Chapter 031: Laying a Solid Foundation, Awaiting the Favorable Wind

The next morning, Zhang Tianfeng rose early, adapting to local customs with a breakfast of pineapple bun and hot coffee. Afterward, he had the driver arranged by Qin Lin take him to a shopping mall. Amidst the romantic melodies of Hong Kong pop, Zhang Tianfeng gradually melted into the crowd.

“Where is he?”
“I haven’t seen him. I’ve been watching the north gate, but he never came out.”
“Damn it, how are we supposed to report back to the boss now?”
“Call headquarters immediately and have them track his bank card activity. Find out where the card is being used! Hurry up.”

Qin Lin had tasked them with keeping an eye on Zhang Tianfeng, documenting his every move. Zhang Tianfeng was aware of this. In Tangwan Town, he had no room to maneuver, but in a metropolis like Hong Kong, possibilities opened up.

At that moment, he was lying in the backseat of a taxi, quietly watching skyscrapers blur past the window.

“Boss, you’ve already left the shopping mall. Don’t worry, your family won’t find you.”

Clearly, the taxi driver had mistaken him for a runaway young master from some powerful clan.

Zhang Tianfeng smiled without replying, tipped the driver, and said, “Take me to the nearest CBD, please.”

“Alright, boss, hold tight~” The driver floored the accelerator, and the car sped between the towers once more.

Half a day later, a Crown sedan appeared on the streets of Hong Kong. Qin Lin and Gao Ran stepped out together.

“Did you find him?” Qin Lin asked sternly.

The team leader in charge of monitoring Zhang Tianfeng lowered his head and replied, “Boss, we didn’t find him. After he—”

“That’s enough. You’ve failed. Go back; you’re no longer responsible here.”

“Yes, boss.”

Qin Lin was good to his subordinates, but strict punishments were always enforced. The capable advanced, the weak fell behind—there was no room for sentiment.

Heading upstairs, they opened the door to Zhang Tianfeng’s room. Gao Ran sat in a chair, swinging her long legs and blowing bubbles. “Dad, what do you think he’s up to, ditching us on purpose?”

“He’s spending money in ways we can’t predict.” Qin Lin stood on the balcony, gazing at the crowd below. “That kid is strange and cautious. He doesn’t want me involved in his business—he’s wary of me.”

“Of course. Anyone under your watch would be afraid.” Qin Lin couldn’t help but chuckle; his daughter’s loyalties seemed to lean elsewhere.

Gao Ran continued, “Now your partnership is over. Next time you meet, be polite to him—it’ll make it easier for me to infiltrate.”

Qin Lin glanced sideways. “Are you sure you’ll conquer him, not the other way around?”

“Hmph! He thinks he can handle me? He’s too inexperienced!” Gao Ran replied, full of confidence.

“Enough about that. Since we’re in Hong Kong, we should do something. I happen to have an enterprise ready to be abandoned—I’ll let you run it. If it succeeds, great; if not, consider it tuition.”

Qin Lin had countless enterprises, some owned outright, others held by proxies, and many shadowy ventures quietly generating profits for his empire.

The company he was about to hand over was an investment firm that had been losing money for three months, dabbling in funds, stocks, futures, and gold.

Qin Lin’s rule was “three strikes”—any enterprise that lost money for three consecutive months was dissolved, and all staff dismissed.

Gao Ran giggled, “Thank you, Dad! I’m suddenly a Hong Kong entrepreneur!”

“Don’t be so quick. Once you take over, you’re on your own—I won’t bail you out. Check your little treasury and decide if you really want it.”

“Other parents give their kids seed money for experience, but you’re so heartless?” Gao Ran poked Qin Lin’s arm. “Do you really want to see me handing out flyers on the street, exploited by Zhang Tianfeng?”

“Alright, alright, you win—here’s half a million as startup capital, but don’t come asking for more.”

“Thank you, Daddy~”

This was the importance of family. Zhang Tianfeng, a man reborn, took three days to scrape together enough seed money to become a ten-thousand-yuan household. He had to work hard to lure Qin Lin out and managed to get a million from him. Gao Ran, with a little sweet talk, got fifty thousand in an instant.

Comparisons are cruel—people envy others, goods pale beside better goods.

Without delay, Qin Lin and his daughter quickly went to handle the company transfer procedures.

Meanwhile, in another business center, Zhang Tianfeng had already established his company, though things had changed slightly.

“Mr. Zhang, your request has been processed.” A blonde, blue-eyed woman with wavy hair approached carrying two folders.

Her name was Alice, a foreigner working in Hong Kong. Her gender, skin color, and language skills gave her an edge in the business center, allowing her to gather more resources than others.

That day, she handled Zhang Tianfeng’s requests.

Opening the left folder, she revealed documents concerning the investment company.

