ALL NOVEL Chapter 39: The Old Man Is Just Stubborn
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After leaving the conference room, Mayor Zhao held Luchengwen's hand, excitement evident on his face.
"Chengwen, today I owe it all to you! You've saved my face, and in turn, I can now face the province, my colleagues, and the people of Xuecheng with an explanation."
"Oh, it's nothing."
Luchengwen's mind was overwhelmed, still trying to figure out what had happened that day.
Mayor Zhao could see that Luchengwen was somewhat distracted and didn't chat much.
Just getting closer to him, Mayor Zhao said, "This year's honor is undoubtedly yours. Be prepared. I'll get the drawings approved by the higher-ups as soon as possible, very soon. Also, if you need anything, just let me know. We'll establish a special work group for the shantytown area to coordinate with your Great Saint Group's work. I assure you, on the side of the municipal party committee and government, that all the work of the Great Saint Group will be smooth sailing! We'll be there to support you."
"Thank you, Mayor Zhao, Secretary Wu."
Secretary Wu smiled, "President Lu, Mayor Zhao sincerely thanks you. Feel free to come here more often in the future and chat with the leaders."
"Yes, yes, I will definitely."
Luchengwen walked out of the building in a daze. Mayor Zhao opened the car door, and Luchengwen stood at the entrance, looking back at the towering city hall, feeling like he had just had a dream.
...
The final investment landscape:
The Lu family invested 50 billion; the Xu family invested 20 billion; the Chen family invested 12 billion; the Leng family invested 4.9 billion.
Total: 86.9 billion.
Additionally, Hu Shuhui donated 30 million on behalf of the group for the construction of public toilets in the shantytown area.
Sure enough, very soon, so fast that Luchengwen could hardly believe it, on the same afternoon, the approval came from the provincial government.
Upon hearing that someone had taken over the shantytown area here, the four major families took action together, contributing over 80 billion. The leaders of the province immediately put aside all work and convened relevant personnel for discussion.
Not only were the drawings approved, but also a professional guidance team was sent to discuss and finalize the specific details.
...
Golf course.
Luguanghong, Lengtianhao, Xuzhiyun, and Chen Qingbin, the four big shots, were playing golf.
Luguanghong swung his club and hit a good shot, feeling pleased with himself.
"We haven't gathered like this for a long time, have we?"
Lengtianhao, wearing gloves, stood aside and adjusted his club. "Stop chatting nonsense. Aren't we all here to avoid idleness?"
Xuzhiyun laughed, "There's no choice. Mayor Zhao is everywhere looking for someone to take over that messy old city redevelopment project. It's a good opportunity to avoid it for a while!"
Chen Qingbin chuckled, "Old Lu, your kid is doing well lately. I heard he quietly acquired a high-tech company again. What does he know about high-tech?"
Luguanghong's face turned sour.
The other three families inherited their industries from their ancestors, meaning they were wealthy from the start.
Only Luguanghong started from scratch.
He started his business in his twenties and made the Great Saint Group a top company in Xuecheng in his thirties. By the time he was in his forties, the Great Saint Group was a behemoth in the entire northern region.
Unfortunately, he fell seriously ill in his fifties.
Otherwise, he wouldn't trust his business to Luchengwen.
But it's strange to say, that Luchengwen, who lacked education, was good at business. He rarely suffered losses and always took advantage.
The two of them had money but lacked education, which made the other three families mock and ridicule them overtly and covertly.
They were aristocrats, wealthy for generations, while they were from humble backgrounds, and looked down upon by the aristocrats.
Luguanghong snorted, "What high-tech? All high-end businesses are run by people. What does it matter? Aren't nobles just ordinary people in the end? Sooner or later, my son will acquire all those noble enterprises that think highly of themselves."
The other three exchanged glances, with a hint of disdain in their hearts.
Money, you have it, but education is your shortcoming.
Most importantly, lineage! We are all nobles. No matter how rich you are, you are just a nouveau riche in our eyes.
Humph!
Chen Qingbin said, "Leaving that aside, we must never touch businesses like the shantytown area. Whoever does, will perish. Your young master must be aware of this!"
Xuzhiyun said, "Of course! We sent the CEO to the meeting. In our family, it's my daughter who went, the vice president. Ha, Mayor Zhao will understand my meaning."
Lengtianhao hit a shot and cursed, "Damn ball!"
Then he handed the club to the caddy, "I heard Chengwen say he's going to take on this project."
"Him?" Luguanghong laughed, "My son, I know him well. He's sharper than a monkey. He won't get involved in such unlucky things."
At this time, Long Aotian walked over from a distance, with Huaxuening in sportswear by his side.
Lengtianhao smiled, "Let me introduce you to a young talent, Long Aotian. He's back from the border and very strategic."
Long Aotian smiled, "I've met the heads of the four major families of Xuecheng."
Luguanghong glanced at him, "Isn't this the kid who caused trouble at my house the other day? Lengtianhao, why do you still keep him around?"
Lengtianhao smiled, "I need a piece of land recently, and he has helped me a lot. He's talented."
Luguanghong snorted, "Why don't you ask your uncle if you have any problems? Why do you need an outsider?"
"My uncle?" Lengtianhao wiped his club, "Can I count on him? He's a miser. I'm even doubting whether I should go through with my daughter's engagement now."
