Chapter 104: The Xu Family Would Not Give Up, and Zhang Tianfeng Felt Relief

After Wang Tiancai and the other three had left, Zhang Tianfeng said, “Get ready, we’re going to my fourth uncle’s restaurant for dinner.”

“Ah, you’re leaving again? Not staying to oversee the toy factory?” Gao Ran asked, seeing Zhang Tianfeng packing his things.

“Each task is managed by someone. If I watched over everything every day, wouldn’t I be living a tiring life?”

The major framework was already set; the next steps were to break down each detail. These would be handled by Wang Tiancai and his group, who would also take care of factory management.

“If anything comes up, find Qin Lanfang—she’ll let me know.”

“Alright, safe travels, boss.”

Gao Ran then walked out, carrying a small ladies’ purse, and glanced at Zhong Xiaoyi, whose hair was braided into twin plaits, a faint smile curling her lips.

She jogged to catch up, asking, “Boss, how about I become your secretary?”

“You really want to be my secretary? I won’t expose your intentions.”

Gao Ran chuckled, not bothering to deny it. Everyone knew she was interested in Zhang Tianfeng, and she considered such things natural—love between men and women.

Usually, it was men who chased women, but after her mother’s experience, Gao Ran had learned a lesson: if you meet someone you like, pursue them boldly. There’s no shame in it.

Especially when it’s someone as promising as Zhang Tianfeng.

As Zhang Tianfeng left the factory, Wan Xiong finally managed to contact Xu Kuangdao.

“Alright, I got it. Keep watching, and let me know immediately if anything new comes up.”

Wan Xiong wished he could be timely, but he’d tried calling for hours without getting through.

Looking at the disconnected call, he shook his head helplessly. Forget it, he’d done his duty; the rest wasn’t his concern.

Deep City, Silver Lake.

This was a legendary place—one of the earliest enclaves of the city’s wealthy. The 306-row villa complex, with six villas in total, all purchased by the Xu family.

At this moment, Xu Kuangdao was sitting in a luxuriously decorated living room, facing several of his elder brothers.

“What’s wrong, Third Brother? Ever since you came back from Port City, you’ve seemed distracted. Are you still thinking about how you lost to that young man?”

The defeat in Port City had been bitter for Xu Kuangdao.

Losing tens of thousands worth of goods was nothing; the key was that he lost, and lost after taking the initiative, teaming up with Chen Yuanhua, and striking first.

Who knew which bastard was spreading rumors outside; now everyone said the Chen and Xu families joined forces and lost to an outsider barely out of his teens.

“I’ve long since accepted it. I underestimated Zhang Tianfeng, never treating him as a serious opponent.”

“So what are you struggling with now? Still thinking about revenge?”

Xu Kuangdao nodded; revenge was a must.

The Xu family’s reputation was tarnished, and he had to restore it; his son was still locked up in prison, and unless Zhang Tianfeng relented, Xu Juncong wouldn’t be released early.

But this time, Xu Kuangdao didn’t plan to cooperate with the Chen family. He wanted to act on his own and suppress Zhang Tianfeng.

“So, what’s your plan this time?”

“His goal is to participate in the Canton Fair—and he’s boasting he’ll take all three quota spots for Tangwan Town.”

Xu Kuangdao narrowed his eyes. “This time I won’t rush. I’ll take it slow, investigate all his cards, his company branches, and then strike.”

Having suffered two setbacks at Zhang Tianfeng’s hands, this time, if he couldn’t prove himself, it wouldn’t just be a loss of face—perhaps even the Xu family wouldn’t tolerate him.

“Alright, if you need our help, just say the word.”

“There’s indeed something I’d like you two to assist with.”

Last time, Chen Yuanhua used shell companies under his control to trap Zhang Tianfeng; Xu Kuangdao planned to do the same.

But instead of setting up shell companies, he’d target Blue Square Toy Factory’s products.

An informant reported that Blue Square Toy Factory was preparing to produce new items, including some internationally renowned comics.

The Canton Fair was a global exhibition; if a factory was found pirating someone’s characters, no matter how capable, they wouldn’t get in.

Cutting off Zhang Tianfeng’s path to the Canton Fair was Xu Kuangdao’s first objective.

