Previously, in their small circle, Su Ming, Li Gao, and Gao Xiang were the only ones who got along well, and both of them always called Su Ming "Big Brother Ming."
Naturally, Li Gao's girlfriend, Zhao Mingzhu, also followed suit and called him "Big Brother Ming."
"Mingzhu is here too! Long time no see! Come, sit down!"
The three of them sat down.
Zhao Mingzhu replied playfully, "It really has been ages. Someone has become so rich now!"
"Rich? I just have some savings, that's all," Su Ming said modestly.
"Come on, don't kid me! I saw on Douyin that you sent three million in cash by courier. That's insane!"
"**Mingzhu!**"
Zhao Mingzhu was about to continue, but she was interrupted by Li Gao.
She immediately realized her mistake and hurriedly said, "Big Brother Ming, I'm sorry, I didn't mean to!"
"Alright, let's leave it in the past. Let's not talk about this. What did you want to talk to me about? Is it because you need more money?"
Su Ming calculated that renting the food court wouldn't be cheap; it would cost at least two million a year. He had given Gao Xiang three million and they had later received another ten thousand from the police station. Now, the food court was already in the renovation phase, which would definitely require a lot of money.
"Yes, Big Brother Ming. We've already invested over three million. The building has three floors, totaling 1500 square meters, and the rent is 2.6 million. This price is quite reasonable!"
"For the renovation, we found a professional team, and they estimated it would cost around two million. After that, we need to divide the areas, design, and attract tenants, which will probably cost another five million or so!"
Gao Xiang listed everything as if he had memorized it, clearly showing that he had put a lot of effort into it.
"Okay, I'll wire seven million to you. Don't cut corners where you shouldn't. Handle it as you see fit!"
"Got it, Big Brother Ming!"
Gao Xiang nodded immediately.
Without further ado, Su Ming took out his phone and transferred the money via mobile banking.
At this moment, the restaurant waiter began to serve the dishes.
Soon, the four of them finished their meal, and Su Ming was preparing to leave. However, Li Gao stopped him.
"What's up?"
Su Ming looked at Li Gao.
Li Gao and Zhao Mingzhu looked a bit embarrassed, and after some hesitation, Li Gao finally spoke, "Big Brother Ming, the thing is, I plan to get engaged to Mingzhu. But there are some issues with her mother, and I need to borrow some money."
"Oh! That's great news! What's this about borrowing? How much do you need?"
Su Ming was pleased. This was indeed good news. After all these years, the two of them were finally going to take the next step.
Li Gao was an orphan and had always worked hard even during college. Now that he wanted to get married, Su Ming naturally wouldn't be stingy.
"Big Brother Ming, I, I want to borrow one, one million."
Li Gao said with a lack of confidence.
"No problem, I'll wire it to you."
Su Ming didn't think much of it. In this day and age, while one million for a wedding might seem a bit much, it wasn't unheard of.
Especially since Su Ming knew that Zhao Mingzhu's mother was a bit materialistic, something Li Gao had mentioned before.
"**Wait, Big Brother Ming!**"
However, as Su Ming was about to transfer the money, Zhao Mingzhu stopped him.
Then, she glared at Li Gao and snapped, "Li Gao, what's going on? Didn't you say fifty thousand? Why are you borrowing so much? Do you think Big Brother Ming's money is made of gold?"
Su Ming frowned, not understanding the situation.
Li Gao, with a pained expression, explained, "Mingzhu, your mother wants me to have a car worth around two hundred thousand, a dowry of one hundred thousand, and at least a hundred-square-meter house."
"I thought if I borrowed one million, we could buy the car and pay half the down payment for the house, which would reduce our repayment pressure."
After Li Gao's explanation, Zhao Mingzhu's anger didn't subside. She said sternly, "Li Gao, I told you, I have fifty thousand in savings. Adding it to your fifty thousand, we can cover the dowry. We can buy a car for around one hundred thousand, and the rest can go towards an eighty-square-meter house. The down payment won't be too much of a burden."
Su Ming's frown relaxed, and he couldn't help but feel that girls like Zhao Mingzhu were truly rare.
Li Gao must have done something good in his past lives to have met her.
"But Mingzhu, I want to give you the best I can," Li Gao said, lowering his head.
Seeing this, Zhao Mingzhu's heart softened, and she took Li Gao's hand, saying softly, "Li Gao, being with you is enough. I don't need all this."
"Now that's what I call a good girl!"
Su Ming felt a pang of jealousy, truly.
He suddenly had the urge to find Li Na and slap her a few times to vent his frustration.
Why is there such a big difference between people?
*Ping! Option triggered!*
*Option 1: Help Li Gao with the engagement, reward: ten times the amount spent.*
*Option 2: Lend Li Gao the money as he wishes, reward: ten million.*
The system's prompt suddenly rang in Su Ming's mind.
Without hesitation, Su Ming chose option one, and a bold plan formed in his mind.
"Damn it, you two, cut it out. Have you considered the feelings of a single dog?"
Gao Xiang's angry voice suddenly boomed.
He was envious, his eyes turning red with envy.
Li Gao and Zhao Mingzhu exchanged a smile.
Then, Zhao Mingzhu said, "Big Brother Ming, fifty thousand is enough. We'll pay you back as soon as possible."
"Alright, no need to say more!"
Su Ming waved his hand and said, "Monkey, is Xiangzi and I your brothers or not?"
Li Gao was taken aback, then nodded solemnly.
"Good! Then, since you grew up without parents, as your elder brother, I'll take care of your affairs. What do you think?"
"Of course, that's great!"
Li Gao nodded.
Gao Xiang also got excited, wearing a fatherly smile that Li Gao found annoying.
"Great! Let's go, first to the car city!"
Gao Xiang quickly took out his phone and called a ride.
Soon, the car arrived, and the four of them headed straight to the car city.
After getting out of the car, Su Ming led the group towards the BMW 4S store.
"Monkey, I remember your dream was to own a BMW, right? Today, I'll make it happen for you!"
Su Ming patted Li Gao's shoulder.
"Big Brother Ming, isn't a BMW, a bit, too expensive?" Li Gao hesitated.
"Come on, Monkey, whatever Big Brother Ming says goes. Listen to Dad!" Gao Xiang jokingly claimed Li Gao as his son.
"Get lost, you jerk!"
Li Gao, furious, kicked at Gao Xiang.
Unfortunately, Gao Xiang dodged the kick with ease, his agility making everyone's hair stand on end.
The four entered the BMW dealership, and a salesperson greeted them with a smile.
"Sir, which model are you interested in? I can show you!"
"7 Series! Do you have any in stock?"
"Sure, we have every model. Please follow me!"
The salesperson led the way, and the group headed straight for the 7 Series.