Chapter 036: The Male Version of "Seeking Heirs with a Heavy Reward," Another Journey to Hong Kong City

Zhou Yuanzong, male, 51 years old.

He was formerly the workshop supervisor at Huicheng State-owned Plastics Factory, and later married Zhou Mei, the daughter of the sales department manager. The two Zhous joined forces, completely sidelined the former factory director, and by 1986 had seized full control of the plastics factory. Afterwards, they abused their power for personal gain, amassing great wealth.

Last year, after the great man’s southern tour, the economy blossomed everywhere, and coastal cities began to compete in economic development. In this environment, Zhou Yuanzong somehow became acquainted with a Hong Kong businessman. Using his title as factory director as collateral, he established a toy factory in Tangwan Town, recruited large numbers of employees, and began producing toys.

With power came wealth, naturally. Reaching a certain age, and tired of years of seeing the same face—beauty had long turned to disgust, and even a glance would make him nauseous—Zhou Yuanzong began keeping a mistress. Every month, he spent several thousand yuan in hard cash to support a beautiful college girl in Hong Kong City.

By the second month, his wife caught him red-handed, and the two fought in the street, making headlines in the Hong Kong City Daily. The news reached Huicheng and caused an uproar.

They quarreled for only a day, and by the next day had made up as if nothing had happened. Whenever outsiders asked, Zhou Mei would always say the mistress had been kicked out.

“There are a few more rumors,” Red Hair said. “It’s said that after their fight, Zhou Yuanzong never returned to the plastics factory. But the workers stationed there often hear certain sounds coming from Zhou Mei’s room at night.”

“What kind of sounds?” Qin Yuelan, who was listening in, asked.

“Well...that kind,” Red Hair stammered, unable to articulate.

Zhang Tianfeng interjected, “Little girls shouldn’t ask about such things.”

“Tch, as if you’re so grown up, you little boy!” Qin Yuelan retorted, indignant.

Red Hair continued, “Zhou Yuanzong and his wife have a daughter, but ever since the fight, he’s hardly visited her or cared about his wife. The mother and daughter are living in hardship, still relying on support from her family just to barely get by.”

“And Zhou Yuanzong abused his position as director to take advantage of many female workers. Those women, in order to keep their jobs, had no choice but to grit their teeth and submit.”

Red Hair lowered his voice, “Some of their husbands even found out, but pretended nothing happened.”

“That’s outrageous,” Gao Ran said, aghast. How could a man endure such a thing, knowing full well what was happening?

“It’s all about the money. And there are even more outrageous things you haven’t seen yet,” Red Hair replied.

Especially among laid-off workers in the wave of unemployment—those people truly suffered! Trading themselves for a job... The absurdity bordered on the surreal, so much so that even Zhang Tianfeng dared not speak of it aloud.

After hearing these rumors, Zhang Tianfeng said, “It seems Zhou Yuanzong has completely burned his bridges and is using some means to keep Zhou Mei in check!”

“Boss, here’s the information on the toy factory. Take a look,” Red Hair said, handing over a photocopy.

A glance revealed the factory’s two shareholders: Huicheng No. 36 Plastics Factory, represented by Zhou Yuanzong, and Far Investment Group from Hong Kong City.

“This isn’t much use. If we could get internal documents from the plastics factory or Far Investment Group, like a list of shareholders, then there might be something to work with.”

“You’re bound to be disappointed,” Gao Ran said, returning with a bowl of tofu pudding. “Far Investment Group is a famous investment company in Hong Kong City, backed by the Huo family.”

At the mention of the Huo family, Zhang Tianfeng’s expression turned serious. In Hong Kong City, no one rivaled the Huo family’s influence—even Li the Magnate had to take a back seat. With such a giant behind it, Far Investment Group would be no easy opponent.

He took a spoonful of tofu pudding and muttered, “Still, I’m curious—how did someone like Zhou Yuanzong get in touch with the investment management at Far Investment Group?”

Zhang Tianfeng was puzzled as well. The hidden secrets here might be even deeper than he’d imagined.

“Let’s not talk about that for now!” He took a deep breath. “If this scoundrel dares to mess with me, I’ll make sure he suffers.”

