Chapter 18: What Are Men Afraid Of?

"Zhou Ming, do you think Cardellina and this Dota Plan are credible? Why does it feel like they're straight out of a legend?" 

In the extended Lincoln limousine, Lin Muqing asked Zhou Ming this question. They had left Fenghui Bank quite early; once Cardellina departed, they had no reason to stay and left promptly.

After leaving, Lin Muqing reflected on the details and couldn't shake off the sense of incredulity, which prompted her question to Zhou Ming.

Zhou Ming was not surprised by Lin Muqing's concerns. Even more than twenty years later, people continue to debate the feasibility of such things, let alone now. The Soviet Union was a superpower that had been in opposition to the United States for decades. Especially for those in China, its influence was immense. The idea of seizing 20 trillion dollars of Soviet wealth without using force seemed like a fantasy. Even in future speculative stories, such a plot would be dismissed as absurd.

As for Cardellina, her enthusiastic involvement as a North Russian was highly suspicious. There were many questions: how did she end up in the U.S., how did she meet Mr. Mata, how did she learn Chinese, and why was she chosen as Zhou Ming's guide? It was hard not to be skeptical.

Zhou Ming considered Lin Muqing's concerns and responded, "Muqing, I understand your worries because they are also my worries. I'm aware these concerns are valid."

He shifted the conversation, adding, "But we aren't Liu Bowen, who could predict events hundreds of years ahead. Many things are unknown to us, and it's normal to be concerned about the unknown. We can't let worries stop us from taking action, or we'll miss out on many opportunities."

"For me," Zhou Ming continued, "the criteria for deciding whether to do something are simple: first, whether it's worth doing, and second, whether I can bear the consequences of failure."

"Firstly, regarding the Dota Plan, whether it's the high-profile Norderman approaching us, the notebook given by Tao Guoling, or Cardellina's statements, all these convince me that this plan exists. Even without these, I still believe that if the Soviet Union goes bankrupt, Western countries won't remain indifferent. The benefits of a superpower's collapse are enough to drive any capitalist crazy, including me."

Zhou Ming told Lin Muqing, "Secondly, I understand that high profits come with high risks. The greater the potential gain, the greater the associated risks, and the more brutal the competition among world powers and major financial groups. Even if you're right that Cardellina is a spy deliberately approaching me, what of it? Does that make me afraid? Muqing, do you remember what I told you when we shorted the port city stock index?"

Lin Muqing suddenly recalled, "You said that even if you lost money, you could always go back to the mainland and make it back with treasury bonds. You wouldn't be ruined by just this amount."

Zhou Ming smiled, "Exactly. The situation now is the same. Even if there's a conspiracy or if Cardellina is a spy, so what? I've weathered bigger storms. Would I capsize here? Besides, if worst comes to worst, I'll just contribute the wealth to the nation. With national and personal protection, who can harm me?"

Lin Muqing was momentarily speechless. Zhou Ming's words, though lacking grandiose promises, revealed a man's resolute and fearless attitude. 

Indeed, what does a true man fear? Not every action requires absolute certainty because there's no such thing as a risk-free investment. In business, one must be prepared to face losses. Otherwise, everyone would be a millionaire, and there wouldn't be such vast disparities between the rich and the poor. The difference lies in the ability to seize opportunities.

When the stock of the Southern Jiang Development Bank was first issued, many people hesitated due to lack of certainty. But those who took the plunge, like the simple farmers who bought in, ended up profiting when Zhou Ming's securities company made the stock price soar. Meanwhile, those who waited, lost out.

Of course, one shouldn't be reckless, but the saying "fortune favors the bold, while the timid starve" holds true. Many times, those who dare to act first profit, while those who hesitate miss the chance.

With this in mind, Lin Muqing happily said to Zhou Ming, "Right, it's just about making money in the Soviet Union. I believe you'll succeed!"

Zhou Ming laughed heartily, "Of course, I'm a man, and a man can't say he can't do something."

In this era, where conservatism prevailed, Lin Muqing didn't catch the double entendre in Zhou Ming's statement.

Back at the hotel, Zhou Ming and Lin Muqing went to their separate rooms. Although they had mutual feelings, they hadn't yet expressed them fully. It wasn't a major issue; such things are often a matter of time. The problem was that Lin Muqing's role as Zhou Ming's bodyguard meant she shared a suite with him, making it difficult for her to express her feelings openly. Such behavior wasn't fitting for the proud Chairwoman Lin.

After returning to his room, Zhou Ming took a shower and refreshed himself before sitting at his desk. The brown paper bag from Cardellina was on the desk.

Zhou Ming and Lin Muqing had already examined the contents of the bag. Despite its bulk, it contained only a communication phone, information on Soviet currency, a contact list of Soviet officials, and account details for Tao Guoling at Fenghui Bank and several Western banks.

After a busy day at the bank, Zhou Ming had transferred the funds—over ten million dollars—into his own account. While such an amount would excite an ordinary person, Zhou Ming wasn't thrilled. As Tao Guoling's final words had implied, the money was less important than the opportunity it represented.

Zhou Ming opened the bag and examined the Soviet officials' contact list. The long Russian names were not only unfamiliar but overwhelming. However, he acknowledged this was normal; he wasn't an expert on Soviet issues and only knew the names of a few prominent leaders post-Soviet Union.

If the Dota Plan was real, then even the more outlandish aspects of it, like American economists assisting North Russia with presidential orders or legal frameworks, might also be true.

Given this, Zhou Ming pondered how he might contribute to this financial venture. Otherwise, he would be squandering the opportunity Tao Guoling had provided him.

Just then, Zhou Ming's phone rang, interrupting his thoughts.

He answered, only to hear, "Hello, sir. Would you like room service?"

The unexpected question left Zhou Ming momentarily disoriented, making him feel as if he had traveled through time and was back in his previous life, receiving similar inquiries while staying in hotels.

He quickly refocused. He realized he was indeed reborn, in a five-star hotel in Port City. Moreover, the call was on his personal phone. If it were truly room service, it would typically be from the room's phone, not a personal cell.

The voice was familiar, but Zhou Ming couldn't immediately place it. Given that he had changed his phone number since arriving in Port City and only a few close contacts knew it, the possibility of a prank was low. Zhou Ming asked, "Who is this?"

The voice on the other end replied plainly, "I'm right outside your room. Just open the door, and you'll find out who I am."

With that, the call ended. Zhou Ming heard the dial tone and, after a moment's thought, got up to open the door. As he did, he saw the bodyguard was waiting in the living room, having sensed something amiss.

Zhou Ming said nothing as he approached the door and opened it, and when he saw who was outside, he was taken aback.