Who would still start a business seriously after being reborn?

Chapter 427 The Richest Man Arrives
Although there were only a dozen or so people at the banquet, they were divided into three groups.

One group is the heavy drinker group like Gu Yushan and Du Yusheng.

One group is the Cheng Yi-style atmosphere group.

There is also the technical team composed of Huang Wenrong and leaders of the Economic Development Zone.

Huang Wenrong's name has now become well-known in Handong Province. His understanding and vision of finance and economics have even impressed the expert group of Handong Commercial Bank.

Having finally gotten a chance to meet Huang Wenrong face-to-face, these leaders from the Economic Development Zone naturally wouldn't let it pass, constantly asking Huang Wenrong various economic questions during the banquet.

They drank from 11 a.m. until after 2 p.m. When the banquet ended, the Dongcang County Hotel personally sent a car to take the leaders back.

Huang Wenrong did not linger in Dongcang County and hurriedly returned to Jingzhou City with Huang Xiaotong.

He had to buy the more than 700 million shares before Cheng Yi and Ding Sanshi could negotiate.

After seeing off Huang Wenrong and his daughter, Cheng Yi, who had drunk a few beers, rode his bicycle around the county town. At this time, Dongcang County was undergoing a transformation from poverty to wealth, and many old residential areas were being renovated in full swing. Cheng Yi vaguely remembered that Dongcang County entered the ranks of the top 100 counties in 2009.

This is indeed inseparable from Gu Yushan's efforts.

In 1998, Gu Yushan, who had just been promoted to vice president of the Dongcang County Government Affairs Association, once stood in the corridor of a meat processing plant all day with his bag in his hand in order to attract investment. In the end, he moved the person in charge of the meat processing plant to invest 1400 million yuan in Dongcang County to build a modern pig farm.

"I'll come back and rebuild my hometown after I retire in a few years. Right now, I'm willing but unable to do so," Cheng Yi thought to himself as he pedaled his bicycle.

Just as he was enjoying the beautiful scenery of his hometown, his phone rang urgently.

Lin Shengdong's phone number?

Cheng Yi immediately answered the phone, and Lin Shengdong's unique voice came from the other end: "Cheng Yi, have you moved? Yin Yin and I came back to visit relatives, and when we passed by your house, we found that your small shop has been replaced by a grain store."

"The convenience store is no longer operating," Cheng Yi said with a smile. "My family has moved to Unit 1, Building 3, Zhongjing Haoting, Room 102."

"Okay, we'll be there in a bit." Lin Shengdong was a very decisive person; he replied and then hung up the phone.

Upon hearing that Lin Shengdong was going home, Cheng Yi immediately got on his bicycle and headed towards his home.

What kind of business do you run?

"He owns a supermarket."

"Oh, you're in retail? I'm in the building materials business."

"Those who make building materials are all very capable."

When Cheng Yi entered the courtyard, Jiang Aiguo was having a friendly 'exchange' with Lin Shengdong on behalf of Cheng Jianshu and his wife.

Although Jiang Yuxi and Lin Qingyin were chatting and laughing around the fish pond, having a great time, Jiang Aiguo was full of hostility towards Lin Shengdong.

He was like an old father helping his daughter choose a son-in-law, wanting to find out everything about Lin Shengdong.

This scene surprised Cheng Yi.

Jiang Aiguo didn't even recognize Lin Shengdong?
It's understandable that his parents didn't know Lin Shengdong, but Jiang Aiguo had worked in a small food factory, yet he didn't know the godfather of the largest shopping mall in Lanling City.

No wonder his small food factory went bankrupt.

However, Cheng Yi can understand that, for ordinary people, who can remember whom?

Let alone Lin Shengdong, even Gu Yushan, the magistrate of Dongcang County, probably doesn't look like to most people.

Everyone knows Dongcang County, but no one knows what the county magistrate looks like.

Everyone knows about Dongcang Hotel, but no one knows what the owner of Dongcang Hotel looks like.

Everyone buys things at Shengdong Department Store, but no one knows what the owner of Shengdong Department Store looks like.

Even in the era of big data in 2024, probably very few people will know what the head of KFC China looks like, even though they eat there every day.

After all, apart from those entrepreneurs who like to put on a show, very few entrepreneurs are willing to step forward and show their faces in public.

Lin Shengdong was dressed very casually today, wearing a simple old-fashioned jacket and dark gray jeans. He no longer showed any of the arrogance of being the richest man in Dongcang County.

He answered almost everything Jiang Aiguo asked.

Jiang Aiguo is also very depressed. He had always heard that Cheng Yi had a girlfriend, but that was just hearsay. Now, his parents have come to visit.

Lin Qingyin's looks are undeniable, and she is also a top student at Handong University.

