Chapter 17

Although Binhai is a metropolis that all the people in the country aspire to, Zhou Ming and Su Han only stayed there for one day. The next morning, they took the train back to Linyang early.

In the sleeper car, Zhou Ming and Su Han sat facing each other. Zhou Ming happily said to Su Han, "I never thought I would run into Wang Qiangguo in Binhai. Do you believe this guy will become the richest man in the country, Xiao Han?"

Across from him, Su Han rested her chin on her hands and looked at Zhou Ming. When Zhou Ming asked her, she smiled and nodded, "Of course I believe. You've already pointed out to him that the land in Binhai Pudong will appreciate, and you've explained why it will appreciate. You also said that it will be the economic center of the country in the future. I think if he is smart enough, he can make a lot of money from it. Becoming the richest man in the country is just a matter of time..."

Su Han paused for a moment, then continued, "But if he becomes the richest man in the country, wouldn't you be the richest of the richest, Zhou Ming?"

Su Han's statement made Zhou Ming somewhat speechless. The "richest of the richest" was probably something only a girl who blindly idolized him like Su Han would say. Zhou Ming teased, "If he heard what you said, he might faint in the toilet."

Su Han proudly raised her small nose and said, "That's only right. Who else has the ability like you, Zhou Ming?"

After a day and a night, Zhou Ming and Su Han returned to Linyang. They didn't stay in the city but went directly to the county Agricultural Bank. Seeing Dai Zhenjiang, Zhou Ming asked, "Director Dai, did you receive the money I transferred from Binhai?"

Dai Zhenjiang nodded quickly, "Yes, I received it. It was a little over 300,000, not a penny less. Zhou Ming, you are truly capable. I never thought that just a trip to Binhai could make the interest on treasury bonds rise again. If I didn't know you were the son of the 760 Factory, I would have thought you were the head of the central bank. How else could you make the interest rise just by saying it? And each time it's higher than the last."

Zhou Ming modestly replied, "Director Dai, you flatter me. I just benefited from a classmate who works in Binhai and used a bit of the economics knowledge I learned in school. I'm not as amazing as you say."

After so much interaction, Dai Zhenjiang understood that Zhou Ming was a very practical person, and flattery had little effect on him. So he tactfully stopped and said, "By the way, Zhou Ming, someone from your factory came to look for you yesterday."

"Look for me? Who?" Zhou Ming asked, puzzled.

Dai Zhenjiang was about to say when he saw someone at the door and said to Zhou Ming, "She... she's here again. You can talk to her yourself."

Zhou Ming turned to see a stunningly beautiful woman walk in, instantly drawing the attention of everyone in the Agricultural Bank. Zhou Ming recognized her; she was Lin Muqing, whom he had met on the first day of his rebirth at the factory TV station. At that moment, Lin Muqing was very alluring, her professional attire accentuating her mature charm, making Zhou Ming feel as if his breath had stopped when he saw her.

Su Han also subconsciously leaned closer to Zhou Ming, looking at Lin Muqing with hostility.

Lin Muqing, who was always the center of attention wherever she went, had long ignored the gazes around her. She came directly to Zhou Ming and extended her hand, saying, "Hello, Zhou Ming. I'm Lin Muqing. We met at the factory TV station. Do you remember me?"

"Hello, Sister Muqing. You are so beautiful, I can't forget you even if I want to."

Zhou Ming shook hands with Lin Muqing. Her hand was soft and smooth, making any man reluctant to let go. But Zhou Ming knew she must have a reason for coming to see him, so he used his great willpower to release her hand.

Lin Muqing was somewhat surprised. She knew her beauty well, and usually, many people, even high-ranking officials, would find various reasons to hold her hand. She didn't expect this young man to let go so easily.

With such perfect self-control, his future is limitless!

Lin Muqing evaluated Zhou Ming in her heart and then said, "Zhou Ming, I have something I want to discuss with you. Director Dai, can I use your reception room?"

Dai Zhenjiang, still admiring Lin Muqing's beauty, nodded quickly when she asked. He then led Lin Muqing and Zhou Ming into the reception room.

Zhou Ming and Lin Muqing sat facing each other. Dai Zhenjiang wanted to look at Lin Muqing a bit more but knew it was inappropriate, so he left on his own. Lin Muqing thanked him and then said to Zhou Ming, "Zhou Ming, I heard that you and Director Dai are doing business with treasury bonds and making a lot of money. I came today to ask if I can join you as a partner."

