Chapter 36. Teacher Ma: I’ll Drink Three Cups First!
At this real estate auction, everyone was eyeing the first few plots of land. Those plots already had urban planning in place. Though the prices were high and required additional capital injection later, securing them was a guaranteed profit—a sure win with no risk.
But the fifth plot? That was purely waiting for a sucker.
And that sucker had been a long time coming.
…that in this auction, someone would actually bid on it!
Teacher Ma had just looked into the details of this plot. He never imagined Li Mo would place a bid. But now, it was obviously too late to stop him. He couldn’t help but wonder—was Li Mo serious about buying land just to “collect” and grow vegetables?
It didn’t seem impossible.
“Thirty-one million, going twice!”
“Thirty-one million, going three times!”
The abandoned project fell into Li Mo’s hands.
All the companies present buzzed about the situation. Everyone knew—the real estate circle was about to gain another juicy topic of conversation.
Most likely, it would just be a laughingstock over dinner.
“Ms. Ji, is something wrong?”
Sun Qingqing, CEO of Bilan Real Estate, asked curiously.
“Nothing… I just didn’t expect anyone to buy that land.”
“It’s practically useless. The surrounding area is all zoned for industrial use—no way to build a residential district.”
“And… the subway plans were canceled.”
“Buying it is just throwing money away.”
She had too many questions…
After Li Mo secured the land, Teacher Ma rushed over.
“Mr. Mo, weren’t you too impulsive?”
“Over thirty million for a plot with no appreciation potential?”
“You won’t even be able to sell it at a loss!”
He was genuinely pained—even though it wasn’t his money, such extravagance was hard to stomach.
This was just too lavish…
If that twenty million were given to him…
He could’ve opened several more subsidiaries in the U.S.
Ma Tengyun was also puzzled. But to distinguish himself from Teacher Ma, he kept his composure.
“Teacher Ma, you’re still too inexperienced.”
“I’ve already grasped Mr. Mo’s strategy and deeper intentions.”
“As a business leader, if you lack the calm to face a collapsing mountain without flinching…”
“How can you manage a major enterprise?”
Ma Tengyun had no clue either.
He was just as anxious inside. Earlier, he hadn’t even wanted to raise the bid.
He had to follow Mr. Mo’s lead.
He trusted that Mr. Mo had his reasons.
Li Mo gave Ma Tengyun a strange look.
Did he actually figure something out?
Listening to Ma Tengyun, neither Teacher Ma nor Cai Chongxin could decipher his “profound insight.”
They suppressed their frustration, reminding themselves—not my money, don’t stress.
Meanwhile, Teacher Ma grew even more envious of Ma Tengyun.
It seemed that following Li Mo had rapidly elevated Ma Tengyun’s mindset.
Throwing away thirty million like it was nothing…
“All right, Mr. Yin, introduce us to Ms. Ji.”
What’s done was done.
No use regretting now.
Better to focus on building a connection with Ji Wanxian.
A high-society lady from Yanjing like her—
If they could establish ties, it would be invaluable for business growth.
“Let’s go. She’s about to leave—hurry!”
Yin Qiang quickly led Li Mo and the others over.
Xu Desheng and Wang Yanbin tactfully stayed behind.
They were no longer in the same league as Li Mo.
This kind of situation…
The two men stayed to mind the kids, while their wives chatted with Su Qingyan about everyday life—
And, of course, some gossip about Li Mo and Su Qingyan’s relationship.
When Yin Qiang called out to her, Ji Wanxian paused.
“Mr. Yin, what is it?”
“Ms. Ji, I’d like to introduce a few people.”
“Perhaps there’s room for future collaboration as an investor.”
Ji Wanxian glanced at Li Mo.
She found him… intriguing.
His impression on her was far too striking.
Spending 31 million on a plot with abandoned buildings?
Was beyond her comprehension.
“Everyone, this is Ms. Ji—Ji Wanxian, a distinguished lady from Yanjing!”
