Gold pieces weren’t large – easily concealed anywhere.

When police demanded people turn in the gold, the timid tossed out a few nuggets while the bold played dumb. Body searches revealed embarrassing scenes: gold nuggets hidden in clothing pockets, shoes, between toes, under tongues, and in even more unsavory places.

Some villagers tried running with their finds but were caught by police.

The final count from the pool was 627 grams. The police station didn’t know what to do with it.

Ge Jian thought the loss was significant – they’d buried 1000 grams of various-sized gold pieces, but only found about 600. Some might still be undiscovered in the pool, or people had successfully hidden pieces.

Ge Jian couldn’t show he knew the amount was wrong. Facing the police and Futian Street Office officials who’d rushed over, he looked to Mao Kangshan for help.

“Master Mao, with our boss away, only you can make decisions!”

This scene had been rehearsed several times between Mao Kangshan and Ge Jian. Mao Kangshan delivered his lines earnestly, his performance heartfelt. After appearing deep in thought, he offered a solution:

“Let Futian Street Office hold the discovered gold. Stop construction work temporarily and have geological surveyors check if there’s a gold mine here.”

What if there was a gold mine?

Qihang Real Estate certainly couldn’t build houses there then.

Who would develop a gold mine? First, they needed to confirm if one existed.

Everyone agreed with Mao Kangshan’s suggestion.

News that Qihang Real Estate had discovered gold while preparing foundations spread across Shenzhen rapidly.

Though geological surveyors later repeatedly confirmed no mineral deposits existed – the gold likely came with the spring water, naturally mixed with the sand.

The gold mine development idea faded, but Jinsha Pool’s fame echoed throughout Shenzhen.

Who could doubt it was a feng shui treasure land, with the Luo family’s testimony backing it? Within days, all of Shenzhen knew about this land. Whether they could afford housing or not, everyone discussed “Jinsha Pool.”

Bill, who’d been observing Qihang Real Estate on his Boss’s orders, was first to compile the information.

When Bill delivered his findings to Harold, Harold threw the documents on his desk:

“Alan, do you believe this?”

Alan the butler answered cautiously: “The details don’t matter – what matters is they truly found gold in that pool. Sir, this isn’t bad for our project – our golf course borders that land.”

Harold sneered, “You’re suggesting I should take advantage of her situation?”

Alan dared not answer.

Who was taking advantage of whom wasn’t clear-cut? The best solution was incorporating that land into the golf course project, but Alan knew Xia Xiaolan wouldn’t sell… This was all orchestrated by her. The cunning Chinese girl had earned Alan’s respect.

If they couldn’t buy the land, they should at least utilize this public sensation.

If the clever Xia Xiaolan could use the golf course project’s appeal to build commercial housing, Mr. Harold should likewise utilize the commotion she created.

Harold was likely annoyed.

Yet his annoyance carried a hint of admiration.

Xia Xiaolan was truly the most unique young woman he’d known.

Harold had dated young, famous actresses and models who possessed both beauty and high emotional intelligence. But Xia Xiaolan wasn’t just beautiful and emotionally intelligent – she was intellectually brilliant and skilled in business manipulation… As someone who’d defeated other family heirs, Harold truly appreciated smart people.

Smart people were rare, smart women even rarer. Harold was both irritated by Xia Xiaolan’s evasiveness and impressed by her methods.

After his irritation subsided, being a qualified businessman, Harold ultimately chose not to fight against profit:

“Let Bill continue following up. He knows what to do!”

Tired of troubles in China, Harold wanted to return to America.

America had no foolish nephews overestimating themselves.

America had no troublesome Chinese girls. Perhaps he should return to familiar surroundings and restore his confidence among enthusiastic American women.

The Jinsha Pool operation didn’t just shock Harold.

The real attention came from Hong Kong merchants who valued feng shui, just as Xia Xiaolan had predicted!

Qihang Real Estate, owned by Xia Xiaolan.

Du Zhaohui’s throat itched at that name. Xia Xiaolan was like a thorn – whenever he tried to forget her, she’d appear to irritate him.

Unable to spit it out or swallow it, Du Zhaohui was thoroughly uncomfortable.

Tang Yuanyue had also heard about Jinsha Pool. American golf course on one side, Xiangmi Lake Resort on the other, not too large. Tang wasn’t interested in residential development but considered buying it privately:

“How about building a villa and giving it to my father?”

That would be excellent.

Hong Kong’s wealthy all believed in feng shui, especially the self-made older generation.

Du Zhaohui was also tempted. The twenty-some mu plot wasn’t too big or small, nor too expensive.

Perhaps he should try buying it to build a villa for his father Du Chengrong – it would be auspicious.

But would Xia Xiaolan sell?

She might sell to Tang Yuanyue but not to him – Du Zhaohui knew this well.

“Brother Tang, that land isn’t small. Why don’t we partner to buy it, and split it in two for two villas? Our families could interact more.”

Tang Yuanyue had no interest in buying with Du Zhaohui.

He could associate with Du Zhaohui here in Shenzhen.

But having the Tang family live next to Du Chengrong? Tang Yuanyue feared his father wouldn’t approve!

Hong Kong’s wealthy had their own hierarchy – families like the Dus, with their grey-area businesses, weren’t ones the Tangs wanted close association with.

Tang Yuanyue responded noncommittally to Du Zhaohui’s suggestion:

“Do you think Miss Xia will sell?”

Du Zhaohui’s attention shifted – yes, would Xia Xiaolan sell?

By Du Zhaohui’s logic, any profitable deal could be negotiated. But in his dealings with Xia Xiaolan, her methods always surprised him. Her thoughts couldn’t be predicted by normal logic.

“Shall we try making an offer?”

Du Zhaohui spoke without confidence.

Tang Yuanyue smiled, “Let me approach her. You and Miss Xia seem to have some misunderstanding. I’m afraid if you appear, she’ll either refuse to sell or raise the price significantly. Neither of us lacks money, but how we spend it matters.”

Spending a thousand for a feng shui treasure spot would earn his father’s praise for having good vision.

Spending 100 million on 20 mu in Shenzhen? His father likely wouldn’t appreciate that at all.

Du Zhaohui’s expression darkened – had Tang Yuanyue investigated his relationship with Xia Xiaolan?