Chapter 57

"Mom, you don't know how bad my reputation is in our Rongcheng. As soon as anyone hears the name 'Liu Eshao,' they all run away," Liu Xiaomin said.

Yu Shuang turned to look at Liu Hao and couldn't help but shake her head and smile at Liu Xiaomin, "You kid, is there anyone who talks about their own brother like that?"

"Mom, it's all because you spoil him so much. Look at what he's become. I'm even embarrassed to say he's my brother outside!" Liu Xiaomin said helplessly.

"I'm a big person and won't stoop to your level!" Liu Hao rolled his eyes at Liu Xiaomin and turned to Yu Shuang, "Mom, where's Dad?"

Yu Shuang pointed to the second floor and said, "He should be in the study upstairs. What do you need him for?"

"What else? Definitely to ask Dad for money!" Liu Xiaomin said with a sneer.

Liu Hao immediately became unhappy, his eyes widening, "What money? Shengge called me for help. I'm here to discuss serious matters with Dad, understand?"

"Shengge? You mean Chen Dasheng?" Yu Shuang asked, frowning.

Liu Hao nodded, "Of course. Only Dad can handle this. I have to talk to him."

"What kind of help does Chen Dasheng need?" Liu Xiaomin asked, puzzled.

"Tch, why should I tell you? It's a secret!" Liu Hao rolled his eyes at Liu Xiaomin and went upstairs.

"Rat, let me tell you, if you corrupt Chen Dasheng, when Xiaoli comes back from Beijing, she'll definitely beat you to death!" Liu Xiaomin said, pouting.

"Don't worry about it!" Liu Hao waved his hand without turning back. As he spoke, he was already on the second floor.

"What are you showing off for? I'll ask him myself tomorrow!" Liu Xiaomin glared upstairs and muttered under her breath.

Yu Shuang patted Liu Xiaomin's hand and said earnestly, "Why can't you be nicer to your brother?"

"Mom, please, didn't you see how badly he treats me? He doesn't respect me at all. You're too biased!" Liu Xiaomin pouted.

"You two are both my children. How could I be biased?" Yu Shuang's eyes narrowed, then she said, "By the way, I asked you to bring Chen Dasheng home this weekend. Have you told him?"

"Mom..." Liu Xiaomin whined, "I don't have any special relationship with Chen Dasheng. Why would I invite him to our home?"

"My daughter!" Yu Shuang hugged Liu Xiaomin, "You're not young anymore. Your father and I are worried. Your grandfather has been urging us to have a grandchild. Can't you be more ambitious? Chen Dasheng is Miss Chen's brother. If we can form this relationship, our status in Rongcheng will be unshakable."

"Mom, you're going too far. Chen Dasheng is my student. How can a student and teacher have such a relationship? And isn't it a bit much to use your daughter to boost the Liu family's status in Rongcheng?" Liu Xiaomin's face turned red at the first part, but then it turned cold.

"How can you say that? Haven't your father and I always respected your wishes these past few years?" Yu Shuang smiled and continued, "Nowadays, there are many teacher-student relationships. It's not unusual. You're tutoring Chen Dasheng, right? Tomorrow is the weekend. Ask him to come to our home for tutoring. Let me and your father see him. If you think he's good, you can continue to develop the relationship. If not, it's fine. Your father and I won't force you. We'll just keep you as an old maid."

Liu Xiaomin couldn't bear Yu Shuang's endless talk, "Mom, please don't worry about my affairs."

"How can we not worry? You're already in your twenties!" Yu Shuang's face turned serious, "Are you shy? Can't bring yourself to do it? Give me your phone, I'll talk to him!"

"Mom, please, you'll scare him!" Liu Xiaomin wouldn't hand over her phone. To avoid Yu Shuang's nagging, she said, "I've already invited him to Happy Valley tomorrow!"

"Huh?" Yu Shuang's eyes lit up, and she said with a smile, "Really?"

Liu Xiaomin blushed and nodded.

Yu Shuang seemed to be re-evaluating Liu Xiaomin, and her face lit up, "Hehe, it looks like my daughter is growing up. You should do well tomorrow. It's your first date, don't leave a bad impression."

