Epiphanies of Rebirth 37.1

Chapter 37.1

The establishment of the central business district was definitely a qualitative leap in the commercial development of Yan City.

The advantages of this model had been demonstrated in many countriesโ€”it usually represented the centralization of financial, business, and service institutions, better utilization of land, and more efficient transportation.

While enterprises would benefit from this, it would also promote the economic development of the northern area, as well as the whole city.

Across the country, people working in the business sector erupted in excitement after hearing the news.

Before that, the domestic market had always been in a dangerous and ambiguous position; free-market activities, and even the use of currency, had only become prolific in recent decades. This special social model made it difficult for the people living within it to understand exactly what โ€œcapitalโ€ was and the legalities of it. It was precisely because of this reason that many workers reacted with disapproval when self-employment was mentioned, like Father Zhou had in the beginning.

The country did strive to change this, as proven by the establishment of special economic zones and the opening of Shen City Stock Exchange, among other activities. Unfortunately, this kind of subtle encouragement seemed too obscure for many of the less daring entrepreneurs. However, when Yan City announced it was creating a โ€œbusiness districtโ€, and that companies who moved their offices there would obtain several special privileges, the message was straightforward enough!

No one had any doubts about what this policy meant for future business prospects.

Businessmen were all driven by profit; under the premise of controlled risk, the substantial benefits promised by the words โ€œspecial privilegesโ€ were enough for them to โ€œbravely and fearlessly advance wave upon waveโ€.

And so, the deserted land in the north quarter, which had previously been of no interest to anyone, overnight became the focus of attention for real estate developers in Yan City and even the entire country!

Land prices changed day by day, and even hour by hour, when people rushed to snatch up the plots previously listed for sale. But no one was a foolโ€”with the prospects of what the northern district would shape up to be in the future, who would sell a hen laying golden eggs at such a time? Companies which had originally been trying to dispose of the land which was only bringing in losses were now all making an about-face and clinging on to it for dear life, planning to take advantage of the opportunity to make a huge profit later. There were a handful of smaller companies with little assets which couldnโ€™t afford to hold on to the land for that long and were all too happy to sell it, but the prices they asked for were, predictably, sky-high. Whatโ€™s more, in the current market situation where demand far exceeded supply, the price negotiated one morning might change by the time a contract was signed in the evening.

All the real estate companies with land in the north of the city became extremely popular, with hordes of lobbyists descending upon themโ€”especially Flux Realty, which had, out of blue, acquired four plots there the previous year. This move had been spiritedly discussed in the real estate circles, with the majority of people not feeling overly optimistic about it. Some even ridiculed Flux Realty in private, saying that because the company had only experienced smooth sailing so far, its decision-makers became overconfident in their abilities and dropped the ball. Now, their faces were all slapped swollenโ€”when the city disclosed more of the development plan, it turned out that each of the four pieces of land owned by Flux Realty in the north could be considered top-grade real estate.

Hu Shaofeng, Flux Realtyโ€™s official manager, had never felt so popularโ€”usually, he didnโ€™t get more than ten phone calls a day, but now his cell phone was ringing from morning โ€˜til night. Each caller tried to sound him out on whether the company was intending to sell the land, with indirectly proposed prices that got higher and higher as the market situation changed. The longer this continued, the more he had to force himself to restrain any abnormal reactions when he heard the increasing numbers.

To put things in perspective, take the piece of land near the small pond that Xiao Chi won for 19 million yuan at the last autumn bidding meeting. It had been left alone for several months as Xiao Chi neither said to sell nor develop it; the whole company treated it as if it didnโ€™t exist. At this moment, however, this land had transformed into a delicious cake that the bosses of all the major real estate companies wanted to eat, provoking an unofficial bidding war. From the news of the highway construction a month ago, to the confirmation of the highwayโ€™s entry and exit access points, and now culminating with the announcement regarding the establishment of a central business districtโ€”in barely a month, the value of that piece of land had soared from 19 million to 37 million, nearly doubling.

This meant a profit of nearly 20 million! A simple sale would garner them a gain comparable to what theyโ€™d usually earn only after laboriously developing an empty plot into a real estate property!

