Chapter 201: Brother Tan Returns to Yanjing

The passion of the night need not be recounted. The next morning, Su Han, usually very diligent, slept in for the first time in front of Zhou Ming and walked slowly after getting up, clearly due to the intense activities of the previous night.

Facing Zhou Ming's sneaky grin, Su Han pouted unhappily. It wasn't until Zhou Ming, pretending to be fierce and threatening to use the "dragon claw" technique, that Su Han coquettishly begged for mercy. Zhou Ming, aware of Su Han's sensitive physique, refrained from teasing her further.

After their playful antics, they finished their morning routines and went downstairs for breakfast. Du Peng was already waiting. Seeing Zhou Ming and Su Han arrive, he asked with concern, "Is Sister Xiaohan alright?"

Zhou Ming shook his head and said, "She's fine. What could happen? We arrived just in time."

Du Peng sighed in relief, "That's good. If something had happened to Sister Xiaohan in Yanjing, I wouldn't have the face to see you again."

"Why do I get the feeling, Du Shao, that you sound like you're trying to escape? I still have millions with you!" Zhou Ming joked.

"Where could I run to? I'm trapped here, and there's no escape from this place!" Du Peng spread his hands helplessly. Afterward, he looked between Zhou Ming and Su Han, sensing that the couple seemed different today, though he couldn't quite pinpoint what had changed.

Zhou Ming noticed Du Peng's confusion and pulled out a set of keys from his pocket, handing them to him. "I've already moved my stuff over. Please cancel one of the rooms later."

Du Peng realized that their relationship had evidently taken a significant step forward last night. No wonder he felt something was off. It turned out their bond had grown closer.

With this understanding, Du Peng chuckled, "Congratulations to the newlyweds."

Hearing Du Peng's awkward congratulation, Su Han's face flushed with shyness. Zhou Ming scolded Du Peng with a playful "get lost."

After the jesting, Zhou Ming inquired about Niu Jie's situation. Although Su Han wasn't harmed, Niu Jie had dared to make advances on her and openly claimed Su Han as his girlfriend in front of Zhou Ming. This infuriated Zhou Ming, and the punch he gave Niu Jie yesterday wasn't enough to vent his anger.

Du Peng understood Zhou Ming's feelings and didn't keep him guessing. He directly informed Zhou Ming that he had someone watching Niu Jie, who hadn't left his home from yesterday to today. Du Peng suspected Niu Jie was avoiding the public due to being aware of the surveillance. Niu Jie's strange behavior was attributed to his parents' divorce, which left him in a state of depression.

"Niu Jie harassing other girls just because his parents divorced? What kind of logic is that? If his parents had died, I might understand," Zhou Ming commented.

"I don't understand his logic either, but don't worry. I've got people watching him. If he dares to come out, I'll make sure he pays for targeting my brother's woman!" Du Peng assured.

Zhou Ming thanked Du Peng and then asked, "By the way, what's the update on the matter I reported to your grandfather yesterday?"

Du Peng shook his head, "No news yet. Grandpa didn't return home yesterday and should be staying in Zhongnanhai, so I don't know the details. However, based on Grandpa's usual style, the fact that he didn't scold me suggests you're likely to get what you bet on."

"Du Peng, aren't you just terrible at explaining things? What do you mean by 'bet on'? It's obvious," Zhou Ming said.

"Fine, you're right," Du Peng conceded.

Zhou Ming and Su Han laughed. In the morning, they visited CCTV to discuss the exclusive sponsorship contract with Deputy Director Liang Gang and agreed on the signing time and payment method. Over the next few days, Du Peng lent Zhou Ming his car and tactfully avoided contacting them, giving the couple time for their honeymoon. Zhou Ming and Su Han explored Yanjing extensively.

Yanjing was not yet the sprawling metropolis of the future. The real city center was just within the Second Ring Road, with large undeveloped areas outside. Zhou Ming thought to himself that if a real estate tycoon from the future were to come back and see Yanjing like this, they'd be ecstatic.

But that was just a thought. After all, Zhou Ming was the only one who had reincarnated. If everyone could reincarnate, the world would be in chaos.

Walking with Su Han in a clean, ordinary alley, Zhou Ming pointed to the old houses and said, "Xiaohan, do you believe that one day these houses will be worth millions? The elderly living here won't need to work anymore. Once this area is developed and the houses are demolished, they'll become millionaires. All they'll need to do is wander around with a radio and a birdcage."

