Chapter 0942 Imminent

Tan Kaixuan, if described by a line from a song, had a heart that never rested, easily stirred into action.

He had sold off all the KFC franchise rights he and Zhao Fusheng had secured together in the first half of 2002, investing the proceeds into real estate projects.

If that were all, Zhao Fusheng wouldn't have been so helpless. The key was that not long ago, the land Tan Kaixuan had acquired was officially designated for demolition.

Tan Kaixuan, without hesitation, sold it for forty million.

Yes, he made nearly thirty million in profit on the flip.

If things had stopped there, Zhao Fusheng might have applauded Tan Kaixuan. But the problem was that Tan Kaixuan, for some reason, had gained such confidence that he poured all that money, along with all the liquid capital from Brilliant Technology, totaling fifty million, into the stock market.

Calling it, in his words, 'buying the dip!'

When he got the news, Zhao Fusheng was so angry he nearly twisted his nose. On the phone, Tan Kaixuan swore to him, 'Don't worry, this time I'll give you a big surprise. Based on my analysis, barring any accidents, social security funds will enter the stock market within six months. Then we'll be raking it in.'

That was the news Zhao Fusheng got yesterday. The other news he received was that in Guangdong, people had already started panic-buying banlangen.

For Zhao Fusheng, these two events together meant that Tan Kaixuan's money was in extreme danger.

Because no one knew better than Zhao Fusheng how devastating the outbreak of SARS would be for the stock market.

When life and death were at stake, few people had the mind to speculate in stocks; it would be strange if the market didn't crash.

That was why Zhao Fusheng was so eager to meet Qian Dongliu. This matter involved too much; he had to be cautious.

Even for Zheng Yao and others far away in the capital, Zhao Fusheng had set a deadline: everyone must leave the capital before the Spring Festival on February 1st.

Because Zhao Fusheng knew that once the Spring Festival passed, leaving would not be so easy.

Although Zhang Qian didn't know what Zhao Fusheng was up to, he knew Zhao Fusheng wasn't one to act without reason. Since he wanted to see Qian Dongliu, there must be something important. With less than a week until the Spring Festival, places like internet cafes and arcades were at their peak consumption season.

So as soon as they left the airport, he sent a text message to Qian Dongliu.

They took a car back to the city. When they arrived at their building, Zhao Fusheng blinked and politely declined Zhang Qian's offer to see him home, instead asking him to take Yang Panpan.

'We're home now. I'm fine here. Go do what you need to do,' Zhao Fusheng said to Zhang Qian.

Zhang Qian was taken aback. 'But aren't you going to see Old Qian? I...'

'What about me? Don't worry about me. I have his number,' Zhao Fusheng said, rolling his eyes at the guy. Someone like him was destined to be alone.

Puzzled, Zhang Qian had no choice but to leave. Watching the car drive away, Fan Baobao stood beside Zhao Fusheng and suddenly laughed. 'Heh heh...'

'What's so funny?' Zhao Fusheng glanced at her.

'I'm laughing at you. You've made it so obvious you're helping him, and Zhang Qian still doesn't get it,' Fan Baobao said, carrying her suitcase. 'Maybe this is what they call a useless teammate?'

Zhao Fusheng laughed awkwardly and decided not to discuss the topic with Fan Baobao.

Because they had called ahead, when they entered the house, Zhao's mother and Li Yuan had already prepared a full table of dishes to welcome them. Fan Beibei pounced into Zhao Fusheng's arms.

Yes, bypassing Fan Baobao, who had her arms open to hug her.

'Brother, I missed you so much.' The five-year-old Fan Beibei wrapped her arms around Zhao Fusheng's neck and said sweetly. The little girl's speech was finally clear and much more fluent.

Zhao Fusheng chuckled and kissed her on the forehead. 'Brother missed Beibei too. I brought you lots of gifts.'

'Great!'

The little girl was overjoyed and planted a kiss on Zhao Fusheng's cheek with a smack.

'What about me? What about me?' Fan Baobao finally had a chance to speak, looking at Fan Beibei expectantly, hoping for her sister's 'favor.'

'Yeah, yeah, yeah, missed you, missed you.' The little girl climbed down from Zhao Fusheng, waved her hand casually, quite perfunctorily, and muttered, 'Such a grown-up, still acting like a kid...'

Fan Baobao was stunned, instantly bewildered.

Even Zhao Fusheng couldn't help laughing, amused by Fan Beibei's little-adult act.

Children are most interesting at this age, starting to have their own thoughts. When they get a bit older, around seven or eight, they're not as endearing as at four or five.

Zhao Fusheng knew this well from experience.

Fan Baobao was furious. At just five years old, daring to be so cheeky with her big sister—what would she be like later? Without a second thought, she rushed to Fan Beibei and, despite her protests, rubbed her face against Fan Beibei's little face, making her scream in agony.

Well, Fan Beibei screamed like this: 'Help! Someone is putting makeup on me with her face! Stop rubbing! Your rough skin is hurting me! I'm made of water! Fan Baobao, you wicked woman...'

Zhao Fusheng's mouth twitched. This little girl had definitely become a little imp.

In the end, Li Yuan came out of the kitchen and stopped the 'sibling rivalry' drama.

The family had a happy meal. Fan Baobao naturally went back with Li Yuan and her sister, leaving only Zhao's parents and Zhao Fusheng at home.

'You rascal, you don't come home unless it's New Year, do you?' Zhao's mother glared at her son, placing washed fruit on the coffee table as she spoke.

Zhao Fusheng grinned. 'Look what you're saying. I'm back now, aren't I?'

He knew his mother was just complaining. He was grown up now, and of course, his parents wanted him to do well outside.

All parents hope their children will succeed. If there's no opportunity, that's one thing, but if there is, who doesn't want their child to achieve fame and success?

Safety and success—

these are probably the two conflicting desires in the hearts of parents everywhere.

'How long are you planning to stay?' Zhao's father asked.

Zhao Fusheng frowned, thinking about his plans, and said hesitantly, 'I might stay a bit longer.'

'Oh?'

Zhao's father was startled, then gave his son a subtle look, nodded, and said, 'Good. Stay home and keep your mother company.'

Zhao's mother didn't think much of it. The news that her son, who was usually away all year, would stay home for a long time delighted her. She pulled Zhao Fusheng onto the sofa and started chatting, occasionally asking about his relationship with Fan Baobao and when they planned to have children.

After finally dealing with his mother and watching her go to the neighboring villa to chat with Li Yuan's family, Zhao Fusheng let out a long breath.

He looked at his father, who had been sitting nearby watching him with a knowing smile, and said bitterly, 'Did you figure something out?'

Zhao's father didn't beat around the bush. He nodded. 'When you said you planned to stay home for a while, I felt something was off. Is something wrong in the capital?'

An old hand was an old hand. Zhao Fusheng had to admit that his father was increasingly surprising him. In his previous life, he never imagined his father could have such insight.

He had to acknowledge that the saying 'environment changes people' was true.

Like now, Zhao's father bore no trace of his former laid-off worker self; he looked every bit a successful businessman.

'It's not that something's wrong with me. It's like this: recently, I've received some news...' Zhao Fusheng then told his father what he had learned, mainly about SARS.

As Zhao Fusheng spoke, his father's face grew darker and darker, until it was ashen.

As Zhao Fusheng spoke, his father's face grew darker and darker, until it was ashen.