Chapter 2: Borrowing a Huge Sum to Buy a Pile of Scrap Metal

Back then, after Cheng Shi was laid off from the machinery factory, he had only a few dozen yuan in his pocket and, lost and helpless, joined the wave of hundreds of thousands heading south to seek work.

The first job he landed was at a foreign-owned enterprise.

Working overtime through the night was standard practice. More importantly, to the foreign bosses, those who could only operate machines but not develop them were little more than beasts of burden.

He endured countless hardships before eventually managing to start his own small workshop, and then, step by step, became a domestic industry leader and top expert.

Even on his deathbed, he remained preoccupied with the fact that China’s independent research and production of high-end precision machine tools had not caught up with foreign competitors.

High-end precision machine tools had always been a strategic national resource, hailed as the “mother of industry.”

From high-speed trains crisscrossing the country, to automobiles, soaring airplanes, and aircraft carriers traversing the seas, all depended on these machine tools.

Yet, because China entered the field late with a weak foundation and faced constant foreign suppression, high-end precision machine tools had long been reliant on imports.

This technological lag meant many machines could only be purchased from abroad.

For instance, the shield tunneling machines used in construction—in the early 2000s, Germany sold them to China for 700 million yuan each, with no room for negotiation.

It was nothing short of daylight robbery.

In his youth, Cheng Shi was often extorted and choked by foreign enterprises because of this, pressed hard under their heels, furious and aggrieved yet utterly helpless.

He thought daily: If only he hadn’t wasted years at the machinery factory, eating from the communal pot, but had focused on machine tools from the start; if only the old state-run factories had changed their mindset and invested in independent R&D sooner—then China could surely have led the world in this field.

He never imagined fate would be so kind as to give him another chance.

Now that he was back, he was determined not to let the industry repeat its mistakes.

Take, for example, this German lathe, purchased back then for tens of thousands in foreign exchange. When the CNC system malfunctioned, no one knew how to repair or upgrade it.

The factory had even invited technicians from the original manufacturer, who insisted a new integrated circuit board was needed, costing nearly as much as a new machine.

Leaders thought it wasn’t worth it, so the machine was simply left idle.

If Cheng Shi didn’t buy it now, after the factory’s restructuring, Liu Jianshe would later acquire these machines for a pittance, converting them into his private property.

But if Cheng Shi repaired it now, it could generate astonishing profits.

He rode his bicycle to the nearest city credit union, went straight to the loan window, and said, “Comrade, I want to use this machine tool as collateral for a five-thousand-yuan loan.”

At that time, personal credit loans were rare, but collateralized loans were still possible.

Moreover, city credit unions were more convenient and approving than the big banks.

The clerk at the window was a plump woman surnamed Wan. She knew Cheng Shi, as his sister, Cheng Juan, also worked at the credit union.

Ms. Wan was initially impatient, but upon glancing at the documents, she brightened: so the rumors about your impulsiveness are true.

Clearly, you’re using company property to get a loan and then planning to squander it.

Your sister—she has no background or connections. If she hadn't had the luck of joining when the credit union was expanding, she’d never have gotten in.

Yet, she’s completely oblivious, relying on her pretty face, never knowing her place. In just a month, she’s already often accompanying leaders to banquets and receptions, and these past days she’s gone with them to the provincial capital to report on work.

She’s seized all the best opportunities for recognition and privilege, while us old employees and those with connections can only dutifully man the counters, enduring hardship.

How can this continue?!

Just as well, today you’ve made a mess—let’s see if your sister can still act so pleased with herself!

She asked Cheng Shi, “Do you know the current loan interest rate?”

The procedures had to be followed, and the required disclosures made. Even if she intended to set them up, she wanted to avoid blame from Cheng Juan.

Cheng Shi replied, “If I’m not mistaken, the annual interest rate for loans under six months is 8.64%. I only need it for half a year.”

Ms. Wan took the contract and documents to consult her superior, soon returned, and pointed to the contract. “For your sister’s sake, I’ll expedite the process. Sign and fingerprint here, and you’ll get your money.”

As soon as he signed, even if he repaid immediately, he’d still owe several dozen yuan in interest for the month. If he couldn’t repay by the deadline, the credit union would simply repossess the machine, suffering no loss.

However, his sister’s bonus for the month would definitely be docked, and she might even be disciplined over this.

Ms. Wan, though trying to hide it, was almost excessively obliging.

After all, in those days, bank employees didn’t have to meet performance targets—they were notoriously lazy, and even the newly-established city credit unions were no different.

