After The Vicious Cannon Fodder Was Reborn

by Usui Takumii

not mine, theirontreeblooms. Beware BL. Total : 293 Chapters 5 Extras (Completed).

18. 86 to 90

After the negotiation, the father and son pair of the Shen family offered to invite Tao Mu to have a casual meal in the name of hospitality.

Tao Mu directly rejected it.

With the experience of the previous life, Tao Mu had no good feelings about Shanghai. If it wasn't for getting justice for the Song family this time, Tao Mu wouldn't even want to set foot in Shanghai.

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"I'm a bit tight on time, Grandpa Song is still waiting for me in the capital." Tao Mu nodded at the Shen father and son pair, and asked Yao Shengan: "Let's get the recipe book now."

So as to avoid any unexpected circumstances cropping up, Tao Mu asked Yao Shengan to hand in the recipe book that day of the negotiation. He would then return to the capital with the recipe book overnight. As for Yao Shengan, he could just be there and kowtow on the day of the Song family's ancestor worship. As for other times, the old man probably didn't want to see this ungrateful enemy who was responsible for the ruin of the Song family.

It was New Year's and Tao Mu didn't want Mr. Song's emotions to fluctuate too much. When people get older, too much anger would hurt their bodies.

Yao Shengan was half sullen and half conflicted, but he dared not speak. He had no choice but to agree with Tao Mu to go back to the Yao family's house with him.

The several other shareholders of Sheng'an Group saw this, and they inevitably thought to themselves—as expected of a young man, young people were prone to impulsiveness, actually even daring to break into the tiger's den alone. Wasn't he afraid that the Yao family might use violence on him in anger?

Of course Tao Mu was not afraid. He grew up in an orphanage, and later worked in Night. When he was in high school, he naturally wandered through the major alleys of Beijing. He even learned to fight with brother Da Hui. If there really was a fight, the pampered Yao family might not be able to beat him at all.

In order to show goodwill to Tao Mu, the father and son pair of the Shen family decided to accompany Tao Mu to the Yao family's house.

"You and Xiao Yu are also friends. Xiao Yu has been spoiled by us. He only knows how to think about things from his own point of view, and he doesn't know how to think in other perspectives. It is inevitable that he is sometimes too naive and confused. But he really values you as a friend. So we will also treat you as our younger generation."

Father Shen smiled kindly, and when he looked at Tao Mu, he looked like a loving elder.

Elder brother Shen still had the same expressionless face, and he said expressionlessly: "Xiao Yu is also at the Yao family's house. We will pick him up when we pass by."

He once again invited Tao Mu: "I wonder if Mr. Tao has time to come to the house for a light meal. Last time I said that I want my sister and Xiao Yu to apologize to you face to face, but we have never had a chance."

Tao Mu refused again: "I have booked a flight for the evening. After getting the recipe book from the Yao family's house, I will be going directly to the airport with Lawyer Zhou."

The ruthless Lawyer Zhou nodded and smiled at the Shen family father and son pair: "CEO Tao will transfer 10% of the shares of Sheng'an Group to other victims, and the remaining 10% will be used to establish the Song Huai Fund to be handled by me in their place. If Chairman Shen and Mr. Shen have any needs, you can contact me directly in the future."

As Lawyer Zhou spoke, he handed over his business card with both hands.

After the unremitting efforts of Lawyer Zhou during this period, he had successfully become the legal counsel of FlyNews and the private lawyer hired by Tao Mu himself. The follow-up development was also as he expected—based on the various lawsuits that Tao Mu had experienced in the recent period, he finally reached the road of life winner who could eat endlessly for three years straight without taking another case.

After Lawyer Zhou's words, the Shen family's father and son pair's kind intentions were subtly hinted to just be a desire to win over Tao Mu, the new major shareholder. Instantly, they were a little speechless.

Yao Shengan squinted at the Shen family's father and son pair coldly, and snickered unceremoniously.

The two families have completely placed their hostility out in the open due to the sudden change of the Sheng'an Group. It was just that due to their manners and self-restraint, you would not see them swearing at each other in public.

However, Yao Shengan probably wouldn't ever forget how the Shen family father and son pair took advantage during the Yao family's most difficult time and when they most needed help. As the saying went, what goes around comes around. He had destroyed the Song family because of his coveting the Song family's recipe book. Now he had also tasted the feeling of being betrayed and helpless.

However, Yao Shengan was not Mr. Song, and the Shen family was not Yao Shengan. Both of them knew that the battle between the two families had just begun. Yao Shengan won't let the Shen family throw a knife behind his back. He was like a poisonous snake laying in wait, hiding in a dark corner waiting for an opportunity.

The Shen family also knew clearly about Yao Shengan's nature. Therefore, they would not let Yao Sheng'an and the Yao family continue to stay in the Sheng'an Group to enjoy their wealth. The so-called unsuccessfully hitting the snake will result in harmful consequences, the Shen family had done something wrong, so naturally they dared not imagine that they could still repair their relationship with the Yao family. Since the relationship could not be repaired, suppressing the Yao family directly and preventing the Yao family from turning over forever was naturally the safest way to protect the Shen family.

But these had nothing to do with Tao Mu. He didn't bother to care about how the Shen family and the Yao family would fight in the future. Either way, it was just a dogfight between his enemies.

The three groups of people got in the car with different thoughts, and they were silent all the way. It was noon when they arrived at the Yao family mansion.

Yao Shengan had always been grateful that Tao Mu had published an article on the waste oil incident to speak for him, so he wanted to invite Tao Mu to lunch.

Tao Mu knew that Yao Shengan's invitation came from the heart—this old bastard's gratitude was probably only worth a meal. But he did not dare to trust the IQ and methods of the others in the Yao family. Especially Yao Wenxiao, who might maybe even hint to the chef to poison the food.

Tao Mu didn't want to use his own life to test the Yao family's intelligence. After entering the Yao family's mansion, he didn't even drink any water. He waited for Yao Shengan to bring over the recipe book so that he could then turn around and leave.

The Yao family did not expect that after this negotiation, the Yao family would lose 20% of their shares. And that Yao Shengan, the head of the Yao family, had to rush to the capital during the Chinese New Year to kowtow and apologize in front of the Song family grave despite his advanced age.

They immediately glared at Tao Mu, wanting nothing more than to swarm over him to eat his flesh and drink his blood.

"CEO Tao right? Aren't you too much? Our Yao family had no grievances with you in the past, but because of some old things that happened to the Song family, you actually took 20% shares of the Sheng'an Group. Not only this, what gives you the right to request my father to go kowtow and apologize at the Song family's grave? My father is already at such an advanced age, and he is considered a prominent figure in Shanghai. How can you just humiliate him like this? Don't you have any conscience?"

"Mom, don't talk nonsense with him. Just call over people to beat him out. Our Yao family doesn't welcome this kind of people." Yao Wenxiao interrupted his mother directly and rushed forward, grabbing Tao Mu by the collar and wanting to throw him out.

In the next second, everyone only heard a pained screech, and they only saw their vision blur in front of them. Yao Wenxiao, who originally looked so aggressive, was kicked three meters away, and the exquisite tea utensils and small ornaments placed on the coffee table all fell to the floor and shattered to pieces.

Tao Mu retracted his foot, patted his clothes carelessly, and sat down again: "Speak if you want, but don't think of resorting to violence. If you really want a fight, I'm not afraid even if your whole family team up together."

The security personnel who had been guarding the outside of the mansion came in at this time. Yao Wenxiao climbed up from the ground, half of his face red and swollen where it hit the floor. There was a clear footprint on his chest, and he looked particularly sorry looking: "Grab him and throw him out."

Several security personnel all instantly looked at Tao Mu. The father and son pair of the Shen family had the heart to persuade them to make peace. But before they could even speak, Shen Yu spoke first: "Wen Xiao, don't be like this. No matter what, Mu Mu is the guest that Grandpa Yao brought back, if you just drive him out like this, will Grandpa Yao be unhappy?"

Shen Yu judged others with his own experience. If he dared to drive away the guests invited by father Shen and Shen Chen in the Shen family mansion, even if he was loved by his family, his father and brother would not easily indulge him.

"Why are you still talking for him?" Yao Wenxiao looked at Shen Yu incredulously: "He stole 20% of our family's shares and requested my grandfather to kowtow and apologize to the Song family. Look at how he is bullying our Yao family, in our Yao family's home, acting so arrogantly and even hitting me like this. Shouldn't I send him out? Why should I keep him as a guest at the Yao family?"

"Xiao Yu, don't be confused by that face of his, he is not a good person at all. He has a vicious heart!"

Shen Yu disagreed. Although he was pure and simple, he had also heard about Yao Shengan's ingratitude to his teacher under the intentional disclosure of the Shen family. In Shen Yu's view, Grandpa Yao did wrong on this matter so it was only natural that half of the Yao family's wealth should be distributed to the Song family. What was more, what Tao Mu and the Song family wanted was not half of the Yao family's property, but only 20% of the shares of Sheng'an Group.

"Why are you getting so excited about something that Grandpa Yao already agreed to? Do you think that Grandpa Yao framing the Song family in order to get the recipe book back then was right?" Shen Yu also looked at Yao Wenxiao with an incredulous expression. He never knew that his childhood friend was such an unkind person.

Yao Wenxiao choked upon hearing this. Of course he didn't dare to say that Yao Shengan's original approach was correct. Even if he was arrogant and domineering, he still had the basic moral values and three views.

"But Tao Mu even asked my grandfather to go kowtow and apologize to the Song family's grave on New Year's. Is this also not wrong?" Yao Wenxiao said angrily, "My grandfather is already at such an advanced age so why must he be humiliated like this just because of what he did when he was young? Hasn't he done many good deeds for charity in his life? Why do you all wipe out all the good things my grandfather did because of that bad thing back then? Forcing him to rush to the capital to kowtow to apologize despite his advanced age? Are you even planning for your FlyNews to record this scene and upload it to the Internet for everyone to see?"

