Chapter 132: I Will Never Hide My Wealth

At noon, Zhang Yang returned after talking with Pei Xiaoru. She seemed like a completely different person.

Originally a generous and straightforward girl, she now appeared somewhat shy and bashful, looking like a woman in love.

Pei Xiaoru’s parents saw it and felt delighted inside.

“Uncle, Auntie, since you’re already here, stay a few more days and have a good time,” Zhang Yang said as he raised his glass and toasted Pei Xiaoru’s father at the dining table.

“No, no, there are still things waiting for us back home,” Pei Xiaoru’s father said, his face flushed from drinking, his voice hearty.

They had originally come with a heavy mission in mind, their mood weighed down the whole time. But neither of them had expected that things would suddenly turn around like this.

Looking at the son-in-law in front of them-his appearance, his bearing.

And his ability to casually spend millions.

To say something perhaps not entirely appropriate, it truly felt like a blessing their family had accumulated in a previous life.

“Well… worthy son-in-law, your mother-in-law and I discussed it carefully, and we think you should still take that money back. It’s not appropriate. We’ll buy the house ourselves,” Pei Xiaoru’s father said again.

Beside him, Pei Xiaoru’s mother nodded repeatedly.

“That’s right, we can’t accept this money. How could we take your money? As long as you treat Xiaoru well, we’ll feel reassured. As for everything else, it’s unnecessary.”

“Uncle, Auntie, please don’t be polite about the money. It’s just buying a house. I’ll trouble you to help look around again when you go back. Just treat it as a gift from me to Xiaoru,” Zhang Yang said with a smile, shaking his head.

After several rounds of refusal and persuasion, Pei Xiaoru’s parents could only accept it.

Or rather, they half-reluctantly accepted it.

“When we find a house later, we’ll still need our son-in-law to take a look,” Pei Xiaoru’s father said with a beaming smile.

“As long as Xiaoru likes it,” Zhang Yang replied with a smile.

Beside him, Pei Xiaoru couldn’t help blushing, happily hugging the arm of the man next to her.

The lunch was extremely pleasant for everyone.

Pei Xiaoru’s parents were satisfied beyond words. Pei Xiaoru’s mother held Zhang Yang’s hand and looked at him the way a mother-in-law looks at a son-in-law-the more she looked, the more satisfied she became.

“Little Zhang, Xiaoru has a strong personality. Please be a little patient with her.”

“I will, Auntie,” Zhang Yang replied with a smile, glancing at Pei Xiaoru beside him, who now looked completely like a gentle little woman, feeling how different this old classmate of his seemed now.

“Good, that reassures us,” Pei Xiaoru’s mother said immediately, relieved.

Pei Xiaoru’s parents were taking the high-speed train back the next day. In the afternoon they didn’t plan to go sightseeing and simply wanted to return to Pei Xiaoru’s place.

Zhang Yang guessed that the family probably had things they wanted to discuss privately with Pei Xiaoru.

Downstairs at Pei Xiaoru’s residence, Zhang Yang had just parked the Cullinan.

“Little Zhang, why not come upstairs and sit for a while?” Pei Xiaoru’s mother invited warmly.

“I…” Zhang Yang was just about to speak when the phone beside him rang.

He glanced at it. It was a call from Bei Wei.

Pei Xiaoru, sitting beside him, saw it clearly. She pursed her lips and suddenly turned to her parents. “Mom, Dad, Zhang Yang has something to do this afternoon. Let’s go upstairs first.”

“That’s fine,” her parents nodded and gave up the idea.

After the family of three got out of the car, they watched Zhang Yang answer the phone, wave to them as the window rolled up, and slowly drive away.

“You little girl, hiding things from your parents,” Pei Xiaoru’s mother said as she turned back to look at her daughter after watching the Cullinan leave, half scolding and half amused. “Such a good boyfriend, and I don’t understand why you kept him hidden.”

Pei Xiaoru smiled, but felt somewhat guilty.

If he were truly her genuine boyfriend, she would have announced it to the whole world immediately.

But in reality, it was only a relationship in name but not in title-or more accurately, one with substance but no name. How could she possibly say something like that out loud? What if the real girlfriend appeared?

“Come on, the three of us should go upstairs and discuss it properly-where exactly to buy the house. Later we should find a chance to invite Little Zhang to Pengcheng and finalize the house together,” Pei Xiaoru’s mother said with a smile as she pulled her daughter along.

“That’s right. Since he gave Xiaoru several million, we should definitely ask for his opinion before buying the house,” Pei Xiaoru’s father nodded.

Still immersed in their joy, the parents pulled their slightly guilty daughter upstairs.

Meanwhile, Zhang Yang was driving toward Prosperity Plaza.

This system event was basically over now, and the actual gain was nearly 190 million.

He had truly struck it rich.

Previously, although he earned 150,000 yuan daily in cashback-adding up to more than fifty million a year-that money hadn’t actually reached his pocket yet. It was money of the future.

But now, holding nearly two hundred million in cash, that was what real confidence felt like.

Besides, he also owned two properties.

