Chapter 2: Let Me Lead You Both to Fortune

In truth, long before Jiang Dazhuang and Jiang Yuan had returned, Jiang Butong had already devised a plan for the future. He was well aware that it was only 1994. Never mind the sheer purchasing power of a thousand yuan—for Jiang Butong, the advanced business opportunities and foresight he brought from his previous life were enough to turn that one thousand yuan into a fortune.

Not long after Jiang Butong and his companions hurriedly left the construction site, Zhu Zhang, having collected himself, returned to the dormitory with his men. Yet, faced with the filthy, chaotic bunks, all Zhu Zhang could do was rage helplessly; there was nothing else he could accomplish.

Some distance from the construction site, the three found themselves in a modest eatery. Jiang Dazhuang was clutching a hundred-yuan note tightly, turning it this way and that under the lamp, all the while praising Jiang Butong.

"Xiaotong, honestly, you’re the capable one! Not only did you get all our wages back, you even managed to extort that bastard for even more!"

“No wonder Xiaotong got into university. That brain of yours—forget the two of us, I doubt the whole village together could match you!” Jiang Yuan downed a small cup of white liquor in one gulp, his praise heartfelt.

Jiang Butong only smiled, saying nothing as he lowered his head to eat.

“I nearly forgot the main thing! Xiaotong, your foot is in pretty bad shape, but now we have money. How about we head to the hospital after this meal?” Jiang Yuan, elated for a moment, caught sight of Jiang Butong’s swollen foot and smacked his forehead.

“Yuan, Dazhuang, let’s not talk about my foot for now. Have either of you ever seen this much money in your lives?” Jiang Butong finally put down his chopsticks and nodded toward the money they were clutching.

“You’re joking, right? Who’s ever seen this much? Xiaotong, to be honest, before today I never imagined I’d see so much money in my life!” Jiang Dazhuang’s eyes crinkled with bliss.

“Honestly, this much cash would be enough for Yuan to marry three pretty wives and have a house full of fat sons!” Thinking of his parents’ longing for grandchildren, Jiang Yuan flushed with excitement.

Jiang Butong smiled again, then looked earnestly at the two of them. “Dazhuang, Yuan, do you trust me?”

The two were taken aback, exchanging a glance. “Xiaotong, are you treating us like outsiders now?”

“Exactly, just say what’s on your mind, is there anyone else here?”

“You’ve been distracted since we started eating. Do you have something weighing on your mind?”

“Alright, I’ll just say it. None of us are to touch this money. I have a plan.”

Jiang Dazhuang swallowed, staring blankly at Jiang Butong. Jiang Yuan hesitated, then gritted his teeth. “Xiaotong, are you worried the money won’t cover your medical bills? You can use mine if you need to.”

Reluctantly, Jiang Dazhuang added his now-warm bills to the pile, pushing it toward Jiang Butong. Though he said nothing, his gesture made his stance clear.

Jiang Butong laughed helplessly. “No, that’s not it. Dazhuang, Yuan... Have you misunderstood? I want to use this money to start a business with you two!”

“Start a business? What kind of business?” “Make money? What money?” Jiang Yuan tapped the table, full of confidence.

“Think about it—where are we right now?”

“Pengcheng?”

“A small eatery?”

“…”

Seeing their serious faces, Jiang Butong took a deep breath, forcing out a small smile to encourage them. “You’re both right, but you’re missing the key point!”

The two exchanged glances, then sat up straighter, waiting.

“Beneath our feet is the only city in the whole country at the forefront of reform and opening up!”

“…”

“What’s that supposed to mean?” Both scratched their heads, still puzzled.

Jiang Butong took another deep breath, but this time didn’t beat around the bush. He rapped the table, meeting their eyes. “Do you know what reform and opening up means? Never mind, you don’t need to. All you need to know is that in this era, in Pengcheng, the city is paved with money! Business opportunities are everywhere!”

The two exchanged looks again, but shook their heads.

“Xiaotong... I still don’t get it…”

Jiang Butong’s face fell. But then, he suddenly noticed a sly glimmer cross their usually honest features.

Jiang Yuan burst out laughing. “Xiaotong, we may not understand all that, but would we ever doubt you?”

“Exactly. I get it—what you mean is, you want to take us with you to get rich, right?” Jiang Dazhuang speared a large piece of braised pork.

Jiang Butong nodded.

“Whatever you say, we’ll follow. If you say east, we go east. If you say south, we’ll never head north!”

Across the table, Jiang Dazhuang and Jiang Yuan clinked their glasses.

Jiang Butong smiled.

At that moment, a drunken voice suddenly drifted over from nearby. “I’ve been listening to you three brag for ages. You really think you’ve come to Pengcheng and can get rich that easily?”

Jiang Butong looked up and couldn’t help but laugh. It turned out they’d been drinking and chatting for so long, the restaurant owner, eager to close shop, was getting impatient.

The owner was a short, stocky middle-aged man, holding half a bottle of beer and eyeing them sideways.

Jiang Yuan, never one for patience, couldn’t stand his tone. He slapped the table, ready to argue.

But Jiang Butong suddenly had an idea. He tugged Jiang Yuan’s sleeve and smiled politely at the owner. “Brother, how should we address you?”

“Address me? Are you kidding? It’s the middle of the night! Are you out of money and looking to eat for free, or planning to brag till dawn? Give it to me straight!” The owner had sized them up several times already, growing more convinced their clothes marked them as freeloaders—his face showed no hint of warmth.

“Hey, is this how you do business?” Jiang Yuan, unable to bear it, broke free from Jiang Butong, rolling up his sleeves, ready to confront him.

“Whether I do business or not is none of your damn business! The three of you look like beggars, not customers. Pay up and get out! I’m closing up, don’t want your business!”

The owner slammed his beer bottle down, rising to glare right back.

Jiang Butong laughed, pulling Jiang Dazhuang back. Dazhuang blinked, tossed his clean-picked rib aside, and quickly grabbed Jiang Yuan around the waist to stop him.

Jiang Butong stepped between them, smirking at the owner. “Boss, you seem a bit hot-tempered lately. What’s wrong? Lost a lot of money recently?”

“What the—how did you know?” The owner’s raised hand froze, his gaze suddenly suspicious.

Truth be told, business at his little restaurant had been poor. Not only had the price of vegetables and meat soared, but even his regulars had started complaining about the small portions. When he tallied the accounts at month’s end, he’d lost nearly a thousand yuan…

Jiang Butong shrugged, casually pulling a few bills from his pocket. He beckoned to Jiang Yuan and Jiang Dazhuang and headed for the door, speaking offhandedly. “I’m only offering because your place still has a chance. If you don’t believe me, that’s fine. But if you miss this opportunity, turning things around will be much harder…”

The owner watched Jiang Butong’s retreating figure, hesitant, his mind in turmoil. He’d run this eatery for four or five years and met all sorts, but never anyone with Jiang Butong’s inexplicable confidence and persuasive presence.

“Three thousand…” he muttered, weighing the idea. As the three were about to vanish into the shadows outside, the owner gritted his teeth and called out, “Hey, young man! About that three thousand—do you get paid only if it works?”

Jiang Dazhuang and Jiang Yuan both froze in surprise.