As soon as these words came out, the rest of the Yao family instantly became angrier. Yao Shengan was the pillar and face of the Yao family. If the video of him going to the Song family to kowtow and apologize was indeed spread all over the Internet, what kind of face would the Yao family have to continue maintaining their foothold in Shanghai in the future?

Thinking of this, the rest of the Yao family also glared at Tao Mu, becoming more determined to never let Tao Mu succeed. Yao Wenxiao's father stretched out his hand to pat the bruised Yao Wenxiao. He was both distressed about his son and worried about his father. He immediately said: "I must please ask Mr. Tao to leave here. Our Yao family does not welcome you."

A group of Yao family bodyguards walked in front of Tao Mu at the signal of Yao Wenxiao's father: "Mr. Tao, please."

Tao Mu did not move, and reminded them politely: "Let me remind you that I came to Shanghai this time because the Sheng'an Group begged me to come to negotiate. The results of the negotiations are fairly satisfactory. But if your Yao family continues to make trouble further, I might not be so satisfied."

Everyone in the Yao family paused.

Tao Mu sneered and said, "If I am not satisfied, it is your Yao family who will be unlucky. If you don't believe me, you can give it a try."

Lawyer Zhou gave a light cough and very kindly helped to translate: "My client means that if he is not satisfied, what the Yao family will pay next is not just a mere 20% of the shares. I can understand your feelings. But don't forget that the share price of the Sheng'an Group has been continuously falling due to scandals. If you are not afraid of delays that will result in the Sheng'an Group's losses becoming even more serious, and the Yao family arousing public outrage at the shareholders meeting, then please continue remaining foolish."

"May I also remind you that the Yao family now only has 20% of the shares in the Sheng'an Group and is no longer the largest shareholder of the Sheng'an Group. In fact, if a shareholder meeting was held due to the shareholder's anger with the Yao family to elect the new chairman and executive CEO of the group. By then, no one can guarantee whether your Yao family can still keep your seats on the board of directors." And Tao Mu happened to own 10% of the Sheng'an Group's shares.

Everyone in the Yao family exchanged looks. Suddenly, they all felt at a loss at what to do next. Although looking at Tao Mu with angry glares, they really didn't dare to make any more moves.

The Shen father and son pair had been waiting for the opportunity to show goodwill to Tao Mu when he was given difficulty by the Yao family. It would be even better to wait for Tao Mu to be thrown out in embarrassment under the persecution of the Yao family, and then stand up and speak justice for Tao Mu. But in the end, because of Tao Mu's various tough methods, the father and son pair of the Shen family had no chance to speak at all. They could only smile bitterly at each other, and once again experienced the youthful spirit of this little CEO Tao.

Father Shen sighed, stood up and said, "Brother Yao, Mr. Tao is right. It's better for the Yao family to not act rashly lest more trouble comes."

Yao Wenxiao's father waved his face with a dark face, waving away the bodyguards. Though he still continued to glare at Tao Mu.

Tao Mu himself didn't care, he had been accustomed to being treated with hostility and being condemned by everyone in his previous life. Even his own parents, brother and sister could watch him die, not to mention some irrelevant outsiders. There was no question to how resilient he was under psychological duress. Not to mention that this group of people just gathered together to look at him. Besides, even if they really threw themselves over for a fight, Tao Mu was not afraid.

Ruthless Lawyer Zhou often encountered this kind of scene when he was helping others in a lawsuit. He even experienced being blocked in an underground garage and being threatened with a knife on his neck. Even that didn't make him give up winning the lawsuit and enjoy the huge benefits of maintaining his professional ethics. Needless to say, the glares of the Yao family were as effective at hurting them as drops of water.

The both of them sat calmly and unperturbed in the spacious, bright and luxuriously decorated living room of the Yao family's home, waiting for Yao Sheng'an to take out the Song family's recipe book.

Shen Yu, who had just now been standing on Tao Mu's side and speaking for Tao Mu, walked up and asked: "Mu Mu, do you really want Grandpa Yao to go to the capital to kowtow and apologize?"

"Grandpa Yao is already so advanced in age. Even if he did something wrong before to the Song family, Grandpa Yao has already promised to give 20% of the shares of Sheng'an Group to the Song family. He also promised to return the recipe book, so can't you let Grandpa Yao go? Do you have to humiliate an elder like this?"

Tao Mu sneered and tilted his head to look at Shen Yu. After examining him to the point where Shen Yu felt inexplicably guilty, he asked, "Which standpoint are you telling me this from?"

Shen Yu was just about to speak when he heard Tao Mu continue to say: "Yao Shengan was just an abandoned baby left by the side of the road. He was picked up by the old Mr. Song who raised him and personally taught him cooking. Emotionally, the old Mr. Song is also Yao Shengan's adoptive father. This life-saving grace, nurturing grace, and teaching grace, in your eyes, is not worth asking Yao Shengan to kowtow in front of old Mr. Song's grave; Reasonably, Yao Shengan ruined the Song family for the recipe book, and several lives were lost. Isn't such a blood debt worth Yao Shengan's kowtow in front of the Song family's grave?"

"I'm speaking to you about kindness, reason, and life. Yet you tell me that for the sake of Yao Shengan and the Yao family's face, I should not have him go to the capital to kowtow and apologize." Tao Mu stared at Shen Yu with scorching eyes, and then turned to look at the Yao family, saying expressionlessly: "Where is your shame?"

"Do you think that 20% of the shares of the Sheng'an Group will be able to repay the Song family's kindness in raising Yao Shengan, and will be able to repay the blood debt of Yao Shengan for ruining the Song family?"

"Let's not mention how much the 20% shares of Sheng'an Group are even worth now. And also don't mention that the recipe book originally belonged to the Song family and it was only taken by Yao Shengan for these many years." Tao Mu stood up and looked at Yao Shengan, who had appeared next to the stairs on the second floor, and said coldly: "If I, Tao Mu, killed and caused the complete ruin of your Yao family today. Then thirty years later, I spent a few hundred million to make up for the few lives of your Yao family, so I can feel at ease. Will you, Yao Shengan, be willing to accept it?"

Hearing what Tao Mu said, everyone in the Yao family, including Yao Shengan, fell silent.

Because they all knew that Tao Mu was serious. If they dared to answer "yes" today, based on Tao Mu's intelligence and scheming as well as his cruel and ruthless methods, the Yao family going bankrupt at least was definitely possible if not completely ruined.

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Yao Shengan slowly went down the stairs holding the recipe book. He handed the recipe book to Tao Mu along with the red sandalwood box it was placed in.

Tao Mu opened the lid of the box, and saw the Song family's recipe book that had been passed down for generations. Even if it was carefully kept and maintained, the pages and papers of the book were already yellowed with age. The spine was bound with thick thread and Tao Mu couldn't help but sneer when he looked at the big characters "Yao Family's Recipe Book" written on the cover.

"Mr. Yao is really at ease with yourself." Tao Mu opened the recipe book and saw that on the yellowed pages, various recipes were written in classical calligraphy script. Each dish was learned by the ancestors of the Song family from all over the world with much effort. There were also special dishes developed by the Song family's ancestors after they became famous.

The experience of ancestors from generation to generation was now being stolen unceremoniously, and even blatantly labeled with the thief's name.

In front of everyone in the Yao family, Tao Mu directly tore off the cover with the big characters "Yao Family Recipe Book", and then carefully put the recipe book back into the red sandalwood box.

With distress, Yao Shengan leaned down and picked up the cover Tao Mu had ripped and thrown on the ground. He seemed to appear ten years older in an instant.

His lips trembled a bit and he wanted to tell Tao Mu that he knew that the recipes of the Song family were handed down. The ancestors would record the recipes they learned and created in the ancestral recipe book and leave them to the younger generations to study. He wanted to say that although he had betrayed his teacher, he had painstakingly studied the recipes for so many years, and he had also added a lot of new dishes…..

But Yao Shengan didn't say anything in the end. He just sat on the sofa with a lonely look, staring blankly at the crumpled cover written with the "Yao Family Recipe Book".

Practically the image of a hero who had met a sad end.

The father and son pair of the Shen family who stood on the side exchanged looks without a trace. Even though it didn't show up on their faces, they admired Tao Mu's ability to actually force Yao Shengan, the old fox, to such a situation despite his young age.

When everyone in the Yao family saw this, they couldn't bear it anymore, glaring at Tao Mu with the same hatred one would direct at their enemy: "Enough. You got the recipe book, and the shares. You should be satisfied, so why won't you leave now? Do you want to keep staying to ridicule us as well?"

Recalling that the Yao family's defeat today was planned by Tao Mu, and thinking about the embarrassing situation that Yao family would face after the news that Yao Shengan went to the Song family's grave to kowtow and apologize, everyone in the Yao family was full of grief. Their eyes that looked at Tao Mu were red and bloodshot.

However, Tao Mu was very hard-hearted, and refused to be the slightest accommodating: "Since the recipe book has been obtained, I will not stay anymore. Mr. Yao, please remember to arrive on the first day of the Lunar New Year when the Song family worships the ancestors. I hope Mr. Yao will show up on time. I believe that with the matter having become like this, neither of us wants to have any more complications."

Yao Shengan was silent.

Yao Wenxiao walked towards him with a bruised and swollen face: "What else do you want to do?"

"I just want to remind Mr. Yao not to maintain any wishful thinking." Tao Mu said with a blank expression: "The Yao family has already returned the "Song Family Recipe Book", that is to say, the Yao family recognizes that most of the signature dishes of the catering company under the Sheng'an Group come from Song Ji. If I do not see Mr. Yao in front of the grave on the day of the ancestor worship on the first day of the Lunar New Year, then more than half of the signature dishes of the catering company under the Sheng'an Group would probably have to go off the shelves."

