Chapter 40 Short of Money

Chapter 40: Short on Money

When Zhang Ningfu hurried over on his '28-erbā' bicycle, the first thing he saw was the black sedan parked in the open space in front of the shop.

His second glance fell on the tall young man standing outside and the helper, Xiao Lu, inside.

Xiao Lu, Zhang Ningfu’s nephew, had been doing contract work for him since junior high graduation, earning living expenses to ease his family’s burden.

Xiao Lu seemed to be saying something to the young man, who listened quietly.

Just as Zhang Ningfu squeezed the brakes and dismounted his bicycle, Xiao Lu immediately looked over and called out, "Uncle."

Jiang Luo also turned to look.

Zhang Ningfu parked his bike not far away and quickly approached, instinctively greeting Jiang Luo in dialect: "*Nong hao, nong hao*." He even extended his hand.

Seeing Zhang Ningfu, who had just turned fifty, Jiang Luo silently curved the corners of his lips and also reached out his hand, returning the greeting in dialect.

Zhang Ningfu shook hands vigorously, then gestured inside: "Come in and sit. It’s hot outside."

He added apologetically, "Sorry, the young one hasn't learned proper manners yet. He didn’t invite you inside to sit and have some water."

Xiao Lu, who indeed lacked social graces, muttered beside them, "I did ask him."

"You go ahead."

Zhang Ningfu had no time to deal with Xiao Lu and instead urged Jiang Luo: "Come, come, please come inside."

He was very polite: "Sorry, the shop is quite messy. Don’t mind it."

"Come inside. I have an office with air conditioning. I’ll turn it on for you."

But as they passed through the outer workshop and entered the office, Zhang Ningfu turned on the air conditioner, only to find it wouldn’t blow cold air.

Zhang Ningfu had rushed over and was sweating profusely. He turned his back to Jiang Luo, trying to get the AC working. Jiang Luo watched, silently amused, thinking to himself that this penny-pinching habit of his really dated back to his early years.

He’d bought the air conditioner but was too frugal to use it or pay for the electricity, leaving it as furniture. Now, when he needed it, it wouldn’t work.

"Just turn on the fan," Jiang Luo said, sitting down on the sofa on his own.

"My apologies."

Zhang Ningfu tilted his head, wiped the sweat from his face with his sleeve, and hurried to turn on the electric fan.

Once the fan was on, Zhang Ningfu rushed to pour tea, only to find there was no hot water in the thermos, making him even more embarrassed.

"Sit down," Jiang Luo said, inwardly amused. "I don’t need water. Don’t trouble yourself. I have water in my car."

"Oh, okay."

Only then did Zhang Ningfu sit down on the sofa as well. As he sat, he picked up an apple from the side table and offered it to Jiang Luo, ashamed of his poor hosting.

But there was nothing he could do. Zhang Ningfu wasn’t born to be a boss; he only knew how to make clothes.

After a moment of silence, Zhang Ningfu looked at Jiang Luo, rubbed his hands together, and made small talk: "My surname is Zhang, as in the official seal or stamp. What’s your surname, Boss?"

Jiang Luo replied, "Jiang, like the ginger root."

Zhang Ningfu nodded: "Boss Jiang."

Not knowing what else to say, he fell silent again briefly before getting straight to the point: "Did Boss Jiang come because you saw the 'shop for transfer' sign outside?"

Jiang Luo, much more composed, leaned back on the sofa and spoke casually: "Why are you transferring? Giving up?"

Zhang Ningfu sighed with self-mockery, "I can’t keep it up. Not enough orders."

He explained: "I used to be a tailor in town, and business was pretty good back then. I made some money."

"Later, one after another, workshops started opening in town to do clothing contract work. I thought since I had the skills, I’d open one too, but I couldn’t get enough orders. I couldn’t keep up with others."

"Rent, water and electricity—it all costs money."

"The couple helpers I’ve got also need to be paid."

"I can’t support it anymore."

Zhang Ningfu sighed: "Forget it. I might as well transfer it and lose less money."

Zhang Ningfu only said this much, but Jiang Luo, who had known him from his past life, was well aware of the underlying reasons:

Zhang Ningfu’s son had become a live-in son-in-law in Haicheng City. After having a child, his wife had also moved there to help with the child. Right now was when they needed money the most.

Zhang Ningfu had started this workshop hoping to hold on a little longer, but his wife and son in the city had both called, urging him to sell the money-losing small workshop, return to his former tailoring business, make real money, and help with household expenses.

Zhang Ningfu, by himself, couldn’t naturally oppose both his wife and son. The family needed to eat, and there was a newborn granddaughter to raise. So he made up his mind to quit and transfer the shop.

