Everything I bought on online shopping platforms was genuine.

No wonder she's from Sichuan; her thought process is just not right. Someone's mother likes you, and you still make people call you "Dad." If he doesn't get punished, who will?

After lunch, Miss Yuan dragged the Sichuan girl out to get ready for the evening lantern festival.

Since she was going to participate, she definitely needed to dress up, so she naturally sought help from a professional.

As for the class monitor and Xiaoyue, they cleaned and tidied up the house, since they had just moved in and there were still some chores to do.

Meanwhile, in the villa area, after lunch, Lin Mo and Liu Ruyan's family of three sat in the living room chatting.

"Qin Zhenhong is quite a character. He dragged it out for so long, but this time he really couldn't hold on any longer. He had to pay the breach of contract fees, workers' wages, equipment maintenance, and his cash flow was tight. But the main problem was that his backers couldn't do anything about it and had to give up on him."

However, the old man wasn't completely unprepared; he at least transferred some of his assets. Even though he'd be an unregistered resident, he could still afford basic food and drink.

Huang Dayong is simply pragmatic. He made the worst-case scenario plan long ago based on his assessment of the situation. Even if he really gave up his current business, his family was still doing well. In fact, if he went to another city, there was still a possibility of making a comeback. It was a way of cutting his losses and saving his life.

His family really didn't get involved in anything regarding Xiaolin's affairs later on; they were smart.

"That's a real old fox. He doesn't seem as shrewd as Qin Zhenhong, and he's just a figurehead behind the scenes, but he's incredibly cunning and composed. He's much more composed and shrewd than Qin Zhenhong. You can't judge a book by its cover!" Liu Zhengyuan said, taking a sip of tea and sighing.

Hearing this, Lin Mo recalled his meeting with Qin Zhenhong and Huang Dayong. Indeed, at the time, he saw that Qin Zhenhong was the leader of the two, while Huang Dayong not only had no ability but also just cheered from behind. He even looked somewhat pathetic.

But now I realize they were the truly intelligent ones.

Since there are those stronger than oneself, it is natural to let them charge into battle; if the sky falls, there will be someone taller to hold it up.

The main reason for this was probably that he had already shown that he was not someone to be trifled with and that he had powerful backers.

If he were just an ordinary person, and there were no special connections, Huang Dayong would probably be in a different situation.

The old man is a master at tailoring his approach to people, and the reason he can still survive by cutting his losses is probably due to Huang Dayong's personality, in addition to the nature of his family's businesses.

It should be noted that although Huang Dayong's family suffered considerable losses this time, including many years of wasted effort, they still retained the resources to make a comeback and did not lose any connections or relationships.

Even after selling the property, they can still recoup some funds, so they can still be considered wealthy. On the other hand, the Qin family, which was much stronger than them before, basically has no chance of turning things around this time.

Of course, even if Qin Zhenhong declared bankruptcy, he would still be richer than most people. After all, over such a long period of time, he could easily accumulate wealth that an ordinary person could not earn in a lifetime.

It's just that when it comes to spending money, it's probably going to be hard for them to change their extravagant spending habits anytime soon.

"That guy surnamed Huang is indeed quite tolerant. I slapped his son in front of him, and his smile didn't change. He probably understood what I meant."

"They're much smarter than Qin Zhenhong. After all, they know they weren't the masterminds, so they admit their mistakes and consider it a lesson learned," Liu Ruyan chimed in.

In response, Ms. Cheng gracefully put down her teacup, leaned back on the sofa, and smiled, "Of course, anyone who can build such a large business is not a fool, except for those with connections and backgrounds. A fool might make a little money by being lucky for a while, but he will never amount to anything."

A while ago, I went out to play cards and heard that he had sent his son abroad. Now it seems that someone deliberately spread the rumor.

What do you call this? A classic case of the son ruining the father's life! If you two have kids in the future, while you're still young, I can help you take care of them. Don't worry, I have a lot of experience in raising children; look, the templates are right here!

Upon hearing this, Liu Ruyan blushed, and Lin Mo smiled knowingly. But it must be said that Liu Ruyan had indeed been successfully educated by the two of them.

Not only in appearance, but also in emotional intelligence, IQ, ability, and personality, he is quite good. At least he does not have the kind of domineering personality that bullies others.

Not only Liu Ruyan, but even Miss Yuan did not. Although she was a bit abstract and willful, she would never bully someone weaker than her for no reason.

When she makes friends with others, she automatically becomes the core figure in that circle, taking on the responsibility of being the big brother.

Even Yuan Hua didn't have the condescending attitude one might expect. Even when his crush got together with someone else, he didn't shout out, "My dad is so-and-so!"

It can be said that the real rich kids are not stupid; they are all very shrewd. Only the children of nouveau riche would exhibit this kind of behavior.

In any case, for Lin Mo, this matter has come to a conclusion, so he is naturally relieved. As for taking over at a low price, that's something for Comrades Lao Liu and Lao Yuan to do, and it has nothing to do with him.