“And a major financier in today’s land auction!”
“This is Li Mo, my old classmate.”
“Currently investing in an internet company.”
“His financial power, as you just witnessed.”
Ji Wanxian nodded slightly.
“I’ll probably never forget you.”
Her elegant, aloof face betrayed no emotion.
A 26-year-old woman, yet exuding an intimidating aura of authority.
“Nobility” was embodied to perfection—
As if she was born to stand above all.
“And this is Teacher Ma—CEO of Alibaba, current valuation in the tens of millions.”
“This is Cai Chongxin, a Yale graduate who just secured a seven-figure investment.”
Yin Qiang repeated Li Mo’s earlier words, with slight embellishment.
Teacher Ma promptly handed over a business card.
“You can easily look up Alibaba’s ventures online.”
Beside Ji Wanxian, a middle-aged female secretary took the card and handed one in return.
Li Mo didn’t offer a card.
“Ms. Ji, if you have time after returning, download QQ.”
“Add me—my number is 100.”
“I’ll prepare an account for you.”
Teacher Ma and Cai Chongxin were stunned.
Li Mo was still promoting his software?
Was on another level.
Ji Wanxian’s replies were always brief, yet carried an overwhelming presence.
She soon left, showing no interest in further conversation.
“Ah… Ms. Ji is truly hard to approach. Building a connection seems impossible.”
“A woman of her status is beyond ordinary networking.”
“Just knowing her is enough.”
“She’s likely just a passerby in your lives.”
“Li Mo, tonight we’re feasting on your dime!”
The topic shifted to the evening’s drinks.
“Tengyun, call Zhang Zhidong and the others.”
“Tonight, we’re chatting properly with Teacher Ma!”
Instantly, Ma Tengyun perked up.
Yes! He’d been waiting to discuss salaries.
Bringing the “Five Tigers” along…
Outside, Su Qingyan remained by Li Mo’s side.
Yin Qiang and the others followed in their own cars—modest compared to Li Mo’s.
Upon arriving at a high-end hotel, Zhang Zhidong and the others were already waiting.
Zhang Zhidong, Zeng Liqing, Chen Yidan, and Xu Chenye greeted them.
“Teacher Ma, let me introduce our four senior executives at QQ.”
“Zhang Zhidong, Zeng Liqing, Chen Yidan, and Xu Chenye.”
“Together with Tengyun, they’re known as the ‘Five Tigers of QQ.’”
The five felt honored.
Li Mo introduced his classmates.
“Tonight, we drink until we drop!”
The group settled into a private room.
Su Qingyan sat beside Li Mo, cracking open a crab leg for him.
To her left were the two wives, who doted on her.
As the guest of honor, Teacher Ma sat on Li Mo’s right, with Ma Tengyun beside him.
Recalling the day’s events, Teacher Ma raised his glass enthusiastically.
Unlike the younger Ma Tengyun, Teacher Ma revered baijiu culture—
So tonight, everyone switched to liquor.
“Mr. Mo, today’s trip to Shenzhen has been eye-opening.”
Li Mo raised his glass in return.
“Teacher Ma’s composure exceeds my expectations.”
“Despite your ordinary looks, you won over such a beautiful wife in college.”
“It’s that very confidence that draws people in.”
“Looks mean nothing for a man.”
“Substance is what matters.”
“No matter how handsome, a fool is still a fool.”
“I admire Teacher Ma’s self-assurance!”
Teacher Ma beamed at the praise.
“Mr. Mo, you flatter me.”
“I’ll drink three cups first!”
“Mr. Mo, take your time!”
“I’d like to ask your advice on a few things.”
Teacher Ma poured a full glass of baijiu—
And downed it in one go.
Ma Tengyun immediately cheered.
The Five Tigers clapped along.
Yin Qiang and the others joined in.
Flattered by Li Mo’s words and hyped by the crowd, Teacher Ma’s excitement peaked.
He poured another full glass—