Chapter 17: Lin Muqing's Disappointment and Hope

Although Binhai is a major city admired by people across the country, Zhou Ming and Su Han only stayed there for one day. The next morning, they took the train back to Linyang.

In the sleeper carriage, Zhou Ming and Su Han sat opposite each other. Zhou Ming, looking pleased, said to Su Han, "I can't believe we actually ran into Wang Qiangguo in Binhai. Xiaohan, do you believe this guy will become the richest man in the country in the future?"

Su Han, resting her chin on her hands, looked at Zhou Ming and smiled as she nodded. "Of course I believe it. Zhou Ming, you've already pointed out that the value of land in Pudong will rise and explained why. You even said it will become the national economic center. If he's smart enough, he'll make a lot of money from this, and becoming the richest man in the country is just a matter of time…"

Su Han paused and then continued, "But if he becomes the richest man, doesn't that make you the richest man's richest person?"

Zhou Ming couldn't help but smile at Su Han's comment. Only someone as devoted to him as Su Han would say something like that. Zhou Ming teased, "If he heard you say that, he'd probably faint from laughter."

Su Han proudly lifted her little nose and said, "That's only right. After all, he doesn't have the abilities you do."

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's Agricultural Bank to see Dai Zhenjiang. Zhou Ming asked, "Director Dai, did you receive the money I sent from Binhai?"

Dai Zhenjiang nodded eagerly. "Yes, it's all received—just over three hundred thousand, not a penny less. Zhou Ming, you're truly amazing. I never expected you to visit Binhai just once and manage to sell the treasury bonds at such a high interest rate. If I didn't know you were from the 760 Factory, I'd think you were the central bank governor. How else could you make the interest rate rise just by saying so? And each time it's higher than before."

Zhou Ming modestly replied, "Director Dai, you flatter me. I'm just relying on the help of a classmate working in Binhai and a bit of the economics knowledge I learned at school. It's not as impressive as you make it sound."

Over time, Dai Zhenjiang had come to understand that Zhou Ming was a practical person who didn't fall for flattery, so he refrained from continuing. Dai Zhenjiang then remembered something and said, "By the way, Zhou Ming, someone from your factory came to see me yesterday."

"Someone looking for me? Who was it?" Zhou Ming asked, puzzled.

Dai Zhenjiang was about to answer when he noticed someone at the door. He said to Zhou Ming, "Well… she's here again. You can talk to her yourself."

Zhou Ming turned around and saw a stunningly beautiful woman walking in, instantly attracting the attention of everyone in the bank. Zhou Ming recognized her immediately as Lin Muqing, whom he had met on the first day after his rebirth at the factory's TV station. Lin Muqing was exceptionally alluring, her professional outfit accentuating her mature charm to the fullest. Seeing her made Zhou Ming feel as if his breath was momentarily taken away.

Su Han instinctively moved closer to Zhou Ming, eyeing Lin Muqing with a hint of hostility.

Lin Muqing was always the center of attention wherever she went and had long since ignored the surrounding gazes. She walked straight up 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, Muqing. With how beautiful you are, it's impossible to forget you."

Zhou Ming shook Lin Muqing's hand. Her hand was delicate and soft, a pleasure to touch. Any man would want to hold on, but Zhou Ming knew she must have come for a reason, so he released her hand with great willpower.

Lin Muqing was a bit surprised. Given her beauty, many people who were infatuated with her would try to hold on to her hand for various reasons, even some high-ranking officials. She hadn't expected this young man to let go immediately. His perfect self-control impressed her!

In her heart, Lin Muqing rated Zhou Ming highly and then said, "Zhou Ming, I heard you and Director Dai have been partnering in the treasury bond business and made a lot of money. I came to ask if I could join you as a partner?"

Zhou Ming wasn't surprised. Given that he only knew Lin Muqing from one previous encounter, he didn't believe he had such allure to make a beautiful woman eager to offer him a partnership for no reason. So, Lin Muqing's visit was likely related to the treasury bond business.

