Chapter 17: Demolition Negotiation

The 520 million yuan in charitable donations from the "Qin Feng Life Light" special fund was like a massive energy block thrown into the social lake, stirring not just ripples, but towering waves.

Within just one hour, the press conference surged to the top of trending lists across all major online platforms. Terms like "Shenhou Qin Feng" and "Five Hundred Million Rescue" firmly dominated the rankings. Public opinion was almost unanimously laudatory:

"This is what a true elite family looks like! Taking from the people, using for the people!"

"Who said he was a nouveau riche? Step forward and walk two steps? This vision, this responsibility!"

"I cried—my cousin's child is in the 'Dawn Project.' Yesterday we got word the medical bills were covered; the whole family burst into tears... Thank you, Mr. Qin!"

"I'm a fan now! From now on, Xingyao Department Store is my living room!"

Media in-depth reports came one after another, further enriching and solidifying Qin Feng's image as a "mysterious young billionaire," even imbuing it with an idealistic hue. Even some official media outlets, previously cautious about capital expansion, published commentary pieces affirming this kind of entrepreneurial behavior—"focusing on public pain points, demonstrating social responsibility."

Xingyao Department Store's reputation reached an unprecedented height. The stock price, previously shaken by Hongyuan Group's covert rumors, not only stabilized completely but surged through several consecutive limit-ups under the dual momentum of market sentiment and confidence in its boss's "power," setting a new market value record. Sun Zhe reported that some covert short-selling activities targeting Xingyao bonds had quietly diminished by more than half.

Hongyuan Group's shadowy maneuvers appeared utterly feeble and almost laughable against this overwhelming tide of positive public opinion. How many things Wang Hongyuan smashed in his office remains unknown.

Qin Feng enjoyed this positive feedback generated by "throwing money"—it brought not just fame but tangible progress in the system. Yet he did not indulge in it; his gaze had already turned to his next target.

The system unlock progress (【Super Technology】72%, 【Wealth Prediction】60%) had risen significantly, but full unlocking still required further accumulation. And the art of "spending" clearly extended beyond charity alone.

That day, he received a call from lawyer Chen Yongming.

"Boss Qin, there's new progress regarding the property rights of several aging residential complexes under Xingyao Department Store," Chen Yongming said, his tone tinged with excitement. "The 'Qinghe Garden' complex you instructed us to focus on and attempt to acquire as a whole—our opportunity has arrived!"

Qin Feng's spirit lifted. In its early development, Xingyao Department Store had indeed acquired scattered property rights to surrounding aging complexes—assets of low quality, troublesome to manage, and distracting. When consolidating assets, Qin Feng had instructed his team to sort through these "non-performing assets" and dispose of them swiftly where possible.

"Qinghe Garden" was one of the toughest bones to crack. Built in the 1990s, the complex featured outdated facilities and a complicated resident population. Xingyao held only about 40% of the property rights; the rest was scattered among hundreds of individual owners. Due to its decent location, developers had long coveted it, but all had backed off due to exorbitant demolition costs and fragmented ownership that made negotiations impossible.

"What's the situation?" Qin Feng asked.

"The district government just released its latest urban renewal plan—'Qinghe Garden' has been included in the key renovation zone, with a clear official demolition compensation guideline price issued," Chen Yongming reported quickly. "Most crucially, a developer named 'Dingfeng Construction' has moved ahead secretly, contacting most individual owners and reportedly locking in over 50% of the ownership at prices slightly above the guideline rate! They aim to establish de facto control, then force us to comply—or buy our remaining shares at a low price."

Qin Feng's eyes narrowed. Someone beat him to the punch? And tried to steal his fruit?

"Dingfeng Construction? What's their background?"

"We checked. Their background isn't deep, but their boss, Zhao Ding, is a well-known local 'demolition king'—his methods... are rather crude. Their capital isn't particularly strong, so they're trying to leverage rapid locking-in of individual owners to gain leverage over the entire project."

"What's our advantage?" Qin Feng asked calmly.

"Our advantage is that we're the largest single property holder—and," Chen Yongming paused, "Xingyao Department Store's reputation has just soared thanks to your charitable act. The district government holds us in extremely high regard. In terms of policy and public opinion, we hold the upper hand."

Qin Feng instantly understood. This wasn't merely a commercial negotiation—it was a contest of comprehensive strength. Dingfeng Construction wanted to play a "surround the city from the countryside" blitzkrieg tactic; Qin Feng, however, held the "ace of spades"—capital, reputation, and policy.

"Notify the team. Prepare for negotiations," Qin Feng ordered. "Also, find out exactly how much Dingfeng offered the individual owners, and identify their biggest weakness."

"Yes, Boss Qin!"

Two days later, in a small conference room at Xingyao Department Store's headquarters, a three-party negotiation began.

