The group of friends often ate together, so Chen Zheng also knew Li Hao's girlfriend, Ran Mingyue.

"Whoa! Mingyue is here too. I haven't seen you in ages!" Chen Zheng greeted everyone with a smile.

Ran Mingyue stuck out her tongue. "It really has been a long time. Brother Zheng has become a big boss now!"

Chen Zheng waved his hand with a smile. "What big boss? I've just made a little bit of money, that's all."

"How can it be just a little bit of money? There's a short video going around saying you went to your ex-girlfriend's wedding with her godmother! We're talking about the president of the Xingsheng Group!"

"Mingyue!"

Ran Mingyue wanted to continue but was interrupted by Li Hao.

She immediately realized her mistake and said hurriedly, "Sorry, sorry, Brother Zheng, I didn't mean anything by it!"

Chen Zheng waved his hand. "It's fine. It's all in the past."

"So, why did you all call me over for dinner today? Is the Food City running short on money?"

I was already pondering this on the way over. Leasing the entire Food City can't be cheap. These days, opening a restaurant in the city center could cost seven or eight hundred thousand in rent alone. I gave Li Hao and the others three million last time, and even with the hundred-thousand-plus yuan they got from the police station, they don't have much left. Now that they've leased the Food City, it's time for renovations, which will definitely require a lot of money.

Zhao Gao scratched his head. "Brother Zheng is as sharp as ever!"

"We've already put 2.62 million toward the rent, which is a pretty good deal considering it's over 1,500 square meters. For the renovations, we got an estimate from a company, and it'll cost about the same as the rent. Then, factoring in future activities like promotional rebates for merchants, we'll probably need to invest another five million."

He spoke with such familiarity; it was evident he had run the numbers many times over.

Chen Zheng nodded. "Alright, how about this? I'll give you another seven million to round our total investment up to a nice, even ten million."

"If we're going to do this, let's do it right. Don't skimp on necessary expenses. You guys can decide how to handle the details."

Zhao Gao nodded earnestly. "Got it, Brother Zheng!"

Without any hesitation, Chen Zheng took out his phone and transferred the money to them.

Soon after, the server began bringing the dishes.

After the four of them finished eating, Chen Zheng prepared to leave.

But just then, Li Hao stopped him. "Brother Zheng, there's something I'd like to discuss with you."

"What is it?"

Li Hao and Ran Mingyue looked at each other, a bit embarrassed, before Li Hao finally spoke up. "Brother Zheng! Mingyue and I want to get married, but her mother is making things a bit difficult, so we were hoping to borrow some money from you."

Chen Zheng nodded, a happy expression on his face. "You guys are getting married? That's great! Between brothers like us, you don't need to say 'borrow'. Just tell me, how much do you need?"

He was genuinely happy for them. Li Hao and Ran Mingyue had been together for many years, and they were finally making it official. Li Hao was an orphan and had been a poor student in college, always working part-time jobs to get by. Now that he was getting married, Chen Zheng naturally wanted to support him.

"Brother Zheng… I'd like to borrow a million from you," Li Hao said, scratching his head with embarrassment.

Chen Zheng shrugged. "Sure, I'll transfer it to you right now."

My brother's getting married, and I have the money to help him out. A million is a million. Me, Li Hao, Zhao Gao... The three of us are the best of friends. In our own words, we're the kind of brothers who would sell their houses to save each other.

So, without a second thought, Chen Zheng agreed.

But just at that moment, Ran Mingyue suddenly spoke up, "Hold on, Brother Zheng!"

She looked at Li Hao, slightly angry. "Are you crazy? Why are you borrowing so much money from Brother Zheng? Didn't you say five hundred thousand would be enough? Does Brother Zheng's money grow on trees?"

Chen Zheng was taken aback, not understanding what was happening.

Li Hao scratched his head and said helplessly, "Mingyue, your mother doesn't just want a bride price. She's also demanding that I have a house over one hundred square meters and a car worth more than two hundred thousand. I figured if I could borrow a million from Brother Zheng, we could buy the car outright and only have to take out a mortgage for the house. That would reduce our repayment pressure a bit later on."

Hearing this, Ran Mingyue grew even angrier. She slammed the table. "Li Hao, are you out of your mind? I told you I've already saved up fifty thousand! You just need to come up with another fifty thousand for the bride price! We can get a runabout car for around a hundred thousand, and a house that's about eighty square meters is enough. The pressure won't be that great after the down payment!"

Chen Zheng couldn't help but laugh.

That bastard Li Hao is really lucky to have found a girl as good as Ran Mingyue.

Li Hao scratched his head, lowered his head, and said in a serious tone, "Mingyue… I just want to do everything I can to give you the best life possible."

Ran Mingyue let out a breath. Seeing how earnest he was, she couldn't stay mad. "Li Hao, I'm not marrying you for all that. I just want to be with you, that's all."

Chen Zheng and Zhao Gao exchanged looks.

Now that's what you call a good woman! We both feel like dragging that bastard Li Hao outside for a good beating. He must have saved the world in a past life!

At that moment, the system's voice sounded in Chen Zheng's mind.

[Ding! Congratulations to the host for triggering a choice-based mission.]

[Choice One: A brother's problem is my problem! Assist Li Hao with all the engagement preparations! Reward: A tenfold return on all expenses!]

[Choice Two: Satisfying a brother is satisfying oneself! Fulfill Li Hao's wish by lending him one million. Reward: Ten million.]

Without hesitation, Chen Zheng chose the first option.

An amazing idea has already formed in my mind. I'm sure it'll make Li Hao happy.

He then knocked on the table. "Rat, aren't Zhao Gao and I your good brothers?"

Li Hao was startled for a moment, then responded immediately, "Of course you are!"

Chen Zheng nodded. "Good! Since that's settled, you don't have family, so we'll be your family. Let Zhao Gao and me take care of your wedding arrangements. What do you say?"

Li Hao scratched his head. "No problem!"

Zhao Gao also looked at him, raising an eyebrow. "Great! After having to watch you two be all lovey-dovey for so long, it's finally my turn to get in on the action!"

Chen Zheng laughed too. "Alright then. Since we've finished eating, let's head straight to the Auto Mall!"

Zhao Gao grabbed his phone and ordered a car. A few minutes later, they were all in the vehicle, heading toward the Auto Mall.

The car stopped right at the entrance of the Mercedes-Benz dealership.

"Rat, back when we were in school, you always talked about buying a Mercedes. Today, your big bro is going to make that wish come true for you!"

Hearing Chen Zheng's words, Li Hao was stunned.

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