Chapter 1185: Upholding Justice

"Isn't that the truth," Old Cricket said proudly. "My sons-in-law were already filial to begin with. Take my second daughter's father-in-law, for example; he's a retired enterprise leader, and his manner of speaking and doing things is incredibly imposing."

"But ever since I gave each of my three daughters an apartment, that in-law of mine greets me first whenever he sees me, offering cigarettes and lighting them for me. I can't even begin to describe how good that makes me feel."

Zhou Andong smiled and said, "If you know of anyone whose courtyard is for sale, you can introduce them to me. I'll give you a finder's fee."

"No problem," Old Cricket nodded. "I'll ask around."

As the two chatted, seeing it was nearly one o'clock, Wang Xiaocui came over to call them for lunch, but the three old men still hadn't come out of the vault.

There was no other way; Zhou Andong went over personally to persuade the three old men to come back out, telling them to eat before going back in.

Zhou Andong brought out two bottles of Blue and White Porcelain liquor, and Old Cricket's eyes lit up.

"This liquor is expensive. I've never been able to bring myself to buy it."

Zhou Andong smiled and said, "After lunch, take two bottles with you."

"That's too embarrassing."

Old Cricket was genuinely embarrassed; he had already received so many favors, and now he was being given liquor too.

"It's liquor brewed by our own family's factory. In the future, if you want to drink it, just let me know."

Zhou Andong said this, then poured liquor for the three old men first before moving to pour for Old Cricket.

Old Cricket hurriedly said, "I'll do it myself, I'll do it myself."

"Old Cricket," Zhou Andong said with a hint of dissatisfaction in his tone, "we can be considered friends across generations; don't be so formal with me."

Old Cricket nodded and said with great emotion, "Chairman Zhou, being able to know you is truly my honor, Old Cricket."

At this moment, Third Man Man Laoyezi spoke up: "You and Dongzi are friends across generations; how you address each other by seniority is your business, but I'll just call you younger brother."

"Then I'll be thick-skinned and call you three 'Old Brothers'." Old Cricket picked up his glass: "I toast you three Old Brothers."

The four old men raised their glasses and clinked them together, then began to chat, and the more they talked, the more they hit it off, leaving Zhou Andong out of the fun.

Zhou Andong drank the glass of liquor in front of him and then went back to his room for a nap.

He didn't know how long he had been asleep, but in his grogginess, he felt someone enter the room.

He opened his eyes and saw it was Jian Qiu, who was lying by the bedside, looking at him with a smile.

"What time is it?"

"Past four," Jian Qiu said. "Hurry up and get up. Aren't you going to meet Guan Shengjie?"

"Pour me a glass of water; I'm a bit thirsty." Zhou Andong rolled over and sat up.

Jian Qiu got up and poured a glass of warm water, which Zhou Andong gulped down in one breath.

"Has Old Cricket left?"

"I didn't see him when I got back, so he probably left." Jian Qiu took the glass and placed it on the nightstand. "The three old men aren't home either. It's already past four; why haven't they returned?"

Zhou Andong smiled and said, "They're probably still in the vault."

Jian Qiu realized, and placed his shoes by the bedside: "Hurry up, let's go."

Zhou Andong put on his shoes and went downstairs with Jian Qiu. Arriving in the courtyard, they saw Grandmother and Liu Laolao chatting.

"Liu Laolao, Liu Laolao, we're going out to take care of some business and won't be eating at home tonight."

"Come back early," Liu Laolao said. "Qiuqiu is pregnant; she shouldn't get too tired."

"I know," Zhou Andong replied, then took Jian Qiu's hand and went to the front: "Dachao, let's go to Houhai."

Wu Chao came out of the room; the car hadn't been put in the garage and was parked right at the main gate.

After getting in the car, Zhou Andong asked, "How did things go?"

Jian Qiu said, "Very smoothly. The city gave the word, and all departments gave us the green light."

"The framework for Qiudongfang has been set up; let the people below handle the work."

Zhou Andong yawned, looking as if he hadn't fully woken up yet.

"It's been a while since I've been back to Jiangzhou, and with New Year's Day coming up, I need to go back and take a look."

Jian Qiu asked, "Are you just going to let go of the situation in Ganzhou and not worry about it?"

"Everything is arranged; what else is there for me to worry about?" Zhou Andong said. "Man proposes, God disposes. As for the final result, it depends on whether Heaven helps us or not."

Jian Qiu smiled and said, "Zhang Zuo and the others lit the fire in Ganzhou, and you poured a bucket of gasoline on it, then hid far away to watch the show. Is that really okay?"

Zhou Andong rolled his eyes at her: "Was that pouring gasoline? I was upholding justice."

Jian Qiu curled her lip and changed the subject: "Shouldn't Fourth Sister be learning something?"

Zhou Andong was stunned: "Learn what? Didn't you say this morning that she was going to practice with the old man?"

"That doesn't count," Jian Qiu said. "For example, piano, guzheng, or something like that. Even erhu or guitar would be fine."

Zhou Andong sighed: "Fourth Sister's personality is too flighty; can she really focus on those things?"

In his previous life, Zhou Andong had indeed let Fourth Sister learn guitar and dance, but she gave up halfway through both.

"Ask her," Jian Qiu said. "Children need to be coaxed. As long as you give her some benefits, she'll agree."

Zhou Andong smiled: "Then you ask her."

"Leave this to me," Jian Qiu said confidently. "I originally thought about letting her learn dance, but since she's practicing martial arts with Grandpa, let's forget about dance. Or, we can wait until she's a bit older."

"I'm quite in favor of learning dance," Zhou Andong said. "Practicing martial arts and practicing dance have similar basic requirements. When Fourth Sister is a bit older, it won't delay anything."

As the two chatted, the car stopped in front of the First Bar.

Zhou Andong and Jian Qiu got out of the car. The First Bar was now famous throughout the capital.

Its popularity was unmatched by any other bar.

Moreover, several others had opened up right next to it.

At this time, the lights were just coming on, and Houhai had already entered its night mode.

"Chairman Zhou!"

A waiter was stunned when he saw Zhou Andong and Jian Qiu, but immediately reacted and hurriedly greeted them.

Zhou Andong smiled and said, "It's been a while since I've been here. It looks like business is even better now."

"Isn't that the truth," the waiter said with a somewhat reserved smile. "The pleasure boats have stopped running, so there are more customers indoors. We have to take reservations every day."

"Oh?" Zhou Andong joked, "I didn't make a reservation today. It looks like I'll have to go to that new bar next door."

"Of course there's a seat for you when you come." The waiter hurriedly explained, then led the way and arranged a seat for Zhou Andong.

"Bring me a glass of fruit juice, and a dozen 'Yongchuang Tianya' beers."

Zhou Andong hadn't tasted 'Yongchuang Tianya' yet, so it was a good time to come here and see how it was.

"Coming right up!" The waiter turned and left, and soon brought the 'Yongchuang Tianya'.

Zhou Andong picked up a bottle and looked at it: "How are sales here?"

The waiter said, "In the entire capital, only our place has 'Yongchuang Tianya', so sales are very good."

Zhou Andong opened a bottle and took a sip. It felt okay, but that was all—just okay, which left him a bit disappointed.