Chapter 268 - 202: Such a High Income

Of course, for many successful people, earning that much in a month, or even more, wouldn’t be strange.

But just a short while ago, Tang Bin was a factory worker earning only five thousand a month. How could he suddenly be making hundreds of thousands? It was too abnormal. He was probably involved in some kind of scam, just like that other classmate of his.

At that moment, Old Tang said, "Old Shen, our families have been neighbors for so many years, always looking out for each other. Binbin and Meng Meng are only a few years apart. What do you say we unite our families?"

Shen Ming’s face soured as if he’d swallowed a fly. ’I see my daughter as a priceless treasure. And the Tang family’s son? What’s he worth? Forget his sleazy looks; he’s running some kind of scam now. I’d rather my daughter find a decent, honest man than look twice at someone like Tang Bin.’

"Haha, Old Tang, our children are all grown up. We shouldn’t meddle in their lives. Times have changed; we can’t arrange their marriages even if we wanted to."

As they neared his home, Old Tang said, "Of course we can’t arrange it, but we can create some opportunities for them to get to know each other. My Binbin has always had feelings for your Meng Meng. It’s all up to her, really. Now that she’s back, let Binbin take her for a spin in the BMW. They can see how things go."

"Look, that’s my Binbin’s BMW."

Shen Ming looked in the direction he pointed. A white BMW 325 had just pulled over, and a young man with a buzz cut got out of the driver’s seat. It was Tang Bin. To be fair, after being away for half a year, the kid did look more presentable than before. He didn’t know that with money comes confidence, and with confidence comes a certain something called an aura.

Having likely spotted Shen Ming and Old Tang, Tang Bin shouted from a distance, "Dad! Uncle Shen! Aunt Jia!"

Being called out to like that, Shen Ming, who had been about to enter his own yard, found it awkward to leave. Jia Ru said, "Old Tang, Old Shen, I’m going to go start dinner. You two keep chatting. Old Shen, don’t take too long. You need to go buy some braised dishes in a bit."

Tang Bin came closer, pulled out a pack of cigarettes, and offered them to Shen Ming and Old Tang. "Uncle Shen, what are you going to buy? I can drive you," he said.

Shen Ming took the cigarette, and Tang Bin lit it for him. He took a drag and said, "No need. It’s just a short walk. Not worth starting the car."

"It’s no problem, Uncle Shen. A little gas won’t cost much. Besides, I’m earning a lot now. I can afford it."

When he mentioned his high income, both father and son had an arrogant look on their faces. They didn’t think there was anything shameful about running a scam. Their philosophy was that poverty, not vice, was the real shame. As long as you had money, it didn’t matter where it came from.

But Shen Ming, an honest and principled man, was clearly not one of them. "No, thank you. I’ll ride my bike later. I can get some exercise that way."

Just then, Old Tang said, "Binbin, Shen Meng came back today. Your Uncle Shen has to go back soon to make something delicious for his precious daughter."

Hearing that Shen Meng was back, Tang Bin’s eyes lit up. Shen Meng was arguably the prettiest girl in the Shen Family Collection. No, even in Qingzhou, he hadn’t seen anyone more beautiful. His beautiful neighbor had raised his standards so high that any other attractive woman he saw, he couldn’t help but compare to Shen Meng. And they always paled in comparison.

"Uncle Shen, is Shen Meng staying for a few days this time? If you have time, I can drive you all to Sanyang for a visit."

"No need, Binbin. She came with her cousin and other relatives this time. She’s leaving tomorrow and has to be at work the day after since it’s a weekday."

Tang Bin was extremely disappointed. He asked again, "I heard Shen Meng is also in Qingzhou. Which company does she work for?"

He only had Shen Meng’s phone number. Shen Meng had added him on WeChat, then deleted him. While in Qingzhou, he had called her a few times. She only answered the first time, exchanged a few pleasantries, and after realizing he wanted to ask her to dinner, she flatly refused. After that, she never answered Tang Bin’s calls again.

"I think it’s called Futong Commerce. Old Tang, Binbin, I can’t chat anymore. We have guests coming soon, and I need to help Jia Ru prepare the meal."

Shen Meng hadn’t told them she had changed jobs, so Shen Ming still thought she was at Futong Commerce. After finishing his cigarette, he said goodbye to Old Tang and his son and entered his own yard.

Watching Shen Ming walk away, Old Tang sneered, "Old Shen is poor, but he still puts on airs, acting like he has some kind of poor-but-proud dignity. The way he acts, it’s like he looks down on our family."

Tang Bin, following behind his father, said, "Dad, I’m just getting started. By the end of the year, I’ll come back with a Mercedes GLE. We’ll see how he acts then. We have a little money now, and he’s still arrogant. When we’re really rich, what will his pride be worth? Besides, this all comes down to Shen Meng. I refuse to believe I can’t win her over when I’m a multimillionaire."

Old Tang patted his shoulder. "That’s right. My son has made something of himself. You work hard. I watched that girl, Shen Meng, grow up. Her looks and character are both top-notch."

「On the highway.」

Jia Lian sat in the back of a Mercedes C260L, the climate control keeping the car comfortably cool.

"Minmin, look how smoothly Meng Meng drives. I don’t feel any bumps at all back here."

Wu Min pouted. She regretted taking her mom for a spin in her Golf. Ever since then, her mom had been comparing their driving skills. ’Is this about driving skills? It’s the car! The Golf is a performance car, so the ride is a little rougher. How can it compare to a Mercedes, which is designed for a comfortable ride?’

’Besides, we’re on a highway. What bumps could there possibly be on a highway? Sometimes I wonder if she’s even my real mom. Why is she nicer to her niece than to her own daughter?’