Excuse me, could you bring me a dozen, please!

The combination of template factors increases effectiveness by 20%? Now that was an unexpected boon.

As for the system tasks, Chen Ling had already formed some initial judgments. After all, this was the "Life Reversal Game." As long as he followed the plot, the antagonists would naturally make their appearance—there was no need to rush.

That was why he chose to use the template factors now: his goal was to maximize his gains in the upcoming project launch.

Based on his previous experience, the Prestige template factor should bring him connections, while the Wealth template factor would naturally bring wealth. But according to the system's prompt, tonight at the University of Science and Technology...

Who would he meet? What would happen?

Chen Ling was filled with anticipation.

…

At the same time.

In Ou City.

This remarkable place had given rise to a remarkable group of people—the merchants of Ou City, known as the "Jews of the East."

In ancient times, Ou City was rugged and mountainous, plagued by typhoons and inhospitable to agriculture, which made it a poor region. The saying goes that poverty breeds change: unable to fill their bellies at home, the people of Ou City developed a survival strategy of venturing out into the world.

These people, driven by a fear of poverty, were unafraid of hardship, willing to fight for every opportunity, always ready to innovate, and adept at sincere cooperation. After generations of accumulation, they had finally achieved the illustrious reputation they enjoyed today.

In most regions across the country, people were deeply rooted in the idea of entering the civil service, seeking an iron rice bowl, following the prescribed path, and securing stable incomes regardless of the weather. They did so themselves and expected the same of their children.

But in Ou City, thanks to the influence of many pioneers, a unique atmosphere had gradually taken hold: Make money!

It was all about making money! If you had none, you had to get some. If you had some, you had to use it to make even more.

Among these pioneers, Zhang Linhan, Chairman of Pengcheng Group, was a standout.

Contrary to popular imagination, in 2008, although property prices in Ou City had surpassed those of Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, and Shenzhen, ranking first in the nation, the city's infrastructure had yet to catch up. Aside from a slightly more presentable downtown, many areas still retained the look of the 1980s and 1990s.

At that moment, Zhang Linhan was standing atop the company headquarters built in the 1990s, gazing out at the Ou River, quietly waiting.

Sure enough, moments later, the office door was flung open without so much as a knock—basic courtesy entirely ignored.

As soon as he entered, Guo Huaili began his tirade.

“Old Zhang, what’s going on? Why did you fire Wang Zhe?”

“It was already inappropriate to strip him of his director position, and now you’ve dismissed him entirely?”

“The losses weren’t his fault—it’s the overall environment! Even the Americans are in a financial crisis; how could we not be affected?”

“If you keep running things like this, you’ll bring down the whole group!”

“I really don’t know what you’re thinking…”

Guo Huaili complained endlessly, then launched into tales of hardship and gratitude, accusing Zhang Linhan of burning bridges and chilling the hearts of the old guard.

“That’s enough.”

Zhang Linhan’s curt tone cut through Guo Huaili’s complaints.

“…”

“Sit down and have some water. He’s just a director—no need to make such a fuss.” Zhang Linhan softened his tone and gestured at the chair before him.

Guo Huaili sat down. “Old Zhang! Chairman Zhang! Wang Zhe has been with the group for years and made significant contributions. There must be a reason for his dismissal, right?”

“Otherwise, how will you explain it?”

“Heh, contributions? See for yourself.” Zhang Linhan tossed a folder onto the desk in front of Guo Huaili.

Suspicious, Guo Huaili picked it up, leafed through it, and fell silent.

“Lavish meals on the company dime, pocketing kickbacks, taking on private projects—I won’t bother with these minor infractions. After all, no one’s squeaky clean; we all need to make money, and I understand that.” Zhang Linhan spoke slowly. “But falsifying accounts, cutting corners, creating shoddy construction projects… those are no small matters. If things blow up, it won’t just be him behind bars—I’ll be there too!”

“He just made a mistake, and nothing’s happened yet,” Guo Huaili tried to defend.

But Zhang Linhan’s next words made cold sweat bead on his brow: “A mistake? Was it also a mistake when he used the company’s name to buy a batch of substandard steel from your brother-in-law’s factory?”

“You even tried to skim off a public restroom project—aren’t you afraid you’ll get your hands dirty?”

Guo Huaili coughed lightly, trying to mask his panic and embarrassment.

As vice president of the group, Wang Zhe was his man. The profits from the real estate division, naturally, were his to enjoy, while Wang Zhe merely got a taste.

