_1"Ha! You mean to say, not even the first stroke of the character 'eight' has been written for this so-called Chemical Institute; it's completely without any substance!"
Zhou Jicang's son, Zhou Fangjing, suddenly laughed as he spoke, looking at Xiao Ming as if he were looking at a clown.
"Father, this kid obviously heard some rumors and now he's throwing around grand statements. He's just showing off like a brash young man on the streets! Ha ha... Ha... Huh?"
His laughter started loud and gradually became dry, fading away, his expression turning incredibly awkward.
That was because Zhou Jicang was staring at him with a darkened face.
"So, are you trying to say that you are the only smart one in the whole world? Or do you think that our entire Canghai Group is not as well-informed as Mr. Xiao alone?"
"Father, I..."
"Apologize to Mr. Xiao immediately!"
"No need."
Xiao Ming smiled lightly, "Given Mr. Zhou's upbringing, I can understand his behavior and do not take offense, nor do I believe it reflects on you, Sir Zhou."
Though Xiao Ming's words seemed mysterious, Zhou Jicang's pupils constricted sharply.
Because Zhou Fangjing did not grow up by his side, but was the adopted son of a deceased relative, whom he had only brought home in his teens.
This was not a secret, and there was no reason for Zhou Jicang to react so strongly, yet for some reason, he felt that there was a deeper meaning in Xiao Ming's words, that they hinted at something more.
Could it be that he even knew that secret?
Zhou Jicang, distracted from further lecturing his son, pondered for a moment before asking, "Mr. Xiao, in your opinion, what is the likelihood that a Chemical Institute will be constructed nearby?"
Xiao Ming replied, "If you trust me, then it's a hundred percent certainty; if you don't, then what does the size of the likelihood matter?"
Zhou Jicang's brows furrowed slightly, then he continued, "The current market price for river sand is far from three hundred, yet you sold it for three hundred and ten. Why not hold on to it and sell at an even higher price?
Or do you think river sand won't rise above three hundred and ten?"
Xiao Ming shook his head, "The Government Office will not allow river sand's price to soar uncontrollably. I estimate that once the price nears two hundred and ninety-five, they will intervene to stabilize the market."
Zhou Jicang's heart skipped a beat.
That morning he had just spoken with a friend from the provincial level, who mentioned that the Government Office's target price was between two hundred and ninety and three hundred.
Yet, it had taken him thirty years of hard work to achieve his current status, to gain the network and information channels that allowed him to be one step ahead of others.
How could Xiao Ming, a young man in his twenties, know this?
As Zhou Jicang thought, his expression grew more solemn, and finally, he took a deep breath and reached out his hand, saying, "Indeed, one can never learn enough even as one grows old. Mr. Xiao, you're young yet perceptive. Thank you for the insight today!"
Xiao Ming shook his hand, "You flatter me, Sir Zhou. I wouldn't dare discuss 'perception' in your presence.
Just call me Xiao Ming."
"Ha ha, then I shall take the liberty of my age and call you Xiao Ming," Zhou Jicang laughed, then motioned to his secretary, "In a few days, I'll be hosting a banquet to entertain notable people and talents from Longyin City.
Some of my old friends will be there. They all enjoy meeting outstanding young people, and if you're free, Xiao Ming, you should come and join us."
Following his cue, the secretary quickly took out an invitation from her bag and placed it in his hand.
Xiao Ming accepted the invitation with both hands, nodding, "I cannot refuse an offering from an elder."
Afterward, the two said their farewells, and as soon as Xiao Ming's motorcycle left the gate, Zhou Jicang had Gao Yinghai, who was on the phone about the river sand, called over.
After hearing the whole story of their encounter and the transaction, Zhou Jicang instantly understood.
Xiao Ming predicted river sand would max out at two hundred and ninety-five, so selling it at three hundred and ten wasn't about making more money, but rather a way to punish Gao Yinghai for his initial greed.
With a slight sigh, Zhou Jicang said, "A gentleman loves money and acquires it in an honest way. Remember this saying.
Otherwise, next time you might lose more than just one hundred and fifty thousand yuan."
Gao Yinghai's mind was muddled, wanting to ask what he meant, but before he could, Zhou Jicang waved his hand, and a brawny man stepped forward to escort him out.
Then Zhou Jicang ordered sternly, "Go negotiate with Longyin University. If we can't buy the adjacent land at a low price, then exchange it with the land across the river."
The week-long wait agreed upon with Bai Xuechao had come. Xiao Ming rushed to the meat processing plant, randomly checked several bags of pork against the order list and health certificates, and after confirming everything was okay, he had the workers move it into the cold storage.
After washing his hands, he took the paper towel handed to him by Bai Xuechao, wiping as he spoke, "This batch of meat will need to be stored in your cold storage for about five more days.
However, not only do I have no intention of paying you for the storage, but I also want to sell it to you for eight million yuan."
Bai Xuechao's brows knitted, and before he could speak, Liu Jianqiang behind him glared.
"What? You want to default on the payment and extort money? Xiao Ming, have you gone mad with poverty? Do you need me to teach you how to do business?"
"A Qiang!"
Bai Xuechao stopped Liu Jianqiang, who was about to take action, and said very seriously to Xiao Ming, "Mr. Xiao has saved Xuechao's life, so a small storage fee is nothing; let's forget it.
But business is business, this batch of pork tie up a lot of my resources, and there are many mouths waiting for their wages to eat, so forgive me for not being able to agree."
"What if I told you that in five days, this batch of pork could earn you a net profit of four million?"