"You—" Everyone in the Yao family didn't expect Tao Mu to have such a cruel means, and they all glared at him.

However, the Yao family members could do nothing but just glare at Tao Mu.

Tao Mu looked at Yao Shengan, who was silent and pretending to be pitiful, and warned in a cold voice: "I have said my piece here, and Mr. Yao should keep it in mind."

"CEO Tao can rest assured." Yao Shengan stood up slowly, his turbid eyes suddenly widened, and said solemnly: "Although Yao is old, I have a good memory. I will be there on the first day of the New Year's. At that time, I will make my three bows and nine kowtows, and apologize to the old Mr. Song family."

Hearing these words, Tao Mu didn't say anymore, turning around and leaving with the recipe book in his hand.

Everyone in the Yao family originally thought Tao Mu would throw out one or two ruthless words but was caught off guard when he simply just left. They finally reacted after watching Tao Mu walk out of the Yao family mansion.

Yao Shengan couldn't hold on anymore, clutching his chest and falling on the sofa with a painful face.

"Dad!"

"Grandpa!"

"Mr. Yao!"

"Call the doctor now….."

All of a sudden, the Yao family's mansion was in chaos. The father and son pair of the Shen family looked at each other, and left with Shen Yu on the grounds that the Yao family had too many matters to take care of and they should not disturb them.

The Shen family's father and son pair wanted to chat with Tao Mu, but Tao Mu didn't have the patience to chat, much to the regret of the Shen family's father and son pair. But at the insistence of Shen Yu, Tao Mu was sent to the airport on the grounds of showing hospitality.

Tao Mu and Lawyer Zhou took the plane that night and flew back to Beijing overnight. Before boarding the plane, Shen Yu tugged Tao Mu's sleeves and said with an earnest face: "You just questioned me, and I really thought about it. If it was me, if it was the Shen family that was ruined. Although I don't have the ability like you, and I'm afraid I won't be able to avenge my family. But I will definitely find a way to find someone to help me avenge. I will not forgive the person who harmed my family. Even if this person spends more than a billion yuan to beg for my forgiveness."

Tao Mu: "….."

Tao Mu really didn't expect that the reason Shen Yu had been silent all the way was because he was pondering such a thing.

But Tao Mu never had hope for Shen Yu's head. Because Shen Yu's brain circuits had always been different from that of ordinary people.

Sure enough, he heard Shen Yu continue to say: "But Grandpa Yao's situation is not the same. Grandpa Yao had done wrong, but he didn't kill anyone in the Song family. I can only say that the world is difficult, I did not kill them, yet they died because of me."

"Grandpa Yao was brought up by old Mr. Song and it's reasonable for him to go kowtow at the Song family's grave. But I hope you don't spread the video of Grandpa Yao's visit to the Song family's grave online, as Wen Xiao said. I hope you can leave this last bit of face to the Yao family."

Shen Yu's reasoning was very peculiar. He thought Grandpa Yao was wrong, and of course he should admit his mistake. But the others in the Yao family were innocent. They shouldn't be condemned by outsiders because of the mistakes made by Grandpa Yao when he was young.

"In that case, it would be too cruel to them." When Shen Yu said this, his eyes couldn't help but tear up, looking like the image of pureness and kindness.

Upon seeing this, Lawyer Zhou looked over with a distressed expression on his face.

Tao Mu expressionlessly pulled off Shen Yu's hands holding on his sleeve, and called Lawyer Zhou to go through the security check.

After the two boarded the plane, Lawyer Zhou said, "How was this young master of the Shen family even brought up? I feel like Chairman Shen and Mr. Shen are quite normal. But why is this young master like that? Does he actually think that he is very kind, very pure, very innocent and lovely, just like a white lotus flower that grows out of the mud but does not stain, and even if it is swaying in the cold storm and snow, it is still a lovely white lotus that invokes affection and pity?"

It must be said that those who were lawyers were quite eloquent.

Tao Mu looked at Lawyer Zhou with a half-smile. Lawyer Zhou's spirits were lifted and he immediately became curious: "I heard that Mr. Tao and this young master of the Shen family are actually old acquaintances. Is he usually like this?"

"Are you curious about him?"

"Curious! Of course I'm curious! I must be curious!" Zhou Shenxing slapped his thigh, and said seriously: "Such a weird person, it is usually difficult to meet. At least I have lived for 30 years, and I haven't met a second one. But why is Mr. Tao looking a bit unhappy?"

"Do you think I should be happy?"

"Why aren't you happy? Think about it from another perspective. There is such a person who puts on a show in front of me every day, and lets me watch a reality show for free. One must also have entertainment occasionally after work to change the mood."

"Mr. Tao, think about it, if you are always surrounded by incredibly smart people who speak with nuances in their every word, how tired would you be! Sometimes you have to talk to oddballs to adjust your mood."

Zhou Shenxing saw that Tao Mu had become more upset after meeting Shen Yu. But he and Tao Mu have not known each other for too long, and it would not be good to talk too in depth about things so as to avoid embarrassment for both parties. So he could only joke and try and lighten up the mood.

Sure enough, Tao Mu smiled when he heard these words and said, "You are able to take it to heart."

"What's there to take to heart." Zhou Shenxing said with a smile: "I am a vulgar person. I only know how to work hard and make money. As for other things, as long as I don't lose out, I don't care how others behave. Don't you think so too?"

"Just treat it as watching a show. Tao Mu, aren't you an actor? You can just treat him as a plot character, and when you talk to him just treat it as if you are acting from a script. The way I see it, he talks and does things like a Taiwan idol drama. Do you know those 8pm soap operas? So long as the plot is pleasing and exciting, complicated and bizarre, the more dog blood the better, there is no need to consider logical common sense at all."

Tao Mu stopped smiling immediately. He looked at Zhou Shenxing thoughtfully: "Lawyer Zhou is actually a fan of the 8pm dog blood dramas?"

"Just passing the time when I'm idle. It doesn't take up much brainpower or kidney strength." Zhou Shenxing said this, and then suddenly wriggled his eyebrows at Tao Mu, scooching over mysteriously: "Of course. I usually prefer to watch those kinds of romance action movies that take up kidney strength."

Romance action movies that use kidney strength. Tao Mu instantly chuckled.

It takes only a few hours to fly from Shanghai to Beijing. Tao Mu didn't think it was a long time because of Lawyer Zhou, the two talking about gossip and work the whole way. When they arrived in Beijing, it happened to be snowing heavily.

Liu Yao and Meng Qi came to pick him up at the airport. The first sentence when they saw Tao Mu was: "Did it go well, did you get the recipe book? Did they make it difficult for you?"

"No. Boss Liu, you underestimate our little CEO Tao. Don't think that because Tao Mu is young he isn't capable. When he got there, he really showed them up….." Before Tao Mu could speak, Lawyer Zhou, who still hadn't talked enough despite the hours long chats on the plane, took over the conversation, accompanying his words with descriptive gestures.

Those gesturing hands and that descriptive storytelling ability, it really was a waste that he became a lawyer.

Instead, he should set up a stand under the bridge and become a storyteller.

Wasn't it said that all first-class lawyers billed by the minute? Why didn't this Lawyer Zhou have similar professional ethics?

Tao Mu shook his head. Amidst the eloquent storytelling of Lawyer Zhou, everyone sent Lawyer Zhou home first.

Lawyer Zhou got out of the car carrying his exquisite and compact suitcase. Before going upstairs, he didn't forget to wave his hands at Liu Yao and Meng Qi who were sitting in front: "Many thanks for sending me back. I won't charge you for my storytelling fee today. It is now considered even."

Meng Qi rolled down the car window and teased with a smile: "You call this even? It's dozens of kilometers from the airport, so it is at least a few hundred yuan for the gas. Aren't you going to treat us to a meal as thanks?"

Lawyer Zhou said with a bitter face: "You all are my bosses. How can the boss ask the employees to do the treating. Besides, I don't have any money. This house has only been bought a few years ago, and I have to pay the mortgage every month. And there's also my car, the oil money loan insurance all add up to another big sum of money every year. How about this? When you've all got the time to come to my house, I will cook you all some noodles. My ancestral roots are in Shaanxi, and our noodles there are very good."

Tao Mu and the others were both amused and vexed, they couldn't help saying, "How can you be so stingy. Even inviting us to eat noodles. If you are from Zhenjiang, do you plan to treat us to vinegar? Don't shame your fellow Shaanxi people alright? I heard that there have been many heroes that come from Shaanxi since ancient times so how can heroes be so stingy?"

"Why can't a hero be stingy? Haven't you heard that a penny can stump a hero? It can be seen that this hero may not be so generous." Lawyer Zhou replied with a smile. He had just returned from Shanghai and only wore a three-piece suit. After standing outside for a while, he shivered and sneezed several times.

Upon seeing this, Tao Mu hurriedly persuaded Lawyer Zhou to go upstairs quickly. Lest he managed to come down with a fever and couldn't bear to even go to the hospital.

"What need is there to go to the hospital? I'll just cook some ginger soup at home. You don't know how to live wisely." Lawyer Zhou sniffed and asked Tao Mu one last thing before leaving: "…..I am now a staff member of FlyNews. Starting from tomorrow, can I go to FlyNews' cafeteria for my meals?"

Since FlyNews invited Mr. Song to record the show and Mr. Song saw that the young guys of the company worked hard everyday and had to stay up late at night to work overtime, he felt very distressed. So he now often used the kitchen at FlyNews headquarters to cook some snacks for everyone. Occasionally, he would boil some soups for health and brain invigoration to give everyone an after supper snack. Mr. Song's craftsmanship was of the royal chef level and it was without question that he conquered this group of white-collar computer code farmers who were always busy and just took care of their meals with buns and burgers.

Now the signature banner of FlyNews was no longer that of their rich and handsome CEO who always went on headlines and stirred up storms on the Internet, but that of Mr. Song, luring all elite foodies from all over the country.

