This person really knows how to be reborn!

Chapter 37 conveys a sense of powerlessness in the face of fate.

Gao Sheng found Zeng Cheng's reaction rather strange and asked in confusion, "What's with that expression, kid?"

Zeng Cheng smiled and shook his head: "Uncle, it's nothing."

After weighing the options, he did not advise Gao Sheng.

How to put it—when interacting with others, one should avoid speaking too intimately with casual acquaintances.

Besides, even if he did try to persuade him, Uncle Gao would most likely not listen.

To put it bluntly, in Gao Sheng's eyes, Zeng Cheng was nothing more than a hothead.

Why should a successful person like me listen to a little brat like you?

After things backfired, Gao Sheng would most likely not be grateful to Zeng Cheng, but would instead harbor resentment.

Why didn't you give me more advice back then?!

The underlying logic here is quite simple.

The answer can be found in any book in the world. Why did Yuan Shao kill Tian Feng in Romance of the Three Kingdoms?

"Ahem—I don't know much about cell phones and stuff, so I won't comment," Zeng Cheng coughed and then changed the subject in a completely unfriendly manner, "Uncle, how much are you planning to sell this arcade for?"

"Eight hundred thousand."

Gao Sheng gave Zeng Cheng a number, his attitude rather nonchalant.

He didn't believe Zeng Cheng was capable of taking over his shop at all; he was just coming to talk to his niece to save face.

"Eight hundred thousand, that's a bit expensive."

Zeng Cheng frowned slightly.

Of the money he has, taking out 500,000 is the safest bet. If he squeezes a little more, he can get another 100,000 or so, but that's still quite a distance from 800,000.

I thought 500,000 to 600,000 would be enough to get it, but I didn't expect Gaosheng to ask for such a high price.

"Zeng Cheng, my arcade still has about a year's rent left, which is about 150,000 yuan, so this transfer fee is definitely not high."

Gao Sheng offered an explanation, then his expression grew increasingly impatient.

"If you think it's too expensive, then forget it. I have some things to do, so I'll be going now. Let's have a meal together another time."

That's just pure, fake politeness.

Gao Sheng simply wanted to get rid of Zeng Cheng as soon as possible so he could go back to the teahouse to play mahjong—he was on a winning streak and had earned more than eight thousand in just one afternoon!

"Uncle, don't be in such a hurry. Business is all about negotiation." Zeng Cheng smiled, trying to appear sincere. "I have an idea, would you mind listening to it?"

Gao Sheng rolled his eyes at Zeng Cheng: "You scholars are so indecisive, just say it—"

Zeng Cheng carefully crafted his words: "Uncle, I'll invest 500,000 yuan to buy 70% of the arcade's shares and operating rights... You won't need to invest any more money in the subsequent renovations and the purchase of new machines..."

"No matter how well the arcade performs in the future, after deducting relevant operating costs, you will receive 30% of the profits as a bonus."

"As for your need to stockpile money for phones... we don't really need to risk everything, do we? As Lu Xun said, 'Don't put all your eggs in one basket.'"

Gao Sheng frowned.

The first thing to do is doubt its authenticity.

"You're not bragging, are you? You can actually come up with 500,000?"

"Uncle, it's so hot, I wouldn't deliberately come here to tease you, would I?"

"That's true," Gao Sheng stroked his chin, "but I have a question... 'Don't put all your eggs in one basket,' is that a saying by Lu Xun?"

"this……"

Faced with questions about his promotion, Zeng Cheng was unusually insecure.

Throughout his three years of high school, he never actually listened attentively to a single Chinese language class.

However, how could I, a dignified Transcending Tribulation expert from the Northern Frontier, be questioned by a mere vagrant like you?

This is intolerable! Absolutely intolerable!

Zeng Cheng raised an eyebrow: "Uncle, what was your score on the college entrance exam?"

Gao Sheng cursed, "Damn it, you little brat, are you trying to disgust me? College entrance exam? Your uncle didn't even finish junior high..."

Zeng Cheng shrugged: "Then what are you questioning, Uncle? I'm the top scorer in the college entrance exam in our Jinghu District!"

"Holy crap, you're that awesome?"

Gao Sheng felt a sense of awe and respect.

Of all professions, only studying is noble.

This kind of thinking is deeply ingrained in the Chinese people.

In ancient times, mountain bandits all knew to kidnap a scholar and bring him up the mountain to serve as their strategist.

Despite his lack of formal education, Gao Sheng, a man of humble origins, genuinely admires those who excel in reading.

