After agreeing to return in two days to deliver part of the funds, Lin Guicheng left 2,000 yuan—1,000 for this month’s technical fees and another 1,000 for purchasing some ingredients. As for the processing equipment, Lin Guicheng assured them he would handle the arrangements, given that they would soon be producing chili sauce in large quantities. The usual pots and bowls at home would no longer suffice.
After Lin Guicheng left, the family asked Lin Tuo about his investigation. Only then did Lin Tuo explain in detail.
It was said that Lin Guicheng was originally surnamed Zhou, an orphan adopted by the chairman of a listed company. Raised by the chairman from childhood, he took the chairman’s surname. The chairman treated him well, even gifting him the aquatic company before his death, along with a luxury home and an entire library of books.
Not long after the chairman’s passing, his children squandered the family fortune and seized Zhou Guicheng’s aquatic company. Rumor had it that Zhou Guicheng was nearly killed, hospitalized for a long time, with doctors issuing a critical condition notice—even if he survived, he’d likely remain in a vegetative state. Yet, against all odds, Zhou Guicheng woke up.
After awakening, Zhou Guicheng’s temperament changed drastically. He distanced himself from his family and lived alone. Later, through unknown means, he not only reclaimed the company from the Zhou siblings but also made their lives miserable. However, the mansion had already been sold, and many books from the collection were lost.
After regaining control of the company, Zhou Guicheng divorced his wife, changed his name to Lin Guicheng, and spent the following years searching for the missing books—some bought, others retrieved through extreme measures. He cultivated a group of loyal subordinates, strategically placed in various company positions, ready to act when needed.
One thing was certain: Lin Guicheng was a man of his word in business. As long as one dealt with him honestly, he would never cheat them. On the contrary, he would go out of his way to protect those who did business with him.
After Lin Tuo finished speaking, Lin Yuanmin and Dong Huixin exchanged glances, unsure how to react. Lin Yong was the first to speak: “He’s the kind who operates in both legal and illegal circles. Such people value loyalty but can turn ruthless if crossed. Working with him has risks but also benefits. As long as we stay honest in business, he won’t cheat us, and he might even help us in tough times.”
“The contract’s already signed. What can we do now?” If they had known earlier, the cautious elderly couple might not have taken the deal. Still haunted by past turmoil, they remained wary.
Lin Tuo shared Lin Yong’s view. In business, one inevitably encounters those who try to take advantage. Even a street vendor selling trinkets might face extortion. So, he saw no issue in collaborating with Lin Guicheng.
Lin Fang was even more optimistic, daydreaming: “Once we have money, we’ll register a company—Yiping Lin’s Chili Sauce! Haha, Mom and Dad as partners, unbeatable! Then we can make all kinds of chili sauces—beef, chicken, garlic, fermented bean—oh, just talking about it makes my mouth water. Let’s get rich quick!”
In another world, their family had run a legitimate business with underworld connections—the darkest being Qi Manor. They even had their own enforcers. For self-preservation, Lin Fang had once killed someone with a flying needle. Though this was a lawful society now, as long as they stayed within legal bounds, there was no need for guilt.
*Thwack!* A hand smacked her head. Lin Tuo’s voice came from above: “Money-obsessed! Registering a company isn’t that easy.”
Rubbing her head, Lin Fang retorted, “Why not? Even Xiao Lai from our village, who doesn’t have a penny to his name, registered a company. His business card says ‘General Manager’!”
“Even if it said ‘Chairman,’ he’s the only one in that shell company. Hah!” Lin Tuo laughed, recalling how he’d seen Xiao Lai at the market the other day—dressed in a suit and tie, looking the part, yet unable to pay for a bowl of noodles. The restaurant owner nearly tore off his sleeve before Lin Tuo stepped in to cover the bill.
Lin Yong supported Lin Fang’s idea: “Sis has a point. The business registration bureau isn’t that strict—hence shell companies like Xiao Lai’s. We won’t stoop to that. Let’s produce chili sauce for a while, earn some money, then register properly. Having a company will give us more leverage in negotiations.”
“Alright, let’s do it. We’ll draw the blueprint first. When we actually have money, we’ll turn the paper into a frying pan and cook up a delicious pancake!” Dong Huixin’s words lifted the family’s spirits. The 2,000 yuan they’d received today, though the real work hadn’t started, made them feel hopeful for the future.
