C6 Mr Chen
"Mr. Shen, I apologize," Wang Dahai said, his eyes wide with terror, his voice faltering. The thought of striking Shen Hongchang was beyond his courage.
With a fierce slap, Shen Hongchang sent Wang Dahai tumbling to the ground.
He then turned and bowed respectfully to Chen Feng, saying, "Mr. Chen, my apologies for the fright."
The sequence of events unfolded seamlessly.
A hush fell over the room.
The security guards blinked in disbelief, struggling to process the sight before them.
The wealthiest man in Efoford had just bowed to a young man? Such news would surely send shockwaves through the entire city.
Who exactly was this young man?
The guards' minds thundered, their breaths heavy with astonishment.
"Mr. Shen, that's quite an overstatement. I'm fine," Chen Feng said with a slight smile. Without needing Chen Zhong's introduction, he recognized the man before him; Efoford's richest man frequently graced the pages of financial newspapers.
"Mr. Chen, I overlooked this matter. Rest assured, I will ensure those who have offended you will face consequences," Shen Hongchang said, a fierce glint in his eye. Wang Dahai and the others had nearly brought about his ruin; he was not inclined to let them off easily.
"Mr. Shen, have mercy!"
"Mr. Shen, I admit my mistake. Please forgive me."
No sooner had Shen Hongchang spoken than Wang Dahai and several security guards fell to their knees, weeping profusely. The 'price' Shen Hongchang referred to was no trivial matter—it meant more than just losing their jobs; it could mean broken limbs.
"Silence!" Shen Hongchang commanded, and they immediately fell quiet.
Shen Hongchang's expression was icy. His rise from poverty to become Efoford's richest man was not solely due to his business acumen.
These men had dared to cross Chen Feng, and they would have to be ready to face the consequences.
Chen Feng narrowed his eyes, clearly perceiving the gravity of Shen Hongchang's intent. Wang Dahai and the others were in for a harsh punishment.
"Let it go, Mr. Shen," Chen Feng said, gesturing dismissively. "They haven't really harmed me. Allow them to keep their jobs. If you truly feel remorseful, deduct a month's salary from each of them as punishment."
Chen Feng ultimately found himself with a softened heart. While Wang Dahai and his companions were at fault, their misdeeds weren't so egregious as to warrant a life-ruining punishment. Chen Feng didn't want to be the reason for destroying the futures of Wang Dahai and the others.
In the three years following his departure from the Chen family, working as a delivery man, Chen Feng came to understand many harsh realities. For those at the bottom of society, simply surviving can be an immense struggle.
What might be a trivial decision for him could be life-altering for Wang Dahai and his group.
Shen Hongchang was somewhat taken aback, but with Chen Feng's stance clear, he felt compelled to concur.
"Why aren't you thanking Mr. Chen!" Shen Hongchang cast a stern glance at the group.
Upon hearing this, Wang Dahai and the others hurriedly scurried to Chen Feng's feet, bowing profusely to apologize.
Chen Feng remained silent, hoping that this experience would serve as a lesson for them. Not everyone possessed the kind of compassion he did.
Shen Hongchang breathed a sigh of relief. Chen Feng's demeanor had caught him off guard, a stark contrast to the other wealthy heirs he had encountered.
Chen Feng was not only humble but also exuded a genuine warmth. Had it not been for Chen Zhong's introduction, Shen Hongchang would have struggled to believe that this unassuming man was a member of the prestigious Chen family from Zhouis.
And to top it off...
He had arrived on a scooter.
Shen Hongchang cast a bemused glance at the battered scooter lying on the ground.
"Young Master, shall we head inside?" Chen Zhong interjected with a beaming smile.
With a slight nod, Chen Feng followed Shen Hongchang into a villa that boasted a European castle aesthetic.
The villa's decor was both elegant and luxurious, with pristine, white jade-like walls that soothed the soul.
As they walked, Shen Hongchang briefed Chen Feng on the villa's features. Nestled in the prime location of Jade Hill, it featured panoramic floor-to-ceiling windows, allowing residents to take in the mountain's beauty without stepping outside.
Spanning over 500 square meters, the villa came complete with a swimming pool, gym, home cinema, and a quaint garden. In essence, it was equipped with all the trappings of luxury one could desire.
This villa was constructed by Shen Hongchang as a peaceful retreat for his retirement and was never intended to be on the market. However, when Chen Zhong expressed interest in purchasing it yesterday, Shen Hongchang couldn't bring himself to decline. He sold the villa to Chen Zhong at the price of 50,000 yuan per square meter.
To call it a sale would be an understatement—it was practically a giveaway. On Jade Hill, even the most basic homes fetch a price of 100,000 yuan per square meter.
This particular villa, boasting the prime location and most picturesque views, would incite a bidding frenzy even if it were priced at 500,000 yuan per square meter.
Chen Feng was thoroughly pleased with the villa. He was confident that Xia Mengyao would be overjoyed living there.
"Mr. Chen, the day is advancing. I've prepared a luncheon at my home. Would you do me the honor of attending, allowing me the chance to make amends?" Shen Hongchang cautiously inquired after showing Chen Feng the villa. Despite Chen Feng's assurances that he harbored no concerns over the incident with Wang Dahai and his associates, Shen Hongchang couldn't shake off a lingering unease, worried that Chen Feng might dwell on the matter.
"Mr. Shen, you're being overly courteous. I've put the past behind me and won't dwell on it. On the contrary, as I plan to expand my ventures in Efoford, I may find myself seeking your assistance," Chen Feng replied with a smile. Having taken the reins of the Chen family's enterprises, he needed to establish connections with Efoford's wealthy elite. Shen Hongchang was astute, and Chen Feng would prefer to have him as a trusted ally.
"Haha, Mr. Chen, you jest. I wouldn't presume to take care of you. Should you have any requests in the future, please don't hesitate to ask. I will be at your service," Shen Hongchang responded with a hearty laugh.
Chen Feng offered a smile but remained silent. He wasn't naive enough to take Shen Hongchang's words at face value.
The world hustles for profit; without the influence of the Chen family, Shen Hongchang wouldn't spare him a second glance.
"By the way, Mr. Shen, I've noticed that Jade Hill is quite expansive. Beyond this villa community, there are many other areas with stunning scenery and prime locations. Have you considered further development?" Chen Feng inquired suddenly.
Jade Hill is the most renowned scenic area in Efoford. The waters of Jade Spring, bursting forth from the stone crevices on the mountain, are celebrated as one of the city's three great wonders. Emperor Qianlong once proclaimed Jade Spring to be the finest in the world. During the Yuan and Ming dynasties, Jade Hill was considered a pilgrimage site for travelers, and today it is a nationally recognized 5A-level tourist destination.
However, the expansive terrain of Jade Hill, coupled with the treacherous nature of many areas, makes development a formidable challenge, necessitating a substantial financial investment.
Rumor has it that Shen Hongchang poured all his resources into the project, yet managed to develop less than a quarter of Jade Hill, leaving three-quarters of the land untouched.
Confronted with this seemingly insatiable expanse of undeveloped land, an idea began to take shape in Chen Feng's mind.