Reborn as Zhao Ruilong of Handong, I will defy fate.

Chapter 410 The shrewd and cunning Gao Qisheng! The grateful and repaying Gao Qiqiang!

Gong Kaijiang appeared calm and composed, with a broad smile on his face.

Among the crowd lining up to welcome him, his smile was particularly radiant.

Standing not far away, Gao Qisheng naturally knew what Gong Kaijiang was laughing about.

Knowing that he had escaped unscathed by laughing, that he could kill someone and still get away with it, and that he could stand at this bustling wind power project site, surrounded by media, to welcome leaders and experts who had come from afar.

He also knew that he must be feeling fortunate that he had survived such a disaster and that good fortune was on his side. He knew that what happened last night would not affect his career, and that he would instead benefit from the rapid development of Qinghua District, with a bright future ahead.

"Damn it, this is power!"

"With power, even if you kill someone, there will still be people to help cover up the crime!"

"After it was all over, I felt embarrassed to take a single penny from him, and I even told him not to worry about it!"

This moment.

A sudden, inexplicable feeling of regret welled up in Gao Qisheng's heart.

I regret that I was so focused on starting my own business back then.

In my last semester of senior year, I couldn't concentrate on my studies; all I could think about was opening a shop to sell mobile phones.

Even without capital, they would scrape together money from various sources and borrow to open a shop.

Because of a shortfall of 20,000 yuan, the eldest brother, Gao Qiqiang, was mistakenly accused by Xu Jiang, a former underworld boss in Jinghai, of killing his beloved son, Xu Lei, which triggered a series of misunderstandings and conflicts.

"If I hadn't opened a shop selling PHS phones, with my status as a top student majoring in finance at Linjiang University of Science and Technology, I could have entered the government system after graduation, and I should be able to establish myself in some unit by now, right?"

"However, for poor families without connections, climbing the ranks step by step to reach the level of a division chief like Gong Kaijiang is probably not so easy. Even with the help of a benefactor, it would still take until one is in their forties to reach that level!"

"But the problem is, where is it so easy to find a benefactor to help you? If I really enter the system after graduation, I will be 100% less fortunate than An Xin, the descendant of a martyr. After graduating from police academy, he was able to enter the Criminal Investigation Detachment of Jinghai City and had former captain Cao Chuang as his mentor."

"Rumors circulate that he also has close ties with Meng Dehai and An Changlin. But even so, despite his status, background, and connections, his rank is still not high. Today, he can only patrol and guard the perimeter and doesn't even have the right to stand in the ranks to welcome people!"

Thinking of this, Gao Qisheng instantly stopped regretting it.

Having suffered enough from poverty and being looked down upon, he longed to get rich quick and had no patience to work hard and struggle within the system.

Even without power, relying on powerful figures like Zhao Ruilong and corrupt officials like Gong Kaijiang, and enjoying the protection of power, is quite good. In just three years, he has amassed a fortune of hundreds of millions.

In this materialistic age, those who have money and power are still respected and admired, and compared to public officials, they can indulge in pleasure and enjoy the happiness of the wealthy even more unscrupulously.

"It's not a big deal to not have power. As long as I have enough money and influence, or have something on those in power, can't I use that power for my own purposes?"

"So... Gong Kaijiang, Gong Kaijiang, just keep laughing! From now on, be a good backer and I'll guarantee your safety. But if you dare betray my Gao family brothers, I'll make sure you're thrown in jail!!"

As Gao Qisheng sighed, his gaze shifted away.

Seeing the minibuses escorted by police cars line up in an orderly fashion and stop, they were greeted by a long procession of vehicles.

The first minibus was filled with men in white shirts who looked to be of high rank and had a sophisticated demeanor.

Zhou Weihong, Secretary of the Jinghai Municipal Party Committee, and Zhao Lidong, Mayor of Jinghai, greeted them with smiles, shaking hands and exchanging pleasantries.

As a typical Northeastern man, Zhang Jinchong, the provincial clerk of Linjiang, was tall and imposing, with an air of wisdom and prowess.

