Rebirth: The Tumultuous Year of 1979

As she watched Zhong Wei's figure disappear outside the VIP office, Huang Manyu clenched her teeth, the grinding sound particularly clear in the quiet corridor.

"Ahhh!!"

She suddenly let out a scream, startling Zeng Jianye, who was about to turn away, and he turned back in astonishment.

After Huang Manyu finished yelling, she realized that Zeng Jianye was still standing there. Her face flushed slightly, and she quickly sat up straight, trying to remain calm, and said, "That Young Master Zhong is so annoying, I couldn't help myself..."

"Me too," Zeng Jianye said with a wry smile. For a beautiful and gentle lady like Manager Huang to feel such an urge to punch someone, how outrageous must Young Master Zhong be? Two hundred million, and he didn't even bat an eye. Keep in mind, even the wealthiest people in Hong Kong only have a few hundred million in assets. Aside from the super-tycoons, who would dare to treat two hundred million so lightly? Only this mysterious Young Master Zhong would dare to act this way; his aura even surpasses that of Hong Kong's richest man, the Li family patriarch.

Zhong Wei and Xu Zhengmao walked out of the HSBC building. Zhong Wei slapped his forehead and said with a wry smile, "Old Xu, I forgot to return the 200,000 to you earlier."

"Hehe, you're too kind, Young Master Zhong." Xu Zhengmao waved his hand and laughed. "I've witnessed your ability to turn the world upside down and make millions in two days. You can give me this money anytime, no rush." ​​Seeing Zhong Wei's methods, he couldn't be more eager for Zhong Wei to not pay back for the time being, so that the returns could snowball. This was the only way to ensure long-term success.

"Then I won't stand on ceremony." Zhong Wei smiled nonchalantly. Xu Zhengmao was very shrewd and had a touch of the cunning of an old fox. Zhong Wei admired this quality. After observing him for a few days, he concluded that Xu was an excellent agent who would surely have great potential in another industry.

Just then, a clear and delicate voice rang in Zhong Wei's ear: "Sir."

Zhong Wei turned his head and saw a pretty girl in a suit, with her hair tied up and wearing black-rimmed glasses standing there. She had fair skin and was holding a document in her arms.

"Is something the matter?" Xu Zhengmao subconsciously stepped forward and stood in front of Zhong Wei.

Zhong Wei glanced at the document in her hand, which vaguely contained the word "lawyer," and patted Xu Zhengmao on the shoulder: "Old Xu, let her speak."

"Yes!" Xu Zhengmao took a few steps back.

The girl, holding the documents, straightened up slightly. "Hello, my name is Zhang Man. I graduated from the Faculty of Law at the University of the British Empire and now run a law firm, handling various types of cases." As she spoke, she moved the documents aside, revealing her rather impressive figure beneath them, and then handed over a business card. "This is my business card. I heard you have business needs, and we would be happy to serve you." She smiled confidently.

Zhong Wei took the business card and glanced at Zhang Man. Confident and upright, her suit, large-framed glasses, and neat hairstyle made her easy to like by any man.

"A top student from the law department of the British Empire University!" he read from the business card.

"Yes, sir," Zhang Manxiao replied.

Zhong Wei put down his business card, looked her in the eye, and gave her a meaningful smile: "So, is it the South Campus or the North Campus?"

"Uh!" Zhang Man's expression changed slightly, and a hint of hesitation flashed in her eyes.

"Is it the North Campus?" Zhong Wei said for her.

"Sir, I'm from the South Campus." Zhang Man paused, forcing a smile, trying to appear confident.

"Not bad, you have a good mental fortitude." Zhong Wei nodded in satisfaction. "Although the North Campus is a third-rate, garbage school catering to the wealthy in emerging Asian countries, purely for making money off high tuition fees, at least it offers a legitimate bachelor's degree. Even though it's a garbage school, at least you have a degree, and your composure far surpasses that of ordinary people. I don't need someone particularly shrewd; someone who is well-versed in legal statutes will suffice."

"Sir, what do you mean? I don't understand." Zhang Man's heart skipped a beat, her eyes flashed with panic, and she was secretly surprised. How did he know?

