Chapter 112: The Plan

Brothers who are interested can join the group: 212856808.

When the contract for the apartment in Building 6, Unit 1812 was signed, Fang Wenjun was also at the Zhongtong branch. Although her mood had plummeted to rock bottom, since both the homeowner and the client had previously been in contact with her and could be considered her customers, she forced a smile and greeted them politely. This was the professional demeanor expected of a seasoned agent and the most appropriate way to handle the situation. There was even a chance for future cooperation. Yet, for Fang Wenjun, this was equally cruel. In the real estate brokerage industry, hardship and fatigue are inevitable.

Her mind was tangled with conflicting emotions. She had contacted the homeowner before Zhang Wei did. When she found the listing for Unit 1812, she had specifically searched the Fangyou system but found no information about this property. Had she entered the listing into the system immediately, rather than hoarding it privately, the property would have been under her name. Even if Zhang Wei had learned of it later, he would have no grounds to contest her claim.

But the situation had now reversed. Zhang Wei’s overt strategy had outmaneuvered her covert plan, leaving her powerless to resist. She could only watch helplessly as the homeowner and client signed the contract, and the performance credit she should have earned went to Zhang Wei instead.

Fang Wenjun felt deeply resentful. She had worked hard but reaped no reward. Her mistaken choice had cost her the listing and the client. She regretted hoarding the listing, but now that the reality was set, regret was futile.

After successfully closing the deal, Zhang Wei accompanied the client and homeowner out of the Zhongtong branch but felt little joy. Instead, a strange irritation stirred within him. First, deals like this no longer posed any challenge. Second, he felt a vague sense of guilt toward Fang Wenjun.

The second reason could be set aside; at worst, he could compensate Fang Wenjun later. Now was a critical time, with the two branch managers vying for the regional manager position, and Zhang Wei would not show mercy.

But the first issue was something Zhang Wei had to confront: was using his mind-reading ability in real estate brokerage truly an underuse of such talent? Did he have better career options?

After sending off the clients, Zhang Wei didn’t rush back to the office. Instead, he bought a pack of cigarettes at a convenience store and smoked thoughtfully. He had considered several ways to monetize his mind-reading ability: gambling, fortune-telling, starting a business, or becoming a civil servant.

Regarding gambling, Zhang Wei believed in “small bets for pleasure, big bets harm the body.” Even if he used mind reading to win, lacking strong backing, he risked being robbed upon leaving the casino. So he would never take that risk.

The second option was fortune-telling for wealthy clients—a psychological game that could earn some extra money but offered little long-term prospect and could earn him a reputation as a charlatan.

The third option was starting his own company. With his net worth in the millions, founding a brokerage was feasible. However, Zhang Wei lacked senior management experience and would struggle to scale the business, hindering his career development.

Moreover, the real estate brokerage industry in the capital was dominated by several giants. If Zhang Wei sought to rise in this field, he would face combined opposition from these titans. Without management experience or connections, bankruptcy was a distinct possibility.

The fourth option was becoming a civil servant, the least realistic. Aside from questioning whether he could pass the exams, promotion would be purely seniority-based. Without powerful connections, he’d likely remain at a deputy department level for life.

Additionally, at higher levels, one would find the civil service system stifling—climbing the ladder step by step, watching superiors’ moods, lacking personal freedom, dealing with secrecy issues, political balancing acts, and frequent constraints.

Conversely, as a super-rich entrepreneur, one could exist more independently, wield influence in currency and commodity markets, and be treated as an honored guest by central authorities—a clear advantage.

In the 21st century, the three most lucrative industries are high technology, online media, and real estate development. Zhang Wei had no experience in the first two, which focus heavily on technology and development, bearing little relation to his mind-reading skill.

He favored real estate most, given that five of the top ten richest Chinese tycoons made their fortunes there. With such role models, Zhang Wei felt confident in this industry.

Of course, these super-wealthy individuals were engaged in primary property development, which differs significantly from Zhang Wei’s second-hand brokerage business. To become a real estate magnate, Zhang Wei would have to transition from second-hand to primary property.

Entering the primary property market required a step-by-step understanding from the ground up, advancing to senior sales supervisor to participate fully in real estate development processes. Without this, even if he secured investors, he would lack the capacity to manage a company, risking substandard projects or unfinished buildings.

Zhang Wei stayed with Zhongtong’s second-hand department rather than moving directly into primary sales for two reasons. First, the second-hand market offered a broader scope, allowing him to meet influential and wealthy people to build his network.

For instance, individuals like Fatty Zhou, Li Yun, and A Ben excelled in various fields. Maintaining good relations with them would greatly aid Zhang Wei’s future. Primary sales would narrow his exposure, hampering relationship-building.

Second, Zhongtong also had primary development projects. When new properties launched, elite agents from the second-hand department were often transferred to primary sales. If Zhang Wei became second-hand branch manager, he would be promoted to a corresponding supervisory role upon transfer.

Promotion opportunities were much greater in the second-hand department. Rising to senior sales leadership would allow him to manage both primary and secondary markets, a precedent in Zhongtong. This would grant him more resources and opportunities.

Whether he could earn money quickly was not the key point. In real estate, connections and experience mattered most. If Zhang Wei mastered both primary and secondary markets within three years, he could leverage his network to attract investors and start his own company.

One must eat rice grain by grain and walk the path step by step. Zhang Wei extinguished his cigarette, calmed his restlessness, set aside immediate gains, and focused on a long-term, diligent, and pragmatic approach.

His immediate goal was to close as many deals as possible and become the Zhongtong branch manager soon. Then, if Zhongtong launched a primary sales project, he could directly assume the sales supervisor role without starting as a junior salesperson.

As a manager, he could oversee the big picture without micromanaging. He might even hold dual roles—primary sales supervisor and second-hand branch manager—accelerating his promotion, expanding his real estate knowledge, and broadening his network.

Of course, holding dual roles was challenging. It required the approval of the capital branch office and maintaining top sales performance in both departments. Otherwise, such an arrangement would not be allowed. Zhang Wei was determined to achieve this and confident in his ability.

In short, primary sales would help him grasp property development processes; secondary sales would build wider connections. Dual roles would speed up his rise to senior company leadership, laying a solid foundation for founding his own firm in the future.