Zhang Ningfu was not one for roundabout talk. After explaining his reasons and resolve to transfer the shop, he moved on to discuss the details about the operation: how many machines, the rent, the number of workers, how much could be produced daily for different contract tasks, and his target price for the transfer.

As he spoke, Zhang Ningfu glanced at Boss Jiang on the other side of the coffee table, wondering to himself.

He thought Boss Jiang looked awfully young. Was someone this young really here to do business?

Then again, the man had a car. Young as he was, he might indeed be a successful businessman with money to spare.

Zhang Ningfu didn't anticipate that after he’d laid out all the details, Boss Jiang would say, "You’ve told me everything. How will you bargain now?"

?

Zhang Ningfu was stunned.

A man in his fifties, he looked utterly naive and clueless, like an inexperienced youth.

Jiang Luo was chuckling inside but kept his composure, saying, "What sensible person would begin by saying business is bad when trying to transfer a shop?"

"If business is bad, who would want to take over? Only a fool, right?"

Only then did Zhang Ningfu come to his senses and quickly backtrack: "No, no, business isn’t bad."

"It’s just that I’m no good at managing a contract business. I’m not good at it."

"In our town, there are plenty of clothing contract workshops, and their business is booming."

"Honestly, no kidding."

"If you take over this shop, you'll definitely handle it better than I did. You'll be turning a profit in no time."

Jiang Luo burst out laughing.

Zhang Ningfu was still so easy to fluster—such an honest man.

Seeing Jiang Luo laugh, Zhang Ningfu thought he was being mocked for his Monday morning quarterbacking, and his heart tightened.

It was rare to have a boss who drove a car come to discuss the transfer, and now he was about to shoot himself in the foot.

Zhang Ningfu sighed inwardly, beating himself up over his incompetence—so utterly useless.

Just then, the desk phone on the desk behind him rang loudly, ringing off the hook.

Zhang Ningfu quickly stood up and went to hang up the phone, but as soon as he did, it rang again.

Knowing it was likely his wife or son, Zhang Ningfu glanced awkwardly toward the sofa and picked up the receiver. As soon as he answered, he hissed into the phone, "Hello, I'm discussing the shop transfer with a boss right now. Whatever it is, can we talk later?"

"Okay, okay, I understand..."

He didn’t hang up immediately.

Jiang Luo leaned back on the sofa, silently observing Zhang Ningfu, as if from a fly-on-the-wall perspective, coolly assessing an ordinary person’s ordinary life—a tailor in a small town for decades, scraping by to support his family, only to start a business at fifty and lose at least half his savings, while also catching flak from his wife and son.

And fate, without even applying much pressure, had already been cruel enough—in his previous life, Zhang Ningfu had struggled to transfer the shop, finally managing to sell it at a rock-bottom price, which left his family unhappy.

Zhang Ningfu soon returned to being a tailor, working around the clock at his sewing machine to keep the lights on.

He grew older, his back bent, his vision failing.

The money he earned went almost entirely to his wife and son—raising the child, supporting the family, buying a house, buying a car.

He never took a day off, nor dared to.

Even so, the income from being an ordinary tailor was barely enough to get by.

Chained to his sewing machine, never cutting corners, he grew increasingly dead tired and burned out.

It wasn’t until later that Zhang Ningfu met Jiang Luo, who by then had become Boss Jiang.

Jiang Luo admired Zhang Ningfu because his tailoring skills were genuinely exceptional.

Recognizing his talent, Jiang Luo offered Zhang Ningfu a good salary, had him train new tailors, manage factory workers, and create clothing samples.

In his previous life, Jiang Luo had also met Zhang Ningfu’s wife, son, daughter-in-law, and granddaughter—the family, at least outwardly, seemed harmonious.

Jiang Luo knew well that Zhang Ningfu loved his family—his wife, son, and granddaughter.

He worked tirelessly his whole life, never slowing down, not for himself, but for his family.

Now, watching this honest man standing by the desk on the phone, Jiang Luo stood up, deciding not to beat around the bush or mess with this middle-aged guy with the weight of the world on his shoulders any longer.

But Zhang Ningfu grew anxious. Seeing Jiang Luo rise, he thought Boss Jiang had gotten mad and was leaving. He hurriedly set down the phone, saying, "Sit, sit, Boss Jiang, let me make you some tea."

Jiang Luo looked at him, taking his time. "No need for tea. I’ll take the shop—everything included. The machines and workers, I’ll keep them all."

