Chapter 38: Father and Daughter

At night, the government office building was brightly lit. Qian Guo placed a document gently on Ge Zhongtian’s desk.

"Boss, I’ve looked into it. The person is indeed named Chu Nan, a senior at Qiling High School, and he has indeed been buying property recently."

"Oh?" Ge Zhongtian arched an eyebrow as he glanced at the information about Chu Nan on the desk. "Where is he buying property?"

Qian Guo pushed up his glasses. "In the old South China district."

A sharp glint flashed in Ge Zhongtian’s eyes. "When did he buy it?"

"Half a month ago. The property transfer procedures were just completed these past few days. However, he didn't buy much—it doesn't exceed two thousand square meters." Qian Guo handed over another document. "This is the specific transaction schedule."

Ge Zhongtian smiled. "Trading at a price of 2,800, which is significantly higher than the market value in the old South China district. Tell me, why would this kid be willing to spend such a large sum of money to buy over 1,700 square meters of property at this particular time?"

"This… I don't know either. I don't even know this kid." Beads of sweat appeared on Qian Guo’s forehead. To prevent leaks, only he and Ge Zhongtian knew about the plan to redevelop the old South China district. Therefore, a leak should have been impossible.

Ge Zhongtian frowned slightly. "That’s strange. Only you and I know about this. Why would he choose this specific time to buy property there?"

"Boss, do you think there’s a possibility..."

"Oh? What kind of possibility?"

Qian Guo whispered in his ear.

"That actually is a possibility..."

"What should we do now?"

"Check if anyone I associate with is related to Chu Nan. Also, besides you, who frequently enters my office? And keep a secret watch on this Chu Nan. See if he makes any further moves. How does an eighteen-year-old kid have so much money to buy so much property?"

"So, you want me to investigate who transferred these funds to him?"

"Yes."

"And boss, what if he continues to buy?"

"Stay put for now. I want to see who is trying to speculate and harm the interests of our citizens. We can give the people behind him a warning when the time is right."

"And if Chu Nan stops buying?"

"If it doesn't exceed three thousand square meters, then leave him be. After all, the little guy did us a favor..."

"Understood. I know what to do." Qian Guo turned and left.

As Qian Guo departed, Ge Zhongtian looked at the fresh, young face in the photo on his desk and couldn't help but speak, "This little guy is rather interesting. He possesses a maturity beyond his years, and he has quite the nerve to spend millions on real estate. Come to think of it, Yuwei is also at Qiling High School..."

Ge Zhongtian returned home after 11:00 PM.

"Dad, you're back."

"Yes. Still reading so late?" Ge Zhongtian changed his shoes, a flash of tenderness in his eyes as he saw his daughter still reading on the sofa.

"It’s not too late. Many people at our school study until one or two in the morning."

"They are them, and you are you. With your current grades, you don't need to study that much to stay ahead. The most important thing for you right now is to get proper rest."

"I know. I'll sleep at twelve. Dad, drink some hot water." Jiang Yuwei poured a glass of hot water for Ge Zhongtian and went back to reading her book.

Ge Zhongtian glanced at his daughter. It had to be said that she was exceptionally brilliant—her grades were even better than his had been in high school. Crucially, she was never distracted and seemed to have nothing in her eyes but her studies. This was why Ge Zhongtian felt so at ease with her, though perhaps this was also why she had so few friends.

However, in Ge Zhongtian's view, having few friends now was fine. Once she entered society, the people she met would be her true friends, and only those people would be able to help her.

"Dad, is there something you want to say?" Jiang Yuwei, who had been reading, suddenly spoke up.

Ge Zhongtian gave an awkward laugh. "No... nothing to say. Just focus on your studies."

Jiang Yuwei looked up at him. "Your eyes were drifting over me for more than three seconds, and your gaze was unfocused. That means you have something you want to ask me. Just say it—don't keep it bottled up."

Ge Zhongtian couldn't help but glare at his daughter. "Look at you, saying that as if I'm dissatisfied with you."

"I'm just giving you a suggestion." Jiang Yuwei lowered her head and continued reading.

"Chu Nan..."

Ge Zhongtian noticed that when he said the name, the movement of his daughter’s pen paused noticeably.

"You know him?" Ge Zhongtian asked, surprised.

Jiang Yuwei nodded. "He is a classmate in my grade."

"What is your relationship with him?"

Jiang Yuwei thought about it for a moment. "I suppose we could be considered friends?"

Ge Zhongtian was even more astonished, as this was the first time his daughter had told him she had a male friend.

"What do you mean 'could be considered'?"

"I don't interact with him much. I borrowed his math notes once, and he helped me out of a sticky situation, so I think we’re friends."

Ge Zhongtian’s expression immediately turned guarded. "Helped you out? What kind of situation?"

Jiang Yuwei remained calm. "A boy from the next class brought me roses and confessed his feelings; Chu Nan chased him away."

Ge Zhongtian’s expression darkened. "These scoundrels—confessing at such a young age, and with roses? You should have told me about this immediately. He hasn't pestered you since, has he?"

"No." Jiang Yuwei shook her head. "Dad, didn't you pursue Mom when you were in high school?"

Asked this by his daughter, Ge Zhongtian felt a bit ashamed, but he defended himself, "Could I be compared to you kids? We could get married at sixteen back then!"

"Oh." Jiang Yuwei nodded, her expression indifferent.

"And you and this Chu Nan haven't developed anything further, have you?" His daughter was so outstanding; she absolutely must not be ruined by some boy before graduating university!

"No, I don't have any feelings for him." Finally, Jiang Yuwei added to herself, "At least, not for now."

"Oh, that's good." Ge Zhongtian let out a sigh of relief.

"Dad, why did you suddenly bring up Chu Nan?" Jiang Yuwei couldn't help but ask.

Ge Zhongtian’s expression returned to calm. "Oh, it doesn't matter if I tell you. The kid spent millions buying real estate. You tell me, where does a kid his age get millions?"

"Is his family very wealthy?"

Ge Zhongtian shook his head. "I looked at his school records. His father is just a grassroots civil servant, and his mother is just an ordinary teacher. They don't look like rich people."

Jiang Yuwei said indifferently, "Maybe his relatives are rich? Regardless, buying property is other people's business, and you have no right to interfere."

Ge Zhongtian sighed. There were some things he couldn't explain to his daughter in detail, so he just nodded. "You're right. I just think the kid is quite mature. My car broke down today, and he was the one who fixed it."

"Oh? He knows how to fix cars?" This time, it was Jiang Yuwei's turn to be surprised.

"Yes, his movements were very practiced. Come to think of it, I owe him a thank you today. If it weren't for him, I likely would have been late to meet an important guest."

"So, Dad, that just makes you look very rude. Someone helped you, and you go and investigate them?" Jiang Yuwei said expressionlessly before picking up her book and leaving.

"Where are you going?"

"To rest." Jiang Yuwei was brief with her words.

Ge Zhongtian watched his daughter’s retreating figure. He didn't know if it was just his imagination, but he felt as if she were angry.

"No way, right?" Ge Zhongtian was stunned. Since when did his daughter defend a boy like that?