After Sheng Xuan mentioned development once and was rejected by Zhu Suizhou, she didn’t bring it up again. Why bother with development when land speculation earned more?

Xia Xiaolan thought Zhu Suizhou had lost his rationality in Qiong Island’s real estate fever, while Zhu Suizhou couldn’t understand Xia Xiaolan’s moves – not focusing on Qiong Island real estate, but instead bidding for Jiangcheng International Airport… Construction would be one thing, but this was just design. Jiangcheng International Airport would only be built by major companies, so what was Xia Xiaolan after? Fame, of course.

This had always been Xia Xiaolan’s style – seeking both profit and reputation.

Though Zhu Suizhou didn’t say it, he was quite envious.

Only those with true confidence could be so composed, not even rushing to make money!

Why should Xia Xiaolan rush? She was already a senior VIP member of Peng City Golf Club!

Since the golf club established a service branch in Qiong Island, Zhu Suizhou, who always liked networking, quickly found his way to the club’s threshold.

He got recommendations from two initial V members but could only become a regular member.

Money couldn’t help – those recommended by initial V members could only be regular members. Even if he was willing to pay higher fees, it wouldn’t work. He needed time to upgrade gradually.

No wonder Xia Xiaolan had good relationships with Hong Kong company executives. After joining the club, Zhu Suizhou finally understood what business networking meant.

Unfortunately, he could only get regular membership, not even initial V status. The club’s initial V memberships were only distributed by management like Karl and Ji Jiangyuan during the opening, or through recommendations from senior VIP members.

Senior VIP members were rare, and Zhu Suizhou couldn’t reach them yet.

Most frustrating was that his only contact with a senior VIP member was Xia Xiaolan… Zhu Suizhou inquired about senior VIP membership requirements – the hard condition was personal assets over 100 million, and after meeting that, one had to wait for the club’s invitation.

Heh, this meant Xia Xiaolan’s wealth was at least 100 million!

His profits from land speculation in Qiong Island over a year were just tens of millions, far behind Xia Xiaolan. Zhu Suizhou now saw Xia Xiaolan as his benchmark, a goal to surpass – in this tenth year of Reform and Opening Up, Zhu Suizhou didn’t know who was China’s richest person. Qiong Island’s real estate boom has created many millionaires and even multimillionaires, but no billionaires yet. Yangfan Real Estate was considered powerful in land hoarding, but he had only earned tens of millions.

So even if Xia Xiaolan wasn’t currently China’s richest, her wealth must rank near the top domestically.

At 400,000+ per mu, Zhu Suizhou naturally wouldn’t sell his land. Let it rise, and keep rising. Qiong Island’s land prices were already abnormal, but Zhu Suizhou felt it and didn’t care!

He sought profit without fame, unconcerned about his reputation from land speculation. Xia Xiaolan was constrained – he would surpass her eventually.

Many thought Xia Xiaolan was neglecting her duties by leaving Qiong Island’s business to participate in Jiangcheng International Airport’s design bid, but Zhu Suizhou hoped she would neglect them more.

How else could he surpass her?

…

Xia Xiaolan didn’t feel she was neglecting her duties.

A boss didn’t need to oversee every company matter – why else would she hire managers with high salaries?

For her, setting the general direction was enough to let others handle specific affairs, while she had time to do what she wanted. Right now, securing Jiangcheng International Airport’s design filled her with motivation – it was a more challenging project.

Xia Xiaolan decided to bid after attending the wedding, and Ning Xue was pleased.

She and Jonathan were about to return to America. When Ning Yanfan tried to persuade her, Ning Xue was clear:

“Grandfather, I’m not jealous of her. I’m glad – if she abandoned architecture, I’d completely lose an opponent who could inspire and drive me. Leading by one step doesn’t mean leading every step. My goal is the Pritzker Prize!”

Yes, this was Ning Xue’s goal, something she hadn’t even told Jonathan.

She was immersed in architecture, wanting to reach its peak. What was the peak? It needed industry recognition, needed awards.

The world’s top architectural awards weren’t just the Pritzker Prize. Ning Xue originally wasn’t fixated on it, but Mond Dawson’s provocation changed that. If someone with professional achievements but poor personal virtue could win the Pritzker Prize, why couldn’t she make it her goal?

Xia Xiaolan had never publicly declared anything, but Ning Xue had a feeling – as long as Xia Xiaolan didn’t leave the architectural circle or abandon her “architect” identity, she would also pursue the Pritzker Prize!

Same nationality, same gender, even similar educational backgrounds – the international architectural circle would compare them.

Domestically, it was even more certain – her grandfather was Ning Yanfan, and Xia Xiaolan’s teacher was Mao Kangshan. She and Xia Xiaolan would always be compared.

As long as Xia Xiaolan didn’t abandon architecture, they would be lifelong rivals.

What they were competing for wasn’t the “AIA Rising Star Architect” award, but the Pritzker.

…

Qiong Island’s real estate was too hot, attracting nationwide attention.

Though Song Zhicheng initially refused to help Zhu Suizhou with connections, he was watching too. Seeing land prices rise daily, increasing eight to nine times in less than two years – this wealth growth rate made even Song Zhicheng envious.

Now anyone with connections was rushing to Qiong Island. Borrow a few million from banks, buy some land, and sell it after two or three months to easily earn hundreds of thousands. High profits, fast returns, and low risk – naturally popular.

Qiong Island wasn’t granting land unrestricted, but everyone was playing musical chairs – some selling, some buying, with frequent land transfers.

Song Zhicheng was envious but dared not participate. The old master wouldn’t allow family members in politics, nor would he approve of land speculation on Qiong Island.

Money was important, but so were legs – losing either would be disastrous!

Song Zhicheng watched Qiong Island’s real estate heat because of Zhu Suizhou.

Zhu Suizhou had hoarded over a thousand mu of land. Song Zhicheng felt uneasy and called his wife: “What are Sheng Xuan and them trying to do? This is malicious land-hoarding, speculation. If someone reports this thousand mu of land to the old master, I won’t be spared!”

Who would report to Old Song?

Song Zhicheng had previously reported Tang Hongen and felt very guilty.

The second Mrs. Song was unconcerned: “Why worry when Zhu Suizhou isn’t the only one hoarding land? Hasn’t Xia Xiaolan bought just as much land in Qiong Island!”

Officials can light fires but commoners can’t light lamps?

The second Mrs. Song didn’t want to speak ill since her daughter Song Minglan still worked for Xia Xiaolan, which extremely displeased her, though she had to endure it.

Song Zhicheng exploded:

“How can they be compared? Xia Xiaolan’s company does real estate development in Qiong Island – keeping land for development isn’t strange. Look at Zhu Suizhou – not selling a single mu, only buying, never selling. If that’s not speculation, what is? Moreover, his land purchases are all bank loans. Why would banks give him hundreds of millions in loans if not for Sheng Xuan!”

What influence did Sheng Xuan have? Her influence came from the Song family. If things went wrong, the second branch would be implicated.