Over the next three days, Ye Chen was tirelessly running around to gather the ingredients for the formula.

Even when Li Changfeng and Zhang Jingshan tried to contact him multiple times, he refused their calls. He was too busy traveling around, purchasing the raw materials, as well as pots, pans, and various utensils needed to make the medicinal ointment.

To Ye Chen, those three days felt like the blink of an eye.

The small rental apartment had now turned into a miniature workshop.

Thankfully, the memories from his previous life were etched into his mind like carvings.

Thankfully, he had been somewhat of a half-baked scholar back in his school days.

Otherwise, even if he knew how to make the miraculous ointment, he wouldn't have had a clue where to start.

June 24th.

7:30 PM.

Ye Chen, taking a rare break from making the ointment, put down his tools, removed his gloves, sat on the sofa, and turned on the TV mounted on the wall.

In his previous life, on this very evening, during a press conference by the Jiangzhou city government, officials, led by the party secretary, had discussed the city's new development plan. Leaders from the Urban Construction Bureau, Land Bureau, Development and Reform Commission, and Commerce Bureau were present. The talk focused on plans for urban village redevelopment.

This press conference had caused property prices in Jinlin Mansion to skyrocket fivefold overnight. The surrounding area had instantly turned into a land of gold.

As Ye Chen turned on the TV at precisely the right moment, the press conference unfolded just as he remembered.

The party secretary gave the opening speech, followed by reports from leaders of various departments.

The redevelopment project for the urban villages and plans for commercial development were finalized during this conference!

In a courtyard somewhere in Jiangzhou.

This was the residence of Zhang Weimin, a former party secretary of the city. It was also the ancestral home of the Zhang family.

The courtyard, with its weathered appearance and rich history, was surrounded by neatly arranged greenery. Inside and out, the place exuded an air of peace and harmony.

Inside the house, the television was tuned to the city government's press conference.

Seated before the TV were three generations of the Zhang family: former party secretary Zhang Weimin, Zhang Xingguo, chairman of Yong'an Construction Company, and Zhang Jingshan.

"Dad, the government's planning to redevelop the western urban villages? How could this happen so suddenly? Did you know about this beforehand?" Zhang Xingguo exclaimed in disbelief as he watched the press conference.

"I knew," Zhang Weimin replied with a nod.

"What? You knew about this? Then why didn't you tell me?" Zhang Xingguo demanded, growing anxious.

"Why should I tell you? Don't think I don't know what you're up to. I, Zhang Weimin, have spent my life clean-handed and devoted to the public. Do you think I'd compromise my integrity in my old age by leaking government plans to benefit my own son and turn him into a profiteering capitalist? Do you want the people to curse my name for generations?" Zhang Weimin scolded, his voice full of righteous indignation.

Zhang Xingguo fell silent, bitter and speechless.

This was typical of his father's character.

If Zhang Weimin had ever been even slightly selfish, Yong'an Construction Company would have climbed several levels higher by now.

After his stern lecture, Zhang Weimin continued, "It was Secretary Zhou who mentioned it to me during a conversation two weeks ago. He wanted my opinion but made me swear to keep it confidential. He stressed repeatedly that this was a pilot project approved by the province, and anyone leaking it would face severe consequences. That's why everything was so quiet before this—no one dared say a word."

"Secretary Zhou" referred to the current party secretary of Jiangzhou.

Beside them, Zhang Jingshan, who usually loved to bicker with his father, Zhang Xingguo, was unusually silent.

He sat in a daze.

That urban village slated for redevelopment was right next to Jinlin Mansion!

What did that mean?

It meant that after this press conference, Jinlin Mansion's property prices would soar uncontrollably!

In an instant, Ye Chen's words echoed in his mind:

"Consider it fate. If you trust me, buy a few units!"

"If I had the money, I'd buy the whole development. Unfortunately, I only have 200,000 yuan—just enough for deposits on two units."

"If you trust me, just give it a try!"

"You could even be a little crazier—pay deposits for ten units upfront or buy ten outright in full. There are no purchase limits!"

At the time, Zhang Jingshan had brushed off these words.

Even though he ended up putting down deposits for two units, it was more out of a whimsical impulse than belief in Ye Chen's advice. He assumed the 200,000 yuan might just go down the drain since he didn't think Jinlin Mansion would appreciate in value anytime soon.

But now?

How did Ye Chen know the area would be redeveloped?

Even Zhang Xingguo, with all his connections, hadn't caught a hint of this insider information. Yet Ye Chen had somehow predicted it?

How was that possible?

"Grandpa, are you sure no one leaked this redevelopment plan beforehand?" Zhang Jingshan asked anxiously.

"Unless someone decided their career wasn't worth it!" Zhang Weimin shot back without hesitation.

"But could someone have let it slip unintentionally?" Zhang Jingshan pressed, his throat dry.

"If anyone were careless enough to leak this kind of top-secret project, do you think they'd hold a position of such responsibility?" Zhang Weimin countered sharply. Then, noticing Zhang Jingshan's odd behavior, he frowned.

"Jingshan, what's going on? Why are you asking so many questions?"

"Grandpa, I... I paid deposits on two units in Jinlin Mansion when it first launched. Someone told me at the time that if I trusted them, I should buy more. They even said that if they had enough money, they'd buy out the entire development. Later, they suggested I should pay for ten units upfront."

At that moment, Zhang Jingshan felt an overwhelming urge to slap himself.

If he had listened to Ye Chen and bought ten units outright...

Back then, Jinlin Mansion's price was only 7,000 to 8,000 yuan per square meter. A unit would have cost just over 1 million yuan.

Buying ten units, even with discounts, would have required about 10 million yuan—a sum he could have afforded.

But now, after this press conference, those ten units would be worth at least 50 to 60 million yuan.

In just three days, 10 million yuan could have turned into 50 or 60 million.

Even robbing a bank wouldn't have made money this fast!

Regret? Regret wasn't even the word anymore.

At the same time, Zhang Jingshan was overwhelmed with shock and curiosity about Ye Chen.

First, Ye Chen had found the valuable Buddhist beads.

Then, he had accurately predicted Zhang Jingshan's romantic troubles.

Next, he foresaw the massive appreciation of Jinlin Mansion.

And then, he even predicted that Li Changfeng's new car would be involved in an accident.

All of it had come true.

Could all of this really just be a series of coincidences?

"What?!"

As Zhang Jingshan finished speaking, Zhang Weimin and Zhang Xingguo both exclaimed in unison.