Not to mention, with the promotion of "Life in the City", now at least half of the people who surf the Internet in the country know the name of Mr. Song. Knowing that the cafeteria of FlyNews was fortunate enough to invite this old man to cook in person every week, there were now many elite foodies who handed in their resumes.

Such enthusiasm almost exploded the official recruitment mailbox of FlyNews.

Even the personnel department that had been prepared was shocked. They really didn't expect that Mr. Song's appeal would be so great. This was also not the annual graduation season and school recruitment time. It was estimated that the recruitment at FlyNews would be even easier in the coming summer vacation.

Sure enough, having an elder in the family was the same as having a treasure in the family.

Upon seeing this, Liu Yao and Meng Qi also joined in the fun. A discount card to Night was issued to the employees of FlyNews. So long as one held a card to spend at Night, one would get a 50% discount. Now the employees of FlyNews were even more fanatic.

It was no wonder that Zhou Shenxing, the lawyer who was never willing to lose out on any benefits, would place his calculations on the cafeteria of FlyNews. As for Night's discount card, Lawyer Zhou expressed that a 50% discount would still cost money. He had no money.

Tao Mu especially wanted to laugh, and he could only agree, "Come, come. But don't just eat and do nothing. It just happens that FlyNews is about to expand the recruitment of staff. You can discuss with the staff of the Administration Department and the Personnel Department and re-determine the rules system and recruitment contract."

FlyNews had just been created less than half a year ago, and various departments were still in the initial stage. Now that he was taking steps from just starting up to formalizing the company, with Zhou Shenxing, a lawyer who was proficient in economics and law, helping him, Tao Mu could also relax.

Zhou Shenxing couldn't help but sigh at his "unused talent". His salary was tens of millions, but Tao Mu only told him to do these basic things.

But it was okay! There was food, drink, money, and free shows to watch. With such a good job, such a good boss, he'll do whatever was told of him. What more could one ask for?

After seeing Zhou Shenxing off, the three also drove home in the heavy snow.

Mr. Song had been waiting at home for a long time. Since hearing that Tao Mu got on the plane in the afternoon, he had been waiting. He had been fidgeting and wandering around the house for several hours. But it was not until the sky darkened, when he finally heard the movement at the door.

With a twitch of his ears, Mr. Song immediately rushed to the hallway to open the door with great agility for his age.

Outside the door, Liu Yao was still trying to find the right key with great difficulty. In winter, people wear thick clothes, so it was easy to find the key in the bag. The two were looking for the key through the lights in the corridor when they saw old man Song suddenly open the door. He glanced past them and fixed his eyes directly on Tao Mu—to be precise, on the red sandalwood box Tao Mu was holding in his hands. His lips trembled for a long time before squeezing out a few words from his throat.

"The recipe book…..is brought back?"

This whole way, he had really waited too long.

It had been so long that he thought that in this life, he might not be able to wait for it at all.

Old man Song took the sandalwood box with his dry and rough trembling hands. He held the sandalwood box firmly in his arms, and tried to open the lid with a trembling hand. Because he was too excited, old man Song tried several times but still couldn't open it. When opening it for the last time, old man Song finally looked at the Song family recipe book lying quietly inside.

Instantly, tears streamed down from his aged eyes.

After half a lifetime, old man Song could finally hold the long lost recipe book, and was unable to speak for a long time.

Tao Mu and the others could somewhat understand the feelings of the old man and let the old man walk around in the bedroom with the recipe book all night. The small table lamp placed by the bedside was on all night, and the warm orange light sneaked out from the gap in the door, just like the huge rock that had been pressing on Song Daozhen's heart, now finally and silently moved away.

You c an fi nd t he la te st cha pte rs at ( th e ir on tr ee bl oo ms. c o m )

Early the next morning, Song Daozhen asked Tao Mu to accompany him to the Wenwan Restoration Shop in Liulichang, and wanted to rebind the Song family's recipe book. (TN: Liulichang is a district in downtown Beijing that is known for a series of traditional Chinese stone dwellings selling various craftwork, artistry, and antiques. It is one of Beijing's traditional old quarters)

Tao Mu noticed that the "Song Family Recipe Book" that Mr. Song brought out was thinner than the one he brought back and raised eyebrows unconsciously.

Song Daozhen noticed Tao Mu's puzzlement, and slowly said, "What I want back is the "Song Family Recipe Book". Since it should be returned intact to the owner, whether it is less or more, neither will count as complete."

Tao Mu suddenly realized what Song Daozhen meant.

He didn't say anything and just accompanied the old man to rebind the "Song Family Recipe Book". And then accompanied the old man in preparing for worshipping the ancestors.

Though it was said that the ancestor worship would take place on the first day of the Lunar New Year, before the ancestor worship, there were actually a lot of things to do. The Song family ancestor's grave had been passed down to the present, and had a history of more than 100 years. In the past, Mr. Song had felt ashamed to face his ancestors, and he was also afraid of being reminded of the painful past, so he did not dare to go grave sweeping often. At most it was just once every year during the Qingming Festival to burn some paper money and incense sticks as well as confess to his ancestors about his incompetence and weakness in being unable to avenge the Song family.

And when he came back he would always fall seriously ill.

But now, the "Song Family Recipe Book" was finally back and the Song family inheritance also returned. Song Daozhen felt that he was still incompetent, but finally he was not ashamed to face his ancestors. At least if he closed his eyes for the last time in this life now, he had the confidence to face his parents and grandparents in the afterlife.

So this year's New Year, Song Daozhen could finally follow the family tradition to worship the ancestors—according to the Song family's rules, they must cook 36 Song family dishes when worshiping the ancestors. Among them, the patriarch would cook eight dishes, while the other descendants and disciples cooked the 24 dishes together.

However, the Song family having passed down to now, only Song Daozhen, a lonely old man, and Tao Mu, an irresponsible direct disciple, remained. So Song Daozhen decided to cook 30 dishes by himself, and let Tao Mu cook the remaining six dishes.

Before cooking to worship the ancestors, the ancestral tomb had to be specially repaired. For various reasons, the tomb of the Song family had not been repaired for many years. Although the tomb head and tombstone were not incomplete, they look dilapidated. There were signs of aging and fading everywhere due to wear and tear. It was the scars left from the wind and rain during the long years.

Just like what happened to the Song family over the decades.

Tao Mu knew the wish of Mr. Song and decided to take over the work of repairing the grave. Chinese people pay a lot of attention to this kind of grave repair and burial rites. Tao Mu didn't understand the inner workings, so he simply invited a Feng Shui master to come over.

After looking at Feng Shui, calculating days, buying candles, paper money, various stones and wood, they must also hire people to do the work. Fortunately, Liu Yao and Meng Qi helped out, or else Tao Mu, who still had to go to school during the day, wouldn't have been able to oversee it all.

On the second night after returning to Beijing, Tao Mu called Li Xiaoheng and asked him to come out so he could thank him in person—this time dealing with the Sheng'an Group, if there was no Li Xiaoheng behind his back, it would likely not have gone so smoothly.

So reasonably and emotionally, Tao Mu should treat the other to this meal.

Tao Mu felt that the meaning of this meal was very formal, so he didn't cook it at home. Instead, he invited Li Xiaoheng to Song Ji, and the old man personally cooked it himself. Yao Dad and Xiao Qi Dad also accompanied on the side. It could be considered their family of four thanking Li Xiaoheng together.

Li Xiaoheng went to the appointment with pleasure. After accepting the warm gestures of gratitude from the family of four. At noon the next day, Tao Mu was invited to dinner at a Cantonese restaurant opposite Beijing Film.

This time it was just the two of them, sitting in an elegantly decorated small enclosed private room.

Li Xiaoheng poured a cup of tea for Tao Mu and asked: "I want to shift the focus of Xiaoheng Capital's work to China. Recently, the venture capital department organized an inspection group that focused on several projects. Help me take a look. "

Li Xiaoheng said, handing a few thick folders to Tao Mu.

The two would talk about business affairs every time they met so Tao Mu was not surprised either. He picked up the files and looked at them one by one.

It must be said that the venture capital department of Xiaoheng Capital was very capable indeed, their investment vision was very accurate. At least of the projects Tao Mu saw, they were all very profitable projects for later years. Among them, new energy and environmental protection projects would be supported by the state in the next few years. There was also the research and development and use of artificial intelligence in the logistics and production lines, which would also be particularly popular in the future, and especially had a market.

Of course, in addition to this, Tao Mu felt that the development prospects of the entertainment industry were also good.

Combining the development direction of future years, Tao Mu spoke his own thoughts carefully and seriously to Li Xiaoheng. This chat took more than an hour. Tao Mu spoke until his mouth was dry, and Li Xiaoheng sat next to him, helping him pour tea.

Tao Mu, who had drunk a lot, went to the bathroom three times.

When he came back for the last time, Tao Mu smiled at Li Xiaoheng and said: "…..When I went out, the waiter kept looking strangely at me. Maybe he was thinking that despite my young age I already had kidney problems."

Having said that, he couldn't help taking another sip of tea.

Li Xiaoheng chuckled and gave Tao Mu a shumai filled with shiitake mushrooms, shrimp and glutinous rice: "It's all my fault."

"What does it have to do with you." Tao Mu swallowed the shumai in one bite, and his eyes lit up at the delicious taste: "It's good."

Li Xiaoheng curved the corners of his mouth upwards, and his expression became a little eager: "Actually, I have been at home for a while, and I have also learned a few dishes at home. When there's a chance someday, I will cook it for you."

"Then I won't be courteous with you. I must definitely try the craftsmanship of the boss." Tao Mu smiled, but didn't take it to heart.

He knew that Li Xiaoheng was too busy at work and didn't even have time to eat. How could he waste time studying cooking? It was just the normal social niceties, so whether it was true or not it was not important, so long as the words sounded pleasant then that was enough.

