Chapter 51: The Big Boss of the Port City (Part One)

Zhou Ming was initially stunned. "What? Your mom wants you to apologize to Wei Hua? Why? Doesn't she know that Wei Hua is a jerk who bullied and even hit you?"

As Zhou Ming fired off his questions, Tang Rannian shook her head vigorously and lowered it, as if she didn't want Zhou Ming to know her situation. Seeing this, Zhou Ming gently said, "Rannian, what's really going on? I'm your Brother Ming. Whatever problems or grievances you have, you can tell me, and I'll help you. Did Wei Hua go to your mom and complain? Should I help you teach him a lesson?"

Tang Rannian cried even harder, looking up at Zhou Ming and saying, "Brother Ming, my mom wants me to find a wealthy man from South Jiang to date, but I don't like Wei Hua."

Zhou Ming immediately understood. It seemed Tang Rannian and Wei Hua had met through a matchmaking process. Her family wanted her to find a wealthy man from South Jiang. Although Wei Hua was insignificant in Zhou Ming's eyes, he owned a factory and could get a loan from the bank. For ordinary people, this made him a very desirable match. Her family must have been pressuring her to date Wei Hua, and now that Tang Rannian had argued with him, her mom was asking her to apologize to avoid losing such a "catch."

Realizing this, Zhou Ming said, "Rannian, I'll go with you to see your parents. I may not have much, but I have plenty of money."

Tang Rannian suddenly asked, "Brother Ming, how about we date each other?"

Zhou Ming was taken aback. "Rannian, that… that might not be appropriate."

"Brother Ming, are you rejecting me? I don't want to continue with Wei Hua either. Please, just be my boyfriend for now. I know you like Sister Muqing. I just want you to be my temporary boyfriend to stop my parents from pushing me towards Wei Hua. I promise I won't interfere with you and Sister Muqing. Please, Brother Ming!" Tang Rannian pleaded, crying.

Zhou Ming was stunned by her request. He understood her feelings and intentions, but seeing such a cute girl crying and asking him to be her boyfriend was quite overwhelming, especially since Zhou Ming had been a socially awkward guy in his previous life. Even the old man in the communications room was wide-eyed, unable to believe Zhou Ming's luck in attracting such a beautiful girl.

Despite his surprise, Zhou Ming quickly regained his composure and said, "Rannian, don't cry. Since you call me Brother Ming, how could I refuse your request? If you want me to be your boyfriend, I will be a good one. I promise I'll make your parents happy."

Tang Rannian nodded through her tears, saying, "Thank you, Brother Ming. Thank you so much!"

Zhou Ming wiped her tears away and said, "Alright, Rannian, let's go back to your dorm, wash your face, and then we'll go see your parents together."

Tang Rannian agreed, and Zhou Ming took her hand, leading her back to her dorm.

Behind them, the old man in the communications room watched them ascend the dormitory building and sighed, "I must be getting old. I don't understand this at all. Tang Rannian is such a beautiful and lively girl. How did this young man manage to capture her heart?"

---

Zhou Ming and Tang Rannian took a cab to South Jiang Mall, where Tang Rannian's parents worked. When they arrived at the mall entrance, they saw her parents waiting.

Tang Rannian led Zhou Ming over, but before she could speak, her mother, Lin Weixiu, began scolding her immediately. "Rannian, what's wrong with you? Have your dad and I spoiled you so much that you've become unruly? What's wrong with Wei Hua? Why did you argue with him? Do you know how hard it was for your Aunt Wang to introduce you to him? You're not getting any younger. Stop being so willful…"

Tang Rannian's father, Tang Jun, stood to the side, and though he didn't speak, his expression clearly supported Lin Weixiu's words.

Zhou Ming frowned at this. He now understood why Tang Rannian had been so upset earlier. With such parents pressuring her to date Wei Hua, she had no choice. While other girls could return to their parents' home when wronged, Tang Rannian's parents seemed to side with Wei Hua and criticized her instead. It was hard to understand who was truly in the wrong.

"Excuse me, Auntie, but you're mistaken. It's Wei Hua who bullied Rannian and even hit her," Zhou Ming said, unable to listen any longer.

Lin Weixiu noticed Zhou Ming and frowned. "Who are you?"