If something could be done in five days, it would never be finished in four and a half—yet now, everything was wrapped up in under an hour.

Cheng Shi knew these people often made things difficult for Cheng Juan, gossiping about her behind her back.

There was no way they’d be genuinely helpful; they simply wanted to finalize the matter before Cheng Juan’s return, digging a pit for both siblings.

Cheng Shi, however, intended to take advantage of their schemes to get the loan quickly, so he pretended not to notice their malice and replied with a grateful smile, “Thank you, Ms. Wan.”

He then signed, fingerprinted, and counted the money with astonishing proficiency, not needing a single prompt.

Ms. Wan was surprised: how did this kid seem so experienced? But these days, very few individuals applied for loans.

Just then, a tall, fair-skinned, beautiful young woman entered, and upon seeing Cheng Shi, hurried over in surprise. “What are you doing here?”

A flicker of jealousy and resentment flashed in Ms. Wan’s eyes: even in work attire, this little minx was alluring.

This beauty was Cheng Shi’s elder sister, Cheng Juan, a graduate in accounting from a vocational college.

Once her probation period ended, she would have a secure job for life.

Her character was the opposite of Cheng Shi’s—steady and reserved, gentle on the outside but strong within.

As the saying goes, an elder sister is like a mother.

Though she often chided Cheng Shi, she cared for him deeply. Since childhood, she’d always let him have the best food, worried he might go hungry or cold.

Sadly, this wonderful woman later married a scoundrel to raise money for their mother’s medical treatment, sinking into misery.

That man not only indulged in every vice—drinking, gambling, womanizing, beating Cheng Juan—but also infected her with a venereal disease, plunging her into despair.

For the sake of her child, Cheng Juan silently endured and never divorced.

Whenever Cheng Shi called home, she only reported good news, never the bad, so he believed she was happy.

It wasn’t until he saw her scarred corpse that he realized she had been living in hell for years.

Furious, Cheng Shi took that scoundrel to court.

But the man escaped justice because Cheng Juan’s death was ruled a suicide.

Even after Cheng Shi became a billionaire and established countless funds to aid women suffering from domestic violence and cancer, he could never fill the void or quell his rage.

Whenever he dreamed of his sister, he would wake choking with sobs, so grief-stricken and guilty he couldn’t sleep: Sister, if I ever have another chance, I’ll save you from that monster.

Now, looking at his sister, her eyes bright and cheeks flushed like a dewy rose, he was overwhelmed by emotion, his eyes stinging and throat tight as if stuffed with cotton.

He cleared his throat and said, “Sister, you’re back.”

Naturally, Cheng Juan didn’t grasp the double meaning in his words. She frowned. “You’ve gotten in trouble again? I haven’t been paid yet—there’s no money.”

“It’s not that, I haven’t caused any trouble,” Cheng Shi replied.

“Then stop messing around and get back to work,” said Cheng Juan.

“I’ve voluntarily left my job,” Cheng Shi explained. “I’m planning to start my own business. I came to get a loan for startup capital.”

Cheng Juan’s face went pale and she exclaimed, “What?!”

When she was in her final year of junior high, she just managed to catch the last batch of work placements, but their father insisted on reserving the spot for her brother.

Everyone said their father favored sons over daughters.

Though Cheng Juan felt uneasy, she never complained, stubbornly studying her way into vocational college.

But she never expected Cheng Shi to act so irresponsibly—giving up a hard-won job just like that.

The commotion caught the attention of everyone in the office, all turning to look at Cheng Juan.

She hurried out from behind the counter and pulled Cheng Shi aside, whispering, “How could you be so impulsive? Did you discuss this with our parents?”

Cheng Shi took her hand. “Don’t worry, sister, I’m not that reckless child anymore. I have my own plan.”

Cheng Juan was momentarily stunned, gazing at him in disbelief. In just a day, he seemed to have changed completely.

The impatience and grievance in his eyes had been replaced by calm and confidence.

While she was distracted, Cheng Shi nimbly mounted his bike and said, “See you at home later, I’m heading off.”

Cheng Juan was so angry that tears welled up. She chased after him, stamping her foot. “Come back here right now!”

But Cheng Shi’s figure had already vanished beneath the dappled shade of the trees.

Ms. Wan gloated inwardly, though she said aloud, “Oh dear, so Cheng Shi didn’t even discuss this with his family. His documents were all in order, so I processed everything by the rules. What now? The loan has to be paid off within six months.”