Chapter 30: Beginnings and ends

Fu Cheng raised his head, confessing, "Ms Fang, I like you."

Such a story actually wouldn't have too remarkable a continuation, even though the process of Fu Cheng's confession was very sudden, was very astonishing, even though Fang Yunyao's reaction and expression upon hearing his words were also very colourful.

However, at the end of the day, things would end here.

As a teacher, Fang Yunyao had her own reservations, and it was without question that she had never seen Fu Cheng as a man before. To her, Fu Cheng was but a student, but a little kid.

Meanwhile, Fu Cheng had expended all his courage in saying that one sentence.

Luckily, he could still sing.

Holding his guitar, Fu Cheng sang on the stage, "Can you let me, walk alongside you; since you say that, I can't stop you…"

The singer was crying, and those listening were also crying.

Can you let me, walk alongside you; since you say that, I can't stop you…

The next song was sung by Xu Tingsheng, "I actually don't want to go, I actually want to stay; stay behind to accompany you; every spring, summer, autumn, winter…"

Everyone found this funny as their classmates said, "So it's actually the two of you who are a couple."

After Xu Tingsheng had finished singing, Apple approached him, whispering into his ear, "Tonight is your final chance, you know. Leave with me later?"

Xu Tingsheng said, "I wish you success in everything you do…also, your charm really is great. Grasp yourself well."

Having said up to here, that was enough. Xu Tingsheng was not Liuxia Hui; he was in no way a saint. He wished for it as well, of course-it was a real struggle. Only due to Xiang Ning had he barely been able to hold on. Having failed Xiang Ning terribly in his previous life, this had been translated to a strong sense of responsibility as well as identity in this life.

"I belong to that little girl who's currently still leaping happily about," Xu Tingsheng himself sometimes found this to be a little funny as well, but this was a stubbornness he had experienced right between the boundaries of life and death, therefore also being the deepest, most prevailing stubbornness within his mind.

This final gathering went on all the way till the early hours of the morning. Huang Yaming disappeared together with Tan Qinglin. Xu Tingsheng and Fu Cheng sent one female classmate after another home before finally they walked on the vast, empty streets together.

Fu Cheng said, "I'm prepared to continue chasing Ms Fang."

Xu Tingsheng said, "This fella's really intrepid."

The storyline had diverged once more, but Fu Cheng's feelings towards Ms Fang had not changed.

An end, whilst also a new beginning.

…….

The next day, Xu Tingsheng returned home. Not having headed out for work, Mr and Mrs Xu stared at Xu Tingsheng, looking like that had something they wanted to ask yet could not bring themselves to do so.

His sister Xu Qiuyi, however, did not hold such reservations as she smilingly asked outright, "Brother, how was it?"

"Relatively good," Xu Tingsheng replied.

Only now did the family's usual liveliness return.

Xu Tingsheng put down his bag, saying, "Dad, I've got something to show you."

In order to stimulate Mr Xu's fighting spirit as much as possible, Xu Tingsheng had specially withdrew all of the 300000 yuan in the early morning. After all, huge bundles of money would always be much more convincing and impactful than just a single card.

As Mr Xu was about to reply.

Splash.

Xu Tingsheng poured 30 entire bundles of 100 yuan notes onto the table in a single go.

"Each bundle has 10000; there's 300000 in total. Dad, let's go grab the bottom floor of that tower."

Mrs Xu immediately shot over to close the door, a finger upon her lips as she said in a hushed tone, "Softer, softer."

Afterwards, she became completely lost for words.

Mr Xu was calmer in comparison, reaching out and stroking the money on the table before asking Xu Tingsheng, "So much money; where's it from?"

"I earnt it from selling revision materials to a publishing company."

Xu Tingsheng followed up with everything that had transpired earlier. From him having been suspected of having cheated and having conducted an interaction lesson as a result, to Fang Yunyao releasing that thesis and that publishing company contacting him-he carefully explained all of these once over in their entirety.

"Your material was that valuable?" Mrs Xu asked incredulously.

Xu Tingsheng nodded, explaining, "Mom, think about it. With my study method, I improved to 11th in the entire year in a mere month. Now, isn't my method awesome? And with that, how would it not be valuable?"

