100. The Landlord’s Judgment

Bai Haonan finally understood why Yu Jiali didn't wear the kind of designer labels or flashy jewelry he had expected from a wealthy heiress. While part of it stemmed from her lack of pretense and a slightly dowdy, "plain Jane" aesthetic, the most significant factor was her upbringing in the gritty, grassroots environment of the city. Yu Deshui was, after all, nothing more than a boorish nouveau riche who had struck it lucky during the economic reforms.

Yu Jiali was more like the daughter of a pragmatic landlord.

She possessed zero arrogance and was incredibly down-to-earth: "My father has vision and guts. He started dabbling in business when the reforms first began, but he only stuck to industries he understood. He never invested blindly. He used his massive profits to buy land and buildings—all within the city. He bought up a lot of the old residential houses around our neighborhood. So, when the urban redevelopment and demolition projects started a few years ago, we ended up with a lot of these commercial storefronts. We rent most of them out and use a few for ourselves. Because the locations are excellent, the potential for appreciation is huge."

What could Bai Haonan say? Thirty years ago, his own father, Bai Lianjun, was likely just a table tennis player with no future in sight, drifting through life at the district sports school. They were from the same city, roughly the same age, yet their lives had taken such vastly different paths. It was truly a case of "thirty years on the east bank of the river, thirty years on the west"—the same people, but such different fates.

Yu Jiali had a keen ability to read people, or perhaps she just enjoyed staring at him: "What are you thinking about?"

Bai Haonan answered truthfully: "My father is probably about the same age as yours, but he’s been a failure his whole life. My mother left, my son isn’t exactly filial, and he does nothing but drink, gamble, and wait to die. That’s why, when I first met your father, I really wanted to know why people have such different destinies."

A more mature man might have brushed it off lightly or changed the subject, avoiding any display of his inner world, but Bai Haonan spoke his mind.

Yu Jiali leaned forward, resting her arms on the sofa armrest: "But you don't seem like someone from a poor background. Whether in college or work—and while I don't think 'phoenix man' is a respectful term—that type of man definitely exists, and there are quite a few of them. It's an inherent disposition that money and academic success can't change, because the psychology of poverty or the fear of it is etched deep into their hearts. Only those who truly pull off a life-altering comeback can completely change that mindset, and most never do."

Bai Haonan smiled: "I didn't grow up poor, and I started making money quite early. I don't really care about that."

Yu Jiali made a decision: "I... I asked someone to check at that football club. You didn't complete any paperwork there, did you?"

Bai Haonan didn't react with a sharp gaze; he just smiled: "I told you, I just came to visit a friend..." He weighed the situation in his mind in a flash. His experiences in Rongdu had taught him a lesson: "To be honest, my name isn't Wang Jianguo."

Yu Jiali, who had been pleased by his lack of a defensive reaction, was startled: "Huh?"

Just then, movement came from the double mahogany doors next to the reception room. Yu Jiali turned her head quickly, took one more look at Bai Haonan, and stood up, suppressing her words. Bai Haonan saw several figures emerge. Yu Deshui was beaming as he shook hands with someone, bidding them farewell: "Thank you so much for your support. I truly appreciate Secretary Yuedong valuing my reputation. Please rest assured, Jia Zheng Group will fully support your work..."

The three men and one woman who stepped out were clearly officials, and the type who carried a heavy sense of authority. Yet, their expressions were inexplicably warm and easygoing. They held onto Yu Deshui’s hand with great enthusiasm, refusing to let go. In contrast, Yu Deshui, dressed in an off-white Tang suit, seemed much more relaxed, occasionally turning to smile at his daughter and Bai Haonan outside.

The officials naturally followed his gaze to the two young people. Bai Haonan was dressed a bit casually—he only had sportswear in his car—but fortunately, Yu Jiali was also in athletic wear. The young man looked tall and sturdy, the girl petite and sharp. After a week of exercise and diet, she really didn't look that chubby anymore.

The officials, turning toward them, were quite cordial: "Chairman Yu is truly blessed. President Yu is so shrewd and capable; her reputation is growing. It allows you to delegate authority early and enjoy life. I’m envious, truly envious!"

Yu Deshui’s skill at "making money through harmony" was far superior to his daughter's. His every gesture radiated a genuine, comforting warmth: "Jiali has her own ideas and pursuits. I’m very at ease with her work. Now, I’m just waiting to see when I can hold a grandson. Come, Jiali, help me see off Secretary Yuedong, Minister Huimin, and Director Chen. Jianguo, greet the leaders. They’ve been waiting for you." As he beckoned, Bai Haonan noticed the string of Buddhist beads on his wrist—perhaps a habit some bosses adopted to appear cultured?

