Du Lanxing is older than Mi Guo, currently standing at 160 centimeters. Generally, she won't grow any taller.
Furthermore, Mi Guo carries more worries than Du Lanxing, making his face appear more mature, like a 20-year-old. From the outside, there's not much of a visible difference between them.
However, age is age, and there's a fear that Du Lanxing's family might worry.
For the two of them, this is their youthful prime, and their feelings are naturally as sweet as honey. But when they reach their thirties or forties, the age gap will become apparent. The woman, being older, will undoubtedly look much older than the man.
At that time, it's uncertain if their feelings will remain as sweet as ever.
This kind of worry is common among parents.
Du Laoda himself has married three or four wives. He's easily smitten by young and beautiful women, so when he first heard that Mi Guo wanted to marry Du Lanxing, his immediate reaction was rejection.
Mi Guo and Du Laoda have a very deep business cooperation and meet daily. Because Mi Guo controls a larger amount of capital, Du Laoda usually shows him more respect.
Now, seeing Mi Guo potentially becoming his son-in-law, the father-in-law, Du Laoda, feels a mixture of emotions.
"Young Master Mi Guo, it's not that I have personal dissatisfaction with you. If anything, we are the ones who are marrying up. It's mainly that Lanxing is so much older than you, and I fear things might change later."
Du Laoda can only speak his honest mind.
"Uncle Du, please don't worry. I will definitely treat Lanxing well. In this life, I will only marry her and will not take three wives and four concubines. My parents have a deep and loving marriage, and they absolutely would not allow me to have three wives and four concubines.
Of course, it's not just because they forbid it that I wouldn't do such a thing. It's mainly because I've already sworn that I will be like my parents and marry one person, accompanying her until old age."
Mi Guo's answer truly surprised Du Laoda. It seems good upbringing and family values are very important.
However, anyone can spew sweet words; they aren't always to be believed. Men's characters can change faster than flipping a book. Du Laoda, being a man himself, knows this all too well.
He said, "If it were about other matters, I could trust you, whether it's business or anything else. But on this issue, I truly cannot believe you. For my daughter's happiness, it's best if you two do not be together."
"Uncle Du, why? I sincerely want to marry Lanxing. Please give me a chance?"
Mi Guo was unexpectedly rejected by Du Laoda and couldn't help but become anxious.
Fortunately, although he was anxious inside, having fought and conquered territories with Gu Qingcheng over the past few years, he had developed a strong composure. Even though his heart was in a turmoil, he remained outwardly calm and collected.
Du Laoda didn't expect that Mi Guo, after being directly rejected, would not only not get angry but would also earnestly inquire about his true thoughts.
"Mi Guo, you are a good young man. Our Lanxing is older than you. At the moment, you can't see it clearly, but you don't understand the cruelty of time.
A woman is like a flower in spring; beautiful in bloom but brutal in withering. When her beauty fades, can you still genuinely cherish and care for her?
My youngest daughter is very devoted. Once she throws herself into something, she might not be able to pull herself out. I don't want her to suffer a lifetime."
Du Laoda spoke earnestly.
"Uncle Du, I know that curses and oaths are useless. I think we both operate in the business world, and we best understand capital.
Regardless of whether it's a man or a woman, with capital, one can live well in this world.
You are right, feelings change, and appearances change. Although I can swear to you now that I will be good to Lanxing for a lifetime, we businessmen don't believe in oaths.
For me, time is indeed relatively advantageous, while for Lanxing, time is cruel. So, let me use my assets to bridge this gap.
I am willing to sign a contract, transfer all my assets to Sister Lanxing's name, and all my assets will be at her disposal.
Moreover, even after marriage, all my businesses will be registered under her name. If I displease her, she can kick me out at any time, and I will immediately become a penniless commoner.
Uncle Du, do you think this is acceptable?"
Mi Guo's words completely surprised Du Laoda.
Indeed, for people who conduct business like them, Mi Guo's move was exceptionally brilliant.
No promise is more important than a businessman's assets. Don't they strive and struggle precisely for wealth?
Du Laoda's worry about Du Lanxing being abandoned stemmed from the fear that after marriage, as she aged and her beauty declined, she would end up lonely.
Even though he is powerful now, he cannot protect his daughter forever.
Mi Guo's proposal was the best guarantee. Upon hearing it, Du Laoda knew Mi Guo's sincerity.
However, just for marriage, to receive all of someone's assets felt excessive even to Du Laoda himself, so he hesitated.
Mi Guo, thinking Du Laoda still didn't believe him, said, "I can sign the contract immediately and transfer the assets to Lanxing right away."
Du Laoda felt the young man was too naive. He thought to himself that even if he didn't hand over all his assets, even one-third would be enough for Lanxing to live comfortably for a lifetime.
"This..." Du Laoda couldn't bring himself to say "yes."
Mi Guo then said, "My assets are quite extensive and diverse. It's difficult to detail them all here. I will go back and organize them slowly, note their value, and then transfer them to Lanxing."
"Alright," Du Laoda responded hesitantly.
He thought that perhaps Mi Guo would go back on his word in a few days.
This also served as a buffer period for Mi Guo.
In a few days, when the fervor of Mi Guo's proposal cooled down, he might not even write the transfer agreement and give his assets to his daughter.
After returning home, Mi Guo told Gu Qingcheng what he had said to Du Laoda.
Gu Qingcheng was surprised by Mi Guo's open-handedness in being willing to gift all his assets to Du Lanxing.
Gu Qingcheng showed no particular expression, only calmly asking:
"Mi Guo, tell me honestly, are you truly willing to transfer all your assets to Du Lanxing's name, even if she were to leave you later, you wouldn't regret it?"
"I wouldn't regret it. Marrying her is a lifelong commitment. My money is her money, and her money is my money. What difference does it make to transfer it to her?" Mi Guo said with a smile. "I was an orphan before. If my parents hadn't adopted me, the grass on my grave would be three feet high by now. Everything I have now is extra. I never expected to meet someone I love in this life and want to marry her. So, I feel I should give her my best. Lanxing is my best asset. Being able to marry her is enough for me."
Gu Qingcheng didn't expect her younger brother, Mi Guo, to be such a devoted lover.
Recalling the modern society of the past, wealthy individuals marrying someone from a less fortunate background would often find ways to separate prenuptial and marital assets.