1994: From a young man from a small town to a second-generation resident of Shanghai

"Aunt Bai, it's me, Chen Yong."

"Oh, it's Chen Yong. What's up?" Bai Susu's tone was filled with surprise. This was the first time Chen Yong had contacted her on his own initiative, so he must have something to ask of her.

This also made her very happy, because the relationships between people are built up through things.

For the past ten years or so, Bai Susu hadn't taken care of Chen Yong; she was just grateful she hadn't incurred his hatred.

"That unfinished building in the XH district that you mentioned last time, wasn't it supposed to be turned into a school? When will the news get out?"

"The government is still planning this, and it's currently under my approval process. It should be completed around May or June next year."

"What, you've suddenly remembered you want to take over those unfinished buildings?"

"I do have this idea. I plan to make some money, save up some capital, and then do other things."

"You're still young, so don't overthink things. Right now, it's best to focus on your studies for a while. Once you've accumulated enough experience, you'll grow like bamboo shoots after a spring rain, taking off overnight. Don't worry about not having opportunities; there will be plenty of opportunities for young people like you in the future. Opportunities are inexhaustible."

"I know, I haven't fallen behind in my studies either."

"Really?" Bai Susu smiled. She usually kept track of Chen Yong's classes at school.

Don't worry, it won't affect your grades.

After hearing the good news, Chen Yong also registered the new company.

Registering a company is very simple; the main business is real estate.

The next step is to find the contractors of those unfinished buildings, the ones with capital from Hong Kong.

The reason these buildings were left unfinished is said to be because the Xiangjiang Company encountered operational problems and its cash flow dried up.

When the bank heard about the situation, they refused to lend money to Junheng Company.

Once the loan was secured, construction naturally stopped. The original plan was to invest 150 million yuan to build a batch of modern-style residential buildings.

The main structure of the house has been built, and the buildings have been sealed off, but the subsequent decoration work has been put on hold.

The project was suspended for two years.

Fortunately, they didn't pre-sell. They didn't follow Li Ka-shing's sales strategy and didn't cheat ordinary people, which is commendable.

If no one takes over an unfinished building, even if it remains unfinished, it only affects the city's image, and the owner loses tens of millions of dollars in investment.

Chen Yong contacted the person in charge of Junheng Group in mainland China. This group is a family business, which is very common in Hong Kong.

The current head of the family is Zheng Yongchun; and the person in charge on the mainland is Zheng Yongchun's youngest son, Zheng Chenggong.

Zheng Chenggong, what a bastard who dared to choose such a name.

Chen Yong and Zheng Chenggong agreed to meet at the Pudong Financial Building.

Chen Yong also brought Xiao Hong along to help him save face.

Zheng Chenggong also brought a woman with him. While the two men were talking, he told the two women to go and have some fun on their own.

"Mr. Zheng, let me introduce myself. I am Chen Yong, the general manager of Dongxing Happiness Company."

Chen Yong handed over his business card.

Zheng Chenggong glanced at it only once and then turned to look at Chen Yong himself. "Mr. Chen, hello. This is my business card."

"When you're out in the world, you give yourself your own identity, but your true identity is given to you by your parents, and there's no escaping that."

Zheng Chenggong looked to be in his thirties, a typical rich young master, but as the youngest son, he lacked a certain composure.

Unable to remain calm, he received a severe scolding from his father for the failed investment, who told him to quickly withdraw and switch to another industry.

The US and Japan plan to transfer a number of low-end electronics industries to China, which presents a great opportunity.

He's been trying to get rid of this botched project for two years, but various people have been pestering him about it, making him feel utterly miserable.

"Mr. Chen, please just state your purpose. I'm quite busy."

"Then I'll get to the point. I know Mr. Zheng has been through a lot of trouble in the past two years because of a real estate project he invested in in our XH District of Shanghai. I can help you resolve that."

"Oh? You want to take over those unfinished buildings I have?"

Zheng Chenggong keenly realized that perhaps some favorable policy was about to be introduced.

Otherwise, why would anyone want to take over such an unfinished project? Even if it is completed, without policy support, it is a guaranteed loss.

"Otherwise, Mr. Zheng, I saw that the buildings you were building had stopped construction two years ago, and they've stopped construction again two years later."

This is a waste of our land. I'm taking it over and planning to continue developing real estate.

"Mr. Chen, have you heard some good news?"

"Hahaha--!"

"Mr. Zheng, you don't need to test me. I'm just like you, my family has some money. I just happen to have my eye on those unfinished buildings you have. I'm going to do what you can't do and prove something to my family."

Chen Yong cultivated an image of himself as a rich second-generation heir, thus making it less likely to arouse suspicion.

Zheng Chenggong believed it, and Chen Yong did indeed seem like a rich second-generation. When he first arrived, he saw him driving a Mercedes-Benz with a very elegant woman who seemed to be a college student.

Only rich kids would play that.

"I truly admire your foresight. Although my buildings are now abandoned, the land has enormous development potential! Schools and subways will be built around it in the future, and property prices will skyrocket!"

"Brother Zheng, stop trying to make empty promises to me. I've seen that trick too many times with my dad. He's always making empty promises to his employees. Let's get realistic." Chen Yong was like a clear-headed rich kid, a little naive, and a bit stubborn. This kind of person is most likely to gain the trust of other rich kids.

"Ahem. Since Brother Chen is being so straightforward, I'll be straightforward too. I'll transfer this plate of mine for ten million to you."

Upon hearing this, Chen Yong got up to leave, saying, "I treat you like a brother, but what do you take me for? You don't even have basic respect."

"Hey, hey, hey—! Don't go yet, bro. Why are you in such a hurry?"

When someone finally comes along to take over, he'll definitely start by shouting high prices.

"Brother, this plate I'm holding is a real problem. I still owe the bank a loan and have to pay my workers' wages. All of this costs money. If you can sort this out, I'll give you this plate for free!!!"

"Brother Zheng, is that all? Your family is a wealthy clan in Hong Kong, and you can't even afford this little bit of money?"

"It's not that I don't have money. I used to be just like you, only knowing how to spend money. It wasn't until I started making money that I realized how high the time and opportunity costs are. And having cash on hand is also very important. If I throw all my money into this unfinished building, will I even be able to pursue other opportunities?"

"Brother, I'm not lying to you. If you really want it, it's ten million. Or I can give you the whole business for free. You pay the workers' wages, you take responsibility; you pay off the bank loans."

"What's so difficult about that? If Brother Zheng is really willing to give it to me, wouldn't that be letting me get such a great deal for free?"

Zheng Chenggong sneered inwardly. This kid thinks he's gotten a good deal, but once he actually takes over, he'll realize how much trouble he'll face later!

Otherwise, I wouldn't have been stuck with this dilapidated unfinished building for two years.

After their conversation, Zheng Chenggong treated Chen Yong and Xiao Hong to a fine meal.

After a hearty meal, Chen Yong took Xiao Hong directly into the hotel.