“Comics from the Japanese islands? Coincidentally, I have contacts at a TV station there—I’ll ask them for you later.”

“Thank you, Big Brother. Let me know as soon as you have news so I can prepare.”

“No need for thanks among family. Go ahead and get busy.”

...

By afternoon, the weather was sweltering.

Zhang Tianfeng sat by the computer at Bo Le Employment Agency, browsing the talent database while listening to Qin Yuelan’s work report.

Besides the five employment agencies he’d seen operating that morning, three more were being prepared.

Once all three opened, Bo Le Employment Agency would dominate Tangwan Town as its core area, overseeing three villages and collaborating with up to three hundred factories.

“With this round of expansion, I’ve decided to stabilize for now. Our growth is too fast, and the foundation is shaky—it’s easy for major problems to arise.”

Yuanli Group’s voluntary withdrawal didn’t mean other agencies wouldn’t enter the fray. This was a lucrative pie, and those without strength couldn’t handle it.

Bo Le Employment Agency hadn’t yet reached break-even, still losing money and relying on reserves.

Because of this, Qin Yuelan hadn’t slept well for some time.

“What’s your plan?” Zhang Tianfeng asked.

“Boss, I think we may have to keep losing money for a while longer!”

“Losses don’t matter—just tell me your ideas.”

“I think our company can partner with transport teams, and directly pick up people at train and bus stations.”

The coast was paved with gold, but also riddled with danger. Swindlers, thieves, and robbers were everywhere.

Some private car owners even teamed up with others, specifically targeting migrant workers coming to the coast.

There were even more cruel things happening quietly in the shadows.

New arrivals were cheated countless times, the stories spreading far and wide, leaving a deep impression in people’s minds.

“Good idea, but how will you handle the transport teams? That industry is much murkier than employment agencies, and if conflict erupts, it’s even more brutal and bloody. Have you considered this?” Zhang Tianfeng cautioned.

The transport business had always been the lifeblood of the real world, usually controlled by those with immense power.

Take Qin Lin, for example—his fleet ruled West Kang Province, but outside it, even in a backward village, he’d have to smile and offer local people some benefits.

Without benefits, you couldn’t get through; even your vehicles would be smashed.

In the economically advanced coastal region, things were even harsher.

“I’ve thought it through, and I have a complete plan.”

Qin Yuelan pulled out the Pearl City Daily; the front page headline featured a story.

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Employment Bureau Steps In: Protecting Livelihood and Jobs.

Summary—Early yesterday morning, a body was found in farmland leading to Tangwan Town. According to police investigation, the victim was a migrant worker from inland... The suspect has been arrested. This incident sounded a warning bell for Pearl City.

In response, Pearl City government and the Employment Bureau have joined forces to ensure the safety of migrant workers.

------

“The local tyrant problem you’re worried about has already been addressed by this newspaper.”

“As long as we don’t charge migrant workers, we’ll have official support, and those people won’t dare cause trouble.”

“Good method—but what if there are too many people?”

In this era, people didn’t yet understand that ‘free’ was the most expensive. If a free transport appeared, it would be instantly packed; not just outsiders, even locals would want to take advantage.

Qin Yuelan smiled gently. “We won’t take just anyone—only those who meet our screening criteria can board.”

This plan was connected to her upcoming new ‘talent customization’ initiative.

After nearly half a month in the employment market, she’d found that while ordinary workers were abundant, factories lacked high-end talent.

For example, managers, top sales staff, and many indispensable technical roles.

Such people were plentiful inland, but their treatment wasn’t good.

Arriving at the coast, they hadn’t yet had a chance to shine.

Bo Le Company intended to provide a platform for them to showcase their abilities.

After listening to Qin Yuelan’s plan, Zhang Tianfeng nodded with satisfaction. “Lan, your growth truly amazes me.”

“A fast train relies on a strong locomotive. I’ve learned a lot from you; if I didn’t improve, it would mean I wasn’t worth cultivating at all.”

“Good—draft the detailed plan and show it to me when it’s ready. I’ll fully support you—funds, connections, whatever you need.”

“Boss, about the transport teams…”

“I’ll connect you with someone—you’ll handle the negotiations yourself.”

To get a transport team, the only current option was Qin Lin.