"Stop pretending, let me finish." Zhong Wei gestured for her to be quiet. "Your white shirt looks clean, but it's not new. It's been worn for a long time, so there are already signs of wear on the collar." His gaze swept over her collar, and Zhang Man hurriedly covered her neck with the documents.

"That shows you're struggling financially. Your so-called law firm is nothing but a shell company," Zhong Wei said calmly. "Alright, now it's time to say what my purpose is."

Zhang Man felt a surge of anxiety, cold sweat beading on her forehead. Had she not checked the almanac before leaving home today? How did she run into such a "pervert"! How did he know so much? She did indeed come from that third-rate school, a school that only accepted Asian students; you could get in if you paid money.

Zhang Man looked into Zhong Wei's eyes, and her heart tightened suddenly. His gaze was like a sharp knife, tearing away her layers of disguise, leaving her with nothing to hide in front of him.

"Gulp..." She trembled slightly, staring timidly at Zhong Wei, feeling as if she had been stripped bare, even her thoughts were seen through.

Zhong Wei watched her reaction, a slight smile playing on his lips. Her facade had been instantly shattered. She was indeed a student at the North Campus. In his past life, he knew that school very well: it bore the empty title of "University of the British Empire," but in reality, it was one of the earliest third-rate diploma mills to admit Asian students. In later Chinese terms, it was a "third-tier university" that you could get into by paying money, completely disregarding grades and designed to fool those from wealthy families with poor academic performance. Students would go abroad for a few years, then return boasting of "graduating from a prestigious British university," fooling quite a few people.

But the legal profession is very shrewd. Zhang Man can't fool high-end law firms with her packaging; she can only pretend to be something she's not.

"Young Master Zhong, should we kick her out?" Xu Zhengmao, after hearing Zhong Wei's words and seeing Zhang Man's expression, immediately realized, "I almost fooled her!" He was somewhat annoyed. The name of the British Empire was indeed intimidating; even he had almost been deceived. If it weren't for Zhong Wei, he would have definitely been taken advantage of. What puzzled him even more was how Zhong Wei, a second or third-generation scion of a closed-off country, knew so much about that dubious university? Could it be that he was truly a "scholar who knows everything without stepping out of his door"?

"No need." Zhong Wei shook his head, his eyes showing a hint of appreciation. Zhang Man trembled slightly after being exposed, but quickly regained her composure and didn't break down, showing her strong mental fortitude.

"Sir, I don't believe what you said!" Zhang Man gritted her teeth, forcing herself to maintain her pride. "I'm leaving. I hope we never see each other again." Her previous smugness was completely shattered by Zhong Wei, leaving only panic. How could he be so monstrous?

"No." Zhong Wei's smile widened. "I admire people like you; your mental fortitude far surpasses that of ordinary people!"

"What do you want to do?" Zhang Man glared at him, her face slightly angry.

Zhong Wei was blunt: "I'll give you a choice: either continue deceiving people with your fake diploma and fall into poverty, or work for me and earn 10,000 a month."

"Ten thousand?!" Xu Zhengmao clicked his tongue in astonishment. "Young Master Zhong, ten thousand a month in Hong Kong these days can hire a senior lawyer!"

Zhong Wei waved his hand to shut him up, then said, "No need to answer now. Old Xu, get your business card and a thousand yuan in cash."

Although confused, Xu Zhengmao did as he was told, taking out his business card and Hong Kong dollars and handing them over. Zhang Man stared at the money and business card, full of doubt. What tricks was this man up to? If he dared to do anything improper, she would definitely make this handsome man regret it; she was no pushover.

Zhong Wei smiled and stuffed the things into her hands: "Call me in two days. I'll take responsibility. This thousand is an advance on your salary. Go buy a new suit. We're a big company. If our employees wear old clothes, it will affect our image."

"Aren't you afraid I'll take the money and not come back?" Zhang Man took the money, looked up at Zhong Wei, who was half a head taller than her, and her eyes were filled with sarcasm.

"I don't think you will," Zhong Wei laughed loudly. "Such a good opportunity, and with a responsible man, how could you miss it?"

