How could that be possible? Li Dingshan lost 1 million, but Wen Yang secretly used the company's name to earn 1 million without a sound. The difference was too stark. If it were really the case, Li Dingshan would have lost terribly, while Wen Yang made money far too easily. "I knew you wouldn't believe me!" Xiao Jia widened her eyes. "I didn't believe it at first either, but when I saw the number in his account, I realized he really did make 1 million! Let me tell you, Xia Xiang, I know exactly how Wen Yang made this 1 million because I was involved in the entire process." Xia Xiang blinked, disbelief written all over his face. In 1998, 1 million was an enormous sum of money; a millionaire then could be compared to a multimillionaire ten years later. Wen Yang, who seemed unremarkable and always busy with something, had secretly made 1 million on his own.
Xiao Jia was quite pleased with Xia Xiang's surprised expression. She raised her eyebrows and asked, "Do you want to know how he made the money? Do you want to make 1 million and become a millionaire too?" Xia Xiang pretended to be angry. "Of course, who doesn't want to make money? If you're going to tell me, just do it. Don't beat around the bush." Xiao Jia wasn't annoyed. She finished another glass of beer and said slowly, "But you have to promise me one thing. After I tell you about this, you must work with me, and we'll make 1 million together." Who wouldn't want to make money? But Xia Xiang wasn't excited at all. He felt something was off. Why would Xiao Jia, who was clearly on Wen Yang's side, come to him with this information? And if there was such a good opportunity to make money, given their relationship, she wouldn't need to offer it to him so eagerly.
However, despite his suspicions, Xia Xiang calmly replied, "No problem. As long as it's within my capabilities and legal, no one would turn down money, right?" Xiao Jia looked Xia Xiang up and down, a hint of grievance in her eyes. She said softly, "Xia Xiang, be honest, do you think I'm a bad girl? Do you think that because I've been flirting with Wen Yang, I must have slept with him?" Cough, cough... Xia Xiang choked on the spicy lamb skewer, causing him to cough. He quickly took a sip of beer to soothe his throat. "Let's get back to the main topic. No need for small talk." Seeing that Xia Xiang didn't want to discuss it, Xiao Jia huffed in dissatisfaction. She turned to the owner and shouted, "Boss, bring us four more beers." For a moment, Xia Xiang saw something glistening in her eyes.
He wanted to stop Xiao Jia, but the owner was quick and brought the four beers almost immediately, opening them all as if afraid they wouldn't finish them.
As Xiao Jia drank beer and narrated intermittently, Xia Xiang finally understood Wen Yang's method of making money.
Wen Yang's method wasn't particularly sophisticated; he used the old trick of scamming people under the guise of publishing a book. His biggest advantage was using the name of the national newspaper where Li Dingshan worked. Although the full name of the company was XXX Technology Information Culture Center, the fact that it was associated with a national newspaper gave it significant credibility and persuasiveness.
Wen Yang and Xiao Jia went to the headquarters of a bank in Beijing, found the person in charge of the library, and gathered the names and addresses of employees from various branches across the country who had published articles in the bank's internal publications over the past three years.
The articles in these publications included not only names but also specific addresses, giving Wen Yang an opportunity. Over three days, they compiled the names and addresses of nearly 3,000 people. Back in Yan City, they wrote a call for submissions, printed 5,000 copies, and, using the company seal, sent them out under the name of the national newspaper.
Soon after, they received feedback, with at least 2,000 responses. Wen Yang then wrote a publication notice, stating that the winning essays would be published by a national publisher, which could be a significant reference for professional titles. However, the publisher required a minimum print run of 10,000 copies, so each person had to buy at least five books, priced at 200 yuan each. The books were large 32-page hardcovers, suitable for collection and preservation.
Bank employees were relatively wealthy, and most of those who published articles were minor leaders. Five books cost only 1,000 yuan, which could be easily reimbursed. Almost everyone who received the 2,000 letters sent money. In total, 1,956 people sent money, with some buying more than five books for prestige. They received nearly 2 million yuan in total.
Wen Yang wasn't overly greedy. Knowing that these bank employees were well-off, he spent 50,000 yuan on a national publisher's ISBN, found a large printing factory, and used the best paper and hard plastic covers, along with beautiful packaging. The book was divided into two volumes, each as thick as a dictionary, totaling 2 million words, with each article being around 1,000 words.