Bai Haonan thus enjoyed the experience of being warmly shaken hands with by high-ranking officials. It was something he had never experienced before. Yet, he wasn't flustered; the highest-ranking person he’d ever shaken hands with was a sports bureau chief, and he had treated that with the same detached, background-character attitude. It had nothing to do with him; he believed he would never need to beg these officials for anything, so there was no need to wag his tail.

The officials' enthusiasm was measured; they didn't ask who "Jianguo" was, just smiled and invited him to visit Qingyi City in the future. Bai Haonan nodded respectfully, smiling inwardly as he saw them off.

However, the moment the officials entered the elevator with Yu Jiali, and while Bai Haonan’s gaze was still lingering on the back of Director Chen, who wore a red skirt, Yu Deshui spoke from behind him: "Alright, alright, get in here, you little rascal!"

Although it was a casual insult, the tone was one of doting, as if he were scolding a nephew. It was impossible to feel offended; instead, it made one instinctively want to go over and "wag their tail."

Bai Haonan quickly followed him in, glancing at the pile of red folders tossed carelessly onto a small tea table. He realized this might be the sheer power of wealth.

Bai Haonan wasn't a stranger to rich people. The real estate tycoon behind the Blue Wind Club, and the main sponsors who led the Jiangzhou motorcycle industry, would occasionally show their faces at the club. Sometimes, during away games, he would see other club owners. While billionaires weren't exactly everywhere, he had seen more than he could count on his fingers.

But this time, Bai Haonan knew Yu Deshui was different. In the eyes of other owners, he was just an unremarkable player in a sea of athletes. But now?

Bai Haonan couldn't suppress the eager heat rising in his chest.

Yu Deshui’s office was much like the reception room, with a circle of single sofas, only surrounded by antique shelves, bookcases, and a projector. The walls were hung with landscape paintings and images of radiant Buddha light. Bai Haonan couldn't tell if they were valuable, nor could he understand them. On the other side, floor-to-ceiling windows were fully exposed, covered only by thin gauze curtains.

A nanny near the side door wanted to come in to clear the tea cups, but Yu Deshui waved her away. The figure vanished, and the chubby boss sat down comfortably: "Close the door. You look like a sneaky little thief. Don't pull any tricks in front of me. Be honest. Tell me exactly what you do, where you came from, where you're going, and what your plans are." He gestured for Bai Haonan to sit in a side seat, about a meter or two away—a perfect distance for an intimate conversation.

Bai Haonan knew that bosses like this could flip their moods faster than turning a page. The more smiling and kind they appeared, the more disastrous the outcome if they turned against you. Even if they didn't flip to your face, they would strike even harder behind your back. So, he closed the door with extra care and sat in the designated seat, sitting cautiously with his legs pressed together like a shy bride: "Mr. Yu, I have absolutely no disrespectful intentions toward Miss Yu. Any jokes I made before were just to make her look down on a loser like me. I didn't mean to harass her."

When Yu Deshui squinted, a glimmer of sharpness appeared, but it wasn't a fierce, piercing gaze. It flashed and vanished, and when his eyes opened again, he was smiling. Bai Haonan wasn't used to these kinds of looks. Faced with such silent, smiling scrutiny, he could only continue to answer honestly, just as he had promised Yu Jiali a few minutes ago: "The Wang Jianguo ID card was something I picked up at the Rongdu Medical University because the guy looked a bit like me. My real name is Bai Haonan. I was a professional player for the Jiangzhou Blue Wind football team for twenty years. In July, because of match-fixing... helping the bookies and messing it up, I was hunted down. I had to throw everything away and go on the run, planning to hide my name for a few years. That’s it. A person of your status can check my background at any time."

Even Yu Deshui, hearing Bai Haonan admit his real identity so easily—and such a problematic one at that—blinked his eyes several times. But that was all. He laughed, sounding a bit amused: "You told me this voluntarily. Aren't you afraid of falling into my hands and being blackmailed?"

Bai Haonan was cunning, or rather, he had calculated it precisely: "Miss Yu probably won't blackmail me. She said she wants to partner with me to start a fitness center, and I think there's profit to be made, so I told the truth..."

Yu Deshui laughed outright, a hearty, boisterous sound. Just then, the door was knocked and pushed open. Yu Jiali poked her head in, trying to look as demure as possible: "Can I listen? I heard you laughing."

Bai Haonan knew he had no say in the matter. Seeing Yu Deshui beckon his daughter over, Yu Jiali walked in and sat next to her father, trying not to look at Bai Haonan. Her expression was complex, a mixture of emotions even she might not have understood.