But Tao Mu was slapped in the face just a few days after. Because Li Xiaoheng came over again with two bags of ingredients on the third night of his return to Beijing. The two met in the small apartment opposite Beijing Film. Li Xiaoheng personally cooked Tao Mu a dish of sweet and sour pork ribs, a dish of garlic vermicelli steamed shrimp, a dish of steamed fish, and a pot of seafood porridge.

The taste was actually pretty good as well.

Tao Mu was instantly a little delighted. He gave a thumbs up to Li Xiaoheng: "As expected of the big boss. Learning everything very fast."

Li Xiaoheng curved his mouth upwards with satisfaction. As if he had forgotten the fact that he almost blew up the kitchen when he was learning how to cook—twice in fact.

"By the way, I want to withdraw one million from my Xiaoheng Capital's account. Don't know if it is convenient or not?" Mr. Song's matter had been mostly resolved. Tao Mu was no longer as busy and finally had the mind to deal with another matter.

Li Xiaoheng smiled slightly: "Of course it's no problem."

Immediately after a pause, he asked a little hesitantly: "Then I don't know if it is inconvenient for me to ask, what are you eager to use the money for? Is there a problem with the operation of FlyNews?"

"Oh, no." Tao Mu shook his head: "Didn't the old man set up the Song Huai Fund with 10% of the shares of Sheng'an Group. I am also deeply inspired. Anyway, I am not short of money, so I want to take out the one million yuan to also set up an education fund within our orphanage. As you know, few of the children from orphanages can go to college. Most of them just go out to work part-time jobs in society after the nine-year compulsory education ends. And because of their low academic qualifications, they can only find manual labor, and there is almost no development of future prospects. I was lucky, I have a handsome face and met good people like my old man, Yao Dad and Xiao Qi dad. I also had the opportunity to study in Beijing Film. In truth, my college entrance examination score is also not that high, just 500 points. But that is the highest score in our orphanage in more than ten years."

"In fact, some children in our orphanage are really smart. If they can devote themselves to their studies, maybe they will be able to produce a few 985 and 211 high-achieving students in the future." (TN: 985 and 211 are constructive projects for founding elite universities conducted by China's government in the 21st century)

Of course, only half of what Tao Mu said was sincere. The other half wanted to take this opportunity to dig out the poisonous snake hidden in the orphanage that would be bribed by a developer in the future and framed dean Tao, and thrown them into prison.

Li Xiaoheng didn't know Tao Mu's real plan. Hearing this, he sighed: "I didn't see it before, but it seems you really like children."

"You didn't see wrong." Tao Mu sneered, "I'm most annoyed with children. Except for crying and screaming every day, there is never a quiet moment. If you even looked the other way, they might be able to stir up a mess that you have to clean up. And they are especially talented at bullying the weak and fearing the strong. They are all little devils."

"But the children in our orphanage are afraid of me. No one dares to make a mess in front of me and they all pretend to be very good in front of me. They are afraid of being beaten." Tao Mu said naturally.

However, what he didn't know was that the children in their orphanage were not only afraid of him, but they all also admired him. Because Tao Mu was the first child in the orphanage to go to college, and because Tao Mu could make money since he was a child and always took some of this money to subsidize the orphanage.

Although Tao Mu was not averse to giving them a beating—most of the time it was because the children in the orphanage stole Tao Mu's hidden snacks, pocket money or Tao Mu's clothes. Tao Mu had always been possessive since he was a child. He didn't mind giving others what he didn't want, but he never let others touch things that he didn't give away. If anyone dared to touch, they could just expect a beating.

Sometimes when Tao Mu couldn't beat a child older than him, he would use insidious tricks, or bribe the hoodlums in the alley to help him beat others. Sometimes the beaten child would cry and complain to the dean. Dean Tao would call Tao Mu to lecture him patiently and reason with him. Tao Mu was not convinced, but he didn't say anything in front of dean Tao, and continued to beat people secretly. And even more ruthlessly. The little bastard who he up beat would then no longer have the daring to tell on him again. In the end, all the children learned to submit to him.

But under normal circumstances, after Tao Mu beat someone, he would also treat the beaten child to eat delicious food, or give them a toy as compensation. After a slap on the wrist a sweet date was given. Generally, children with families would learn such a truth and social tactic of maneuvering in society after they graduated from college. But Tao Mu seemed to be born knowing this. Later, when he was a little older, Tao Mu knew how to put on a pretense, and he didn't do much of the dirty work himself. It all became insidious tricks and calculations behind the scenes.

Which was why people who had been in contact with Tao Mu say that he was very calculating, manipulative and ruthless. But they were not wrong. Because the environment he came from was like that.

—Anyway, in Tao Mu's eyes, all children were ungrateful wretches. Especially those that come out of the orphanage. They might not know that you are good to them, but if you are not good to them, they would definitely remember you for the rest of their life. Pretending to be docile in front of you, but scheming ruthlessly behind your back. They had strong jealousy, were prone to being two-faced, had a sinister mindset, and fought viciously for every bit of benefit in sight.

Tao Mu himself was such a person. Those who came out of the orphanage, never grew up in a normal family since childhood, without the love of parents, so insecurity was unavoidable. The personality defects caused by the shadow of childhood caused them to hold on tightly to any bit of thing in their possession, to not trust anyone, and easily go to extremes.

Before now, Tao Mu would never dare to tell others about these past events. In his previous life, he was criticized by others and was afraid of being scolded by others. The psychological shadow left on him was too great, and even after rebirth, he would rather pretend to be weak and act on his own instead of revealing his nature. Therefore, even if he acted like he didn't care about what others say, he would subconsciously pretend to be slick and tactful in front of others, and he did not dare to argue with others. Not only was it due to a lack of confidence, but also due to the inferiority and cowardice hidden in his bones.

After experiencing the incident of the Yao family, not only Mr. Song's sore point healed, even Tao Mu felt that he had untied a knot in his heart.

So what if he was scheming and calculating with ruthless and vicious tactics? By letting others know that he was not easy to provoke or that others should not dare to provoke, he was more able to protect those around him.

Like a very sharp knife, it was easy to injure others but also easy to protect others. If the purpose of hurting someone was to protect someone, then show the knife first. Those who had bad intentions in their hearts would naturally weigh the pros and cons. And as a result, some troubles could be avoided before they even begin.

Tao Mu sometimes also found it strange. There was a saying handed down from the ancestors, a lifetime of integrity is lost in later years. It meant that good people had done good things for a lifetime, but because they did a bad thing when they were old, their life's value was denied by others. There were also the sayings, a prodigal son returned home is worth more than gold and putting down the butcher knife to become a Buddha on the spot. These two sayings meant that a bad person had done a bad thing for a lifetime, but if he did a good thing when he grew old, he would become a good person instead. It seemed that the bad things he had done before could all be wiped out.

Really f**king bullsh*t.

It could be seen that human nature was to bully the weak and fear the strong. Wasn't it because you knew that good people don't take the initiative to hurt others, so you could point your fingers unscrupulously and that bad guys were not easy to provoke, so even if the other did a good thing on a whim, you couldn't wait to sing praises. Because you knew that bad people doing good or bad things was just a matter of thought. Bad people doing good deeds might not be able to benefit you, but if they did bad things, it would definitely be a threat to you.

If it was like this, Tao Mu would rather be the bad guy in the eyes of others. If they knew to be afraid, they would not easily attack the people around Tao Mu. There would be no such thing as a threat being made on family members. If anyone dared to move against Tao Mu, Tao Mu would only fight back viciously. Just like the Sheng'an Group, which was a very good example.

Especially as Tao Mu would be entering the entertainment circle in the future, so he must sound the alarm for those marketing accounts who could only see money. If they want to bully him and his family like in the last life, it would no longer work!

Tao Mu secretly bared his teeth and sharpened his claws in his heart. But in Li Xiaoheng's eyes, he only felt that Tao Mu had gradually let go of his heart's defenses, and had slowly revealed his true side when getting along in private.

Sure enough, his previous course of action was correct. He must start with the people around Tao Mu, taking a subtle route that eventually surrounded the center.

The meal passed in good spirits.

Anyway, the big boss's filters when looking at a certain someone had become deeper and deeper.

After the Song family's ancestral tomb was repaired, it was already the end of January 2009. The twelfth lunar month was over, and it would be the first month of the lunar new year.

Tao Mu had yet to wait for Yao Shengan's arrival in Beijing to make his apologies, but another couldn't sit still.

With an ingratiating smile on his face, Zhang Dafu went to Tao Mu's school again, and begged the old doorman to call Tao Mu's dorm. When learning that Tao Mu was not in the dorm, he then begged Tao Mu's roommate to call Tao Mu who was reading materials in the library.

"Why are you here again?" It was the deep winter, Zhang Dafu was wearing a thick military coat, sitting in the doorman booth with a small fire under the kang and drinking the old doorman's tea.

Seeing Tao Mu, he smiled ingratiatingly and said: "Aren't I here for business. Proper business."

Tao Mu also guessed why Zhang Dafu came here. He glanced at Zhang Dafu with a half-smile, and led Zhang Dafu to the coffee shop opposite the school.

Before he left, he didn't forget to pass a box of kidney bean cakes to the doorman uncle: "I made it myself. Please have a taste to see if it is authentic."

Tao Mu was learning the dishes for ancestor worship with Mr. Song recently. As there were too many things made, it couldn't be finished by just themselves, everyone was in luck. Including the employees of FlyNews and Night, as well as the teachers and students of Beijing Film, they had all tasted his craftsmanship. Most people didn't know whether it was authentic or not, they just knew that Tao Mu's cooking was very delicious.

The decoration in the cafe was particularly elegant, and there was also a female drama student working part-time as a pianist in the lobby. Mellow music flowed from the dancing fingertips to linger in the quiet and elegant lobby. The whole environment was incompatible with Zhang Dafu's military coat.

