Special forces soldier demobilization: Starting from the county government compound, a meteoric rise

In the center of the banquet hall, a huge Swarovski crystal chandelier casts a dreamlike light and shadow.

As the melodious "Blue Danube" waltz began, the previously noisy crowd automatically parted to the sides, leaving a wide dance floor.

Nangong Yao turned around, her peach blossom eyes curving slightly, and extended a jade-like hand to Liu Ming.

"Mr. Liu, would you do me the honor of coming?"

Her voice wasn't loud, but it carried a hint of playfulness and provocation, as if to say: You bragged about your abilities earlier, now it's time to see what you're really capable of.

Countless gazes instantly focused on them.

Some were gloating, while others were waiting to see the joke.

After all, Liu Ming's outfit was really too shabby. In their eyes, this kind of "poor boy" probably couldn't even do calisthenics properly, let alone waltz. If he stepped on Miss Nangong's foot later, or stood there like a wooden stake, that would be a real mess.

Liu Ming looked at the hand hanging in mid-air and shook her head helplessly.

He originally wanted to keep a low profile.

But since we've already put it on the fire, let's make the fire burn even brighter.

He bowed slightly, performing a standard gentlemanly bow, and then very naturally took Nangong Yao's fingers in his hand, while gently placing his other hand on her slender waist.

"It would be my great honor."

Music starts.

Footsteps.

Just as everyone was bracing themselves for Liu Ming to make a fool of herself, their expressions froze instantly.

Slide, rotate, rise and fall, tilt.

Liu Ming's every movement was textbook perfect, even possessing an elegance and composure usually reserved for European royal balls. He was like a natural dancer, guiding Nangong Yao through graceful arcs on the dance floor.

Those who had initially hoped to see a joke now only felt a stinging pain in their cheeks.

How can this person be considered a country bumpkin?

This is clearly an aristocrat who stepped out of an oil painting!

"Wow, you've been keeping it a secret for a while?" Nangong Yao whispered with a chuckle, pressing against Liu Ming's chest. "Those dance moves must have fooled quite a few young girls in England, right?"

"If you don't practice this well, how can you sneak into Imperial College's alumni dinner and freeload off the buffet?" Liu Ming replied without changing her expression, and with a graceful slide, she led Nangong Yao away from a pair of awkward dance partners.

The dance is over.

The audience erupted in applause.

Regardless of how much sincerity was behind the applause, at least at this moment, no one dared to question Liu Ming's "class".

The two had barely stepped off the dance floor and hadn't even had a chance to catch their breath when several middle-aged men with powerful auras, each holding a glass of red wine, surrounded them.

The leader, with gray hair and sharp eyes, was none other than Qian Bancheng, the president of the Ningzhou Chamber of Commerce and a real estate tycoon.

"Niece Nangong, you dance quite well."

Qian Bancheng greeted her with a smile, then turned his gaze to Liu Ming. Although he was smiling, his eyes revealed a businessman's shrewdness and scrutiny.

"This young man looks unfamiliar. I just heard my niece, Nangong, say he's the 'most important partner'? I wonder what business he's in?"

This is the bottom being reached.

Several bigwigs around also perked up their ears.

Just as Nangong Yao was about to speak up to help Liu Ming out of the predicament, Liu Ming gently squeezed her hand, indicating that she didn't need to worry.

"President Qian, you're too kind. I wouldn't call it getting rich." Liu Ming raised his glass with a composed and unassuming manner, and smiled faintly. "I currently work for the Municipal Committee of the Communist Youth League; I'm a civil servant."

"A civil servant?"

Qian Bancheng was stunned for a moment, then a flash of disdain crossed his eyes.

So after all that, he's just a young guy who lives off the government?

"Heh, that's a secure job," Qian Bancheng said with a forced smile. "But since you're Nangong's niece's partner, you must be quite knowledgeable about the economic situation, right? It just so happens that we old folks are discussing the recent housing market policies. Why don't you share your insights? These days, there are plenty of young people who are all talk and no action; true talent is a rare find."

This was clearly an attempt to embarrass Liu Ming in public.

What can a junior cadre in the Youth League Committee possibly know about macroeconomics? What can they possibly know about capital operations?

If Liu Ming dares to speak, and utters a single wrong word, they can use their professional knowledge to thoroughly criticize him and let him know what "class disparity" means.

