Chapter 52

"Y-You really are the big boss of Harbor City?"

In front of Zhou Ming, Lin Weixiu held a newspaper, looking at Zhou Ming in disbelief. The newspaper in her hand was the one that Tang Ran's father, Tang Jun, had bought earlier. It was the same as the one Zhou Ming had given to Lin Weixiu. On the second page, there was a headline about Zhou Ming, complete with a photo. Although the image was not as high-definition as it would be twenty years later, it was still clear enough to identify the person in the photo as Zhou Ming.

"Absolutely genuine," Zhou Ming smiled.

"Oh! I didn't expect the big boss of Harbor City to be so young and even to be in the newspaper. That's really impressive!" Lin Weixiu praised Zhou Ming, giving him a thumbs up. Her current demeanor was completely different from her earlier attitude.

However, Zhou Ming was not surprised by her change in behavior. From her earlier attitude and actions, it was clear that she was someone who favored the rich over the poor. In this era, anyone who made it into the newspaper was either wealthy or influential. The newspaper even explicitly mentioned that Zhou Ming was the boss of a fund company in Harbor City. While Lin Weixiu didn't know what a fund was, she understood what a company boss was. Her lack of understanding only made Zhou Ming seem even more mysterious and powerful to her.

Of course, Lin Weixiu hadn't reached the level of being able to completely change her attitude. She couldn't pretend that what had happened earlier didn't occur. So, she then complained to Tang Ran, "Ranran, you should have told us you knew the big boss of Harbor City. Look, you brought him here today, and neither your father nor I were prepared. How embarrassing."

"I've been telling you all along that he's the big boss of Harbor City, but you didn't believe me," Tang Ran said, feeling wronged.

Seeing the awkwardness on Lin Weixiu's face, Zhou Ming said, "It's fine, Aunt Lin. I'm a laid-back person, and I just arrived in Nanjiang. I didn't have time to notify you, so it's my fault for not doing my job properly."

At this point, Zhou Ming checked the time and continued, "Uncle and Aunt, it's getting late. Why don't we go eat first, and then we can chat?"

Tang Jun and Lin Weixiu nodded in agreement. Lin Weixiu even praised Tang Ran, "Ranran, look at how well the big boss of Harbor City speaks and acts. He's much better than those people from the mainland."

Money makes everything right, and the lack of it makes everything wrong.

Lin Weixiu's thoughts were similar to those of the gold-diggers in the future. It seemed that such women weren't just born; they were raised by parents like her.

Zhou Ming didn't say anything, but he sighed inwardly. He couldn't change everyone's mindset, and he just wanted the people he cared about to live well.

Zhou Ming took Tang Ran and her parents to a hotel next to the mall. He booked a private room and ordered a lavish meal.

Looking at the table full of dishes, the opulently decorated private room, and the beautiful waitresses ready to serve them, Lin Weixiu felt a bit out of place. She whispered to Zhou Ming, "Mr. Zhou, this must cost a lot, right?"

"About 500 yuan," Zhou Ming replied casually.

This answer made Lin Weixiu gasp. She looked at Zhou Ming with admiration, "500 yuan? Our family of three earns less than that in a month, and this is just one meal! You call this 'okay'? Mr. Zhou, you are indeed a big boss from Harbor City. Your presence is truly impressive."

Zhou Ming smiled and asked Tang Jun, "Uncle, do you drink? How about I get you a bottle of Maotai?"

At the mention of Maotai, Tang Jun's eyes widened, "Maotai? Isn't that the drink for leaders? It must be very expensive, right?"

"About 700 to 800 yuan," Zhou Ming replied.

Zhou Ming called the waitress to open the bottle, but Tang Jun quickly waved his hands, "No, no, Mr. Zhou, just give me a cheap bottle of local liquor."

The waitress, with her almond-shaped eyes, looked at Zhou Ming in confusion. Zhou Ming waved her off, "Just go ahead and open it. It's fine."

The waitress then went to get the wine. Tang Jun said to Zhou Ming, "Mr. Zhou, that's a drink for leaders. I'm not that important, and it's too expensive. How can I drink it? You drink it, Mr. Zhou. I'll just have a few yuan of local liquor."

Zhou Ming laughed, "Uncle, it's already the era of reform and opening up. There's no such thing as 'class' anymore. If we really talk about class, capitalists like me would be the ones to be overthrown! Besides, since the wine is here, you should drink it. If you really don't want to or can't finish it, you can take it home and drink it whenever you want."