Hu Shaofeng found this situation hard to endure, as if he was slowly being roasted over a low fire. To make matters worse, Brother Xiao was still shunning him. Once in a while, he would take pity on him and answer a phone call, but his attitude was ambiguousโ€”he would only say to wait and see, tell Hu Shaofeng not to worry and to carry on as usual, and that he shouldnโ€™t contact him unless it was something of major importance.

Aggrieved, Hu Shaofeng threw himself into his social life to soothe his sorrows, and spent the rest of the winter break โ€œfondling the flowers and trampling the grassโ€. By the time the new term was about to start, Yan Cityโ€™s north district had become as hot as the center of a blazing inferno.

He finally managed to catch Brother Xiao when he was paying a New Yearโ€™s courtesy call to Elder Fang.

When he was younger, Elder Fang used to be an influential player in the political arena. After retirement, he became a benevolent old man spending time on his hobby of appreciating antiques and kindly watching over the younger generation. Despite belonging to a different faction, even the juniors of the Xiao family would come to visit him during the New Year, and the Xiao parents, who for once were able to spend the holidays in Yan City, insisted on personally giving him a New Year gift.

Just before the New Year, Elder Fang accompanied the National Museum delegation to the British Museum, and didnโ€™t fly back until the end of the first lunar month. Once he came back, the accumulated visitors poured in in torrents, nearly wearing out his doorstep, and the Fang familyโ€™s house was bustling from morning till night.

When Hu Shaofeng and his father came, several members of other families were sitting in the living room. The Shen couple and their daughter, Shen Tiantian, had already finished paying their respects and were leaving, and the two parties exchanged polite but distant greetings as they passed each other. When Fang Wenhao came back after accompanying them to the door, he whined, โ€œDid you see it? Fuck, Shen Tiantianโ€™s stepfather is still as terrifying as usual, donโ€™t your legs shake when you see him? Iโ€™m scared to talk to him.โ€

Fang Wenhao thought of Lin Runsheng sternly telling him there was no need to see them off and shuddered. This uncle, who was said to be a teacher at the nearby university, commanded in his heart an amount of respect second only to that of Xiao Chiโ€™s family.

The Fang and Shen familyโ€™s houses were not far from each other, and Shen Juanyingโ€™s remarriage was an exotic, exciting event to children in the compound. How did this man manage to conquer their famously smart and capable Aunt Shen? This made the adolescent boys burn with curiosity, but the awe-inspiring might exuded by the middle-aged man they saw at the wedding successfully dispelled all their ideas of asking for advice. Since then, they never dared to bully Shen Tiantian again and gave the Shen familyโ€™s house a wide berth; whenever they got wind of Lin Runsheng appearing somewhere, theyโ€™d all flee that place. Gradually, there was almost no contact between them and the Shen family.

However, there had been a lot of rumors about the Shen family recently, and it had become one of the most popular topics of gossip in the local community because of the sudden reconstitutionโ€”it was said that Uncle Lin actually had a son from a previous marriage. Everyone couldnโ€™t help but overthink, wondering whether this sudden new addition to the family would affect the relationship between the couple. However, during New Year visits, they were still only accompanied by Shen Tiantian, just like always, which seemed to imply some deeper meaning.

At present, no one had seen the rumored child, and his name and personal details except for gender were unknown. However, it seemed obvious that he hadnโ€™t been able to make any waves since the couple hadnโ€™t brought him to visit any relatives, and probably hadnโ€™t even spent the New Year with him. So, there were two possibilities: either the child was too unruly and was not fit to be brought out, or the Shen couple wasnโ€™t as concerned about his existence as outsiders assumed.

In his mind, Hu Shaofeng eagerly flipped through the gossip, but on the surface, he looked innocent and well-behaved. After paying his New Yearโ€™s greetings to Elder Fang, he quietly sat on the sofa, looking at his Brother Xiao pitifully.

The Xiao family membersโ€™ excellence seemed even more evident in comparison to the other people in the living room. For example, Hu Shaofeng, despite exerting all his skills to pretend, was still unable to match the Xiao brotherโ€™s and sisterโ€™s presence and poise, and was consequently stabbed by his fatherโ€™s unsatisfied gaze that scolded, โ€˜Why canโ€™t you take an example from them?โ€™

Xiao Miao sat like a demure lady, with a straight back, both legs together, and a serene expression on her face. Her long neck curved gracefully as she leaned over to say something in her brotherโ€™s ear, genteelly blocking her mouth with one hand.