"But that's still just too much, isn't it? You're just a student. Also, don't you have to split some of it with that Ms Fang?"

"Ms Fang put her name down on those revision materials. As long as their popularity boom in the future, she will only earn, much, much more. Also, she would be gaining fame alongside that wealth as well. You don't have to worry about that."

"As for why my materials are that valuable, don't evaluate it merely with our tiny Libei County. This set of materials will be released throughout our entire country. In some big cities outside, in just hiring tutors alone, some parents already fork out tens of thousands for their kids annually. How much do you think this set of materials will eventually be able to net for that publishing company?"

After Xu Tingsheng had finished explaining, Mrs Xu pondered for a while, her expression then changing.

"It's a loss, it's a loss. Silly child, you should have taken 50 thousand and that 5 percent. That money would truly be live income, flowing in in an endless stream."

Mrs Xu indeed also possessed a good brain for business, having quickly caught on to the logic within. Even Mr Xu nodded by the side, agreeing with her viewpoint.

Xu Tingsheng thought that maybe he should put a bit of pressure on his father as he now said, "It's no loss at all, because I believe that with this 300000, Dad will be able to earn much more."

These words of his left Mr Xu in a daze, falling silent for some time before finally saying, "I'll try."

Xu Tingsheng understood his father's personality. While the words that had left his mouth were only 'I'll try', the resolve within his heart was actually already as unshakeable as a monolith. This was a man who had come out and started a factory when he was just 18. This was a man who, inhibited for more than 10 years, had not surrendered to his fate. He had once been young and high-spirited, he had once been heroic and generous, he had once provided half of the people in the entire village with jobs…

He had also once buried his head in the fields, toiling painstakingly, suppressing his dreams and his lofty ambitions, just for the peace and stability of his wife and children.

And today, he had decided to surge back into prominence once more.

Having steeled his resolve, Mr Xu moved swift as the wind. That very afternoon, he entered Libei County to understand the cost of setting up shop, specifically inquiring into the rental situation of the Golden City Tower.

Meanwhile, Xu Tingsheng watched on as his mother kept all of that 300000 yuan without leaving a single bit behind. Begging pitifully and shamelessly, he finally managed to get a few hundred dollars out of her.

"If I'd known it would be like this, I'd have secretly kept a bit, even though the shock factor of 300000 is that much more than the likes of 290000."

Xu Tingsheng also required money, because he already couldn't wait to go to Yanzhou to see Xiang Ning. If it was said that the end of the university entrance examinations marked the beginning of Xu Tingsheng's new life, Xiang Ning was the most important part of his new life, even while he actually couldn't get too close to her.

Xu Tingsheng had a rather strange feeling. It was like if there was no Xiang Ning, there would be no him of his present life. She was the sole link that tied his past and present lives together.

If one really had to be so clear on it, it was actually impossible for the current Xu Tingsheng to be in love with that little girl who was now still just 14 years old. The one whom he loved was the Xiang Ning of his previous life, for whom his feelings could transcend even death.

However, Xiang Ning was still Xiang Ning, so Xu Tingsheng still had to be that Xu Tingsheng. His life could change, his fate could diverge, but that relationship could never change. If it ever changed, Xu Tingsheng didn't know what else there would be other than his family for him to look to in his life. He indeed possessed some desire for wealth, but it was not that strong a thing. What he truly found in this world that gave his life meaning were only his family and Xiang Ning.

……

After Mr Xu returned that night, Xu Tingsheng could only delay his trip to Yanzhou.

The leasing search of the Golden City Tower had actually already begun, just having been eclipsed by the occurrence of SARS.

The next day, Xu Tingsheng and Mr Xu went to town together.

Riding his bicycle, Mr Xu was headed straight for the Golden City Tower. However, Xu Tingsheng stopped him.

Taking along his father, Xu Tingsheng went to a shop selling mobile phones, the two each purchasing one. Xu Tingsheng chose Nokia's first 3G phone for Mr Xu, the Nokia 6650 that had just entered the market. Meanwhile, he chose a Nokia 1110 for himself, the same first phone that he had possessed in his previous life.