"Grab some paper and a pen, draw up a contract. We’ll sign it, and I’ll give you a thousand as a deposit."

"Clean the place up afterward. In a few days, I’ll bring the money and we’ll wrap up the transfer."

It was so sudden. Zhang Ningfu stood stunned, rooted to the spot.

Jiang Luo continued calmly, "But before that, I have one condition."

A condition?

Zhang Ningfu looked at Jiang Luo.

Jiang Luo met his gaze. "Boss Zhang, you’ll have to stay on board as an employee."

"If you stay, I’ll take over the shop."

"If you don’t, I won’t."

Huh?

Zhang Ningfu was even more astonished, his eyes full of confusion as he stared at Jiang Luo.

Jiang Luo found it amusing, thinking that Zhang Ningfu, just past fifty, was a lot more fun than the old man later weighed down by life.

On a whim, Jiang Luo decided to tease him again, teasingly adding, "Once I take over the shop, you’ll lead the team—the current workers and new hires—in designing samples and switching to making adult lingerie for men and women. As sexy as possible."

Zhang Ningfu: "...???"

Jiang Luo couldn’t help but laugh, laughing to himself.

After reuniting with Zhang Ningfu in Jiading and more or less finalizing the workshop acquisition, Jiang Luo drove back to the city.

On the road, recalling Zhang Ningfu’s torn, at-a-loss look when seeing him off, Jiang Luo laughed again while driving.

Everything had gone smoothly.

Jiang Luo felt relaxed and pretty pleased with himself.

Back in the city, returning to the Hilton, Jiang Luo borrowed the front desk phone to call Huo Zongzhuo’s cell phone.

Huo Zongzhuo answered quickly. Jiang Luo asked, "Where are you? Want to have dinner together tonight?"

The voice on the other end was calm. "You’re back already? I thought you went to Jiading."

Jiang Luo: "Just got back. I’m at the hotel."

Huo Zongzhuo: "Did it go well?"

Jiang Luo: "Let’s talk in person."

Huo Zongzhuo: "Okay."

Jiang Luo: "Huating Hotel?"

Huo Zongzhuo: "Your treat or mine?"

Jiang Luo leaned against the front desk, laid-back and joking. "If it’s Huating, then Huating should treat."

Huo Zongzhuo chuckled. "I’ll treat. If you leave it to Huating, they’ll either seat us at the best table in the house or show us the door."

Jiang Luo laughed too. "Then you treat. Good thing I wasn’t planning on picking up the tab today anyway."

Huo Zongzhuo: "You don't need to pay when having a meal with me."

Jiang Luo ribbed: "Are you a big shot selling airplanes?"

"See you in a bit."

Huo Zongzhuo: "Alright, see you in a bit."

In the evening, they met at Huating Restaurant. After sitting down, Jiang Luo, the one being treated, proactively picked up the menu to order—he was pretty familiar with Huo Zongzhuo by now, so there was no need for formalities or reservations. Besides, Jiang Luo was never the type to act cautiously in his dealings.

Huo Zongzhuo went along with Jiang Luo. Seeing Jiang Luo take the menu and order from the waiter on his own, he was just as happy to let him decide what to eat for the night. Instead, he picked up the water pitcher and refilled Jiang Luo’s half-drunk glass.

After ordering, the waiter left, and Huo Zongzhuo asked Jiang Luo, "It seems things went smoothly today?"

Jiang Luo took a sip of water. "Smooth? Of course it was."

His tone carried a confident "Don’t you know who I am?" vibe.

This was exactly the Jiang Luo that Huo Zongzhuo liked—he liked it a lot.

He also took a sip of water. "So, what went so smoothly? Tell me."

Jiang Luo explained, "Juxiang Town in Jiading is now full of clothing workshops doing fabric processing. Coincidentally, one shop was for sale. I went to discuss it and it's basically a done deal. The deposit's paid."

"The original owner is in his early fifties, used to be a tailor with good skills. I kept him on."

Huo Zongzhuo looked at him gently. "So you’re really going into the clothing business?"

Jiang Luo smirked. "No, I’m buying the shop to build a house, and then I’ll raise cows and chickens inside."

Huo Zongzhuo knew Jiang Luo was pulling his leg and smiled. "What made you think of going into clothing?"

Jiang Luo took another sip of water, his eyes lifting, bright and clear under the restaurant lights. "The money's good. When ordinary people start a business, if they’re capable, it’s either food or clothing. The food industry is a 'grueling business'—limited profits and exhausting. Clothing is much better. Profit depends entirely on how much you sell each piece for and how many you can sell."

Huo Zongzhuo picked up on something in his words. "Have you done it before? You seem to know a lot."