"Hehehehe—" Xiao Qian laughed uncontrollably, her face full of teasing, "Uncle, Zeng Cheng is right, those are words spoken by Lu Xun!"

"Lu Xun was truly amazing; it felt like he said everything..."

Gao Sheng looked like he had learned something, but he did not agree to Zeng Cheng's proposal.

He did not trust Zeng Cheng's management skills and had no expectations of the so-called dividends.

I just want to convert everything into cash, then pour it all into the new sector, grow bigger and stronger, and create new glories.

This is really not surprising; this generation loves all-in betting.

It happened to coincide with the wild era of the transition from a planned economy to a market economy, where basically anyone who was bold could make money, which has led to a serious path dependence.

After being rejected, Zeng Cheng didn't say anything more.

For a repeat player like him, 2009 was full of opportunities and trends, and he didn't care about the small amount of money he could make at the arcade.

In fact, his desire to take over the arcade wasn't purely for making money—after all, this arcade was the place where his relationship with a certain sect's holy maiden had blossomed and intensified, so it held some sentimental value.

As dusk settled over the streets after they left the arcade, the three of them prepared to hail a taxi home.

Yu Baiwei suddenly asked, "Zeng Cheng, do you really want to take over this arcade?"

Zeng Cheng nodded and said he definitely wanted to, otherwise his brother Cheng would have overeaten and had been arguing with Xiao Qian's uncle for so long.

"Then why isn't there a disc?" Yu Baiwei asked, looking quite puzzled. "Don't you have any money? You only have 800,000."

Zeng Cheng: "..."

Girl, your use of the word "talent" is very apt, perfectly matching your epic-level rich, beautiful, and successful persona.

He rolled his eyes and said irritably, "Yu Baiwei, you hurt me!"

Yu, the beautiful woman, stuck out her tongue: "Zeng Cheng, I'm sorry, I didn't mean it. I meant I have money!"

As he spoke, he pulled a bank card out of his Prada bag.

"This card contains my New Year's money, which I can use freely. It's probably around five million yuan, but I haven't looked at it in a long time."

After saying that, he stuffed the bank card into Zeng Cheng's hand.

Zeng Cheng did not answer.

He can now barely maintain a respectable but not servile demeanor when facing a certain wealthy woman.

After all, he hadn't lied to Yu Baiwei about anything.

To be honest, when the two of them go out together, he's the one who pays more often.

Although his idea was somewhat like Ah Q's self-deception.

But if he actually accepts this card, the situation will be completely different.

The story I told Li Xingzhi about "meeting a rich woman, getting married, and establishing a career" was just a joke.

As a distinguished second-time player, and having been financially independent in his early thirties in his previous life, Zeng Cheng was still somewhat arrogant; there was no way he would actually take a job in this field.

Yu Baiwei did not take the bank card back.

Her little hand hung there, her expression quickly turned pitiful, and her crescent-shaped eyes gradually filled with tears.

Zeng Cheng was startled: "Yu Baiwei, what's with that expression?"

Yu Baiwei pouted: "Zeng Cheng, you don't even consider me a good friend, I'm angry!"

Zeng Cheng was a little confused: "Uh, I didn't mean I didn't consider you a friend."

Yu Baiwei said angrily, "That's right—Zeng Cheng, you used Li Xingzhi's money to invest in stocks, but you wouldn't use my New Year's money!"

Zeng Cheng: "..."

Girl, how can these be the same?

The cicada's little stash is only five thousand yuan, but you have five million in this card!

Did you know that 99% of people in this world will never save this much money in their lifetime?

Seeing that Yu Baiwei's expression was becoming increasingly aggrieved, and she was about to shed tears, Zeng Cheng had no choice but to take the card.

They didn't even mention when they would pay her back, or how to calculate the interest—that would only add fuel to the fire.

Anyway, Mr. Zeng, you definitely won't take it for nothing.

After sending Yu Baiwei away, Zeng Cheng suddenly sighed as he fiddled with the bank card containing five million yuan in his hand.

Li Xingzhi asked in confusion, "Brother Cheng, what's wrong?"

"I suddenly feel a sense of powerlessness in the face of fate." Zeng Cheng looked up at the sky at a 45-degree angle, his eyes filled with a bright sadness. "Don't you think Yu Baiwei is throwing her family's dirty money at me? Although I've gained a fortune that many people couldn't earn in a lifetime, I've also lost my dignity as a man!"

Li Xingzhi: "..."

He felt that Zeng Cheng was showing off, but he had no evidence.