He Youjun and Zheng Zhigang, who didn't know the details, stared at him in utter disbelief.
As the fourth-branch heir, He Youjun's mother currently controls a shipping empire worth forty billion.
Without question, he will be the successor one day.
But right now, asking him to pull twenty billion from his own pocket is simply impossible.
Unless he reaches out and asks the family for it.
Suddenly he felt he had slightly underestimated Qin Fen.
He hadn't expected Qin Fen to have two billion in liquid cash on hand.
He couldn't help sighing to himself: only children really have it made.
Amazement aside, he also thought Qin Fen must be crazy.
Two billion—just like that, you're matching it?
No risk assessment whatsoever???
Could Qin Fen's family be connected with Jiang Cheng as well??
How else could you explain this relationship?
He doesn't even ask his family and just decides to follow along??
The instant Qin Fen finished speaking, Chen Hao chimed in: "Heh, I've got nothing to say—wherever you go, I'm right behind you."
Qi Yuan jumped in hastily: "Hey hey hey, you two already used up all the good lines—what am I supposed to say? Too much! Brother Cheng is my real brother; the happiness of the rest of my life is in your hands."
Jiang Cheng cut him off: "Stop right there—take back everything after that last sentence."
Wang Congcong wouldn't be outdone: "Damn, you guys are pros at brown-nosing—you licked the plate clean. Save some for me! Last time Old Qin made two hundred million more than I did; this round I'm scraping together two billion so we can at least break even."
The room burst into loud laughter.
Zheng Zhigang, though equally puzzled, was used to big occasions; he kept smiling and never let his doubts show.
He Youjun, on the other hand, couldn't hide what he was thinking.
Mainly, the trust everyone displayed was beyond his comprehension.
People might gift money or presents to curry favor, but not like this, right??
Unless Jiang Cheng really could make them rich.
Although He Youjun's family earned hundreds of millions a day from their Casino City operations,
at present he had zero access to those core businesses.
He believed the stock market, like his family's casinos, could be manipulated,
yet seeing the others' eagerness, his doubts ebbed.
After all, no one present was a fool; if it were a scam, Wang Congcong wouldn't be in for a second round.
And someone of Jiang Cheng's stature had no need to fleece them.
Thinking this, He Youjun grew even more anxious.
What he lacked most right now was opportunity.
He couldn't help asking, "Brother Cheng, which stock is this big secret you mentioned?"
Jiang Cheng shook his head. "I can't say much. Just know it's a short-term play led by Xingchen Investment Company. Those who've joined before understand: hand over the money, ask no questions, and wait for the result. Everything is handled by Xingchen Investment."
He added, "Still, the old rule: investment carries risk, enter with caution. To protect our friendship, think it through. Whether you follow or not, I won't hold it against you—don't let money spoil what we have…"
After the dinner broke up, Jiang Cheng left first with Si Nian.
The others were heading to the next venue.
Seeing Zheng Zhigang wasn't coming, He Youjun pulled him aside.
"Brother Gang, you're really not going?"
Zheng Zhigang replied politely, "I'll pass—still have matters to deal with."
In truth, he'd only come because Jiang Cheng was here; once Jiang Cheng left, there was no point staying.
As head of a hundred-billion empire, he had the capital and status to choose his company.
While Qin Fen and Wang Congcong were showing off sports cars and pretty Girls, Jiang Cheng was already meeting chairmen of global giants and even prime ministers.
In terms of cash flow, everyone present—including Jiang Cheng—couldn't compare to him.
He Youjun didn't expose that; instead he asked, "Brother Gang, what do you think of all this?"
Zheng Zhigang gave him a complicated look. "Honestly, I'm not sure. I've only met Jiang Cheng briefly, but his investment eye is outstanding."
"How so?" He Youjun pressed.
"From what I know, every recent deal his company made is profitable—especially TikTok and Fierce Cat. The mainland market differs from Hong Kong Island and Casino City; live-streaming and short video aren't hot investments over there. And esports, which you're in—when Wang Congcong asked me to invest in Fierce Cat, I turned him down. Regret it now."
Hearing this, He Youjun said, "Brother Gang, come with me. Jiang Cheng's gone; we can ask around…"
Persuaded, Zheng Zhigang nodded.
Soon the group strode into the club.
Rich, powerful young lords, they drew every eye the moment they appeared.
At the booth, Wang Zheng was already waiting.
Seeing them escorted in by the manager, Wang Zheng jumped up with a broad smile.
After greeting Wang Congcong, he warmly shook hands with the newcomers Zheng Zhigang and He Youjun.
Once pleasantries were exchanged, they took their seats.
Wang Congcong took the lead ordering drinks for Zheng Zhigang and He Youjun; the others sat back, yielding tonight's control without a fight.
Unlike Qin Fen and company, Qi Yuan didn't court the two VIPs; he simply sat beside Wang Zheng and pulled a Simple Tea membership card from his pocket.
