Riverdale Grand Hotel, twentieth floor, private suite.
The suite was curved in shape, with a round table at its center. Except for the main seat, which faced away from the floor-to-ceiling windows, every other seat offered a view of Riverdale's cityscape.
George Han sat at the head of the table, his right hand resting on the surface.
Andrew Han sat to his left, while Aunt Grace and his two cousins sat in order to George Han's right.
"Andrew."
After ordering the dishes, George Han pondered for a moment and asked, "Do you know Rose Zhang?"
Andrew Han withdrew his gaze from the cityscape. "I've only met her once. If I weren't a Grade Three martial artist, I probably wouldn't even remember her."
George Han tapped the table, his expression hesitant. "I always feel that Rose Zhang seems a bit in awe of you. Did you get into any trouble? If there's a problem, don't hide it from your uncle."
Andrew Han smiled faintly. "I don't really know her, so how could there be trouble?"
Just then—
On the opposite side of the table, Mindy Han let out a cryptic chuckle. "Little brother, you got into the academy, that's impressive—and you talk like some ancient scholar now. But Rose Zhang is the board secretary of Riverdale's largest real estate group. Even I rarely get to meet her."
Clearly, she was still mired in regret and hadn't recovered yet.
In her mind, Andrew's words had embarrassed Rose Zhang on the spot, basically ruining a deal that might have gone through.
"Enough, let's not talk about work today."
George Han changed the subject, looking at Andrew Han. "Congratulations on getting into Southland University. That's a wonderful achievement, and you've been keeping it under wraps. Besides treating you to dinner today, I also have a gift for you."
A gift?
What kind of thing is counted by the unit 'set'?
Andrew Han blinked and tried to decline, "Uncle, it's just getting into the university, nothing to boast about. There's no need for a gift."
George Han laughed heartily, took out a piece of paper, and handed it to Andrew Han. "This is the purchase certificate from the dealership. Take your ID and driver's license and pick up your car as soon as possible."
A car?
Uncle is giving me a car?
Even with his usually calm demeanor, Andrew Han felt a tremor in his heart. He quickly picked up the certificate, scanning it twice, then shook his head. "Uncle, I can't accept this car."
"This is your graduation gift from your uncle. Don't refuse, and don't let me down," George Han said, his gaze unwavering.
Uh.
Andrew Han was stunned, his heart stirred, inexplicably moved.
Since he began martial training, he'd felt pressure and impatience, coldness and loneliness. Only at home did he find warmth and emotion. But his uncle George Han brought him a fierce sense of family affection.
Besides his parents and younger sister, there were other relatives who cared about him.
Not just family—better than family.
In that instant, Andrew Han understood Mindy Han's antagonistic expression, as well as Aunt Grace's silence.
"Uncle."
Andrew Han pursed his lips, speaking sincerely, "I really can't accept this car... because I don't even have a driver's license yet."
Ah!
Mindy Han exclaimed in delight.
But Helen Han covered her mouth and laughed, "Little brother, just go get your license soon. It's not that hard."
George Han gave his second daughter Helen an approving glance and nodded. "Helen's right. For boys, getting a driver's license is pretty easy. Get it soon, and pick up the car."
"No, no, no," Andrew Han quickly shook his head, trying to refuse.
In the spacious suite, only Andrew Han and George Han's voices of polite refusal remained, while Aunt Grace and Mindy Han watched nervously.
Only Helen Han appeared relaxed.
She hadn't graduated yet and hadn't entered society, so she believed that family meant more than money.
Suddenly—
There was a gentle knock on the wooden door of the suite.
A middle-aged man with a prosperous face and bright, piercing eyes pushed the door open halfway, standing outside with a smile. "Oh, Mr. Han, you're having dinner? I hope I'm not interrupting."
Behind him stood Rose Zhang, respectful and deferential.
At that moment, a strange, silent atmosphere swept through the suite, as if the scene had frozen in time, and a towering mountain had descended, pressing everyone into silence.
Only Andrew Han remained calm, though his brows furrowed.
Could this middle-aged man know about the Martial Arts World? Did Hong Shi tell him that I am a disciple of Miles Ning?
Most likely.
Andrew Han nodded silently to himself.
Ever since becoming Miles Ning's disciple, his status had risen to an extraordinary level—this was the change his master had brought.
But at its core, it was a change brought by martial arts training.
......
A moment later.
George Han still sat at the head of the table, Andrew Han on his left, and Gao Liang'an, who stubbornly refused the main seat, sitting beside Andrew.
"Mr. Han, you look well. Has something good happened lately?"
"Thanks to Mr. Han's introduction, otherwise I wouldn't have met Mr. Han here... Let me drink a toast first, to congratulate Mr. Han on entering Southland University."
Gao Liang'an had built his business from scratch and knew how to win people over. Well-prepared and familiar with martial artists' personalities, he felt no embarrassment—he even managed to become close with George Han and joked with Andrew Han.
He really had no choice.
Gao Liang'an couldn't find an opportunity to get to know Andrew Han, but now that he had the chance, he decided to express his goodwill directly.
Less scheming, more sincerity—being simple and direct was the best strategy.
George Han, sitting at the head of the table, wore a strange, uncertain expression. "Director Gao? This is my nephew Andrew Han. Perhaps you've mistaken him for someone else?"
Gulp.
Gao Liang'an took the first drink as a gesture of respect, just about to speak.
