185: Chapter 185 The Wind Comes

Huang Zhixing sighed softly. "When the police called me, I was completely stunned. Even now, when I think back on it, my back still feels cold. Two hundred million—if not my entire net worth, it was close enough. It was just gone, just like that. And it wasn't just my money; there was also the fund worth several hundred million that I had spearheaded. If that had all been lost, I, Huang, would have been completely finished."

He looked at Lin Ning, his voice deepening slightly. "At that time, I was really thinking: what should I do? What about my family? What about the brothers and friends who have followed me for decades? To end up with nothing in my twilight years, with my reputation completely ruined."

Huang Zhixing paused, then suddenly laughed. The laughter was low, but Lin Ning could hear a sense of joy bursting from the bottom of his heart, the joy of having survived a disaster.

"Then the police told me that someone had reported it in advance. They had set up a duplicate scheme, but the transferred funds were frozen by Interpol, and the money was saved. Do you know how I felt at that moment?"

Lin Ning listened intently. He could actually understand this feeling of being reborn from the ashes. It was just like when he was drowning in debt and despair, and then received his Golden Finger.

"I feel like heaven hasn't abandoned me." Huang Zhixing looked at him, his tone incredibly sincere. "You are the noble person heaven sent to save me! You saved my life."

Lin Ning felt a bit embarrassed, his face warming slightly. "Mr. Huang, you are too kind. Since you are Brother Tao's friend, I just kept an extra lookout. Mostly, it's because your luck is strong; good people have their own heavenly protection."

Huang Zhixing burst into laughter and patted his shoulder again. "You kid, you sure know how to talk!"

He reined in his smile and said seriously, "I won't say any more polite platitudes. I have noted this favor. If you need anything in the future, just ask. Let's keep in touch and get to know each other better over time."

Seeing the sincerity in his eyes, Lin Ning nodded solemnly. "Thank you, Mr. Huang."

Huang Zhixing waved his hand and smiled. "Then it wouldn't be too much for you to change how you address me and call me 'Brother,' would it?"

"Brother Huang!" Lin Ning called out, looking a bit shy.

Huang Zhixing happily slapped his thigh, picked up his teacup, and took a sip. Suddenly changing the subject, he looked at both of them. "By the way, I heard from Shuyu that you two started an investment company."

Lin Ning felt touched and looked at Tao Shuyu. Brother Tao had paved the way for them.

Tao Shuyu sat to the side, holding his teacup with a smile, as open and bright as always.

Lin Ning withdrew his gaze and answered truthfully, "We've just started, so our capital is low. Right now, we're following Brother Tao to trade stocks and digital currency to build up a foundation first."

Huang Zhixing nodded and said seriously, "That's the right path. You're just starting out in the industry; without good projects, you should build up your capital first to prepare for the future."

He paused. "I have a few small projects on hand. The returns are average, but they have the advantage of being stable, which makes them suitable for you to practice with. If you get involved, you can first learn the processes of how to evaluate projects, investigate companies, and supervise finances. These are things you can't learn from books."

Wang Qiao's eyes lit up, but he held back from interrupting.

Huang Zhixing was exceptionally practical and candid. "Also, in the finance industry, connections are more important than anything else. Project news, industry trends, insider secrets—if your information is one step faster than others, and your judgment is one percent more accurate, then the deal is done."

"Later, when there are some gatherings or investment occasions, I'll take you along so you can meet more people."

Lin Ning listened, understanding the situation. Mr. Huang genuinely wanted to mentor them—giving them projects, teaching them experience, and helping them expand their connections; he was so practical and generous. He was just about to express his thanks.

Mr. Huang took a sip of tea, patted Lin Ning on the shoulder, and sighed with emotion. "Shuyu and I will guide you for a stretch. Little Lin has good luck, and Little Wang is also suited for this industry. In the future, who knows, maybe we old folks will be able to share in your success."

