With money paving the way, Xiao Ning soon acquired a three-courtyard house in the wealthy eastern part of the city.
The original owner of the house was a wealthy family in the town, but later the family fell into decline and was acquired by the town government. After being sold, the house eventually ended up in Xiao Ning's hands.
Although the house was somewhat old, it was very quiet, with deep pavilions and spacious courtyards, and with the arrival of Xiao Ning, it gradually came to life.
Standing in the courtyard, as Xiao Ning's blood and energy surged forth, an invisible force swept across the entire residence.
"ah……"
In the darkness, a wisp of white smoke flashed by, as if accompanied by a mournful cry.
This house has been uninhabited for many years, which inevitably attracted some unclean things.
Xiao Ning sensed something as soon as he entered. He had not learned any methods to deal with ghosts and monsters, but under the illumination of that powerful aura, anything hidden in the shadows was instantly killed and turned to ashes.
………………
At noon, the town's most luxurious restaurant, Fulinlou, was packed with guests.
A three-courtyard house sells for 1,500 silver dollars in Renjia Town. Apart from the richest man Ren Fa and the wealthy Huang Baiwan, no one in Renjia Town can afford it.
The town hall's price is simply a bait-and-switch tactic.
Unexpectedly, a young man from out of town bought it without batting an eye and hosted a banquet at Fulinlou Restaurant for prominent figures in the town's official and business circles at noon.
Regardless, everyone who received an invitation came.
Some wanted to probe the outsider's background, some simply wanted to see him make a fool of himself, and others simply wanted to give him face.
Anyway, it's free money if you don't eat it.
"Mr. Xiao, if you need anything in the future, please don't hesitate to ask. I, Huang, will help if I can, and even if I can't help much, I can still lend a hand!"
"Mr. Xiao, please feel free to give me any instructions in the future!"
"We'll take our leave now!"
After the meal, the guests exchanged polite words, wiped their mouths, and left.
Ren Fa stayed at the very back, patting Xiao Ning on the shoulder, clearly quite fond of him.
“In Renjia Town, my words carry some weight. Nephew Xiao, if you ever need anything, just let me know!”
According to Xiao Ning himself, he was all alone in this world, with no ties, and was only twenty years old. He had also studied in the West, which made Ren Fa take notice of him.
Xiao Ning smiled and nodded, cupping his hands in thanks, "Thank you, Mr. Ren!"
"Nephew Xiao, why are you being so polite? I'll just call you Uncle, that's all!"
Upon hearing his words, Ren Fa straightened his face and pretended to be displeased.
Xiao Ning quickly guessed Ren Fa's little scheme, smiled slightly, and bowed respectfully, saying, "It was Xiao Ning's fault. I am grateful that Uncle Ren does not mind. Your nephew Xiao Ning is very polite!"
The old man had no sons, only a daughter.
Judging from his demeanor, he most likely wanted Xiao Ning to marry into his family, hence his exceptionally attentive treatment of Xiao Ning.
Xiao Ning knew perfectly well what was going on, but she didn't refuse Ren Fa's kindness.
"Ha ha!"
Ren Fa was very happy. He patted him on the shoulder and said, "Nephew, now that you've settled in Renjia Town, have you thought about what kind of business you should start?"
Xiao Ning shook his head and said, "I don't have any ideas yet. I want to find out more about the situation in town before making any plans."
Ren Fa narrowed his eyes, took a puff from his pipe, and chuckled, "Alright then, you young people have your own ideas, I won't interfere any further!"
He paused for a moment, then added, "By the way, come over for dinner sometime. My daughter Tingting is home. You two are about the same age, so I can introduce you!"
Goodness, so impatient?
Xiao Ning inwardly complained, but smiled and agreed.
"Alright, I will definitely visit your residence when I have time!"
Little did he know that Ren Fa, having no sons to carry on his family line, doted on his only daughter, Ren Tingting, and allowed her to go to school in the provincial capital.
Originally, there was nothing wrong with it, but in recent years, perhaps because she has broadened her horizons in the provincial capital, Ren Tingting has said more than once that she wants to study in the West in the future.
Ren Fa could not possibly grant her wish. Was going to the West so easy? Although he had never been abroad, he knew that the journey was more than ten thousand miles long. If everything went smoothly, all would be well, but if something went wrong...
Then the only daughter would have been raised for nothing.
Therefore, after much deliberation, Ren Fa decided that he must keep Ren Tingting by his side and absolutely could not let her go abroad.
The only solution is to get her married and start a family.
Only the bonds of marriage and family can completely extinguish her desire to go abroad.
Therefore, since then, Ren Fa has been searching everywhere for a suitable son-in-law.
Unfortunately, Renjia Town is located in the western border region, not in the developed southeastern coastal area, so there are very few outstanding young people.
In Ren Fa's social circle, no young person could catch his eye. They were either poor children with thin, dark skin, or young men from scholarly families who were well-fed and clothed, with fair skin but weak bodies.
As for that distant cousin Awei who coveted his daughter's beauty, he's a complete idiot, best left unsaid!
Until today, a young man, no, you could even say a teenager, has entered Ren Fa's field of vision.