Andrew Han spoke first, calm and collected, "Don't worry, Uncle. I've met Director Gao at the martial arts gym before—we even chatted for a bit."
"Oh?"
George Han was startled, his hands resting on the round table, eyes filled with disbelief and confusion.
What was Gao Liang'an's status?
Chairman of Riverdale's largest real estate company, a renowned tycoon in the city. For his nephew Andrew to know Gao Liang'an was almost unbelievable.
But on the other side—
Gao Liang'an's eyes lit up with excitement, secretly relieved.
Clearly, Andrew Han had taken the initiative to continue the conversation, essentially acknowledging his goodwill. Gao Liang'an's bold attempt to connect had paid off—whether they actually talked that day was beside the point.
Clatter.
Gao Liang'an picked up the red wine and filled his glass, enthusiastically saying, "Haha, it's an honor that you remember me, sir. Allow me another toast."
Andrew Han pressed down on Gao Liang'an's arm, smiling. "Director Gao, I didn't expect you to know my uncle. Do you have business dealings with him?"
Gao Liang'an replied confidently, "Of course. I've already given instructions—hasn't Xiao Zhang contacted Mr. Han yet?" With that, he turned to look at Rose Zhang, who stood quietly at the door.
"Director Gao."
Rose Zhang said, somewhat aggrieved, "The small high-rise apartments under construction aren't finished yet. I thought I'd wait until they're done before contacting Mr. Han's Shengxing Decor."
Smack.
Gao Liang'an slammed down his wine glass, his face darkening. "What small apartments? I've told you before, Mr. Han is one of our most trusted partners. Not just the small units—every unit under construction, even future projects, should be given priority consideration for Mr. Han."
A look of realization flashed in Rose Zhang's eyes, but her face turned pale. She whispered, "Director Gao, I'm sorry, this was my oversight. I was so busy those days that I forgot to record your instructions. I didn't expect such a serious mistake would happen."
Gao Liang'an snorted coldly, scolding her in anger.
It wasn't until George Han raised his glass to smooth things over that Gao Liang'an stopped scolding, and Rose Zhang cooperatively kept silent... Andrew Han found the whole scene both amusing and exasperating.
Such acting could win an award for Best Actor.
The more he trained in martial arts, the stronger his body became, and his awareness grew sharper and quicker. Andrew Han easily saw through the reality of the situation.
He simply hadn't expected it.
His master Miles Ning wielded such influence, but Andrew still didn't know Gao Liang'an's true status—otherwise, he would have been even more shocked.
"Ahem."
George Han swallowed awkwardly, vaguely understanding, but still unable to believe his nephew had such connections. He could only maintain a smile, chatting casually with Gao Liang'an, probing for information.
Andrew Han occasionally chimed in, sometimes just smiling silently.
His eyes reflected deep thought as he quietly sorted out his thoughts.
Now, Gao Liang'an understood the weight of Miles Ning's reputation and wanted to befriend Andrew Han—much like what happened with Qian Gao before.
Honestly, Andrew Han had little interest in knowing Gao Liang'an—social connections always involved give and take; one couldn't accept benefits for nothing.
But for the sake of his uncle George Han, Andrew decided to change his thinking.
"Since I've become a disciple, I've taken on risks to my life."
"So borrowing my master's reputation for a while isn't a problem. Besides, becoming a martial artist by the end of the year isn't difficult. By next year, I won't need my master's reputation; I'll have my own abilities."
With that thought—
Andrew Han raised his wine glass, filled it with juice, and clinked it with Gao Liang'an's. "Director Gao, since you often work with my uncle, I won't stand on ceremony. My master forbids alcohol, so I'll use juice instead of wine."
Gao Liang'an laughed heartily, "Please, don't be so formal. Juice is just fine."
Clink.
The two wine glasses collided in midair with a crisp sound.
Andrew Han chatted and laughed, while Gao Liang'an drank several times in one go—these moments seemed frozen in time, highlighting George Han's odd expression, and the stunned looks of Aunt Grace, Mindy Han, and Helen Han on the opposite side of the table.
......
Around the round table, the atmosphere gradually grew lively.
But on their side, the air suddenly became silent, as if frozen in a still curtain, displaying a silent array of vivid expressions.
Mindy Han sat in her chair, dumbfounded: "???"
Her round, chubby face was frozen like a statue, filled with an astonishing range of emotions, as she could only stare blankly at her cousin Andrew Han laughing and chatting with Gao Liang'an.
Complicated!
Extremely complicated!
No words could describe even a fraction of Mindy Han's chaotic feelings.
She exchanged a glance with her mother, both sensing some truth, their minds buzzing as if struck by massive gongs, leaving them shaken and weak all over.
"What's going on?"
Helen Han blinked twice.
Her first year at university was just ending; she was still young and inexperienced, and couldn't make sense of the situation before her.
She hesitated for a while.
She scooted closer to her sister Mindy Han and whispered, "Sis, what business deal is this? Is it the one you've been so worried about lately?"
Mindy Han replied quietly, "Mm."
Helen Han continued whispering, curiosity piqued: "You've been frowning these past days, always saying that only if Manager Zhang agrees can you secure the deal. That older man sitting next to our cousin—he can influence Manager Zhang's decision?"
...
......
Mindy Han fell silent, her mind racing.
Her round, chubby face was full of embarrassment. She sighed softly and whispered, "Helen, do you see that Ms. Rose Zhang standing at the door?"
"I see her."
"She is Manager Zhang."