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

Hong Kong, the Cheng family.

The family's annual gathering.

Zheng Yongchun's three sons have all returned.

The eldest son, Zheng Chengxiong, stayed in Hong Kong, following his father; the second daughter, Zheng Chengying, went to the United States; and the youngest son, Zheng Chenggong, was exiled to the mainland.

Basically, the eldest son is the future successor of the Zheng Group.

In large families, the eldest son is always chosen over the youngest.

Zheng Chenggong was still somewhat unconvinced and wanted to compete with his elder brother, but after the failure of his real estate investment project in mainland China three years ago, his spirit was completely crushed.

Although he knew that his older brother was definitely behind it and deliberately made him fail, he still comforted him afterwards and decided to give him money to start a business in the electronics industry.

This kind of "beating someone and then giving them a sweet treat" approach means that even if you're unhappy about it, you have to accept it.

If they resist again, they might lose everything they have now.

At the dinner table, the old man suddenly said to Zheng Chenggong, "Third son, didn't you invest in a property in Shanghai before? How's it going?"

The old man would never ask questions without a reason. His investment in Shanghai was only a little over 100 million yuan, which was only a small part of the family's assets.

"Father, that project had been stalled for three years, and I sold it at the end of last year. I sold it all to a rich second-generation from Shanghai." Zheng Chenggong embellished the story, but in reality, he gave it away for free, without receiving a single penny. If his father found out, he would probably scold him again.

"How much did you sell it for?"

Zheng Chenggong felt a chill run down his spine. Could his father already know? Why was he asking such detailed questions?

"Ten million." Zheng Chenggong gritted his teeth and kept up the lie.

Suddenly, the older brother standing next to him exclaimed in surprise, "Only ten million? Oh, for that abandoned project, it's already pretty good that someone is taking over. They can even make a profit of ten million." Zheng Chengxiong's words seemed like a compliment, but they were actually laced with deep sarcasm.

Zheng Chengxiong felt aggrieved. Damn it! Don't give me the chance. If I ever get the right to inherit the family business, I'll do the same thing to you!

Zheng Yongchun suddenly said regretfully, "What a pity. A friend of mine from the mainland said that the area you originally developed is about to have schools, a subway, a hospital, and a commercial district planned around it. You spent the previous three years there, why did you sell it at the last minute!"

Zheng Chenggong could tell that his father was somewhat disappointed in him.

He was completely bewildered!

If favorable policies are indeed introduced, wouldn't the value of that abandoned project he sold increase significantly? With further speculation, a three- to five-fold increase in the short term wouldn't be difficult at all. In the long term, it could potentially increase more than tenfold.

Now, he was filled with deep regret.

"Father, is what you're saying true? I've never heard of it. I even asked around before selling it."

The second sister chimed in, "Third brother, it must be because your connections aren't high enough. Are the people Father knows the same as the people you know? They're all high-ranking officials at the ministerial level or above in the mainland."

"Before you do anything, you should discuss it with your father more often. Don't always make decisions on your own. The pillar of this family is still your father."

Zheng Chenggong thought to himself, "What kind of nonsense are you spouting?"

Did your father agree to you running away to America?

You often consult with your father before making decisions.

If they really did that, their elder brother would skin them alive.

Zheng Yongchun then asked, "Who was the person you sold it to?"

"I've inquired, and he's the illegitimate son of Chen Yun, the media tycoon of East China. But he doesn't seem like someone with inside information; perhaps he bought him by chance."

"That's right, you can try going back and buying it back from him. Just say it was arranged by the family. Giving him two or three times more isn't a big deal."

"It will definitely increase in value tenfold or a hundredfold in the future. The mainland has such a large population and huge potential for economic development."

The eldest son, Zheng Chengxiong, did not quite agree with his father's view. "Father, how poor is the mainland? Without our charity, how could it have developed?"

"If it develops successfully, investing a little in advance is like placing a bet."

After the family dinner, Zheng Chenggong rushed back to Shanghai and contacted Chen Yong.

"Brother Chen, Happy New Year! Do you have time to hang out? I'd like to talk to you about a collaboration, and I also brought you a small gift from Hong Kong."

"Okay, let's arrange a place."

