Courtyard House: A Start with Black Gold Swallowing 100,000 Silver Dollars

Suppressing the surging agitation in her heart, she spoke slowly, "Guolin, I really was forced into this situation to come to you. But haven't you always liked me? Before graduation, you even hinted that you wanted to date me. Now that I'm here, taking this initiative, isn't that exactly what you want?"

Li Guolin shook his head: "It's different. Back then, I wanted to establish myself on my own before pursuing you openly and honestly; but you didn't even give me a chance and just turned away. Now that you've come back to me, if I accept without a word, it would be like something you can summon and dismiss at will—I wouldn't even respect myself, would I?"

Like his older brother Li Guoxian, he was pampered at home growing up. His older siblings indulged and indulged him, which fostered a stubborn streak in him. Once he made up his mind about something, he would not easily back down.

"Guolin, you really don't need to think like that. When the tide turns, who can withstand it? I bow my head to reality, not to you. Besides, you're a regular worker in the factory now, while I'm just an unemployed nobody. What right do I have to look down on you?"

Zhang Qian spoke softly, but inwardly she sneered: Fool!

I'm beautiful, my father is a section chief, and several of my relatives are officials. If I'm willing to marry you, your family's ancestral graves must be emitting auspicious smoke! And you're still putting on airs and being picky? It's utterly ridiculous!

When Li Guolin heard her soften her tone, he felt a surge of relief in his chest, as if he had swallowed a large gulp of ice-cold plum juice on a sweltering summer day, the coolness spreading from his throat all the way to the soles of his feet.

Half of the frustration I felt back then instantly dissipated.

But he won't give up so quickly.

How can someone who has been coldly rejected by her once easily forgive her?

Let her experience what it means to "want but not get".

He said calmly, "That's what you say, and you've lowered your stance, but I still can't agree to this marriage."

"Oh? What's the reason?"

Zhang Qian frowned.

The flame in my heart suddenly shot up.

She's the daughter of a department head, not some random passerby on the street. After being rejected time and time again, do you really think she has no temper or any weight?

That bit of pride in his bones has long been worn away and is now shining brightly.

"There's no other reason—it's just because your dad is a section chief and you're the youngest daughter of a wealthy family; while I have no family background or connections. If we really got married, wouldn't I be living at your mercy every day?"

Li Guolin said this, but he shrugged his shoulders slightly, seemingly nonchalant.

His tone sounded worried, but he didn't even lift his eyelids; he was just deliberately trying to annoy her.

"Huh? You're so insecure about yourself? Afraid of being overshadowed by me after marriage?"

This time, Zhang Qian wasn't going to back down. She changed her tone and started to prick at him.

Back in college, she figured out Li Guolin's personality: he had to excel academically, win sports games, and even be the first in races. The more you told him he couldn't do something, the more he'd jump up and prove you wrong.

Sure enough, he immediately retorted loudly, a smirk playing on his lips, his face clearly displaying the word "absurd":

"You think I'm afraid of you? A woman? That's hilarious!"

"Hehe, that's right—if you're not afraid of me, how can you talk about 'being ridden on'?"

Zhang Qian raised her voice slightly at the end of her sentence and added:

"Unless... you admit defeat first."

She knew perfectly well: no matter how much she said nice things, he would just ignore her; it would be better to set him on fire so that he would have no choice but to pounce on her.

Gentle words won't get you to back down; only provocation can pry open this tough nut.

"Hmph? You think I lack confidence?"

Li Guolin pointed his thumb directly at the tip of his nose, his face full of dissatisfaction.

Then, with a flick of his index finger, he pointed it at Zhang Qian without any politeness: "Look at you now—begging me to marry you, and then turning around and accusing me of being afraid of you? Did you even think before you said that?"

This is infuriating!!!

Son of a bitch!!!

Fuck you!

Zhang Qian clenched her fists, her fingertips turning white.

The orange juice in the glass on the table was sloshing around, and she really wanted to grab it and smash it over her head.

She was the youngest child in her family. Her father was a department head, and her older brothers and sisters doted on her and never said a harsh word to her.

Today was the first time someone pointed their finger at me and called me "brainless." I was just one step away from exploding.

You're the one who's brainless!

Your whole family is brainless!

He was cursing fiercely in his heart, but he kept a straight face.

If it weren't for the fact that Li Guolin works in the Ministry of Foreign Trade, is shrewd, handsome, and has a fiery temper, and more importantly—her father, Zhang Jianshe, is his superior's superior—this matter would not have been worth discussing further.

With this relationship, there's a path to promotion and a sense of security in life. After marriage, it's no longer a question of who will manage the household and who will be in charge.

Speaking of this, we should mention Zhang Qian's family background: she and Li Wenguo's son-in-law, Zhang Ming, are fourth-generation cousins—their grandfathers were brothers. Zhang Ming's family had long been established in the government compound, living a prestigious and respectable life; Zhang Qian's family only managed to move into the government compound thanks to Zhang Ming's support.

As for character, she had no desire to marry a timid and honest man. Although Li Guolin was arrogant, his arrogance had a sharp edge, and his competitive spirit was fueled by a strong drive, making him perfectly suited for the path of a factory cadre. Coupled with his handsome appearance that made everyone want to take a second look, she was willing to patiently sit here and go around in circles with him.

"Since you're so confident, then this shouldn't be something you need to worry about in the first place..."

"Of course I'm not worried—I was just joking."

Zhang Qian had barely opened her mouth when he cut her off.

She chuckled inwardly:

Stubborn and concerned about saving face.