"Muqing, you're quite straightforward," Zhou Ming said. "But could you give me a reason why you want to be a partner?"

Reason?

Lin Muqing was momentarily taken aback. She hadn't prepared a reason because, in the past, whenever she asked, no man ever rejected her. It was unexpected…

Lin Muqing furrowed her brows and thought for a moment before saying, "I have fifty thousand yuan that could help you expand the treasury bond business."

At this, Su Han spoke up, "Sorry, Muqing, but we already have ninety thousand yuan on hand and are working with Director Dai from the Agricultural Bank. We really don't need your fifty thousand."

Lin Muqing was taken aback. Her eyes reflected disbelief. "You made that much money in just a few days?"

From Lin Muqing's expression, Zhou Ming could tell that she only knew the treasury bonds were profitable but had no idea how profitable they could be.

Thinking about this, Zhou Ming said, "Yes, Muqing, Xiaohan is right. The way we operate the treasury bond business and the profits are beyond your imagination. Your fifty thousand yuan might seem like a large sum to others, but to us, it's just pocket change we can earn in a few days."

A sense of defeat washed over Lin Muqing. She hadn't expected that her pride in her beauty and the large sum of money she offered would be dismissed so easily by this young man. Even after she made the offer, he spoke to her so calmly.

Lin Muqing's disappointed expression tugged at Zhou Ming's heart. After some thought, he said, "We don't need a partner for the treasury bond business, but if you're really interested, I can consider involving you in my next business venture. I can guarantee that the next business will earn even more than the treasury bonds."

"Really… really?" Lin Muqing asked, disbelievingly. She saw the treasury bond earnings as something beyond her imagination, and if the next venture could be even more profitable, she couldn't fathom it.

"Of course," Zhou Ming said. "But this business will require traveling to Hong Kong. Do you know anyone at the exit-entry administration in Nanjing?"

Lin Muqing nodded. "Yes, I have a distant cousin who works there."

"That's great. If you trust me, just give me a contact number, and I'll get in touch with you when I start the next venture, okay?" Zhou Ming said.

Lin Muqing agreed, left her office phone number with Zhou Ming, and then left the county Agricultural Bank.

As Lin Muqing left, Su Han suddenly asked Zhou Ming, "Do you think I'd look good in a shirt with a skirt and high heels?"

Zhou Ming was puzzled by the question. Turning to see Su Han's resentful expression, he realized she was feeling jealous. It was understandable, considering Lin Muqing was a woman of almost perfect beauty. No man could remain unaffected. While Su Han had confidence in her appearance, she was still growing up and knew her reputation at the factory was poor. With Lin Muqing suddenly appearing and Zhou Ming actively seeking her contact information and inviting her to partner in the next business, it made Su Han feel insecure. She thought this was Zhou Ming showing interest in Lin Muqing.

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

Zhou Ming was touched by Su Han's willingness to go to such lengths for him. He said, "Xiaohan, you don't need to compare yourself to Lin Muqing. You are unique and irreplaceable. I sought her out because she has connections in the city that we need for the next business venture."

"Is that really the case?" Su Han asked.

Seeing the hope in Su Han's eyes, Zhou Ming knew he couldn't give a different answer. "Of course, Xiaohan. You are the most important person to me."

Su Han shyly lowered her head, feeling content. Zhou Ming was tempted to kiss her, but at that moment, Dai Zhenjiang walked into the reception room.

"Sorry to interrupt, but your friend Zhang Lei just called. It seems there's an issue at the factory," Dai Zhenjiang said.

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

Dai Zhenjiang shook his head. "No, he didn't say. He just told you to wait at the Agricultural Bank and that he'd come over soon. It sounds urgent."

"Got it. Thanks, Director Dai," Zhou Ming said, falling into thought. Considering that Ma Jianjun and Ma Lin had already been taught a lesson and his father's appendicitis had stabilized, what could have gone wrong?