With that, he turned and left, his back view elegant, without even glancing back at the dumbfounded Zhang Man. What was a thousand yuan to him? It was just an opportunity; if he seized it, Zhang Man could soar to the heavens and become a phoenix on a branch.

"Young Master Zhong, do you really believe that woman?"

In the car, Xu Zhengmao tightened his grip on the steering wheel, his brows furrowing. "She almost tricked us just now. If you hadn't seen through her disguise, we would have been done for by now."

The reputation of the law school at the British Empire University is a golden ticket in Hong Kong's legal profession. Which major company wouldn't be eager to hire someone with that kind of degree? But, unfortunately, she was a fraud.

"What's the use of being pretty? A liar is a liar." Xu Zhengmao sighed.

"It's not a belief." Zhong Wei leaned back in his seat, a faint smile playing on his lips. "This woman has a strong moral character; she lies without batting an eye, and she plays by the rules, pushing the boundaries of the law. She has principles and beliefs."

"Faith?" Xu Zhengmao was stunned.

"A person's beliefs." Zhong Wei chuckled. "Even if she gives up the opportunity I gave her, she'll only lose a thousand dollars."

He turned to Xu Zhengmao and asked, "Old Xu, do you need that thousand yuan?"

Xu Zhengmao was taken aback, then shook his head: "No, we don't need it."

"You're a smart man." Zhong Wei nodded. Xu Zhengmao had plenty, and so did he. This thousand yuan might be quite a significant amount for Zhang Man.

As the car drove back to the hotel, Zhong Wei got out and saw Lu Guoqiang, Huang Xiaowei, and Dafei standing in the lobby. The three of them had dark circles under their eyes and looked as listless as wilted eggplants, as if they had stayed up all night.

Zhong Wei laughed: "Guoqiang, you guys... stayed up all night last night?"

Lu Guoqiang turned around abruptly and saw that it was Zhong Wei. His eyes lit up, but his old face turned bright red. How could he forget the absurd things he had done last night?

"Hello, Third Brother." He greeted him awkwardly, his voice weak.

"Third Brother," Huang Xiaowei called out cautiously.

"Young Master Zhong!" Da Fei answered loudly without hesitation, straightening his back as if he had seen his pillar of support.

"Okay," Zhong Wei responded, gesturing with his chin, "Let's go upstairs and talk."

Once inside the room, Zhong Wei sat down, glanced at Lu Guoqiang and Huang Xiaowei who were standing ramrod straight, and grinned mischievously: "Having tasted the corruption of capitalism, haven't you?"

No need to ask, just look at those dark circles under your eyes and you'll know how crazy you were last night.

"Wow!" Lu Guoqiang's eyes gleamed with excitement. "I never imagined we could play like this! This is truly eye-opening!"

"Thank you so much, Third Brother, for showing us the world." Huang Xiaowei rubbed his hands together excitedly.

Zhong Wei waved his hand: "I'm sending you not so you'll become obsessed, but so you'll know that the world is vast, and you shouldn't be like frogs in a well. Only by broadening your horizons can you go far."

"Yes, Third Brother." Lu Guoqiang sat up straight.

The world they'd seen these past few days was too much for them: suits costing tens of thousands of dollars, hotels costing seven hundred dollars a night, meals costing several thousand dollars a meal... things they wouldn't even dare to dream of on the mainland. Lu Guoqiang finally understood why Zhong Wei had brought them to Hong Kong; this wasn't a business trip, it was clearly an eye-opening experience.

"Go back and focus on your work. I'll get you new assignments," Zhong Wei said. "Okay, go and rest."

"Thank you, Third Brother." Lu Guoqiang took out a bank card from his pocket and placed it on the table. "This is the remaining 100,000 yuan."

"Here you go," Zhong Wei pushed it back. "Return the card to Lao Xu before you go back to the mainland; it's his."

The door clicked shut, and Zhong Wei's lips curled into a wicked smile. The Hong Kong operation was nearing its end; only three days remained. As for Zhang Man… whether she could seize the opportunity was up to her.

On the other side, Zhang Man clutched the thousand yuan Zhong Wei had given her, feeling like she was in a dream. Today's events were a tangled mess. She walked back to the public housing in a daze, not even noticing the lecherous glances from several old men she passed. Normally, she would have glared back, but now, she felt like she had lost her soul, her steps unsteady.