Zhou Ming wasn't surprised. He and Lin Muqing had only met once, and he didn't think his rebirth gave him the charm to make a beautiful woman beg to bear his child. So, he thought the only reason she came to him was the treasury bonds.

"Sister Muqing, you are very straightforward," Zhou Ming said. "But can you give me a reason to partner with you?"

A reason?

Lin Muqing was taken aback, clearly not expecting Zhou Ming to ask this. She hadn't prepared any reason because in the past, no man would refuse her when she asked. But...

Lin Muqing frowned and said, "I have 50,000 yuan, which can help you expand your treasury bond business."

This time, Su Han spoke first, "Sorry, Sister Muqing, we have 90,000 yuan, and Director Dai of the Agricultural Bank is already our partner. We really don't need your 50,000 yuan."

Lin Muqing exclaimed, "You made so much money in just a few days?"

From Lin Muqing's expression, Zhou Ming could easily tell that she knew treasury bonds were profitable but didn't know how profitable they were.

Thinking about this, Zhou Ming said, "Yes, Sister Muqing, what Xiao Han said is true. The way we operate the treasury bond business and the profit are beyond your imagination. 50,000 yuan is a lot of money to others, but to us, it's just a small amount we can earn in a few days."

A sense of defeat washed over Lin Muqing. She never thought that her beauty and the large sum of money she held would be dismissed by this young man. Even after she had taken the initiative to speak, he could still talk to her so calmly.

Seeing Lin Muqing's disappointed face, Zhou Ming felt a pang of sympathy. He thought for a moment and said, "We don't need any more partners for the treasury bond business, but if you really want to, I can consider letting you join my next business. And I can guarantee that my next business will be even more profitable than the treasury bonds."

"Really... really?" Lin Muqing asked, almost disbelieving, as if a person in the dark had seen a glimmer of light. In her view, the speed at which treasury bonds made money was already unimaginable. Making tens of thousands of yuan in a few days was already higher than the collective output of some poorly performing small factories. What business could be more profitable than this?

"Of course," Zhou Ming said, then asked, "But this business requires a trip to Hongcheng. Do you have any connections at the immigration office in Nanjiang City?"

Lin Muqing nodded, "Yes, I have a distant cousin who works at the immigration office in Nanjiang."

"That's great. If you trust me, give me a contact number. I'll reach out to you when my next business starts, okay?" Zhou Ming said.

Lin Muqing said, "Okay," and left her office phone number with Zhou Ming before leaving the county Agricultural Bank.

Watching Lin Muqing leave, Su Han suddenly asked Zhou Ming, "Do you think I would look good in a blouse, skirt, stockings, and high heels?"

This question surprised Zhou Ming. He turned to see Su Han's resentful expression and realized she was jealous. It was understandable, as Lin Muqing was a nearly perfect beauty, and no man could resist her. Although Su Han was confident in her appearance, she hadn't fully grown yet, and she knew her reputation in the factory was poor. Zhou Ming's mother also didn't like her. Now, with Lin Muqing suddenly appearing, how could she not feel threatened? Especially since Zhou Ming had actively asked for her contact information and invited her to join his next business, which made her even more uneasy. She felt this was a sign that Zhou Ming was interested in Lin Muqing.

Su Han had also heard rumors about Lin Muqing, but she understood the allure of beauty. So, she wanted to dress like Lin Muqing to keep Zhou Ming by her side.

What have I done to deserve such devotion from Su Han?

Thinking about this, Zhou Ming said to Su Han, "Xiao Han, you don't need to compare yourself to Lin Muqing. You are unique and irreplaceable. I'm working with her because she used to work in a city unit and has a wider network. My next business will require her connections."

"Is that really true?" Su Han asked.

Looking into Su Han's hopeful eyes, Zhou Ming knew he couldn't give her any other answer, "Of course, Xiao Han is the most important person to me."

Su Han blushed and lowered her head in satisfaction. Zhou Ming wanted to kiss her, but at that moment, Dai Zhenjiang entered the reception room.

"I'm sorry to interrupt, but your friend Zhang Lei just called and said something happened at the factory," Dai Zhenjiang said.

"Something happened? Did he say what?" Zhou Ming asked, surprised.

Dai Zhenjiang shook his head, "No, he just said to wait for him at the Agricultural Bank. He's on his way, but from his tone, it seems urgent."

"Understood, thank you, Director Dai," Zhou Ming said, falling into deep thought. After this period, Ma Jianjun and Ma Lin had learned their lesson, and his father's appendicitis had stabilized. What else could have happened?