Xu Tingsheng did not have much of an impression of the Nokia 6650, just having chosen it because it was new and expensive. As for the Nokia 1110, his impression of it was really, truly deep. This was literally a divine handphone that combined all of the best points of Nokia, being easy to operate, simple and presentable, while also most importantly, as most in line with everyone's impressions of Nokia, indestructible.

In his previous life, when Xu Tingsheng had bought the first handphone of his life, he had actually already been in his second year of university. His family's situation back then had made it such that he had been the last person in his class to obtain a mobile phone, and that Nokia 1110 had accompanied him all the way till graduation.

Actually, Xu Tingsheng had not really treasured that phone. In a fight with his girlfriend, he had once thrown it out from the third floor of a library. He had even thrown it out of a speeding car before. Still, every single time, it still worked after he had retrieved it.

This was the tyrannical strength of a Nokia 1110.

After buying their telephone cards, Xu Tingsheng brought Mr Xu along in buying a pair of leather shoes that cost roughly 600 yuan as well as a Western shirt and trousers that cost more than a thousand yuan. If not for it being amidst the blazing heat of summer, Xu Tingsheng would definitely still have dragged his father along in buying a whole suit.

Afterwards, the father and son cut their hair together.

Mr Xu had originally been handsome, and after this sorting out of his appearance, apart from that ever thick pair of arms, he looked completely different from before. What Xu Tingsheng found to be rather unexpected was that during this entire process of spending money so liberally, Mr Xu actually didn't show a hint of refusal at all. One must know that these past years, Mr Xu had not even been able to bear spending money on clothing for the New Year.

Mr Xu forked out some money to buy a pack of Chunghwa cigarettes, handing one stick over to Xu Tingsheng, "Have one. Your mom has already long since smelt it out; just remember not to smoke too much."

As Mr Xu lighted up the cigarette for Xu Tingsheng, the latter was nervous to the point that even his hand that was shielding the flames was trembling. No matter how mature he was mentally, in front of Mr Xu, he was still a kid who got easily nervous.

"Look at how useful you are," Mr Xu laughed, "Are you very curious about why I have listened to you regarding everything today?"

Xu Tingsheng nodded.

Mr Xu straightened the sleeves of his shirt, "Actually, I also have an expensive set of clothing at home, just that it has already been a long time…I understand your intentions. Actually, there's really not much need for doing such things anymore. Regarding today's matter, even if the two of us are dressed like beggars, it'd be enough if we have the money to back it up."

"The reason for which I still listened to you and spent this money is because even though these things may not be necessary now, they will still be needed later on. After the shopfront has been rented, I'll have to go out to negotiate on our inflow of goods, hire staff as well as obtain this permit or that license at so and so agency. At that time, I'd really need to put in some effort on appearance."

Mr Xu's explanation caused Xu Tingsheng's confidence in his father to rise further. Mr Xu spoke rightly. Regarding negotiation with suppliers, the hiring of middle and higher echelon staff who would truly be of use and especially building up their relationship with the relevant government agencies, the success of these matters would be greatly related to his father's aura and the strength of the disposition he exhibited.

In this era, appearances were extremely important. Wearing a suit and carrying a briefcase, the bosses of some briefcase companies would be able to cheat away a few big projects from some more backward towns.

Chapter 31: We are here to raise the price

2000 square metres of the bottom floor of the Golden City Tower was to be rented out. Mr Xu had earlier learnt that due to SARS, the finding of prospective tenants for the mall had not been very successful. For the current initial offering that might be accepted, the rental price was at around 110000 yuan per year.

Having once experienced an era of skyrocketing housing prices (the rent of stores included), Xu Tingsheng found this a little hard to take in. A building at the core position of the county that most attracted the eyes of others, spanning 2000 square metres, actually just cost 110000 yuan in rent annually?

In his previous life, Xu Tingsheng had been completely ignorant on the prices of housing and commercial properties back in the year 2003. With his family's situation and frame of mind back then, that wasn't something that he would have paid any attention to. His only impressions on this were from having looked at some analysis on housing prices some years later and through it learning that 2003 was a great year for commercial properties, which would soon be entering a frenzied, rapid track of development.

Actually, under the combined effect of various factors over this unique period of time, there was currently not an appropriate benchmark for the rental prices of the Golden City Tower. With the proprietor and the tenant both not having a benchmark, everything was to be based upon how much they themselves individually thought it was worth.

