The next day.

Ye Chen was woken up by the sound of his phone ringing.

Seeing Zhao Jiwei's name on the caller ID, Ye Chen was surprised.

If he remembered correctly, Zhao Jiwei, the second-generation coal tycoon, rarely called him.

"Jiwei, what's up?"

Yawning, Ye Chen got out of bed with a smile.

"Ah, Xiao Ye! Did you just wake up?"

But the voice on the other end wasn't Zhao Jiwei's.

However, the strong Jinxi accent immediately gave the caller away.

"Uncle Zhao?" Ye Chen asked.

Since the last antique auction event ended and they parted ways at the entrance of the Triumph Hotel, he hadn't interacted with this wealthy tycoon again.

He hadn't expected the man to call him now.

"Haha, it's me!" Zhao Qian laughed heartily.

"Uncle Zhao, what can I do for you?"

Ye Chen chuckled, mainly because Zhao Qian's voice was so amusing.

"You Jiangzhou folks love drinking tea and eating pastries, right? I just thought we could have some tea and chat. Are you free?" Zhao Qian said.

"Tea and pastries?"

Ye Chen raised an eyebrow thoughtfully.

Although Zhao Qian seemed like a carefree and reckless nouveau riche, Ye Chen didn't believe the man was someone who wasted time for no reason.

Otherwise, he wouldn't have lasted so long in the ranks of wealthy tycoons with his coal-mining background.

In fact, behind Zhao Qian's seemingly playful demeanor lay a sharpness most rich men couldn't match.

Just look at Zhao Jiwei—there wasn't a trace of second-generation rich arrogance in him.

From the way he educated his son, it was clear Zhao Qian wasn't just some lucky nouveau riche.

Since the last antique fair, many days had passed. Zhao Qian wouldn't call him just for tea.

"Sure, I'm free. Where shall we meet, Uncle Zhao?"

After thinking for a moment, Ye Chen smiled.

"White Swan Hotel, VVIP Guotai Room. How about that?" Zhao Qian said.

Hearing "VVIP," Ye Chen almost burst out laughing.

"Uncle Zhao, don't tell me you bought the White Swan Hotel?" Ye Chen teased.

He figured Zhao Qian must have thought about it.

After all, in his previous life, Zhao Qian had embodied the 'buy, buy, buy' mentality for decades.

But he was joking. The White Swan's background was too significant to simply buy outright.

"Haha! I'd love to buy it, but they won't sell! Honestly, I even asked someone to inquire, but they flat-out refused. So I had to give up!" Zhao Qian laughed loudly.

"Alright then, I'll head to the White Swan soon," Ye Chen replied with a knowing smile.

"Great, I'll wait for you, Xiao Ye!"

After hanging up, a new Rolls-Royce was parked at the entrance of the White Swan Hotel.

In the back seat, Zhao Jiwei sat with a helpless expression.

"Dad, can you stop acting like this? Do you really want to live your whole life as a nouveau riche? Can't you change your ways a little? How about developing some class and elegance?" Zhao Jiwei complained, taking his phone back.

"Change? Why would I change? I can't change! I didn't even finish middle school. I'm just a farmer who caught a lucky break. I'd rather work myself to death than die poor. 'Nouveau riche' is practically written in my bones. How can I change that?" Zhao Qian said seriously.

"Besides, what's the point of changing? I do what I want. People can call me whatever they like behind my back. But if I fake some aristocratic elegance, I'll just end up looking ridiculous. A pig with a green onion in its nose doesn't turn into an elephant!"

Zhao Qian patted his son's shoulder.

"Son, I know 'nouveau riche' isn't a compliment, but this is who I am. I don't have the background to be a noble, so I live comfortably in my own way. I don't care if people mock me. But that's why I send you to elite schools—to build high-end connections. You focus on becoming someone respectable. I'll handle the rest."

Zhao Qian continued without pause.

"I know carrying the title of 'nouveau riche's son' might be tough for you. But wealth can only take me so far. 'Noble' doesn't fit me. So I'm counting on you to succeed and bring some refinement to our family."

For some reason, Zhao Jiwei found himself speechless.

He had complained about his father's ways for years, but Zhao Qian had never opened up like this before.

Now, he realized he might have misjudged his father.

Seeing Zhao Jiwei's silence, Zhao Qian smiled and patted his shoulder again.

"Alright, get out of the car. Let's wait for Xiao Ye inside. Uncle Zhang will join us later too."

"Dad, what exactly are you meeting Ye Ge for?" Zhao Jiwei asked curiously.

"You'll find out soon enough!" Zhao Qian grinned.

He stepped out of the Rolls-Royce without explaining further.

As father and son got out, the driver took the car to the parking lot.

Standing at the White Swan's entrance, Zhao Qian gazed at the grand building.

"Such a nice hotel. Why can't we buy it?" he sighed wistfully.

"Dad, seriously? Do you know the White Swan's background? You might as well try to buy Jiangzhou Tower or the airport while you're at it!"

Any sentimental feelings Zhao Jiwei had vanished instantly.

His father wasn't joking after all—he actually thought about buying the White Swan!

Now Zhao Jiwei felt like pulling his hair out.

"What's the background of the White Swan, then?" Zhao Qian asked, unfazed by his son's tone.

"Uh..."

Zhao Jiwei was momentarily at a loss for words.

"Dad, honestly, all those antiques and paintings you bought are wasted on you."

"I know! I never expected to appreciate them. I just bought them to preserve their value—and to make myself look cultured. Two birds, one stone!" Zhao Qian laughed freely.

Zhao Jiwei: ...