Zhang Liunian did not want to get involved. He just wanted to listen quietly and then consider whether to invest.
However, the more he didn't want to speak, the more others wanted him to.
"President, you think too highly of him. What kind of vision can a domestic individual business owner have? And you're letting him share his thoughts? I'm afraid he won't be able to say a single word," the blonde youth said.
"Looking at his frightened expression makes me want to laugh. President, you actually want to hear his thoughts? That's hilarious. What thoughts could he possibly have? Could it be what he's having for dinner today?" the black-haired youth added.
"Hahaha…"
"This is killing me, hahaha…"
The mocking laughter of the two youths echoed throughout the venue, and Zhang Liunian's face grew increasingly displeased.
These two youths had picked a fight with him.
"Comrade Zhang Liunian, why don't you try saying a few words? We won't laugh at you even if you don't say it well. A seminar is not about being right or wrong," Chen Jiayuan said, seeing Zhang Liunian's ashen face. Fearing he might just walk away, he stepped in again as a mediator.
"President, please don't let him speak. What can he say? Will he say he doesn't understand, or how he used to farm back home?"
"Yes, this is too difficult for him. President, let's not bully such an unsophisticated and penniless fellow who hasn't seen the world."
"…"
Chen Jiayuan was somewhat speechless. If Zhang Liunian was considered penniless, then two-thirds of the people present wouldn't deserve to be called penniless.
He knew Zhang Liunian's net worth; it had long surpassed one hundred million, which was far beyond what most people present could compare to.
Therefore, Zhang Liunian could absolutely not be the penniless fellow they described, and he wouldn't allow it. However, considering Zhang Liunian's situation, he ultimately didn't step forward to defend him.
He could only watch Zhang Liunian, hoping he would say something.
Seeing the increasingly arrogant demeanor of the two youths, Zhang Liunian finally sighed and stood up. "Since you all want to hear me speak so much, I'll say a couple of things. Please bear with me if I don't say it well."
"Even if you say you were raised on feces, I can understand," the blonde youth mocked.
Zhang Liunian was angered by him. He shot the youth a cold glance before addressing everyone, "The President wants to hear my thoughts on the automotive project, so I'll focus on that.
Firstly, I think this project is indeed good. My only concern is whether the government will take over.
Secondly, if the government doesn't take over the automotive project, it will surely flourish if we get it going. However, it's unlikely to be passed down to future generations.
Because I believe this project cannot remain popular for more than thirty-five years."
As soon as Zhang Liunian finished speaking, the first person to disagree was Boss Ren. He glared at Zhang Liunian indignantly and shouted, "You're talking nonsense! How do you know this project won't stay popular forever?
Thirty-five years, you say? You're quite the talker. Are you saying this because everyone here is in their forties and fifties?"
Seeing Boss Ren's anger, the blonde youth immediately added fuel to the fire, "Boss Ren, he's cursing you to die soon, saying you won't live for thirty-five years. This person is wicked, deliberately choosing that number to mock our age."
"Exactly. He's from a small place, with a narrow view, a small nose, and a small brain. He can't be compared to us Hong Kong businessmen," the black-haired youth chimed in.
In any case, the two brothers were convinced that Zhang Liunian was a shortsighted nobody, and his words were not worth taking seriously.
Chen Jiayuan, seated at the head, was also taken aback by Zhang Liunian's statement. "Won't be popular for more than thirty-five years"? What did that mean?
Could it be that he knew something?
Chen Jiayuan's interest was piqued by Zhang Liunian's words, so he spoke up, "Everyone, please quiet down. It's not too late to hear why Comrade Zhang Liunian said that. Perhaps he has his own ideas?"
With his words, the two youths stopped talking. They still had to show respect to President Chen, as they relied on him to make money here, and it wasn't good to offend him.
"Comrade Zhang Liunian, you can continue now," Chen Jiayuan said, gesturing for Zhang Liunian to proceed as everyone quieted down.
Seeing this, Zhang Liunian had no choice but to speak again. "The reason I say this is because times are progressing, and technology is developing. Don't you think it's impressive now for a household to have a bicycle? But in a few years, they might each have a small motorcycle, and in a few more years, they might all have a small car.
At that point, will they still need to take cars?"
"…"
Everyone present fell silent, stunned by Zhang Liunian's words.
A small motorcycle in a few years, and then a small car?
Could China's economic development really be this fast?
Was this Zhang Liunian joking? Shenzhen was still largely a place where people struggled to get enough to eat. When would it reach the situation Zhang Liunian described?
"Hahaha, this is hilarious. Everyone having a small car? You must be dreaming! For China to reach the economic level you're talking about, it will take at least a hundred years."
The blonde youth was the first to mock Zhang Liunian for his audacious claims.
Zhang Liunian looked at him as if he were an idiot and smiled. The blonde youth only realized that no one was supporting him when he subconsciously looked at his good brother, the black-haired youth.
The black-haired youth was currently frowning, contemplating Zhang Liunian's words. Could China's future development really reach the point where every household had a small car?
Wouldn't that mean that Chinese compatriots had already achieved a moderately prosperous life?
Was that possible?
China was currently poor and white everywhere, with people everywhere in rags. Could such a China achieve the situation he described?
This bumpkin seemed to be different from what they thought. He wasn't shortsighted; on the contrary, he had a very long-term vision. He seemed to have foreseen China decades into the future.
Little blonde saw his brother wasn't cooperating and had to fight alone.
"Everyone having motorcycles? Haven't you gone out to see Shenzhen today? If it weren't for people like us, they would still be starving.
These people should thank us for coming to help you build and develop. Without us, many more people would have likely starved to death.
And you want every household to have a small car? Do you know that just one small car starts at over 150,000 yuan? With such a high price, you still expect the entire nation to own one? You must be dreaming."
The blonde youth's temper flared, and he simply didn't believe Zhang Liunian's words.
Zhang Liunian looked at him and sneered, "Who's dreaming, me or you? Time will tell. Don't overestimate yourselves. Even if you hadn't come to develop it, others would have. As long as there's profit to be made, there's no shortage of people willing to invest and make money."