Liu Xiaomin was speechless. Seeing Yu Shuang's expression, she knew that if she denied it now, Yu Shuang would continue to nag. So she remained silent.

Then, Yu Shuang started talking about dating tips, and Liu Xiaomin could only listen helplessly. It seemed that Yu Shuang had already taken the unknown Chen Dasheng as her future son-in-law.

"Help!" Liu Xiaomin cried out in her heart.

---

The next morning.

Just after 7:30, the phone rang. Chen Dasheng squinted and saw it was Liu Hao. He had already found the people and they were meeting at the second floor of Wuwei Hotel.

Chen Dasheng quickly got up, washed up, and rode his bicycle out of the neighborhood.

"Hmm? Why do I feel like I forgot something?"

---

Wuwei Hotel.

Not far from the school, it took only ten minutes by bicycle.

In a private room on the second floor, besides Liu Hao and his gang of friends, there were three elderly men waiting.

"Little Liu, why did your father ask us to come here? He didn't explain clearly on the phone. I had to get up so early!" A tall, thin man with a white robe and a folding fan, his hair slightly gray, said. He looked like a refined scholar.

This man was Li Zhongqing, a specially appointed professor of archaeology at Rongcheng University, well-known in the archaeological community.

Next to Li Zhongqing was a bald, slightly overweight man named Liao Kang, known in the antique market as "Huo Yan Jin Jing" (Fire Eye Golden Eye), who had made his fortune by finding undervalued antiques and had never been wrong, leaving many legendary stories.

The third man, wearing a red coat, short, bald, and with age spots on his face, was named Cao Dongsheng, known as "Dwarf Winter Melon." He was rumored to have been a tomb raider in his youth but had since gone legitimate. His knowledge of antiques was even deeper than that of some experts and professors.

These three men were well-known in the Rongcheng antique market, with significant influence. If they said something was good, it was almost certainly true. They had even appeared on a treasure-hunting show on Rongcheng TV as appraisers, gaining both fame and high ratings.

Last night, the big boss of Rongfa Real Estate, Liu Rongfa, suddenly called them, asking them to gather early today for some business. He didn't explain what it was and hung up, leaving them all puzzled.

Who was Liu Rongfa? He was a powerful figure, able to command the wind and rain. Although the three men were well-known in Rongcheng, compared to Liu Rongfa, they were like ants to an elephant. They couldn't afford to offend him, so they all arrived early at the designated location. However, they still didn't know what was going on and were growing impatient.

Seeing the expressions on their faces, Liu Hao frowned, "Don't worry, my friend will be here soon. Let me tell you, this friend is no ordinary person. Even my father treats him with respect. Whatever he says, you must follow. If you upset him, not only will you suffer, but I will too!"

"Who is he? So impressive?" Cao Dongsheng asked.

Liu Hao said, "Whoever he is, my father has given the order. If you don't handle his business today, you won't be able to stay in Rongcheng."

The three men's faces twitched, fear flashing in their eyes. Li Zhongqing asked, "Little Liu, what exactly is this about?"

"How should I know? Just wait patiently!" Liu Hao shrugged, glanced at the three old men, and turned to his gang of friends, "Have you brought enough money?"

"Don't worry, Boss Hao. I've brought all my savings!" One of the men, wearing a plaid shirt, patted his chest and said confidently.

A smile appeared on Liu Hao's lips, "Let me tell you, Shengge is planning something big. Whatever he says, do it well. If anyone messes up, I'll break their legs. This is your chance to impress Shengge. Seize it!"

"Understood, Boss Hao, we'll do our best!" They all nodded confidently.

Liu Hao looked at his watch, "It's about time. Shengge should be here soon. I'll go check. You wait here!"

With that, Liu Hao left the room. The three experts, seeing the cautious attitude of the young men, began to wonder who this Shengge was.

---

Liu Hao had just reached the hotel entrance when he saw a Phoenix bicycle approaching. He quickly went to greet it with a smile.

"Shengge, you should have told me to pick you up!" Liu Hao laughed, looking at the old bicycle Chen Dasheng was riding.

"It's just a short distance. No need to pick me up," Chen Dasheng said as he got off the bicycle, "Did you gather everyone?"

---