Jiang Aiguo was originally very confident in his daughter, but after meeting Lin Qingyin, his confidence gradually crumbled.

Now, he can only start by finding a partner who is of similar social standing.

As the biggest building materials merchant in Dongcang County, a tycoon who makes millions a year, how could he not even get a chance for his daughter?
Upon seeing Cheng Yi walk in, Jiang Aiguo immediately stood up and said with a smile, "Little Yi is back."

"Uncle Jiang." Cheng Yi smiled at Jiang Aiguo, then looked at Lin Shengdong, who had stood up, and said, "Uncle Lin, Happy New Year."

Lin Shengdong nodded to Cheng Yi as a greeting.

Lin Shengdong and Jiang Aiguo, being businessmen, had a natural advantage in communicating with people, while Cheng Jianshu and Chu Yue'e appeared rather awkward at this moment.

Cheng Yi's appearance made the two elderly people visibly relax. Chu Yue'e pulled Cheng Yi aside and scolded him, "You child, your girlfriend's father is coming over, why didn't you give us a heads-up? We weren't prepared at all, it's so impolite."

"I don't know either," Cheng Yi said. "But it's okay, Uncle Lin isn't the kind of person who cares about formalities."

While Cheng Yi and Chu Yue'e were explaining, Jiang Aiguo started talking to Lin Shengdong again: "By the way, how much is the bride price where you live?"

"Bride price?" Lin Shengdong was taken aback; he had never thought about bride price before.

He thought for a moment and said, "Does this even need to be considered? I only have one daughter, and everything I own will be hers in the future."

I'm coming.

Jiang Aiguo and Cheng Jianshu were both somewhat stunned.

This is the standard opening line for asking for a bride price.

The full text is: We only have one daughter. After you get married, all our things will be yours. Although the dowry we received was a bit more, it was all for you two to keep.

"There has to be a number, right?" Jiang Aiguo asked again.

Cheng Jianshu also looked at Lin Shengdong very seriously. What if Lin Shengdong made an exorbitant demand?
It's well known that many people in Dongcang County are aware that Cheng Yi is worth tens of millions. Because of this rumor, people came to propose marriage in droves during this year's Spring Festival. Even the president of the Dongcang County Industry and Commerce Association sent someone to propose marriage.

Lin Shengdong had never considered this question before. When Jiang Aiguo pressed him for an answer, he thought for a moment and said, "If we really have to set a number, let's set it at 6666 million."

"?" Jiang Aiguo's expression froze. "You mean ten thousand? Not a piece?"

“Hmm,” Lin Shengdong said, “But the bride’s side shouldn’t call it betrothal gifts, it should be called dowry.”

"??" Jiang Aiguo found it increasingly abstract as he listened.

What? A dowry?

A dowry of 6666 million? Does this middle-aged man, who is slightly more handsome than me, even know what he's saying?
Jiang Aiguo tentatively asked, "You said you'd give a dowry of 6666 million?" "Yes." Lin Shengdong nodded and said, "Cheng Yi's company hasn't fully resolved its debt problem yet. His salary plus dividends only amount to a little over 900 million a year. A decent detached villa in Jingzhou costs five or six million. There are also renovations, cars, drivers, nannies, and chefs. These are all significant expenses. I'm giving them a dowry so that their lives won't be too tight for the next few years."

"???" Jiang Aiguo was completely stunned.

Can an annual salary of over nine million be reconciled with a tight budget?

His annual net profit as the largest building materials merchant in Dongcang County was only a little over six million yuan.

If Lin Shengdong hadn't been so serious, Jiang Aiguo would have really thought this guy was mentally ill.

What kind of person dares to say such things?

“Dad, you don’t need to find it unbelievable. Uncle Lin is the richest man in Dongcang County.” Jiang Yuxi, who was feeding the koi, quickly looked up and said when she saw her father’s shocked expression.

"The richest man in Dongcang County?" Jiang Aiguo looked at the plainly dressed Lin Shengdong and exclaimed in surprise, "You, you are Lin Shengdong?"

Lin Shengdong smiled subtly.

"Are you really Lin Shengdong?" Jiang Aiguo looked Lin Shengdong up and down carefully and couldn't help but say, "You don't look like the photo in the newspaper at all."

"I'm getting old," Lin Shengdong said somewhat embarrassedly.

It's not just that I'm old; I've lost all my vigor and sharpness.

Jiang Aiguo had seen Lin Shengdong in the newspaper before. At that time, Lin Shengdong was full of vigor and was cutting the ribbon for a newly opened shopping mall with a group of high-ranking officials.

Almost everyone who knows Lin Shengdong knows that he is an extremely proud and flamboyant person, and he is very particular about the quality of life.

