23: Chapter 23 A Small Trial in Real Estate

"Wang Ming?" Li Xin put down his wine glass, his voice as calm as if he were discussing something trivial. "Are you sure?"

Yang Hong pushed up his glasses. "I'm sure. My classmate told me himself. Dingsheng Technology offered him a monthly salary of 20,000, plus a five percent equity stake. He agreed without a second thought."

Luo Maifa, listening from the side, was furious. "That guy is too underhanded, isn't he? Your project isn't even finished yet, and he's already run off?"

"The project is done," Yang Hong said with a bitter smile. "It was delivered just last week. Him leaving now doesn't affect the technology. But... he has all our code and architecture documentation."

Li Xin frowned. "Did he write the code?"

"Most of it was written by me. He was responsible for the front end. But he was involved in the architectural design from start to finish and knows all our technical solutions."

"Then that's not a big problem," Li Xin said, leaning back in his chair. "He knows the solutions, but the core technology is in your hands. Replacing a front-end developer and rewriting the interface won't take much time."

Yang Hong nodded. "I'm not worried about the technical side. What I'm worried about is that Dingsheng Technology is also working on a similar product. If they use our solutions and launch before us..."

"Then we'll launch before them," Li Xin interrupted. "How long do you need to create a usable version?"

Yang Hong thought for a moment. "If we add one more person, two weeks."

"Then add someone." Li Xin took a bank card out of his pocket and pushed it toward Yang Hong. "There are two million in here. Take it to hire people and rent an office. I want to see a functional product within two weeks."

Yang Hong looked at the bank card and was silent for a few seconds. "Li Xin, you already gave me 500,000 before, and now another two million. This isn't a small amount. Aren't you afraid..."

"Afraid of what?" Li Xin smiled. "Afraid you won't be able to do it? Afraid of losing money? Yang Hong, I'm a good judge of character. Your skills are worth this price."

Yang Hong took a deep breath and put the bank card away. "Alright. Then I won't waste any more words. I'll definitely show you the product within two weeks."

Qiang Zi, who had been listening from the side, suddenly spoke up. "Li Xin, that Dingsheng Technology... do you want me to look into them?"

"No need," Li Xin shook his head. "Doing business relies on products and strength. If they poach one of our people, we'll just make our product better. There's no need to play dirty behind the scenes."

Qiang Zi nodded and said nothing more.

But Li Xin knew in his heart that Wang Ming was someone who had stolen his woman in his past life and now wanted to steal his business in this one. He wouldn't actively provoke Wang Ming, but if Wang Ming didn't know his place, he wouldn't mind letting him know the cost.

The four men drank a few more glasses and then went their separate ways.

Li Xin didn't return to the dormitory but found a hotel near the school to stay in. He had tens of millions in cash on him now, so the cost of a hotel was nothing. But he didn't want to be too high-profile, so he just stayed in an ordinary three-star hotel.

Lying on the bed, he opened his laptop and began to plan his next business layout.

What he needed wasn't just one or two profitable projects, but a complete business system.

Logistics, technology, catering—these were the three directions he was currently involved in. Logistics had Uncle Luo's Xinfa Logistics; technology had Yang Hong's internet project; catering had Zhao Tiezhu's breakfast shop. These three directions seemed unrelated, but they actually supported each other.

Logistics was the foundation, responsible for supply chains and transportation. Technology was the core, responsible for products and data. Catering was the cash flow, responsible for stable income and brand.

But this wasn't enough. He needed more industries, more investments, and more partners.

He thought of real estate.

In his past life, he had worked on construction sites for so many years that he was more than familiar with the real estate industry. In 2016, housing prices in Shenzhen had just started to rise. If he could enter the real estate market at this point, the return rate over the next few years would be at least several times, if not more than ten times.

But he didn't have enough money on hand right now. Tens of millions looked like a lot, but in the real estate market, it was just a fraction. He needed more capital.

And the fastest source of capital was still gold.

He opened the system panel and looked at his data.

[Gold Search and Refining System 2.0]

[Host: Li Xin]

[Current Level: 8]

[Detection Range: 990 meters]

[Cumulative Gold Refined: 3.3757 tons]

[Gold Required for Next Upgrade: 10 tons]

3.3757 tons of gold. If he cashed it all out, at a price of 270 yuan per gram, it was worth over 900 million. But he didn't want to cash it all out—he wanted to keep a portion for system upgrades.

He thought for a moment and decided to cash out 200 kilograms first. It was worth over 50 million. Adding the cash he already had, he would have about 80 million. This money was enough for him to buy a few decent properties in Shenzhen or invest in a few small-to-medium-sized real estate projects.

But he didn't want to get involved in real estate himself. It was too complex, too energy-consuming, and very easy to attract unnecessary attention.

He needed to find a reliable partner, someone experienced in the real estate industry with connections but lacking capital.

He thought of one person: Uncle Luo.

Uncle Luo had been doing logistics in Shenzhen for over a decade; he knew many people and had wide connections. Plus, Uncle Luo was an honest man who wouldn't cheat him.

Early the next morning, he called Uncle Luo.

"Uncle Luo, do you have time? I'd like to talk to you about something."

"I have time. Come to the company; I'll brew a pot of tea and wait for you."

Li Xin took a taxi to Xinfa Logistics. The company had moved from the old, dilapidated warehouse to a new logistics park, renting a warehouse and office space of over 300 square meters, with five brand-new trucks parked at the entrance.

Uncle Luo brewed a pot of Pu'er tea in the office and poured a cup for Li Xin.

"Kid, I heard you made quite a bit in Dubai again?"

"It was alright," Li Xin smiled. "Uncle Luo, how is the company doing lately?"

