57: Chapter 57 Who in the world does not know you?

It was impossible for Bai Erru and his wife not to be shocked—even in the Imperial Capital, where a falling billboard could kill several Directors, there were plenty of people in the system who only reached vice-section level treatment by the time they retired.

A twenty-two-year-old section chief meant an incredibly terrifying Family background.

But on second thought, Bai Erru felt that when Zhao Yang said he no longer had any Family, it didn't seem like a lie.

All of a sudden, Zhao Yang became mysterious.

However, a flash of insight soon crossed Bai Erru's mind: "Zhao Yang, did you serve in the military and achieve great merit?"

Zhao Yang smiled and said, "I haven't served in the military. I joined the Jinghai Police Station as a Criminal Investigator after graduating from my undergraduate degree."

"Jinghai!" Bai Erru slapped his forehead hard. "I knew your name sounded familiar! You wouldn't happen to be that Undercover Hero from the Jinghai Anti-gang Campaign, would you?"

"I wouldn't dare call myself a hero," Zhao Yang hurriedly said with humility. "I just did a bit of my duty."

"I knew it!" Yang Jingqiu realized. "I felt Zhao Yang looked familiar! I must have seen him in the newspapers! If you were wearing a police uniform, I definitely would have recognized you at a glance. Back then, I was saying, why would such a handsome young man do such dangerous things!"

"It was all for the requirements of the job," Zhao Yang said with a smile.

Huang Yimei, standing to the side, blinked. Seeing that the look Bai Erru and his wife gave Zhao Yang actually held a hint of respect, a sense of pride welled up in her heart for some reason.

...

At this moment, Huang Zhenhua's expression in the courtyard was not very good.

Zhou Shihui was still reminding him, "I've heard of Bai Erru; he's a great entrepreneur with a Family Legacy business. I can believe someone like him can afford a villa. But how old is Zhao Yang? Even if he can paint and write songs, how much money can he make? Zhenhua, don't be fooled by him! Also, you must remind Yimei not to be deluded by Zhao Yang's appearance! I'm telling you, if you, as her brother, don't step in, then I, as her Master, will!"

Huang Zhenhua was annoyed by his nagging. "We're at someone else's house, let's not talk about this for now!"

Just then, someone rang the doorbell at the courtyard gate.

Yang Jingqiu looked through the intercom and said, "Old Bai, Xiao Bao is here. Did you have an appointment with him today?"

"Look at my memory! I did indeed. Quickly open the door for him." Bai Erru touched his forehead, secretly feeling annoyed—it seemed there would be no chance for Bai Xiaohe to get to know Zhao Yang today.

Seeing that the Bai Family had a guest, Zhao Yang immediately stood up. "Uncle Bai, then I'll take my leave now."

Bai Erru took out his phone. "Don't be in such a hurry to leave, let's exchange contact information! If you create any new paintings, you must tell me. Rest assured, the price I offer will definitely be higher than Qingting auctions!"

"Alright, Uncle Bai, I'll keep that in mind," Zhao Yang said as he exchanged contact information with Bai Erru.

"Fine, then I won't keep you today. Now that we're neighbors, come over and sit whenever you have time!"

"Alright, Uncle Bai." Zhao Yang then led Huang Yimei outside.

Bai Erru followed to see them out and greet the guest at the same time.

By then, Yang Jingqiu had already opened the courtyard gate and invited the guest in.

The man greeted them warmly as he entered. "Yo! Sister-in-law, Big Brother Bai, you have guests... Huh?"

At this point, his body jolted, and his tone changed. "Zhao Yang? Why are you here? Do you know Big Brother Bai?"

Zhao Yang was also stunned—the newcomer was actually the CEO of Lianzhong, Bao Yueqiao.

He couldn't help but smile bitterly to himself.

Well, another layer of his cover was about to be peeled away.

He gave a faint smile. "Mr. Bao, what a coincidence today!"

Bai Erru was even more surprised. "You two... know each other? Xiao Bao, I haven't heard you mention Zhao Yang before!"