The Starlight Plaza in Yinghai alone brought him over ten million in rental income each year. As for Prosperity Plaza in Shanghai, with its office tower and attached commercial spaces, that went without saying.

That brought in tens of millions in income every year as well.

Although the money sat in the company’s account, he could withdraw it anytime he wanted.

“I guess I’ve finally left the beginner village as a tycoon,” Zhang Yang thought while looking out the window, feeling extremely pleased.

With assets, nearly two hundred million in cash flow, and fixed daily cashback, he had finally taken another solid step on the road toward becoming a true tycoon.

That afternoon, Zhang Yang’s Cullinan stopped in front of Prosperity Plaza.

In just a few days, everyone in the property management-from managers to security guards-had already learned that this Cullinan belonged to Mr. Zhang, the owner of the building.

So as soon as Zhang Yang parked, a sharp-looking young security guard with a buzz cut quickly ran over.

“Hello, Mr. Zhang,” he said with a bow and salute.

When Zhang Yang walked toward the elevator in the high-ceiling lobby, the guard ran ahead and pressed the elevator button for him.

“Good job, young man.”

Zhang Yang casually said the kind of words that cost nothing, seeing how excited the young guard looked. He didn’t mind letting his image appear approachable in everyone’s eyes.

Outside the interior design company on the ninth floor, Zhang Yang walked straight in.

Inside the meeting room, he immediately saw the company’s chief design director presenting a proposal to Bei Wei with a projector.

“Honey, come take a look,” Bei Wei waved excitedly.

“Ah, Mr. Zhang, please have a seat.”

As soon as she saw Zhang Yang, the design director-who looked to be in her thirties-became very enthusiastic, greeting him warmly and quickly arranging tea and refreshments.

Zhang Yang sat beside Bei Wei, sipping tea while looking over the proposal with her.

The design director stood in front of the screen and began explaining her design concept.

“The overall wall style will use cement gray as the primary tone, paired with various wood materials to give the space texture.”

“For lighting, we’ll combine natural sunlight with warm yellow lighting to emphasize style and warmth.”

“In terms of layout, there will mainly be a book bar, a café area, and a resting area. The cashier counter can be integrated into the beverage section.”

The design director used her professional perspective to present the renderings and explain her ideas.

“Honey, what do you think?” Bei Wei asked softly.

“It looks good. As long as you like it, the shop can be designed completely according to your ideas. Just let your creativity run free. Who knows, maybe it’ll become the next Eslite Bookstore,” Zhang Yang said with a smile.

“I wouldn’t dare think that far,” Bei Wei said with a laugh, hugging Zhang Yang’s arm.

Watching this scene, the designer upstairs couldn’t help thinking of a phrase-girls who act cute are the luckiest. Look at her, clinging to such a powerful man and getting whatever she wants.

Although the proposal presentation ended without a final decision, since many details still needed discussion.

However, Zhang Yang and Bei Wei had no intention of choosing another company and directly finalized the project with this interior design firm.

As for the budget, the entire project could be completed within about five million.

There was no rent to worry about, and since they didn’t care about profitability-doing it purely for personal enjoyment-there was no need to join any franchise brand. Everything would follow their own preferences.

The renovation would take several months in total.

By the time the renovation finished, the current popularity of Shudu Spicy Roast Duck would probably have faded, and Bei Wei could smoothly transition to running the book café.

Outside Prosperity Plaza, Bei Wei happily stood in front of the future book café storefront taking photos.

Then she lowered her head and posted them on her social media.

She added the caption:

“My boyfriend-sponsored book café is about to set sail. Dear friends, please help me think of a name.”

In the blink of an eye, the post received likes and comments.

Bei Jiajia: Just showing off. I refuse to believe my sister can’t even think of a name.

Bei Wei wrinkled her nose and snorted softly.

What nonsense.

Well, so what if she was showing off?

With a boyfriend who spoiled her like this, shouldn’t she show it off a little?

Zhang Yang glanced at his phone and naturally saw Bei Wei’s post.

He liked it but didn’t comment.

“Honey, have you thought of a name?” Bei Wei leaned against him.

“You know I’m terrible at naming things. Here, I’ll leave this important task to you,” Zhang Yang said with a smile, rubbing her thick black hair while pushing the responsibility away.

“Excuses. When you worked as a copywriter before, your writing was full of flowery brilliance,” Bei Wei said softly while looking up at him.

Since Bei Wei said that, Zhang Yang had no choice but to use his brain a little.

He didn’t want to use a pun or make it overly literary, nor did he want to creatively combine their names.

“Let’s just call it Youjian Book Café. It’s straightforward and easy to understand—no need to be overly literary,” Zhang Yang suddenly said.

Bei Wei murmured the name to herself; the more she repeated it, the brighter her eyes became. Then she couldn’t help but tiptoe, hug Zhang Yang, and give him a passionate kiss.

“Perfect score.” Her eyes shimmered, almost with admiration.

Zhang Yang’s face grew warm. Feeling that admiring gaze from Bei Wei, he was a bit embarrassed.

“Isn’t that a bit too much praise?”

