guilt and exhaustion.

He gently kissed Qin Jingru on the back and slowly rested his head on her back. Only here could he let down his guard. A good woman is, in fact, a man's strongest support.

Even as the crowd in the backyard gradually dispersed, the two people in Xu Damao's house continued to do the same thing. Xu Damao seemed to have fallen asleep, but his hands were slowly loosening.

Qin Jingru finally cried out all the grievances and sorrow in her heart. She gently broke free from Xu Damao's embrace, wiped away the tears from her eyes, and turned to look at the well-dressed man in front of her.

Xu Damao slowly raised his head, and the two smiled at each other. Qin Jingru burst into tears of joy. She thought she was strong enough, and she had imagined this scene countless times, but when the real scene appeared in front of her.

At this moment, she finally couldn't hold back her emotions any longer and threw herself into Xu Damao's arms, bursting into tears.

Xu Damao hugged Qin Jingru, comforting her with a smile, but for some reason, his eyes also felt a little sore.

This was the first time the two had a normal meeting. Qin Jingru cried for a while and then started preparing dinner for Xu Damao.

Xu Damao stopped her, pulled her into his arms, and said softly.

"Jingru, come with me. I'll take you to live a good life. I won't worry about this place anymore. Xiaonuan, we'll go to school to visit her tomorrow. From now on, you can live a life of luxury and never have to suffer like this again!"

Eight years ago, if Xu Damao had said such a thing, Qin Jingru would have agreed without even thinking. But after eight years of worry and concern, Qin Jingru now only wants her family to live a peaceful and simple life. She nervously looked up at Xu Damao and asked him with some fear on her face.

"Da Mao, please...please stop doing bad things. Let's live a good life as a family. I have a job now, and Xiao Nuan is in vocational school studying accounting. She'll be working in a few years too. Our family's good life will soon be much better. Don't make me worry!"

Xu Damao was speechless. The carefree and silly girl he remembered had now become such a cautious and meticulous housewife. Thinking about it carefully, he felt a little sad. It was all his own fault!

Xu Damao smiled, shook his head, gently stroked Qin Jingru's hair, and said comfortingly.

“Jingru, I have money now, lots and lots of money, enough for you and your child to live on for a lifetime. We’re both over forty, what’s the point of keeping it if we don’t spend it? I have to spend it on my beloved wife and child, do you expect me to donate it to charity?”

Qin Jingru was dumbfounded; she simply couldn't understand what was going on.