Before entering the office of the boss of the Golden City Tower, Xu Tingsheng grabbed Mr Xu, saying firmly, "Dad, we can accept the rent so long as it does not go above 150 thousand, and the lease should be signed for as long as possible. Most importantly is to fight for our method of footing the fees; it'd be best if we could retain some more of our funds."

As father and son entered the office, the middle-aged fatty behind the desk greeted them and personally brewed tea for them before asking, "The two of you are here for…?"

Mr Xu cut to the chase, "We wish to discuss the rental situation of the departmental store on the first floor."

Immediately gaining interest, the middle-aged fatty hurriedly asked, "This esteemed boss is surnamed?"

"Esteemed is unneeded; I'm surnamed Xu."

"Oh, Boss Xu…" The boss of the Golden City Tower paused for a moment before continuing, "What a pity, Mr Xu just missed it by a step. After a few rounds of bidding, we have already basically come to an agreement on the departmental store on the first floor with Boss Zhao of the Southern City Hotel."

Xu Tingsheng and Mr Xu exchanged glances, smiling knowingly. The words of the Golden City Tower's boss were only half true. He had said that the departmental store had undergone several rounds of bidding, but actually, almost none had inquired into it at all. Still, his having already basically come to an agreement with that Boss Zhao must not be completely unfounded.

Of course, even if they had come to an agreement, as long as the contract had not yet been signed, it was as good as not having come to an agreement at all. Also, in terms of the rental price, the Golden City Tower's boss would definitely not be satisfied.

Mr Xu asked directly, "Then, is there still room for negotiations?"

"There is, but…"

"If there is, it's good then. We are here to raise the price."

This was perhaps the most beautiful sentence that the boss of the Golden City Tower had heard over this period of time. Having run into SARS when about to begin operation, hindered greatly in every step, things had not gone smoothly at all for him these past days. While having negotiated on rent with that Boss Zhao earlier, it had been almost no different from begging the other party to rent the place from him, with the rental price having been pushed down greatly.

Now, someone was actually telling him: We are here to raise the price.

The boss of the Golden City Tower discarded all scheming from his mind, directly asking, "Do you know the rent that we had agreed upon?"

Mr Xu actually only had a general understanding on the rental prices of departmental stores, but he knew that as soon as he asked, it would be very difficult for him to hear honest words from the other party.

Therefore, he lied with a smile, "We know. We can add 5000."

As these words left Mr Xu's mouth, Xu Tingsheng once again saw his father in a different light.

The Golden City Tower's boss hesitated no longer, exchanging some polite words with Mr Xu before immediately picking up his phone and calling that Boss Zhao.

After hanging up, he told Mr Xu, "Boss Zhao doesn't really believe it; he intends to personally make a trip here. What do you think?"

Mr Xu drank a mouthful of tea, "That's just as well. I wish to settle everything by today, getting the contract signed as soon as possible. If that Boss Zhao had wanted to wait for a few days before coming, we might not have had the time to wait."

"Boss Xu can rest assured on this. We'll settle it on the spot and get the contract signed as soon as possible."

"Alright, let's just wait till Boss Zhao arrives then."

The two chatted casually for a while before Boss Zhao, a man in his fifties, pushed open the door and entered, directly asking, "Boss Ye, you wouldn't be finding a foil to play with me, right?"

Mr Xu did not speak. At a time like this, there was no need to.

The expression on the face of the Golden City Tower's boss was rather unhappy as he asked directly as well, "The price Boss Xu offered was 105 thousand, being five thousand more than your price. Boss Zhao, what do you think?"

"105 thousand?"

Mr Xu nodded.

"You sign it then," Boss Zhao made as if to walk outside.

Mr Xu immediately stood up, extending his hand towards the Golden City Tower's boss, "Let's have a happy cooperation."

"Let's have a happy cooperation."

Boss Zhao tilted his head and thought for a moment, "Are you being for real? 110 thousand."

Mr Xu did not hesitate for even a second, "115 thousand."

Boss Zhao was taken aback, "Bro, with this raising method of yours, you really look like a foil that Boss Ye hired."

