Chapter 2: The World's Richest Man Began with Ninety Yuan

"Director Niu, please come in."
After inviting Niu Dayun into the main room, Father handed him a cigarette. "Have a smoke."
With a quick glance, it turned out to be Wuniu—cheap stuff.
Niu Dayun waved his hand, declined, then took out a pack of Red Pagoda Mountain from his briefcase and pressed it into Zhang Jincai's hand.
"Director, what’s this for..."
"I have to attend a meeting in the city on the fourteenth, looking for opportunities for the factory. Old Liu can’t do his shift that day, so I need you to cover for him."
Niu Dayun continued, "I won’t let you work for nothing—one yuan for the night, and if your wife joins, that’s two yuan."
"Old Zhang, aside from Old Liu, you’re the one I trust most in the whole cotton mill. Can you do me this favor?"
Zhang Tianfeng came out and said, "Thank you for your kindness, Director Niu, but my parents have something to do on the fourteenth and can’t make it."
After struggling for so many years, he had long since learned to endure, to face enemies with a calm and indifferent manner.
Niu Dayun must eventually be brought down—but not yet. Before acting, he still needed to maintain the harmless, innocent image, waiting for the key moment to deliver a fatal blow.
"What nonsense are you talking, boy? Go play elsewhere," Father scolded.
He turned to Niu Dayun, "Director, kids don’t understand things. I’ve got time on the fourteenth; I’ll be there for sure."
The wave of layoffs had already begun. The entire canning factory in the neighboring village had been put on furlough, and the news left everyone here anxious.
To leave a good impression, he’d have done it even for free.
Hearing the answer he wanted, Niu Dayun’s expression finally relaxed a little.
But Zhang Tianfeng wasn’t about to let things proceed as they wished—he’d already devised a plan.
"Dad, come in for a moment. I need to tell you something."
Grabbing his father’s hand, Zhang Tianfeng said, "Director Niu, have some tea and we’ll be right back."
He closed the door and, before his father could get angry, whispered quickly, "Dad, remember that girlfriend I told you about from school? Something’s happened between us."
Her name was Li Li. Her family sold cured meats. They’d been in the same class since childhood, with mutual affection.
But tomorrow, Li Li would break up with him—she was aiming for a college or technical school, in search of a better future.
"What? Am I going to have a grandchild?" His mother, delighted, drew closer. "How long has this been going on?"
"It’s not what you think!" Zhang Tianfeng hurried to explain.
He knew the more he explained, the less they’d believe him—but that was exactly the effect he wanted.

If he wanted them to give up the two yuan overtime, he’d have to call on the power of a nonexistent grandchild!
His mother smiled, "Old Zhang, your son’s just like you—feels guilty and gets shy."
"Why drag me into this when you’re talking about our son?" Father glared.
His mother glared back, "Isn’t it true? Like father, like son—jump on the train first, buy a ticket later!"
Zhang Jincai didn’t argue further, pulling out a cigarette to light, only for Zhang Tianfeng to snatch it away.
"You’re getting old, stop smoking. I’ll bring my girlfriend home on the fourteenth. For now, don’t tell anyone—nothing’s settled yet."
"I know, I don’t need you to teach me!"
Father habitually reached for another cigarette, but this time Zhang Tianfeng took the whole pack, including the Red Pagoda Mountain on the table!
"Dad, go out and talk to Niu Dayun."
"Call him Director Niu! Show some respect!"
With a glare, Father left the room, and Zhang Tianfeng was pulled aside by his mother for some chitchat.
It was the usual: how long had it been, when did it start, was the relationship stable?
Soon, Father returned, and Mother pulled him aside to whisper.
Seeing the conflicted yet joyful smiles on their faces, Zhang Tianfeng felt a pang of guilt.
Mom, Dad, this will be the last time I deceive you. Your son will make something of himself and make you the envy of everyone in Qingwa Village!
With this thought, Zhang Tianfeng stood up. "I’m heading to Xiyan City; I’ll be back on the thirteenth and staying at Fourth Uncle’s."
"What are you going to the city for?" Father liked to get to the bottom of everything.
"To see his little girlfriend, what else?" Mother smiled. "Got enough money? If not, I’ll give you some."
"I have enough."
"Go on then, and don’t pick up your Fourth Uncle’s bad habits—be good!"
Zhang Tianfeng nodded and strode out.
Inside, the electric fan squeaked as it turned. Zhang Jincai sat on the floor, chewing on a stalk of straw.
"Knit the gloves," his wife said.
"I’m worried. Niu Dayun left with a black face."
"So what? Lots of people at the factory don’t give him face. What’s there to worry about?"

"But Old Li’s family sells cured meats in Xiyan, making in one day what we make in half a month. Do you think they’ll see our family as worthy?"
"They probably don’t," Mother said after a moment’s silence. "Maybe we should go into business. Even if we get our jobs back, we’ll always be behind the Li family."
That was true. Even with all the spinning machines running, working overtime, the two of them could only bring home five or six hundred yuan a month, so the Li family would always look down on them.
It was time to find a new path, for the sake of their son’s future.
"I’ll think of something these next few days. If I find a way to make money, I’ll quit the job," Zhang Jincai said.
"Maybe I should visit my mother’s place. I have some friends at the wholesale market flipping jewelry—they make thirty or forty yuan a day."
"I’ll go with you. We can stop by Xiyan and see what our rascal is up to."
Mother said nothing more; the matter was settled.
After an hour without a cigarette, his mouth tasted bitter and dry.
Zhang Jincai rummaged in his pocket, only to remember his son had confiscated his cigarettes.
Leaning against the wall, he sighed and smiled. "Our boy’s really grown up, cares about my health, won’t let me smoke."
"Nonsense!" Mother laughed. "Your son smokes too. I saw him a few days ago, hiding by the pond behind the school. He didn’t see me."
"Why didn’t you stop him?"
"Stop him? If a child’s going to go astray, a few words won’t fix it. Each generation has its own fortune. As long as he stays on the right path, it’s enough."
"That rascal! No wonder the cigarettes at home keep disappearing. Just wait till I catch him!"
...
With his fishing gear for crayfish and eels, and ninety yuan in secret savings accumulated over years, he headed straight for the village entrance.
Back then, the passenger buses still had natural gas tanks on the roof, their bodies caked in mud and the seats dark and worn.
"Don’t rush! Buy a ticket before boarding! Anyone trying to sneak on won’t get a seat next time!"
The ticket lady, one hand clutching the cash box and the other gripping the railing, glared fiercely at the crowd below!
After buying a ticket and choosing a window seat, Zhang Tianfeng began refining his plan to make money.
Xiyan City was just a stepping stone, a way to earn enough to reach Harbor City.
Only there could Zhang Tianfeng quickly earn his initial capital and gain a seat at the table.