So, the reality was that Dream City's real estate market had a huge inventory. Second-hand homes were "priced but not selling," and developers stubbornly withheld supply, refusing to lower prices. However, sales data were dismal, and the industry's debt-to-equity ratio ranked among the highest in national prefecture-level cities.

The haphazard pouring of private capital, with nowhere else to go, had hastened competition in the real estate industry. This drove irrational hikes in housing prices, ultimately leading to an extremely high corporate debt ratio. Ridiculous, wasn't it? Actually, not at all.

Anyone with a bit of financial common sense knew that an oversupply of capital would inevitably bring intense internal pressure, leading to a vampiric surge forward and fueling the frantic operation of a Ponzi scheme.

Other cities reduced inventory by the month.

Take Magic Capital, for example. Even during the worst sales periods of that time, such as what was then the current year and the first half of the next, good properties were still snapped up. It was only the less cost-effective, marginal properties that were hard to sell.

But Dream City needed to count in years when it came to reducing inventory.

Han Lie couldn't help but recall those years of wearing masks in his past life, when Dream City's housing market had been virtually stripped naked for public execution.

In some well-known upscale neighborhoods, the occupancy rate had been less than 40%. The most outrageous ones had even dropped to 10%! If you asked any real estate developer, they would swear up and down that the houses had indeed been sold. If you asked the security guards at those communities, they would tell you that the apartments had never been lived in, with just a few households in the entire area.

At the time, Han Lie had thought this was a common pain point for resource-based cities, but in fact, there were profound historical reasons behind it.

Now, I'm finally certain—this is a bottomless pit, he thought.

The developers stuck in it might still harbor delusions of luck, but Han Lie, with his vision spanning eras, knew it was truly beyond salvage.

To bury someone, there is no more suitable place than Dream City, Han Lie mused. And it doesn't even require much scheming—neither sinister plans nor open conspiracies. A simple move is enough to flatten everything: give them money and hope, take their best assets as collateral, and then watch them struggle desperately in this pit. Time will deliver the ultimate punishment.

I'm certain I won't be the loser. But whether those who take the money will go bankrupt... that's up to fate, he thought. With the generosity the heavens have bestowed upon me, it's very likely they will, Han Lie considered.

So, after all that talk, Han Lie had no intention of giving any leeway.

Xiao Guowei clearly wanted Han Lie's assistance, being vaguely aware of Han Lie's capabilities in managing funds.

Unfortunately, Han Lie was not taking the bait.

He didn't have much respect for Xiao Guowei, but there was no grudge either, so there really was no need to set the man up and tarnish his own reputation unnecessarily. After all, Xiao Xiao was his classmate.

Thus, after a round of evasive Tai Chi, Xiao Guowei was left dizzy and confused, with nothing accomplished in the end.

As they left Han Lie's house, Xiao Xiao's barely contained temper reemerged. He complained resentfully, "That guy must have found a powerful backer! He's so arrogant and dismissive now, way too full of himself!"

Xiao Guowei, however, was more philosophical. "He really doesn't need the modest profit from our potential deal, and his reluctance to invite trouble is quite normal. The fact that we could talk to this extent means it wasn't a wasted trip. The only regret is that—despite seeming friendly, he isn't actually close to you. Did you offend him in the past?"

Xiao Xiao's expression suddenly became strained, and his voice lowered. "Offend him? I wouldn't say that. Who could have predicted his current success back in high school? I didn't think highly of him then, and maybe I showed it a bit…"

"Ah, that's fate..." Xiao Guowei sighed, not really blaming his son.

Expecting young people to cover all bases, build connections, and successfully bet on potential winners early on was always unrealistic.

"Alright, as long as there's no serious bad blood, that'll do. This young man is a tough nut to crack, even in Magic Capital. Remember, under no circumstances should you clash with him!"

"I'm not stupid!" Xiao Xiao retorted.

Regardless of what Xiao Xiao thought of Han Lie privately, that was a matter for behind closed doors.

Even the snippets of conversation I've overheard make it clear that Han Lie isn't someone I can afford to offend. Since friendship seems impossible, keeping a respectful distance is the smartest move.

Of course, if there's even the slightest opportunity, the most profitable action would still be to cozy up to him.

Things weren't easy at home, and Xiao Xiao felt anxious. Unfortunately, he was limited in what he could do to alleviate their financial burden.

The only viable plan I can think of now involves Han Lie, he concluded.

After father and son returned home, Xiao Xiao mulled things over. In his agitation, he suddenly remembered the class reunion he had previously ignored.

He hurriedly unmuted and opened the class group chat. He was just about to ask around when he realized the group was unusually lively.

After scanning through the messages, his expression turned to one of bewildered shock.

Why is everyone discussing Han Lie?! he wondered.

Hao Yadong: "Damn! Han Lie really struck it rich, he sent out seafood that filled half a building yesterday!"

Li Lihua: "That news is outdated, man. Today Han Lie went to the West Mountain Hotel and booked the New Year's Eve dinner for the Lunar New Year at Fushan Chunju Pavilion, with a package costing 188,888..."

Wang Fangfang: "Fushan Chunju was booked out long ago, do you know who gave up their reservation?"

Liu Chengming: "How's that? Could it be our Dream City's tycoon?"

Fan Dachun: "Pretty much!"

Liu Mingming: "Damn! Shouldn't we rope Han Lie in and grab onto his thick thigh right away?"

Zhang Zili: "Wishful thinking, he isn't in the group."

Liu Mingming: "What happened?"

Li Lihua: "Ask the class president!"

Wang Fangfang: "I don't know when it happened, but there was a conflict and the class president kicked him out."