Chapter 79: A New Heresy

It was no wonder Zhao Fan had doubts—renovating a house couldn’t possibly be the same as constructing a shopping mall; anyone could see the difference. Shi Wenxuan smiled, not answering directly, but instead produced a document.

“No matter how much we say, results speak louder. President Zhao, this is a portfolio of projects completed by our company’s team. Please, take a look.”

Zhao Fan took the document. As soon as he opened to the first page, his pupils contracted sharply.

Sangtian—the most renowned construction team from his previous life.

Before Zhao Fan was reborn, Sangtian’s reputation had already echoed internationally. Their prowess lay not only in design but also in multifaceted development; anything related to architecture, Sangtian would have a hand in. Design, quality, speed—they excelled in all, always ahead of the curve. This cemented Sangtian’s reputation, and wealth flowed in endlessly.

Zhao Fan closed the document. There was no need to read further; it was surely all about Sangtian’s early projects.

Shi Wenxuan was surprised. “President Zhao, don’t you want to check the contents?”

Zhao Fan smiled slightly. “I don’t need to. I already know it’s filled with your company’s masterpieces. What puzzles me is why the document says Sangtian, but the company…”

He deliberately paused, and Shi Wenxuan immediately picked up the thread.

“The names differ because the design and construction teams were separate.”

Different teams for design and construction?

Zhao Fan felt the answer conflicted with what Shi Wenxuan had said earlier. “If I remember correctly, you just claimed both teams belong to your company?”

Shi Wenxuan nodded candidly. “That’s right. I said they were different because, until yesterday, the two were still separate.”

Now Zhao Fan understood—they had merged today.

“Looks like your company will need a new name as well.”

Shi Wenxuan laughed, “Indeed. I’ve already arranged for a new sign. In a few days, it’ll be replaced.”

Thinking of Sangtian’s reputation from his previous life, Zhao Fan made a prompt decision. “I’ll entrust you with my shopping mall. I hope Sangtian won’t disappoint me.”

Shi Wenxuan replied, “Rest assured, President Zhao. We will not let you down.”

With another matter settled, Zhao Fan left feeling lighter.

By now, most of Zhao Fan’s affairs were resolved; he could finally say he was unburdened.

In the following period, Zhao Fan dedicated himself to earning his driver’s license, passing the tests within half a month.

Meanwhile, Shi Wenxuan, whose company had been renamed Sangtian, called Zhao Fan with news that the first version of the design had been completed and asked if he could come review it.

Upon hearing this, Zhao Fan immediately headed to Sangtian.

After viewing the design, Zhao Fan was astonished.

“Earlier, President Shi said it would take a month to produce the design, but this one, completed in half that time, is already remarkable.”

With no established large shopping malls at this point, most people prioritized practicality over refinement.

Yet, Sangtian’s design not only addressed practicality but also incorporated elegance.

Shi Wenxuan smiled. “This is our first mall design, after all. We must give it our all. What do you think, President Zhao? If there are no issues, I’ll proceed with the cost estimate.”

“It’s excellent. Go ahead.”

Having worked together several times, Zhao Fan trusted Shi Wenxuan.

The crucial reason, though, was certainty—Sangtian aimed to build its reputation with this mall, so their considerations would undoubtedly be more thorough than his own.

“I believe Sangtian will deliver a satisfactory result.”

A week later, Zhao Fan received Shi Wenxuan’s cost estimate. Every detail, from materials to interior finishes, had been accounted for—nothing overlooked.

The final sum: eighty million.

Influenced by memories of sums in the hundreds of millions from his previous life, Zhao Fan instinctively thought, “Is that all?”

But he quickly realized that eighty million at this time was comparable to the billions of the future.

Shi Wenxuan sat across from him, growing nervous as Zhao Fan stopped at the last page.

“President Zhao, what do you think of the estimate?”

Eighty million was a considerable amount.

Zhao Fan closed the document. “This price is acceptable to me. Even higher wouldn’t be an issue.”

Given Sangtian’s reputation from his previous life, Zhao Fan was willing to take a chance.

“Shi Wenxuan, I want this mall to become the landmark building of Yangcheng. Can you achieve that?”

Shi Wenxuan hesitated briefly, then said, “The design will need to be redone.”

“Then redo it. I can wait.”

With the land acquired for free, Zhao Fan had more patience than anyone.

Another half month passed. As the new school term approached, Shi Wenxuan’s revised design was ready.

“I took inspiration from national mythology, shaping the exterior to resemble the celestial palace, with a classical touch. The interior has been adapted, blending features from both Eastern and Western mythologies, so the inside and outside won’t clash…”

Looking at the design, Zhao Fan had to admit it was beautiful. But his main concern was…

“If there’s only this one classical building, it will stand out awkwardly among the surrounding structures.”

Shi Wenxuan smiled confidently. “That’s because the other buildings haven’t been built yet, and will follow the pattern of high-rise towers. Since we’re the first, we can guide the development, turning the area into a cluster of classical architecture.”

Whether Eastern or Western culture, once a district achieves scale and fame, others will follow.

Zhao Fan nodded. “Excellent. Truly excellent.”

He’d wanted a landmark; Shi Wenxuan had given him a pioneering building. The difference was clear.

“Let’s proceed with this.”

“The new cost estimate…”

“Start construction first, and give me the estimate afterward.”

“Understood!”

The new estimate would largely be the previous one, with some additions. No matter the price difference, it wouldn’t be too drastic.

Back at Feiteng Company, Zhao Fan found Han Chen.

“I want software that can share video materials and allow multiple users to comment and discuss online,” Zhao Fan described his vision.

Han Chen frowned, thinking it over. “That’ll require a server. Considering future user numbers, it’ll need to be large and stable.”

Zhao Fan didn’t hesitate. “Rent or buy, you decide. As long as I can afford it, anything goes.”

Han Chen nodded. “Understood. I’ll let you know once I have something concrete.”

“Good.”

Zhao Fan was about to leave when Han Chen called out to him again. “We’re short-staffed. A few days ago, students from Capital University mentioned their school has a batch of new students interested in joining. How should we arrange it?”

New talent was always welcome. Zhao Fan wouldn’t object, but he insisted on genuine ability—he had no use for incompetence.

“As long as they’re capable, arrangements are entirely up to you. I have no objections.”