Mr Xu smiled, not speaking.

Boss Zhao tried to inquire, "What if I raised the price to 120 thousand?"

Just as Mr Xu was about to speak, Xu Tingsheng pulled on his sleeve from behind.

At this, Mr Xu hesitated for a moment before replying, "'l'll leave that to when you really raise it."

This was noticed by both Boss Ye of the Golden City Tower and that Boss Zhao, both having their own speculations at that. Still, both similarly believed that if Boss Zhao really raised the price to 120 thousand, Mr Xu would then be even more hesitant.

Actually, Xu Tingsheng had intentionally performed this action for them to catch, Mr Xu having coordinated with him very well.

"Boss Ye, Boss Xu, wait a moment. I have to make a call."

Boss Zhao left the room, making a call for three to five minutes outside before saying directly upon his return, "120 thousand-that's all I'll give today. Boss Ye, Boss Xu, whether the two of your are collaborating to play me or it's all real, this is the highest I'll go. I'll not be increasing it no matter what."

Boss Ye of the Golden City Tower was already rather satisfied with this price. Of course, his gaze that was on Mr Xu, other than containing gratitude, was also still filled with anticipation.

"Boss Xu, what do you think?"

Xu Tingsheng pondered on it for a moment. With the two of them having arrived here so suddenly, the call by the boss of the Golden City Tower also having been made right before their eyes, that went to say that there was virtually no chance of him and Boss Zhao being in collusion.

Instead, it actually seemed more like their side was colluding with the Golden City Tower's boss in order to raise the price.

"Then, should this price be raised, and if so, how should it be raised?"

As Xu Tingsheng was still considering this, Mr Xu had already extended his hand towards the boss of the Golden City Tower, saying, "125 thousand; I hope that Boss Ye will not make things difficult for me."

These words were said very strangely, Mr Xu even having added on a 'do not make things difficult for me' after having raised the price.

However, it was this strange phrase that sounded such to the boss of the Golden City Tower: I have already been very sincere and very straightforward; I hope that you hesitate no longer. Don't try to continue raising the price with us; if you still cannot be certain, I will feel like I'm in a difficult spot, and if that is so, maybe we'll only be able to give up."

From the perspective of the boss of the Golden City Tower, he naturally hoped more to cooperate with this frank, straightforward Boss Xu before him. Also, this was already the second time the other party was extending his hand towards him. If he hesitated again, it would really not be giving Mr Xu face at all.

Looking on from the side, Xu Tingsheng secretly felt a little like laughing. As one who hailed from the first batch of farmer-turned-entrepreneurs of the 1980s, this forceful aura of his father's was powerful indeed.

The three were silent for a moment.

Boss Zhao was the first to extend his hand towards Mr Xu, "Congratulations, Boss Xu. I hope that we will have the chance to cooperate in the future."

Mr Xu answered, "Thank you, Boss Zhao, for letting us have it. If there is such a chance, I'd have to ask Boss Zhao to take more care of me."

As if feeling troubled due to having been one-upped by Boss Zhao, Boss Ye of the Golden City Tower hurriedly clasped Mr Xu's hand, continuously exclaiming, "Let's have a happy cooperation, let's have a happy cooperation."

Mr Xu and Boss Ye then spent some time discussing on some details, including the length of the contract, the scale of increment in rent, the method of footing the fees etcetera. Only now did Mr Ye discover that this Mr Xu who appeared frank and straightforward was actually also very calculative and able to rip people off. Still, it wasn't like he could go and pull Boss Zhao back now, right? Anyway, wasn't that Boss Zhao also proficient in ripping people off?

Boss Ye chose to take a step back.

……

Xu Tingsheng and Mr Xu each rode a bicycle, both pedalling leisurely along.

"Dad, why did you still add 5 thousand that last time? Wouldn't one or two thousand have been enough?" Xu Tingsheng asked.

"I've also thought about this. Still, I feel that if I had only added one or two thousand at the time, this matter would probably still not have been decided. That Boss Zhao would think that he could still fight for it a bit. While he did say that he would not be raising the price again no matter what, such words are really no different from farting. Other than that, that Boss Ye of the Golden City Tower might also have a knot within his heart…what do you think?" Mr Xu explained.