Xiao Chi, as a gentle and loving older brother, listened patiently. Soon, a rare smile appeared on his usually solemn face and he whispered something back, also covering his mouth.

No one knew what he said, but right away, Xiao Miaoโ€™s eyes glimmered and a pink blush blossomed across her cold face.

Heavens, what a beautiful scene!

The guests, including Elder Fang, all cast envious glances at Xiao Shenxing and his wife. In upper-class families, children were usually precocious, and siblings with such a close and harmonious relationship were a rare sight.

Hu Shaofeng didnโ€™t know who he should envy, Brother Xiao or Xiao Miao. If only Brother Xiao could be so patient and gentle with him! And if only Xiao Miao could look at him with such a shy expression, full of dependence!

The Xiao parents sat close enough to hear the whispers, but not even the slightest glimmer of embarrassment managed to pierce the perfect smiles on their faces.

Xiao Miao: โ€œBrother, that shimmery pink skirt Shen Tiantian wore looked pretty, I also want one like it.โ€

Xiao Chi: โ€œYou shouldnโ€™t want it, youโ€™d definitely look ugly in it.โ€

Xiao Miao:ใ€Bursting into flames of rage.jpgใ€‘

His envy of the siblingโ€™s bond was the last straw that broke the camelโ€™s back; it allowed Hu Shaofeng to gain enough courage to bar Xiao Chiโ€™s way as they were leaving.

He wanted to ask what he had done so wrong to be snubbed for almost a month! But as his eyes were attracted to the neatly zipped-up leather jacket Xiao Chi was still wearing in the warm indoors, what came out of his mouth was, โ€œBrother Xiao, arenโ€™t you hot?โ€

Xiao Chi was most definitely not hot. He pulled out a string of wooden prayer beads that had been specially chosen to match the color of the jacket and responded to Hu Shaofengโ€™s anxious expression with a calm look. โ€œI need to stay away from you for a while.โ€

โ€œWhy!โ€ Hu Shaofengโ€™s tears were about to stream down, but Xiao Chi, fearing that being too close to him would invite bad luck, left him behind mercilessly.

Aggrieved, Hu Shaofeng hugged the baffled Fang Wenhao. โ€œWhy!? Is it because I smoke?!โ€

The only thing he could think of was this. Xiao Chi hated the smell of smoke and had admonished him countless times before.

Fang Wenhao had no idea what was going on and could only pat his back. โ€œWhatโ€™s the matter?โ€

โ€œBrother Xiao seems to be in a bad mood!โ€ Hu Shaofeng sadly confided. โ€œDid he practice that silence meditation again? Heโ€™s been ignoring me since New Yearโ€™s Day!โ€

โ€œNo way.โ€ Fang Wenhao took out a tissue to wipe his tears. โ€œHeโ€™s in a good mood. Just now, he asked me which day the Finance Departmentโ€™s classes start.โ€

โ€œDonโ€™t comfort me.โ€ Hu Shaofeng slumped on his shoulder and blew his nose with the tissue to fully demonstrate his grief.

Fang Wenhao was a little confusedโ€”he wasnโ€™t just placating Hu Shaofeng, Xiao Chi definitely seemed to be in a good mood. When theyโ€™d talked just now, he not only asked which the day the new term started, but he also inquired about many other things, such as when Lin Jingzhe was returning to Yan City and so on. Heโ€™d been so uncharacteristically talkative that Fang Wenhao had felt overwhelmingly flattered by his favor!

But once he remembered Lin Jingzhe, he didnโ€™t have many thoughts to spare on Hu Shaofeng and his woes. Which day Lin Jingzhe planned to return to Yan City was also a question he was very concerned about. Unfortunately, heโ€™d failed to ask in advance.

On New Yearโ€™s Day, he and Lin Jingzhe had spoken by phone, mainly to exchange New Yearโ€™s greetings. At that time, he actually asked about Lin Jingzheโ€™s plans for the plots of land in his possession, but the youth dodged the question, vaguely saying that there was no hurry and that theyโ€™d talk about this matter once he was back in Yan City before the start of the new term.

