Ying Jinchuan’s question was difficult for Xia Xiaolan to answer.

Was being profit-driven so bad? In her previous life, without any support, only money could provide security. When her blind dates repeatedly failed, she thought the men were materialistic and calculating, but she wasn’t much better herself. Always guarding against everyone, she struggled to maintain intimate relationships. Love never came, friendships were mixed with ulterior motives, and family ties, supposedly the purest form of relationship, weren’t in her fate – losing both parents at a young age wasn’t her choice.

Money was crucial – it was fundamental for survival in a material society! Career was also important. Beyond necessities, people had higher pursuits – others’ recognition and self-actualization were the wonderful feelings that a career could bring.

Speaking of which, it was quite ironic – just over two years ago, she had shamelessly waited by the roadside, trying to establish connections with a ‘leader’ she’d only met once. Back then, Xia Xiaolan had no reservations.

How could anyone do business without connections? Out of 100 businesspeople, 101 operated this way. Having profitable ideas, capital, and drive wasn’t enough – one needed to weave networks of relationships. Xia Xiaolan had done the same.

Honestly, she had only wanted a powerful patron, never expecting Tang Hongen would become her stepfather. Not just in name either, but one who truly saw her as a daughter!

This was when Xia Xiaolan began to struggle.

Because reform and opening up had just begun, some regulations were incomplete. There weren’t yet rules prohibiting spouses and children of leading cadres from operating businesses locally. Xia Xiaolan could have continued pushing boundaries until new regulations were implemented.

But as Ying Jinchuan mentioned, when Pan Yijun was isolated for investigation and Sheng Xuan pressed Qihang for early loan repayment, it wasn’t just about surface events – the underlying currents made Xia Xiaolan cautious.

From Old Tang’s situation, he wouldn’t be leaving Pengcheng for several years.

Even Uncle Liu Yong didn’t want to be accused of getting land through connections, temporarily shelving his real estate development plans to focus on renovations. Similarly, Xia Xiaolan could choose to relocate Qihang’s business elsewhere to avoid suspicion for Old Tang’s sake – Pengcheng could make money, but so could Qiong Island. Comrade Tang could remain stable, Sister Fen could stay happy, and everyone would benefit. Only a fool would refuse such a win-win situation!

Of course, facing Ying Jinchuan, Director Xia couldn’t admit this – didn’t a boss need to maintain face?

“You’re overthinking it. Qiong Island just has excellent development potential. I’m very optimistic about its real estate market. Manager Ying, your instincts aren’t sharp enough yet – those keen-nosed speculators are already eagerly rushing toward Qiong Island!”

Really? Qiong Island real estate?

Ying Jinchuan didn’t believe Qiong Island’s real estate could be hotter than Pengcheng’s.

His first impression of Qiong Island was “smuggled cars.”

No, Xia Xiaolan would be crazy to get involved in smuggling there.

Real estate could be just as profitable as smuggling – why risk doing illegal business when legitimate business was available?

So it must be because of Tang Hongen.

Xia Xiaolan was truly considering Tang Hongen’s interests. While biological daughters often harmed their fathers’ interests, such thoughtful stepdaughters were rare. The solitary Ying Jinchuan felt somewhat envious.

Xia Xiaolan didn’t care whether Ying Jinchuan believed her. From the moment she decided to make money on Qiong Island, she had been calculating her funds.

Jinsha Pool Community had earned her over 8 million.

The land for Luohu Tiancheng had cost 7 million.

Several hundred thousand went to daily operations, and 1 million supported the “Fledgling Qihang” project.

After selling Luohu Tiancheng, the 7 million land cost was recovered. Ying Jinchuan mentioned a 15% profit, about 9.4 million. “Fledgling Qihang” needed additional funding this year, which Xia Xiaolan budgeted at 1 million, plus several hundred thousand for daily expenses. Qihang’s total available funds were 15 million.

Was this little?

After all this effort, ending up with just 15 million yuan hardly reflected the aura of a reborn monarch whose presence would command respect from all directions!

Thinking further, Xia Ziyun, who had risen through male connections, probably had assets worth over 10 million now. Was Director Xia perhaps underperforming?

No, Xia Ziyun’s assets could only increase through others’ gifts or Hong Kong property appreciation.

Besides Qihang’s 15 million, Xia Xiaolan had shares in the building materials store and investments in Xu Jing and Ma Hai, all showing healthy growth.

The building materials store made nearly 4 million in profit last year.

Xu Jing and Ma Hai’s Wenquxing was steadily expanding sales.

Valuing these businesses, Xia Xiaolan could barely claim to be worth several million. This was several million in 1987, not 2017 – money was still very valuable then. While Hong Kong merchants and foreign capital could outperform her, there weren’t many private mainland capitals that could.

After selling two properties, Qihang having 15 million in cash was already quite significant!

Consider how future real estate companies would operate on debt. Despite their massive scale, offsetting total assets against bank loans often resulted in negative numbers!

Qihang hadn’t just earned back 15 million in cash – they still held all the commercial properties from both Jinsha Pool and Luohu Tiancheng!

Xia Xiaolan was considering separating these commercial properties from Qihang.

Currently, the shops belonged to Qihang Real Estate, which Xia Xiaolan fully controlled – there wasn’t much difference between company and personal ownership. But in Qiong Island, this would change. She had no connections there, and for company development, the founder tightly holding all shares wasn’t ideal. Even with sufficient capital, other shareholders’ participation was necessary.

The more massive the business empire, the less it could grow through sole ownership. Xia Xiaolan was mentally prepared for this.

Going to Qiong Island had another advantage – her uncle Liu Yong wouldn’t need to suppress his eager desire to enter real estate.

Pengcheng remained their base, but they could use it as a foundation to make quick money elsewhere for a few years. The more Xia Xiaolan thought about it, the more pleased she became. After leaving the company, she immediately shared this with Liu Yong.

Liu Yong was shocked: “What a coincidence!”

“What’s coincidental?”

Liu Yong rubbed his hands, “Remember my friend from the golf club? We met twice more, and he said some friends wanted to seek opportunities in Qiong Island, asking if I’d like to invest too.”

Liu Yong listed several names, none familiar to Xia Xiaolan.

Well, these were probably unfortunate souls who would lose everything when the Qiong Island real estate bubble burst. She had thought her uncle’s random acquaintances might be future real estate tycoons who successfully escaped the bubble… she’d hoped for too much – such luck wasn’t in their cards.

Better rely on themselves then.

Xia Xiaolan laughed, “Let’s not join them – uncle and niece can do this ourselves!”