Zhou Dafa

"Zhou Dafa? You own this jewelry store?"

Jiang Tian frowned, a little surprised.

"Heh, that's right. To be precise, I own every Zhou Dafa Jewelry store in Great Xia."

Zhou Dafa smiled and nodded.

"Oh my God, he... he really is Zhou Dafa! I saw an interview with him on TV before. He's only in his early forties, and he's already among the top hundred richest people in Great Xia! I actually get to see him in person!"

Jiang Wan'er cried out in surprise.

"Heh, young lady, you know who I am? I'm truly honored."

Zhou Dafa paused, then burst into laughter again.

When Jiang Wan'er realized Zhou Dafa was actually speaking to her, she grew so excited that she could barely get her words out. Clutching her brother's hand, she said, "Brother, he... he actually talked to me!"

Seeing how easily impressed his sister was, Jiang Tian couldn't help rolling his eyes.

Wasn't he just some rich man on Great Xia's wealth rankings?

Even if the richest person on the Forbes list showed up, he would be no more than an ordinary person in my eyes.

"Did you need something?"

After calming Jiang Wan'er down, Jiang Tian looked at Zhou Dafa and asked calmly.

Zhou Dafa paused, slightly taken aback by how unsurprised Jiang Tian seemed.

This young man was interesting. Even after learning who I am, he isn't surprised at all.

Recovering, Zhou Dafa chuckled. "May I ask your surname, young man? Your performance just now truly amazed me. I never expected someone so young to be not only an excellent fighter, but skilled at authenticating jewelry as well."

"You flatter me, Boss Zhou. If there's nothing else, we'll be leaving."

Jiang Tian disliked this sort of insincerity and prepared to leave with his sister.

"Ah, please wait, young man. You helped us through such a serious crisis. How could I possibly let you leave without thanking you?"

But Zhou Dafa stepped forward to stop him.

"Thank me? How? Why not just give me money?"

Jiang Tian looked at him.

Zhou Dafa hadn't expected Jiang Tian to be so blunt. He couldn't help laughing. "Money? That's a minor matter. More than anything, I'd like to be friends with you."

"Let's forget about being friends. If you really want to thank me, just give me eight or ten million."

Jiang Tian shook his head. Dealing with businessmen like these wasn't his strong suit.

"..."

Seeing that Jiang Tian kept bringing everything back to money, Zhou Dafa didn't know what to say for a moment.

"Kid, what's that supposed to mean? Do you know who Boss Zhou is? He's doing you an honor by offering to be your friend!"

One of the bodyguards beside Zhou Dafa couldn't hold back any longer.

This brat had no idea how to appreciate a favor. Countless people scrambled for a chance to be friends with Boss Zhou and couldn't even find a way in, yet he didn't care at all.

"What? Just because he wants to be my friend, I have to agree?"

Jiang Tian's expression hardened as he looked at the bodyguard who was throwing his weight around on his employer's behalf.

"Hey, Xiao Liu, is that any way to speak to him?"

Seeing Jiang Tian's displeasure, Zhou Dafa quickly cut his bodyguard off.

"Boss Zhou, he was clearly the one..."

Xiao Liu protested.

"Enough! He's our benefactor. Don't forget your place!"

Zhou Dafa snapped.

Though Xiao Liu was still unhappy, he could only back down awkwardly when he saw that Boss Zhou was angry.

Zhou Dafa glared at him, then turned back to Jiang Tian with a smile. "If you want money, that's certainly no problem. You've done us such a huge favor. Forget ten million-I'd give you even more. After all, if this store had been shut down, our losses would have been far greater!"

With that, he took out his checkbook and wrote him a check for ten million on the spot.

Jiang Tian accepted without hesitation. After checking that the check was genuine, he nodded. "Then I'll gladly accept. Goodbye!"

Putting away the check, Jiang Tian left with Jiang Wan'er.

Watching Jiang Tian walk away, Zhou Dafa smiled thoughtfully. "An interesting young man."

"Boss Zhou, that kid is far too arrogant. He wouldn't even show you any respect!"

Xiao Liu couldn't resist speaking up again.

"What do you know?"

Zhou Dafa's expression darkened. "He may seem arrogant, but he has real ability. Do you think I'd go out of my way to befriend someone without any talent?"

Xiao Liu paused and asked in confusion, "Boss Zhou, I didn't see anything special about him. Isn't he just a decent fighter? I could have knocked that guy down with one hand too."

Xiao Liu thought Zhou Dafa meant Jiang Tian's fighting ability, which only deepened his disdain. Could a retired elite soldier like me really be inferior to him?

In his eyes, giving Jiang Tian ten million was simply throwing money down the drain...

Looking at Xiao Liu's defiant expression, Zhou Dafa shook his head slightly. "Xiao Liu, you're a long way behind him."

Of course, he couldn't be bothered to explain any further.

It wasn't Jiang Tian's fighting ability he valued, but his skill at appraising treasures...

"Boss Zhou, I'm sorry. This was my mistake..."

The store manager hurried over again, hoping to explain.

"There's no need to explain. I saw everything from outside."

Zhou Dafa looked at the manager coldly. "The Grand Joy City branch is currently our largest store in Yunzhou. I put you in charge because I trusted you. And what did you do? You nearly caused the company enormous losses. You're fired. Get out..."

"What? Boss Zhou, considering how long I've worked for you, please give me another chance..."

Hearing that he had been fired on the spot, the manager was so terrified that his legs gave way, and he dropped to his knees.

"It's only because of that that I haven't taken harsher measures. Take him away. I don't want to see him again!"

Zhou Dafa gave him a cold look, then waved his hand.

"Boss Zhou, please give me another chance!"

But no matter how much the manager pleaded, he was still dragged away.

After the manager was taken away, Zhou Dafa turned to Master Liu.

"Master Liu, is there anything you'd like to say to me?"

Zhou Dafa walked over to him and asked calmly.

Master Liu took off his reading glasses and let out a deep sigh. "Boss Zhou, I'm sorry. This was all my fault. I've betrayed your trust."

"Liu, you've been one of my veteran craftsmen for years. I know your skills well, but there's no escaping the passage of time."

Zhou Dafa looked at him meaningfully.

Master Liu trembled. Looking at Zhou Dafa, he said bitterly, "I understand, Boss Zhou. I've grown old. I hope you can forgive me. I'd like to retire and return home."

"You have my approval. Go to accounting and collect a hundred thousand, as thanks for all your hard work over the years."

Zhou Dafa nodded.

Master Liu gave another bitter smile. I've handled hawks all my life, only to have one peck out my eyes in the end.

"Thank you, Boss Zhou."

He nodded and turned to leave.

But after only two steps, he turned back. "Boss Zhou, before I leave, I have one last suggestion. That young man is no ordinary person. Few people in the industry can spot the overlay technique at a glance. If you can recruit him, you'll have everything to gain and nothing to lose..."