Xu Tingsheng gave a silly laugh, "I don't understand such things. Anyway, I just feel that dad's aura back then was so incredibly powerful, so awesome that it pressured those two bosses to the point of almost being unable to breathe."

"Stop it with the bootlicking," Mr Xu laughed, "Do you really think that I've just been farming the fields in peace these past few years? There's much that I had been thinking, inquiring and learning about, just that I had not thought that there really would be such a chance."

"At least, for the matter of Bosses Ye and Zhao being pressured that you speak of, I feel that for Boss Zhao, it was because he was not all that resolved to obtain this departmental store. After all, with SARS like this, any single person has become much more careful in doing any single thing. As for Boss Ye, he seems to be really lacking in money. I estimate that he is almost running out of cash to deal with his current needs. Otherwise, he also wouldn't need this bit of money. Look at us, compared to a boss who constructs tall buildings like him."

As Xu Tingsheng listened to Mr Xu's analysis, he suddenly felt like he hadn't actually understood his father at all in his previous life. His competence and his ambition-both of these far surpassed his imagination.

"It looks like I really can become a rich second gen Young Master Xu in peace," Xu Tingsheng thought happily.

"What're you smiling at?" Mr Xu asked.

"Nothing. It's just that I feel like the way Dad was just now, with that aura, is really something that I've never seen before, let alone imagined," Xu Tingsheng replied.

Mr Xu smiled, "The people with whom we initially established those factories were basically all the same. They were willing to put in diligent, hard work, not treating themselves as the boss. At the same time, however, they were also rough and unreasonable. At that time, with a proper system yet to have been set up in place, what the factories relied on amidst all those varied, jumbled matters were the auras and methods of us bosses."

"With us having the money now, you also having given me 150 thousand as backing, the strange thing would be if I did not have any bit of an aura."

"Dad, why do you trust me so much? It's not like I know anything at all."

"Still pretending with your Dad; In truth, if it were the you of before, I really wouldn't have dared to trust you so. Still, your changes these past months have been very great. Ever since those words you said back when Wang Jingfang visited our house, I began to have such a feeling. Right, the price of pork has indeed begun rising."

"The matter of the indigowoad root and white vinegar afterwards, and also your results, adding on this 300 thousand that you earnt, the tone you called back to the house with those days in the quarantine ward and you pulling on my clothes just now-all of them give Dad the feeling that you seem to have grown up all of a sudden, and not to that usual extent of growing up as well. It's like the light of enlightenment suddenly descended upon you in its full glory out of the blue."

"I've also discussed this with your Mom a few times, but just can't understand it regardless. Afterwards, we decided just not to think about it at all. Anyway, you being our son is a fact that'll never, ever change."

Xu Tingsheng did not explain anything, just loudly yelling a single 'Dad'.

Mr Xu held a handlebar with one hand, leaning towards Xu Tingsheng as he stroked his head with his other, "Dad just hopes that the pressure on you will not be too great. Generally, just do what you can do and do not force yourself in what you cannot. There's still Dad, and in Dad's heart, there is nothing more important than you living happily and healthily."

"Yeah."

Choking on his tears, Xu Tingsheng nodded. Ever since his rebirth, he had been bearing too much weight on his shoulders. Family, friends, relationships, even teachers and students-it was like he had wanted to take care of virtually everything with his precognitive powers. In this manner, he had worried about Huang Yaming's and Fu Cheng's university entrance examinations, taken care of Yao Jing's and Wu Yuewei's feelings, helped to make Old Zhou proud, diffused the situation for Zhang Xiuyun, given a reminder to the girl who had mucked up her Mathematics examination, worried about the happiness of Fang Yunyao's marriage…

He was truly very tired…

These words by Xu Tingsheng's father were really the best form of comfort for him, letting him know that a large mountain stood forever behind his back. At the same time, he did not have absolute responsibility to carry so much on his shoulders.

"The heavens gave me a chance to live out my life once more. If I can't even live a comfortable and carefree life with that, that'd be too much of a loss," Xu Tingsheng thought.

"Dad, let's race. See who's faster!"

With that, Xu Tingsheng shot off ahead. Mr Xu scolded him before hurriedly pedalling to catch up, the two bicycles speeding along the road…towards home.

