"Fang Mingsheng," Gao Dequan replied. "Don't let his low profile in society fool you. Within our circles, everyone knows his assets are easily comparable to the nation's top tycoons. The exact source of his funds remains murky. However, his holdings—over a dozen jewelry shops, pawn brokers, and similar establishments—are spread like wildflowers across the province, in cities big and small, granting him a certain degree of fame."

"What company?" Wang Guan asked, suddenly curious.

Gao Dequan glanced at Wang Guan and stated flatly, "Taihe!"

"That doesn't sound right."

Wang Guan startled, knitting his brows. "I seem to recall the boss of Taihe was surnamed Lin."

"What's so strange about that?" Yu Feibai dismissed it casually. "It's in the national character, this preference for keeping wealth hidden. Those top-tier billionaires always prefer to push a puppet to the front while they manipulate things from behind the scenes, accumulating fortunes discreetly."

Wang Guan nodded in understanding. For various reasons, wealthy individuals in this country often dared not flaunt their status as much as their foreign counterparts, lest they become targets. It wasn't just the rich; even ordinary people, including Wang Guan's own mother, if they suddenly struck it rich, their first instinct would likely be concealment rather than boasting, driven by fear of discovery.

In that sense, while we often criticize foreign attitudes toward money, perhaps our own approach is sometimes even more absolute.

Of course, the current Wang Guan had no appetite for contemplating these ingrained national traits. Instead, he was marveling at how small the world felt, having circled back and encountered Taihe once again.

Yu Feibai, sharp enough to sense the shift in atmosphere, asked with interest, "What's up? Is there something wrong with this Taihe company?"

"You should ask Wang Guan about that," Gao Dequan chuckled.

"Wang Guan, what's going on?" Yu Feibai grew even more intrigued.

Wang Guan smiled faintly and stated calmly, "I used to work at the Taihe Pawn Shop in Cidu."

"Oh, the old employer," Yu Feibai realized, yet a subtle notion dawned on him that the matter might be more complex, though he wisely refrained from pressing further inquiries.

As for Wang Guan, being dismissed from a job was hardly a glorious tale, and he certainly had no inclination to recount it.

Seeing this, Gao Dequan seemed to grasp some of the underlying history. However, observing Wang Guan’s demeanor, he didn't press the issue, merely offering a knowing remark: "Wang Guan, gold will shine wherever it is placed. But with your abilities, Jigu Zhai would be a much better fit for you."

"Thank you, Uncle De," Wang Guan replied, mentally sweeping the unpleasant past aside.

Yu Feibai felt vaguely mystified and was about to press for clarity when the conductor’s announcement echoed inside the car: "Yingtan! We have arrived. Passengers, please collect your belongings before disembarking..."

"Whoosh!"

Moments later, the train slowly pulled into the station and stopped.

The doors opened, and Wang Guan and Yu Feibai, carrying their luggage, followed Gao Dequan out of the station.

Gazing at the unfamiliar city, Yu Feibai looked around and asked, "Uncle De, where are we going now?"

"I’ve made arrangements. Someone will be here to meet us," Gao Dequan assured him.

As predicted, shortly thereafter, a black sedan slowly glided up. The driver held up a large placard bearing Gao Dequan's name.

Wang Guan saw it and promptly went forward to confer with the driver. The driver was exceedingly welcoming, helping them stow their luggage. Only once all three were seated did the car pull away smoothly.

The sedan maintained a brisk pace on the highway, soon leaving the city outskirts behind.

Seeing this, Wang Guan inquired, "Uncle De, are we heading straight to Longhushan?"

"Precisely. We'll settle in first, spend two or three days sightseeing, and then attend the exchange conference," Gao Dequan said with a smile. "Perhaps Elder Qian is already waiting for us there."

"Perfect timing. I need to visit the Tianshi Residence to request a few talismans to improve my luck," Yu Feibai chimed in cheerily.

Amidst lighthearted conversation, the car arrived at the Longhushan Tourist Center, a strikingly modern complex. Although it was not peak season, there were still a considerable number of visitors.

Wang Guan surveyed the surroundings and followed Gao Dequan into the reception center.

The promise of all-inclusive food and lodging seemed genuine; as soon as Gao Dequan provided his name, a service attendant immediately escorted them to a spacious, luxurious suite.

The suite featured a living room, a balcony, and several separate rooms. Amenities like a refrigerator, air conditioning, and television were fully equipped. The setup was several times more comfortable than a standard residential suite.

At this sight, Wang Guan felt a pang of shame; his own living quarters weren't as opulent as this establishment's bathroom.

The three settled in, each choosing a room to organize their belongings.

Moments later, gathered in the living room, Yu Feibai asked, "Uncle De, is Elder Qian staying here too?"

Wang Guan immediately looked up, listening intently; if he were, they would certainly pay a formal visit.

"I'll give him a call," Gao Dequan said, dialing a number. After a brief conversation, he hung up.

"Well?" Yu Feibai prompted.

"He was here a few days ago, but when Fang Mingsheng learned Elder Qian had arrived, he yielded his own villa and had the Elder move in there," Gao Dequan explained with a chuckle. "That fellow truly knows how to handle people; no wonder his business keeps expanding."

"It's late today; it wouldn't do to disturb Elder Qian. We will pay our respects tomorrow."

Gao Dequan made the decision, and Wang Guan and Yu Feibai naturally raised no objections. After a short wait, it was time for dinner, and without any need to call, servers brought a lavish feast directly to their room.

After filling their stomachs, Wang Guan was content, but Yu Feibai was restless. He immediately suggested taking a walk around to soak in the atmosphere and get the lay of the land before formally touring the area after they visited Elder Qian.

It was a good suggestion; a little movement after a full meal was beneficial. No one objected, and the three descended slowly, wandering about.

Wang Guan remarked as they walked, "This place is quite vast."

"You can tell from the promotional material over there. The total land area is 170,000 square meters, with a built-up area of 8,000 square meters..."

Yu Feibai murmured quietly, "And this is just the first station of the entire Longhushan scenic area. One can only imagine how many people this Longhushan sustains."

Wang Guan was somewhat surprised by this; it was rare for a young man from a wealthy background to harbor such patriotic, nation-minding sentiments.

"Why are you looking at me like that... Oh, look, a beautiful woman."

Yu Feibai's eyes lit up, and without so much as a greeting, he strode straight toward her.

Seeing Yu Feibai competently engaging in light flirtation with a woman in a service uniform, Wang Guan finally nodded in satisfaction. That's more like it; this is the proper conduct of a spoiled young master. Otherwise, if a young gentleman were too upright and morally selfless, how could they justify criticizing him?

"Don't mind him."

Gao Dequan cast a glance, snorted, and muttered, "I shouldn't have brought him along."

Wang Guan smiled and walked a few steps with Gao Dequan, only to see Yu Feibai hurrying to catch up, complaining, "Uncle De, why didn't you wait for me?"

"How could we interrupt your important business?" Gao Dequan replied, showing slight displeasure.

"Uncle De, where did your mind wander? I was only asking about interesting things to do around here," Yu Feibai laughed. "Now I know—they have things like mist screen movies, 4D theaters, phantom projections, virtual storybooks—sounds rather good."

............... The book page mentions the female lead's investigation; please participate actively. Finally, requesting collections and recommendations.