True to his word, three days later…
Zhao An boarded a train to a mountain village.
It was deep in the mountains.
Because it was surrounded by mountains, there wasn't much development potential.
Developers are profit-driven; they won't go where there's no profit to be made. Therefore, the poor areas remained poor, with no chance of change.
Sitting on the train…
This time, Zhao An didn't bring anyone with him, leaving his women to handle things alone.
He also wanted to observe whether he was there or not; it made a difference.
If any woman dared to have any ulterior motives, he would truly turn her into a sex slave.
She would only be given the fate of being a tool for satisfying his desires and for procreation; even shopping and watching TV would be a luxury.
"Hey Zhao An, you're being a bit unfair. Where have you been making your fortune this time?"
Bai Qingyang's voice was as cheerful as ever. He was in high spirits, having already taken control of most of the Bai family's businesses.
And his cooperation with Zhao An was going very smoothly.
Zhao An rarely participated in management; he only provided ideas and oversaw finances, waiting for his share of the profits.
Even Bai Qingyang rarely encountered such a partner; he truly had no interest in power whatsoever.
However, it was impossible to dilute his shares and sideline him. It wasn't that no one could, but rather that no one could control their greed. If they wanted one dollar, they'd want two—an insatiable greed.
Therefore, people like Zhao An were rare and precious.
Zhao An sat in the private room, smoking a cigarette and sipping wine by the window. "Nothing.
Just going to wander around the mountain village, enjoy the scenery, and maybe find some inspiration."
"Haha, alright. If you need anything, just let me know."
Bai Qingyang simply smiled. The man was a genius, having designed many patents and acting eccentrically, with only one weakness: women.
He didn't care that his wife, Wen Lian, had been taken by a concubine; women were nothing to him.
On the contrary, he would continue to find women to send over.
Even if the other party had that kind of taste, he would satisfy them.
However, Wen Lian recently revealed that Zhao An seemed to have feelings for his mother.
The higher the status, the more easily a man's desire to conquer is aroused.
Bai Qingyang was somewhat annoyed; his mother was a beauty.
And his own mother at that—send her to Zhao An to have sex with?
He wasn't capable of going that far, but if Zhao An actively seduced her, he would at most turn a blind eye.
"Of course I'll tell you if there's a problem, but take it easy. Now isn't the time to deal with your father, so calmly hone your skills for two or three years."
Zhao An didn't say much.
He merely offered a hint.
To say he was bold and audacious was that he only wanted to have sex with Bai Qingyang's mother; to him, Bai Qingyang's mother was also his mother-in-law.
After all, Bai Qiuqin was his woman, the woman who had given him a beautiful daughter.
This didn't seem like much; it was just raping his mother-in-law, something he'd done before.
Bai Qingyang's eyes flickered slightly. "I understand. That's all for now. Tell me if you need anything. We're good friends, right?"
"Of course, very good friends. I cherish friends like you."
Zhao An hung up the phone with a loud laugh…
Looking out the window, a cold smile curled at the corner of his lips.
In the face of the financial crisis, the paths of powerful families are becoming increasingly narrow. How foolish! Low-profit industries aren't unacceptable, but once growth slows, the blow is devastating, and various conflicts will be triggered.
This is a train that can't be stopped. Once it stops, many hidden problems will be exposed.
If Zhao An were in charge, he would definitely first rip out all the rotting tumors on his own body.
Although it would severely damage his vitality, it wouldn't be fatal.
Doing it himself is always better than having someone else do it, but whether he understands it or not isn't up to him, and it's none of his business. Even if he's unlucky, he'll still live a good life.
The reason he went to be a volunteer teacher was twofold: firstly, to enhance his own reputation, and secondly, to hide away and avoid being approached by those family scions trying to curry favor.
It's been half a year, and the financial winter has only just begun. These families with tied-up funds are desperately needing a business to fill the gaps, and Zhao An is clearly a good option, so they'll definitely come to curry favor.
Two days later, Xiahe Village.
Zhao An arrived here with a few bags. It's almost deep in the mountains, and the road leading there is full of potholes, barely passable as a road, just enough for a car to drive through.
Each trip shortens a car's lifespan by a year.
Ordinary people have to traverse mountains to reach the village; building a road here is too expensive.
Without blasting the mountain to build a road, one has to wind around the steep slopes, wasting a lot of time.
And it's also very dangerous. For Zhao An, nothing was different; he could get there with just a few bags.
He declined any offer of a ride and, with the help of a local guide, found his way using a map.
Going to the countryside was a common occurrence in the past. Scholars didn't just study; they could also make their way in the world on foot.
He arrived at the village entrance. The road was still a dirt track, dry and stiff underfoot.
Several children were playing at the village entrance, looking at Zhao An with curiosity.
"Come on, Teacher Zhao, I'll take you to see the village head.
The terrain of Xiahe Village is too difficult to navigate; many teachers can't stay here.
Ah, it's truly a great thing that you've come."
The guide was an education bureau employee, also a local, familiar with the area; it was indeed very impoverished.
All he could see were mud houses; only a few cement houses stood out.
The road was blocked; things outside couldn't get in, and things inside couldn't get out—it was an unsolvable stalemate!
Zhao An smiled but didn't speak, carrying a large bag of luggage to the village chief's house.
The village chief's house was one of the few cement houses, and the village chief was a rather elderly middle-aged man.
"Village Chief Pang, this is the new teacher, Zhao An. He's a nationally renowned genius.
Don't mistreat him, or I won't let you off the hook. Haha!"
The director was clearly very familiar with the village chief; speaking to him in such a tone suggested an extraordinary relationship.
Seemingly remembering something, he added to Zhao An, "He's my cousin, haha, Teacher Zhao, please don't take offense."