Chapter 14: Going into Business Together

“Hmph, Liang Jiyong, if you’ve got the guts, don’t let me run into you in Yunzhou!” Lin Zhihao shouted, only to be met with a glare and a middle finger from Liang Jiyong, who then slunk away with his men.

Once inside the swimming pool, Su Wanqing’s mood remained low. Having such a cousin was truly embarrassing.

Eventually, Di Yutong pulled her away to change clothes, while Liang Jiyong, Lin Chao, and the others headed toward the locker rooms.

“Brother Yong, I think those guys from Red Star Factory are acting suspiciously. They’ve been hanging around near our factory lately!” Peng Yuan, the sharpest among them, sensed trouble.

Liang Jiyong sighed. “Those people don’t wander around for no reason. They’re involved in the underworld, after all, and they’re after money. I suspect they’re planning theft. The factory’s security, logistics, and supply depots have all stepped up patrols. But without an insider, it’s impossible. Unless we completely seal off the Red Flag Factory, stopping it will be hard.”

“Red Star and the National Cotton Factory workers have it pretty rough these days,” Huang Zicheng commented. His own family wasn’t well off either, but compared to those workers, at least they weren’t starving.

“In short, it all comes down to one thing: money. Without money, nothing else matters!” Liang Jiyong sighed.

“Old Liang, you’re wasting your talent not joining the army. Why bother repeating a year? Your scores aren’t much better than mine. You’re no model university student!” Lin Chao teased.

“Brother Yong is just being a protector!” Peng Yuan smiled slyly.

“Hah, you can only protect her for a year, maybe a lifetime. Su Wanqing doesn’t feel the same for you. Next year, when she goes to university, will you follow her as her bodyguard?” Lin Chao scoffed at Liang Jiyong’s decision.

In middle and high school, Lin Chao had at least five girlfriends, three of whom he’d been intimate with. Meanwhile, Liang Jiyong, the fool, had been protecting Su Wanqing for over a decade but probably never even held her hand.

Even more foolish was ignoring the beautiful and willing Di Yutong to pursue someone who didn’t reciprocate his feelings. Wasn’t that just self-inflicted misery?

Liang Jiyong was helpless. He really was repeating the year to enter university, but no one believed him.

Forget it, no explanations. Next year, once I get into college, I’ll blind all you titanium-alloy-eyed fools!

“Enough of that. Believe what you want; I’m going to study! Now, on a serious note, I plan to make some money over the summer. Anyone interested?”

“Who wouldn’t be? You’re clever—what’s the plan?” Lin Chao’s interest was piqued immediately.

He didn’t want to take the university exam again, nor did he want to become a driver like his father in the transport team.

Besides, the Red Flag Factory’s future was uncertain. With Red Star and National Cotton factories collapsing, Red Flag was declining fast. If there was another way to make money, Lin Chao wouldn’t want to be stuck on that sinking ship.

Peng Yuan came from a well-off family but was famously money-hungry.

Huang Zicheng, meanwhile, was probably the poorest of them all. University tuition was still a struggle.

But the Red Flag Factory would likely provide some support, as no one from there had ever failed to get into university due to lack of funds.

Living expenses, however, had to be covered through scholarships and part-time jobs.

Liang Jiyong laid out his idea, and the others looked at him in surprise.

“This doesn’t sound reliable. You’re trying to get something for nothing. Why would anyone believe you?”

His plan was actually simple.

Through Zhang Ning, he would contact Zhang’s father and claim to have high-quality nursery stock. Using Zhang’s father’s position as the Executive Deputy Director of the Landscaping Bureau, he’d secure a letter of intent for a landscaping project.

Then, with that letter, they’d acquire plants and trees from Hualin County.

In Liang Jiyong’s memory, Hualin County wasn’t developed until ten years later, when it became a hub for many landscaping companies.

Now, there was no such trend, but Hualin’s natural environment was excellent, filled with abundant flora among its mountains and forests.

They’d bluff on both ends and eventually close the deal.

Once started, the rest would be easy.

Liang Jiyong’s plan was to set up a landscaping base in Hualin County ahead of others.

He just wanted to make some money and catch the wave of booming stocks.

With original capital, there would be endless opportunities to profit later.