Yu Deshui didn't interact with his daughter but asked Bai Haonan directly: "So, how old are you really?"

Bai Haonan admitted that his beard had caused a misunderstanding: "Twenty-eight."

Yu Deshui looked toward the floor-to-ceiling windows, where the outline of the bustling city could be seen through the light gauze. Though the sixth floor wasn't high, he spoke with a tone of profound, prideful experience: "By the time I was twenty-eight, I had made my first million. And you?"

Bai Haonan thought for a moment: "I think I’ve made a few million, and with other things, maybe closer to ten million."

Yu Jiali’s expression finally turned to one of surprise, while Yu Deshui was caught completely off guard, looking like he might have tripped if he had been standing: "Huh? Professional footballers can make that much?" Even if a million thirty years ago had far more purchasing power than ten million today, and it had taken Bai Haonan over ten years to accumulate it, it wasn't something an average person could achieve by twenty-eight.

Bai Haonan nodded: "The income in professional teams isn't high, but once you make the first team, you can earn hundreds of thousands a year. Besides, in the last few years, like I said, with the match-fixing, I could earn a bit more."

Yu Deshui laughed again: "You’re not following the script. You’ve thrown my train of thought off. Shouldn't an ordinary young man say, 'Ah, I’m still far behind,' and then I give some speech about what you should do? What am I supposed to say now? ...Well, right. Since you’ve made so much, why have you ended up in this state? Haha, why is that?"

Bai Haonan found Yu Deshui genuinely interesting and felt a bit bolder: "Bad luck? Actually, I think my luck is quite good. I’m very satisfied with my current situation. Even if I’m on the run, I don’t feel like it’s that miserable. It’s all just living, isn’t it?"

Yu Deshui narrowed his eyes again: "Jiajia said you wanted to meet me to discuss something. If you say things like that, you have no ambition."

Bai Haonan’s thoughts were clear, and he didn't even look at Yu Jiali: "I already explained that I have no designs on Miss Yu. But if I could learn from how you conduct yourself and do business, I think it might be of great help to me in the future. Even if it’s just being your driver, that would work. I’m not educated; apart from football and fitness, I only really know how to drive. Talking about learning to do business is just empty talk. I know people have natural talents, so I just want to learn how you live your life."

Yu Deshui loved to laugh, and this time he was almost breathless. He turned to his daughter: "See that? That’s the most sincere yet unconventional flattery I’ve heard in a long time. Not bad, eh!"

Yu Jiali reached out and grabbed her father’s arm, seemingly applying a bit of pressure: "He wasn't wrong. You are a good person, and his character really does need improvement."

Yu Deshui stopped laughing and looked at his daughter. Yu Jiali didn't yield an inch, her gaze steady and unwavering. Her father shook his head helplessly and pointed at the obedient Bai Haonan: "This is just a scoundrel! He’s drifted along relying on natural luck, but he doesn't know how to cherish anything. He thinks he’s clever, but he’s a scoundrel who doesn't even know what he’s doing! Are you sure you haven't misjudged him? Someone like him could reach forty or fifty and still be a scoundrel, drifting through life and playing with women, relying on his natural good looks to be a playboy. Are you prepared to spend your whole life biting your tongue and being the sucker?"

His tone wasn't harsh; it was more the lament of someone who wanted to see a person improve but saw no hope.

Bai Haonan felt that Mr. Yu wasn't wrong. He wasn't after Yu Jiali, so he accepted the criticism with a clear conscience, feeling no anger at all.

Yu Jiali didn't budge: "I know! But a potential stock only has room for growth when it's still potential. Didn't you lose a fortune when you first took over the street factory? Didn't everyone say it was a wasted mine when you bought your first one? When you bought those dilapidated houses, everyone mocked you for not putting your money into stocks for guaranteed wealth. How did you teach me?"

Yu Deshui wasn't stumped: "That’s investment, this is a person! And this person is a bastard! You know, some people are bastards from childhood and might be bastards their whole lives! The biggest waste of time in this world is giving experience and lectures to young men like this. A thousand words aren't as effective as him falling on his face once. Only failure can teach him how to be a man, and only regret can teach him to grow. Look at him—does he look like he’s failed and feels regret? Without suffering or feeling the pain in his bones, this bastard will never turn his life around. The detours one must take in life... not a single meter can be skipped!"

After saying this, the usually jovial boss rose in a huff and walked out, leaving Bai Haonan to face Yu Jiali.

He only felt slightly awkward.