The discussion about the terms came to an end.

Under the steady guidance of Zhang Weimin, the old secretary, the three of them exchanged pleasantries and reminisced for a while.

As night fell, Ye Chen finally bid farewell. Before leaving, he made sure to gift Yan Huaili two bottles of flawless ointment.

Inside the courtyard, as the sound of a car faded into the night, Yan Huaili smiled wryly.

"Old leader, do you think I've been passive this whole time? Why do I feel like that kid's leading me by the nose?"

"It's not a feeling. The truth is, you've been led by the nose from start to finish," Zhang Weimin chuckled with a meaningful glint in his eyes.

"This..." Yan Huaili was momentarily speechless. "That kid's a prodigy!"

"He has the credentials. His vision for Yiren Ruxue surpasses anything we imagined. Although we don't know the exact production cost of his flawless ointment, I'd wager his net profit margin is no less than 70-80%."

Zhang Weimin paused before continuing, "But profit margins aren't our concern. What matters is sales volume. With a six-month shelf life and a consumer-friendly price of 399 yuan, combined with our country's population base and consumer market—even without exporting—if the product is as effective as he claims, achieving tens of millions of sales annually won't be difficult."

"Tens of millions of units? That's hundreds of billions in sales revenue. And if exports take off, the figures will be astronomical. The contribution to GDP and tax revenue alone is undeniable. Any province or city would eagerly embrace such a venture. Even smaller cities would treat him like a financial godsend!"

"That's why he knows Jiangzhou, which you represent, will do everything to secure him. But that kid plays by his own rules. He refuses policy support or tax incentives. With those cards off the table, you have no choice but to follow his lead. That's his leverage—using retreat as a means to advance. As long as he forgoes incentives, you have to move at his pace."

Zhang Weimin laughed knowingly.

Before Yan Huaili could respond, Zhang added, "At first, I thought we might be overestimating him. But now, he keeps exceeding my expectations. I can't even see his limits. It seems like he's giving up policy perks, but if he secures office space in the CBD, the incentives won't matter at all."

"Old leader, in a year, what kind of results do you think he can deliver?" Yan Huaili asked awkwardly.

As Jiangzhou's top official, being led by a young man felt disconcerting.

But given the situation, there was no better strategy than following his lead.

"Results? Only heaven knows. But I doubt we'll be disappointed. In a year, he might not have the company history to fully qualify for the Times City project, but he'll come close."

Zhang Weimin suddenly recalled something. "By the way, is the strategic land parcel opposite Zhujiang New Town really being considered for the next round of investments?"

Yan Huaili nodded, then hesitated. "I was going to bring it up with you, but I didn't think the timing was right. The leadership is still deliberating. It depends on what the higher-ups decide about the area's potential."

"So, it's almost certain?" Zhang Weimin asked. "It's highly likely," Yan Huaili replied with a chuckle.

"With that likelihood, combined with Ye Chen's foresight, it's practically set in stone," Zhang Weimin remarked.

"Old leader, do you think this kid is really that sharp? He always seems a step ahead. First, the redevelopment of the old village, then the subway to Jinzhong Village, and now he's targeting the land across from Zhujiang New Town. Sometimes I wonder if he's clairvoyant."

"Clairvoyant? Let me tell you something else. A while ago, Xingguo told me about an antique exhibition where Wuji Group invited Ye Chen to appraise items. Do you know how much he made from a 130,000-yuan Ming Dynasty silk fabric?" Zhang Weimin asked.

"Don't tell me it was over a hundred million," Yan Huaili replied in shock.

"Over a hundred million? No, he discovered an ancient sutra hidden within the fabric, rewriting its historical significance. Wuji Group bought it for 280 million yuan."

Yan Huaili was speechless. Zhang Weimin smiled. "That's why I'm curious about what he'll achieve in a year."

On the Drive Home

In his Mercedes G-Class, Ye Chen felt the weight of time for the first time since his rebirth. One year.

He needed to produce results that would convince the city government to let him establish a foothold in Times City.

If he followed a steady path, he could reach the billionaire mark within a year. But Yiren Ruxue alone wouldn't be enough to gain entry into Times City.

After all, it was just a fledgling company. Despite its potential economic contributions, the lack of corporate history would prevent him from qualifying.

The solution was to build Tenglong Group, scaling it to offset the lack of credentials. That would secure him the ticket to Times City. One year.

Starting from scratch to establishing a headquarters in the new CBD—it sounded like a fantasy to most people. But not to Ye Chen.

With decades of business experience and knowledge of the next sixty years, he was confident.

If he hadn't secured the opportunity with Yan Huaili, it might have been different.

But since he had, even the time pressure wouldn't shake his resolve.

Driving towards Shanshuijian, Ye Chen's mind raced, mapping out the path for the next year.

At Home "Daddy!"

In apartment 2102 of Shanshuijian, Ye Youyou leaped off the piano bench as Ye Chen walked in.

"What did Mommy make for dinner tonight?"

Ye Chen asked, relaxing as he embraced his daughter.

"Shrimp and eggs, but Mommy's cooking isn't as good as yours.

I like Daddy's food better!"

"But you always say Mommy's cooking is the best in the world," Chen Yinuo teased, walking over with her phone. "Mommy's second now. Daddy's first!"

"Go practice your piano.

Mommy needs to talk to Daddy," Yinuo smiled. "Alright!" Ye Youyou returned to the piano, continuing her practice of "Jasmine Flower."

As the piano notes filled the air, Yinuo handed Ye Chen her phone.

"Flawless ointment, Zhang's Yunshan Network, and the streamers promoting it are caught in an online controversy.

Take a look."

Her expression was complicated as she passed him the phone.