The moment this thought emerged, Yan Huaili felt like this kid was about to go mad!

Top-tier real estate—what does that represent?

It signifies breaking the current ceiling of housing prices in Jiangzhou!

But to create such high-end properties, how much investment is required?

Easily tens of billions, even hundreds of billions!

Could he really handle this?

Where would he even get the capital to open up such a new front? Was he planning to use Yiren Ruxue as a cash cow to fuel this ambition?

Madness. Absolute madness!

Yan Huaili couldn't hold back and spoke gravely, "Is it just because we discussed top-tier real estate at Nangguo Villa that you decided to make it your next battlefield? And you're doing this while Yiren Ruxue hasn't even secured its foothold yet?"

No wonder Yan Huaili felt this way.

As the senior secretary had just mentioned, that industrial land in Huangpu District—he had proposed it under significant pressure.

If Yiren Ruxue could boost Jiangzhou's GDP, it would be a major political achievement for him.

On the other hand, if things went south, it would become a stain he couldn't wash away.

Under such circumstances, Ye Chen was already eyeing top-tier real estate, a deeply complex and costly industry, without Yiren Ruxue even being firmly established.

How could that not make him anxious?

Yet, Ye Chen could only smile bitterly in response.

He hadn't expected Zhang Xingguo to mention this to the senior secretary, let alone for him to bring it up at such a critical moment.

Facing Yan Huaili's concerns, Ye Chen said, "Secretary Yan, even if we hadn't had that conversation, I would still have plans to enter top-tier real estate. But don't worry—I'm not making reckless decisions. Regardless of what industry I enter, it won't affect Yiren Ruxue. I'm fully aware that Yiren Ruxue is my foundation. There's no way I would sabotage my own base. Rest assured, your support for Yiren Ruxue will undoubtedly yield remarkable results, not trouble."

Before Yan Huaili could respond, Zhang Weimin interjected meaningfully, "Kid, you have to eat one bite at a time and walk one step at a time. Ambition is good, but isn't it better to proceed steadily and surely? Forgive me for saying this, but isn't it a bit shortsighted? Yiren Ruxue has the potential to generate tens of billions annually once it matures. With that kind of future ahead, why focus on top-tier real estate at such an early stage? Aren't you putting the cart before the horse?"

Hearing this, Ye Chen could only smile wryly again.

It wasn't surprising that Zhang Weimin thought this way.

Anyone would think he was crazy.

But for Ye Chen, who had been reborn sixty years into the past, this wasn't madness—it was strategic.

One step at a time was safe, but for someone like him, it was too slow and unnecessary.

"Senior Secretary, would you like to hear my perspective?" Ye Chen asked with a smile.

"Go ahead!" Zhang Weimin said seriously.

Yan Huaili also adjusted his posture.

"For me, life is like a game. While securing Yiren Ruxue as my base, I'm not content with simply following the rules. If I can be the first to seize an opportunity, I won't settle for leftovers. Top-tier real estate, in my eyes, is a major opportunity. Whether I win the top spot or not makes a significant difference. Moreover, just because I enter real estate doesn't mean I will inevitably fail, right? I trust you don't see me as someone reckless. If I take action, it means I'm confident."

"As for Yiren Ruxue, to be frank, I don't even need to worry about it. No matter what happens, it won't collapse. As long as the formula isn't leaked, the monopoly position of WuXiaGao (Flawless Cream), driven by market demand, will remain solid. In this context, expanding outward isn't a problem. On the contrary, while I'm young, why not take a few risks? Even if I fail, I can just abandon those early ambitions and refocus on Yiren Ruxue."

"In life, as long as you're standing on solid ground, there's nothing wrong with trying. If I succeed, I might just become the youngest legend ever!"

Ye Chen smiled as he said this.

"Even with Yiren Ruxue alone, you're already legendary," Zhang Weimin remarked, shaking his head.

"But my ambition extends beyond that!" Ye Chen replied.

"Fine. You're dead set on this, and there's no point arguing further. Given how shrewd you are, I'm sure you see things more clearly than anyone else," Zhang Weimin said helplessly.

"But top-tier real estate requires tens or even hundreds of billions in investment. Where will you get the money to start?"

Realizing Zhang Weimin couldn't sway Ye Chen, Yan Huaili shifted focus to the most crucial issue—money!

Yiren Ruxue had just started; how could Ye Chen possibly have the funds for luxury real estate?

Ye Chen, however, simply smiled.

"Secretary Yan, when the time comes, the funds will be there. I won't rely on Yiren Ruxue. At least not for this real estate venture."

"Not relying on Yiren Ruxue?"

Both Yan Huaili and Zhang Weimin were stunned.

If not Yiren Ruxue, then what?

Surely, he wasn't planning to conjure wealth out of thin air?

What they didn't know was that Ye Chen had his eyes on bigger prey—Stella Corp. His last short-selling move was just an appetizer.

The real feast lay ahead.

When he leveraged the next opportunity to short Stella, the profits would be more than enough to launch his real estate empire.

And let's not forget Zhao, the coal tycoon.

As for Zhang Jingshan and Li Changfeng, well, they were just along for the ride.

"Rest assured, both of you. I have a clear grasp of priorities and won't lose balance," Ye Chen said confidently.

Hearing Ye Chen dodge the question, Zhang Weimin and Yan Huaili, seasoned as they were, chose not to press further.

They simply nodded, feeling Ye Chen's mystery deepen.

Where was his money coming from?

How much wool was there for him to keep pulling?

"By the way, secretaries, I'm here for more than just land. There's something else!" Ye Chen shifted the topic.

"Oh? What is it?"

Before Zhang Weimin or Yan Huaili could respond, a voice chimed in.

"Ah, Xiao Ye, Secretary Yan, you're all here!"

It was Zhang Xingguo, the head of Yong'an Construction and Zhang Weimin's son.