Even if it was the second time, Zhang Dafu still hunched his shoulders uncomfortably. After the two of them sat down at a table near the corner, Zhang Dafu said eagerly: "Mr. Tao, uh, the case of Tao Haiguo and his wife is over now. Say, about the reward you promised me before….."

You c an fi nd t he la te st cha pte rs at ( th e ir on tr ee bl oo ms. c o m )

Tao Mu paused when he heard the words: "Is it over already?" He had been busy with the Sheng'an Group and the Song family recently, and he hadn't paid attention to the Tao Haiguo couple at all.

However, the lawsuit was fought by Zhou Shenxing. Zhou Shenxing didn't say anything to him though.

Just as Tao Mu was thinking about this, his phone rang suddenly. He took it out and saw that it was from Zhou Shenxing.

"Mr. Tao, we won the lawsuit against your adoptive parents who were instructed to slander you. I have just come out of the court, and I need to report some information with you. Shall I go look for you now, or do you want to stop by at FlyNews headquarters tonight?"

Just came out of the court…..

Tao Mu glanced at Zhang Dafu who was sitting across from him with a rather exasperated look. This guy was really too eager.

"I'll stop by FlyNews headquarters tonight!"

After hanging up the phone, Tao Mu looked at Zhang Dafu who had an ingratiating smile on his face: "You are quite well informed."

Zhang Dafu smiled and said: "Isn't this related to my own interests? I have been keeping a close eye on it. Today, at the trial, I specifically asked my wife to go to the court to listen. As soon as the result came out, she immediately called me. I just want to share the good news with you as soon as possible."

"You just want your one million." Tao Mu snorted, too lazy to bother with Zhang Dafu. As long as it was for money, this guy dared to say anything and could say anything.

Zhang Dafu chuckled, and didn't argue: "We poor people can only rely on this one chance to make a fortune. How can I not be eager? Mr. Tao, you are a generous and magnanimous person, so please go easy on me and quickly settle this matter. Otherwise I can't even sleep well at night. To tell you the truth, I haven't slept much in the past few months. Take a look at how much of my hair has fallen out. It was quite dense when I came to look for you last time. But now I'm almost bald. "

"Come on, you, don't wag your tongue at me." (TN: to speak glibly) Tao Mu chuckled, and thought that Zhang Dafu was actually quite interesting when he was not acting like a scoundrel.

"I thought about your matter and I also know the situation in your family. It's indeed not easy supporting such a big family without any one of you having a proper job." Tao Mu said, frowning again: "But you and your family. Honestly speaking, none of you have any academic qualifications or ability, and moreover your character is also not all that good. I don't feel at ease letting you guys out in society. After all, this business is my idea and I'm afraid you guys will scam and cheat people in my name, something I really can't afford to lose face on."

Zhang Dafu hurriedly smiled ingratiatingly: "That's not possible. What kind of person am I? I might not be good at anything else, but at least my eyes are sharp. People who shouldn't be offended I will never offend, and things that shouldn't be done I will never do. Honestly, not only are you afraid of losing face, I am also afraid of getting into trouble."

Zhang Dafu's words sounded pleasant. But after a pause, still a little unwilling to give up, he continued: "Of course. If you find it troublesome, you can just give me this million directly. I have no objection."

"In your dreams." Tao Mu glared at Zhang Dafu, got up and said, "Stop talking nonsense. Come with me."

"Huh?" Zhang Dafu followed Tao Mu with a bewildered expression and left the cafe. They made a turn and entered the street behind Beijing Film, stopping in front of two shops with rolling shutters installed on both.

There was already a group of people standing in front of the two shops, four men and two women. The men had a sturdy and muscular build, and the tallest one was at least 1.9 meters tall. One of the two women was in her twenties and had hair that was dyed blue, wearing only a white cotton-padded jacket, small leather skirt and high boots despite the winter chill. Her face was also applied with heavy makeup and looked like a female ghost. With just a glance, one knew she was not easy to mess with. The other woman was an auntie in her fifties, dressed in a cotton-padded jacket, and looked very simple and friendly with a smiling face.

"You are here. Did you eat lunch?" Tao Mu nodded at the several people and asked, "Brother Gou, how are you doing?"

Qin Miaoru spoke first: "We came over when we received the call. We haven't eaten yet."

Gou Rixin smiled honestly: "Fully recovered a long time ago."

Then he thought of something and rubbed his head, "I'm just a bit ashamed. Say, it's you who helped me out for my treatment. Now that I'm discharged from the hospital, I have to trouble you to find me work as well."

Gou Rixin was discharged from the hospital and was directly signed by Tao Mu to FlyNews Entertainment. Although FlyNews was not involved in the business of signing artists, Tao Mu would sooner or later set up his own studio. In any case, Gou Rixin was just a martial arts extra, so it was better to follow him than to go back to being an extra.

The response towards this year's National School Beauty and Hunk selection contest was very good, and Tao Mu planned to host another talent show next summer. When the competition was over, he would hit the iron while it was hot, and shoot an idol drama, web drama or something. At that time, everywhere would be needing people. Even if Gou Rixin didn't want to be an actor, he could also help run the set and learn how to be an agent. In any case, he knew the other well, and using familiar people was always less worrisome than using outsiders.

He also told Gou Rixin about this plan. Gou Rixin really didn't expect Tao Mu to plan for him so far into the future, and he was immediately touched. He felt his blood rush in excitement, feeling like he had met a confidante worth dying for.

"We are all brothers, don't say anymore." Tao Mu smiled: "Since you all haven't eaten yet, I'll treat you all to eat Mongolian hotpot later. Let's go and see the store first."

Tao Mu signaled Qin Miaoru to open the shutters of the two shops, one of which Tao Mu was going to turn into an Internet cafe. Qin Miaoru's Internet cafe in Houhai was particularly prosperous, earning millions of yuan in just half a year. Not only did she pay back the money she had borrowed from Tao Mu, but she also had surplus to expand her business.

According to Qin Miaoru's plan, she originally wanted to follow Liu Yao and open another internet cafe next to Night. At that time, both sides could also take care of each other. But high-end places were too expensive, the rent couldn't be afforded, and there was no particularly suitable store in Houhai either.

When discussing with Tao Mu, Tao Mu just happened to be pondering about how to settle Zhang Dafu. In the end, it was old man Song who came up with a solution and said casually at the dinner table: "…..If it doesn't work, then open the Internet cafe near Tao Mu's school. At that time, Xiao Qin runs an Internet cafe, and surnamed Zhang and his family can do some fast food business nearby. Just let Xiao Qin and the others keep a watch on them. If they dare not do business properly, then just have those big muscular guys frequent their store. See if they dare not do business properly."

No wonder they say that having an elder in the family was the same as possessing a treasure.

This idea was the best of both worlds. Everyone's problems were solved.

So Tao Mu immediately looked for a suitable store near Beijing Film. It just so happened that there were two shops next to each other on the back street for rent. The larger one was more than 500 square meters, with a total of three floors. It used to be a photo studio, mainly for taking portraits for students. Later, because Tao Mu's photography skills amazed everyone with a single brilliant feat during the military training, instantly conquering his schoolmates from freshman to senior. Now whenever Beijing Film students wanted to take art photos, so long as they were not in a hurry, they would all shamelessly wait for Tao Mu to take some time out to help them. Even if the wait was a year or a half, they would still rather choose quality over speed.

Tao Mu was also accustomed to shooting photos outside every time he took pictures. Most of the time, he liked to use spots inside the school, or directly draw people to the photo studio where he worked part-time before, and solicit business for his former boss. After a while, the business at the photo studio just outside the school became less and less, and add to the fact the landlord kept increasing rent, the owner of the photo studio couldn't continue anymore, closing the shop in a fit of anger and going back to his hometown to get married.

Who knew that this shop would now benefit Qin Miaoru. She came over for a look and found that the three floor shop was just right, with the first floor being the lobby, the second floor being private rooms and the third floor for e-sports, the design of the shop was quite authentic.

As for the smaller shop next to it, it was only slightly more than 70 square feet. It used to sell milk tea but the landlord was in a hurry to use money and wanted to sell the shop. So Tao Mu used the one million he took out of Xiaoheng Capital to pay the down payment and decoration of this small shop. As for the landlord, he received the full payment in his bank account.

Tao Mu said to Zhang Dafu: "I count you 200,000 yuan a year in rent for this shop. I won't charge rent for the first five years. But after five years, you can either start anew or pay me rent according to market prices. Do you understand?"

Zhang Dafu wrinkled his face: "Mr. Tao, I'll call you grandfather, okay? I know you have kind intentions. But, what can I do with this shop? I, I can't do anything! You can't be thinking of having a grown man like me sit here and sell milk tea, right? Just look at me, do you think those little girls from Beijing Film will dare to come in?"

Huh, so he was quite self-aware.

Tao Mu smiled: "You don't have to worry about it. I already talked to my old man. This shop will sell braised chicken rice in brown sauce. Tomorrow you will come with your wife, and Aunt Gou, the three of you will learn to cook it with me. It just so happens that this shop will need half a month to be renovated. I estimate you'll all learn how to cook it by that time."

"I have already arranged the ingredients purchasing channel. I will give you the phone number. After the store opens, someone will deliver the goods to you regularly. When the business starts, you are not allowed to be greedy and change to a cheaper channel."

Zhang Dafu promised again and again, his small eyes glanced at Aunt Gou, and asked: "Then this elder sister is the manager of our store?"

"Don't be petty." Tao Mu rolled his eyes: "Aunt Gou just wants to learn how to cook with me. She will not be working in your store, normally she just cleans the Internet cafe and helps to cook by the way."

Zhang Dafu immediately pleaded guilty: "I didn't mean that."

"Enough of you. Don't think that just because I don't find someone to keep a watch on you, you can play tricks. You are not allowed to buy goods from bad channels when you are doing business in the future. I have a camera installed in the kitchen which is connected to Sister Qin's internet cafe. Sister Qin will help me keep a watch when she has the time. If she finds out that you dare to be careless on hygiene and food safety I will definitely not spare you. What's up with that expression? Are you dissatisfied with me?"

