"What time is it?"
"I don't know, let me check."
When Tan Jincheng landed, it was past 2 PM.
He picked up the watch on the nightstand and saw that over three hours had passed; it was almost 6 PM.
Having been without the taste of meat for nearly a month, Tan Jincheng returned to his apartment near Yongcheng University.
After showering, he drew the curtains.
The room was completely dark, and "Little Tan" was getting restless again:
"Want to do it again?"
"No, no, I'm hungry. By the way, Chen Yanan heard you were back and wants to treat you to a meal to show her gratitude,"
Gu Qingqing pleaded repeatedly.
"Chen Yanan? Who?"
Tan Jincheng's mind wasn't on talking.
Her pleading didn't affect his hand movements.
He'd reward "Little Tan" later tonight; for now, he'd just enjoy the moment.
"My roommate! Didn't you introduce Zhongtai as a client to her dad? Her family even got an order last year,"
Gu Qingqing said, annoyed, pushing Tan Jincheng's hand away.
He was like a hooligan, his touch was really uncomfortable.
"Oh, her, I remember now. Well, you can ask her. If we haven't eaten, we'll mooch a meal off her tonight."
It was almost six, and Tan Jincheng also felt a bit hungry after stopping.
College students probably didn't eat dinner that early, right?
Gu Qingqing quickly got up, fleeing the bed to grab her phone.
Looking at her naked, shapely back, Tan Jincheng felt that dinner wasn't necessarily a must after all.
Past seven.
On Yongcheng University's food street, in a reasonably well-decorated restaurant, there were four women and one man – Gu Qingqing's entire dorm had come.
"You actually have a house near the school?"
Xu Manli asked incredulously.
They hadn't known about this, thinking that since Tan Jincheng was back today, Gu Qingqing had followed him to Beicang.
"It's not uncommon for me to own a few properties, is it?"
Tan Jincheng said with a smile.
This house was under Gu Qingqing's name, so technically it wasn't Tan Jincheng's.
"Didn't you say 'the family that cuts ice doesn't keep cattle or sheep'?"
Among the four in Gu Qingqing's dorm, Xu Manli had the most uninhibited personality, and she spoke the most during the meal.
Chen Yanan, whose family Tan Jincheng had helped greatly, often heard her parents talk about Shanchi Technology's grandeur when she was home.
She was the most aware of Tan Jincheng's billionaire status and felt somewhat constrained.
Zhao Wenjia had the worst family conditions among the four.
Her entire focus was on academics, and she was somewhat less confident than the other three, speaking very little.
"Oh? You've seen that interview? I did say that, but I really don't have many properties. Including a villa that's currently being renovated, I only have three properties under my personal name, two of which are small. I don't have luxury cars either. For someone with my wealth, three properties isn't a lot, is it?"
This house was under Gu Qingqing's name, and the houses in his hometown were under his parents' names.
If he hadn't bought that villa, Tan Jincheng could even be considered stingy.
The 100 units couldn't be counted.
They were indeed bought for appreciation initially, but now they served as employee dorms and could be considered part of Shanchi Technology.
Initially, when Tan Jincheng hoarded houses, Maotai, and Tencent stocks, it was more out of a fear for the future, unsure if he could succeed in business, and not wanting to lose too badly.
Now, Tan Jincheng naturally no longer had such thoughts.
"Boss Tan, thank you for introducing business to my family. I'd like to toast you,"
Chen Yanan said, raising her glass.
"Shouldn't your dad be here for this?"
Tan Jincheng chuckled.
"My dad does want to see you, but he can't get an audience. I only mentioned it to Qingqing once, and I didn't expect her to remember it,"
Chen Yanan said, looking gratefully at Gu Qingqing.
"No need to specially thank me. When I first started in business, I also received a lot of help. Everyone gets by this way."
Zhejiang Province is a province dominated by private enterprises, and its operating model is different from other provinces.
For example, in the neighboring Jiangsu Province, Tan Jincheng found during a visit that factories there basically do everything, have all sorts of equipment, and require relatively large investments.
Zhejiang Province, however, is different.
It's largely a mutual aid model, where a single process is highly subdivided: you earn from one part, I earn from another.
Competition among similar businesses is also relatively harmonious.
Sharing orders among friends is common; there's no idea of "I must destroy you."
There's a strong sense of unity.
When Tan Jincheng first started, people like Cheng Yongjun, whom he met on a plane, were very enthusiastic about helping him.
