「At the dining table.」

As time passed, the atmosphere grew lively.

Sun Yu's girlfriend, Wang Tian, was a skilled conversationalist who wasn't afraid to take the lead. From time to time, she would tell a risqué joke, making everyone burst into laughter.

In contrast, Jiang Anmin's girlfriend, Su Qiqi, kept her head down, quietly eating her meal.

The conversation revolved around their old school days, and occasionally, Lin Feng's name came up. Zhang Yuxi was curious to know what kind of person her husband had been back then, so she perked up her ears and listened intently while she ate.

"I remember back in high school..."

"Lin Feng was our class hunk. So many girls confessed to him."

"I don't even know how many love letters were stashed under his pillow in the dorm. I was so jealous it was killing me."

Jiang Anmin chimed in, "That's right, and it was the same during our senior year. Because his grades were so good, many of the girls would chase after him after school, asking him for tutoring..."

As they chatted, Jiang Anmin started talking about his own anxieties about the future. He had studied at a junior college and would soon face the challenge of finding an internship.

He took a sip of his drink and sighed. "It's so hard to find a job now. I want to start a business, but I don't have the capital! It's just... tough."

Su Qiqi consoled him, "Everyone gets anxious as graduation approaches, but you'll find your way. Paths are made by walking them."

Jiang Anmin nodded. "Qiqi, how about we get married after we graduate? I'll invite all of you to the wedding. A small red envelope as a token gift is all that's needed, but I'm sure you all won't be that stingy, hahaha!"

Bao Wen raised his glass. "In that case, let me be the first to wish you two happiness!"

Everyone else followed suit and raised their glasses.

Jiang Anmin then asked about Sun Yu and Wang Tian's plans. Since they both studied locally, they didn't have to worry about a long-distance relationship and could get married sooner.

Sun Yu chuckled sheepishly. "Wang Tian's parents said they want a 200,000 yuan betrothal gift. I haven't figured out where to get that money yet. We'll get married once I have it."

Sun Yu's family wasn't as well off as Jiang Anmin's. Jiang Anmin's family owned a house and a car, and his parents were both stably employed. Sun Yu's parents, on the other hand, ran a business, but in this economy, it was difficult to earn much. It would likely take him a while to scrape together the betrothal gift.

Hearing this, Wang Tian let out a cold snort. "I'll give you two years."

Bao Wen asked, "And what if you can't come up with the betrothal gift by then?"

Wang Tian shrugged. "Then my parents definitely won't agree to the marriage!"

Sun Yu smiled a bit helplessly.

Bao Wen quickly changed the subject. "Hey, Sun Yu, don't worry about it... At least you have a girlfriend. I'm still single."

Bao Wen's family was even less fortunate than Sun Yu's. Seeing that their son wasn't getting any younger, his parents had bought a second-hand apartment in the city, thinking it would make it easier for him to find a partner. But girls these days were so picky... With his chubby face and his family's poor financial situation, Bao Wen was still single.

At this point, Jiang Anmin said, "When Qiqi and I get married, my parents will cover the down payment for a place, and the two of us will pay off the rest of the mortgage."

As for the betrothal gift, Su Qiqi had already asked her parents. According to local customs, it would also be 200,000 yuan.

Suddenly, Lin Feng thought of something. "Honey, I don't think I ever gave your parents a betrothal gift."

Zhang Yuxi was taken aback for a moment. "Oh, you're right."

Everyone else was silent. This was clearly a case of getting on the bus before buying the ticket.

Zhang Yuxi smiled and said, "We're planning the wedding, aren't we? Let's just give it to them then. But even if you do, I don't think they'll accept it. And if they did, they'd probably just give it to me or the babies."

The others remained silent.

Lin Feng nodded. "If they really give it to you, just treat it as pocket money."

Zhang Yuxi knew Lin Feng was now worth tens of millions; a few hundred thousand yuan was nothing to him.

She shook her head. "What would I even spend that much money on..."

Ever since the babies were born and she'd gotten through those first difficult days, Zhang Yuxi had long since shed her extravagant spending habits. She had no choice; she had four babies to raise! That took money! Besides, with how hard it was to earn money these days, wasn't it much better to save or invest it?

Lin Feng asked, "How much do you think would be an appropriate betrothal gift?"

Zhang Yuxi shook her head. "That's something we should probably ask my parents."

If the topic of betrothal gifts hadn't come up at the dinner table, the thought would never have even crossed their minds. The couple began chatting back and forth, completely ignoring everyone else around them.

Jiang Anmin slapped the table. "Hey, you two, have you forgotten about us?"

The couple snapped back to reality, leaving Zhang Yuxi slightly embarrassed. Lin Feng, however, was perfectly at ease. "Come on, everyone, let's cook some meat!"

This was Haidilao, after all, and you could easily spend an hour just eating.

In the middle of the meal, Jiang Anmin suddenly remembered something. "Lin Feng, my aunt opened a real estate agency. A few days ago, someone listed that little villa you used to live in." He only knew because he had gone to see his aunt that day and happened to see the listing.

Lin Feng's expression froze. "Are you sure?"

"Positive! What, are you thinking of buying it? I think it's over two million yuan!"

Without a second thought, Lin Feng said, "Call your aunt. See if the house has been sold yet."

"Alright, I'll give her a call." Jiang Anmin had only mentioned it in passing. Seeing Lin Feng's intense reaction... if the house is still available, is he actually going to buy it?

Sun Yu and the others glanced at one another in surprise.

Jiang Anmin stood up to call his aunt and returned two minutes later. "My aunt said the house is still available. The price was a bit high, so they've dropped it by 200,000. The asking price is 2.55 million, down from 2.75 million. My aunt also said the villa is beautifully renovated, so at this price, it's very reasonable!"

Jiang Anmin looked at Lin Feng. "So, are you going to buy it?"

Lin Feng nodded. "Yes. That house has a special meaning for our family."

It was the house Lin Dashan had bought in Meicheng after making his first fortune in business. He and his wife had personally overseen the renovations, pouring a great deal of heart and soul into it. Lin Feng had moved there in elementary school and had very fond memories of the place. It wasn't until Lin Dashan's investments failed and he was deep in debt that they were forced to sell the villa.

Hearing this, Jiang Anmin's heart pounded in his chest. His aunt had just mentioned on the phone that if his friend bought the villa, she would split the commission with him. She couldn't shortchange her own nephew, after all. Based on a two percent commission, he stood to make over 20,000 yuan!

Not only was Jiang Anmin excited, but Su Qiqi was as well.

Her eyes widened as she said, "Why don't you have your aunt come over right now to show Lin Feng the house? What are we still eating for? Making money is the most important thing!"

She glanced at the time. It was only a little past six. The sun hadn't set yet, making it a perfect time to view a property.

"Great! I'll go call her right now." Jiang Anmin shot up from his seat and rushed out to make the call, his voice trembling with excitement.

"Auntie, come over quickly. My friend is planning to buy it!"

His aunt was stunned. "Are you sure?"

"Positive! If we can settle on a price today, we can sign the contract immediately. And it seems like he's not short on cash; he didn't hesitate at all when he talked about buying it."

"Where are you?"

"We're at the Haidilao in the city center. Come quickly!"

"Okay, I'm on my way!"

Jiang Anmin returned to his seat, a wide grin on his face. "My aunt will be here soon!"

Lin Feng nodded and picked some vegetables from the clear broth for Zhang Yuxi.

Zhang Yuxi smiled softly. "Thanks, honey."

Their public display of affection left everyone else feeling like a third wheel.

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