This scheme was indeed a get-rich-quick gambit, common in later years but almost unheard of now.

It was pure speculation and profiteering—twenty years ago, such actions would have led to imprisonment.

“Anyway, you’re all just hanging around now. Even if this fails, it’s only a few days wasted.

If it succeeds, it’s far better than working at the Red Flag Factory. Lin Chao can make a living from this, and the rest of your tuition and living expenses won’t be a worry!”

“Alright, I’m in!” Huang Zicheng was the first to agree. Failure meant no loss; success could change his family’s situation.

“We’re idle anyway. Let’s think it through—how to operate, divide the tasks, and if it succeeds, how to share the profits. We should be gentlemen after the fact; there’s no need for money to ruin brotherhood!” Lin Chao said.

He wasn’t slow-witted—just disliked studying.

“I’ll handle the Landscaping Bureau.

Zicheng, I remember your uncle’s family is from Hualin County. See if you can find a trustworthy elder with some local influence. We need to get a batch of stock first; we don’t have money to pay upfront!”

Liang Jiyong’s plan was that once the first batch of greenery was delivered, the Landscaping Bureau would pay, perhaps giving Zhang Ning a small cut.

Liang Jiyong intended to bring Zhang Ning into the business, granting him a two to three percent stake. They’d eventually dominate most of the landscaping contracts from the Bureau.

If Zhang Ning’s father reported work according to Ji Yun’s guidance, he would surely be made permanent.

Yunzhou’s construction and landscaping would never lack demand—this business held great promise.

However, Liang Jiyong didn’t intend to stay in this long-term; he was here to speculate.

For others, investing was risky, but for him, the risk was negligible; profits below triple were beneath his notice.

He was no stranger to the landscaping industry. In his previous life, he ran a landscaping company that monopolized most of the greenery business in two cities.

So, he was somewhat of an expert in landscaping.

“Lin Chao and Zicheng, you two head to Hualin. Get a real grasp of the situation. I’ll sort out things with the Landscaping Bureau and visit later.

Oh, when we transport the goods back from Hualin, we’ll need you, Lin Chao, since your father runs the transport fleet.”

Lin Chao’s father led a transport team with dozens of trucks.

“No problem. I’ll find an excuse to send a truck for maintenance and drive it myself.”

“Don’t. Even if it costs a little, hire a driver. Big trucks aren’t toys, and your driving skills aren’t as good as mine!”

“Heh, fair enough.” Lin Chao could drive but wasn’t skilled.

“What about me?” Peng Yuan asked anxiously.

“You keep the accounts. Also, I remember you said your aunt has a computer. I need to use it for some work.”

“You sure you can use a computer?” Peng Yuan was surprised.

“I learned a bit from my second sister. Just something simple—I won’t need more than a few hours.”

“Alright, I can take you anytime. My cousin’s the only one who knows how to use it. I only play games on it—so much fun!”

“Don’t get addicted, or your university dreams will be ruined!”

“Not at all, just occasionally. A computer costs fifteen thousand yuan. My family can’t afford that!” Peng Yuan looked envious; computers were luxuries.

“As for profit distribution, here’s the principle: after three months, regardless of profit or loss, Lin Chao will take over the business.

Our priority now is studying; making money is secondary. Knowledge is priceless!”

Lin Chao was surprised. If this worked, it would be a golden goose.

Peng Yuan and Huang Zicheng were also stunned.

“Isn’t that unfair?” Lin Chao shook his head. He’d be the big winner.

Losing wouldn’t be so bad, but if it succeeded, he’d reap all the benefits.

“You have to prioritize. This year, study is most important for me, Peng Yuan, and Zicheng.

If we make money, that’s great, but in the future, you’ll run this solo. We can’t just sit back and enjoy the fruits.

You have to give to take. Don’t be so obsessed with money. Of course, if you become a big boss and refuse to lend us money, don’t blame us for roughing you up!”

“Come on, as long as I have a bite to eat, I won’t let you guys starve. Since you said that, I won’t take money for the first three months!”

“You should still take some; otherwise, it’s not right. I came up with the idea and will handle the Landscaping Bureau, so I get half. Peng Yuan and Zicheng each get twenty percent, and Lin Chao gets the remaining ten.”

