This sentence made Li Zhonglou's heart skip a beat.
What a familiar scene.
In his previous life, when he was about to leave Qin Prefecture, his senior sister had said the exact same thing, word for word.
Although there was a hint of playful scolding in her words, he knew very well that his senior sister didn't blame him at all and actually hoped he would reach greater heights.
It was just that in his past life, his heart was blinded by hatred, and he couldn't feel many things.
Now, he could finally discern the deep affection within her words.
However, he didn't know how to respond.
"I was just kidding. You're part of my team now, so of course, we need to focus on important matters." Lin Ying then changed the subject. "It's indeed not appropriate for you to continue working as an appraiser in the shop."
"I'll handle the appraiser matters."
"But I have a condition: I want a share in your appraisal platform!"
With Lin Ying's discerning eye, she had already made up her mind the moment Li Zhonglou mentioned the appraisal website.
She wasn't interested in hotels.
But knowing Li Zhonglou's personality, founding an appraisal platform was surely not just about making money. How could she miss out on something so fun?
"It's my honor to have my senior sister join!" Li Zhonglou agreed without hesitation.
He had been wondering how to impress his senior sister, and he never expected her to bring it up herself. They were thinking along the same lines.
"Little junior brother, don't flatter me too much. In such a short time, you not only paid back the one million owed to the shop but also earned over two million," Lin Ying chuckled. "Your ability and methods have truly opened my eyes."
"Joining your project means I'll be making money even while lying down. I won't interfere with any of your decisions."
"As long as my future is secured, that's all that matters."
Li Zhonglou laughed heartily, "Alright, I'll take care of you!"
Lin Ying invested eight million to acquire a 30% stake as an original partner in the live appraisal platform.
Li Zhonglou made a call to Wu Hao, transferred the money into the newly registered company account, and fully entrusted him with the equity change.
After completing these matters, he intended to chat with Lin Ying a bit longer when Jiang Yuxin's call came through.
"Are you busy?" Jiang Yuxin's tone was completely different from before, filled with gentleness. "My father is arriving at the airport at three this afternoon. The company is too busy, and I can't get away. Could you pick him up for me?"
So, his father-in-law was returning to Qin Prefecture.
Li Zhonglou naturally felt it was his duty.
After all, to mend his relationship with his wife, both her parents had to be appeased.
Moreover, he had married into the Jiang family, and his father-in-law had always treated him quite well. Perhaps men understood each other better; he had never been as harsh to him as his mother-in-law.
Picking him up was a matter of course.
Li Zhonglou readily agreed. Seeing that time was not early, he bid farewell to Lin Ying and drove straight to the airport.
He arrived at the exit half an hour in advance.
Finally, he saw his father-in-law, Jiang Hongyi, emerging in a gray trench coat and sunglasses.
Beside him was a young man in a suit and tie, carrying a suitcase. Li Zhonglou recognized him as his father-in-law's secretary, Jin Tang.
"Dad," Li Zhonglou stepped forward to greet him.
Jiang Hongyi saw him, took off his sunglasses, and smiled, acknowledging him. "Why are you here to pick me up? Where's the girl?"
"She's dealing with some company matters," Li Zhonglou knew it was likely related to the cooperation with the Lu Corporation.
Otherwise, given Jiang Yuxin's feelings for her father, she wouldn't have failed to come in person.
"Hmph, I think you're just trying to show off," as soon as he spoke, Jin Tang snorted with a cold exhale.
Even now, he hadn't even glanced at Li Zhonglou.
He wore a condescending expression.
Li Zhonglou's status in the Jiang family was worse than that of a servant, and he was simply not taken seriously by Jin Tang, which was the first reason.
Another reason was that Jin Tang had once pursued Jiang Yuxin relentlessly.
However, Jiang Yuxin had been indifferent to him, and in the end, she had married such a good-for-nothing as Li Zhonglou.
This matter had become his inner demon.
