Chapter 536 — Zhong Yongliang Takes Action

"Huh?" Jin Gubang blinked, slightly baffled by what Zhao Qibing meant.

"Gu Pengzhan's daughter — quite a looker. I've been wanting to have a go at her for ages, just never got the chance. Besides, before Gu Pengzhan lost his power, I didn't dare make a move." Zhao Qibing gave a sly grin. "Once you've destroyed his company, I won't mind paying his daughter a visit!"

"Oh, understood! Young Master Bing, rest easy — under your leadership, I'll bring him down sooner or later!" Jin Gubang felt a wave of relief wash over him, and immediately thumped his chest in assurance.

"Enough — let's set that aside for now. Tell me, how are we going to make money with this real estate company?" Zhao Qibing had no shortage of funds; running a company was, to him, more or less a hobby. Still, it wasn't entirely a frivolous pursuit — he did want to achieve something.

Though he was an illegitimate son, Zhao Qibing still craved recognition for his abilities, so that he might be acknowledged as part of the family and claim his rightful name.

"Right now, the most promising, best-located area in Songshan City is the shantytown district. If we can secure the development rights there, our company will take off overnight — money pouring in like water!" Jin Gubang said. "That's exactly what I suggested to Brother Cihua before."

"Oh? If it's as good as you say, how come nobody has developed it yet?" Zhao Qibing was no fool, and he fired back the question the moment he heard Jin Gubang's pitch.

"Scoundrels — too many of them!" Jin Gubang explained. "Gu's Group wanted to develop that area before, but the shantytown residents banded together and demanded exorbitant relocation compensation — far more than it was worth. And Gu Pengzhan is stubborn; he won't cut corners on construction quality, so there's naturally no profit to be had. I imagine every other developer has run into the same wall."

"Oh? And we can turn a profit?" Zhao Qibing shot back.

"With Brother Cihua stepping in, do you think we can't handle those scoundrels? They're trying to shake us down with sky-high demands — we'll deal with them!" Jin Gubang curled his lip contemptuously. "Then we cut some corners on construction quality — the houses don't need to be too good. Rip off one buyer at a time, and that's that..."

"Don't give people ammunition by skimping on build quality. I've heard the state's issued a new policy — developers bear lifetime liability for structural quality. If that comes back to bite us later, it'll cut to the bone." Zhao Qibing waved a dismissive hand. "As for those relocation households — they're a different matter. Squeeze the profit out of them!"

"No problem!" Jin Gubang was growing increasingly convinced that this Young Master Bing was no empty-headed fool. On the contrary, he had real vision — he wasn't the reckless type who charged in blindly. He knew what could be pushed and what couldn't.

"When you've got some free time these next few days, let's take a stroll through the shantytown together," Zhao Qibing said. "And get the development permits through as fast as you can."

"That's easy — the city's been itching to redevelop that area for years. The only holdup is that no developer has picked it up. I'll run the paperwork tomorrow." Jin Gubang said casually. "Oh, by the way, Young Master Bing — what should we call the company?"

"The name? How about Qibing Real Estate," Zhao Qibing said offhandedly.

Over the past two days, Zhong Yongliang had been in an exceptionally buoyant mood. He felt that fortune had truly turned in his favor. That hateful Wei Zhao hadn't shown up for school in days — with that nuisance gone, Zhong Yongliang could finally carry out his plan without interference.

"Xiao Fu, how's the preparation going?" Zhong Yongliang asked Gao Xiaofu.

"Brother Liang, the cave's all sorted — absolutely secure!" Gao Xiaofu chuckled smugly. "I've installed a steel security door inside. No matter how resourceful Gu Mengyao is, there's no way she's getting out!"

"Not bad at all! That's a remarkably original idea — you put ordinary kidnappers to shame. You're a born villain!" The moment Zhong Yongliang heard what Gao Xiaofu had done, he burst out laughing with delight.

"Heh heh — that's only because Brother Liang leads the way! Otherwise I never could have come up with such a brilliant scheme!" Gao Xiaofu was beaming with pride. Previously, Zhong Yongliang had said they would tie Gu Mengyao up inside the cave, but Gao Xiaofu had been afraid something might go wrong after Zhong Yongliang left.

Out in the desolate wilderness, what if wild beasts came prowling? So Gao Xiaofu had a sudden flash of inspiration and installed a security door. Now it was perfect — without a key, no one could open it.

"Is there food and entertainment inside?" Zhong Yongliang asked.

"Of course — I've got it all set up!" Gao Xiaofu nodded. "The rest is up to you, Brother Liang — figure out how to lure Gu Mengyao there!"

"Leave that to me. I've already thought it through!" Zhong Yongliang said with the confidence of someone holding every card. "I know Gu Mengyao inside and out — I can handle this one myself."

During the break before evening self-study, Zhong Yongliang crept over to Gu Mengyao and Shen Yushu's desk with a secretive air and whispered, "Mengyao, there's something very important I need to ask you."

Gu Mengyao glanced up at Zhong Yongliang and frowned. "Didn't I tell you not to call me Yaoyao? Either call me Sister Yaoyao or use my full name. How is your memory that bad?"

"That's right, Sister Yaoyao — I think Little Liangzi ought to take some brain-boosting pills to patch up his head!" Shen Yushu nodded.

Zhong Yongliang was not the least bit offended; if anything, he grew even more solemn. "Fine, then I'll call you Mengyao. I really do have something to discuss with you — what I call you doesn't matter."

"What is it?" Gu Mengyao asked, a little impatient. She had been about to head out with Xiaoshu to buy some snacks to tide them over, and now Zhong Yongliang had planted himself right by her desk. Who knew what pointless trouble he had come to stir up?

"Um... Xiaoshu, would you mind stepping aside for a moment?" Zhong Yongliang asked, watching Shen Yushu warily.

"Oh?" Shen Yushu blinked in faint surprise. Every time Zhong Yongliang pursued Gu Mengyao, he never asked her to leave — in fact, he always went out of his way to have her stay and help him. What was the boy up to today?

"Ahem... what I have to say today is rather private. It may involve some of Mengyao's personal matters, so..." Zhong Yongliang said tactfully.

"Zhong Yongliang, if you have something to say, say it. If not, Xiaoshu and I are going out to buy things!" Gu Mengyao's patience had run out. "Xiaoshu is my best friend. There's nothing I'd want to keep from her!"

"All right, then... I'll say it!" In truth, Zhong Yongliang would rather not have Shen Yushu mixed up in this at all; given who Shen Yushu was, he could not help but be wary of her.

"Do you actually have something to say or not?" Gu Mengyao shot Zhong Yongliang a glare.

"Yes... um, Mengyao, you're an only child, aren't you?" Zhong Yongliang asked cautiously.

"An only child?" Gu Mengyao was taken aback. "What do you mean by that?"

"Uh... put another way, Uncle Chu only has you, right?" Zhong Yongliang hurried to explain.

"Isn't that obvious? What exactly are you trying to say?" The more Gu Mengyao listened, the more she felt Zhong Yongliang was scraping the bottom of the barrel for conversation.