“Not at all. Do you think it has to be super literary to be good? In ancient times there was Youjian Inn; now there’s Youjian Book Café. I, Bei Wei, will definitely make Youjian Book Café flourish,” she said softly, wrapping her arms around Zhang Yang’s neck.

Looking at Bei Wei’s spirited and ambitious expression, Zhang Yang really couldn’t imagine how a book café could possibly be “carried forward and made great.”

But whatever.

As long as Bei Wei was happy. After all, the original intention of opening the shop was simply to give her something to pass the time.

It was getting late, yet unexpectedly Bei Wei still insisted on going to the company.

“The book café won’t open for a few months anyway. At least for now, I need to sign up several more franchise stores in Shanghai.”

Faced with such a dedicated sweet girl, what could Zhang Yang say?

He could only drive her to the company.

Downstairs at the company, Zhang Yang watched Bei Wei hurriedly walk inside. Bathed in the sunset, he looked at the crowd constantly going in and out of the office building, and at the white-collar workers who occasionally cast envious glances at his Cullinan.

He felt extremely relaxed and content.

On his phone, the high school class group chat was buzzing with chatter.

Ever since the last reunion, when Zhang Yang went from being an invisible figure to the center of attention, people would constantly @ him in the group even if he never spoke.

Right now, someone in the group had apparently bought a Mercedes-Benz E-Class, and everyone was discussing it enthusiastically.

“To talk about good cars, yours is nice, but it’s still a bit lacking. Zhang Yang’s Cayenne is far better than yours.”

“Where’s President Zhang? Show us your Porsche.”

Everyone was joking half-seriously, still remembering the Porsche Zhang Yang had driven at the last reunion.

“Haha, then I guess I’m showing off in front of an expert. Actually I planned to buy a Porsche this time, but my dad told me not to be too high-profile. Zhang Yang, send a photo of your steering wheel so I can show my dad. Let him know I’m not the one being flashy-someone else naturally is.”

The classmate who had just bought the car even @ Zhang Yang.

Zhang Yang looked at the conversation in the group.

The person who bought the car hadn’t attended the last gathering. Zhang Yang had long heard that his family ran a business and that he was always hard to pin down, though reportedly he was doing quite well.

“Still daring to provoke me?” Zhang Yang chuckled.

He preferred to stay low-key and didn’t like deliberately showing off, but that didn’t mean he would hide things either.

He glanced at the steering wheel of his Cullinan, raised his wrist, casually took a photo, and tossed it into the group.

The group chat exploded instantly.

“Holy crap, a Cullinan. That’s a picture from the internet, right?”

“Wearing an Audemars Piguet Royal Oak and driving a Cullinan? Bro, we asked for a Cayenne photo, don’t scare us like this.”

“Zhang Yang, you’re going a bit too far with this. We wanted to see the Porsche, not some random internet photo to shock us.”

Showing off halfway and then disappearing mysteriously might feel satisfying.

But Zhang Yang never liked leaving things hanging.

He found his vehicle registration, opened it, covered his personal information, took a quick photo, and sent it to the group again.

The group chat suddenly went silent.

Most of them were probably zooming in on the photo to examine it carefully.

Zhang Yang casually put down his phone, started the Cullinan, and drove straight back to COFCO Haijing No. 1.

In the evening, after returning home, Zhang Yang leisurely opened the Gaggenau refrigerator himself, took out a piece of wagyu beef, and prepared to make wagyu fried rice to enjoy the pleasure of dining alone.

Half an hour later, at the dining table.

Zhang Yang ate the fragrant wagyu fried rice and casually picked up his phone.

“Huh? So many unread messages?”

He immediately saw countless unread messages in the high school group chat, along with many people tagging him.

He opened them.

“Holy crap, Zhang Yang is the real boss.”

“Driving a Cullinan and wearing an AP. Zhang bro has already reached the peak of life. I was shallow and ignorant.”

“In front of Zhang bro, even if I drove a Porsche I wouldn’t have the right to show off. I’m just a nobody.”

“Bro, Zhang bro, I’m planning to move to Shanghai soon. Can you introduce me to some opportunities?”

Zhang Yang watched the messages in the group with interest but had no intention of responding further.

However, Meng Baihan sent him a private message.

“Classmate Zhang Yang, that photo you sent really stirred up quite a storm in our class group.”

“My fault? Weren’t they the ones asking for it?” Zhang Yang replied with a smile.

“Are you home already?” Meng Baihan asked with a cute emoji.

“I’m at home, just having dinner,” Zhang Yang replied while eating.

“I just finished eating too,” Meng Baihan wrote, her words seeming to carry a smile. “By the way, the view from your balcony must be amazing, right? And the breeze along the Huangpu River must be very pleasant.”

Zhang Yang put down his chopsticks and glanced at the balcony.

At this hour, countless lights were glowing everywhere. The Bund across the river was brightly illuminated, and the distant skyline was lit up by Shanghai’s lights as if it were daylight.

He picked up his phone and took a photo.

The Huangpu River, the cruise ships on the water, and the century-old Bund were all within the frame.

Then he casually sent it to Meng Baihan.