Everyone knew the score, but there was no need to put it on the table.

It had never come to this—until now.

Was this an excuse for a crackdown?

Guo Huaili’s mind was a whirl of suspicion and unease.

Seeing a bead of sweat slide down Guo Huaili’s forehead, Zhang Linhan shook his head inwardly.

A family business…

Pengcheng Group had grown from a small shoe factory to a diversified conglomerate. In the early days, it relied on family helping family, people bringing in people, sincere cooperation, and bold innovation.

Indeed, many people had contributed greatly over the years.

But now, though the company had grown, people’s hearts had changed.

They once stuck together through hardship for warmth and survival, but now, when sharing prosperity, it was every man for himself.

Everyone was obsessed only with making money and enjoying themselves—no one thought about striving for greater heights.

The advantages of a family business had all been exhausted; now, only its weaknesses were exposed.

This was the reality Zhang Linhan, as founder and helmsman, most dreaded—yet it had already come to pass.

In the past two years, buffeted by the financial crisis, the group had started to show signs of decline, with revenues falling across the board.

Zhang Linhan was being forced to seek solutions early.

“The real estate division will not launch any new projects, apart from those already underway,” Zhang Linhan said slowly. “As for the building materials business you oversee, it will be subject to a thorough internal review, followed by a new audit by the group.”

At this, Guo Huaili looked up sharply. “Old Zhang… Chairman, the building materials division hasn’t lost money!”

“If there are no losses, all the more reason to scrutinize the books. We’re our own supplier—so why do we need to buy from outside?” Zhang Linhan’s tone grew stern. “Is it a lack of capacity, or are quality standards not being met?”

Guo Huaili was silent.

Zhang Linhan couldn’t be bothered to argue further and waved him off. “If there’s nothing else, you can leave. I’m busy.”

At these words, Guo Huaili’s eyes flickered. He got up and left, and after turning his back, his face was dark as ink.

“Zhang Linhan, you’ve forced my hand,” he muttered to himself.

…

At 8:30 that evening, Chen Ling arrived at the University of Science and Technology on a public bicycle, heading straight for Teaching Building No. 3.

He parked the bike by the road, sat down on the steps, and settled in to wait.

As time edged toward nine, a few studious top students inside the building were still burning the midnight oil, while across the way, the athletes on the sports field were sweating it out on the green.

“Chen Ling?”

Someone called out from behind.

He turned to see a young man, whose face looked familiar, though he couldn’t quite place him.

“Looking for Liu Xinyue?” the newcomer smiled. “She’s not at school lately—her family went on vacation for the National Day holiday. Didn’t she tell you?”

“And you are?”

“Wang Xiaobo. Don’t get me wrong, Liu Xinyue and I are just classmates—nothing more.”

Chen Ling had no doubts about Liu Xinyue’s character; after all, he was the Sea God—no one could string him along.

He smiled and nodded. “Hello. I’m not here for Xinyue, just out for a stroll.”

“Alone?”

“Alone.”

Wang Xiaobo raised his eyebrows, took out a cigarette, and offered one to Chen Ling. “Care to chat?”

Chen Ling looked him up and down and smiled. “Sure.”

“What brings you to the University of Science and Technology?” Wang Xiaobo asked with a grin. “If you wanted scenery, you should’ve gone to Zijin Port or Xiaohe Mountain. If you wanted to see pretty girls, Communication University would be the place.”

“I’m just lazy,” Chen Ling tapped his bicycle. “What about you? Staying in during the holidays doesn’t really fit a rich kid’s image.”

“Oh?” Wang Xiaobo paused. “How’d you figure that out?”

Chen Ling raised his left hand and tapped his wrist.

Wang Xiaobo glanced at his own wrist, where an OMEGA diving watch gleamed—costing over eighty thousand yuan, not exactly cheap.

“It’s fake, street market stuff. I’ll sell you one for fifty bucks if you want.”

Chen Ling blinked, fished a few hundred-yuan bills from his pocket, and grinned. “Thanks—give me a dozen!”

Wang Xiaobo: “…”

“Haha—those with less money play with cars, the rich play with watches. Having money is one thing, but showing off is another.”

“Am I rich?” Wang Xiaobo said playfully. “You make a few million a month yourself—you’re pretty well-off!”

Chen Ling was taken aback.

-----------------------------

[Please vote for recommendations!]

[Looks like we’re on smart recommendations now—three chapters a day while we’re featured!]