Jiang Luo laughed. "I've been around the block."

Huo Zongzhuo chuckled too. Jiang Luo was young but sharp, full of ideas—definitely not someone to underestimate.

He had originally thought that if Jiang Luo didn’t know much, he could offer some pointers and later introduce him to friends in the clothing industry to make some introductions and guide him.

But now, it seemed that might not be necessary for the time being?

The young man had a good head on his shoulders.

Still, Huo Zongzhuo asked, "Need any help from me?"

Jiang Luo replied, "Help? I’m making women’s clothing. You wouldn’t make the cut as a model. Maybe when I start making men’s wear."

Huo Zongzhuo couldn’t help but laugh. "Making fun of me again?"

Jiang Luo grinned. "Yep, and you won’t get mad at me."

Huo Zongzhuo feigned annoyance, but his tone was even gentler, even amused. "I am mad, of course I am."

"You’re buying tonight’s meal."

Jiang Luo immediately turned and raised his hand, signaling to a waiter in the distance. "Tell the kitchen to cancel our order. We’re not eating…"

Huo Zongzhuo laughed so hard his chest shook. "Alright, alright, you got me. Let’s eat—I was just joking."

Jiang Luo turned back, raising a cocky eyebrow at him across the table.

Huo Zongzhuo hadn’t even started eating yet, but he was already feeling thoroughly pleased.

He really, really liked Jiang Luo like this.

Once the food arrived, the two chatted briefly about the current clothing industry and market.

Huo Zongzhuo’s view was that opportunities were everywhere, and anyone could make money, but the market wasn’t a bottomless pit—it wouldn’t accept just any product. In the end, only good quality or unique items that met consumer needs would stand firm.

Jiang Luo, on the other hand, felt that the clothing industry was a blue ocean across low, mid, and high-end markets. He had two directions in mind: one targeting mid-to-high-end with brands and high quality, expanding through major department stores; the other focusing on the mass low-end market, which would be huge. Branding mattered less here, but the clothing still had to be decent quality and offer plenty of styles.

They went back and forth, talking as they ate, and continued even after finishing their meal, chatting all the way out of Huating Restaurant and down the elevator.

Still talking as they headed to the car, Jiang Luo asked, "You seem to know a lot about the clothing industry. Why haven’t you gone into it?"

Huo Zongzhuo: "Maybe I will in the future, hard to say. Just not right now."

"Given the current domestic situation, I’m more optimistic about real estate and home appliances."

As someone who had been reborn, Jiang Luo naturally knew Huo Zongzhuo would venture into real estate and home appliances—and that both industries would be hugely profitable in the future.

He was just a bit curious: "You just tell me outright what you’re optimistic about? Aren’t you afraid I’ll steal your thunder?"

Huo Zongzhuo smiled. "Go ahead. If you make money and become a big boss, as long as you’re still willing to have meals with me, that’s fine."

Jiang Luo teased, "Your standards are way too low."

Huo Zongzhuo turned his head. "Low?"

Jiang Luo laughed. "The least I could do is treat you to a bathhouse with hot springs and foot massages like the ones in Wenzhou."

Huo Zongzhuo laughed too.

In such good spirits, Huo Zongzhuo didn’t even bother getting his own car. He left it behind and got into Jiang Luo’s Mercedes-Benz W140, and the two returned to the Hilton together.

On the way, Huo Zongzhuo shared something else with Jiang Luo: he had another very important matter during this return to Haicheng.

He was going to meet with several officials from Pudong to hold small meetings about Pudong’s development.

Jiang Luo, driving, paused inwardly: he naturally knew about Pudong’s future development and could foresee Huo Zongzhuo’s meteoric rise. But he hadn’t expected Pudong to be connected to Huo Zongzhuo.

Jiang Luo reacted quickly, his mind racing through possibilities. After a moment, he said, "Because Pudong is short on funds?"

Huo Zongzhuo was very surprised. He knew Jiang Luo was smart, but not this sharp—to have guessed it.

Most people wouldn’t care about Pudong at all these days.

There was even a local saying going around: "Better a bed in Puxi than a room in Pudong."

But Huo Zongzhuo was willing to discuss these things with Jiang Luo, not hesitating to share important national-level developments.

"Yes, it’s short on funds."

Huo Zongzhuo: "Just for the three districts of Jinqiao, Waigaoqiao, and Lujiazui, it will take at least ten billion in investment."

Jiang Luo listened quietly while driving, "One hundred billion? Pudong's current GDP is only 60 billion."