As Zhou Ming was about to answer, Lin Weixiu noticed he was holding Tang Rannian's hand. She immediately slapped Zhou Ming's hand away and pulled Tang Rannian aside, asking, "Rannian, who is this?"

"Hello, Auntie. I'm Zhou Ming, Rannian's boyfriend," Zhou Ming replied.

Lin Weixiu looked at Tang Rannian, who nodded in agreement. This response triggered Lin Weixiu's anger. "Rannian, you're all grown up now, and you're not listening to me and your dad anymore? I told you to find someone wealthy, preferably from South Jiang. It's better for your future. Why won't you listen?"

Lin Weixiu then pointed at Zhou Ming. "Look at this guy. What's good about him? He looks so poor. If you follow him, you'll be living a hard life. Are you trying to upset us by picking a beggar to make us mad? Are you trying to drive us to our graves?"

Tang Rannian hurriedly explained, "Mom, it's not like that. Zhou Ming isn't what you think. He's a big boss from Port City!"

"A big boss from Port City?" Lin Weixiu sneered. "Did he tell you that? Do you believe him? You're still young and gullible. I've told you not to believe everything people say. Look at him—he doesn't look like a big boss from Port City at all. He's more like a street corner beggar."

"Mom, he really is a big boss from Port City," Tang Rannian insisted.

"Nonsense!" Lin Weixiu retorted. "Rannian, you're getting more stubborn and less obedient. He says he's a big boss from Port City, but just listen to his accent. He's clearly from Lin Yang, and a small-time thug at that!"

Zhou Ming stepped forward and said, "Auntie Lin, whether or not I'm a boss from Port City is not important. What matters is that Wei Hua treated Rannian badly and even hit her. You should check her left arm if you don't believe me."

Lin Weixiu refused to believe Zhou Ming. "You're full of crap! I've seen Wei Hua before; he's a very honest and decent young man. You think everyone is like you?"

"Please, Auntie, take a look at Rannian's arm before making judgments," Zhou Ming urged.

"What's there to see?" Lin Weixiu said dismissively. She glanced briefly but remained hostile, "A bruise doesn't mean much. It might be Rannian's own fault or even something you did. I don't trust you. You look like nothing but a scoundrel. If you don't leave Rannian alone, I'll call the police and have you arrested!"

"Auntie, instead of causing trouble for me, why don't you deal with Wei Hua for Rannian?" Zhou Ming said.

"Don't act so familiar. Who do you think you are calling me Auntie?" Lin Weixiu snapped. "I'm telling you, you're nothing but a small-time thug. Rannian should marry a wealthy man, not someone like you. Stop dreaming and get out of here, or I'll really call the police!"

Lin Weixiu's words left Zhou Ming feeling helpless. It's said that scholars and soldiers can't argue, but in Zhou Ming's opinion, dealing with a stubborn middle-aged woman like Lin Weixiu was even more challenging.

After some thought, Zhou Ming said, "Auntie Lin, I understand. You want Rannian to have a good life and marry someone wealthy, right?"

Lin Weixiu raised an eyebrow. "Finally, you understand? If you do, then get lost. Stop bothering my daughter!"

"But what if I tell you that Rannian didn't lie and I really am a big boss from Port City?" Zhou Ming asked.

Lin Weixiu laughed loudly. "You? With your appearance? You think I don't know? Even if Rannian doesn't understand, I do. Look at yourself and your accent. Even if you were the boss of Lin Yang, I wouldn't believe it! Just leave South Jiang and stop embarrassing yourself. This isn't a place for you!"

"I know talk is cheap. How about this? Here's today's South Jiang newspaper. The second page has a headline about the Port City boss, and there's a photo of me. Compare it and see for yourself," Zhou Ming said, pulling out a newspaper and handing it to Lin Weixiu.

Lin Weixiu took the newspaper with skepticism and indeed saw Zhou Ming's photo on the second page headline.

Lin Weixiu was

 momentarily stunned but still doubtful. "Is this newspaper real? Don't think I don't know. You scammers do things like this."

"If Auntie Lin still doesn't believe me, you can have Uncle buy a South Jiang newspaper and verify it. You'll know if it's true," Zhou Ming said.