Chapter 105: Changing Fate, the Queen of Small Goods Was Deceived into a Limp

Since the last time the rural-encirclement-of-the-city strategy allowed Qin Lin to gain an advantage in Hong Kong City, he swiftly replicated the method and applied it across all his own territories. In regions where he couldn't intervene directly, he devised a complete promotional plan based on this approach and sold it to various marketing companies.

At times like this, the benefits of having a wide network became apparent. One after another, small business owners came knocking, each paying tens of thousands or even a hundred thousand, together bringing Qin Lin nearly five million in profits. When he tallied up the earnings, he was astonished. Just one promotional plan casually handed over by Zhang Tianfeng was worth more than half a lifetime of his own hard work.

Such a golden money tree could not be let slip away. As a result, Qin Lin became filled with goodwill toward Zhang Tianfeng; even when talking to his daughter, Tianfeng’s name would come up every few sentences.

“Dad, weren’t you adamant about keeping me away from him? Now it seems like you’re courting him yourself.”

“What are you talking about? I only mention him because I make money thanks to him.”

“Boss Qin, how much did you earn this time?” shouted Zhang Tianfeng, who was driving.

Qin Lin paused, bemused by his daughter’s betrayal before marriage, siding with outsiders without warning. After a moment, he laughed and said, “So you’re here too? This time I sold your method to those people and earned about two million. Don’t worry, when I get back, I’ll give it all to you.”

“No need. Once the method is yours, it’s yours.”

“Good lad, that’s exactly what I appreciate about you.”

Hearing that he didn’t have to pay, Qin Lin was delighted and immediately shifted the conversation from family matters to business.

After answering Qin Lin’s questions, Zhang Tianfeng shared Qin Yuelan’s idea. Qin Lin hesitated for a moment before replying that he would come over in the evening, and Zhang Tianfeng ended the call cheerfully.

After hanging up, Zhang Tianfeng fell silent, making Gao Ran think he was upset.

“Don’t be mad, lunatic. I’ll make sure to give you all the money my dad made.”

“It’s not that. I just realized I could start an advertising company, specializing in ideas.”

If just one car body advertising promotion plan could earn Qin Lin over two million, then specializing in this line of business would be even more lucrative than manufacturing.

“The key here is connections.”

“My dad makes money because all the small business owners trust him. Unless you approach the Huo family.”

“I won’t. This time, definitely not.”

Zhang Tianfeng disliked owing favors. After returning safely from Japan, he immediately wrote the Huo family an IOU for three hundred billion. If he went to them again, even the East Asian financial crisis of ‘97 couldn’t cover the debt.

This time, he wanted to rely on himself.

To do so, he would have to invest upfront.

Ah, money again!

Last time, he borrowed three million from Longxin Capital, some of which he put into the stock market, continuing to hold Chinese concept stocks, and the rest he invested in Blue Square Toy Factory, including profits from clearing inventory in Hong Kong City.

Since the overseas copyright company for Akira Toriyama had not yet been established, as soon as it was, another million or so would be needed.

In other words, Zhang Tianfeng was once again broke.

As expected, the wider one spreads their operations, the greater the expenses.

He decided to wait for Qin Lin’s arrival and perhaps partner up to start a company together.

...

Qin Lin arrived at eleven at night, having heard that Zhang Tianfeng had a new idea and rushing over on the earliest flight.

At midnight, in the courtyard below Fragrant Pavilion.

Zhang Tianfeng, Gao Ran, Qin Lin, and Qin Yuelan sat facing one another.

“Boss Qin, here is the plan I drafted this afternoon. Please take a look and let me know if there are any issues,” Zhang Tianfeng said. Since he believed the plan feasible, Qin Yuelan spent the afternoon perfecting it, preparing thoroughly.

“First, tell me what I get from this partnership.”

“First, an opportunity to make a strong impression in front of upper management. That alone should tempt you.

Second, becoming known among more workers and leaving a deep mark in their minds. If you ever decide to run short- or long-distance commercial routes, these people are potential customers.