Gao Qisheng immediately recognized Zhang Jingchong, a clerk who frequently appeared on television news.

Zhang Jingchong shook hands with Zhou Weihong, Zhao Lidong, and others one by one, while the photographer continued to take pictures.

Judging from his lip movements, it seemed that he and everyone else simply said, "Thank you for your hard work."

The only time he shook hands with Zhao Ruilong was when he lingered for a long time and they even exchanged several words.

Because of the distance and the presence of reporters, photographers, and sound engineers filming them, Gao Qisheng couldn't guess what the two were talking about.

However, Gao Qisheng was not surprised that Zhao Ruilong received special treatment.

“A son of a top-ranking official came all the way to Linjiang to invest huge sums of money to boost economic development.”

"If I were the top official in Linjiang Province, I would definitely favor Zhao Ruilong as well!"

"But unfortunately, I, Gao Qisheng, am nothing special. For now, I'm just a businessman who has made a small fortune through luck and courage!"

"However, if I cling tightly to President Zhao's powerful connections, and eventually become a capital tycoon capable of influencing economic development, high-ranking officials will treat me like a god!!"

Gao Qisheng raised his head slightly and gently pushed up his glasses.

In his view, Zhao Ruilong, who was leading high-ranking officials and experts to inspect the wind power construction at this moment under the spotlight and with the media following him closely, did not need to be envied by him.

Gao Qisheng believed that one day he would be as rich and powerful as Zhao Ruilong, the center of attention wherever he went, surrounded by smiling faces and flattery and applause.

Even if he doesn't have a powerful father or many high-ranking relatives, as long as he makes his business big enough and makes Qiangsheng Group a top private enterprise, he can still have a reputation.

In contrast.

The eldest brother, Gao Qiqiang, standing to the side, was more pragmatic.

Although he envied the glamorous Zhao Ruilong, he never forgot that he was once just a fishmonger at the Jiuchang Street vegetable market, whose parents had died early and who had to work from dawn till dusk to support his younger siblings.

Now he has become a well-known figure in Jinghai, married a beautiful wife named Chen Shuting, owns a thriving and powerful group, and can attend important events and meet important figures that ordinary people would never have the opportunity to meet in their entire lives.

What else is there to be dissatisfied with?

Moreover, Zhao Ruilong, whom they rely on, is truly a man of great loyalty and magnanimity.

When leading a group of high-ranking officials and experts on an inspection tour, he specifically called the two brothers over.

We are pleased to introduce Jinghai's first commercial wind power demonstration project, as well as the current Panlongshan wind power project, both of which were constructed by Qiangsheng Group.

In his introduction, Zhao Ruilong also specifically mentioned that Qiangsheng Group has accumulated considerable construction experience in wind turbine tower foundation construction and tower main unit blade hoisting, and has provided many valuable suggestions for the formulation of relevant national industry standards...

In front of numerous high-ranking officials from ministries, provinces, and cities, as well as representatives from many large central and state-owned enterprises, design institutes, and research institutes, Zhao Ruilong's grand introduction of Qiangsheng Group naturally moved Gao Qiqiang to tears.

He knew all too well that Zhao Ruilong's high regard for his brothers and the Qiangsheng Group meant that he didn't see them as just hard laborers doing dirty work, but genuinely wanted to help them and give the Qiangsheng Group a place in the booming wind power industry.

If a company can become a leading enterprise in the wind power construction field, it will not only make a fortune, but it will also be easier to IPO in any place in the future, and it can obtain a very high valuation.

And before that.

Zhao Ruilong has been strongly supporting Qiangsheng Communications, a subsidiary of Qiangsheng Group, to not only sell electronic products such as mobile phones, computers, and MP3 players, but also to add large and small household appliances such as color TVs, refrigerators, and air conditioners to become Qiangsheng Electric Appliances, and to expand beyond Linjiang Province to open chain stores in major cities across the country.

Such praise and support moved Gao Qiqiang so much that he almost burst into tears on the spot.

