Courtyard houses: Those who are capable are rewarded, and many children bring many blessings.

"Don't you know whether Xiao'e is a charlatan or not? Let me tell you seriously, once you get to Hong Kong Island, if you don't have any powerful connections, don't flaunt your wealth, even if it's your maternal uncle's family."

"Showing off your wealth! Hong Kong is a capitalist society, there are plenty of millionaires there, who would want our little bit of money?"

"The rich might not be interested, but don't forget, there are gangsters over there, and they have no moral bottom line. And Xiao'e, you're so young and beautiful, it feels like I'm doing you a disservice by having you guard her."

"Go and remarry. If you come back in a few years, I'll be unhappy again. You decide what to do."

"Ah! Are you really so sure we'll be back in a few years? If that's the case, I definitely won't remarry."

Let me tell you something from the bottom of my heart: if there's any hope of you coming back, I wouldn't want to let you go. Not everyone can be a charlatan.

"Look at me like this, and see if what I'm saying is accurate. There must be some news from the mainland over there. If my predictions are all accurate, then what happens next will definitely be accurate too. Now you see hope."

"Okay, then tell me."

"Last year we successfully tested the atomic bomb, and by the year after next at the latest, we will also develop a weapon that is even more powerful than the atomic bomb. Around 70, we will also have our own satellites. That's in terms of technology. As for society, things are a bit chaotic. By 76, this situation will improve."

Let's talk about Hong Kong Island. It's not peaceful there either; there's a major upheaval. But precisely because of this upheaval, it's your chance to make a fortune. Use all your money to buy property.

Lou Xiao'e was initially skeptical when she heard him say this so seriously.

"You've really become a charlatan! How come we never knew you had this ability before? Since you're so sure, why don't you just come with us!"

"I still have a large family behind me. What would it mean if I left? Don't write to me before 1978, but you can after that."

"Why is that?"

"Your letter will ruin me. And what I just said must not be uttered to anyone. I'll say it again: if everything I say comes true and you still get married, then don't come back!"

And Sister Yali, don't blame me for being harsh, but don't even think about using Xiao'e to arrange a marriage and find some kind of backer.

There will definitely be a day when the policy is relaxed. If I find out that Xiao'e got married because of you, don't blame me for being ruthless.

"Hey! You little man, you're quite the boss." Clearly, Tan Yali didn't take Niu Dazhuang's warning to heart.

"I'm serious. I can make all the valuable furniture, antiques, and gold in the Lou family disappear silently. I think making one or two people disappear shouldn't be too difficult," Niu Dazhuang said with a solemn expression.

This terrified Tanya Li, who found the thought chilling. However, she wouldn't admit it aloud, thinking, "What a heartless man, scaring me as soon as he's done with his pants up."

"Don't worry, my mommy definitely wouldn't do that," Lou Xiao'e said, giving the two of them a way out.

"Xiao'e, when you get to Hong Kong Island, don't just sit around. Study more. Once you've made some money from the house, you can go to university and study finance and investment. I'll need that in the future. Lin Yongmei is coming with you, so you can form an alliance."

Niu Dazhuang originally trusted Lin Yongmei completely, but he witnessed firsthand how Tan Yali conspired with him to embezzle the Lou family's wealth.

Niu Dazhuang was no longer entirely at ease with Lin Yongmei, but he still had to use her. If she stayed in China, Lin Yongmei would definitely not have a good ending.

The saying "love grows over time" applies to Niu Dazhuang. Even if she didn't do anything special, she still put in a lot of effort. Let's just consider it a venture capital investment. At worst, the money will go down the drain, but it'll be compensation for Lin Yongmei's hard work at home over the past few years.

However, what needs to be said still needs to be said.

By September, the theft at the Lou family's house had gradually subsided, and Niu Dazhuang had put Tan Yali, Lou Xiao'e, Niu Chengye, Lou Bancheng, and Lin Yongmei on a small cargo ship departing from Tianjin.

Finally, something on my mind is relieved.

With more people, there are more things to do. Qin Ling is already sixteen years old this year, and she has grown into a graceful young lady. Just like before, she likes to stick to Niu Dazhuang when she has nothing to do.

Niu Dazhuang had just sneaked over that night when Qin Ling, who was hiding behind the door, suddenly appeared and gave him a big fright.

"It's so late, why aren't you asleep yet?"

Just like when they were kids, Qin Ling hugged Niu Dazhuang's arm with both hands and said with a beaming smile, "Big brother, you really understand me. I didn't want to go to school anymore. I was waiting to thank you in person. After school, I won't interfere with your good time with her."

Teenagers in their rebellious phase are the same in any era, as long as they are spoiled at home. Now, Qinling doesn't even call his mother anymore.

Every time Su Ting was about to teach Qin Ling a lesson with a broom handle, Niu Dazhuang would stop her if he saw her.

With Niu Dazhuang backing Qinling up, she wasn't afraid of Su Ting at all.

Qinling hugged Niu Dazhuang's arm and shook it back and forth, making Niu Dazhuang feel itchy.

Although she's only sixteen, girls develop early. She's always had good nutrition and is already fully developed.

I'll endure it, I'll endure it for another two years, and then I'll see how I deal with you.

"Xiaoling, how can you call your mother that? You should at least show some respect," Niu Dazhuang said, deliberately keeping a straight face.

"Oh, it's my first day at work. Will you give me a ride?"

"You and your mom work in the same place, why should I deliver it?"

"I don't want people at work to know about my relationship with her—no, my relationship with my mom. Please, big brother, just take me there. It's not just for your own convenience."

Well! With this bit of coquettishness, she clung to Niu Dazhuang's arm and shook it even more vigorously.

She did it on purpose; no man could stand it.

"Okay, okay, I'll figure out the exact date for you to report to work."

Watching the two of them interact happily, Su Ting could only feel sullen.

I've told Niu Dazhuang many times in private that our daughter is growing up and we should be more mindful of our behavior. On the surface, Niu Dazhuang agrees readily, but as soon as he encounters Qinling, he forgets all about his promise.

The reason why the relationship with Qinling and her son is so strained now is because of this kind of thing.

Seeing that she couldn't persuade Niu Dazhuang, Su Ting turned to Qin Ling privately for help.

The little girl's reply was even more audacious: "We got along like this when we were little. Why didn't you say back then that I was close to my older brother? Were you jealous?!"

One sentence almost made Su Ting bleed with anger. They'd tried everything, but things remained the same.

Su Ting was at her wit's end. Besides sighing and expressing her dissatisfaction, there was only one other thing left.

Su Ting, who had been very active that night, suddenly stopped cooperating.

Niu Dazhuang knew why she was angry: "Okay, I'll be more careful next time, so don't be angry."

"You always say the same thing, it always turns out the same. What sins have I committed? I shouldn't have had this ill-fated relationship with you in the first place."

"A tragic fate? I don't think so. I think it's more like a good one. In two years, you'll see that I'm right."