Third, combined with the first, having upper management as your shield will greatly ease your car fleet’s entry into coastal regions.”

These points were all summarized by Qin Yuelan from Zhang Tianfeng’s usual discussions about Qin Lin. All self-reliance, no dependence on others.

“The benefits are tempting. Let me look at the details.”

Examining the details carefully, Qin Yuelan offered two partnership options.

The first: Bo Le Company pays for vehicle fuel, driver wages, and equipment depreciation—essentially renting Qin Lin’s fleet. This gives Bo Le Company control and freedom to use the fleet as they wish.

The second: Bo Le Company pays nothing, only providing passengers for pickup and delivery. Qin Lin covers all the fleet’s expenses, and how he recoups the costs depends entirely on his own abilities.

Qin Lin patiently read through everything and then asked, “One last question: what kind of passengers are we talking about?”

“High-end talent—the lowest is a company junior manager.”

“Alright, I’ll choose the second option.”

He signed his name on the contract and said, “Tomorrow morning, someone will come to hand over the work details.”

“You truly are a big boss, thinking far ahead.”

“You’re not bad yourself—almost as capable as any man.”

Actually, Qin Lin was not optimistic about the plan, mainly because the returns were slow, and he didn’t intend to operate passenger routes in the future. He would stick to transporting contraband.

His signature was solely for Zhang Tianfeng’s sake.

Even if he lost money, he intended to make it up from Zhang Tianfeng.

“Mr. Zhang, may we have a private conversation now?”

“No rush. I need to have a quick meeting with Sister Lan first. Please wait a moment.”

“Alright, call me when you’re ready. I’ll go upstairs to enjoy the air conditioning.”

Rushing from the airport straight into work, Qin Lin never took a break.

The two groups headed upstairs. Qin Lin returned to his own room, Qin Yuelan to Zhang Tianfeng’s.

Just as he was about to close the door, a pale hand suddenly reached in.

“What are you doing here? I’m about to discuss confidential company matters with Sister Lan.”

“Why can’t I come? I’m the secretary!”

“Out, you can’t hear this.”

Chasing out Gao Ran, Zhang Tianfeng closed the door.

“Sister Lan, let’s get started. I only want to ask you one thing.”

“Go ahead, boss.”

“Have you considered developing the job placement market?”

“Yes!” Qin Yuelan replied without hesitation.

With deeper involvement in the field, she had learned and understood more, especially after hearing Zhang Tianfeng describe future business models. Suddenly, she had the idea of becoming the country’s largest job placement company.

“That’s good. When we have time, let’s go to Hong Kong City. I’ll transfer forty percent of Bo Le Job Placement Company’s shares to you.”

“Boss, what do you mean by this?”

“It’s what I promised. I’ve noticed your performance during this period. You deserve this share.”

For Zhang Tianfeng, it was a good thing. The more shares Qin Yuelan held, the more diligent and dedicated she would be.

He had no time to manage the job placement market himself; holding absolute control and letting Qin Yuelan make money for him—why not?

“At the latest, by ‘95, when computers become popular domestically, I’ll increase your shares further—but never beyond fifty percent.”

“You’ve followed me for so long; you should know I like to control things I’m confident in.”

“With fifty-one percent, the price I pay is to answer your future doubts, and to help overcome any difficulties in the company’s development.”

“What do you think?”

This... this was nothing short of a windfall from heaven.

Until now, Qin Yuelan felt she hadn’t contributed much—just what any manager should do.

Receiving forty percent of the shares in one go was a tremendous surprise.

Though it wasn’t worth much yet, Qin Yuelan had absolute faith in Zhang Tianfeng. As long as he was around, there would be no truly losing business.

“Alright. Thank you, boss.”

“Good, let’s go out for dinner. When I talk business with Boss Qin later, you should listen in and learn something.”

With Qin Yuelan’s agreement, the weight in Zhang Tianfeng’s heart finally dropped.

After all this time, he finally had someone capable under his wing.

But Qin Yuelan’s fate was now rewritten—from the queen of small commodities in her past life, she would become this lifetime’s titan of human resources.