“Boss, are we going after him, or his wife and daughter?” Red Hair asked.

“Let’s go after his wife and daughter.”

Gao Ran frowned. “I really misjudged you—those two have already been abandoned, and you still want to target them?”

“If you don’t understand, don’t speak carelessly!”

Zhang Tianfeng stood up, straightened Red Hair’s hair, and asked, “Ignoring his shifty little eyes, would you say this guy is handsome?”

Gao Ran looked him up and down. “Tall and skinny, like a bamboo pole. As for his face, just average.”

Qin Yuelan chimed in unexpectedly, “Boss, you’re not planning to use the honey trap, are you?”

Red Hair recoiled three steps, exclaiming, “Boss, I wouldn’t blink at cutting someone for you, but seducing Zhou Mei? No way!”

“What, is the woman ugly?”

“She’s actually not ugly—better looking than most women her age. But she’s just not my type. Just seeing her makes me dizzy and nauseous.”

“Well, that’s not up to you. If you work with me, don’t even think about resisting.”

Throwing an arm over Red Hair’s shoulder, Zhang Tianfeng said, “Come on, I’ll take you shopping in Hong Kong City and turn you into the number one heartthrob.”

“Zhang Tianfeng, if you don’t tell me the plan, you can go alone,” Gao Ran threatened.

Zhang Tianfeng chuckled. “Ever heard of the ‘big money for a child’ scheme?”

“What’s that?”

A beautiful, wealthy, and generous socialite in Hong Kong City, whose husband is infertile and unable to give her a child, comes up with a plan: she seeks out high-quality men, and if one gets her pregnant, she’ll reward him with a million yuan.

Such scams were all the rage in a previous life, and even spawned the first batch of so-called “mommy-chasing” comedians.

Now, Zhang Tianfeng planned to turn the tables, using a male version of the “big money for a child” scheme plus an online romance, to set Zhou Yuanzong’s harem ablaze!

Isn’t Zhou Mei and her daughter abandoned now? Struggling to get by? When a golden branch is within reach, promising a better life if she climbs up, Zhang Tianfeng didn’t believe Zhou Mei wouldn’t fall for it.

“Sounds feasible,” Gao Ran said. “If it were me—since my husband’s already unfaithful, willing to spend money on a mistress while ignoring me—why should I stay loyal? If I don’t put hundreds of horns on his head, I’d be too generous.”

Heavens, I’ll have to be careful around this woman in the future!

Warning himself silently, Zhang Tianfeng continued, “Once I make my move, it’ll be fatal. Zhou Mei must have dirt on Zhou Yuanzong. Once I get my hands on it, see if I don’t ruin him!”

“Boss, what about Xu Juncong?” Qin Yuelan asked. “They’ve already formed an alliance. If Zhou Yuanzong gets into trouble, he won’t just stand by.”

“Xu Juncong? He can’t escape either! One move and he’s done for!”

Grabbing Red Hair by the shoulder, Zhang Tianfeng said, “Now, take a couple of fresh faces to Huicheng and get me all the details on Zhou Mei and her daughter—their photos, home address, social connections.”

“When you’re done, come find me in Hong Kong City. I’ll turn you into a handsome man!”

“Boss, I...” Red Hair pleaded pitifully, “I don’t want to go. Just seeing that woman makes me dizzy.”

“Then pack your things and leave. I’ll find someone else.”

“No, no, I’ll do it, I’ll do it, okay?” Red Hair finally surrendered to Zhang Tianfeng’s authority. Once he’d been sent off, and breakfast was nearly finished, Zhang Tianfeng stood up and said, “Sister Lan, pack up, we’re heading to Hong Kong City.”

“Huh? Aren’t you staying here?”

“There aren’t any customers now anyway. If you have to supervise even the shop renovations, what are your subordinates for?”

“I told you I’d help you make money. Come on, let’s go make a quick score.”

“Alright, let’s do it.”

At the mention of making money, Qin Yuelan stopped asking questions and hurried off to pack.

“What about me?” Gao Ran asked, her tone a little coquettish. “I’m your employee now, too. You need to take me with you to make money.”

“As long as you’re willing, I won’t stop you.”

“Hee hee, then just you wait.”