8: Red aid is our inescapable responsibility.

"Fourth Young Master Tang, as long as the price is right, I'll take this house."

Lu Fan got straight to the point, speaking in business terms; there was no way he would take a loss.

Tang Jifeng loosened his tie; reaching the bargaining stage meant there was hope.

He pondered briefly and quoted his bottom price.

"Twenty-five thousand silver dollars for one, or forty-five thousand for both together, take it or leave it!"

Hearing this price, Lu Fan frowned slightly.

He knew Feixia Manor was expensive, but he hadn't expected it to be this costly.

He only had about fifteen thousand dollars on hand.

Even if he haggled aggressively, he still couldn't afford it.

Moreover, judging by Tang Jifeng's demeanor, there probably wasn't much room for negotiation on this price.

Thinking this, he couldn't help but feel a bit disappointed, mixed with some regret.

Who told you to only bring one diamond?

No more.

With one more, he could have secured his dream mansion and established a safe base.

Seeing Lu Fan's expression, Tang Jifeng's hopes instantly turned to bubbles.

In today's Shanghai, not everyone could come up with that much money all at once.

He thought to himself, "If it really doesn't work out, I'll just have to go find that guy!"

At that moment, Wang Tianxi on the side spoke up timely, breaking the awkward silence.

"Fourth Young Master, Mr. Lu has just returned from overseas; talking about silver dollars with him, he has no frame of reference."

Seeing both of them look at him, he quickly and efficiently did the conversion.

"According to the current bank exchange rate between dollars and silver dollars, 1 silver dollar ≈ 0.33 dollars.

Forty-five thousand silver dollars works out to about fourteen thousand eight hundred dollars."

As soon as this price was mentioned, Lu Fan instinctively turned his head and stared intently at Wang Tianxi.

Damn it, this is heading toward emptying my pockets.

Being stared at, Wang Tianxi's heart skipped a beat, and he hurriedly defended himself.

"Mr. Lu, don't look at me like that; I'm a bank manager, I can only provide the bank's exchange rate.

On the black market, the exchange rate is about 1 silver dollar ≈ 0.23 dollars.

But if I exchanged it for you at that rate, I'd be making a mistake."

Hearing this, Tang Jifeng's expression was the exact opposite of Wang Tianxi's.

If the other party really had dollars, that would save him a lot of trouble.

"Brother, Old Wang definitely isn't trying to rip you off; he wouldn't dare even if you gave him two extra guts.

It's mainly that bank regulations are rigid; he's just a salaried employee."

Tang Jifeng glanced at Wang Tianxi and explained the situation factually.

Then he waved at Wang Tianxi, signaling him to leave.

"Fourth Young Master, I just remembered I have something to do; you two chat, you two chat."

Wang Tianxi took the hint and seized the opportunity to excuse himself, stepping out directly.

With only the two of them left in the VIP room, Tang Jifeng laid his cards on the table.

"Brother, if you only have dollars, I'll sell you both houses for ten thousand dollars."

Tang Jifeng gritted his teeth and stomped his foot again, cutting his own price: "If that doesn't work, ninety-eight hundred is fine too!"

This was a big deal, a really big one.

Otherwise, a wealthy guy like the Republic's Wei Xiaobao wouldn't be holding the price so firmly.

"Fourth Young Master, I'm curious, why are you selling the property?"

Lu Fan offered a cigarette, knowing this question likely wouldn't get an answer.

But he still tried probing; just in case there was a chance.

Sure enough, as soon as the question was asked, the conversation came to an abrupt halt.

The two of them sat silently in the VIP room smoking, neither speaking.

It wasn't until Tang Jifeng lit his second cigarette that he slowly spoke up: "Friend, where did you return from?"

"England~~ following my parents' last wish to return to my roots."

Even though Lu Fan didn't want to lie.

He had to pick up this thread of conversation, or else the talk would die again.

"Good to be back! A golden nest or a silver nest can't compare to your own humble home."

Tang Jifeng muttered a couple of lines, then his expression turned serious as he shifted the topic.

"Friend, what's your take on the current situation?"

Lu Fan gave a bitter smile, the answer coming out without hesitation.

"External wolves are eyeing us, internal politics are corrupt, the economy is struggling, people's livelihoods are deteriorating, a storm is brewing."

As long as you weren't a dropout from the nine-year compulsory education system.

You could say a thing or two about this topic.

Hearing this, Tang Jifeng suddenly sat up straight, his expression shocked, his eyes lighting up.

As the cigarette burned out, he sighed, "Brother, your words are pearls of wisdom!"

Lu Fan didn't respond, silently offering another cigarette.

Looking at Tang Jifeng's expression, his curiosity peaked.

He really wanted to see.

What this legend, whom fate had blessed but who always chose to "keep the music playing, keep the dance going,"

Was actually planning to do?

Tang Jifeng took the cigarette and lit it: "Brother, to be honest, even though I'm the Garrison Commander.

Those who know me well know my biggest hobbies are romance and leisure, just idling away.

However, coming to Shanghai this time, I met someone who said something similar to what you just said.

After a night of deep conversation, I started wondering what it would be like if this lazy fish of mine turned over."

His words carried a hint of melancholy, ending with a half-joking self-mockery.

Though Lu Fan didn't know the specifics of the situation.

He had a rough idea of why Tang Jifeng was urgently selling property to raise funds.

The reason was simple: the system gave him a hint.

Just now, the moment the words were spoken, the system's notification sounded.

[Mission Issued: Supporting the War of Resistance is Everyone's Duty.]

With such an obvious freebie, a chance to stand out right in front of him, what more was there to say?

"Fourth Young Master, I'll take the houses."

Lu Fan went all in; this time, whether he gained or lost didn't matter anymore.

If the other guy was willing to sell his assets, what more could Lu Fan say?

No matter who was fighting the war, he had to lend a hand.

He picked up his briefcase and placed it directly in front of Tang Jifeng.

Just do it.

Tang Jifeng opened the bag and saw neatly stacked green bills.

Counting them, there was a whopping fifteen thousand.

"Brother, what's the meaning of this?

We agreed on ten thousand, just ten thousand; what kind of person do you take me for?"

As he spoke, he tried to take out the extra money.

Lu Fan pressed down on Tang Jifeng's hand, stopping him from taking the money, and said firmly: "Even though I'm a businessman.

As the old saying goes, 'Every man has a duty to his country!' Count me in."

Hearing this, Tang Jifeng was completely stunned.

Based solely on his vague words, this guy could almost guess exactly what he was planning to do.

This kid was as sharp as a demon, leaving him in the dust.

Moreover, he knew what those extra five thousand dollars meant.

It was trust in him.

It was support for the war effort, a sincere loyalty to the nation.

This demeanor, this courage—even that friend at Du Mansion would have to admit defeat.

Tang Jifeng took a deep drag and stubbed out his cigarette, lowering his voice.

"Think carefully, this money of mine is to support..."

He didn't finish the sentence, instead using his finger to write the character "red" on the table.

Lu Fan wiped away the character with a swipe and gave a "I understand" look.

Then he calmly said: "I also want to see.

What it would be like if this lazy fish of mine, reeking of money, turned over."

Hearing this, Tang Jifeng was taken aback, then smiled knowingly: "Then shall our two lazy fish turn over together?"

Lu Fan smiled and picked up the thread: "Let's turn over together!"