He will wait until the two families have finished their acquisitions before retrieving the items he initially placed there and restoring the power.

On the Lantern Festival, the villa area was much more lively than when Lin Mo had visited before. After all, the people who could live here were definitely not working people, and their schedules were relatively flexible.

Time flew by and it was already past four in the afternoon. Lin Mo and Liu Ruyan then took their leave.

Although the two elders insisted on inviting them to dinner, Liu Ruyan mentioned there was a lantern festival in the old town that evening, and the two wanted to go for a stroll. Ms. Cheng agreed without hesitation. Young people have their own way of interacting; going out more to nurture their relationship is good for marriage, isn't it?

When the two arrived by car, it wasn't even five o'clock yet, but Miss Yuan and the others still showed up.

"Wow, you're here so early! Where are Sister Yuan and Chuanmei?" Lin Mo asked, looking at the three people, including Director Wang, on the first floor of the restaurant.

Upon hearing this, Director Wang scratched his head, somewhat embarrassed to speak. He Xiaoyue stepped forward and whispered, "She's probably admiring herself in the upstairs bathroom. But you know what, Li Shiya and Sister Yuan look really beautiful today."

No sooner had the words left his mouth than footsteps came from upstairs, accompanied by a familiar melody.

"Huh? This isn't... this isn't... what was it again? Right, 'Pink Memories' is a song that's been around for quite a while!" Liu Ruyan exclaimed in surprise.

The next second, the Sichuan girl's singing voice came through.

"Brother, brother, could you please call me Daddy? Just once, please. I'm begging you."

Having been brothers with you for so many years, it's only natural that I would cherish you like a father.

My good brother, call me Daddy now! My good brother, Dad will always love you!

Then, she walked down the stairs while singing. Her eyebrows were like distant mountains and her face was like a lotus in clear water. She wore a Tang Dynasty-style dress, a thick white fur cloak, exquisite accessories, and delicate makeup.

While singing, she walked towards the crowd, first circling around He Xiaoyue, and then coming to Lin Mo, putting her hand on his shoulder.

After she finished singing, the Sichuan girl finally spoke up: "My good brothers, aren't you going to call me Daddy?"

Everyone:
Lin Mo and Liu Ruyan stood frozen in place for a while before Lin Mo turned to face the class monitor, Wang Chu, and the others, and said:

"Who is this beast?"

Li Shiya:
"Get lost! I'm just asking you, so get your name down!"

Lin Mo sneered upon hearing this: "You scoundrel, my blade does not kill women and children, nor does it kill the old and young. But unfortunately for you, Li Chuan, you are neither a woman nor a child, and Li Shiya is neither an old nor a young person!"

After saying that, Lin Mo stepped forward, bent his arm to block, grabbed one of Li Shiya's arms, then lowered his waist and threw her over his shoulder, sending her flying off his shoulder and crashing heavily onto the sofa.

He then twisted his arm behind her back and said, "You dare make me call you 'Dad'? How dare you! I just learned some grappling techniques, do you think I'd put up with this? Who gave you the courage to talk to me like that!"

"Ouch, ouch, ouch! I'm sorry, Lao Mo! No, be gentle, I'm going to break!" Chuan Mei screamed on the sofa.

Seeing this, Lin Mo took a step back to Liu Ruyan's side, wiped his hands on Liu Ruyan's body, and said with a look of disgust, "Stop making that awful noise, it's disgusting, ugh!"

Liu Ruyan:
"Little brother, I think you didn't do enough of the task of activating your girlfriend last night!"

Lin Mo:
Hearing this, he quickly patted Liu Ruyan on the shoulder: "I was just in a hurry, don't mind it, I'll wash your clothes for you!"

As soon as she finished speaking, footsteps came from upstairs again, accompanied by the familiar music. This time, however, a little dumpling dressed in red and white ran down the stairs. She wore a red and white vest, a thick skirt, and had two braids in her hair, looking both festive and adorable. In her hand, she carried a round lantern.

After coming down, she put her hands on her hips and immediately launched into a second round of marriage.

"Brother, brother, could you please call me Daddy? Just once, please. I'm begging you."

Having been brothers with you for so many years, it's only natural that I would cherish you like a father.

Everyone:
"Who are these two beasts?" Liu Ruyan asked.

Upon hearing this, Lin Mo rubbed his forehead, suddenly realizing that agreeing to go to the lantern festival with Miss Yuan and the others today was not a wise choice.

They haven't even set off yet, and they're already causing trouble. He then looked at the other three more normal humans and asked, "What's wrong with you guys today? Why do those two insist on being called 'Daddy'?"

He Xiaoyue rolled her eyes upon hearing this: "I don't want to talk about this!"

Director Wang: "Well, maybe he thinks he can get a good deal?"

Class monitor: "Sichuan girl took advantage of Xiaoyue, and Sister Yuan felt she couldn't be ranked a generation lower for no reason, so she gave herself a huge boost!"

Lin Mo:
(End of this chapter)