It was registered in the tax haven of the Cayman Islands, named “Tia Fe G”—the pinyin for Tianfeng.

Zhang Tianfeng had also chosen a provocative slogan: “I am the highest peak in the investment world; no one can surpass me!”

Alice was a nominee holder, with no investment rights unless Zhang Tianfeng granted her his authorization key, which made any investment plan legally valid.

In addition, he established a Hong Kong company called “Yuanfeng Group,” and set up a subsidiary named “Bole”—meaning “Talent Spotter.” This was preparation for entering the professional recruitment market; Zhang Tianfeng intended to turn this name into the number one online recruitment platform in the future.

He had originally planned to set up another subsidiary, but since he hadn’t received the desired news, he decided to postpone it.

The million yuan he had was split in two, each company holding half.

“Very good, Alice. Thank you for your help.”

“You’re welcome, Mr. Zhang. Is there anything else you’d like me to do?”

“Please buy Chinese concept stocks for me—all in.”

Alice was startled by the instruction and quickly replied, “Mr. Zhang, right now Chinese concept stocks have lost all investment value in the market. Even novice investors treat them as junk stocks.”

“Miss Alice, please follow your professional code. Don’t ask questions you shouldn’t.”

“Yes, sir. I’ll handle it right away.”

Taking Zhang Tianfeng’s authorization key, Alice hurried away. Ten minutes later, she returned and placed the subscription forms on the table. “Mr. Zhang, it’s done.”

“Thank you, Miss Alice. Next time we meet, coffee’s on me. I’ll be going now.”

“Goodbye, sir.”

After seeing Zhang Tianfeng off, Alice returned to the office. In her opinion, another client would soon disappear. Buying Chinese concept stocks at this time was suicidal.

But Zhang Tianfeng was anything but suicidal—he was here to make money!

In 1993, the Shanghai and Shenzhen markets had entered a prolonged bear phase, but the Hong Kong stock market was holding up a little better. From the start of the year to May, the Hang Seng Index had surged from 5,400 points to 7,500.

However, in June, things changed.

Early June, the RMB adjusted price fell sharply, causing domestic concept stocks to tumble and the index to drop to 7,100.

Although there was a technical rebound to 7,300, trading volume failed to follow, and the index hovered between 7,100 and 7,300.

Late June, Hong Kong’s return was stalled, and the Hang Seng plunged 200 points, barely holding the 7,000 mark.

Mid-July, after progress in the eighth round of talks and the appointment of Governor Zhu to reform the financial market, coupled with news of the great leader’s declining health, the Hang Seng broke below 6,800.

Investors panicked, rumors spread, and turnover dwindled.

After two months of tug-of-war, on August 2nd, the Hang Seng began to rebound, thanks to American funds entering the market and HSBC’s unexpectedly strong earnings report, which halted the decline and drove the index above 7,100.

Immediately after, Cheung Kong Holdings’ earnings report further stimulated the market. Funds poured in, pushing the index past 7,500 and into prosperity.

By the last day of 1993, the Hang Seng closed at a historic high of 11,960.

All this information was etched in Zhang Tianfeng’s mind.

His hardships in his previous life made him dream countless times of returning to 1993, to the very start of his family’s troubles, granting him a rebirth.

So in his spare time, he memorized every rise and fall of the Hong Kong stock market from 1993 to 1997.

Today, it was finally useful.

Returning to the hotel, Zhang Tianfeng found Gao Ran sitting on the sofa reading a magazine, with Qin Lin smoking on the balcony. He paused.

“Are you two…?”

“There are a few points in your business plan I don’t quite understand, so I flew over to ask,” Qin Lin replied, turning around.

Gao Ran waved her hand. “Famous author, where’s the sequel to my ‘Summer Romance’? If you don’t finish it soon, my girlfriends will sue you for fraud.”

“I’ve been busy lately, but I’ll write as soon as I have time~” Zhang Tianfeng smiled sheepishly. “Let’s go eat and talk over dinner?”

“Sure, I’ll lead the way. You two follow me!”

With Gao Ran joining, the dinner was harmonious.

The three chose a local eatery, and Gao Ran took charge of ordering.

Qin Lin’s doubts concerned the subtle, almost deceptive business rules—on the surface, they looked like traps that could lead to total ruin.

After Zhang Tianfeng’s professional explanation, Qin Lin saw the light, as if a new door had opened for him.

“This is the most creative business operation I’ve ever heard. It’s truly a case of finding life at the brink of death,” Qin Lin marveled.

Zhang Tianfeng smiled. “I hope you never have to use it. It’s a last resort for when you’re forced into a corner by your opponents.”

“Since there are no further questions, allow me to wish you every success and great fortune.”

“Thank you for your kind words. Cheers.”