"Big Brother Bai, you have no idea..." Bao Yueqiao put on a resentful expression. "This kid has squeezed quite a bit of money out of me! Do you know how much he sold a single piece of software to me for?"

Bai Erru gave Zhao Yang a surprised look—was he also an agent for a Software Company? This made him even more suspicious of obtaining improper benefits.

He suppressed his doubts for the moment and followed Bao Yueqiao's lead, asking, "How much?"

"One million! US dollars!"

Bai Erru couldn't help but be moved—one million US dollars was indeed not a small sum.

Zhao Yang let out a light laugh. "Mr. Bao, what you're saying is unfair. Let's not talk about the effort spent writing that game; just considering how much money that game can make for you, I feel like I asked for too little!"

"A game?" Bai Erru suddenly remembered something. "Xiao Bao, could it be the one you're heavily promoting now... something Legend? My team has analyzed it, and that game will definitely make Lianzhong the most profitable Internet Company in the country!"

Bao Yueqiao smiled. "Besides the legend of mir 2, there's also our company's bejeweled; they're both works of Zhao Yang's team! Actually, I'm not Life Qi that his price was high, I'm just Qi that he's too stubborn!"

"Oh? How so?" Bai Erru laughed.

"Big Brother Bai, you be the judge..." Bao Yueqiao looked aggrieved. "I asked him to join Lianzhong, offering him at least a twenty percent stake in the legend of mir 2, and even had Jian Jing give up his position to Zhao Yang. But do you know what he said?"

"What did he say?"

"He said he wanted to go back to his hometown to be a cop and play with guns!" Bao Yueqiao was so excited his face turned red. "Tell me... can I not be Life Qi?"

Bai Erru patted his shoulder. "I told you long ago to read the newspapers more and care more about social current events! Do you know what Zhao Yang meant by 'being a cop and playing with guns'? It means an anti-gang hero, a recipient of the first-class merit!"

"Huh?" Bao Yueqiao looked bewildered. "Big Brother Bai, what are you talking about? What first-class merit?"

"Let's talk inside." Bai Erru looked at Zhao Yang again. "Zhao Yang, since you and Xiao Bao know each other, you might as well not leave. And Zhou, Huang, you siblings, all of you stay for a simple meal!"

"Yes, don't leave, stay for dinner. I'll have someone prepare it right away!" Yang Jingqiu smiled.

It was hard to refuse such hospitality, so they all agreed.

Huang Yimei was very excited—she found that there were many rare paintings in Bai Erru's home and really wanted to take a few more looks.

Huang Zhenhua whispered to Zhou Shihui, "Did you hear that? One game sold for a million US dollars. Zhao Yang's money comes from a very legitimate source!"

Zhou Shihui, however, seemed a bit distracted. "Who knows if there's some trickery involved! Besides, he's just responsible for selling the software; how much could he actually get?"

Huang Zhenhua sighed. "I say, Old Zhou, why do you have such a big prejudice against Zhao Yang?"

Zhou Shihui didn't speak—he didn't dare say the reason at all.

His peripheral vision swept over Huang Yimei. Seeing her following closely by Zhao Yang's side, a huge sense of loss and powerlessness welled up in his heart. His beloved Rose was about to fly away!

In terms of looks and temperament, he couldn't compare to Zhao Yang.

His talent and status weren't in the same league either.

The only thing he could use to salvage the situation was that Zhao Yang's money wasn't clean! But looking at it now, it seemed even this foothold was about to vanish.

...

Back in the living room and seated, Bao Yueqiao casually asked, "Big Brother Bai, where's your daughter? Off to the Laboratory again?"

"She's upstairs reading! Wait, I'll call her down."

"No need, let her keep reading."

"It's almost time for dinner; she should come out for some fresh Qi. Wait a moment."

Bai Erru then turned and went upstairs, soon bringing down a woman in a white gauze dress with delicate features and an elegant temperament—it was Bai Xiaohe.

She first took the initiative to greet Bao Yueqiao, then her gaze fell on Zhao Yang, and she showed a look of surprise.

Bai Erru couldn't help but be puzzled. "Xiaohe, you wouldn't happen to know Zhao Yang too, would you?"