In such a business environment, Tan Jincheng didn't feel there was anything wrong with introducing some business to Chen Yanan's family.
Cheng Yongjun introduced even more; Cheng Yongjun also dealt in auto parts, and after Zhongtai entered Beicang, Tan Jincheng's first thought was of him.
"Anyway, I still have to thank you all."
"You're too kind. You've already treated us to dinner, so there's no need to say all this."
Chen Yanan was very happy.
She had managed to invite the person her father couldn't.
Boss Tan still seemed to be the same Boss Tan as before, very approachable.
Children from families running small businesses or factories in the Yangtze River Delta region are generally shrewd and learn to leverage connections early on.
People like Chen Yanan don't feel it's shameful to befriend Gu Qingqing and Tan Jincheng.
Being able to build a good relationship with Tan Jincheng and bring business orders to their families, they were very willing to help their families share the burden.
In his previous life, Tan Jincheng had encountered many such "second-generation rich" who, in some cases, started helping their families solicit business as early as their freshman year of college.
Not all rich second-generation heirs only know how to indulge in extravagance.
---
Far away in Yicheng, Tan Lihua was also dragged out for drinks today.
Although he never touched alcohol, such dinner invitations had become increasingly frequent since his return from Beicang.
Whenever Li Shiqi had a dinner party, he would invite Tan Lihua.
If it was about accompanying someone for drinks, Tan Lihua, being unable to drink, wouldn't even be considered.
It was also because he couldn't drink that Tan Lihua missed many opportunities.
Now, Tan Lihua, forced to attend such dinners time and again, found that no one would ever mock him cryptically for not drinking again.
"Soft drinks are fine too. Sprite looks almost like alcohol, and drinking soft drinks is healthier anyway."
The reason for inviting him to dinner was simply that his son was doing well, the company's reputation was high, and any investment they made caused a stir.
A net worth of 1 billion — that alone sounded terrifying.
Tonight's dinner party was purely due to the ripple effect caused by his son's recent investment in the nation's largest electric vehicle industrial base in Tianjin.
Although he was told he was merely accompanying, Tan Lihua was startled when he arrived.
The guests he had to accompany today were of no small stature; they were often seen in Yicheng news.
Having previously unapproachable figures sitting next to him, chatting amiably, felt like a dream.
Tan Lihua didn't know if his billionaire son was getting carried away, but if things continued like this, he certainly would be.
Around 8 PM, Tan Lihua, who had just arrived home, called Tan Jincheng.
At this time, Tan Jincheng had just finished dinner with four beautiful young women, and walked out of the restaurant, completely at ease, under the clear gazes of a group of university students.
"What's up, Dad?"
"Are you still in Tianjin?"
"No, I came back today, but I haven't returned to Beicang yet. I'm staying here in the city. Do you have anything you want me to convey?"
"No need. I'll tell your mom myself what I have to say. The reason I called you is to tell you not to get carried away. Now that you're not short of money, just do things steadily."
"Oh, got it."
Tan Jincheng always felt his dad was a bit off today, but he just attributed it to his dad being unaccustomed to being alone at home.
"By the way, Dad, tomorrow, ask Uncle Lixin to call me. I have something to discuss with him."
"Hmm? What do you need him for?"
Tan Lihua, who had been about to say something else, forgot it due to his son's interruption.
"Doesn't he have an electric bike shop in the city? I have a good deal for him."
Shanchi brand mainly targets cities below tier two and three.
Two locations for Brother Chun's three fan meet-and-greets have been decided: Xiangcheng and CD.
The remaining one will be set in Yicheng.
It'll be right at Uncle Lixin's shop.
It's just unknown how many true fans there are in Yicheng.
At that time, it will inevitably be necessary to arrange for some "atmosphere creators" to prevent any mishaps.
"Alright, then I'll call him in a bit. That's all for today. You should rest early. Work is busy, but you also need to take care of your health."
With that, Tan Lihua hung up the phone.
Tan Jincheng, whose call had been cut off, smiled at Gu Qingqing and said,
"Is my dad bored staying home alone? He actually started caring about my health."
"Then maybe let Auntie go back and stay for a while?"
Tan Jincheng thought for a moment and said,
"No, it's better not to. I've been in the spotlight too much on TV recently, so there's probably a lot of coming and going at home. It's fine for my mom to go back, but it's not good for Jinyue to be in such a noisy environment."
Tan Jincheng had the soul of a middle-aged man, with a deep understanding of human nature.
