Coming out of the conference room, Mayor Ziv grasped Fyren's hand, overflowing with excitement.
"Fyren, thanks to you today! You've saved this old face of mine, allowing me to answer to the province, my colleagues, and the people of Crystalpeak City."
"Oh, it's nothing, really."
Fyren's mind was still reeling, trying to comprehend what had just happened.
Mayor Ziv noticed Fyren seemed somewhat dazed and didn't prolong the conversation.
He leaned in closer and said, "This year's honors will undoubtedly go to you, so be prepared. I'll push for the plans to be approved by my superiors as soon as possible—extremely quickly. Also, whatever you need, just tell me. We'll establish a dedicated shantytown task force specifically to coordinate with your Dasheng Group's work. I guarantee you—from the municipal committee to the city government—Dasheng Group's operations will receive full support! We'll clear the way for you."
"Thank you, thank you Mayor Ziv, Secretary Winnie."
Secretary Winnie smiled. "Fyren, Mayor Ziv's gratitude comes from the heart. Make sure to visit more often in the future—keep in touch with the leadership."
"Yes, yes, absolutely."
Fyren walked out of the building in a daze. Zaring opened the car door for him, and Fyren paused at the entrance, looking back at the towering city hall building, feeling as though he'd just awakened from a dream.
...
The Final Investment Breakdown:
Zhang Family: 50 billion
Xu Family: 20 billion
Chen Family: 12 billion
Leng Family: 4.9 billion
Total: 86.9 billion
Additionally: Hogan donated 30 million in his group's name to fund public restroom construction for the shantytown residents.
True to Mayor Ziv's word, approval came swiftly—so fast Fyren could hardly believe it. That very afternoon, the province greenlit the project.
Upon hearing that the shantytown project had found backers—with the four major families collectively investing over 80 billion—the provincial leaders immediately set aside all other business, convening relevant personnel for emergency discussions.
Not only were the plans approved without delay, but the province also dispatched a professional advisory team to finalize the specifics.
...
Golf Course
Hong Zhang, Elton Leng, Zhi Xu, and Bin Chen were playing golf.
Hong Zhang swung and landed a perfect shot, looking quite pleased with himself.
"It's been a while since the four of us got together like this, hasn't it?"
Elton Leng, standing nearby while organizing his clubs with gloved hands, snorted. "Cut the crap. We're all just hiding from the world here."
Zhi Xu laughed. "What choice do we have? Mayor Ziv is hunting for someone to take on that mess of an urban renewal project. Laying low for a while is the smart move!"
Bin Chen chuckled. "Hong, that son of yours has been making waves lately. I heard he quietly acquired a high-tech company. That kid's got nerve—diving into anything. High-tech? Does he even understand it?"
Hong Zhang's face darkened.
The other three families all inherited ancestral businesses—in other words, they were born into wealth.
Only Hong Zhang had built his empire from nothing.
He started his own business in his twenties. By his thirties, he had made Dasheng Group one of Crystalpeak City's top companies. By his forties, Dasheng Group had become a behemoth across all of Northlandia.
Unfortunately, in his fifties, he fell seriously ill.
Otherwise, he would never have felt comfortable handing the business over to Fyren.
Strangely enough, while Fyren lacked formal education, he was a shrewd businessman—rarely suffering losses while consistently coming out ahead.
Both father and son had amassed great wealth but remained relatively uneducated.
This had long made them targets of veiled mockery and sarcasm from the other three families.
Those families were aristocrats, wealthy for generations, while the Zhangs were seen as upstarts—a distinction the old money crowd could never overlook.
Hong Zhang snorted. "What's so special about high-tech? Aren't all high-end businesses run by people? Would kings and nobles refuse to eat grain? Sooner or later, my son will buy out all those so-called 'noble' drunkards' businesses."
The other three exchanged glances, their expressions briefly revealing disdain.
Money? You might have it, but culture remains your weakness.
Most importantly—pedigree! We're all nobility. No matter how rich you become, we'll still see you as nouveaux riches.
Hmph!
Bin Chen said, "Setting that aside, we must absolutely avoid that shantytown project. Whoever touches it is doomed. Your junior executives should keep that in mind!"
Zhi Xu added, "That goes without saying. You all sent your presidents to the meeting? My family only sent my youngest daughter, the vice president. Heh. Mayor Ziv should understand what that means."
Elton Leng took a shot and cursed gloomily, "Damn ball!"
He tossed his club to the caddie. "I did hear Fyren might take on that project."
"Him?" Hong Zhang laughed. "I know my son well—he's clever as a monkey. He wouldn't touch such bad luck."
At that moment, Otto approached from a distance, followed by Sherry in sportswear.
Elton Leng smiled. "Let me introduce you to a promising young man—Otto. Recently returned from the frontier, very tactful."
Otto smiled politely. "A latecomer pays his respects to the heads of Crystalpeak City's four great families."
Hong Zhang glanced at him. "Isn't this the kid who caused trouble at my place recently? Elton Leng, why are you associating with him?"
Elton Leng chuckled. "I needed help securing some land recently. He proved quite capable—a real talent."
Hong Zhang snorted. "If you need something, why not ask your aunt? Why involve an outsider?"
