"Oh, Dean Chen's miraculous hands have brought me back to health. I'm in the bureau now, just finished discussing a personal matter with Old Li and Old Qian."
["So, all your injuries are healed? As expected of Professor Chen! Brother Qin, wait there, I'll drive over to pick you up right away!"]
"Pick me up? Where to?"
["For a meal. You saved me and my brother-in-law. Both of our families have been waiting for you to wake up so we can properly thank you! The restaurant is already booked!"]
"Aiya, look at you, we're brothers! Your brother-in-law is my brother-in-law. Why be so formal?"
Qin Siyang said with an air of seriousness, "Little Zhao, did I do all this just for your gratitude? This was my duty."
["It's not about being formal. Saving a life must be properly appreciated! Anyway, at this meal, it'll just be my dad, my second uncle, and me from my family, and from the Gu family, it'll be my fiancée, my brother-in-law, and my future father- and mother-in-law. No outsiders, it'll be just like a family gathering!"]
"Ai, you won't listen… Fine, I'll wait for you."
["Alright! I'll be there in half an hour!"]
After hanging up, the smile on Qin Siyang's face never faded.
The more he thought about it, the better it seemed, 'I saved the Zhao family's young master, and also the Gu family's young master. Doesn't that mean I'll be soaring in the safe zone from now on?'
'Bitter days are over, sweet ones have come!'
After waiting for a while, he saw a simple yet sturdy city off-road vehicle pull up in front of the bureau.
The window rolled down, revealing Zhao Sifang's bearded face, "Brother Qin, get in!"
"Alright!"
After getting in, Zhao Sifang asked, "Eh, Brother Qin, why are you still wearing that red silk armor? Didn't change clothes?"
"Didn't have time. Too much to handle, woke up and rushed straight to the bureau to deal with things."
"Then let's swing by Xuanxuan Clothing Store and pick out a couple of outfits for you."
Qin Siyang nodded, "Good idea. Meeting the elders dressed like this is a bit inappropriate."
At the clothing store, Zhao Sifang picked out two outfits for Qin Siyang.
And honestly, his taste wasn't bad.
After changing into the casual wear Zhao Sifang picked, Qin Siyang looked both sharp and presentable.
You couldn't even tell he had once come from humble beginnings.
Looking at himself in the mirror, Qin Siyang was very satisfied with his new outfit.
"Brother Qin, I think this is good enough. We can't expect too much, after all, my brother-in-law is ridiculously handsome. Sitting next to him, we just can't compare. No matter what we wear, it won't change that."
Qin Siyang glared at him, "Little Zhao, how can you belittle yourself like that? Compared to Gu Yunpeng, we are just as good!"
"…Brother Qin, if you say that to comfort me, I won't argue. But don't fool yourself…"
"Enough nonsense! Let's go, let's go, let's go! Time to eat!"
"Alright, alright!"
Qin Siyang insisted on paying for the clothes himself, then got back in the car, his enthusiasm dimming slightly.
Just thinking about Gu Yunpeng's ridiculously good-looking face made Qin Siyang's own expression darken, "Hmph! What's so great about being handsome?"
As Zhao Sifang drove, he scratched his beard and said, "Brother Qin, gotta admit, being handsome is pretty useful. You haven't seen how those girls chase after my brother-in-law—it's mind-blowing. I've never experienced that in my life…"
"Just drive!"
"Oh, okay."
Pouting slightly, Qin Siyang followed Zhao Sifang to a hotel.
After stepping out of the car, he looked up at the towering building. Dozens of stories high, nearly reaching the anti-air glass at the top, and his jaw dropped.
"This hotel… does your family own it?"
"No way. My family wouldn't waste money on a vanity project like this. This was built by Warren Trading Guild, one of the three major trade guilds."
"One of the three major trade guilds… Warren Trading Guild?"
"Yeah, the same three guilds that funded the construction of East Glory University. Also, one of the biggest forces in the safe zone."
"Doesn't seem to have anything to do with me."
"Right, Brother Qin isn't involved in business, so of course it doesn't."
When they entered the grand hotel lobby, the staff lined up and bowed in greeting.
A suited lobby manager wearing a tie led the way, "Mr. Zhao, this way please."
Inside the elevator, Qin Siyang glanced at the control panel.
'Damn.'
There were five rows of buttons, each with over a dozen floors.
The manager, following behind them, pressed the button for the 70th floor.
When they arrived, he led them to a private dining room and pulled open the heavy wooden door.
"Please, go ahead."
"Thank you."
Zhao Sifang led Qin Siyang inside.
The room was spacious, with sofas, computers, an extra lounge, and a private bathroom.
At the center was a large Eight Immortals Table, where Gu Yunpeng's family of four and Zhao Longteng and Zhao Longfei were already seated.
"Father, Mother, Dad, Second Uncle, I've brought Brother Qin."
The first elder to speak, Zhao Longfei, who had interacted with Qin Siyang before, waved him over, "Little Qin, sit here."
He pointed to a seat between Zhao Sifang and Gu Yunpeng.
"Thank you, Principal."
"This is a private gathering, no need for formalities. Just call me Second Uncle, like Sifang does."
Qin Siyang smiled, "If I call you Second Uncle like Little Zhao, wouldn't that mean I'd have to call your brother 'Dad'?"
Zhao Longteng laughed heartily, "Little Qin, if you're willing, calling me 'Dad' wouldn't be a problem!"
Originally, Zhao Longteng had some prejudice against Qin Siyang.
But after Qin Siyang risked his life to save Zhao Sifang, all of that was gone.
Now, looking at this sharp young man, intelligent, quick-witted, and truly loyal to Zhao Sifang, he liked him more and more.
If he could officially recognize Qin Siyang as a godson, he wouldn't mind at all.
Qin Siyang, staying tactful, said, "No, that would be too much of a loss for me."
"Hm? What do you mean?"
"Your family's discipline is too strict. Just look at Little Zhao, he can't even have a private dorm in school, and despite being a special recruit, he doesn't get any real privileges. If I became your son, I'd have to suffer like him."
"Little Zhao is hardworking and resilient, I'm not. I've already had my share of hardship; now I just want to enjoy the sweet life."
"Besides, Little Zhao and I are already brothers, and you and Principal Zhao are elders I respect. If you truly like me, it's better to just let me stay free."
"Hahaha, you kid… Fine, fine, I won't make you suffer."
Zhao Longteng laughed heartily.
Qin Siyang's response was both polite and subtly flattering.
Saying their family was strict and hardworking emphasized how well they had raised Zhao Sifang. Not indulging him like a spoiled rich kid.
In front of his future in-laws, this boosted Zhao Sifang's reputation.
Within just a few words, Zhao Longteng and Zhao Longfei were completely won over.
'This kid—sometimes he acts recklessly, but when it matters, he never drops the ball.'
Zhao Sifang, though honest, wasn't stupid. He understood Qin Siyang's intentions and looked at him with deep gratitude.
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