One should never try to challenge human nature.
In Beicang, his mother might be a bit lonely, but the living environment would definitely be better for Tan Jinyue.
Even if his mother wanted to go back, Tan Jincheng would try to stop her.
"Want to go somewhere to have fun? Go shopping, sing a song or something?"
Chen Yanan asked, smiling at Tan Jincheng and Gu Qingqing, who were standing at the door after she had paid the bill.
Spending in the university town area was nothing for students from families like theirs.
"No, we need to go back. You guys go have fun, but don't stay out too late. Tomorrow is Monday,"
Tan Jincheng said.
He had been busy all day and wasn't in the mood to go out.
Xu Manli gave a knowing look, tugged at Chen Yanan, and said,
"Don't be a third wheel. Boss Tan just got back; he won't have time to sing with you. Let's go."
Zhao Wenjia, who had been a "tool person" throughout, looked at Xu Manli with a puzzled expression, feeling that she was incredibly bold, daring to say anything.
The two groups then parted ways.
Tan Jincheng held Gu Qingqing's hand, strolling along the pedestrian street, enjoying their rare leisure time.
How long had it been since he had walked around like this?
The night passed without a word, waves surging.
By the time he arrived at his home in Beicang, it was already 10 AM.
He went home first, not to the company.
Zhang Suzhi already knew he was coming home.
If he waited until evening to return today, she would probably be angry.
Sure enough, as soon as he entered the door, apart from Tan Jinyue rushing up to call him "Brother," Zhang Suzhi asked,
"Where did you stay last night?"
Tan Jincheng picked up Tan Jinyue and honestly confessed,
"I stayed near Yongcheng University. I have a house there too."
Zhang Suzhi rolled her eyes.
The young man certainly knew how to enjoy himself, with houses everywhere.
"Did Brother Li bring the gifts back yesterday?"
Tan Jinyue hadn't seen her brother in half a month again.
At this moment, she was babbling happily around Tan Jincheng, overjoyed.
"He brought them back. In the future, you don't need to bring things every time you go out, it's too wasteful."
"I didn't buy much myself; most are small gifts given by others, some of which are hard to refuse."
"Don't try to fool me. Who would give you children's toys as gifts?"
"Haha, why not? When I brought Jinyue to work, I received quite a few gifts."
Exposed, Tan Jincheng still chuckled.
"Jinyue, do you want to come to work with me this afternoon?"
"Yes, yes!"
Tan Jinyue, clinging to Tan Jincheng, bounced happily.
Her brother was back, and she was the happiest.
She was also very happy to go to work with her brother, as many people would give her delicious treats.
"Going to work this afternoon? Aren't you going to rest a bit?"
"No time to rest. Early the day after tomorrow, I have to go to Hushi, and then on the 8th, I have to go to Hangcheng. But after the 10th, I'll be staying home for a long time,"
Tan Jincheng sighed.
Zhang Suzhi looked at her son with a touch of heartache.
Having been in Yongcheng for a few months, she had keenly felt how busy her son was.
Building a big career was truly difficult.
At just over 20 years old, he already seemed a bit mature.
"Sigh, I used to often envy the lives of the rich when watching TV dramas. But now it seems not everyone can earn this kind of money. If I could, I'd still rather you studied, got an honest job, and not be as exhausted as you are now."
Tan Jincheng smiled,
"Working is also tough; everyone has their own way of being tough. It's actually all the same. Don't you remember the days when you and Dad used to work?"
The "oxen and horses" working 996 and 007 are equally miserable, burdened by mortgages, under immense pressure, with no less mental stress than big bosses.
They are also equally exhausted.
Speaking of which, in both his past and present lives, he was born in a good era and benefited from its dividends, accumulating a certain net worth in a time when making money wasn't so difficult, without having to worry about living.
Even after the changes of the three-year special period, plus losing some money in stock trading later, without the pressure of a housing or car loan and with some savings, his life was actually still quite good.
"That's true, everyone has their own kind of hardship. Speaking of your dad, he called me last night and said that ever since he returned from Beicang, people have constantly been dragging him to various dinner parties,"
Zhang Suzhi said with some concern.
Tan Jincheng suddenly realized,
"Dad called me last night too. I felt something was off then, but I didn't expect it to be this."
Inviting his dad to dinner, when he couldn't drink alcohol, it was most likely still related to himself.
This matter was indeed a bit of a headache.
(End of Chapter)