Borrowing Zhao Qian's real estate shell?

To be honest, Ye Chen hated owing favors to people like this.

There was simply no need.

Finding a cheap real estate company shell wasn't difficult, and money wasn't an issue for him.

If Zhao Qian wanted to hand over his real estate company's shell, knowing his personality, there was a high chance he wouldn't ask for a penny.

So, when Zhao Jiwei brought it up, Ye Chen frowned slightly.

Zhao Jiwei caught the change in his expression and, as if reading his thoughts, quickly added:

"Ye Ge, actually, if we take over this company, we wouldn't be taking advantage of my dad. We'd be doing him a favor. That company is worthless. Honestly, no one would take it even if it were free. There are no assets, and keeping the company running means covering salaries and expenses. For my dad, it's a burden. If we take over, we're helping him offload it."

"Ye Ge, I agree with Jiwei. Why not just take Zhao Shu's company? It saves us the trouble of looking elsewhere," Zhang Jingshan chimed in.

The group had already discussed this.

At first, Zhang Jingshan and Li Changfeng felt it was unnecessary to owe Zhao Qian anything—after all, they weren't short on money.

But after learning the true state of Zhao Qian's company, they let go of their reservations.

As Zhao Jiwei said, that real estate company was a hot potato for Zhao Qian. Even someone as wealthy as Zhao Qian wouldn't want to keep a perpetually unprofitable company. No matter how rich someone is, holding onto a hopeless, loss-making business is unacceptable.

Even if they didn't take it, Zhao Qian would have to dissolve and liquidate it eventually. Taking over wouldn't mean owing Zhao Qian a favor—if anything, Zhao Qian would owe them thanks.

Following Zhang Jingshan's words, Li Changfeng added:

"Ye Ge, do you think you'll owe Zhao Shu a favor? At first, Jingshan and I thought the same, but after understanding the situation, we realized we'd actually be helping him. He'd be grateful, not the other way around."

"Ye Ge, they're right. What do you think?" Zhao Jiwei pressed.

Suddenly, Ye Chen's eyes lit up.

"I've got it!"

He quickly reeled in his fishing line.

A three to four-pound fish thrashed at the end of the hook, drawing Zhang Jingshan and the others' attention.

Watching Ye Chen's expert handling of the line and hook, Zhang Jingshan and Li Changfeng were stunned.

"Ye Ge... since when were you this good at fishing?"

Little did they know—

In his previous life, Ye Chen's fishing skills were second to none.

Countless high-ranking officials and elites often invited Ye Chen to fish with them.

Some retired figures from the Forbidden City regularly sought him out.

They claimed that fishing with Ye Chen was pure enjoyment.

"Ye Ge, did you fish often before?" Zhang Jingshan asked as Ye Chen cast his line again.

"Just a hobby in my free time," Ye Chen replied with a light smile.

"No wonder!" Zhang Jingshan nodded in surprise.

But Zhao Jiwei could only smile bitterly.

Why had the topic shifted to fishing?

Weren't they talking about the company shell?

Clearing his throat, Zhao Jiwei said, "Ye Ge, about what we were just discussing—what do you think?"

"Well, since you've all made up your minds, what else can I say?"

Ye Chen shook his head with a laugh.

"If you three think we should take Zhao Shu's real estate shell, then let's do it. Get started right away—relocate the company to Jiangzhou. As for restructuring, handle the details yourselves."

"Got it, Ye Ge! With your approval, I'll get started. Once the company is transferred, we'll tear it down and rebuild. We'll just keep the shell!" Zhao Jiwei grinned.

"Sure, I trust you guys. With your experience in the business world, I've got nothing to worry about," Ye Chen said with a smile.

"Ye Ge, since you trust us, we won't let you down. But... can I ask you something?"

Li Changfeng hesitated.

"Go ahead."

"Okay, Ye Ge, about entering the high-end real estate market... where do you plan to start? In Jiangzhou, all the prime land is already in the hands of the giants. How much room do we have left? Are you planning to buy land from them?" Li Changfeng asked.

But Ye Chen shook his head.

"From the moment I set my sights on high-end real estate, I knew I couldn't take the usual path. The land those giants hoard is fine for mass development or mid-range projects. But for high-end real estate? It lacks the potential.

"The market is oversaturated, and those giants' land doesn't appeal to me. Honestly, even if they gave it to me for free, I'd think twice. In this business, if a project doesn't promise at least ten billion in profit, I'm not interested."

Ye Chen's words left Zhang Jingshan, Li Changfeng, and Zhao Jiwei stunned.

"A project needs ten billion in profit, or it's not worth your time?"

If anyone else heard this, they'd think Ye Chen was either bragging or delusional.

Even to real estate giants, profits of that scale were a pipe dream.

But in that moment, the three felt a strange dryness in their throats.

"Ye Ge, so what's your plan? Where will you strike first?" Li Changfeng asked urgently.

Ye Chen's gaze sharpened.

He spoke two words, calm yet commanding.

"Half-Mountain."