y.What mental state is Chen Lingshan in Is it a tactic of playing hard to getThis realization made Gao Fan feel somewhat uncomfortable inside. On the surface, he still nodded at Su Can when they met.O...The Great Metamorphosis Chapter 70: Rise

In the CITIC Building of Shanghai's CBD, where Anlixin Investment Group is located, a middle-aged man with short hair and spiky hair like needles sat in an executive chair facing a panoramic window. Across from him were crescent-shaped skyscrapers surrounding the city center; his building was one of those towering structures piercing the sky.

Anlixin Investment Group, known for its boss being listed on Forbes China's ranking and as one of the top twenty wealthiest individuals, is widely recognized in Shanghai's financial circles. His reputation as a master of capital operations, with the nickname "Zhan from the South and Liu from the North," makes him akin to a celebrity within these circles.

Any move by Zhan Huaxia at Anlixin Investment will cause changes in both the stock market and investment world, affecting some people who may profit while others lose their entire capital. The ruthlessness of market competition secretly infuses this dark brown sea with bloodshed and ferocity.

Hence, opinions on Zhan Huaxia are always divided. In his early years, rumors circulated that he illegally fundraised through special customer channels, had a strong background, and even forced someone to death. Some whispered about him tracking down debtors who had fled with money along the Chengdu-Tibet highway in a Land Rover. Formerly well-dressed men now sold trinkets at Lhasa’s markets while living in dilapidated Mongolian tents; beautiful university students who once followed him were prematurely aged by harsh conditions.

Zhan Huaxia eventually brought one such debtor to the dense forest near Shigatse and ended his life with a single bullet to the back of his head, the size of a peanut.

Such stories only spread in whispers.

For the past two decades, those who knew Zhan Huaxia understood that despite appearing like an erudite scholar, he was actually enigmatic and dangerous. His robust background and capital chain add to his mysterious aura, which may be tinged with bloodshed.

The capital is tainted by sin; whenever Zhan Huaxia mentions this phrase, he always offers a cold smile. In his office hangs a Zhang Daqian's copy of the Dunhuang mural "Northern Zhou Dynasty Prince Sakyamuni Feeding His Body to Tigers," measuring 1.5 meters in length and placed on the main wall. The reddish-brown background depicts a grand yet cruel scene, much like Zhan Huaxia's office style—majestic.

Zhan Huaxia himself isn't a collector; however, last year he saw this painting at an exhibition and thought it suited his taste well. He paid 6.8 million yuan for it and hung it in his office, fully capturing the essence of Buddhism’s compassion despite its ruthlessness—a characteristic that appealed to him. Moreover, Zhang Daqian's work aligns perfectly with Zhan Huaxia’s reputation.

In his veins runs the resolute spirit from his military days coupled with a businessman's acumen; even longtime friends perceive him as ruthless and sharp-witted in business dealings.

The internal phone rang; it was Ye Shuiquan, head of security for the company. Zhan Huaxia asked him to come inside. Ye Shuiquan was a former soldier from one of China’s elite Special Police units, serving under Zhan Huaxia as both bodyguard and business partner.

Standing before Zhan Huaxia at 174 centimeters tall but well-proportioned and muscular, Ye Shuiquan exuded explosive power yet remained calm in demeanor. He followed Zhan Huaxia for many years without displaying aggression unless under unusual circumstances.

"Mr. Zhan, Zhongshan Charity Association has asked us to confirm the auction items; I suggest we hold it at Vian International Club as the venue is suitable and not too crowded. They also have strict regulations."

Zhan Huaxia nodded. "This charitable auction must proceed. In your opinion, what should be auctioned off"

Ye Shuiquan looked up briefly at Zhan Huaxia without surprise; he replied, “It’s not important what we auction. The point is that Anlixin Investment needs to make an occasional public appearance to show the true face of a legitimate and low-key investment group, different from those who constantly advertise in newspapers.”

Speculation about Zhan Huaxia's auction project was rampant; even some old friends had called him for updates. Anlixin maintained some level of exposure annually; this year was no exception. Media partners received hints but withheld full information, leading everyone to believe it was a strategy by Zhan Huaxia to enhance the auction’s appeal through deliberate ambiguity.

However, Ye Shuiquan felt amused and frustrated. With the auction date approaching, he could tell that Manager Zhan was at a loss as to what extravagant item to display this year.

In his office, where he was hesitating over decisions, Zhan Hua's phone rang. Experienced Ye Shuiquan recognized it as another one of Zhan Hua’s personal phones reserved for close acquaintances rather than business contacts. Usually at such moments, Ye Shuiquan would nod and leave.