"How dare I." Zhang Dafu defended with a bitter face: "I'm just worried. Mr. Tao, I know you are kind and want to find a living for our family. But our family, how can we do business? To tell you the truth, even if you wipe out my rent I don't have the money to buy the goods. What braised chicken rice, I can't even afford chicken feathers let alone chicken meat."

"Don't cry about being poor with me. I didn't plan to let you pay." Tao Mu gave Zhang Dafu an annoyed glare: "Starting from next month, I will pay for the ingredients for the following six months. I will settle the account directly with the supplier. You will just be responsible for running the shop, and I won't take any of the money you make. But if you want to hire more people when your business becomes good, I won't pay the money."

Zhang Dafu's expression was joyful, and he immediately rubbed his hands and said: "Aiyo, how embarrassing. Elder Tao, you are a living bodhisattva. As the old saying goes, knowledge is the best charity. Elder Tao has the style of the ancients."

"Enough of you." Tao Mu felt a headache. In just such a short time, he had risen from Mr. Tao to Elder Tao. This person really didn't want face at all.

"Tell your wife. When doing business, be courteous and polite. Don't make trouble for me, and your whole family can make money happily. If you dare to make trouble for me….."

Tao Mu trailed off, squinting his eyes and looking at Zhang Dafu threateningly. Zhang Dafu nodded and bowed his waist very tactfully: "You can rest assured. I am sure to do things steadily and earn money honestly, and I will never shame your elderness."

"Don't elder this and elder that. You make me sound like I'm eighty." Tao Mu waved his hand and said with annoyance: "Go away. Tomorrow at 12 o'clock noon, bring your wife over on time."

"Ai!" Zhang Dafu didn't expect things to go so smoothly. To be honest, although he believed in Tao Mu's character, before coming, Zhang Dafu also guessed pettyly whether Tao Mu would not admit to it, or regretted it, and didn't want to give him the money.

Zhang Dafu even imagined what he would do if Tao Mu really didn't give him the money. Find a reporter to disclose this? He couldn't afford to provoke Tao Mu and the group of people behind Tao Mu. But if he just swallowed his bitterness, he also won't feel reconciled.

This had caused him much torment, and he indeed really had trouble falling asleep in the past few months. He had imagined all kinds of situations but he didn't expect Tao Mu to be so righteous, directly giving over a livelihood that would support his family.

Don't look at Tao Mu just waving away the rent and supplying the ingredients, seeming as if he didn't pay him a penny, but Tao Mu was willing to teach him a skill.

Who was Tao Mu? Beijing Song Ji's fame was probably known to most of China and not just in Beijing. Tao Mu was the only disciple of the old man Song. There was no question regarding his cooking skills. Even if he just taught their family a single dish, with the Song Ji brand and Tao Mu, this business would definitely not go wrong.

Besides, what kind of area was this? This was the Second Ring Road. The 70 square meter shop only counted him 200,000 yuan a year in rent, five years without rent increase and no payment, and he didn't even need to pay for the purchase of ingredients the first six months.

Zhang Dafu was not an ignorant person. Although he was a scoundrel and hoodlum, he also knew clearly who treated him well.

Tao Mu was a busy big boss with his own affairs to take care of, and yet he was still willing to solve the mess in their family. Thinking about giving their family a means of making a livelihood instead of just lightly throwing a million at them. For a capable person like Tao Mu, throwing out a million in cash was actually much easier than teaching them a skill.

But Tao Mu didn't use money to dispatch him. Although Zhang Dafu had a rascally smile on his face, he really appreciated this in his heart.

For so many years, only Tao Mu really regarded him as a person. Treated him as a man who could be the pillar of his family. Felt that he could do things and make things happen. Just for this, he had to work hard and not shame Tao Mu—

Of course, the most important thing was that Zhang Dafu was afraid of Tao Mu's methods, and even more afraid of Liu Yao's background. He really didn't dare to do anything to embarrass Tao Mu. Zhang Dafu could still remember how Tao Mu dealt with him before. Although he didn't care about other people's opinions it was still really uncomfortable to be pointed and scolded at by neighbors and strangers.

And that matter had nothing to do with Tao Mu. It was just because he didn't like that they wanted to blackmail the Yun family and the hospital, yet Tao Mu could use such a ruthless method to deal with them. If he dared to make trouble in the food shop this time, Zhang Dafu guessed that it would not be something as simple as just being scolded. With Liu Yao and that group of people supporting Tao Mu, he could at least expect to be beaten to the point he couldn't even get out of bed.

Zhang Dafu was particularly self-aware, and when he returned home that day, he explained to his wife carefully.

At noon the next day, the two arrived more than half an hour earlier and waited for a long time outside, shivering in the winter chill. Only then did they see Tao Mu who came out of class, and Aunt Gou who came with Tao Mu. Now she was much smarter, waiting in the Beijing Film cafeteria which was especially warm.

"You're quite punctual." Tao Mu glanced at Zhang Dafu and his wife, opened the rolling shutter, and threw the key to Zhang Dafu: "I was in a hurry yesterday and forgot about this. You keep the key. The renovation will start tomorrow, and if you are worried, come over and keep a watch if you want."

Zhang Dafu bowed with his wife and said with an ingratiating smile: "Towards the people employed by Mr. Tao, how can we not rest assured."

"After all, it is your own business you're running." Tao Mu waved his hand. He gave the supplier in the morning a call, and the other had already delivered the ingredients in advance.

"I'll teach you to practice hands first, it's very simple, and you will learn it soon."

Braised chicken rice was a fast-food snack, and actually didn't require any secret recipe, let alone knife skills. Basically, those who knew how to cook could learn it just by looking at the process.

Zhang Dafu could be passed over, but his wife was actually a very hardworking person, and she did things very quickly. After learning with Tao Mu for more than an hour, she practically got the hang of it.

"Like this for now." Tao Mu looked at the time, and seeing that his next class was about to start he washed his hands: "Go back and practice some more. Call me anytime you don't understand something."

Zhang Dafu's wife was very fierce and bossy at home, but in front of Tao Mu, she didn't even dare to breathe. Hearing Tao Mu's words, she immediately agreed, and said hurriedly: "Uh, thank you Mr. Tao."

"You're welcome." Tao Mu smiled: "I promised Zhang Dafu. After all, his recording helped me a lot."

Zhang Dafu's wife also knew how the recording came to be, and her face flushed red in embarrassment. Tao Haiguo and his wife lost the lawsuit and now they stood outside their door every day and accused Zhang Dafu of selling out his friends to seek riches. The neighbors also pointed and whispered.

"…..I'm not afraid of anything else. I'm just afraid Tao Haiguo and his wife will come to you to make trouble after they learn about this."

The entire Zhang family had experienced Tao Mu's methods before. Even if Tao Mu decided to be kind and teach them craftsmanship now, Zhang Dafu and his wife still did not forget how Tao Mu dealt with them back then.

So they must inform him of the matter regarding the Tao Haiguo couple. In case Tao Haiguo and his wife suddenly show up in front of Tao Mu to make trouble and as a result cause Tao Mu to take his anger out on them because of this.

You c an fi nd t he la te st cha pte rs at ( th e ir on tr ee bl oo ms. c o m )

Their days were finally looking up now, and Zhang Dafu and his wife really wanted to live their days well.

Before Tao Mu could speak, Zhang Dafu elbowed his wife from behind and said with an ingratiating smile: "The old Tao family is really not good people, but you can rest assured, Mr. Tao. I am the one who exposed the recording. Even if Tao Haiguo and his wife are really shameless and come to trouble you, I still have some methods to deal with him."

Zhang Dafu only had one thought in his head now, that was, since he had received the benefits from Tao Mu he was even willing to be Tao Mu's dog in this life if he had to. And what was the purpose of raising a dog? Of course it was to guard and look after the home. When a hostile guest came knocking it would pounce and bite the trespasser for its owner.

If Tao Haiguo and his wife really dared to trouble Tao Mu, they would have to get pass him first.

Zhang Dafu thought fiercely, proudly believing that his awareness was particularly high. Tao Mu glared at Zhang Dafu in irritation: "What are you thinking about. Let me tell you, this matter has nothing to do with you, and you shouldn't get involved in it. When you gave me the recording I promised to give you a million yuan business. Now the storefront is also found for you, and the craftsmanship is handed over to you. From now on, you will do your business honestly. Don't go out and fool around anymore."

Zhang Dafu secretly glanced at Tao Mu and saw that Tao Mu was serious. He immediately bowed his back and smiled ingratiatingly, "Ai, I understand."

Tao Mu was not completely reassured, and once again urged Zhang Dafu not to do things behind his back, especially not to use those shameless and underhanded tricks like intimidate Tao Haiguo and his wife. Only until Zhang Dafu really took his warning to heart did Tao Mu leave.

Before leaving, Zhang Dafu suddenly remembered something, and promised: "Mr. Tao, don't worry. I will have Hanya resign from the restaurant where she works and return to school. If she can still be admitted to university in the coming year, I will pay for her studies."

Tao Mu didn't say anything, he didn't even turn his head back.

After Tao Mu left, Zhang Dafu's wife elbowed Zhang Dafu, winking and asking: "Why, does this CEO Tao have intentions towards our Hanya?"

Zhang Dafu sneered: "What are you thinking. What kind of person is Mr. Tao, what kind of beautiful girl hasn't he seen. Just say Beijing Film, so long as Tao Mu shows any interest, don't know how many of those future female stars would tush over at his call. Is your niece beautiful? Or is her figure good? Or does she know to dress up? Or can she speak well? She looks as plain as plain noodles and don't even know how to make small talk. How could Tao Mu be interested in her?"