Nangong Yao's face turned cold, and she was about to lash out.

Liu Ming spoke first.

He swirled the wine in his glass, looked at Qian Bancheng, and spoke calmly as if they were discussing what to have for dinner.

"I wouldn't call it insightful, but since Chairman Qian asked, I'll just say a few words."

"The current housing market appears to be in a period of pain due to policy regulation, but from the perspective of the 'long wave theory' cycle, it is actually a recession and restructuring of the balance sheet."

"The land that Chairman Qian recently acquired in the north of the city, although in a good location, if he relies solely on the traditional 'high turnover' model, the pressure on cash flow will likely increase exponentially in this deleveraging macroeconomic context."

Liu Ming's voice was not loud, and she spoke slowly.

But every word he uttered was like a nail, precisely driven into the nerves of these business tycoons!

Long-wave theory?

Balance sheet recession?

De-leverage?

This is a word that a member of the Communist Youth League would use.

Qian Bancheng's smile froze on his face. Because what Liu Ming said was exactly the problem that had been troubling him most lately!

"You...you..."

Before Qian Bancheng could react, Liu Ming continued:

"If I were you, I would consider introducing the REITs (Real Estate Investment Trust) model to transform heavy assets into light assets and revitalize existing assets through asset securitization. At the same time, we should take advantage of the current policy window to transform into the role of 'city operator' instead of sticking to the old path of 'developer'."

"After all, in an era of zero-sum game, it's not about who runs the fastest, but who survives the longest. What do you think?"

Dead silence.

Absolute silence.

The bigwigs who were just looking forward to seeing the joke were now gaping, their eyes practically popping out of their sockets.

If their previous dance performances only made them think Liu Ming "had a certain air about her," then...

These words are a direct slap in the face to their understanding!

This guy is hardly a pretty boy.

This is clearly a top-notch economist! A trader who came back from Wall Street.

REITs...asset securitization...

Qian Bancheng muttered to himself, a fine layer of cold sweat appearing on his forehead. He suddenly realized that the young man before him had a more discerning eye than the consultants he had hired at great expense!

"Been taught a lesson!"

After a long silence, Qian Bancheng took a deep breath, put away all his contempt, and solemnly raised his glass to Liu Ming.

"Young man... no, Mr. Liu, this drink is for you!"

"If you have time in the future, please do visit my company. This old man still has many questions he would like to ask you!"

Whoosh—!

The guests who had been eavesdropping were in an uproar.

Even a business magnate like Qian Bancheng was convinced?

Should we proactively ask for advice?

Who exactly is this Liu Ming?

Nangong Yao stood aside, watching the man who spoke eloquently and calmly in front of the bigwigs, her eyes almost overflowing with admiration.

She knew it!

The man she's set her sights on is no ordinary person!

"Alright everyone, today's main purpose is charity; we can discuss business matters another day."

Nangong Yao stepped forward at the opportune moment, took Liu Ming's arm, and like a proud peacock, led him to the other end of the banquet hall.

All that remained were a group of business tycoons still savoring Liu Ming's words, and countless gazes around them filled with envy, jealousy, and shock.

That night.

Liu Ming became a sensation.

He not only became Nangong Yao's "officially recognized" boyfriend, but also the most mysterious and unpredictable new tycoon in the entire Ningzhou high society circle.

however.

For every person who rejoices, there is someone who grieves.

In a dark corner of the banquet hall.

Countless hostile gazes were fixed on that figure who was the center of attention.

Those rich kids and government officials who usually thought highly of themselves were now gritting their teeth, wishing they could crush the wine glasses in their hands.

On what grounds?

Why would a poor boy who appeared out of nowhere win the favor of Queen Nangong?

Why is it that he can make an old fox like Qian Bancheng bow down and bend over?

Especially Ouyang Feng.

He hid at the back of the crowd, watching Liu Ming being the center of attention, his fingernails digging deep into her flesh, bleeding profusely, yet he was completely unaware.

Jealousy gnawed at his heart like a venomous snake.

"Liu Ming..."

"You just wait!"

"The more glorious you are tonight, the more miserable you'll be tomorrow!"

"Ningzhou is our territory! It's not a place where outsiders like you can run wild!"

Every man in the room was heartbroken.

But Liu Ming, amidst all the heartbreak, became the talk of the town…

**Public enemy.**