Chapter Twenty-Four: Counting Money Until My Hands Cramp

Many people believed that Shen Guodong was courting disaster. Doubling the factory’s profits within three months—did he truly think it so easy? After all, market demand was a fixed reality. Fengcheng was a city built on heavy industry, with no shortage of similar enterprises. What made him think his factory had any greater advantage? Was its reputation larger? Was it a state-run enterprise?

In terms of prestige, this factory didn’t even rank among the top in Fengcheng. Among state-run enterprises, there were those with longer histories, those receiving greater attention from the government, and those producing superior products. The fact that the factory still existed was merely because state-run enterprises were not easily abolished. Otherwise, it would have been acquired long ago.

Now, with Shen Guodong’s bold declaration, many were utterly disdainful, their inner contempt spilling out as mocking remarks. At this moment, everyone looked down on him.

“Is that guy out of his mind, betting so boldly? Where does he get the courage? I can’t understand it—he’s practically handing money over!”

“He’s going to make people laugh themselves to death! Where does he get the right to say such things?”

“Haha, looks like Yuan Junfeng will pocket another thousand yuan and live it up for a while.”

“Tsk tsk, there are always people who overestimate themselves and want to fight against others. I really don’t get it—does he have any sense of his own ability at all?”

“Shen Guodong, let’s bet too. Just one month’s salary, is that okay? I don’t want any more!”

The voices were cold and mocking, some jeering, others scoffing.

Not a single person believed Shen Guodong could succeed.

Even Director Xu looked anxious, lowering his voice as he called out, “Shen Guodong, don’t act on impulse. The decision has already been made by the leadership, and it’s been reported to the higher authorities. No one can change it at will, no matter the rumors. Ignore them—time will prove everything!

Besides, the leaders’ decisions are not something employees can casually alter. There’s really no need for you to do this, and Yuan Junfeng’s barren land is worthless—you couldn’t even grow crops there. There’s no reason to risk a thousand yuan on such a wager!”

Clearly, in Director Xu’s eyes, Shen Guodong had no chance of winning. There was simply no need for such a gamble—it was beyond doubt. The stakes weren’t even remotely equal. If the price were the same, Director Xu wouldn’t have objected, but now, a thousand yuan was nearly a year and a half’s income, all for a piece of land?

Was it worth it?

Shen Guodong smiled, “Thank you for your concern, Director Xu. I proposed this wager, so there’s no reason to back out now. Yuan Junfeng, if you’re afraid, you can refuse.”

“Afraid? Don’t make me laugh. I’ll take the bet! To prevent you from reneging, we’ll write it down, sign and seal it, with the leadership as witnesses,” Yuan Junfeng replied, grinning broadly.

He had no idea this was Shen Guodong’s provocation.

Shen Guodong had been worried the leadership would intervene and call off the wager. He hadn’t expected Yuan Junfeng to fall for it so easily.

It was more than he’d hoped for.

A brilliant smile appeared on his face—he’d succeeded.

Three months later, that piece of land would be his. Seen through current eyes, the barren ground wasn’t worth a thousand yuan, but soon, as Fengcheng’s old city reached saturation and strategic development shifted, many enterprises would relocate to that area, driving up land prices.

The plot was about ten thousand square meters.

In the future, it would be worth a fortune!

If memory served, on that weed-choked field would rise Fengcheng’s tallest tower—Fengcheng Eye—a landmark of the city.

Forget a thousand yuan, even ten thousand wouldn’t make Shen Guodong blink; he’d take it without hesitation, for the investment would be staggering.

With that land, even if Shen Guodong did nothing, just quietly waited for dividends, his descendants would enjoy wealth for generations… But Shen Guodong, reborn, would never be satisfied with just that.

With several leaders as witnesses,

Shen Guodong and Yuan Junfeng wrote out the agreement and pressed their fingerprints in red ink.

Thus, the wager was formally established.

The note was kept by the most respected elder director, its terms written clearly in black and white. Anyone breaking the agreement would be legally liable.

After signing, Yuan Junfeng was smug. He glanced at the thousand yuan held by Liu Yueyu, his gaze meaningful. “Three months from now, the money will be mine. Keep it safe for me.”

“So confident? Or do you look down on me?” Shen Guodong replied disdainfully.

Yuan Junfeng laughed heartily, saying nothing as he swaggered away.

His meaning couldn’t have been clearer.

This matter quickly became the talk of the factory, a topic for idle chatter among the workers.

No one believed in Shen Guodong; they thought he was just boasting, clinging to pride and inviting misery.

“Do you believe I can do it?” Shen Guodong asked Liu Yueyu.

She lifted her beautiful, stubborn face and looked at him seriously. “The old you, I didn’t believe. Now, I do.”

“As long as you believe, that’s enough. I’ll make it happen. Our future will only get better,” Shen Guodong replied with a calm voice that carried unwavering confidence.

Suddenly, Liu Yueyu noticed an extraordinary charm emanating from him. Was this his true self? She felt momentarily dazed, as if she’d met Shen Guodong for the first time all over again.

She seemed almost entranced…

Until Shen Guodong gently traced her nose with a finger, snapping her back to reality.

Her face flushed red with embarrassment, as if she’d been caught doing something naughty, wanting to burrow into the ground.

“Let’s go home. I’ll cook for you tonight—make something delicious,” Shen Guodong said, laughing heartily. He was in high spirits, ready to reward himself.

“What about the money? Aren’t you going to deposit it?” Liu Yueyu asked curiously.

Earlier, they’d needed to pay off debts, so saving was out of the question. Besides, keeping so much money at home wasn’t safe—what if a thief came?

Shen Guodong was surprised. “Deposit such a small amount?”

Liu Yueyu nearly lost her mind. Small amount? What was he saying? That was a thousand yuan! She earned sixty yuan a month—it would take nearly eighteen months to make that much!

She was almost beside herself.

“Don’t worry, it’s nothing! This is just the beginning. Soon, you’ll know what it’s like to count money until your hands cramp,” Shen Guodong declared with a wild laugh.