"My aunt?" Elton Leng wiped his cue. "Can I really count on her? She's utterly unreliable. Now I'm wondering if I should even let my daughter go through with this engagement."
Hong Zhang frowned. "Elton, what exactly do you mean by that?"
"What do I mean?"
Elton Leng laughed and said, "Whoever can secure that piece of land for me will get my daughter's hand in marriage—that's what I mean! Your son is so unruly he doesn't show me the slightest respect."
Hong Zhang suppressed his anger while inwardly cursing his son for being so disappointing.
"I'll deal with his matters myself. I'll talk to him when I get back."
At this moment, Otto smiled. "There's news. Quite surprising news actually."
"What news?"
Hong Zhang paid little attention as he prepared to take his swing.
Otto continued smiling. "Fyren—at the meeting today—announced an investment of fifty billion dollars for shantytown development and construction."
Hong Zhang's club went flying as he collapsed straight to the ground.
The three old men rushed to help him up, barely concealing their gleeful smirks.
Zhi Xu laughed. "Hong, why so excited? Your son must've discovered a golden business opportunity before investing! Haha, but fifty billion—tsk tsk tsk—what a staggering sum. Let's hope you recoup your investment! Well...hahaha!"
Bin Chen added, "Exactly! Even if you lose money, it's fine. The Zhang family is wealthy anyway. Fifty billion is nothing to you, right? Spending fortunes to avoid disaster—the people of Crystalpeak City will surely be grateful to you father and son!"
Hong Zhang clutched his back in pain and snapped, "Get lost! All you know is kicking a man when he's down!"
The two old men roared with laughter while Elton Leng said coldly, "Fine. It's not like the boy's short on money. He can't be bothered with me, yet has fifty billion to waste on government projects? Hmph. When I needed help securing land, he refused."
Grimacing, Hong Zhang said, "Elton, there must be more to this. Let me go back and question him first."
"No need. He clearly looks down on his future father-in-law." Elton Leng sneered. "The Zhang family's luck must be running out. Shantytown renovation? Hmph, he's got guts. Usually so shrewd, yet caves immediately when pressured—what 'ambition'? More like a worthless puppet."
Hong Zhang ground his teeth. "What nonsense are you spouting!?"
Elton Leng retorted, "I don't need the Zhang family! I'll take that land myself! Otto!"
"Yes, Mr. Leng."
Otto said, "I've already negotiated with the sales office. That land can be acquired for just 1.9 billion with commercial zoning approval. Congratulations, Mr. Leng—with this prime property, the Leng family will reap massive profits in coming years."
Elton Leng glared at Hong Zhang. "Hear that? Without the Zhangs, the Leng family will still thrive! My Eliza is the truly capable one. While your son wastes money on government projects, my daughter hasn't wasted a single minute—she's been focused on real business! What's the use of a son? He's not worth one of my daughter's toes."
Hong Zhang was in tremendous pain, and secondly, Elton Leng's anger had left him short of breath.
Besides, the news had arrived—the facts spoke for themselves, leaving him momentarily speechless.
At that moment, Otto received another message and was utterly shocked.
"What's wrong?" Elton Leng walked over, preparing to take his shot.
"Eli...Eliza has...announced an investment of four hundred ninety million dollars to join the shantytown renovation program."
Elton Leng's reaction mirrored Hong Zhang's exactly—both froze mid-swing upon hearing the news.
Yes, even their stumbling motions were identical.
Zhi Xu and Bin Chen helped Elton Leng sit beside Hong Zhang, their faces contorted with barely suppressed laughter.
Cold sweat drenched Elton Leng's back. "What was Eliza thinking!?"
Otto sighed. "Fyren must have manipulated her."
Gritting through the pain, Elton Leng demanded, "Hong Zhang, didn't you know about this?"
Hong Zhang glared at him. "Look at my damn back! If I'd known, would I have fallen like this?"
Elton Leng reconsidered—he too had been blindsided by the news. Such things shouldn't require such dramatic performances.
Both old men's tempers cooled, their hearts now heavy with frustration.
Zhi Xu and Bin Chen were being insufferable.
These two—one a domineering tycoon accustomed to throwing his weight around,
the other a has-been clinging to past glory while pretending to be their equal—
Well, now that you two are in the same sinking boat, planning to marry into each other's families?
Perfect! Haha! Watching your fortunes drain together—how does that feel? Surprised?
As the caddie set up the ball, Bin Chen gripped his club, grinning: "The weather's magnificent today! Strange—I'm in exceptionally high spirits!"
Zhi Xu roared with laughter: "Naturally! Fyren's ambition paired with Eliza's pride—what a power couple! Truly enviable!"
While the two laughed, their counterparts clutched their backs in identical postures, seething with rage.
Bin Chen began his practice swings, remarking: "Golf is a gentleman's sport—not for common upstarts or soon-to-be-ruined nouveaux riches. Poor form could easily... strain one's back!"
Just then, Otto received another message and glanced at Elton Leng.
Currently the target of Bin and Zhi's mockery—being lumped together with Hong Zhang as objects of ridicule—Elton Leng was livid.
Noticing the message, he quietly pressed Otto's wrist and whispered through clenched teeth:
"Tell him when he swings."