Huo Zongzhuo was taken aback again—Jiang Luo even understood GDP and could rattle off Pudong's GDP number. This wasn't something regular folks knew or cared about.

Jiang Luo continued, "What's Pudong's current funding? How much has the state allocated?"

Huo Zongzhuo naturally didn’t know the exact amount. Such detailed and confidential data wouldn’t be shared with him by Pudong's leadership.

Huo Zongzhuo took a guess, "I’d estimate the allocation won’t exceed a hundred million."

Jiang Luo followed up, "A hundred million versus a hundred billion—that’s still a shortfall of 99 billion."

After a moment’s thought, Jiang Luo added, "Land sales could be a way to fund it."

"No wonder they want to meet with you. You have money, you’re optimistic about real estate—Pudong would naturally turn to you for 'financing.'"

Huo Zongzhuo was amused.

How does a kid like him get such a clear grasp of national development issues?

Isn't he just too smart?

Huo Zongzhuo changed the subject from Pudong and asked Jiang Luo, "You're just eighteen, so young—how do you know all this?" And he spoke with such conviction.

Huo Zongzhuo was genuinely puzzled. "Where did this oddball come from?"

Jiang Luo turned his head, replying matter-of-factly, "You said it yourself—you’re optimistic about real estate, and Pudong invited you to meetings."

"They asked you to meet because they're strapped for cash. Otherwise, why would they bother?"

Was it really just that?

Huo Zongzhuo kept looking at Jiang Luo and remarked, "Are you from the 21st century or something, with insider knowledge of Haicheng’s future development?"

Jiang Luo shrugged, "Yeah, and I also know you’ll marry three wives and have ten sons, with your family fighting over the inheritance until they’re bloodied."

Huo Zongzhuo took it back, "Alright, you’re not from the future."

Jiang Luo also backtracked, "Fine, I’ll be honest. Actually, you’ll have ten daughters, and each one will be super devoted to you."

Huo Zongzhuo knew he would never have sons or daughters—he was gay, he wouldn’t marry, wouldn’t have a wife, and certainly no children.

He skipped over that topic and returned to Pudong, "So, what do you think? Want to join me in this?"

"Real estate has at least 20 years of golden opportunities ahead. You'll make way more money, faster, than you would selling clothes."

Jiang Luo didn’t hesitate, "NO."

Huo Zongzhuo pressed, "You could start a real estate company, be your own boss."

Jiang Luo chuckled dismissively and started joking again, "Can’t we each succeed in our own fields and meet at the top?"

He clicked his tongue, "Why are you always trying to drag me onto your pirate ship?"

Huo Zongzhuo asked, "You won’t even go for easy money?"

Jiang Luo replied casually, "If you need a bank loan, are you going to drag me along as a guarantor?"

Huo Zongzhuo still didn’t give up, "You could really make money."

Jiang Luo turned his head, both exasperated and sincere, "Bro, I’m really not joining you."

"It’s not that I’m ignoring easy money—I’m just purely arrogant and stubborn. I run my business strictly on my own terms."

"Don’t worry, once I’ve made money in clothing and my company’s finances are solid, I’ll definitely want a piece of the real estate pie."

"If the golden era of domestic real estate lasts 20 years, I’ll make sure to grab at least 10 years of it and earn no less than nine figures."

Only then did Huo Zongzhuo drop the subject.

He looked at Jiang Luo, "Nine figures—that’s quite ambitious."

Jiang Luo said, "I learned from watching you, the big shot. You’re flipping planes domestically and internationally, making eight-figure profits effortlessly. I’m just following your lead."

Huo Zongzhuo laughed, "You’re calling me a pig?"

Jiang Luo oinked twice, "I’m the pig, you’re the tycoon. In a pig’s eyes, everyone’s a pig."

Huo Zongzhuo chuckled, "I really can’t outtalk you."

After a moment of silence, Huo Zongzhuo said gently and sincerely, "If you run into any difficulties later with your clothing business, starting a company, or opening a factory, remember to tell me. I’ll definitely help you."

"Don’t hesitate to ask for help. It’s normal to seek assistance when getting by in the world."

Jiang Luo abruptly said, "Why don’t you just take my surname? You’re so concerned about me."

Huh?

Jiang Luo glanced back at Huo Zongzhuo, "If I call you Dad, you can rightfully take care of me."

Huo Zongzhuo burst out laughing, "You want me to take your surname just so you can call me Dad? You really are something else."

Huo Zongzhuo cursed lightly, "Brat!"

Jiang Luo called out, "Jiang Zongzhuo, Jiang Zongzhuo!"

Huo Zongzhuo retorted, "Get lost."

Laughter filled the car.