Aunt Zhang pouted: "Since he doesn't have any interest in your niece, why are you still rushing to pay for that unlucky star to go to school?"

"That's not an unlucky star we have here. It's our family's lucky star treasure." Zhang Dafu was for once patient and explained: "If it wasn't for our niece, would Tao Mu even know who I am? I wouldn't even have the opportunity to work for him, right? Besides, when I went to Tao Mu I promised I would pay for her to finish college if he gave me the money. Now that Mr. Tao has fulfilled his side of the deal, we can't assume that there is no such thing, right. "

Aunt Zhang curled her lips, disapproving: "I don't think so. If Tao Mu really doesn't have any interest, why would he even bother with you? It may be that he can't put down his pride. As the saying goes, when girls chase boys it's easy to get results. So long as it's a male they will be interested in this kind of thing. In my opinion, don't let Hanya go back to school. Let her work in our shop. Opposite is Beijing Film, like a pavilion near the water, such a good opportunity (TN: idiom meaning using one's proximity to the powerful to obtain favor). Have Hanya appear in front of him now and then, while I then spread the news around in the shop. If she can seize this opportunity, she will be the wife of a rich man in the future. Isn't that better than going to college?"

Their old Zhang family could also benefit from association.

Zhang Dafu became alert, and hurriedly said: "What nonsense! I think you have gone crazy thinking about money! Who do you take Tao Mu for? He will be an actor and a star in the future. Have you ever seen a big celebrity find an ordinary girl outside the entertainment circle to be his girlfriend? They find either a wealthy young lady or a female celebrity. It must be of the same status. I tell you, you must either do business honestly or go back and take care of the kids at home. Don't you make trouble for me. Why don't you even think deeper? If you dare to talk nonsense in the store and let those paparazzi hear it later, then that's spreading rumors. What happened to the old Tao couple who spread rumors about Tao Mu, did you forget? Is your brain soaked in water?"

"If you really anger Tao Mu he doesn't even need to do anything else, just take the shop back. At that time you can just expect to go back to suffering poverty all your life."

Aunt Zhang also felt a little afraid after thinking of what happened to the Tao couple. She mumbled, "What did I say…..I just feel like he has that meaning….."

"If he does have that meaning, it's his own business. Anyway, you are not allowed to get involved in this, and you are not allowed to talk nonsense." Zhang Dafu said, still not reassured: "Go home and make it clear to your sister as well. The way I see it, you two are idiots who are greedy for money but have no brains. Don't think that you can climb up along the pole, turn into a phoenix just by flying up on a branch. A house bird is a house bird, don't waste your energy daydreaming!"

There was something else Zhang Dafu didn't say. Tao Mu had been working at Night since he was a child, and both of his fathers leaned that way. Under the influence, who knew if he didn't have that preference too. You don't even know if he liked men or women so what are you even doing daydreaming over there by yourself!

Tao Mu was completely unaware of the entanglement between Zhang Dafu and his wife. After school that night, Tao Mu called Li Xiaoheng again and asked him out for dinner.

"You want to open another account with Xiaoheng Capital, and also want to borrow an auditor?" Li Xiaoheng put the peeled braised prawns in Tao Mu's bowl and said with a gentle smile: "Can I ask you what you want to do?"

"It's about the orphanage." Tao Mu swallowed the shrimp in one bite, a little embarrassed: "I bought a shop with that 1 million yuan I took out, situated right at the back door of our school. Now it is being used for Zhang Dafu to do business. So now the money to build a charity fund for the orphanage is gone. Besides, I was negligent before. Directly giving one million to the orphanage is not such a good idea after all as dean Tao doesn't know how to invest. It's better to leave it in Xiaoheng Capital, even the most conservative financial management is better than putting it in the bank for that bit of interest."

"As for the auditor, I want to take this opportunity to check the accounts of the orphanage. You don't know, towards money dean Tao is a little confused and unclear. Therefore, the accounts of our orphanage have been unclear for so many years. I had someone check the accountant who helps the orphanage manage the accounts, and found that she actually bought two houses within ten years. And her husband is also in charge of the purchase channels at our orphanage. I keep feeling that something is wrong. So I want a thorough check over."

Li Xiaoheng understood, "No problem. Whenever you need the auditor, just call me directly."

"Then tomorrow." Tao Mu said: "This charity education fund, I am going to donate in the name of Xiaoheng Capital…..Don't refuse. I am also trying to make it so that you have a logical reason to carry out the auditing matters. You don't know, our dean Tao is very soft-hearted. That accountant and purchasing manager have been in the orphanage for more than ten years. If I donate in my name, and if they try to make a quibble, I am afraid that dean Tao will be fooled by them and following along in persuading me to keep things quiet. It's better to be formal in the name of Xiaoheng Capital, so that they have nothing to say. Besides, Xiaoheng Capital originally had plans to shift the focus of investment to China. Establishing a charity fund in advance will also support the company's future development and towards policy support there will also be advantages."

Tao Mu liked to kill two birds with one stone when he did things, and his mindset was also very firm. The decision he made would not change easily. Li Xiaoheng didn't intend to persuade him from it either. Not to mention that he liked to do things together very much, just to say that the establishment of a charity education fund itself was beneficial to the image of Xiaoheng Capital.

"Since the fund is established in the name of Xiaoheng Capital, I can't let you take out the money yourself."

Tao Mu frowned and was about to retort but Li Xiaoheng directly clamped a lotus root with his chopsticks to block Tao Mu's mouth: "How about this. We each set up this charitable education fund with 500,000 yuan. As for the specific management of the fund, it can be handed over to Xiaoheng Capital. The company happens to have a department dedicated to charity. It's just that before, most of the charity activities of Xiaoheng Capital involved international organizations. Doing charity in China is the first time."

Tao Mu…..Tao Mu was already stunned speechless.

He chewed the lotus root in his mouth in a dumbfounded manner, swallowed it, and after a while he came back to his senses: "Brother Li, you can't be like this."

How can there be such a thing as gagging people with vegetables before they have finished speaking.

Li Xiaoheng smiled and asked knowingly: "What did I do?"

Before Tao Mu could speak, Li Xiaoheng asked again: "Let's talk about you first? Why are you so good to the Zhang family? You teach them craftsmanship and find a shop for them. I remember the girl from the Zhang family was one of the girls you saved from the human traffickers in H Town. Did you save it in your hand? You not only saved the beauty, you also helped her family to do business. You don't have feelings for the girl, do you?"

How did he come to such a conclusion!

Tao Mu didn't know whether to laugh or cry. Unexpectedly, his business partner, who had always been the very image of an elite, would be so gossipy in private.

"I don't have feelings for her. Our genders are different, how can I have feelings for her?" Tao Mu smirked, and looked sideways at his business partner: "But I didn't expect that, big brother Li, you usually look so serious but you're actually quite gossipy underneath."

Li Xiaoheng's mood was already flying from the bottom of his heart. He completely didn't hear Tao Mu's teasing comment at all. His head was only left with Tao Mu's words "Our genders are different, how can I have feelings for her". Forcibly resisting the throbbing in his heart, Li Xiaoheng asked with a serious face: "Do you like men?"

"En." Tao Mu didn't think there was any problem with this. It was already 2008, and the country had already allowed same-sex marriages for many years. There was nothing to hide about his sexual orientation.

Besides, his Yao Dad and Xiao Qi Dad were of the same sex and also married. Tao Mu glanced at Li Xiaoheng: "Why, is brother Li a conservative?"

Regardless of the stage of social development, there would always be people who fear and reject people or things they don't understand. Don't even mention 2008, even ten years later, a large number of people still hated homosexuals and thought that homosexuality was a mental illness. Especially in the entertainment industry, artists who dared to announce their sexuality were even rarer.

For the sake of his future acting career, Tao Mu did not intend to make his sexual orientation known to the world. But Tao Mu didn't intend to hide it from the people around him either.

However, Tao Mu did not expect that Li Xiaoheng, a capitalist who came back from abroad, was actually a member of the conservatives. It was a headache to think about it, if Li Xiaoheng was really a homophobe then he had to think about how to try his best to pay attention to certain things in front of Li Xiaoheng in the future—

"No." Li Xiaoheng resisted the surging emotions in his heart, and even the tips of his ears were a little red. He said, "I'm the same."

As Li Xiaoheng spoke, he placed two shrimps that he peeled in excitement in Tao Mu's bowl, and said inexplicably, "I like men too."

Tao Mu: "….." If you like men, then you like men. Why is your expression so serious and your aura so scary?

Tao Mu secretly slandered in his heart. Suddenly he realized something, weren't the two of them discussing the establishment of a charitable education fund? How did the topic go off and veer into the realm of sexual orientation?

—Sure enough, you can't be business partners with a good friend. When talking with each other, going off topic was a happenstance.

Li Xiaoheng smiled and said, "In any case we're having dinner now, why not chat as we eat? You can make appointments for business affairs."

"By the way, do you have any plans after dinner tonight?" Li Xiaoheng suddenly seemed refreshed and energized, and offered: "If not, how about going to the movies?"

Go to the movies again?

Tao Mu raised his eyebrows, not very interested in going to the movies.

"Then what do you want to do?" Li Xiaoheng put down his chopsticks, and there was a hint of eagerness in his gentle smile.

Tao Mu originally wanted to say return to work at FlyNews headquarters, but when he saw Li Xiaoheng like this, he was a bit unable to say so.

After thinking about it, he suggested: "How about you come back to Song Ji with me. Recently, our old man is busy studying recipes and tinkering with the dishes used in ancestor worship. I also have to learn eight dishes."

"If you are free, you can come with me. I'll let you taste my craft." Tao Mu said, and couldn't help boasting: "I have made some really good pea cakes and kidney bean cakes recently. Tonight I plan to learn how to simmer deer tendons and shredded chicken white fungus in a casserole dish. How about I treat you to a late night snack after I've made it?"

Li Xiaoheng smiled, and agreed: "Okay."