He starts by opening the “Southern Network Club,” an internet cafe, and earns his first fortune. Next, he moves into urban redevelopment, then boldly invests in internet companies that are still in their infancy. As Lin Nan rises, he inevitably threatens the interests of Zhao Jinbiao, head of the established local power, Hongtu Group. Zhao retaliates with a full-scale campaign of suppression and smear tactics, even resorting to violent threats. Lin Nan joins forces with his loyal and brave brother Wang Qiang, meticulous accountant Han, and legal expert Lawyer Zheng. He also falls in love with Su Xue, daughter of the provincial credit union director, and together they face every storm.
The story vividly recreates life in the late 1990s, including prices of the time, such as internet cafes charging five to six yuan an hour, Santana sedans costing nearly 200,000 yuan, and workers earning only a few hundred yuan a month. It also captures a business environment full of opportunity and chaos. Through one struggle after another, Lin Nan grows from a lone operator into a team leader. After suffering setbacks, he fights back from the brink and ultimately brings down his opponent through legal means, winning professional success and society’s respect while finally overcoming the class divide between himself and Su Xue.
More than a business-war legend about an underdog’s rise, this is an epic tale of a generation seizing opportunities amid the changing times and transforming their fate. Rich in the local flavor and spirit of Northeast China, the story celebrates the power of family, friendship, and love, as well as the responsibility and commitment of entrepreneurs.