But Lin Shengdong now is nothing like the rumored man. If Jiang Yuxi hadn't said anything, no one would have been able to connect the man in front of them with the richest man in Dongcang County.

Cheng Jianshu, who was standing to the side, also looked shocked.

He never expected that Cheng Yi's girlfriend would be Lin Shengdong's daughter.

Good heavens, no wonder he's his son! Cheng Jianshu raised his head with some pride.

Lin Shengdong's name has been famous in Dongcang County for a long time, and many people have only heard of him but have never met him.

I never expected to see them alive today, and we might even become in-laws.

Jiang Aiguo touched his nose somewhat awkwardly, feeling completely defeated.

He glanced at Jiang Yuxi, who was still carefree feeding the fish, and then at the quiet girl beside her, and a sense of despair welled up inside him.

Lin Shengdong chose to come at this time partly to clear his daughter's name.

Cheng Yi is developing too fast now, almost every six months he's on a new level. He doesn't know how far Cheng Yi will grow in two years. By then, will his silly daughter still be good enough for Cheng Yi?

Lin Shengdong was unsure of what to do.

If Cheng Yi and Lin Qingyin could get engaged, everyone would be happy.

Lin Shengdong looked at Cheng Jianshu and Chu Yue'e and said, "I've been wanting to visit for a while, but I haven't been able to find the time. I came here today to ask for your opinions. Cheng Yi and my daughter have been dating for over a year. If you have no objections, I'm thinking of setting the date for their marriage."

"Engaged?" Cheng Jianshu and Chu Yue'e looked surprised.

Chu Yue'e murmured, "These two children are still in school, aren't they?"

Cheng Jianshu also said, "If the two children are in love, we have no objection, but my son will not marry into the family."

Cheng Jianshu is a very honest person; he speaks his mind as soon as he opens his mouth.

They have nothing, and the gap between them and the richest man in Dongcang County is too big.

Cheng Jianshu's first thought was to find a son-in-law to live with him.

After all, it's quite popular for sons-in-law to live with their wives' families these days, including Lin Shengdong, who was once a son-in-law living with his wife's family.

Lin Shengdong laughed and said, "What I hate most is a son-in-law who lives with his wife's family."

"Xiao Yi, what do you mean?" Chu Yue'e looked at Cheng Yi.

Cheng Yi said, "I'm fine with anything."

"What do you mean 'anything goes'? Is this how you treat relationships?" Chu Yue'e raised an eyebrow, bursting into a rage.

She couldn't tolerate her son becoming a scumbag.

Cheng Yi turned to Lin Qingyin and asked, "Qingyin, do you want to get engaged?"

"I'm fine with anything." Lin Qingyin smiled.

"..." Chu Yue'e fell silent.

Well, maybe she's just too old and doesn't understand young people's thoughts anymore.

Lin Shengdong smiled and said, "They are still young, so we should make the decisions. My suggestion is to choose a good day to get engaged first, and then get married as soon as they graduate from university."

“I think it’s a good idea,” Cheng Jianshu immediately agreed.

"I oppose this marriage." Jiang Aiguo, still unwilling to give up, raised his hand and shouted, "I think the child is too young to distinguish true feelings. I suggest we spend more time together before making a decision."

"This is none of your business. Go home and watch TV." Cheng Jianshu waved his hand.

"You, you, you!" Jiang Aiguo pointed at Cheng Jianshu angrily and said, "You have no conscience! You've hooked up with the richest man and now you don't care about your poor friends anymore?"

Upon hearing that Cheng Yi was getting engaged, Jiang Yuxi, who was feeding the fish, suddenly froze.

She straightened up, her clear eyes staring intently at Cheng Yi's back, and suddenly felt as if she had lost something.

Engagement should be a long way off for people their age.

But now that she had actually heard those words, and the person in question was Cheng Yi, she felt as if her heart had been stabbed.

Is Cheng Yi getting engaged?
Jiang Yuxi didn't know how she felt about Cheng Yi. She and Cheng Yi had grown up together since childhood, stealing fruit from the orchard together and throwing clods of dirt at the neighbor's geese together.

She always felt that she and Cheng Yi were just children, and never thought about what the future would hold.

This sudden turn of events left Jiang Yuxi somewhat at a loss.

Jiang Yuxi watched Cheng Yi and Song Meng's relationship as if it were a joke.

Jiang Yuxi just thought Lin Qingyin was blind to be with Cheng Yi.

But now, upon hearing about the engagement, Jiang Yuxi suddenly felt she couldn't accept it.

She stared blankly at Cheng Yi, her nose tingling, and tears welled up in her eyes.

How could that bastard get engaged? How could he get engaged?

(End of this chapter)