Zhang Man stepped onto the old floor tiles of the public housing corridor and slowly stopped at the corner.

My gaze was fixed on the weathered wooden door beside me. Inside, a middle-aged woman with gray hair and a haggard face was hunched over cooking. On the stove sat a small sea fish, a cheap catch that fishermen found too troublesome to catch: its bones were as dense as a sieve, and its flesh was so thin it was translucent. Next to it was a small basket of greens, the edges of the leaves turning yellow; they would have been swept away as garbage at the market long ago.

"Hoo..." Zhang Man stared at the swirling smoke, her eyes suddenly stinging. She had desperately tried to rewrite this woman's fate. She had scrimped and saved to attend a mediocre university, hoping to become a lawyer and squeeze into the middle class. But reality had slapped her in the face time and time again: law firms didn't hire lawyers, but rather "decorative vases" to accompany older men for tea. They wanted her body, not her diploma. After graduating from an ordinary third-rate university, she could only work as a waitress or factory worker in Hong Kong. She was tired of this repetitive and numbing work. With the meager money she had saved, she had earned a bachelor's degree that no one recognized, like a piece of waste paper.

"That man..." Her thoughts suddenly plunged into darkness. She remembered the devilishly handsome man she had just met, who saw through all her pretenses at a glance. In his presence, she felt as if she were naked, even the cowardice in her bones was stripped away completely. That was the first time she had tasted "terror," and even her breathing trembled.

"Zhengmao Garment Factory?" She pulled out the crumpled business card, her fingertips trembling. The factory owner on the business card, Xu Zhengmao, was clearly that man's henchman. When he spoke, he bent over like a blade of grass being blown by the wind. His fawning appearance hurt her eyes.

"Is it fake?" she muttered to herself, clutching the business card. But the hard, solid feel of the thousand-dollar bill in her pocket snapped her back to reality. It was real money; why would an ordinary person play a trick on someone with a thousand dollars?

"Perhaps... it's an opportunity?" She gripped the business card so tightly it burned, and a long-lost light appeared in her eyes. Decades later, when she looked back on this day as the "Queen of Working Women," her heart would still race; it was a decision that rewrote her life.

"Even if it's worse, it's still better than it is now," she muttered to herself, stepping over the threshold and striding her long legs into the small house that smelled of fish.

"mom!"

The woman turned around, and the years had etched deep lines on her face. When she smiled, the wrinkles at the corners of her eyes seemed to shatter the sunlight: "You're back? I'm cooking, it'll be ready to eat in a bit."

"Let's eat out today." Zhang Man walked over and took her arm, her voice trembling slightly. "I found a job."

Two days passed in a flash.

This was the deadline Zhong Wei had given her. If Zhang Man didn't call Xu Zhengmao today, it would be considered a surrender. Zhong Wei wouldn't feel sorry for her, but Zhang Man would definitely regret it later: she had missed the most crucial turning point in her life.

Zhong Wei put down his knife and fork. The breakfast in front of him was a mix of Chinese and Western dishes. He poked at a fried egg with his knife and fork, and next to it was a plate of Chinese fried rice. He had never been able to get used to this "hybrid" food, neither in his past life nor this one. He finished eating hastily, clapped his hands, and took the elevator back to his room.

He spent the last two days wandering around Hong Kong. The streets and scenery were completely different from the 1997 he remembered from his previous life. Hong Kong in 1979 was like a piece of uncut jade that had just been unveiled. Even the wind carried the lingering scent of the old days. Compared to the prosperity of the 21st century, it was simply a different world.

Less than ten minutes after they sat down, the room phone suddenly rang. Zhong Wei answered, and it was Xu Zhengmao's voice: "Young Master Zhong, I've brought the girl. She's in the hotel lobby now. Is it convenient for her to come up?"

"Okay." Zhong Wei replied casually, hung up the phone, and narrowed his eyes slightly.

Zhang Man was lucky; she grasped at this straw. Zhong Wei wanted someone simple: smart and obedient. She happened to meet both criteria.