As for his cousins, cousins-in-law, nephews, nieces, and distant relatives, he helped them whenever he could. When they came to him, he felt awkward to turn them away.

However, after helping them, they did not show any gratitude. They embezzled public funds in large amounts and even used his identity and authority to engage in affairs that toyed with women's emotions.

Therefore, Yi Anguo felt justified in not giving them face or opportunities and being unkind to them.

It was they who first violated the laws and company regulations.

This was one of the reasons Yi Anguo did not want to go home for the New Year this year and chose to stay in Shenzhen for some peace and quiet.

During the Spring Festival, he had to visit and extend New Year greetings to the frontline employees who stayed behind at the company rather than going home, and deliver to them the company's benefits.

Additionally, during the New Year, he had time to accompany his women and children, visiting Harbor Island for shopping, vacationing in Sanya, where his children enjoyed themselves thoroughly.

Happy times always pass quickly, and before he knew it, the Spring Festival was over. By the spring of 2010, the domestic economy began to enter an adjustment phase, which was also true for the global economy.

Domestic housing prices finally paused in their continuous rise. Many people adopted a wait-and-see attitude, leading to a small decline in prices, although the drop was really minimal.

Yi Anguo certainly knew that house prices would not fall this year. Instead, they would develop positively further, and after a slight adjustment, housing prices would continue to rise, eventually entering the era of prices beginning with the number two.

Around the New Year, not only did housing prices stop rising and enter a correction phase, but gold and the stock market also demonstrated similar trends.

However, the Anguo Commercial Real Estate Development Company under the Anguo Group did not slow down its development pace due to the decline in housing prices and remained active in the land auction markets of major cities, securing numerous commercial real estate development projects.

The Quiet Era Plaza is expanding nationwide, focusing on commercial real estate development projects, constructing large-scale urban commercial complexes, developing five-star hotel chains, high-end apartment buildings, office buildings, and comprehensive shopping malls.

Previously, in cooperation with Blue Coast Real Estate Development Company and Ou Xiaolong's Chen Real Estate Development Company, they acquired a large number of commercial real estate development plots and will continue to collaborate with these two companies. The two companies will handle the development and construction.

Upon completion, revenue will be shared according to the investment ratio. There are mainly two ways to distribute: either profit is shared after sales, or properties are divided after construction for personal use or sale, at each company's discretion.

Due to the global financial crisis previously, many land auctions were tepid, with many plots being auctioned off at the minimum starting price, making prices relatively much cheaper.

After last year's housing price surge, some real estate development companies that survived the financial crisis began increasingly stockpiling land, resulting in auction prices continually setting new high records.

During last year's real estate development, Blue Coast Real Estate Development Company also profited handsomely. Although most of the profits went to Anguo Realty, they at least got some soup to drink.

If it weren't for Yi Anguo's intervention, Blue Coast Real Estate Development Company would have been lucky just to survive.

The same was true for Ou Xiaolong's Chen Real Estate Development Company.

After the New Year, Zhuo Weidong and Ou Xiaolong met. After recovering over the past year, both of their companies had basically overcome their crisis and even made a decent profit.

This year, both of them coincidentally thought of discussing in person with Yi Anguo about the way they were cooperating.

If they continued to cooperate in the previous manner, they would be at a significant disadvantage in terms of profit sharing, essentially working as employees for Yi Anguo, albeit earning more than average employees.

But even the highest-paid employees are still just employees, and their earnings are maximized to a certain limit.

The two were obviously dissatisfied with continuing to cooperate in the former manner.

Previously, they had no choice but to submit to Yi Anguo to survive, as they lacked money and strength, relying on Yi Anguo's investment. They accepted earning less as it was better than losing money or facing bankruptcy.

However, the situation was different now. They had some money on hand, and securing loans from banks was somewhat easier, so they were unwilling to work for others any longer; they wanted to be their bosses.

Yi Anguo received a phone invitation from Zhuo Weidong to have a meal together, with Ou Xiaolong also joining.

"Anguo! The three of us haven't had a good meal together for quite a while," said Zhuo Weidong.

"Now that the New Year's over, we should also discuss the nature of our continued cooperation, have some drinks, chat, and enhance our relationship," he continued.

Yi Anguo hesitated for a moment before nodding in agreement. It was true; it had been quite some time since the three of them sat down together for a good meal, drinks, and a chat.

The meeting place was still the same old spot, the Luxurious Hotel.

When Yi Anguo arrived, Zhuo Weidong and Ou Xiaolong were already waiting at the hotel entrance. They dared not let Yi Anguo wait for them now.

In just a few short years, things had indeed changed dramatically. Now, Yi Anguo was no longer the naive young man of those days but someone they had to look up to.

"Brother Zhuo, Brother Ou, happy New Year! Why are you waiting for me outside? You could have just waited inside the hotel room. You're making me feel quite embarrassed." Yi Anguo said with a smile as he got out of the car to greet Zhuo Weidong and Ou Xiaolong.

As he spoke, he shook hands with them, as it was only natural to exchange New Year greetings shortly after the festival had passed.

"I was supposed to have arrived earlier, but some things delayed me, causing you to wait," said Yi Anguo.

"No worries, no worries. We aren't that busy anyway. We understand you're busy, so waiting a little doesn't bother us," Zhuo Weidong replied with a smile, showing no impatience or displeasure.

"Indeed! Even combined, our two companies don't add up to a tenth of your Anguo Group. It's already a great honor for us that you made time to dine and meet with us," said Ou Xiaolong.

"Not at all, not at all. Without the help of Brother Zhuo and Brother Ou back then, who sold properties to me when I was penniless and assisted me with bank loans, there would be no me today and certainly no Anguo Group today," said Yi Anguo sincerely and modestly.

"Therefore, I will always be the person I was back then, and you all will always be my brothers, my guides. Back then, you were like a light illuminating the way forward for me."

Yi Anguo's words moved the two deeply, nearly bringing tears to their eyes.

Especially Zhuo Weidong, who had witnessed Yi Anguo's rise firsthand.

In Zhuo Weidong's heart, he believed what Yi Anguo said was indeed true. If it weren't for him quickly selling properties to free up capital and helping Yi Anguo secure loans for a thousand units, there wouldn't be an Anguo Group today or such a massive, powerful conglomerate.

Of course, Zhuo Weidong didn't act purely out of goodwill when helping Yi Anguo secure those thousand properties' bank loans, unlike what he now thought in his heart.

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