“How old is that bodyguard?” Old Tang asked.

“He’s right here beside me,” Qin Kai glanced at Xiao Yifeng.

“Oh, so young, he can definitely go to school,” Old Tang nodded. He had initially thought Qin Kai had found someone in their forties or fifties to enroll in the school. If it was this Xiao Yifeng, there was no problem at all.

“Why didn’t Brother Qin go to Bingyun?” Old Tang inquired.

“If I could, I wouldn’t dare to bother you, Old Tang. It’s just that Miss Tang Bingyun has blocked my phone number, and when I visited her company, I was turned away without even seeing her,” Qin Kai said with a bitter smile. “I’ve never offended Miss Tang Bingyun, so I don’t understand the reason. That’s why I’m here to visit you, Old Tang.”

“I see…” Old Tang paused, then said with some difficulty, “I’ve handed over all matters of the Shuizhe Education Group to Bingyun and haven’t intervened for a long time. Since Bingyun is doing this, she must have her reasons. I’m too old to interfere much.”

Qin Kai couldn’t help but curse the old fox in his heart, but outwardly he remained pleasant, “Old Tang, my company is currently bidding for tenants for the property at Grand Era Square. I wonder if you’re interested?”

“Grand Era Square is a prime location, but my Tang family’s business is small. I’m afraid we can’t afford such high rent,” Old Tang sighed.

“How about 90% off the original price?”

“The jade industry hasn’t been doing well in recent years. Even in a prime location, the earnings might not cover the rent.”

“70%”

“Brother Qin, please don’t make it difficult for this old man.”

“50%”

“Bingyun is a very filial child. I can’t force her to do something she doesn’t want to.”

“30%!”

“Bingyun just gave me an expensive necklace yesterday. How can I make her unhappy?”

“10%!” Qin Kai gritted his teeth.

“Sigh, fine, fine. Since Brother Qin insists, I’ll help you even if it damages my relationship with my granddaughter,” Old Tang reluctantly agreed.

Qin Kai saw this and cursed inwardly: old geezer, old fox… Arranging for a student to enter a private school under the Tang family is a trivial matter. Yet, lowering the rent to 10% would cause a financial loss of at least 30 million!

Spending 30 million to buy a school admission. It’s a huge loss. But for his daughter’s safety, Qin Kai had no choice but to arrange for Xiao Yifeng to enter the school. This old Tang clearly had him figured out.

Old Tang took out his phone and called Tang Bingyun right in front of Qin Kai. It was a matter of a few words, but Old Tang chatted with Tang Bingyun for over ten minutes before hanging up.

“Old Tang, how did it go?” Qin Kai asked with a frown.

“I don’t know why, but Bingyun is particularly resistant to you arranging for Xiao Yifeng to enroll. However, I’ve expressed my determination to get him in, and Bingyun said she’d reply in ten minutes,” Old Tang explained, then reassured, “Don’t worry, Brother Qin. You’ve shown such sincerity; I’ll make sure it happens.”

Qin Kai nodded slightly. Watching Old Tang’s demeanor during the call, it didn’t seem fake. It appeared that Tang Bingyun had a differing opinion. However, he couldn’t figure out when he had offended Tang Bingyun.

…

At the school, although the fire was extinguished and the investigators had temporarily left, the turmoil hadn’t subsided. Students and staff were still shaken, and their emotions hadn’t calmed down. However, under the school’s arrangement, parents gradually left, and students returned to their classrooms to prepare for the afternoon classes.

“Haoran, come over here, I have something to tell you,” Tang Bingyun suddenly approached Wang Haoran as he was about to return to the classroom.

The two of them went to a quiet place suitable for conversation.

“Qin Kai went to my grandfather to have him arrange for Xiao Yifeng to enroll in the school. I don’t know what benefits Qin Kai offered, but my grandfather seems determined to help him,” Tang Bingyun said directly, looking troubled.

Upon hearing this, Wang Haoran pondered. Given the situation, it seemed impossible to prevent Xiao Yifeng from enrolling. If Tang Bingyun were to break ties with her grandfather to stop it, it might affect her relationship with him. Doing so might be a case of losing more than gaining.

With this in mind, Wang Haoran replied, “Just go along with your grandfather, but you can make a request.”

“What request?”

“Xiao Yifeng can enroll, but he must go through the normal process.”

“What normal process?” Tang Bingyun didn’t quite understand.

“It’s like this…” Wang Haoran leaned in and whispered to Tang Bingyun.

After hearing Wang Haoran’s words, Tang Bingyun showed a relaxed and relieved smile. She had a good relationship with her grandfather and didn’t want to go against Wang Haoran’s wishes. If she had to choose, she would be in a difficult position.

[Ding, Tang Bingyun’s favorability towards the host increased by 5, current total favorability is 55 (growing affection)]

[Ding, the host influenced the plot direction, gaining 100 villain points!]

Tang Bingyun immediately took out her phone.

On the other side, Old Tang received a reply from his granddaughter and couldn’t help but smile.

“Old Tang, is the problem solved?” Qin Kai asked expectantly.

“Enrollment is not an issue, but it must be through…” Old Tang was about to answer when a servant suddenly came to report.

“Master, there are officials outside on business.”

“My Tang family is clean and honest. What are they doing here?” Old Tang said displeased.

“I asked, and they said they’re here for the young man with Mr. Qin,” the servant replied.

“Let’s go take a look.”

Old Tang frowned and led the way. Qin Kai and the others followed. Soon, they arrived outside the manor.

Ling Duanya and several colleagues were waiting outside.

“There are so many beautiful women in this city, another stunning beauty,” Xiao Yifeng thought to himself as he eyed Ling Duanya.

“We suspect you’re involved in an assault case and a fire incident. We’d like you to come with us for investigation,” Ling Duanya said as she approached Xiao Yifeng with her colleagues.

“Beauty, I admit to the assault, but what does the fire have to do with me?” Xiao Yifeng joked casually.

“Whether it does or not, we’ll find out after investigating. Please come with us.”

“Beauty, I’m sorry, but I don’t want to go anywhere right now,” Xiao Yifeng said, crossing his arms.

“That might not be up to you,” Ling Duanya signaled to her colleagues, intending to handcuff Xiao Yifeng and take him away.

“If you want to use force, be prepared for the consequences,” Xiao Yifeng warned, still maintaining his relaxed posture.

“Yifeng, don’t act recklessly. Go with them. I’ll help resolve this,” Qin Kai quickly advised.

Assaulting security guards and assaulting Ling Duanya and her colleagues were two entirely different matters.

Hearing this, Xiao Yifeng suppressed his urge to act and followed Ling Duanya and her colleagues into the car.

Meanwhile…

[Ding, the host’s manipulation led to the protagonist Xiao Yifeng becoming a suspect and getting caught, gaining 200 villain points!]