At that time, heโ€™d still been very anxious. He feared that the land was like an unsalvageable shipwreck, and that Lin Jingzhe, caught in it, would eventually be dragged to the bottom as well. Who knew that before the winter break ended, the real estate market in Yan City would change completely?

This astonishing development had stunned Fang Wenhao beyond words. He was one of the real estate developers who failed to grab opportunities in the north quarter. Since last year, Lin Jingzhe had attempted to persuade him several times to buy even a small piece of land there, but he never took the young manโ€™s advice seriously.

Now, within a scant few months, New Beginnings Real Estate had successfully transformed from a newly established, little-known real estate company to an existence that everyone in the industry was speculating about. Rather than a fairy tale of coincidence, real businessmen were more willing to believe that this small company which had appeared out of nowhere might have a stronger background than them since it could learn in advance the information that had been kept so highly confidential.

No one knew the inside story better than Fang Wenhao, so the news hit him with amplified impact, and the shock in his heart was many times harder to dissipate.

โ€œA coincidence, itโ€™s just a coincidence,โ€ Lin Jingzhe said when he was caught by Fang Wenhao after returning to Yan City. Facing the other partyโ€™s questions, he remained calm, as if the fact that, with every passing moment, the land in his hands was rapidly increasing in value didnโ€™t make him excited at all. โ€œWhat else could it be? Even you werenโ€™t able to get the news beforehand, Brother Fang, so how on earth would I get it?โ€

Fang Wenhao scrutinized his face, trying to find a trace of awkwardness in his expression, but it was in vain. He couldnโ€™t believe Lin Jingzheโ€™s excuse of โ€œcoincidenceโ€, but at the same time, he couldnโ€™t pick out the slightest loophole in the youthโ€™s explanation.

Yes, he was clear about Lin Jingzheโ€™s backgroundโ€”when the donation of antiques happened, his grandfather had told him about the young man who made the decision. Lin Jingzhe was born and raised in a small city deep in the south. His parents were divorced and heโ€™d been raised by his maternal grandfather who had a little bit of money; in fact, his parents were so estranged that his fatherโ€™s name couldnโ€™t be found in Liyun Townโ€™s archives. His grandfather did have a little bit of money, but without mentioning Yan City, he couldnโ€™t be considered an influential man even in Qunnan Province. To be honest: if one ignored Lin Jingzheโ€™s appearance and demeanor and only focused on his origins, he was exactly the โ€œcountry bumpkinโ€ city youngsters typically looked down on.

So yeah, where could he hear this news? Highway and urban planning had always been issues that were kept highly confidential and were all done by a special team. Even someone in a very high position might not necessarily have the ability to get any information. Fang Wenhao had pestered his grandfather for a year or two, probing him in a roundabout manner until the old man got furious; ultimately, he had no choice but to conclude that Elder Fang really didnโ€™t have any inside information. If the person in question was Xiao Chi, Fang Wenhao could still believe it, but Lin Jingzhe?

It was simply impossible.

However, Lin Jingzheโ€™s decisive and almost irrational land hoarding appeared too bold. Without a certain amount of confidence, would he really dare to bet it all on a single throw like this?

Fang Wenhao sat in his familyโ€™s living room, drinking tea made by Lin Jingzhe as if the youth was actually the host. His grandfather, who was always quick to get angry at him, chatted amiably with Lin Jingzhe about lost Chinese antiques exhibited in the British Museum; Fang Wenhao listened absently as he continued pondering over this question.

However, he couldnโ€™t figure it out no matter how much he puzzled over it, so he put it aside for the momentโ€”right now, there was another more important issue at hand.

