Chapter 15: Paying the Tuition Fees

“Changing jobs?” Zheng Qian was somewhat puzzled.

Li Tao, as the head of a department in the company, had been with the firm for five years, earning a stable income and living a happy life. Why would he want to switch jobs when everything seemed fine?

“Yes, changing jobs.”

“After paying off the mortgage and car loan every month, plus basic living expenses, there’s hardly any savings left.”

“Ye Bei is a second-tier consumer city with no real industry to support it. I’m already thirty, and I want to have another child with your sister-in-law.”

Zheng Qian understood Li Tao’s meaning clearly: the company had no prospects. He had already reached the top and couldn’t move any higher unless he switched jobs.

“A few years ago, I met a client who recently contacted me to ask if I was interested in working with him. After some thought, I agreed.”

Zheng Qian’s company was in transportation, but most days he was either stuck in the office or visiting clients. Essentially, it was a company that thrived on information gaps, with no real industry backing it.

Clients who needed transport would contact them, and they would then reach out to the actual transport company, charging a fee for the information — essentially acting as a middleman.

“My client’s name is Chen Weiqiang. His family owns some real business, and they gave him some capital to start his own venture.”

“What kind of business?”

“Also transportation, but maritime transport. One ship of seventy thousand tons on international routes, and two ships of forty thousand tons each on inland routes. He’s already secured the licenses.”

“You’re capable and have worked with me for so long. I want to bring you over to their business department. Are you interested?”

Suddenly, Zheng Qian understood why Li Tao was being so hesitant about this: it was a form of mentorship on the surface, but essentially poaching from the old employer.

“Tao, I’m really grateful for the opportunity you’re giving me.”

“That’s good then.” Li Tao let out a sigh of relief.

“Monday is tomorrow. You can go directly to handle the resignation. We’ll move over by Wednesday. How does that sound?”

“Wait, Tao, do you think this company is reliable?”

“Absolutely. Why?”

“If you say it’s reliable, then I want to buy some shares.”

“Buy shares? Hahaha.” Li Tao laughed heartily. “You’re thinking too much. Their business is huge. Do you know how much a single ship costs? What shares are you talking about?”

Zheng Qian couldn’t reveal anything about the system to outsiders, not even to Li Tao.

Suddenly inspired, Zheng Qian said, “Tao, didn’t I just tell you I have a girlfriend now? She’s willing to invest some money to support my startup. Since this opportunity is reliable, why not buy some shares and work together?”

“You haven’t been drinking too much and joking with me, have you?” Li Tao was stunned, disbelief written all over his face.

“How much are you planning to invest?”

“Thirty million. How many shares would that get me?”

Li Tao was completely baffled. This guy was really living off his girlfriend’s wealth. Just changing girlfriends and now thirty million to support a startup? Why hadn’t Zheng Qian mentioned this girl before?

“Really, Tao? Don’t look at me like that. How many shares can thirty million buy?”

“Well... you have to talk to President Liu. If you’re serious, I can set up a meeting for you tomorrow.”

“Okay.”

“You’re something else...” Li Tao punched Zheng Qian hard on the chest. “So, how did you two meet?”

“That’s a long story... I’ll tell you in detail another day.”

Zheng Qian had actually been considering entrepreneurship for a long time; it wasn’t a sudden idea.

Once a person accepts a salary or wage, their mind often stops thinking. They earn, spend, and sometimes even live beyond their means.

This traps them forever in the mindset and perspective of an employee.

Moreover, the system had warned Zheng Qian that once he got married, it would automatically disappear and the tenfold cashback would cease.

Just last night, when the system asked if he wanted to marry Jin Lu, Zheng Qian had nothing but the system’s money — not a penny of his own. How could he marry her?

Zheng Qian was a romantic at heart but couldn’t remain unmarried forever. It was important to use the time while the system existed to elevate his wealth to a certain level. One day, he might even impulsively marry a woman.

Without building a business empire, at least he had to accumulate enough wealth to truly control it.

Relying solely on working for others could never achieve financial freedom. Like Jack Ma, Pony Ma, and Robin Li, who control stakes in many companies — even if they did nothing all year, their dividends alone would be more than enough to live on.

It was best to plan ahead and prepare for the future.

When the system was gone, Zheng Qian still wanted to be a wealthy man.

What Li Tao proposed was an opportunity — using the system’s cashback to start a business.

Zheng Qian wasn’t concerned about losing money. His current goal was to broaden his horizons and gain business knowledge.

If he lost money, he’d consider it tuition.

After their conversation, Zheng Qian sent a message to Jin Lu, asking her to come pick him up.

Li Tao smiled as he accompanied Zheng Qian downstairs, seeming eager to meet Zheng Qian’s new girlfriend.

When Zheng Qian got into the 760Li with a temporary license plate and sat in the passenger seat, he rolled down the window and greeted Li Tao, “Tao, I’m off now. You can head back.”

Li Tao saw the brand-new car and the dignified, elegant Jin Lu sitting in the driver’s seat, radiating a queenly aura.

Damn, she was definitely a white-collar rich beauty!

He nodded at Zheng Qian, typed a few messages on his phone, and then headed upstairs.

Zheng Qian soon received a message from Li Tao: "You really are amazing..."

“How much did you drink to laugh like that?” Jin Lu glanced at Zheng Qian, who was grinning foolishly at his phone.

“Ha ha ha, not much. Don’t believe me? Smell...” Zheng Qian leaned in and left a deep kiss mark on Jin Lu’s cheek.

“You drank and still came?”

“Of course. I’m a tough guy.”

“I don’t believe you.”

“Then I’ll make you believe in a while.”

“Good, if you can.” Jin Lu smirked mischievously.

Back at Jiangshan International, Jin Lu carried Zheng Qian out of the car.

“Is that all?” Jin Lu tapped the back of Zheng Qian’s hand resting on her.

“Tao must have given me fake liquor. The aftereffects are so strong. Don’t get too pleased...” Zheng Qian had been boasting just moments ago, but now he was utterly drained, his cheeks flushed red.

If one word could describe Zheng Qian’s state now, it would be:

Helpless yet willing...