After Qin Chuan finished recounting his experiences over the past half year, Yang Conglong and Yang Zimo, the siblings, slowly snapped back to reality.
"So, you're saying that your current assets are not just one property development, a supermarket, but also a clothing store?" Yang Conglong asked.
"Yes, apart from the supermarket, the property development and the clothing store are collaborations with others," Qin Chuan replied. "I provide the labor, and others provide the capital. I didn't have that initial seed money, so this is the best way to start a business right now," he sighed.
Yang Conglong nodded. "Indeed!"
"Then, have all the industries under your management appreciated in value by now?" Yang Zimo inquired.
"Of course, not a single one is losing money!" Qin Chuan's face showed a strong sense of confidence when this was mentioned, which was his proudest achievement. Whether it was the property development, the supermarket, or the clothing store, they had all appreciated in value and had great future potential. If he were to sell them off now, he would tell anyone offering five million to get lost!
"So, what is the total value now?" Yang Zimo pressed further.
"Hmm... at least seven to eight million," Qin Chuan replied after some thought. This figure wasn't pulled out of thin air; it was based on actual data. In any industry, the first person to enter always reaps the greatest benefits, and Qin Chuan had greatly benefited from this. Whether it was building apartments, running a supermarket, or opening a flagship store, he had done all three, and no one else in Yongnan County had done so before him. Therefore, the appreciation would naturally be rapid, and the public had already accepted it, which represented true market value.
"Seven to eight million? That much?" Yang Zimo's usually serene face finally showed a hint of surprise. "I remember you telling me that after your father's condition worsened and he was hospitalized right after the Lunar New Year, your family's total money was only a little over thirty yuan, right?"
"Thirty-six yuan and seventy cents!" Qin Chuan replied. He remembered this figure vividly and would likely remember it forever.
"Yes, thirty-six yuan and seventy cents!" Yang Zimo's gaze was fixed on Qin Chuan. "In other words, from February after the New Year until now, in just half a year, you've turned thirty-six yuan and seventy cents into seven to eight million!" Am I saying this correctly?"
Qin Chuan blinked, then grinned. "If you put it that way, it's not wrong!"
"Holy cow, thirty-six yuan turning into seven to eight million in half a year! How many times has that multiplied?" Yang Conglong exclaimed, instinctively starting to count on his fingers.
"No need to calculate. At the lowest estimate of seven million, in half a year, it's multiplied over 193,000 times!" Yang Zimo stated.
"Over 193,000 times... If you add just a little more, that's almost 200,000 times, my goodness! Qin Chuan, how did you do it?" Yang Conglong looked at Qin Chuan as if he were seeing him for the first time, his eyes wide like a scanner, trying to understand him completely.
A flicker of an unusual light also appeared in the depths of Yang Zimo's beautiful eyes.
"Two hundred thousand times? I never really paid attention to that," Qin Chuan said, a little dazed himself. He quickly regained his composure and smiled gently. "I benefited from the small initial capital. If this thirty-six yuan and seventy cents were replaced with a few hundred, a few thousand, or even tens of thousands, the outcome might be similar!"
Given the era and the market, it was difficult to change such an outcome unless one had a substantial amount of capital.
Just then, the villa door opened, and an aunt walked in carrying several bags.
"Qin Chuan, this is Aunt Zhou, our housekeeper!" Yang Zimo introduced.
"Hello, Aunt Zhou!" Qin Chuan stood up and greeted her politely. He had been wondering why such a large villa didn't have a housekeeper, assuming she had gone shopping.
"Hello! Hello!" Aunt Zhou responded quickly. This was her first time meeting a guest who was so polite to her as a housekeeper!
"Well... it's getting late, I should be going back!" Qin Chuan said, looking at his phone.
"Don't go! It's almost lunchtime. Aunt Zhou bought some seafood today, which is Xiao Mo's favorite. We'll have a seafood feast for lunch!" Yang Conglong immediately said.
"Qin Chuan, please stay for lunch at our place!" Yang Zimo also invited. "It would seem rude if you came all this way and we didn't even offer you lunch."
"This..." Qin Chuan appeared conflicted.
"No one will be home for lunch today. My parents are both busy with work and probably won't be back," Yang Zimo added softly, seemingly guessing Qin Chuan's hesitation.
"In that case, I'll be imposing!" After some hesitation, Qin Chuan agreed.
In fact, he didn't want to leave either. He hadn't seen Teacher Yang in a long time, and he was reluctant to part so soon after finally meeting her. Moreover, he hadn't had a chance to chat with Teacher Yang privately yet. With his brother-in-law's excellent assistance today, he felt that the minor conflict that had arisen between him and Teacher Yang was rapidly disappearing. Perhaps, before long, they would make amends and reconcile.
"Aunt Zhou, please make an extra portion for lunch, and make it taste good!" Yang Conglong said loudly towards the kitchen, pleased that Qin Chuan was staying. He then pulled Qin Chuan's arm and sat back down on the sofa.
"You only gave us a general overview of your business dealings earlier. You haven't shared many details, and I'm very curious. Could you tell me more about the specifics?"
"Brother!" Before Qin Chuan could speak, Yang Zimo frowned prettily. "Don't you know about business confidentiality? Our father cultivates you every day, wanting to train you into an elite!"
"Teacher Yang, it's alright. Brother Long is not an outsider," Qin Chuan interjected to ease the situation for Yang Conglong.
"Exactly! Even though you two haven't known each other as long as I have, our friendship was established long ago. If you're not interested, go back to reading your books or tending to your flowers and plants!" Yang Conglong waved his sister away. "Qin Chuan, let's ignore her. We'll talk."
Qin Chuan glanced at Yang Zimo and saw her pout unhappily, nearly making him laugh out loud, but he managed to restrain himself. He then began to speak in a low voice with Yang Conglong, imparting some business experience. Qin Chuan had a favorable impression of his brother-in-law, despite his occasional faults as a spoiled rich kid. His fundamental nature was not bad. After all, he was a bona fide second-generation rich kid. What was wrong with being a bit arrogant, a bit mischievous, or a bit lecherous? If Qin Chuan were also a second-generation rich kid with such wealthy and influential parents, he might be even more arrogant, more mischievous, and prouder than Yang Conglong!
If someone has the capital, they can do as they please. If you don't like it, come and bite me! Qin Chuan was unsure of the Yang family's true financial strength. The fact that they could afford such a luxurious villa and that Yang Conglong drove a sports car worth over a million yuan suggested that their assets were at least in the billions. In 1998, a billion yuan was equivalent to over ten billion in wealth in later years.