Seeing Mr. Huang praise them so generously, Lin Ning didn't want to be coy and only offer polite, humble platitudes. He said half-jokingly and half-seriously with a smile, "I'll take your auspicious words for it. With the care of you two, we will also set a grand goal to become your proud disciples as soon as possible."

"However," Lin Ning said with a touch of shame, "whether it's learning about investment or meeting people, please guide Wang Qiao more. I'm really not cut out for this industry; Wang Qiao handles all the company operations."

Wang Qiao grew anxious beside him. "Lin Zi, you…"

Lin Ning raised his hand to stop him. "I'm being serious. You're in charge of operations, and I'm in charge of finding money and resources. We have a clear division of labor."

Huang Zhixing looked at Lin Ning, his eyes filled with a bit more admiration—loyal.

He patted Wang Qiao on the shoulder. "Then I'll take you under my wing later."

Wang Qiao opened his mouth, but in the end, he only managed to squeeze out one sentence: "Thank you, Mr. Huang, I will work hard."

"Hahaha…" Huang Zhixing had met Wang Qiao several times already, and the young man was very likable. "Call me Brother Huang; I don't want to seem too much older than Shuyu."

Lunch was a home-cooked meal. Mrs. Huang's cooking was excellent; several home-style dishes were prepared with perfect color, aroma, and taste. During the meal, everyone set aside their unfamiliarity and chatted about interesting life anecdotes, making for a harmonious and happy meal.

When they were leaving, Huang Zhixing saw them to the door. "Come by often in the future to drink tea and chat."

Lin Ning smiled, pushing his luck. "Besides the tea, we're also looking forward to your wife's cooking!"

Mrs. Huang laughed until she couldn't close her mouth. "Come, come, I have other signature dishes."

After parting ways with Tao Shuyu at the intersection, Wang Qiao, who had been tense all morning, finally relaxed and his excited mouth didn't stop moving:

"Lin Zi, Brother Huang said he's going to start bringing us along on projects!"

"Lin Zi, the connections Brother Huang introduces will definitely be top-tier, no need to even think about it. Even if we're just getting our faces known for now, this is something so many people beg for but can't get!"

"Lin Zi, Brother Huang is really generous! We're really about to take off!"

Lin Ning was driving and was also very happy. Listening to Wang Qiao's chatter, he nodded in agreement, like a sidekick in a crosstalk act.

Wang Qiao got tired of talking and leaned against the car window with a grin. He suddenly spoke up, "Lin Zi, I need to study hard when I get back—not just the basic knowledge from now on, I need to learn more advanced stuff too."

Lin Ning was stunned for a moment. Thinking of how painful Wang Qiao looked when studying, he asked in confusion, "We're just relying on news; we don't plan on analyzing the market ourselves to pick stocks or evaluate investment projects. Learning the basics so you don't get swindled is enough. You're studying so painfully, is it really necessary?"

Wang Qiao sat up straight, his tone serious. "You, Brother Tao, and Mr. Huang—you all are the wind, and I'm using your wind to take flight."

"But I can't just lie down. I have to work hard, I have to study, and I have to have the ability to walk steadily so that I can use your wind to fly even more steadily."

He looked at the road ahead, his eyes filled with a kind of determination and something others couldn't understand.

"I can't just rely on you to carry me. I also need to be independent and become someone who can stand side-by-side with you. Once I've learned well, I can go find the wind myself, or at least be able to tell if it's real wind or fake wind."

After finishing, he turned to look at Lin Ning. "You find money and resources for the company; I can't just wait around. I have to work hard too, otherwise, I'd be letting you down."

Lin Ning was silent for a few seconds. Then he reached out and ruffled Wang Qiao's hair. "Alright, President Wang, that's the spirit."

Wang Qiao swatted his hand away. "You're driving! Pay attention to safety!" Lin Ning laughed out loud. The sunlight outside the car window was just right, spilling onto both of them.

His phone rang. Lin Ning glanced at the caller—Officer Li Feng.