The cost per set of books was 20 yuan, and they printed 20,000 sets, totaling 400,000 yuan. The ISBN cost 50,000 yuan, and additional expenses for bribes and other costs amounted to 50,000 yuan, totaling 100,000 yuan. The awards and prizes cost about 400,000 yuan, and mailing and transportation fees were 100,000 yuan. After all expenses, they still had over 1 million yuan left.
The whole operation took only about half a year. Wen Yang's initial investment was just the travel expenses from Yan City to Beijing and the cost of meals in Beijing. Printing the notices cost only a few hundred yuan. So, the initial investment was just a few thousand yuan. The later printing and ISBN expenses were covered by the money from others.
The key point was the use of the national newspaper's name. In 1998, although the practice of charging for publishing books was less common than in the early 1990s, many people were still willing to pay to publish papers. Wen Yang capitalized on this, targeting the wealth of bank employees and leveraging the national newspaper's reputation to make it happen.
After finishing her story, the four beers were empty. Together, they had drunk eight beers, four each. Xia Xiang was fine, but Xiao Jia, though tipsy, was still clear-headed, adding a touch of cuteness to her demeanor.
Xiao Jia looked straight at Xia Xiang and asked, "What do you think? Do you want to work with me and make 1 million? Life is about drinking and making money!"
Xia Xiang smiled. "I didn't expect you to be so bold. Your story has fired me up, and I want to jump in and make a fortune."
Xiao Jia looked at Xia Xiang sideways, knowing he was insincere. She said sarcastically, "Nice words, but you don't seem moved at all. You must be wondering why I followed Wen Yang and why he didn't share the money with me. Let me tell you, Xia Xiang, don't look down on me. I'm not the kind of woman who sleeps with men for money. I have my principles!"
Xiao Jia's eyes flashed with resentment and dissatisfaction. Xia Xiang pretended not to see and checked the time. It was already past nine o'clock. He waved to the owner, "Boss, check, please."
Xiao Jia wasn't satisfied. She grabbed Xia Xiang's hand. "Wait, Xia Xiang, why don't you ask what happened between Wen Yang and me? Why aren't you interested? Are you afraid I'm lying to you?"
In her urgency, Xiao Jia's small hand pressed against Xia Xiang's, and he felt a warm, smooth sensation. Looking down, he saw her hand, white and delicate like a lily, perfectly proportioned, and the most beautiful hand he had ever seen.
Suddenly, he thought of hand models and blurted out, "Xiao Jia, your hands are so beautiful. If you became a hand model, you could make money."
In 1998, the concept of hand modeling didn't exist. Xiao Jia was confused. "What did you say?"
Xia Xiang realized his mistake and quickly changed the subject. "Let's leave here first. This isn't the place to talk."
Xiao Jia nodded, realizing their hands were still intertwined, and she was the one holding his. Her face flushed, and she pulled her hand away, embarrassed. "Your hand is all greasy. Keep it away from mine."
Xia Xiang said casually, "I thought it was your skin. Now I know it's the grease..." He looked at Xiao Jia with a half-smile, a mix of a naive college student and a mature, cunning man.
Xiao Jia felt a flutter in her heart, a bit flustered. Is he sincere or just joking? When he's serious, he looks like a naive college student, but when he jokes, he seems like a seasoned man. He speaks carefully, leaving no room for argument. Xia Xiang, who once seemed as solid as a rock, now appeared quite charming and masculine.
Xiao Jia's heart raced. She glanced at Xia Xiang from bottom to top, pretending to be nonchalant. "You're a rascal. I never thought you'd change. I always thought you were a gentleman. Men are usually no good."
Xia Xiang laughed, reaching for his wallet. He didn't respond. To say he wasn't attracted to Xiao Jia would be a lie. Any man would have normal thoughts about a beautiful woman, especially someone as striking as Xiao Jia. But to actually do something with her, given his current situation and mindset, he didn't have the inclination. He wasn't doubting Xiao Jia or unwilling to make money, but he didn't want to do anything illegal.
Using the company seal without permission and exploiting the national newspaper's name was a serious violation. Even if the act of charging for publishing and buying ISBNs was technically legal, if he were to enter the political arena with the help of Li Dingshan and Song Chaodu, this incident could still ruin him years later.