Because of her unusual background, Tong Xiaohuai had few friends growing up. Only now did she have Zeng Xianghuai and Xiaomi, two senior brothers and sisters who were relatively close to her.
To be honest, she actually prefers the current state where she can chat and gossip with others to her rather than being alone.
So when she heard Yan Bo say that Tao Jia was his good friend, she was actually very eager to do so. While feeling uneasy, she also longed to gain the approval of Yan Bo's good friend.
“Sure, is there anywhere she wants to go? I’ll be her tour guide.”
Yan Bo was a little worried that she might get jealous of Tao Jia like she did with the violinist.
Judging from her reaction, she seemed very open-minded, and even looked forward to it.
Yanbo chatted with her for a few more minutes, carefully observing her expression. He then realized that he had been overthinking things. From the moment Tao Jia was mentioned, she had not shown any dissatisfaction or unhappiness.
Tong Xiaohuai is not one to hide her feelings; at least, she is not used to hiding anything in front of him.
Finally relieved, Yan Bo answered Tong Xiaohuai's questions about his childhood and adolescence in detail.
"It sounds like you have a lot of friends. Your life from childhood to adulthood must have been very colorful." Tong Xiaohuai, who usually keeps to herself, had a look of longing on her face.
“Aren’t my friends also your friends? When they come over, I’ll introduce them to you one by one.”
The atmosphere warmed up again, and the unpleasantness caused by the violinist had long since vanished.
After a delicious dinner, Tong Xiaohuai was going to inspect several casinos in the city.
"I'll take you directly to the casino, so the driver won't have to run around."
Near the Western restaurant was a casino owned by the Tong family, and Yan Bo's suggestion was hard for Tong Xiaohuai to refuse.
The car stopped at the casino entrance. Tong Xiaohuai bent down to unbuckle her seatbelt. Yan Bo, who was in the driver's seat, also unbuckled his seatbelt, leaned over, lifted Tong Xiaohuai's chin, and kissed her.
"After you get home and take a shower, remember to text me." After the kiss, Yanbo gently reminded the person he was holding.
Tong Xiaohuai nestled in his arms, glancing at the desolate, withered branches outside, swaying wildly in the north wind, and longingly lingered in his warm embrace.
After hesitating for a moment, she looked up at him and asked, "Are you busy tonight?"
Yan Bo was away for two days, and naturally he had a lot to do, but he wasn't stupid.
"No, is there anything I can help you with?"
My girlfriend is more important than my job.
Tong Xiaohuai shook her head. "I'm not asking you for help. I just wanted to ask if you'd be interested in accompanying me on a tour of the venue?"
Yan Bo was somewhat surprised, "Is it okay for me to come with you?"
Tong Xiaohuai smiled and shook her head, "Of course it's okay, you're my boyfriend, not an outsider."
Strictly speaking, although the Tong family is involved in organized crime, they have grown into what is now a large business conglomerate. Moreover, the Tong family owns almost 90% of the total assets of this vast family business, with only a small portion owned by some old retainers and Tong Xiaohuai's uncles and cousins. Most people are simply paid to work.
As the eldest daughter-in-law, Tong Xiaohuai has no right or qualification to tell anyone who to accompany her on her rounds, except for Tong Xiaohuai and her husband.
Yan Bo was clearly pleased by her saying "we're not outsiders," and he patted her face and readily agreed.
"Okay, since you don't mind, I'll go with you."
Yan Bo, in a very good mood, turned off the engine, got out of the car, walked around, and opened the door for Tong Xiaohuai.
"Isn't Uncle Ming coming with you today?"
Tong Xiaohuai got out of the car with his arm. Although she was very strong, she always received princess-like treatment in front of him.
“I was worried that it would be too late after dinner, so tonight Uncle Ming and I will split up. He will go to inspect the money exchange and the KTV, while I will be responsible for inspecting the casino.”
Since it was a workplace, Yanbo didn't hold her hand as usual; instead, he walked into the casino shoulder to shoulder with her.
Unlike the smoky, chaotic underground casinos he had imagined, this casino was brightly lit and the lobby was crowded, yet orderly.
With just one glance, Yanbo could tell that the management here was quite good.
"Miss, you've arrived!" The casino manager, having been informed by the waiter, jogged over to greet Tong Xiaohuai and bowed.
Tong Xiaohuai nodded to him, then stepped aside and pointed to Yan Bo, saying to the manager, "Brother Zhao, this is my boyfriend, Yan Bo."
The manager had long heard that his boss had gotten involved with Yan San, a rising star in L City, but this was the first time he had seen him in person. Unable to hide his curiosity, he reached out his hand while secretly sizing up Yan Bo.
"Young Master Yan, I have long admired your name."
Yan Bo smiled gently at him and shook his hand. "Manager Zhao, thank you for your hard work. This place looks very nice."
Now that Tong Xiaohuai has included him as one of his own, he naturally has to adopt the posture of a leader.
"It's not hard work at all, it's all thanks to Miss's excellent management."
Manager Zhao knew who this Young Master Yan was, and besides, his young mistress had made it clear that this was her boyfriend, obviously placing him on an equal footing with her. The manager had no choice but to be respectful.
Moreover, although Yan Bo himself appears gentle, the aura emanating from his very bones is enough to command respect without relying on anyone's support.
"Xiao Huai is indeed very capable, but it also requires your hard work and support, doesn't it?"
Yan Bo smiled and walked side by side with Tong Xiaohuai, then, led by Manager Zhao, they took a tour of the casino.
After leaving the casino and waiting for the car to smoothly drive off the main road, Yan Bo asked Tong Xiaohuai.
"Xiao Huai, is this the biggest casino?"
Tong Xiaohuai thought for a moment, then shook her head and gave a negative answer.
"Of course not. This one is probably of medium size. The one in the south of the city is the largest, the one in the north is the second largest, and this one is about the same size as the one in the western suburbs."
Yan Bo had never looked into the Tong family's businesses in such detail before, and now that it was being discussed, he became even more curious.
"How many of the casinos in L City are owned by the Tong family?"
Yan Bo wasn't envious of the Tong family's assets; he was simply surprised that the Tong family's business empire was much larger than he had imagined.
"We own a total of ten venues, including those in the city and suburbs. In terms of quantity, we account for about half, but in terms of business, we should be able to account for 90%."
If Yanbo's previous respect for Tong Laoda was simply that of an elder, this time it's more than just respect.
"Were all these businesses established by Uncle Tong?"
Tong Xiaohuai nodded. "Yes, I heard my dad mention that when he took over the Tong family, the family didn't have many businesses."
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