Chapter 1551: I Have No Interest in Money

In the living room, everyone looked at Zhou Andong without speaking.

Lending the Central Government five hundred million US dollars and making another five hundred million on the white sugar futures — everyone knew about this.

But before it had only been talk. Now, hearing with their own ears Zhou Andong on the phone telling Qiu Dongfang to wire over a billion US dollars, they still couldn't quite stay calm.

One had to understand, this was the Central Government borrowing from a private company — and importantly, that company belonged to Zhou Andong.

Especially when they thought that this billion US dollars was only a small fraction of Zhou Andong's total wealth, they grew even less calm inside.

Setting aside Zhou Andong's entire fortune, just this one billion US dollars stacked together — what a huge pile that would be.

Even Jian Zhengxue, a regional grand official, had never seen anything like it; even imagining it in his mind, he felt shaken.

"Gulp!"

Jian Mingfan's throat bobbed, and he said in a dry voice: "Brother-in-law, exactly how much money do you have?"

Hearing Jian Mingfan's words, everyone's gaze once again focused on Zhou Andong's face. Curiosity was written on every person's face, including Jian Zhengxue and Gu Minglan — the father-in-law and mother-in-law.

Zhou Andong pulled out a cigarette and lit one, then said very calmly: "I have no interest in money, so if you ask me exactly how much I have, I really don't know."

Zhou Andong's words immediately drew a series of eye-rolls.

"If you don't believe it, forget it." Zhou Andong shook his head: "If you really want to know, go ask Qiuqiu. After all, she's the one who manages the household. I'm just the rake that scoops up the money; she's the chest that holds it."

Once these words came out, others' thoughts were unknown, but Gu Minglan, the mother-in-law, was extremely, extremely pleased.

"Brother-in-law!" Jian Mingfan said with a cheeky grin: "When I graduate from college, I'm going into business too. You've got to help me."

"Sure!" Zhou Andong nodded: "Whatever you want to do, just tell me when the time comes. I'll give you the capital to start a business."

"It's a deal." Jian Mingfan happily bounced up.

The smile on Zhang Ping's face had never disappeared. She had also made plans for her son's future.

In any case, it was either entering politics or becoming a doctor. As for going into business, she really hadn't thought about it — not even a thought.

Before Zhou Andong became the Jian family's son-in-law, even if Jian Mingfan had this idea, she would have firmly opposed it.

But with Zhou Andong as the Jian family's son-in-law, and his good relationship with her, Fourth Aunt, Jian Mingfan going into business was the best choice.

After all, with reform and opening up, China's future would be centered on economic construction.

Perhaps many people would still worry that policies might waver.

But Zhang Ping could be certain that the reform and opening-up policy would not change again.

As a daughter-in-law of the Jian family, she had this kind of judgment.

The individual entrepreneurs who had been looked down upon just a few years ago had now all become bosses envied by everyone.

So, Zhang Ping did not oppose Jian Mingfan going into business.

As for Jian Zhengrong, he was inherently a very open-minded person.

He had always taken a hands-off attitude toward what his son wanted to do in the future.

In his view, as long as you didn't do anything illegal or criminal, you could do whatever you wanted.

Zhou Andong thought about waiting for the old man to come back and telling him about the money.

But by a little past nine, even after Jian Qiu had woken up, the old man still hadn't returned.

He didn't leave, so Zhu Lisheng and Jian Zhengcun stayed with him the whole time.

This was somewhat unbelievable — elders actually keeping company with a younger generation chatting the whole time.

Even though they were already a bit tired, they didn't suggest leaving.

And since Zhu Lisheng and Jian Zhengcun didn't leave, Jian Zhengxue and Jian Zhengrong naturally couldn't leave either.

"It's almost ten." Zhou Andong checked his watch: "I originally wanted to wait for Grandpa to come back and tell him about the money. It's too late now, so I won't wait. Qiuqiu and I are heading back."

"Go on." Gu Minglan had long wanted to chase them away: "I'm getting a bit sleepy."

Zhu Lisheng said with a smile: "We're leaving too."

This reunion dinner of the Jian family ended with the music fading and people dispersing — naturally, some were happy and some were worried.

………………………………

The third day of the New Year!

Before eight, Zhou Andong was woken by the shouting of children in the courtyard.

Zhou Andong rolled over, reached out to feel around, didn't find Jian Qiu, then opened his eyes.

She was already gone; he didn't even know when she had gotten up.

He opened his mouth and yawned, reached out, found his cigarettes and lit one.

By the time he finished his cigarette and washed up, it was already eight-thirty.

When he came out, he saw Zhou Xianyong pacing back and forth in the courtyard.

"Uncle, on such a cold day, what are you pacing around the courtyard alone for?"

Zhou Xianyong, who had been looking down as if he'd lost something, raised his head at the sound of a voice.

Seeing it was Zhou Andong, he immediately smiled.

"I've been waiting for you."

Having said that, Zhou Xianyong grabbed Zhou Andong's arm.

"Come with me."

"Hold on!" Zhou Andong shook off Zhou Xianyong: "It's early morning, I haven't even eaten yet. Where are we going?"

"Taking you to meet a very important person." Zhou Xianyong grabbed Zhou Andong's arm again: "You can eat anytime, you won't starve."

Zhou Andong knew at once that the person he was being taken to meet must be that female star from Taiwan.

"Uncle, I have too many things to do today. I still have to visit several elders later. Can we put your matter aside for now?"

"Ugh!" Zhou Xianyong said somewhat displeased: "It's just meeting someone and having a meal. It won't delay your visits to the elders."

"Can you let go of me first?"

Zhou Andong stood still, and Zhou Xianyong simply couldn't pull him, so he had to let go.

"Our collaboration isn't urgent, and it's not something we can settle in a day or two. After I've paid my respects to a few elders, I still have to meet a very important friend in the evening.

Bring your sweetheart along then, I'll introduce you two, and we'll have a few drinks together."

Hearing Zhou Andong say this, Zhou Xianyong didn't try to stop him from leaving.

"A very important friend?"

"Very important," Zhou Andong said. "Let me put it this way—this person's family, in terms of influence in the cultural and entertainment industry, is far more impressive than the family of that shareholder in Future Culture."

Zhou Xianyong asked curiously, "How impressive?"

Zhou Andong said with a smile, "However impressive you can imagine—that's how impressive."

Zhou Xianyong's eyes immediately lit up, and he pointed at the Forbidden City next door: "The most impressive I can imagine is someone who lives in there."

"Exactly!" Zhou Andong nodded very seriously. "Although they don't actually live in there, I get what you mean—your imagination is completely on the mark."

"Great!"

Zhou Xianyong looked very excited. After all, he was in fashion, and this time he was also investing in film and television—getting to know someone like that would be an enormous help to him.

"Do I need to prepare anything?"

"No need!" Zhou Andong strode toward the restaurant: "He's not some three-headed, six-armed monster—no need to make such a big deal of it."