Dong Rende was unaware of Lin Wanrong's intention behind leaving these blank spaces, and Lin Wanrong chose not to reveal it.
Before Uncle Wei departed, he left Lin Wanrong fifty taels of silver, which would serve as his sustenance for meals. Lin Wanrong handed over every penny to Dong Rende.
To gain trust, one must first trust others; this was Lin Wanrong's business principle.
Seeing Lin Wanrong's trust in him, Dong Rende was excited, and he asked his daughter Dong Qiaoqiao to bring out a bag of silver pieces, totaling ten taels.
"Could this be Miss Qiaoqiao's dowry money?" Lin Wanrong asked with a smile.
Dong Qiaoqiao blushed, and Dong Rende awkwardly replied, "Lin Gongzi, you must not mock us."
Lin Wanrong solemnly stated, "There's nothing to mock. Dong Uncle, we are doing business. The capital invested must yield returns at least tenfold. If there's a loss, it's my fault, and I apologize to you and Miss Qiaoqiao."
Dong Qiaoqiao looked at him and hurriedly shook her head, saying, "Lin Gongzi, we trust you."
"Dong Uncle, Miss Qiaoqiao, since you trust me, I promise you that once the business is successful, I will give you fifty percent, including the capital. We'll prepare a generous dowry for Miss Qiaoqiao," Lin Wanrong declared with a smile.
This was quite a generous offer, even if the business only broke even, giving fifty percent to Dong Rende would be a substantial sum. It undoubtedly astonished the Dong family.
Frankly, Lin Wanrong wasn't overly concerned about money. Before entering this world, despite working for others, his annual salary exceeded four hundred thousand. Aside from supporting his parents and sister's university education, he also sponsored over a dozen orphans from mountain villages. The rest of his money was spent on dating and relationships because, in Lin Wanrong's view, spending more money stimulated a man's motivation to earn more. This was his philosophy.
He wanted to seize this opportunity to earn his first fortune in this world, not just for the money but also to prove that he could thrive in this new environment.
Lin Wanrong's straightforwardness startled the Dong family. Dong Rende quickly refused, saying, "This can't be, this old man can only make money by following Gongzi. How can I be so greedy? We only need a small wage."
Lin Wanrong laughed heartily, "Dong Uncle, we haven't earned anything yet. Perhaps you'll end up losing everything this time. Let's not discuss this for now. Let's follow my plan."
"No, I believe Gongzi can do it," Dong Rende, a discerning person, expressed unwavering trust in Lin Wanrong.
Lin Wanrong chuckled without saying more, instructing the Dong family to start compiling detailed information about Miss Xiao, focusing on every aspect of her life. He then set off with Dong Qiaoshan.
Dong Qiaoshan, excitedly following Lin Wanrong, exclaimed, "Lin Big Brother, teach me how to protect my father and sister from bullies while also beating those guys!"
Lin Wanrong didn't answer directly but asked, "Qiaoshan, do you usually go alone when fighting with others?"
"Sometimes I go with Li Doubai and others, two or three people, but most of the time, it's just me," replied Dong Qiaoshan, acknowledging that Li Doubai was his usual fighting companion.
Lin Wanrong continued, "Do you have friends who, like you, can't stand seeing others being bullied?"
"Of course! In our neighborhood, there are several groups, usually three or four people in each group. I have good relationships with them," Dong Qiaoshan explained.
"Why?" Lin Wanrong asked.
"Because I'm good at fighting," Dong Qiaoshan grinned awkwardly.
Lin Wanrong shook his head helplessly. Loose groups of brawlers were difficult to manage. It seemed he needed to organize them into a more structured form to engage in "organized crime."
"Qiaoshan, do you know the phrase 'strength in numbers'?" Lin Wanrong inquired.
Eyes lighting up, Dong Qiaoshan exclaimed, "Lin Big Brother, do you mean we should fight together?"
Lin Wanrong patted his shoulder, saying, "Qiaoshan, once you unite these people, become their leader, you'll have tremendous power. Many problems can be solved without you personally taking action. Fights will naturally decrease."
He didn't mention that once the fights started, they would likely escalate in scale. That part, Lin Wanrong left unsaid, trusting that Dong Qiaoshan would understand.
"To be their leader?" A glimmer of hope appeared in Dong Qiaoshan's eyes. He looked at Lin Wanrong with infinite admiration, saying, "Lin Big Brother, your teachings today will be unforgettable for a lifetime. Yes, I want to be the leader of Jinling City, but Lin Big Brother, you're my ultimate leader. You are the big boss in Jinling City's hierarchy."
Lin Wanrong burst into laughter, saying, "You kid."
Dong Qiaoshan, feeling a bit embarrassed, scratched his head. Seeing his appearance, Lin Wanrong knew that this young man's heart had been completely stirred up by his encouragement. He couldn't help but sigh. Although this matter was mentioned casually, Lin Wanrong wanted Dong Qiaoshan to mature quickly, reducing the likelihood of him getting hurt. Hopefully, Dong Qiaoshan's sister, Dong Qiaoqiao, wouldn't blame him.
Dong Qiaoshan was impulsive, and after Lin Wanrong's guidance, he was even more eager. He immediately went to discuss the matter with Li Doubai and others. Lin Wanrong headed to the Xiao family alone.
The Xiao family was one of the prominent households in Jinling City. With guidance from Uncle Dong, finding the place was effortless.
Before reaching the Xiao residence, Lin Wanrong noticed a commotion in the distance. He could see a grand mansion surrounded by a crowd, and the noise was deafening. Even from afar, he could spot a tall gate with a three-meter-high, one-meter-wide wall, two massive stone lions standing in front, and two thick vermilion doors tightly closed. A huge gilded signboard with the words "Xiao Residence" sparkled in the sunlight.