Lin Fang left the rest to her family. Her parents were cautious but wise, her eldest brother experienced, and her second brother, though running a small business, had years of dealings in the trade. They were all more capable than her. Her only task was to recover quickly and not burden them.
After settling matters with the Lin family, Lin Guicheng arranged for a telephone line each for their home and the bookstore, citing convenience for communication. Lin Fang went further, requesting call timers and a “Public Telephone” sign to earn extra income.
Lin Guicheng chuckled. “Even pocket change?”
Lin Fang shrugged. “Pocket change? My monthly allowance is only 20 yuan, while the phone’s monthly fee is 28! Maintaining a phone costs more than feeding a person. Plus, calls aren’t free. You’re out of town, Uncle Cheng—long-distance calls are expensive. Every bit counts.”
“I’m covering the phone. It’s not your expense,” Lin Guicheng said, slightly discomfited.
“Even a sparrow’s meat is still meat. This income can go into the bookstore’s earnings—might even surpass book sales!” A phone was convenient, but the cost was steep. Given their financial state, they couldn’t afford to dismiss small earnings.
Nodding, Lin Guicheng said he’d be reachable by phone and prepared to leave. He’d been away from his company for two months and had pressing matters to attend to.
But Lin Fang stopped him. “Uncle Cheng, wait! There’s something I’d like to discuss.”
“What is it? Urgent?” Lin Guicheng turned back, unbothered, and sat down again.
“Well… if you don’t like what I say, just pretend I never mentioned it. Don’t get mad, okay?” She hesitated, wondering if she was overstepping.
“You haven’t even said it yet. How do you know I’ll be angry? Fine, no matter what, I won’t get angry. Deal?”
“Great! No take-backs! So, I heard from a well-connected source at school that the government plans to develop the large plot near our campus. They’re still negotiating with the farmers. I was thinking—could we invest in something before the deal’s finalized?”
She then explained about the natural hot springs nearby and the government’s tourism plans, adding her own insights while attributing everything to her “well-connected source.”
After listening, Lin Guicheng fell into thought. Lin Fang waited quietly.
Finally, he spoke. “This is a good opportunity. If the intel’s accurate, investing now—even just holding the land—could be highly profitable. Why would I be angry? I should thank you.”
“I… I wanted to ask if you could pay our family’s technical fees upfront. That way, we could buy land now. You know we’re broke, and timing is everything. Miss this chance, and it’s gone.”
She watched him closely, unsure how this man of dual allegiances would react.
Lin Guicheng studied her. Her mind worked fast. If the tip was real, the profits could be substantial.
“Uncle Cheng, forget it if it’s not possible.” Lin Fang deflated under his gaze.
Chuckling, he asked, “If you bought the land, what would you do with it?”
“Really? You’re not mad?” Delighted, she shared her idea. “Right now, it’s just wasteland—only our school nearby. But we could start with a simple snack stall.”
Lin Guicheng frowned. “A snack stall? With no customers?”
“For the students! Our school cafeteria never makes enough. Those at the back of the line either get nothing or cold food—bad in winter. And there are no eateries nearby. Plus, at our age, we’re always hungry. Even those who eat are starving again by the next class, with nowhere to buy food. They just suffer till dismissal.”
“I see. Leave this to me. I’ll discuss it with your family. You’re still young—some things are better handled by adults. Time’s of the essence. I’ll head to your place now.” He postponed his return to the company.
With her current capabilities, this was all she could do. The rest was up to her second brother.
Since school kept her busy, the bookstore only opened fully on weekends. Feeling guilty about taking wages without working, Lin Fang asked Rouqiu to inform her family she wouldn’t be home on weekends.
Rouqiu had recently resolved to study hard—whether or not he inherited his father’s position, he wanted to secure a good future. Lin Fang fully supported him, tutoring him patiently from middle-school basics.
Before returning to his company, Lin Guicheng visited the bookstore to update her: the land purchase was progressing, but she shouldn’t worry.
Time flew when occupied. Lin Fang thought the semester would pass uneventfully—until trouble found her. For the first time in her life, she hit someone.
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