Su Han was astonished, "One of these courtyards worth millions? How can real estate developers and the government afford that? I remember you said that a piece of land you auctioned in Nanjiang was less than ten million, and that land was hundreds of times larger than this courtyard."

"The future development is beyond our imagination."

Zhou Ming smiled, acknowledging that it was indeed hard to imagine a run-down courtyard being worth millions. However, he recalled a past experience where compensation for demolition was ten thousand per square meter. A two-hundred-square-meter courtyard would easily exceed ten million.

Zhou Ming also took Su Han to the Great Wall, climbed up the beacon tower, and remarked, "They say you're not a true hero if you haven't been to the Great Wall. Looking at this, it indeed has a grand, majestic feel."

"But unfortunately, after thousands of years of wind and rain, the bricks are eroded beyond recognition," Su Han sighed.

"This is probably the most original state, though maybe not the very original state," Zhou Ming said, uncertain if the Great Wall had been renovated since. "If I remember correctly, this section should be from the Ming Dynasty, built by the Zhu family to resist the nomads. Xiaohan, you were the history class monitor; it's surprising you forgot this."

Facing Zhou Ming's teasing, Su Han wrinkled her nose in protest.

Originally, Zhou Ming and Su Han planned to enjoy their time for a few more days, but on the third day, a page from Du Peng disrupted their plans.

Brother Tan is back in Yanjing.

Returning to a café in Xidan, Zhou Ming was informed by Du Peng, "Niu Jie has been cooped up at home for three days, not stepping out. But this morning, he suddenly went out. I checked and found that Brother Tan returned to Yanjing today. Niu Jie probably went to seek his support."

Having picked up some new vocabulary from Zhou Ming, Du Peng's usage didn't particularly impress him, but Zhou Ming was more concerned about Brother Tan.

"So, Du Peng, you're saying Brother Tan might help him get back at me?" Zhou Ming asked.

"I'd say there's a high chance," Du Peng said. "After all, we indirectly caused him some losses in Nanjiang, and he hasn't gotten over it. He also couldn't make trouble in Linyang. Now that you're in Yanjing, his home turf, as the city's party secretary, it's better to lay low."

"That's the only option. If he's as fierce as he's said to be, it's better to avoid him," Zhou Ming sighed. "But more importantly, what about your grandfather's situation? It's been three days already. There should be news by now. Isn't our intelligence system quite effective?"

Du Peng said, "There's genuinely no news. Grandpa has been staying in Zhongnanhai for the past few days, and I'm not keen on entering that place. How about I go to Zhongnanhai today and check for you?"

Zhou Ming nodded, "You should go and ask immediately."

"Okay, I'll head over right away."

Du Peng stood up and left the café. Seeing him go, Su Han asked Zhou Ming with concern, "Who is Brother Tan?"

"He's reputed to be the top figure among the younger generation in Yanjing. His father is the city's party secretary, and his family background is very powerful. He's one of the earliest 'capitalists' among the princelings, enjoying significant prestige. Even Du Peng has to show respect to him. If Niu Jie is seeking his help, it could be troublesome," Zhou Ming explained.

"I'm sorry, it's all my fault," Su Han said.

Zhou Ming took Su Han's hand, "It's not your fault. Niu Jie was just asking for trouble. I already had issues with Brother Tan and Niu Jie before. Even if you hadn't been involved, he would have found a way to trouble me once he knew I was in Yanjing."

"Should we leave Yanjing and go back to Factory 760? We could put the advertising and the Spring Festival Gala sponsorship on hold," Su Han suggested worriedly.

"Let's wait for news from Du Peng. This is Yanjing, the capital. Even if Brother Tan is powerful, he should be cautious," Zhou Ming said uncertainly. "But it's hard to predict. What's coming will come

 eventually. We can't escape. Besides, the cancellation of our designation as the production enterprise was Brother Tan's doing. If he truly intends to act against us, leaving won't help. It depends on his intentions."

"But I still feel anxious, like something bad is going to happen," Su Han expressed her worry.

Zhou Ming glanced at Su Han, reassuring her on the surface, but he was also feeling uneasy. However, thinking that he was already a reincarnated person who had died once, what was there to fear? Even Yang Lao had experienced ups and downs; everyone had their struggles. He reassured himself that he wasn't really in danger.

With this thought, Zhou Ming felt a bit more at ease, but he didn't expect the anticipated trouble to arrive so quickly.