As he left, he heard Manager Zhan say in the office, "It's your old phone; how can I be disrespectful What instructions do you have"

Ye Shuiquan nearly didn't believe his ears. As a trusted aide to Zhan Hua, he had dealt with countless individuals and was well-versed in reading people. Even those from various walks of life would respectfully address him as 'Brother Quan,' even the wealthy tycoons who controlled billions of assets in Jiangsu and Zhejiang! Yet, Ye Shuiquan saw that Zhan Hua was someone even more profound and cunning than himself. In Shanghai’s financial circles, Zhan Hua was a master figure with significant influence.

He had heard plenty of polite exchanges from Zhan Hua when dealing with people in various capacities, but he had never heard such respectful and direct speech as "you" before. It was clear that Zhan Hua was sincerely humble, which surprised Ye Shuiquan greatly. After seven years of working closely together, he still hadn't fully understood this person. If there were someone towering above even Zhan Hua, what kind of power and background would such a person have

Thinking about it, despite his extensive experience in various situations, Ye Shuiquan felt a chill run down his spine.

This weekend, Tang Wu accompanied her parents to meet the two elders from the Mu family. Her parents also came to Nan University for enlightenment and learned from Su Can about Tang Wu's performance at the dinner party at her home. This was a positive sign because any way one looked at it, the impression that Mu brought to the Tang household seemed increasingly clear.

From being an initially insignificant figure, they were gradually becoming the focus of both families.

The school no longer had Tang Wu around, and Su Can was riding his Giant bicycle instead of driving his own car.

Su Can rode around campus to exercise while also finding a chair for a rest, flipping through some newspapers and magazines he brought on the back rack. This allowed him to maintain peak condition as he awaited the implementation of his next industrial strategy plan.

Zhang Xiaqiao went home every weekend without choice; it seemed his mother insisted heavily. His father also began pulling him around for social engagements, preparing a backup route while he studied at school. Hence Zhang Xiaqiao often accompanied his father to various small banquets, finding them mundane and feeling that his father, despite being a professor with the background of a pharmaceutical company, still had an unmistakably commercial character.

The rumors about Su Can in Building 17 hadn't reached Room 602 in Building 13 yet. However, Su Can felt this was good because when he met Tang Wu's roommates recently, there seemed to be a barrier between them. While talking wasn't stiff, it couldn't be as natural and spontaneous as before; many words had been carefully thought through.

Su Can didn't want the same thing to happen with Li Han and others.

Seated on his chair, Su Can flipped through the latest Shanghai Finance magazine he brought. An article in the Wealth Report edition was discussing the preparations for the celebrity charity auction hosted by Mr. Zhan Hua of Shanghai. Subconsciously, Su Can recalled the legendary figure he had briefly seen at Tang Wu’s father's tea party. His presence there signified Tang Wu's father's influence now but also implied Mr. Zhan Hua's considerable clout. However, from a distance like everyone else looking up to him, it was difficult to gauge his true self.

Nevertheless, Su Can broadly understood why Tang Wu’s father would actively engage with Mr. Zhan Hua; he likely learned valuable lessons after the previous setbacks and realized future entrepreneurial endeavors would become increasingly challenging. Following China's entry into WTO, every macroeconomic adjustment by the government would cause significant upheaval, a survival-of-the-fittest scenario.

While outsiders saw the high profits in real estate enterprises, many small to medium-sized ones struggled to survive under economic policies and tightening bank credit. As banks stopped lending but continued collecting deposits, these businesses were the first to fail due to lack of funds.

Thus, individuals like Mr. Zhan Hua, who were experts at capital operations, could accumulate wealth if they didn't make fundamental mistakes. With his astute business sense, Tang Wu’s father might have seen this future path and begun shifting towards it proactively.

Su Cen felt that Jian Hua, one of China's most seasoned and early capital operators, is now also a master-level expert in the country, making him very valuable to dig into.

The number of people in Shanghai with such family assets as Su Cen is countless, but someone like Su Cen who is still at the stage of accumulating capital, daring to scheme against Jian Hua while still in school, might be a unique case nationwide.

Time travelers indeed have grounds to be arrogant.

Su Cen felt it was time to openly share his current situation with his parents. After all, he had already informed Yanmei's parents; his own parents should also have the right to know.

After spending the whole afternoon on a chair, Su Cen, seeing the city lights beginning to glow, found an appropriate moment and called Zeng Ke and Su Licheng.

At this time, in Rongcheng located in southwestern China, it was still evening. The garden community where Su Cen's family lived had good lighting that illuminated the setting sun. The living room looked as usual, with an astronomical telescope by the window, which Su Cen left behind but didn't take back. Zeng Ke would clean it regularly while dusting and placed a potted plant beside it to avoid it looking too empty. That ornamental rubber tree made the telescope seem less lonely.