"Old Wang, here—Brother Cheng just gave it to me. From now on we can grab milk tea together."
Wang Zheng flipped the leaflet back and forth, puzzled. "A milk tea shop?? You actually like this stuff?"
Qi Yuan chuckled. "Sure do. What, don't tell me you don't??"
"Well… depends on the kind. Big and soft—then I'm in."
"Holy crap, listen—this is Brother Cheng's chain in the university district. Five stores, all surrounded by campuses; there's one right by our school."
Wang Zheng's eyes lit up. "Woo-hoo—Brother Cheng really… thinks miles ahead!!!"
Qi Yuan nodded. "Exactly. Word is the students love it—tons of Girls especially."
Wang Zheng slapped his thigh. "Set up base there and you'd have a fresh crop every year—road-trip tomorrow??"
Qi Yuan waved him off. "Can't—busy raising capital."
"What's up? I've got some cash on hand; take it if you need."
The offer caught Qi Yuan off-guard. He knew Wang Zheng and the others hung around partly for his family's clout, yet the instant willingness to help still touched him.
Shaking the thought away, Qi Yuan nudged Wang Zheng. "It's fine—good news, actually. Brother Cheng's cooking up something new."
"What?? One of those golden deals??"
Seeing Qi Yuan nod, Wang Cong's face lit up, fingers flexing like a boxer before a bout.
"Then I'd better scrape some funds together too—kicked myself last time for not going bigger."
Spotting his chance, He Youjun cut in, eyes gleaming. "Brother Wang, do you know the inside scoop on what Cheng just mentioned?"
Wang Congcong knew exactly what He Youjun meant but played dumb. "No idea—just heard myself."
"So you're really putting in two billion?" He Youjun pressed.
Wang Congcong gave him a silent, level stare.
He understood: Jiang Cheng hadn't minded discussing in front of them—an olive branch, an invitation to join the circle.
Even without it, their paths would cross, but Wang knew that in this world there are no permanent friends or enemies, only permanent interests.
Time and place don't matter; profit is the strongest glue.
Besides, bringing Zheng Zhigang and He Youjun into the fold could only help.
One was heir to the four great clans of Hong Kong Island; the other, son of Casino City's richest man.
Both wielded clout and capital that could push their ventures further.
With that in mind, Wang Congcong said, "I'd love to throw in two billion—question is whether Jiang Cheng wants that much. It's not like I can demand a slice just because I show up with cash."
Seeing the helpless look on Wang Congcong's face, Zheng Zhigang burst out laughing.
"You tossed in eight hundred million—what slice of the pie do you get back?" he teased.
"A hundred-percent return—do the math." Wang Congcong couldn't hide his smug grin.
He Youjun and Zheng Zhigang exchanged glances.
At last they understood why everyone scrambled for a seat at the table.
Eight hundred million profit in just a few days—who wouldn't want a taste?
Both silently marveled, finally grasping how someone like Qin Fen could amass a fortune overnight.
Turns out money could come that easily—staggering returns in the blink of an eye.
Reading their shock, Wang Congcong added, "We trust Jiang Cheng one-hundred percent. Honestly, without him I'd probably be the internet's laughing-stock right now—you saw Fierce Cat half-dead a while back. I've known him less than six months, yet I've already made more than in the past several years combined."
Then his tone shifted. "Still, it's not like you can just jump in. If you're interested, ask; if you've doubts, better stay out. Money can sour friendships."
"I'm in," He Youjun blurted, "but… I don't have that kind of cash. I'll need to check at home."
Zheng Zhigang chuckled. "Reports say you've parked five-hundred-billion in cash for random raids—careful or you'll eat our whole slice."
Zheng Zhigang laughed. "No chance I'd throw in that much—you know me, small bets for fun. I've scattered some lately; not much left…"
Meanwhile, Jiang Cheng didn't take Si Nian straight back to campus; instead he brought her to a quiet bar near the Bund.
The sign outside bore a long English name.
"A bar?" Si Nian asked.
Jiang Cheng read her mind and smiled. "Relax, I'll drive you back later. It's a cocktail lounge—cocktails are okay, right?"
Si Nian nodded. "Cocktails I can handle."
Seeing she didn't refuse, the corner of Jiang Cheng's mouth curled upward.
As the saying goes: if a Girl finishes dinner and says she wants to go home—then you really should take her home.
Outside the lounge, by the neon sign, stood several long-legged Girls.
Tall, striking, faces carefully made up, dressed in the latest fashion.
They chatted while checking their hair in phone cameras.
When Jiang Cheng walked up with Si Nian, the long-legged sisters' eyes locked onto him.
They sized the pair up; seeing no overt intimacy,
their gazes turned openly appreciative and curious.
Lips curved in faint smiles, they stared straight at Jiang Cheng… sending silent invitations his way.