Rebirth 1990: Rise of the Tycoon

Ren Qianbo has arrived.Part 25

Boss Lu?

The woman was stunned, and so were the onlookers. They couldn't believe it. From Lu Feng's ordinary attire, he didn't look like a boss at all.

"Did you mistake him for someone else? Look at him, he looks so poor. How could he be a boss?" the woman exclaimed.

"Shut up!"

Lu Feng looked at Zhou Hao, surprised to see him. It had been a while, and now Zhou Hao was dressed in a suit and tie, looking far more polished than before—clearly, he'd made money.

Zhou Hao knew his wife's personality all too well. Especially since he'd started earning well, she'd become even more arrogant, spending extravagantly and looking down on everyone.

If it had been anyone else, Zhou Hao would have had to stand up for her. But Lu Feng was his golden goose. Even if Lu Feng slapped his wife, Zhou Hao wouldn't dare challenge him.

"Boss Lu, I sincerely apologize," Zhou Hao said hurriedly. "I'm sorry. Please forgive her; she's thoughtless."

The woman was full of resentment. What kind of big-shot boss could make her husband bow like this? She protested, "He hit me and my child! What good are you to me if you can't even protect us?"

"Shut your mouth!" Zhou Hao's face tightened with anger.

"What kind of so-called boss is he? So what if we stop doing business with him? Do you really need that little bit of money now?"

"He's the boss of the canned goods operation!" Zhou Hao whispered.

The woman's face changed instantly. Her current lifestyle, with its extravagance and freedom, was entirely funded by Zhou Hao's canned goods business. Without money, she was nothing. Her expression softened as she turned to Lu Feng.

"Sorry, it was my fault," the woman said meekly.

"We also bear some responsibility," Jiang Xiaoyan quickly interjected to defuse the situation.

"Yes, you were at fault," Lu Feng said sternly. "But I won't dwell on it. Let's leave it at that."

Zhou Hao offered a few polite words and hurriedly left with his wife and child. The crowd dispersed, disappointed that the drama had ended.

Lu Feng picked up Duoduo and softly asked, "Are you okay?"

"My snacks are gone," Duoduo said, pouting in grievance.

"It's okay. We'll go downstairs, and Daddy will buy you more," Lu Feng said. Duoduo's tears turned into laughter. Lu Feng turned to Jiang Xiaoyan with a sigh. "It was clearly their fault, yet you tried to smooth things over. There's a saying, 'Clothes make the man, and a fine robe makes the monk.' If you had dressed more elegantly today, they wouldn't have dared to be so arrogant. And if we had bodyguards with us, they'd have apologized first."

"Bodyguards? You're exaggerating," Jiang Xiaoyan said. She understood his point but was frugal to a fault. She bowed her head and murmured, "As long as we live comfortably, nothing else matters."

"How can it not matter?" Lu Feng said. "Look at Zhou Hao. He's barely earned much, but his wife is decked out in gold and silver, strutting around arrogantly like some rich tycoon's mistress."

"She's just a spendthrift."

"Starting today, you're going to be a spendthrift too. Got it?" Lu Feng declared.

Jiang Xiaoyan nodded. Lu Feng led her into a store. The sales assistants, who had previously been dismissive, were now on their best behavior, professionally introducing every outfit. The mocking smirks on their faces had vanished.

Dresses, overalls, jeans, high heels—Lu Feng bought everything Jiang Xiaoyan looked good in, which was practically everything since she was so beautiful. Soon, they left with bags upon bags of new clothes.

On their way out of the shopping center, they also bought snacks for Duoduo. The whole family looked refreshed and transformed. Jiang Xiaoyan glanced at the shopping bags, her heart aching. They had spent over 200 yuan in such a short time—a sum that could sustain an ordinary family for half a year!

Riding home on a motorbike, the family drew envious stares. Downstairs, neighbors crowded around, asking about Jiang Xiaoyan's new clothes.

Lu Feng had to head to his workshop, and Jiang Xiaoyan needed to return to her job at the electronics factory. After a quick meal, they went their separate ways.

Later that day, Lu Feng noticed fewer trucks coming to pick up goods. Previously, production was sold as soon as it was made. But now, stock was starting to accumulate. He talked to the truck drivers.

"Brother Feng, a lot fewer people came to pick up goods today," one of them said.

"I noticed," Lu Feng replied.

"I heard there's another food factory getting into the canned goods business. They've got an assembly line," the driver said, sharing bits of gossip.

In the distance, a Santana sedan sped toward them, kicking up a cloud of dust. Everyone's attention turned to it—it wasn't every day they saw a Santana, a car for the rich.

The car door opened, and Ren Qianbo stepped out, a briefcase tucked under his arm. He scanned the area and locked eyes with Lu Feng.

"Boss Lu, business is booming! I was passing by and thought I'd stop in to see you," Ren Qianbo said as he took out a pack of Zhonghua cigarettes, handing them out to the workers. "Boss Lu, you're a real business genius. Spotting this market gap takes sharp eyes. I'm impressed."

"Spotting an opportunity is one thing, but it takes capital to seize it. In the end, it's people like you, Mr. Ren, with money and factories, who reap the rewards," Lu Feng replied coolly.

"Don't say that. My factory makes snacks, and yes, I also produce canned goods. But I'm not here to compete with you. I'm a fair businessman. Ask around if you don't believe me," Ren Qianbo said with a warm smile.

"Your honesty is obvious, Mr. Ren," Lu Feng said. "What brings you here today?"

"I wouldn't dare presume to advise you. But as you said, opportunities require capital to grow. Recently, competition has increased. There are four or five other businesses entering the market, from what I've heard," Ren Qianbo said as he lit a cigarette. After a moment of contemplation, he added, "I admire your vision, and I'd like to invest."

"Sure," Lu Feng replied nonchalantly. "How much are you offering, and for what stake?"

"I'm offering 500,000 yuan for 80% of your shares. What do you think?"

"Really?" Da Tou, one of the workers, exclaimed in shock, patting Lu Feng excitedly. "You've hit the jackpot!"

But Lu Feng's expression darkened.

"You don't need 80%. I'll sell it all to you for 200,000 yuan," Lu Feng said mockingly.

"I'm a bit short on cash right now. Let's write an IOU, and I'll pay you as soon as I have the funds," Ren Qianbo said with a sly grin.

Lu Feng laughed coldly. It was clear Ren Qianbo wanted to exploit him, perhaps by teaming up to crush the new competitors.

"No need. My small business doesn't need your involvement," Lu Feng said firmly.

"I'm serious. 500,000 yuan, as soon as my factory's cash flow improves," Ren Qianbo insisted.

Lu Feng smirked. If he accepted an IOU, he might never see a dime.

"I mean it too," Lu Feng said, turning him down again.

Ren Qianbo's face darkened. "You're young and naive if you think you can make it big alone. You've earned well so far, but your fortune ends here."

"Is that so?" Lu Feng replied, unfazed by the thinly veiled threat. "I didn't realize you were also a fortune teller, Mr. Ren. Impressive."

The two men traded polite words, but the tension between them was palpable.

In the distance, the roar of motorbikes grew louder as two motorcycles sped toward them. Lu Feng saw that the riders were Zhou Jianguo and Sun Longbin. His brow furrowed—something told him trouble was brewing.