Chapter 32: Experiencing the world once more

Three days after having signed the official contract with the owner of the Golden City Tower, because some final touches still had to be done with the tower itself and Mr Xu had also yet to complete preparations for renovation, Xu Tingsheng obtained his permission to make an ultra big banner and hang it around the entire first floor of the tower where the departmental store would be.

There were only three words written on the banner: Wait for me.

Very quickly, this matter became the focal point of discussion throughout the streets of the entire Libei County. A departmental store which had still yet to begin renovation had told all of them: Wait for me.

On what basis did this rest? Wasn't it just opening a store? Even if it was somewhat bigger, whatever crazy new-fangled thing could they make out of it?

Still, wasn't it very interesting? People began trying to guess who the one behind the departmental store was. Who was its boss? Who was it who had put up that banner?

Very quickly, Mr Xu was found out as the one who had rented the space.

"Isn't he a farmer? How could he be so rich?"

"Are you joking? Our Libei's first ever brick company was set up by him. Such a person having no money? Lacking ability?"

"That's right. Don't just look at how he's been resting for some years. The money and ambition he possesses is not little at all. Such a huge mall, such a lavish hand."

If you hailed from a village, remember how you felt the first time you ever stepped into a large scale supermarket. To me, at least, even the first shopping trolley which could seat kids inside was a fresh novelty.

In truth, there was a reason behind the rent for the first floor of the Golden City Tower not being higher. Just like how most had yet to experience such large scale supermarkets, people would be bemused on what sort of business would be appropriate for such a huge piece of land. Selling clothes, selling fruits, opening a billiard room….wouldn't it be fine just arranging two tables by the roadside for a billiard room? …This space just seemed much too big. Whatever they planned on doing inside, it also seemed like it would be excessive.

The visitors at the Xu family home began to increase, covertly or blatantly trying to find out about Mr Xu's abilities as well as his plans.

"How about I invest some in it?"

An old friend of Mr Xu's was the first to ask this, investing 8000 yuan in Mr Xu's venture. After that, more and more people began carrying money over to the Xu family.

Of course, there were some who were worried that their investment money might not come back. At this time, some would always come out to remind them: they even managed to get such a huge departmental store, what's more your few thousand dollars? …Let me tell you this-if you are not an acquaintance or were not introduced, you can't invest in it even if you want to."

This huge departmental store that encompassed a whole 2000 square metres was like a great banner made out of the skin of tigers, more and more people rallying under that banner.

This was precisely the effect Xu Tingsheng and Mr Xu had wanted. Right, they hadn't sufficient money. After having set down a deposit and a year's rent, they still had to consider renovation as well as making a deal with some suppliers and also some various other expenses. The money in their hands was still far from enough. Even so, however, Mr Xu rejected quite a few investment offers without even the slightest bit of hesitation.

The more it was like this, the more some people wracked their brains for various strategies and methods, just wanting to get some money invested in.

Two days ago, just as Mr Xu had been worrying over the issue of money, not knowing where to go to borrow some or take a loan, Xu Tingsheng had suggested: collective investment.

If not for having run some businesses in his previous life, Xu Tingsheng would actually be rather resistant to this term, even fearing it somewhat. Back then, due to his family background and life experience, in the few years after graduation, he had always been overly cautious in terms of money. Having painstakingly managed to earn some, the first thing he would think of was repaying their debts with it, before earnestly saving up in hopes of buying a house. Sadly, his snail-like pace of saving up had forever been unable to catch up to the skyrocketing prices of homes.

Collective investment was a very risky thing, something that many big bosses would fall from after the year 2014. However, at the same time, one must also admit that countless nouveau riche had risen up due to this. Of the many 'successful people' in life, how many didn't earn their money through that of others?

In his previous life, Xu Tingsheng had awoken to this too late. Therefore, he had been a failure, having failed to the point of only being able to helplessly let go of his most precious relationship.

Now, everything had restarted, opportunities descending once more. It was currently the year 2003, bringing along with it the start of a crazed moneymaking wave. So long as one possessed sufficient funds, the streets were paved with gold.

Convincing Mr Xu had originally seemed like it would be very difficult, but it had turned out to be very easy in the end, because he had already boarded the ship, having no path of retreat.