Luguanghong grumbled, "What do you mean?"
"What do I mean?"
Lengtianhao smiled coldly, "Whoever helps me get that piece of land, my daughter will marry. That's what I mean! Your son is arrogant and doesn't give me a face."
Luguanghong felt frustrated with his son's lack of initiative.
"I'll take care of his matter. I'll talk to him when I get back."
Long Aotian smiled at this moment, "There's news. Hmm, it's surprising."
"What news?"
Luguanghong didn't take it seriously and was about to swing his club.
Long Aotian smiled, "President Lu announced at the meeting that he's investing 50 billion and joining the shantytown redevelopment project."
Luguanghong swung his club and slammed it directly on the ground.
The three old men went over to help him, all with almost uncontrollable smiles on their faces.
Xuzhiyun laughed, "Old Lu, what's there to get so excited about? Your son is a talented strategist. He must have seen a business opportunity to invest! Haha, but 50 billion, oh my, that's a big sum. Hope you can make a profit, hope so, hahaha!"
Chen Qingbin also said, "Exactly, even if you lose, it's nothing. After all, your Lu family is wealthy. 50 billion is nothing to you. You can just treat it as if it never happened. It's a blessing in disguise! The people of Xuecheng will be grateful to you and your son, the unfortunate pair!"
Luguanghong held his lower back in pain, and angrily said, "Get out of my sight! All of you just know how to kick a man when he's down."
The two old men laughed heartily, while Lengtianhao said coldly, "Well, this kid isn't broke, he just doesn't care about me. He has 50 billion to work for the government, but when I want him to secure a piece of land for me, he hesitates. Hmph."
Luguanghong's back was hurting, "Old Leng, there must be a problem with this matter. I'll go back and ask him and give you a reply."
"No need to ask. He just looks down on me, his prospective father-in-law." Lengtianhao sneered, "The Lu family's fortune may be running out. Shantytown redevelopment? Huh, he dares to take action at such a critical moment. He looks smart usually, but when it comes to crucial moments, he's easily frightened into coughing up money. What a talent he is."
Luguanghong gritted his teeth, "What nonsense are you talking about?"
"No Lu family, I can still take down that piece of land myself!" Lengtianhao wiped his club, "Aotian!"
"Yes, Mr. Leng."
Long Aotian said, "I've already talked to the sales department. That piece of land can be acquired for 1.9 billion and has been approved for commercial use. Congratulations, Mr. Leng. With this golden land, the Leng family will make a fortune in the next few years."
Lengtianhao looked at Luguanghong, "Did you hear that? Without the Lu family, the Leng family can still flourish! My daughter, Qingqiu, is a talent. Your son may throw money at the government, but my daughter hasn't had a moment's rest, concentrating on doing big things! Having a son... having a son is useless! He can't compare to my daughter even with all the money in the world!"
Luguanghong was both in pain and lacked enough anger for Lengtianhao's words.
Moreover, the news had already arrived, and facts speak louder than words. For a moment, he had nothing to say.
At this moment, Long Aotian received another message, directly shocking him.
"What's wrong?" Lengtianhao walked over, preparing to hit the ball.
"Leng... Qingqiu... she... announced an investment of 4.9 billion to join the shantytown redevelopment plan."
Lengtianhao and Luguanghong, in the middle of their actions, heard this plan.
Yes, even the movements of their clubs flying out were the same.
Xuzhiyun and Chen Qingbin helped him sit down beside Luguanghong, both suppressing their laughter, almost unable to contain their exploding faces.
Lengtianhao's back was soaked in cold sweat. "What is Qingqiu thinking!?"
Long Aotian sighed, "It must be instigated by Luchengwen."
Lengtianhao endured the pain, "Luguanghong, do you know about this?"
Luguanghong looked at him, "Do you think I can fall like this? Do I look like I know I can fall like this!?"
Lengtianhao realized it too. He was caught off guard by this news, and things shouldn't have come to this point.
Both old men were extinguishing the fire in their hearts. At this moment, they felt incredibly choked up.
Xuzhiyun and Chen Qingbin were laughing.
These two guys, one was a nouveau riche, and the other was a remnant of the autumn, almost at the end of their days, but always pretended to be equal to themselves.
Well, now you're in trouble together. Are you happy? Surprised?
The caddy set up the ball, and Chen Qingbin, smiling, said, "The weather is nice today! Hey, I don't know why, but I'm in such a good mood today."
Xuzhiyun laughed heartily, "Of course, Luchengwen is a talented strategist, and Leng Qingqiu is a rare talent. The two of them following each other, envy-worthy, truly envy-worthy!"
The two old men laughed, while the other two old men, both holding their lower backs, didn't have enough anger.
Chen Qingbin prepared to hit the ball, gesturing back and forth, "This golf, it's a sport of nobles, not for ordinary bumpkins, nor nearly fallen families. Play it wrong, and you might easily hurt your back!"
At this moment, Long Aotian received another message and showed it to Lengtianhao.
Lengtianhao, after being hit hard by Xuzhiyun and Chen, and clearly being mocked along with Luguanghong, was nearly breathless with anger.
Seeing this message, he gently held Long Aotian's wrist, gritted his teeth, and whispered, "Tell him after he swings the club."