I will repay your kindness on the Golden Terrace and die for you with the Jade Dragon!

Previously, Gao Qiqiang did not quite understand the profound meaning of this sentence.

Flipping through history books, it's hard to understand why the poor, having no way to repay even the smallest favors from the powerful, would give their lives in return.

But today, he personally experienced what it means to repay a great kindness with one's life.

Zhao Ruilong helped his two brothers so much, enabling them to achieve great success. How could a simple meal and a few gifts be enough to express his gratitude?

Fighting back tears, Gao Qiqiang secretly vowed to follow Zhao Ruilong to the death, never backing down even if it meant going through fire and water.

With a grateful heart, Gao Qiqiang naturally couldn't help but toast Zhao Ruilong repeatedly during the banquet.

If Zhao Ruilong hadn't had to catch a flight and the dinner hadn't ended before nine o'clock, Gao Qiqiang probably would have vomited on the spot.

Even so, when I went downstairs to say goodbye, I had to force myself to stay alert.

Not long after Zhao Ruilong and his group left, he rushed to the flower bed and vomited violently.

Gao Qisheng quickly asked someone to bring water, and then gently patted his elder brother's back.

After vomiting for a while, Gao Qiqiang slowly got up.

"Brother, there's water here!"

Gao Qisheng quickly unscrewed the cap and handed the mineral water bottle to his older brother.

Rinse your mouth and drink the rest of the water.

Gao Qiqiang felt dizzy and unsteady on his feet.

Raising his arm and putting it on his younger brother's shoulder, Gao Qiqiang said with a broad smile:

"I'm so happy today! I'm so happy!"

"After living for more than 30 years, I feel like I've finally lived a decent life today!"

"I never imagined that I, Gao Qiqiang, would one day meet Linjiang Shuji, as well as so many high-ranking officials from ministries and top experts!"

"What an incredible stroke of luck! I've met such a kind and righteous person as Mr. Zhao. Today feels like a dream come true, it was so amazing!!"

Gao Qiqiang leaned on his younger brother's shoulder, gazing into the direction where Zhao Ruilong's convoy had departed.

As she spoke, her eyes welled up with tears.

"Brother, is it really that serious?"

Gao Qisheng chuckled and asked, "When Uncle Tai bought Bai Jinhan and gave it to you as a gift, didn't you say something similar?"

"Can that be the same?"

Gao Qiqiang sobbed, tears welling up in his eyes.

"Becoming Bai Jinhan's boss and joining Jinghai Construction Group changed my fate of poverty, and made me no longer a stinky fishmonger on Jiuchang Street."

"And Mr. Zhao's arrangement for me to meet high-level figures was not just about giving me a chance to rise to prominence, but also about making me feel proud and experiencing what it's like to be a successful person!"

At this point, Gao Qiqiang turned to look at his younger brother.

"Xiao Sheng, aren't you moved?"

"I'm touched! Of course I'm touched!"

Gao Qisheng adjusted his glasses.

"We are extremely grateful to Mr. Zhao, such a wealthy and powerful figure, for helping us time and time again."

"But maybe it's because I've read more books than you. I always felt that President Zhao helped us because we were of value and worth helping."

"His help wasn't altruistic; he helped us grow bigger and stronger, undoubtedly for the sake of huge returns in the future. Ultimately, it's a business!"

Hearing his younger brother's words, Gao Qiqiang became furious.

But before he could even begin to reprimand him, Gao Qisheng turned and sneered:

"Brother, there's no such thing as a free lunch!"

"President Zhao made us look good, but it was all for the sake of gaining greater benefits."

"From a moral standpoint, it is only natural to value relationships, be grateful, and repay kindness."

"But you don't need to be too self-satisfied, as if you'd risk your life for a single order from President Zhao!"

"Don't stare at me like that. When you knelt down and swore you'd take care of Uncle Tai in his old age!"

"And what happened? Before he could even retire, a car accident took his life, and the construction group he had built from scratch was swallowed up!"