The true area where the views of father and son conflicted was in the scale of the collective investment. Mr Xu felt that getting sufficient funds for the opening of the supermarket would be enough, not daring to take an even greater risk, while Xu Tingsheng's view was: more is better, the more the merrier.

As Xu Tingsheng saw it, if they possessed money, there was no way they'd not have business, no way they'd not be able to birth yet more money. If there really was no choice, he could just head to one of the Big Three of Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou to buy some houses. Such would be the best investment.

On this point, neither of the two was able to convince the other. Therefore, when Xu Tingsheng brought up the matter of going out to play for a few days, Mr Xu very heartily agreed. He really didn't want to see Xu Tingsheng accepting one sum of investment after another every day, setting down yet more wads of cash before him.

"Enough; it was already enough long ago," Mr Xu said.

"How can money ever be enough? With what remains from opening the supermarket, we can even start on other things," Xu Tingsheng said, "Right, one of my classmate's cousin's girlfriend's brother wants to invest twenty thousand. I've agreed for you."

"…"

"Also, Fu Cheng invested ten thousand and Huang Yaming five. They've grown addicted to earning money with me."

"…"

Xu Tingsheng received a call from Fu Cheng on the way to Yanzhou City in a car.

Fu Cheng said, "Huang Yaming and Tan Qinglin have gone to get a room. I can only look for you."

Regarding Huang Yaming and Tan Qinglin, Huang Yaming had spoken on this matter himself just two days back. Xu Tingsheng remembered that Huang Yaming hadn't even managed to kiss her in his previous life. In this life, though, he had even accidentally succeeded in conquering the entire fortress. On the night of the graduation party, they had had their first time.

Having tasted it for the first time, the couple was currently in a period of tireless bliss.

Then, would things work out for them in this life? Xu Tingsheng didn't intend to worry about this.

Of course, the ambiguity in Fu Cheng's words was still rather too great as Xu Tingsheng responded, "Get lost! That little couple's gone to get a room, and you're looking for me for? I'm not in Libei right now."

"You've taken off again? Where to?"

"Yanzhou."

"What for?"

"Experiencing the world."

"…"

"Aren't you pursuing Ms Fang? Do something to show her, can't you?"

"I finally managed to wait out a chance yesterday. Ms Fang wanted to change the gas, and I wanted to help her carry the gas container in, but a man appeared and beat me to it."

"A man-Ms Fang's boyfriend?"

"It seems like he's pursuing her."

"How does he look like?"

"Tall and thin, wearing spectacles. He looks rather cultured, and his bearing is also rather good."

Xu Tingsheng's heart tensed. It was very likely that person.

Fu Cheng asked, "What?"

Xu Tingsheng thought for a bit, "Listen to me. Go and follow him, and take down all of his misdeeds, best including him throwing a temper and fighting or arguing or the like."

Fu Cheng was taken aback, "Really? …I've seen that person, and, sigh. While honestly speaking, I don't wish to admit it, he actually seems to be rather good."

Xu Tingsheng explained, "When pursuing a girl, who doesn't show the best side of themselves? Perhaps in secret, that person, while looking refined, is actually a scum of society? …Even if you don't manage to obtain Ms Fang, you wouldn't wish for her to marry a vicious scum or the like, right? Listen to me, you just take it like you're observing him for Ms Fang. See what he is like in private. Let's hope that he is a good guy, while at the same time also staying on guard lest he actually is a bad guy and is fooling everybody."

Fu Cheng was silent for a while, "Alright, I'll listen to you. If he really is very good and Ms Fang also likes him, I can only give the two of them my blessings. Who asked me to be born a few years later than her."

"And what if he turns out terrible?"

"Then no matter what, I'll not let Ms Fang fall for his schemes."

"That's why; go, youth."

……

The day after Xu Tingsheng left Libei, Mr Xu brought along his younger brother and brother-in-law in travelling towards the provincial capital of Jiannan Province.

The two of them were masons by birth, and Mr Xu had brought them along to learn renovation. As for he himself, there were many things that he had to do. Regarding the specifics of this and from where it was that he intended to begin, Mr Xu had not told even Xu Tingsheng about it.