On Qin Feng's side: himself, lawyer Chen Yongming, and a senior real estate investment manager. On the other side: Zhao Ding, boss of Dingfeng Construction—a middle-aged man in a flashy shirt, thick gold chains, and a face full of fat, flanked by his own lawyer and assistant. The district government had also sent a Deputy Director to observe and mediate.

Zhao Ding burst in aggressively, slapping the table: "You're Qin Feng, right? Long heard of you! No small talk—this 'Qinghe Garden' project, Dingfeng has already secured over 55% of the ownership authorization! Your 40% at Xingyao? Either sell it to us at our price and let's both get rich! Or keep your crumbling buildings and watch us develop—then don't complain you won't even get a drop of soup!"

His acquisition offer was only 5% above the government guideline price—clearly exploiting Xingyao's passive position.

Chen Yongming was about to argue, but Qin Feng gently raised his hand to stop him.

Qin Feng looked at Zhao Ding, expressionless, voice calm: "Mr. Zhao, your information may be outdated."

"What?" Zhao Ding froze.

"First," Qin Feng held up one finger, "of your so-called 55% authorization, at least 15% of owners signed property transfer agreements with us yesterday—at 130% of the government guideline price. So your actual control is now under 40%."

Zhao Ding's face darkened instantly. His assistant frantically checked his phone, turned pale, and whispered urgently into Zhao Ding's ear. Zhao Ding's face turned ashen—he never expected Qin Feng to move so fast, and so ruthlessly! 130%! Far beyond his budget and psychological limit!

"Second," Qin Feng held up a second finger, his gaze sweeping over the Deputy Director, then returning to Zhao Ding's face, "the district government promotes urban renewal to improve livelihoods and elevate the city's image. I just spoke with district leaders yesterday—Xingyao Department Store is willing to serve as the primary entity to fully manage the demolition and reconstruction of 'Qinghe Garden.' We pledge: beyond statutory compensation, we will provide each household choosing to return with an additional 100,000 yuan 'home resettlement upgrade subsidy,' and we will build, free of charge, a community senior activity center and children's playground of no less than one thousand square meters within the new community."

The Deputy Director's eyes lit up instantly. This was the responsibility of a true enterprise! Compared to Dingfeng Construction's greedy, penny-pinching approach, the contrast was stark.

Zhao Ding panicked, sweat breaking on his forehead: "You... you're lying! Where'd you get that much money? You just donated over five hundred million!"

Qin Feng smiled—a smile Zhao Ding found utterly mocking.

"Oh, you mean that five hundred million?" Qin Feng picked up his teacup, took a casual sip, his tone as light as if discussing today's weather.

"Just yesterday, the paper profit from Xingyao's stock price surge was roughly that amount."

"Puh—" Zhao Ding nearly spat blood. Earned five hundred million in one day?! How the hell was he supposed to compete?

The conference room fell silent. Chen Yongming and others barely suppressed their laughter; the Deputy Director gazed at Qin Feng with deep admiration.

The power of capital, the power of reputation, the power of policy—all perfectly fused by Qin Feng into an overwhelming, crushing advantage.

"So, Mr. Zhao," Qin Feng set down his teacup, leaned slightly forward, and stared at Zhao Ding's ashen face, delivering his final proposal: "You have only two choices now."

"One: transfer your remaining under-40% ownership to me at 115% of the government guideline price. You exit with dignity, and make a small profit."

"Two: you refuse. Then watch as I secure the project's primary status and slowly outlast you through legal, compliant means. I wonder how long your capital chain can hold?"

Kill with words!

Zhao Ding turned deathly pale, trembling all over. His prized "tactics" and "speed" crumbled before Qin Feng's absolute power and dimensional superiority. His lifeline—capital—was his greatest vulnerability.

"... I... I'll sell," Zhao Ding gritted out the words from his throat. He knew—he had lost, utterly and completely.

The negotiation ended. Zhao Ding and his team left in disgrace.

The Deputy Director warmly shook Qin Feng's hand: "Boss Qin, thank you for your support of our district's work! We have full confidence entrusting the 'Qinghe Garden' project to Xingyao!"

After seeing off the Deputy Director, Chen Yongming couldn't help praising: "Boss Qin, brilliant! Not only did you secure project leadership, you also eliminated a potential headache."

Qin Feng gazed out the window, his eyes deep. This demolition negotiation was less a business game than a masterful application of the resources he controlled.

Wealth, reputation, information, policy—all were weapons he could deploy.

"Spending" wasn't necessarily direct donation. Strategic investment—clearing obstacles, gaining a larger platform—was equally part of the "art of extravagance," and the returns could be even more astonishing.

【Super Technology】72%, 【Wealth Prediction】60%...

He felt the next massive opportunity for him to fully "waste" was already drawing near.