She continued calmly, "Let's change the subject. You probably don't know this, but my father is Zhang Jianshe, your office director."

"What exactly are you trying to say?"

Li Guolin frowned.

He suddenly realized: his "boss's boss's boss" was actually the girl's father. A wave of emotion washed over him.

"What I'm trying to say is—if you marry me, under my father's nose, a promotion is just a matter of time. Do you really intend to spend your whole life stuck in this clerk position, being bossed around and at everyone's beck and call?"

Zhang Qian's voice is not loud, but she speaks each word steadily.

His words were sweet but also treacherous.

On one side are the steps to advancement, and on the other is the frustration of spinning in place.

Li Guolin finally understood the weight of Zhang Qian's words and quickly began to calculate in his mind.

Xu Wanqing had told him long ago that her family background was weak and they weren't well-regarded by the higher-ups; if she wanted to climb the corporate ladder in the government factory, she was destined to have little success, so it would be better for her to be a stable ordinary worker. If all else failed, she would send him to Hong Kong.

But he was naturally ambitious and unwilling to accept his fate. Seeing his cousins ​​all holding high-ranking positions—especially his eldest brother, who was highly likely to become mayor of a city next year—how could he stand idly by?

Two or three months ago, he mustered up the courage to approach his father, Li Wenguo, and asked, "Dad, I want to do something at the government factory, is that alright?"

Li Wenguo, however, did not play by the rules.

"It might be a bit inconvenient for your mother, but I'm fine. If you want to do anything, go ahead. Just be careful to avoid suspicion; I can't openly help you."

Based on this one sentence, Li Guolin made up his mind to give it a try.

At this moment, he naturally took Zhang Qian's offer to heart.

He knew that his family had no connections within the Ministry of Foreign Trade.

The only related relative he had was his brother-in-law, Zhang Ming—but he was just the deputy director of an instrument factory, with absolutely no connection to the Ministry of Foreign Trade. Besides, with so many relatives, who could remember every single position and every line of work? He hadn't even thought about it deeply.

After much deliberation, he gritted his teeth and agreed.

With a father-in-law who holds a high-ranking position, the position of section chief is secure; succeeding his father-in-law in the future may not be just a pipe dream.

When Zhang Qian saw him nod, her brows immediately relaxed considerably.

But inwardly, she scoffed: With my father backing me up, you, of ordinary birth, think you can outdo me? It's more like the other way around!

With the marriage arranged, the meeting between the two sets of parents was put on the agenda.

Fearing complications, Zhang Qian instructed her family beforehand to treat Li Guolin with utmost courtesy and respect. Sure enough, the first meeting went well, with both host and guest enjoying themselves immensely.

Later, he met Li Wenguo and Xu Wanqing in a private room at a state-run restaurant.

The moment they met, Zhang Qian's heart skipped a beat.

Is this really an ordinary family?

Li Wenguo was calm and reserved, while Xu Wanqing sat upright like a pine tree. The two exuded a sharp yet serene aura, and even her uncle, who held the position of vice minister, had never given her such a sense of pressure.

The idea of ​​controlling her husband after marriage faded a bit, and a sense of fear arose.

Inside the private room, Li Wenguo slowly began to speak:

"Zhang Jianshe, Director of the General Office of the Ministry of Foreign Trade?"

After a brief pause, he turned to Zhang Qian: "Are you familiar with Zhang Jianguo, the Minister of Foreign Trade?"

"Oh my! That's my uncle! Uncle Li, do you know him?"

She was truly taken aback—this uncle wielded real power, and anyone who could sit on equal footing with him was no ordinary person.

"Hehe, more than just acquaintances? He's my in-law. His youngest son, Zhang Ming, married my daughter; he's my son-in-law."

Li Wenguo added with a smile, "It's quite a coincidence that your Zhang family is about to marry off another girl this time."

Zhang Ming's cousin is actually Li Guolin's brother-in-law?

This is too coincidental, right?

No, wait—what exactly is the background of the Li family?

If he didn't have considerable influence, why would Zhang Ming marry his daughter?

Zhang Qian was stunned for a moment, her tongue tightened, and she was filled with suspicion.

Li Guolin couldn't help but complain to his father, "Dad, so the Minister of Foreign Trade is your in-law? You should have said so earlier! I would have had someone to rely on while I was there!"

"Rely on someone? You've been doing your job dutifully in the Ministry of Foreign Trade, what do you need to rely on? Have you forgotten what I told you?"

Xu Wanqing glanced at her son sideways, her voice not loud, but like an iron plate slamming into the ground.

She had long forbade her son from currying favor with officials and his other brothers-in-law from doing him any favors—fearing that the past might be brought up again someday. Now, not only did he want to marry the Zhang family's daughter, but he also had designs on his official career. How could she not be furious?

This woman, from a military family, exuded an aura of menace with every gesture. Li Guolin immediately fell silent, even his breathing became soft.

Zhang Qian shrank her shoulders, not daring to even glance at Xu Wanqing out of the corner of her eye.

If this mother-in-law sets her sights on me in the future, life will probably be harder than walking on a knife's edge.

"Alright, alright, Guolin is all grown up now. He needs to settle down, start a family, and be the head of the household. He should choose his own path," Li Wenguo said, stepping in at the opportune moment. "As his father, I'll just support him."

He understood his son: that stubbornness couldn't be suppressed, so it was better to let him hit a wall. Holding it in for too long might actually make him sick.

Xu Wanqing glanced at her husband but said nothing more.

In front of outsiders, she always gave Li Wenguo a lot of face.