Chapter 131: The Toy Factory Valued at One Billion in 1993

The dimly lit room was filled with the sound of arguing.

"If you don't want to be with me, then just leave. Stop looking at me with that dead-eyed expression all the time."

"My dead-eyed expression? Zhang Tianfeng, you really have no conscience. I didn't mind that you were disabled, and now you’re the one starting to mind me?"

"If you mind my disability, why are you still with me? Isn't it just because I’m easy to push around and easy for you to control?"

"I control you? Everything I do is for your own good."

"Fine, since you’ve said as much, let’s just call it quits. Let’s go our separate ways."

"You crippled bastard, let’s see how you survive without me!"

*Bang! Bang! Bang!*

The sound of things being smashed erupted suddenly, shattering Zhang Tianfeng’s dream. He bolted upright in bed, gasping for air. That dream was a re-enactment of his life in his previous existence, living with that overbearing girlfriend. Disabled and repeatedly subjected to unfair treatment in the outside world, he had to return home to a girlfriend who wanted to control every aspect of his life. Zhang Tianfeng couldn't even bear the thought of marriage. Being stuck with someone he didn't love—what a terrifying prospect that would be.

"Old Zhang, did you have a nightmare?" Li Yunsong, in the upper bunk, noticed the movement and poked his head down to ask.

"Yeah, just a bad dream." Wiping the sweat from his forehead, Zhang Tianfeng got out of bed to wash up.

It had been two days since he left the factory and returned to school. Today was October 1st, the official start of the National Day holiday. The other five roommates had gone home, leaving only Zhang Tianfeng, Li Yunsong, and Wang Liang in the dorm.

"Old Wang, help me grab some breakfast, same as usual."

"Don't bother, I’ll just get it for you for free."

"Why say that? Everyone knows you're struggling, so stop arguing about it."

Wang Liang, who had been reading since dawn, nodded and silently headed out. He was the one in the dorm who faced the most hardship; it was said that to send him to high school, his parents had even fallen out with their relatives. Determined to prove himself, Wang Liang was exceptionally diligent. He woke up at 6:00 AM sharp every day to study, spent two hours at noon, and worked three hours in the evenings as a waiter at a local restaurant. To help him out, his roommates often asked him to do small errands and gave him a symbolic labor fee. It was a common practice, but some of the guys were far too blunt in their delivery.

Returning with a towel, Zhang Tianfeng said, "Old Li, be a bit more considerate of his feelings when you talk to him."

"What’s there to be considerate about? You’re rarely in the dorm, so you don’t know Old Wang. His stress tolerance is rock solid."

"I’m not arguing with you; I’m going back for a nap. A senior student is taking me out tonight, and I need to be in peak condition."

Having high stress tolerance didn't mean one should be subjected to anything. Wang Liang genuinely wanted to be friends with them, but these guys always used the guise of "helping" to keep him at arm's length. He was already insecure enough, and the constant verbal jabs—much like his own miserable life in his previous existence—would eventually lead to trouble.

After washing up, Zhang Tianfeng found Wang Liang in the cafeteria; he had already bought breakfast and was heading back.

"Old Zhang, why are you here?" Wang Liang asked, surprised. "You should have told me you wanted breakfast; I would have brought it for you for free."

"Old Wang, those roommates of ours are a bit blunt. Don't take it to heart."

"It's fine, I understand." Wang Liang gave a bitter smile and said, "I can't change my background, only the path of my growth."

From childhood, this was how he had lived. The cold shoulder from relatives, the gossip from neighbors—thankfully, his home life was harmonious, providing him with the motivation to keep going.

"If that's how you see it, then I have nothing to worry about. By the way, do you have any thoughts on work?"

"Can we talk about it when we get back? I’m worried Old Li might be hungry."

"You care so much about others, but have they ever thought about you?" Zhang Tianfeng took the steamed buns meant for Li Yunsong and said, "He’s back to sleep; he won't be waking up anytime soon. We’ll talk here."

With everyone on holiday, the place was quiet.

Wang Liang sat down, silent for a moment, then said, "I want to work for a while to save some money, then go get some stock and set up a street stall."

"Have you thought through all the expenses? This involves more than just the cost of goods and your time; there’s also the stall fee."

"There are stall fees? Isn't it just a matter of laying down a piece of paper?"

"Don't make things so simple. Without paying a fee, if someone comes to cause trouble, who will stand up for you? Yourself?"

Wang Liang nodded. "That's true. It seems I’ll have to extend my part-time hours to earn a bit more."

"If you have enough time, I can recommend a job for you—as a salesperson in a store." In other provinces, they were tentatively opening one direct-sale store in each capital city, but in the coastal regions, Zhang Tianfeng’s plan was to have one to three stores per city, simply because the population was dense and the spending power was strong.

"What do they sell?"

"Blue Square Toy Factory's direct-sale store."

Wang Liang’s eyes widened. "Old Zhang, you have a friend working at the Blue Square Toy Factory?"

"I do, why?"

"Damn, you're amazing! You should go there too."

Seeing the excited Wang Liang, Zhang Tianfeng was confused. Why was there anything to be excited about?

"Why?"

"Are you stupid? That’s the first toy factory valued at 1 billion by the Hong Kong Business Association."

With that, Wang Liang pulled a folded newspaper from his pocket and spread it out. The headline read, "Talent in Every Trade: Selling Toys Can Lead to a 1-Billion-Dollar Fortune."

*What the hell?* Zhang Tianfeng hadn't looked at newspapers from Hong Kong in a long time. Ever since he ran that blind box campaign, he had completely vanished from the eyes of the Hong Kong public—not just from the stock market, but from the trade press as well. The Huo family seemed to have been intentionally covering his tracks, using their connections to destroy all the newspapers that had previously featured him. This was exactly what Zhang Tianfeng wanted; being too famous wasn't a good thing—who knew when he might become a target?

The newspaper heaped praise on the Blue Square Toy Factory, constantly lauding the owner’s unique vision and investment instincts.

Wang Liang continued, "This boss is truly incredible. He spent 100 million to hire the Ma Family Army for advertising and made ten times that back instantly."

*Ten times?* Kid, you’re still too young. When they won the world marathon in October, that would be the Ma Family Army’s peak moment, and a crucial stage for Zhang Tianfeng to achieve financial freedom.

"A person like that is my goal. I want to learn from him. Once I save enough money, I’m going to take my shot, too."

"Hey, hey, hey, you absolutely must not do that." Zhang Tianfeng quickly stopped him. "He just got lucky, stumbling upon a business contract. It’s nothing special."

"Who says it’s not special? It’s written right here in the paper—the boss is very young, also from a poor family, started by setting up a street stall, and made a million in a single night..."

Hearing this, Zhang Tianfeng felt a chill run down his spine. Who was spying on his life? Gao Ran? Impossible; she would never talk about this. Qin Yuelan? The girl was busy stabilizing the labor market in Tangwan Town; she barely had time to sleep. His Fourth Uncle? Even less likely.

Thinking it over, the only people who knew these details were Qin Lin and his crowd.

*Wait.* Could it be that the guy found out I slept with his daughter and is starting to send warnings?

Zhang Tianfeng was starting to panic. This matter needed to be resolved quickly.

"Let’s go. Buy another breakfast, and let’s head back."

"Alright, wait for me. I’ll keep telling you about it once I’ve bought it."