"Quite well. Since the new trucks arrived, we've taken on several big orders. Last month's net profit was 230,000, and your dividend of 92,000 has already been transferred to your card."

"Uncle Luo, I didn't come here today to ask about the dividend," Li Xin put down his teacup. "I want to ask if you know anyone in real estate?"

Uncle Luo was stunned for a moment. "Real estate? You want to buy a house?"

"Not just buy a house. I want to invest in real estate."

Uncle Luo looked at him and was silent for a few seconds. "You kid, your appetite isn't small. Logistics, technology, catering, and now you want to do real estate?"

"These directions support each other," Li Xin said. "Uncle Luo, I don't have any roots in Shenzhen, and I need help with many things. You've been in Shenzhen for over twenty years and know many people; could you help me make an introduction?"

Uncle Luo thought for a moment. "I do know someone. His surname is Liu, called Mr. Liu. He used to be a construction contractor and later started his own development business, working on several real estate projects in Shenzhen. His capital chain broke a couple of years ago, and his company is barely holding on. If someone invests now, he would definitely be willing to cooperate."

"Can you arrange a meeting with him?"

"I'll make a call and ask."

Uncle Luo picked up his phone, dialed a number, chatted for a few minutes, and hung up.

"He said he's free this afternoon. Where do you want to meet?"

"Right here. It's quiet."

"Alright, I'll tell him to come over."

At 2:00 PM, Mr. Liu arrived.

He was in his early fifties, not tall, slightly chubby, his hair combed meticulously, wearing a dark blue polo shirt, and sporting an old-model Omega watch on his wrist. He looked like a decent man, but his eyes held some fatigue, and the wrinkles at the corners of his eyes were deep.

"Mr. Liu, this is Li Xin, my partner," Uncle Luo introduced.

Mr. Liu extended his hand and shook Li Xin's. "Mr. Li is young and promising. Brother Luo told me you've been doing business in Dubai and made a lot of money."

"Mr. Liu, you're too kind. I'm just dabbling," Li Xin smiled. "Uncle Luo said you've been in the real estate business in Shenzhen for over twenty years and have a wealth of experience, so I'd like to learn from you."

Mr. Liu sighed. "I wouldn't dare say that. The market has been okay the past couple of years. I expanded too quickly a few years ago, my capital chain broke, and now I have two projects stuck on my hands that I can't sell, and the bank is chasing me for loans every day."

"Two projects? Where are they located?"

"One is in Longhua, and one is in Guangming. Both are for essential housing needs, the unit layouts aren't large, the total price isn't high, but the capital turnover is slow, and the capital chain broke."

Li Xin thought for a moment. "If someone invests now, can these two projects be revived?"

Mr. Liu's eyes brightened. "Yes. As long as there is money to finish the construction and get the marketing going, these two projects will definitely sell. The Longhua project is in a good location, right next to the subway entrance. The Guangming project has a low price, with a down payment of just over 200,000, and there are many customers with essential housing needs."

"How much capital is needed?"

"At least 30 million."

30 million. Li Xin calculated in his mind. He had about 50 million in cash on hand now; if he invested 30 million, he would still have 20 million left. He could accept this investment scale.

"Mr. Liu, if I invest 30 million, what percentage of shares can I get?"

Mr. Liu was silent for a while. "If you invest 30 million, I will give you 60 percent of the equity in the project company for the Longhua development. I'll keep the Guangming project for myself and sell it slowly."

"60 percent?" Li Xin shook his head. "Mr. Liu, 30 million is not a small amount. I want controlling interest in both projects."

Mr. Liu frowned. "Controlling interest in both projects? Then you need to invest at least 50 million."

"50 million is fine," Li Xin said. "But I have one condition. I want to send people to participate in the project's operations and management—not to usurp your power, but to learn. I have no experience in the real estate industry and need someone to guide me."

Mr. Liu looked at him, then at Uncle Luo. Uncle Luo nodded slightly.

"Alright," Mr. Liu extended his hand. "50 million, controlling interest in both projects. You send someone to participate in the management, and I will cooperate fully."

Li Xin shook his hand. "Pleasure doing business with you."

After seeing Mr. Liu off, Uncle Luo patted Li Xin on the shoulder. "Kid, you've got real guts. 50 million, you invest it just like that, without even blinking."

"Uncle Luo, fortune favors the bold," Li Xin smiled. "And I can tell that Mr. Liu is an honest man. He only lacks capital, not ability."

"As long as you know what you're doing," Uncle Luo nodded. "By the way, what has that kid Maifa been up to lately? He's never home."

"He's helping me handle some things. Uncle Luo, don't worry, I won't let him lose out."

"It's not that I'm afraid he'll lose out," Uncle Luo sighed. "I'm afraid he'll cause trouble for you. That kid, he doesn't know how to keep his mouth shut and tells everyone everything."

Li Xin smiled. "Maifa is an honest man. I like honest men."

He chatted with Uncle Luo for a while longer, then got up and left. Now he had to go find Boss Chen to sell another 200kg of gold.

It was the same price as before, totaling 52.2 million. He would transfer 50 million to Mr. Liu in a moment, leaving over 17 million in his domestic account.

On the way back after handling the gold, his phone rang. It was an unknown number. He answered, and a woman's voice came from the other end, with a sobbing tone. "Li Xin... it's me, Lin Wanqing. I... I want to see you."

Li Xin tapped his fingers on his phone case twice, was silent for three seconds, and then said, "No need." He hung up the phone.

But ten minutes later, she sent another message: "Wang Ming is going to cause trouble for me, I really have no other way. Please, just meet me once." Li Xin looked at this message, his brow slightly furrowed.