Every time he saw Li Zhonglou, he gnashed his teeth in hatred.
But for the past three years, he had been dispatched to another region with Jiang Hongyi, and there was nothing he could do but endure.
"Is there anything wrong with me showing off to my own father-in-law?" Li Zhonglou replied calmly.
Jin Tang's attitude towards him had always been unpleasant.
He had heard a little about the specific reasons but didn't take it to heart.
After all, a beautiful woman is admired by a gentleman.
Jiang Yuxin was one of the three beauties of Qin Prefecture, and she had many admirers when she was studying. He was already used to it.
As long as they didn't resort to illegal means like Xu Tianhou, it was none of his business.
"Only a waste like you, who is accustomed to living off a woman, can speak so righteously," Jin Tang sneered even more, not caring that Jiang Hongyi was right there.
"Alright, Jin Tang, don't speak so hurtfully. Zhonglou is my son-in-law after all. Haven't those years of resentment been resolved yet?" Jiang Hongyi intervened to ease the increasingly tense atmosphere.
He was a good-natured person.
Jin Tang was also his capable assistant, and neither of them wished to blame him.
Li Zhonglou didn't pay it any mind, took the luggage, and led them to the car.
"Zhonglou, I spoke with the girl on the phone, and she told me about your recent situation," Jiang Hongyi began the conversation after they got into the car. "You did well with Jiang Tao's matter."
"You not only upheld the dignity of the Jiang family but also prevented him from causing further trouble. I haven't thanked you in person yet."
He had been falsely accused by Jiang Tao and Xu Tianhou and had been in a detention center, agonizing day and night.
He was afraid his daughter would fall into Xu Tianhou's trap because of him.
He understood the reasons behind this incident faster than anyone in the Jiang family.
He hadn't expected Li Zhonglou to resolve Jiang Tao's issues so quickly, allowing him to be released safely.
This far exceeded his expectations.
When Jiang Yuxin told him, he was half-skeptical.
After all, he knew very well what Li Zhonglou used to be like.
How could a person change so drastically in just a few days?
It was only when he saw it with his own eyes, the composure and confidence radiating from Li Zhonglou, which were absolutely unseen before, and his composure in the face of Jin Tang's taunts, that he finally began to truly believe that Li Zhonglou was capable of achieving all of that.
"You're too kind, Dad. I am also a part of the Jiang family. If Yuxin and you hadn't supported me back then, my mother would have been in trouble long ago," Li Zhonglou expressed his sincere gratitude. "For these years, you were sent to a remote location because of me, and you've only returned to Qin Prefecture now. You've suffered injustice."
Jiang Hongyi was supposed to be in charge of the Jiang family's power.
However, because he agreed to Jiang Yuxin marrying Li Zhonglou, he had a falling out with the elder.
In a fit of anger, he was dispatched out of the province to manage a branch company.
It had been a full three years. If Jiang Yuxin hadn't taken charge of the Jiang family now, he wouldn't have been able to return.
Being away from home for three years and constantly having to guard against the schemes of Jiang Tao and others, it was no exaggeration to say he had suffered injustice.
"Shameless! Mr. Jiang can return to Qin Prefecture because Yuxin is exceptionally capable, not because of you, a useless son-in-law," Jin Tang's anger flared as he saw Jiang Hongyi's cordial attitude towards Li Zhonglou, and he sneered, "If you have the ability, contribute something to the Jiang family."
"Instead of just boasting!"
"You don't even have the dignity of a man. You're not worthy of Jiang Yuxin at all!"
His words were so harsh and without any restraint.
In his eyes, Li Zhonglou was an absolute good-for-nothing.
And this good-for-nothing had managed to hold onto his goddess for three years. During these three years, he was not in Qin Prefecture and had no way to regain this disadvantage.
Now, he was back.
He would never allow Jiang Yuxin to be occupied by such a waste any longer.
It wouldn't be long before he made Li Zhonglou obediently leave the Jiang family and leave Jiang Yuxin!