"How rich am I, exactly?"
Yu Zhou was taken aback. He was genuinely confused by the question, as he wasn't entirely sure of his own wealth.
However, such an answer was clearly not going to satisfy Tang Yan. So, he turned his gaze to Tang Long, his meaning clear: "You explain it to her?"
If it were anyone else, Yu Zhou wouldn't have bothered explaining.
After all, no matter how rich he was, what business did it have with them?
But Tang Yan was different. Yu Zhou intended to bring her onto his ship and believed that with proper cultivation, she could become a formidable woman.
These days, some things truly depended on talent. Take Tang Yan, for instance.
On the surface, she was just good-looking. Yet, her innate intelligence and her way of handling people had convinced Yu Zhou that such an individual, if guided in the right direction, would undoubtedly become a shrewd operator.
It might take some effort to nurture her, but Yu Zhou's team was not yet complete. He needed someone with an eye for talent and the ability to cultivate it.
Weren't many successful entrepreneurs' teams built this way? Yu Zhou also wanted to build his own crew, and thus, he was often envious when encountering talented individuals.
A hint of bitterness crept into Tang Long's heart. Why had this task fallen upon him?
He wasn't one for boasting, but if he told the truth now, everyone present would likely think he was lying.
He could only brace himself and begin his analysis.
"Based on current market valuations, plus Mr. Yu's personal assets, it's approximately around twenty-five million yuan!"
"Of course, this is just a rough estimate, but the difference won't exceed one million."
He had, in effect, calculated his own worth as he saw it.
But this calculation stunned everyone present, from the public officials to Tang Yan, who widened their eyes and gasped.
They knew Tang Long was Yu Zhou's assistant, and he absolutely wouldn't lie about this matter.
Because anyone who was motivated could easily verify it.
Yet, the figure Tang Long provided was simply staggering.
After all, remember, this was the 1990s, not the new millennium when money had lost its value.
Even twenty years later, a millionaire would still be considered wealthy, wouldn't they?
This was an era when computers were not yet widespread, and televisions didn't even have LCD screens.
These public servants, working themselves to the bone, earned barely a hundred or two hundred yuan a month. To earn twenty million would take an impossibly long time. Yet, this sum for Yu Zhou seemed entirely plausible.
Even the deputy director couldn't help but feel a pang of envy. Comparing oneself to others truly bred resentment.
If he had so much wealth, he wouldn't have to do anything for the rest of his life and could still spend it all!
Indeed, this was the common sentiment at the time when faced with a figure like twenty million. In an era when billionaires were still a myth, such people and such things were almost unimaginable. How much was ten million? It could probably fill an entire room with banknotes!
"Not that much! Valuation and actual cash owned are two completely different things."
"Frankly speaking, even with the valuation of my 'San Pi Ma' company, if I were to announce that I'm selling my shares, very few people would offer to pay the appraised value."
Yu Zhou smiled, understanding this principle all too well.
Even though everyone knew that the "San Pi Ma" company had immense potential, if Yu Zhou announced his intention to sell his shares, the company's value would plummet.
Unless there were ultra-wealthy individuals with genuine ambitions for "San Pi Ma" willing to fork out such a massive sum to facilitate such an acquisition, who else would dare?
Therefore, in Yu Zhou's eyes, his so-called fortune couldn't be calculated this way.
However, even so, the expressions of those present hadn't changed.
"Twenty million, how much is that?"
Tang Yan whispered in astonishment, feeling her mind struggling to keep up.
Could one person truly earn so much money?
Just the number itself seemed to shatter her worldview.
Let alone her background in a backward and isolated village.
Even the entire "swaying machine project" she was previously involved with would have been dwarfed by this sum.
Tang Yan now understood why Yu Zhou wasn't tempted by the small business.
It would be miraculous if he were tempted. What wealthy magnate would care about such a trivial enterprise? Even if the method of making money wasn't a scam, and even if it were incredibly profitable, such a big boss wouldn't be interested, would they?
They were making a fortune every minute, weren't they?
It was only now that Tang Yan realized her own shallowness. Compared to him, everyone involved in the swaying machine projects was mere trifles.
Suddenly, she felt a surge of desire to work for Yu Zhou. It wasn't just about money; it was more about the fact that reaching a certain level of wealth also meant an elevation in status.
Even Tang Yan had once fantasized about being at the forefront, with a crowd of people trailing behind her.
Could this dream be realized by following Yu Zhou?
If his promises could be fulfilled, it was entirely possible, wasn't it?
"Found them! Found all of them!"
"Following Mr. Yu's directions, we've located every residential complex and investigated every other organization."
"Furthermore, we've also found the locations of the bosses behind them. What do we do next?"
Suddenly, while everyone was still reeling from the shock of Yu Zhou's wealth, a police officer rushed into the police station, his face alight with excitement.
He immediately shared the good news with everyone.
Even Yu Zhou was taken aback. "This fast?"
Once the Public Security Bureau took the matter seriously, their efficiency was truly beyond his imagination.
It was much, much faster than he had anticipated.