Lin Weixiu also scolded Tang Jun, "That's right. How can you be so embarrassing? Mr. Zhou is here, and you want him to drink cheap local liquor with you?"

Tang Jun, after being scolded by Lin Weixiu, didn't say anything. Zhou Ming then said, "Uncle and Aunt, you don't have to call me Mr. Zhou. I'm not much older than Ranran, so just call me Xiao Zhou."

Lin Weixiu and Tang Jun initially shook their heads, saying it wasn't appropriate, but under Zhou Ming's insistence, they eventually just called him by his name, which Zhou Ming couldn't do anything about.

"Zhou Ming, the newspaper says you're the boss of a fund company. What kind of company is that? Does it deal with gold?" Lin Weixiu asked curiously.

"Of course not," Zhou Ming explained, "A fund is basically where you give me your money, and I invest it for you to make more money."

Lin Weixiu looked puzzled, "Isn't that like a bank? But can money be kept in a private company?"

"Of course it can. You can think of a fund company as similar to a bank, but the interest they pay is usually much higher. Also, banks abroad are mostly private," Zhou Ming said.

Lin Weixiu and Tang Jun nodded, somewhat understanding. Lin Weixiu said, "No wonder you're so rich, Zhou Ming. If it's like a bank and private, how can you not be rich? How long have you been in Harbor City? What does your family do?"

"My family is from Linyang, so you're right about my accent," Zhou Ming said. "I haven't been in Harbor City for long. I have to thank Ranran. If it weren't for her helping me with my passport and visa, I probably wouldn't have made so much money."

Lin Weixiu quickly said, "Ranran was just lucky to get a job at that unit. Helping you was her good fortune."

As Zhou Ming and Lin Weixiu were chatting, the waitress brought the wine. Zhou Ming had her open it and pour it for himself and Tang Jun. Initially, Tang Jun was hesitant to drink such expensive wine, but after a while, he relaxed. As Tang Ran's parents became more comfortable and relaxed, the door to the private room suddenly opened, and Wei Hua walked in.

Seeing Wei Hua, Tang Jun and Lin Weixiu were stunned, then became flustered. They had arranged for Wei Hua to meet Tang Ran, and although they had a small argument, they were still dating. Now, they were dining with Zhou Ming in such a luxurious place, and they didn't know how to face Wei Hua.

Wei Hua was also taken aback at first, not expecting to see Tang Ran's family in such a luxurious setting. But then he saw Zhou Ming.

"You're here," Zhou Ming greeted Wei Hua casually.

Seeing Zhou Ming, Wei Hua's face twisted in anger. He pointed at Zhou Ming and said, "It's you? You bastard, you're back to take Tang Ran away, aren't you?"

Wei Hua's anger was overwhelming. As a local in Nanjiang, he always felt superior to Tang Ran. Tang Ran had always been obedient to him, and her parents had always looked favorably upon him. He was just waiting to win over this cute girl. But since Zhou Ming arrived, everything changed. Tang Ran kept praising Zhou Ming, even skipping their date to go to the Nanhu port to meet him. Now, Zhou Ming was even dining with Tang Ran's parents in such a luxurious place. What else could this mean but that he was trying to take Tang Ran away?

Tang Jun and Lin Weixiu looked awkward, trying to say something but unable to utter a word.

Zhou Ming looked at Wei Hua with a meaningful expression, "I'm here to take Tang Ran away? Wei Hua, are you telling me a story? Tang Ran has always been my girlfriend."

Wei Hua immediately turned to Tang Ran and demanded, "Ranran, this isn't true, right? This bastard is just lying, right?"

"Yes, I am Mingge's girlfriend," Tang Ran said firmly, looking up at Wei Hua.

Tang Ran's words felt like a heavy blow to Wei Hua. He took a step back, but he still couldn't accept it. "Ranran, do you think he's rich? I'm not poor either. Whatever he can give you, I can give you too. Do you know he's lying to you? You're being deceived. You'll suffer if you stay with him. Can't you stop this nonsense?"

"I'm not being nonsensical," Tang Ran said firmly, looking at Wei Hua. "Wei Hua, I need to be clear with you. From the first day we met, I never liked you! I'm now Mingge's girlfriend, and I feel very happy!"

Wei Hua felt his head explode. He pointed at Tang Ran and shouted, "Tang Ran, you're just a gold-digger! I saw it from the first day I met you. You started dating me because of my money, and now you're with him because he's richer than me. You're a bitch, and I'll beat you to death!"

As Wei Hua moved toward Tang Ran, Zhou Ming suddenly stood up and slapped him across the face.