Chen Yong guessed that Zheng Chenggong was looking for him because he knew about the unfinished buildings in Xuhui District and that favorable policies were about to be introduced.

This was news he deliberately leaked, but he didn't expect it to attract Zheng Chenggong first.

That suited him perfectly. He would first see what price Zheng Chenggong would quote him to redeem the item.

Zheng Chenggong and Chen Yong arranged to meet in the business reception room of the International Finance Building.

As usual, Chen Yong brought Xiao Hong along.

"Brother Chen, Miss Xiao, it's nice to meet you again."

"Hello, Mr. Zheng," Xiao Hong replied politely.

Chen Yong was much more natural. "Brother Zheng, where have you been making your fortune lately? Can you mentor me?"

Because these Hong Kong people are connected with the international community, they have access to a wider range of information, which naturally makes their investments more precise.

"What kind of fortune are you talking about? When I went home this time, I even got a scolding from my father."

"What?" Chen Yong asked, pretending not to know.

"Let's not talk about that now. Look at the gift I brought you; Miss Xiao received one too."

Zheng Chenggong was quite generous; he brought Chen Yong a Rolex Submariner. This watch costs over ten thousand in Hong Kong, but its price would increase tenfold in mainland China.

The watches sold in China are all smuggled in from Hong Kong.

"Brother Chen, I noticed you weren't wearing a watch, so I specially brought one for you. A man can't go without a watch. It doesn't show his status."

Chen Yong didn't stand on ceremony. He accepted the gift and said he could befriend Zheng Chenggong, but when it came to business, he would stick to the market and not let it affect their friendship.

"Thank you very much, Brother Zheng."

"I also brought a gift for Ms. Xiao. This is an LV diamond necklace, which suits Ms. Xiao's temperament very well."

When Zheng Chenggong bought it, he actually took Xiao Hong's temperament into account. Even if Chen Yong changed his female companion, there shouldn't be a big difference in temperament. He would give it to anyone.

The two gifts didn't cost much, which made Chen Yong happy, making it easier to discuss things later.

After a few casual words, Zheng Chenggong finally got down to business with Chen Yong.

"To be honest, Brother Chen, the reason I got scolded by the old man when I went back is because of you."

Upon hearing this, Chen Yong knew his chance had come. "Oh? How does this concern me?" Chen Yong asked with an innocent expression.

"Sigh, it's all because of that unfinished building project I transferred to you. When I got back, my father found out, and he scolded me for being useless, saying I couldn't even handle a small project."

"I see. There's no need for you to worry too much, Brother Zheng. Perhaps if you achieve success in another industry, the old man will appreciate you again."

Zheng Chenggong was getting anxious. Why was this kid so clueless? I've already been scolded by my family. You should be helping me think of a way to revitalize the property and sell it back to me.

"The old man also said that I actually have no right to sell the Xuhui project because the investment is family funds. I only have management responsibility, not the right to dispose of the assets."

"Huh? Brother Zheng, what do you mean?"

Chen Yong suddenly became serious. "You're not trying to renege on your debt and go back, are you? Those unfinished buildings now belong to Dongsheng Company."

"Well—I know, don't worry, brother. I'm telling you, my family wants me to compensate you with some money until you're satisfied. That way, you can prove yourself to your family, and I can also explain things to them."

Chen Yong thought to himself, "What a load of crap! If I don't make you bleed a little, I can't even give myself a satisfactory answer."

"Brother Zheng has a point, but even close brothers should keep clear accounts. The situation in that unfinished building area is quite different now than before. I heard from the rumors that the government plans to build schools, subways, hospitals, and shopping districts in that area."

Upon hearing this, Zheng Chenggong felt a chill in his heart. "Could this kid have come prepared?"

"Brother, you believe rumors based on hearsay? To be honest, I heard about this plan three years ago, otherwise I wouldn't have invested in that area. But look what happened? You've seen the government's inefficiency. The news was released three years ago, and it still hasn't materialized. Do you want to wait three years like I have?"

"Furthermore, my father knows a ministerial-level leader here. The plan won't be implemented for at least three to five years. Big capital can afford to wait, but what about individuals? Waiting three to five years—how many opportunities will they miss in the meantime!"

Zheng Chenggong looked like he was earnestly trying to persuade Chen Yong, as if he really cared about his well-being.