โ€œBy the way, Mr. Xue from Riverside Properties asked me to lobby for him. Heโ€™d like to know if you have any intentions of selling the plot next to the 2nd Middle Road.โ€ Insiders with a better information network knew that Fang Wenhao had helped Lin Jingzhe acquire his business license, and as a result, thought that he had a close relationship with New Beginnings Real Estate. And so, Fang Wenhao had many visitors recently, most of them expressing a strong interest in the land owned by New Beginnings. โ€œI remember you bought it for 6.9 million? Mr. Xue said heโ€™s willing to offer 18 million and hopes that youโ€™ll give him priority if you plan to sell it.โ€

โ€œOh, right,โ€ Fang Wenhao continued as he recalled the rest. โ€œHe said that if you donโ€™t want to sell that one, heโ€™s also willing to buy the plots at Shiku Lane. Heโ€™ll give you 41 million for the east-side piece, and heโ€™s still considering the west-side one. I guess both of them together are too big and heโ€™s not sure if heโ€™ll be able to swallow them without choking.โ€

Lin Jingzhe listened thoughtfully, inclining his head. Instead of expressing his opinion, he asked, โ€œWhat do you think I should do?โ€

โ€œYouโ€™re asking me?โ€ Fang Wenhao hesitated for a moment. โ€œItโ€™s definitely not possible for you to develop all three plots on your own. Luckily, the price of land in the north district is rising right nowโ€”the piece by the 2nd Middle Road more than doubled in value. If it was me, Iโ€™d keep one plot to develop it myself and sell him the other two.โ€

Lin Jingzhe nodded with a smile. โ€œThat makes sense,โ€ he said.

โ€œI most certainly plan to sell the land.โ€ But he still didnโ€™t give Fang Wenhao a definite answer. Putting down his tea cup, he continued mildly, โ€œPlease tell Mr. Xue not to worry and to keep an eye on the market. When I decide that the time is right to sell them, Iโ€™ll definitely inform him which one I plan to put up for sale first.โ€

Fang Wenhao was delighted to hear it. โ€œIf you plan to sell them, you might as well sell them to me. Why donโ€™t you let me have both of the plots at Shiku Lane? Theyโ€™re too big for Mr. Xue, but theyโ€™re not too big for me! Iโ€™ll give you 75 million for bothโ€”how about it?

Lin Jingzhe only smiled and took a sip of tea, but the old man sitting next to him spluttered. He put down his tea cup with a clatter, pointed at his grandson, and growled, โ€œYou really can dream!โ€

โ€œHuh? Why?โ€ Fang Wenhao looked at him, puzzled. โ€œBack then, he got it for about 30 million. My price is already 5 million higher than the current market price, so you canโ€™t say Iโ€™m trying to cheat him, can you?โ€

Seeing that his expression was completely serious, Elder Fang stared at him, speechless. Lin Jingzhe exchanged glances with the old man and couldnโ€™t help but smile.

He crossed his legs and reclined on the sofa in a rare relaxed manner, caressing the tea cup. โ€œDonโ€™t worry, sir, itโ€™s just that heโ€™s still too young. Heโ€™ll understand later,โ€ he comforted.

It was a pity that, when coupled with his young face, this sentence didnโ€™t exactly have the effect he intended. Looking at Fang Wenhaoโ€™s uncomprehending gaze, Elder Fang became more and more angry. He picked up the walking stick that usually played a solely ornamental role, and clobbered his grandson hard.

Translator’s Notes:

  1. “Free-market activities, and even the use of currency, had only spread in recent decades” –ย I think I need to do more research on this so I won’t fumble with an explanation here. You might consider reading this explanation on Quora and this article.
  2. “…When he was paying a New Yearโ€™s courtesy call to Elder Fang” – here’s an introduction to the Chinese New Year traditions (New Year’s visits in “When to Make Visits” part): Chinese New Year Traditions and Superstitions.

Translator: Eques
Editor: Luoshenhua, Austera
Consultant & proofreader: Austera

Eques:

*Throws the chapter at readers and runs away*

Eques

Eques

Office worker by day, translator by night~ ๐Ÿฑโ€๐Ÿ‘ค I translate Death Progress Bar and Epiphanies of Rebirth

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Mndless
Mndless
March 11, 2024 1:49 pm

Friends don’t get in the way of their other friends making money. The fact that he didn’t jump on board early and didn’t buy anything for himself when they were available is entirely his own fault, particularly when the potential for development in the relatively near future had already been outlined for him.

cherry ๐Ÿ’
cherry ๐Ÿ’
August 25, 2024 11:34 am

ha he gave him a lot of hints and now it’s not Jingzhe’s fault if he’s not stupid lol