The telescope remained the same, but the days of standing at both ends of it with boredom yet passionate longing are gone. Su Cen and Tang Wu had embarked on another journey thousands of miles away towards a broader horizon.

When Su Cen made the call, Zeng Ke was clearing dishes, while Su Licheng was helping out. Currently, Zeng Ke managed Sichuan's provincial agency for Shushan Stationery, and Su Licheng’s work schedule was packed tight for next year with overseas project inspections, making it a busy period.

Despite their hectic schedules, they still had many meals at home. Su Licheng often declined social engagements because he valued family dinners as a kind of enjoyment. Zeng Ke, despite the tediousness of managing daily accounts from her chain stores, always managed to find time to buy fresh ingredients for dinner and would have simple evening meals with leftovers.

They hadn't even considered hiring a maid; eating under the setting sun gave them a sense of home, though someone was missing now.

Zeng Ke believed that their home would eventually become lively again, with more than one person added to its warmth.

Sometimes parents pretend to be clueless. Even astute Su Cen didn't know that Zeng Ke had long known the purpose of his telescope and had seen Tang Wu through it, silently chiding herself for not being as romantic when dating her husband back then. Su Licheng's response was simply that they lacked the means back then.

When Su Cen called, both parents were surprised. After a brief exchange with Su Cen, he asked them to put the phone on mute mode so he could speak privately.

Su Cen tried his best to articulate clearly over the phone, recounting how he established his magazine and its current state, as well as the assets of Pineapple Media. It took nearly half an hour just to discuss this matter alone. On the other end, Su Licheng and Zeng Ke were obviously at a loss.

"Son, you said that now you own a media company with a magazine... This magazine is worth six million yuan, and you hold 75% of its shares," "Is all of this true" Zeng Ke was shocked but gradually composed herself.

She looked at Su Licheng sitting across from her. He gently rubbed his forehead; clearly, he had been speechless for a while. Earlier, he could still nod along with each statement from Su Cen, responding with just "mhm."

Later on, the only time he spoke was when Su Cen mentioned six million yuan in value: "Six million...," then fell silent again.

When a person's level of cognitive acceptance surpasses their original expectations, whether it is great surprise or shock, it can leave one in a daze, similar to the surreal feeling experienced while dreaming.

If not for the fact that they are still at home without Su Can now, if not for the red sunlight outside still being blinding, and had Su Can's tone been well-controlled and convincing as real facts,

Su Licheng and Zeng Ke would have dismissed it all as mere nonsense.

Following the surprising year when Su Can leaped into one of the top high schools in Xiahai City, they were once again hit with such a strong sense of surprise.

While their parents were still pondering how to prepare for their children's future by saving money for marriage expenses and buying a house to secure their next generation’s living standards, all this happened too swiftly, leaving these ordinary folks unprepared for happiness.

"Old Su, your son now... has already amassed six million..." When Zeng Ke said this to Su Licheng, her voice trembled. Although the assets of her chain stores might amount to that much now, it was directly from her son's accomplishments.

Su Licheng maintained his composure, suppressing such a turning-point feeling by lighting himself a cigarette; even when he was appointed as the General Manager of a Group Company back then, there wasn't this level of excitement.

Sitting on the sofa and quietly smoking, allowing the smoke to wreak havoc in his lungs for a brief moment of pleasure, balancing the agitation in his heart. Engaging in intermittent conversations with Su Can via phone waves, yet each wave of conversation brought a new shockwave.

Afterwards, Su Licheng took the mobile extension to the balcony and had an in-depth talk with Su Can alone.

When he returned, Zeng Ke still grumbled about how Su Can hung up without letting her speak more. In fact, that call lasted nearly an hour and a half, making Su Can's phone hot and his hand holding it tired.

Sitting back on the sofa, Su Licheng finally took a deep breath and said, "Our son... really has grown up."

The emotions in this sentence were complex, with relief, excitement, and a sense of ease mixed with a wistfulness at seeing his child grow up rapidly while he seemed to have aged.

As the last red rays of sunlight wandered in the living room and faded away,

Su Can raised his head feeling an overwhelming relief from top to bottom, akin to resurfacing after a long breath held underwater, taking greedy gulps of air upon breaking through the surface.

The conversation with his father earlier still echoed in his ears. "Su Can, I’m aware of your situation. For your first venture, Dad will support you."

Su Can felt that his flagship was finally beginning to rise in this era as it should.ate now."Donald laid a stack of documents on Su Zhan and Zuckerberg's desks, "These are the investment terms by The Washington Post Group for one hundred and fifty-seven million dollars, meaning that...