Chapter 106: Ding Yan Has Arrived, Bringing Investment and a Red-and-White Game Console

At one in the morning, most people had already gone to sleep, yet the street of the night market was still bustling with life.

“Uncle Four, bring me some grilled skewers and iced beer, make it spicy.”

“Right away. You sit tight; I’ll have it ready in a moment.”

As he spoke, Uncle Four did not forget to nod at Qin Lin.

In the days when he used to run wild with Zhou Runbo, he had seen Qin Lin before. Back then, he had even looked up to him as a kind of idol, hoping to accomplish achievements as great as his.

Now there was no need for that. It was enough to manage this night-market stall properly and take life one step at a time.

“This spot is pretty decent. You get quite a lot of business from people looking after you,” Qin Lin said after sitting down.

“Thanks to the former owner’s support. He gave the shop a good reputation to build on.”

Zhang Tianfeng opened a bottle of chilled beer and handed it to Qin Lin. “Boss Qin, I’ve got a business proposition I want to discuss with you.”

“You’re the one who’s come to me about this first, aren’t you?” Qin Lin raised an eyebrow. “Though my daughter likes you, business is business. I won’t go easy on you. Let’s hear the business plan first.”

“An advertising company.”

At that, Qin Lin had barely swallowed a mouthful of beer before he spat it straight out.

He had only just started promoting vehicle-body advertising, and Zhang Tianfeng was already entering that field. Was this brat doing it on purpose?

“Don’t rush. By advertising, I don’t just mean vehicle-body marketing. There are many other areas too—shooting commercials for others, coming up with ideas, and so on.”

“Young people really know how to make trouble. I can take a stake, but I want 51 percent control.”

“Then there’s no point talking. When I do business, I never hand control to anyone else. If it ever came to that, I’d rather quit outright.”

“Fine, then let’s not talk about this one. Let’s talk about something else.”

Qin Lin knew Zhang Tianfeng had a clear head, so he spoke bluntly and without ornament. To outsiders, he came across as cold and merciless.

He was willing to let it go, but Gao Ran was not. She wanted, by any means possible, to bind herself to Zhang Tianfeng.

“How much are you short? I’ll put in a little and see how it goes.”

“Would your father agree?”

“My money is my own. He doesn’t get to control it.” Gao Ran waved a hand grandly. “So, how much?”

“About a million.”

“A million? Are you planning to buy the equipment yourself?”

Buying equipment would cost far more than that. Since they were going to do advertising, they naturally had to make a name for themselves first.

Zhang Tianfeng’s idea was to spend his own money first and shoot an ad for the toy factory. It might take a long time before it became a hit, and the million was merely the budget.

“Ranran, let’s discuss this later,” Qin Lin said, finding the whole thing a bit hard to watch.

Gao Ran seemed to think of something too, and nodded in agreement.

With that, the advertising company matter was set aside, and they began chatting about other things.

Qin Lin used the subject of his own vehicle advertising company to open the conversation, fishing for details from Zhang Tianfeng all the while.

Zhang Tianfeng answered everything without reservation. He knew full well that if he helped Qin Lin now, Qin Lin would repay him someday in the future. Better to cultivate goodwill in advance.

They kept drinking until two in the morning. Even Qin Yuelan, who rarely drank, had downed two bottles of beer.

Just as they were about to close up, a big mobile phone suddenly rang.

“Little brother, the goods you wanted have already been delivered to the dock at Tangwan Town. When should we arrange the unloading?”

Zhang Tianfeng was instantly sober.

“Brother, didn’t you say they wouldn’t arrive until tomorrow?”

“I forgot to tell you: those of us who go by sea usually treat the night as day. Work is easier when the night is dark and the wind is high—you understand.”

“Can you leave them there for one night? We don’t have anyone to unload them now, and there’s nowhere to store them.”

“Sure. Then I’ll contact you tomorrow.”

“Brother, come on over—come on over and have some barbecue. Bring your brothers too.”

“Sounds good. Send me the location and I’ll come right over.”

Since they were coming all the way to his turf, how could he let his guests find their own way?

A vehicle was hastily found to pick them up at the dock, and by the time Ding Yan and the others arrived, it was already half past two.

“Order whatever you like. Tonight, all expenses are on Young Master Zhang.”

“Hahaha, did you hear that? The little stock-god is treating you all. Eat more and soak up the luck—then I guarantee you’ll win big at cards tomorrow.”

“Boss, if we end up playing against our own people, what happens if we lose?”

“Get lost. Stop nitpicking at me.”

After kicking the employee away, Ding Yan sat down at Zhang Tianfeng’s table.

The moment he took his seat, his gaze fell on Qin Lin. After studying him for a moment, he said, “Brother, you look familiar. Have we met somewhere before?”

“Qin Lin. A friend of Boss Zhou’s. I once had the honor of meeting Boss Ding.”

“Oh, so you’re one of Old Zhou’s people.”

Ding Yan nodded and did not dwell on it, instead turning his attention to Zhang Tianfeng.

“Little brother, those artists said they’d have the company set up within seven days. When the time comes, they’ll come to Harbor City to find you.”

“Also, that young lady from the Hui Tian family asked me to transport four sets of equipment for you. She said you must wait until the engineer arrives before installing them.”

“Good. Thanks, brother. Let’s have a drink first.”

He drained his beer in one gulp. Ding Yan burped and said, “Boss Qin, I know you. You don’t usually visit unless you have business.”

“Little stock-god, do you happen to have some business? Tell me about it. Old Ding wants to make money too.”

Those words darkened Qin Lin’s face, though he did not dare flare up.

His standing was high, but compared with Ding Yan, he was still not on the same level.

Right now he still relied on the seafaring crowd for support, and Ding Yan happened to have some reputation within that circle. If he offended him, his business would take a severe blow.

“I originally wanted to open an advertising company, but I couldn’t reach an agreement with Boss Qin.”

“I’m in.” Ding Yan slammed the table. “I don’t want control, and I don’t need too many shares. As long as I can make money, that’s enough.”

“It’s definitely profitable, but I can’t yet make an accurate judgment about how long it will take for returns.”

“That’s all? Easy. Tell me how much you need to invest.”

“A million.”

“Just a million? I thought it would be ten million. I’ll transfer the money to you tomorrow. Just send me the supplementary share agreement afterward.”

“No, no. Let me sort things out first, then we’ll talk.”

Unlike Qin Lin, who thought things through from every angle, Zhang Tianfeng actually felt more at ease.

Money like Old Ding’s was hot to the touch, not easy to take.

Still, if Ding Yan was willing to come aboard, the rest would be much easier.

After several rounds of drinks, with white liquor, beer, and red wine all making their rounds in turn, Ding Yan was starting to feel the effects.

“Uncle Four, tidy up the place. I’ll settle the bill tomorrow.”

“Sure. You head back. Leave this to me.”

Supporting Ding Yan on the way back, Zhang Tianfeng was halfway there when the man vomited for a while, then, in a dazed voice, said, “Little brother, this time I brought you a batch of good stuff.”

“The latest red-and-white console, along with matching motherboards—sixty units in all. That should show you I’m treating you well, right?”

“That’s more than enough. Brother, you’ve been so good to me that I don’t even know how to repay you.”

“Just bring me money. Old Ding asks for nothing else.”

Zhang Tianfeng nodded heavily, gazing at the boundless darkness ahead.

In another three months, he would reach the moment when he would achieve financial freedom and never again have to worry about money.