Chapter 60: Starting Out Eight Billion in Debt

The public transportation system of Haidu City embodies the latest advancements in technology: completely pollution-free, hydrogen-powered buses. Each single deck seats thirty passengers, and with two levels, a bus can accommodate up to sixty people. With a fully-equipped hydrogen engine, the buses can reach a top speed of 120 kilometers per hour and, at maximum range, can circle the city of Haidu three times—making it the most advanced urban transit system in the world.

Even more impressive, under the city government’s public welfare initiatives, just one Han-Tang coin allows for unlimited rides all day—no one will ever hassle you about it! The space between seats is generous; even those tall and broad-shouldered would find nothing to complain about. Long legs have ample room to stretch, and the seat cushions are designed on the basis of human spinal pathology, so that even if you nap with your head tilted, you’ll never wake with a crick in your neck.

This was the treatment Xiao Kaitian and the young man beside him were enjoying. Of course, they weren’t alone; the bus carried many others. Yet, the rest of the passengers were huddled together, not daring to come within two meters of Xiao Kaitian and the young man.

Xiao Kaitian studied the young man, who had just removed his sunglasses. Handsome? Not particularly. Yet he wasn’t unattractive, just a rather forgettable, everyman face. What was a bit unsettling, though, was his lazy left eye, giving him a permanent squint and causing his head to tilt slightly.

His name was nothing special—reminiscent of a minor character in an anime series: Lin Xiang.

An ordinary man with a fighting strength of about six, Xiao Kaitian finally pieced together the story after a series of explanations. Lin Xiang was his classmate—strictly speaking, a junior high classmate.

They had met in middle school. To put it plainly, Lin Xiang had been the “follower” or die-hard buddy of the former Xiao Kaitian—a role somewhere between loyal sidekick and trusted friend.

In those days, Xiao Kaitian was brimming with youthful pride and spent money like water. Though he was foolish, he wasn’t completely clueless; he always remembered those who treated him well, and Lin Xiang was one of the few.

They were kindred spirits; their ways of thinking and intelligence matched, so it was only natural that they’d become friends. The friendship endured.

But Lin Xiang was never particularly successful, mostly because he didn’t share Xiao Kaitian’s background. When it came time for high school entrance exams, he simply couldn’t make the cut and dropped out, becoming what people call a “man of society.”

Fortunately, Xiao Kaitian still looked after him. For the sake of this bond, Lin Xiang became Xiao Kaitian’s loyal follower, respectfully calling him “Brother Xiao.”

Now, as Lin Xiang looked at him with that ever-so-slightly cocked head, Xiao Kaitian couldn’t help but lick his lips. “Why are you picking me up in Hermes clothes, but taking the bus?”

“Brother Xiao, you bought me this Hermes,” Lin Xiang replied with a broad grin. He was a regular guy, not a complete fool. “You’ve always taken care of me. The company’s having a bit of trouble, so I thought I shouldn’t dress too fancy to pick you up. Honestly, I just couldn’t afford anything but the bus.”

Xiao Kaitian glanced at the passengers keeping a two-meter radius. He turned his face away. “So what exactly happened to the company?”

“Tang All-Under-Heaven—that’s your company’s name, Brother Xiao.” Lin Xiang began his explanation. He didn’t know what was important and what wasn’t, so he just said everything on his mind. The young lady had instructed him that Xiao Kaitian had lost his memory, so he needed to start from the beginning. “It’s not too serious,” he added, wiping his nose.

Unlike Uncle Zhong, Lin Xiang had at least a middle school education, so his recounting was reasonably clear. Xiao Kaitian quickly grasped the gist.

Tang All-Under-Heaven was the company “he” had founded after graduating from Zhendan University—a conglomerate involved in who-knows-how-many sectors. Nearly every business category registered with the Market Supervision Bureau was covered.

In short, the group’s main business spanned practically every imaginable economic project; how it had ever gotten such approvals was anyone’s guess.

Given Xiao Kaitian’s status at the time, it wasn’t surprising that people wanted to ingratiate themselves, though more likely, many just wanted to watch the spectacle.

It was a game—no one wanted to offend the Xiao family, but everyone enjoyed playing along with a fool. After all, what company could possibly cover every industry? That wasn’t a business leader—that was a god.

But even then, Xiao Kaitian wasn’t truly a fool. He understood that you couldn’t become rich overnight, so he concentrated his efforts on a major joint development project in Haidu: a complex integrating commercial, high-tech, and luxury residential sectors.

This was called the “Future Century” project, originally planned with an investment of eighty billion. With the Xiao family’s backing, the initial Xiao Kaitian had secured the project with three billion in capital, and several banks had provided the remaining five billion in loans.

It had even attracted the attention of Haidu’s top leaders.

But after all the funds were invested and the basic infrastructure completed, disaster struck: Xiao Kaitian’s parents were embroiled in trouble, the Xiao family’s leadership changed, and his financial backing vanished.

The project had always carried risks, but now, with no guarantees and the new Xiao family head exerting pressure, every bank stopped funding and demanded repayment.

The original eight-billion investment was only enough for the basic infrastructure; continued progress relied on cash flow from pre-sales and other sales tactics. With the rug pulled out from under him, Xiao Kaitian was left completely exposed.

This was the very crisis that had forced the original Xiao Kaitian to flee abroad.

After much turmoil, the bank debts for this round had now been resolved by Miss Zhao.

“Brother Xiao, to be frank, Miss Zhao has actually been good to you,” Lin Xiang sighed. “Without her this time, Tang All-Under-Heaven would really be finished.”

“But now that you’re back, I have hope again.” Lin Xiang shook his Hermes coat. “From what I gather, the hole at the bank is five billion. I checked with Miss Zhao’s people, and to revive the project, we’ll need at least three billion in working capital. Brother Xiao, I believe in you.”

Xiao Kaitian was speechless. This was starting out with an eight-billion debt.

“With another three billion in working capital, the project can go ahead. According to analysis, the total investment will be eleven billion, but the eventual return is projected at… at least one trillion!” Lin Xiang finished, a proud smile playing on his lips.

The other passengers on the bus shrank even further away.

“These two must be crazy—talking about billions like it’s nothing. What do they think it is, bodily fluids…?”

“Is this some sort of pyramid scheme…?”

“Keep your voice down. Their clothes look real enough, anyway…”

“Mom…”

“Shh! Don’t say a word!”

“So, Brother Xiao,” Lin Xiang filtered out all these whispers, “let’s stop by the company first. Some employees have been eager to see you. Brother Xiao, I believe in you! You can do it!”

Xiao Kaitian lowered his head. “Alright.”