He won 900 million in the lottery.

Chapter 223 The Way Out

The last time I came to the provincial capital, it was to serve as the vanguard for the Zhou family, to expand their territory.

This trip to the provincial capital is to pave the way for my own survival and development.

Qiu Zhanyu saw through this. He didn't care about the size of ZG's share. In order to cooperate with me, he offered me a 2 million yuan computing power project, which was a sign of respect for me and also a way of giving me an opportunity.

This is a game of monetizing power.

And I am the one he chose.

Teahouse.

Everyone else was gone, except for Wu Yingrong and me.

Why do you look a little nervous?

"Is that so? It's probably because we haven't spent much time alone together."

Wu Yingrong gave me a very nice eye roll.

It's unclear how Qiu Zhanyu managed to do it, but Wu Yingrong seems to have come to her senses, and Chen Yitang has publicly accepted Wu Yingrong's existence.

"It seems I still need to invite Tianyi over for dinner again?"

"No need, I appreciate your kind offer."

Wu Yingrong said with a hint of resentment, "Are you kicking me to the curb after you've served your purpose? We were classmates, you got to know me, and now you're kicking me to the curb so quickly. Men really are all heartless."

I quickly told her to stop.

"If I'm not mistaken, you will have a nominal share in the computing power company. This would mean you've gained a higher status with Qiu Zhanyu, and you'll most likely continue to lead the club's affairs."

"Heh, Qiu Zhanyu has made it clear that this computing power company and clubhouse are set up for you. Are you trying to trick me into betraying you by making empty promises?"

"That's not true. My relationship with Qiu Zhanyu is more of an equal partnership. Once the exchange of benefits is over, this computing power company and club will ultimately be yours. I don't need your connections in the provincial capital, nor will I deliberately maintain them. On the contrary, you can take advantage of this and use your position for personal gain to secure your future."

I suddenly realized: "Have you resigned yourself to your fate and tied yourself to Qiu Zhanyu?"

"yes."

"Hehe, how come you suddenly understood?"

Wu Yingrong asked with a worried look, "Do you know about Ding Mo starting a coffee shop?"

I shook my head.

"In just six months, from renovation and opening to bankruptcy, I had saved 7 yuan in seven years, but I also owed more than 25 yuan on credit cards. It was all gone, and now I'm back to borrow money from you."

"I advised her against doing it."

"Heh, everyone's making money, everyone drives luxury cars, how can she not be worried?"

Where are they now?

"I went back to my hometown to rest, but you should know that once the savings are gone, they're gone, and I still have to pay off the credit card debt."

I remained silent. Once a woman is in debt, to survive, she either has to find an honest man to take her in, or she has to go into business—that's the fastest way to make money. She saves enough to pay off the debt, then opens another shop, loses more money, and goes back into business. There's no going back in that life.

Some might object, saying, "Didn't so-and-so successfully open a shop and make a fortune?"

Let alone women, men are the same; how many people get rich in business?

The successful people you see are those who emerged from among thousands of failures.

This is called survivor bias.

Let me briefly give you some data.

According to the Hurun Wealth Report, only 4 million people in China have a net worth exceeding 1 million yuan, which is only 2.8% of the country's 14 billion population. Meanwhile, the national college entrance examination's first-tier university admission rate (with a special control line) is only about 8%-12%. If you haven't even reached the first-tier university admission line, how can you expect to surpass the 1 million yuan net worth threshold?

Moreover, the college entrance examination is considered one of the fairest environments in China, and there is still hope through hard work.

Once you enter the workforce, to earn a million, you need resources, connections, and a platform – all three are indispensable.

How can you earn 100 million by opening a store?

"You're already very lucky."

That statement sounds somewhat sarcastic.

But Wu Yingrong still answered me with a smile: "Yes, I was kept by a sugar daddy in college, and to this day, I never thought that I would still be the most successful woman in my class."

"Have some tea."

The truth is often just on the surface.

The truth is often crueler than the facts.

"From what I overheard your conversation, it seems you know Chen Yitang's father?"

"We met once. Now that we're about to start working together, I need to show my hand. Otherwise, some people will always treat me like a clown, and I'm afraid I'll end up losing both money and relationships."

Chen Zeyi, Zhou Fan, and another Liancheng leader.

Even though I am not a direct relative, being connected to three officials at the provincial level is enough for these second-generation elites to take me seriously.

This is the capital I've painstakingly accumulated over the past two years.

The right to have an equal dialogue with these people.

Um, of course, this only applies to equal dialogue...

We are still subject to others. For example, the government will eventually have to share the spoils with the Chen, Zhou, and Qiu families.

For example, this industrial park in the eastern district of the provincial capital is cooperating with the Qiu family.

I believe that the computing power project industrial park that Qiu Zhanyu casually mentioned to me must be a project that other companies and bosses are desperately seeking but cannot obtain, which demonstrates the importance of resources and platforms.

Some things can't be done because either the money isn't enough or the connections aren't strong enough.

"So, you plan to develop your career in the provincial capital long-term?"

"I guess so, I might have to stay for a few years."

"I really envy people like you who can work hard in one city after another. Unlike me, I came here after graduation and I'm stuck here for the rest of my life."

"Do you envy me for moving from city to city, or do you envy my hard work?"

"I think so."

"If a leader wants to keep me as a mistress now, and he's under 60, I'll accept it."

Wu Yingrong covered her mouth and laughed: "You're already begging someone to take care of you, and you still have to consider the other person's age."

"Are you stupid? You'll retire after 60. What's the point of keeping me as a mistress then?"

"That's true."

Wu Yingrong habitually rolled her eyes at me, exuding a captivating charm.

"Let's go, I'll treat you to dinner tonight."

"Didn't you say you were too scared to go to my house?"

"It's my treat, let's eat out."

What cuisine?

"How about a candlelight dinner?"

"I reluctantly agree."

Western restaurant.

wine.

Cheers!

"I hope we can have a pleasant collaboration in the future!"

"How do you plan to start your computing power company?"

"I have a company and business in Shanghai, and I also have existing projects in Liancheng. If I were to make a real investment, I would definitely go for a light-asset, quick-return model, which would allow me to break even in six months. If someone is willing to invest, a heavy-asset model would certainly be more suitable, even though it would take five years, because the future returns would be more substantial."

"You shouldn't be short of money, right?"

"But I would prefer someone to invest, as it would be less risky for me. Even if I don't make money, as long as this project succeeds, my relationship with the Qiu family can be further strengthened, and that's the result I want."

"In that case, could I recommend some individuals or companies to invest?"

"Of course, I'd love to! This project is also yours, absolutely no problem."

"Alright, I'll take you to the teahouse in a few days so you can meet."