Lin Chao said nothing. Peng Yuan nodded, “No objections.”

Huang Zicheng hesitated slightly, then agreed.

Lin Chao was clearly the one getting the better deal.

“Lin Chao, a heads-up: if this business takes off, and you want to expand in Hualin County, you must maintain good relations with locals, ideally cooperate with them.

As for profit sharing later, I won’t interfere, but don’t touch Zhang Ning’s share lightly, or this business will be hard to manage.”

“I get it. Together we make money. Anyone who tries to hog it all will starve sooner or later!” Lin Chao wasn’t naive.

“Yutong will probably want in too. We’ll just give her a ten percent cut from my share.”

Lin Chao laughed, “That’s your family business. We’re out of it!”

Peng Yuan and Huang Zicheng chuckled.

“Stay away—we’re clean!”

“If you say so, I’m going after Di Yutong. I’ve been eyeing her for years!” Lin Chao half-joked.

“Get lost! You change women faster than clothes. If you hurt Yutong, I’ll personally ruin you!”

Lin Chao smirked, “Hear that? That’s called wanting what you have while eyeing what’s in the pot!”

Peng Yuan laughed, “The problem is, we can’t get the bowl’s contents, and the pot’s food we don’t eat. Around this pot stand a bunch of starving ghosts—frustrating, isn’t it?”

“Enough chatter, let’s change...” Lin Chao stood up and pulled Huang Zicheng along.

“Change? We’re heading to Hualin County now. I’ll borrow a motorcycle—more convenient. We’ll call tonight.”

Liang Jiyong nodded, “Alright, drive carefully!”

“Don’t worry, I know how to ride!” Lin Chao led Huang Zicheng away.

“What about us?” Peng Yuan asked.

“I’ll head to Yunzhou tomorrow morning. We can go to your aunt’s place then.”

“Okay!”

...

Peng Yuan had a girlfriend and was playing in the pool with her, so he wouldn’t be a third wheel.

When Liang Jiyong saw Di Yutong and Su Wanqing, both were in the water, their figures faintly visible.

Su Wanqing wore a modest one-piece swimsuit, while Di Yutong sported a very provocative bikini.

Seeing Di Yutong’s alluring figure brought Liang Jiyong back to the fleeting glimpse from last night.

But to avoid awkwardness, he didn’t stare at Di Yutong, instead focusing on Su Wanqing swimming toward him.

Su Wanqing’s hair was tied up, giving her a more natural, down-to-earth look, unlike her usual image.

Like a beautiful mermaid, her slender figure swayed gracefully in the water.

Di Yutong was already at the edge of the pool, so after Liang Jiyong sat by the poolside, she swam closer.

“You don’t even blink. Are you really that impressed?” Di Yutong sounded sour.

“She’s definitely easy on the eyes. You both have your charms!”

“Hah, no one believes you. Right now, you only have eyes for your Wanqing!”

“Don’t dare to look at you. A few glances and I’d be in trouble—at least three years minimum...”

“You’re so bad!” Di Yutong smacked Liang Jiyong’s leg hard.

“Your hand’s too rough! It’s all red!”

“Hmph, I’m from a warrior nation. If you’re not convinced, let’s fight!”

“The east wind blows, war drums roll—no one scares me in the pool!” Liang Jiyong dived in.

“The east wind blows, war drums roll, you’re a rogue—who are you afraid of!” Di Yutong shot back.

“Who’s the rogue? Last night was an accident. You’re the one playing tricks...”

Di Yutong blushed deeply. “Enough talking!” Su Wanqing swam over, and Liang Jiyong closed his mouth.

His gaze returned to Su Wanqing.

She paused, cheeks slightly flushed. “Don’t stare at me!”

Liang Jiyong smiled. “With those short sleeves and shorts, you’re practically wrapped like a zongzi!”

“Don’t look, that’s an order!” Su Wanqing submerged herself in the water.

“Fine, I won’t. We’re having a contest—are you joining?”

“I just swam a lap. I want to rest!” Su Wanqing shook her head.

“Okay, then be our judge!”

Su Wanqing nodded.

“Wait, what if we lose? What if we win?” Di Yutong asked.