Chapter 714: Back to Huaihai

I didn't expect that the woman wasn't in the room.

I originally wanted to call her, but then I thought, this matter should not be mentioned for now,

I haven't had any contact with the Liu Family yet.

The eight characters haven't even a single stroke yet,

At this moment I told everything to Yang Tao—what if Yang Tao lets it out.

Then there would be no secrecy about this matter.

A minister who does not keep his affairs secret loses his body; a ruler who does not keep the state secret loses the nation. This saying is not a joke.

History books state clearly that in many historical events, numerous failures were caused by poor secrecy.

I took out my phone and called Shi Yong,

asking him to come with me to Huaihai.

Shi Yong answered,

"Bro, I caught a cold, I'm hospitalized now."

"What? Are you crazy, Shi Yong? You go to the hospital just for a cold. Did you go looking for that Xiao Qi again?" I asked over the phone.

"Hehe, I thought about it for a while, and this is the only suitable excuse—if I want Xiao Qi to stay with me every day, I have to be hospitalized," Shi Yong laughed over the phone.

This Shi Yong is truly a talent.

"Alright, get discharged quickly, and we'll go to Huaihai," I said.

"I've only been here two days; why would we go to Huaihai? I just came back from there," Shi Yong replied reluctantly.

"If there's something, you go; if not, fine. I'll go alone, and don't follow me anymore," I threatened Shi Yong.

"Let me think," Shi Yong said on the phone.

What does he need to think about? You know, in the past, whenever I left the house without Shi Yong, he would go crazy.

"Fine, think whatever. Tomorrow at eight in the morning, I'll depart promptly from the Zaocheng Grand Hotel," I said angrily.

I didn't wait for Shi Yong to reply; I hung up.

This Shi Yong is done; his mind is entirely on that Xiao Qi.

He even pretended to be ill to get hospitalized just to date Xiao Qi.

I really should talk to Ya Ling about Shi Yong.

But by saying this, am I bad‑mouthing him behind his back? That wouldn't fit my nature. Forget it, I'm too lazy to ask Shi Yong about these petty things.

The next morning, I set off on time for Huaihai, ready to face the unknown challenge.

Just as I started the car, I saw Shi Yong running over from outside,

"Bro, wait for me."

"Shi Yong, haven't you thought it through?" I said

"Bro, I've thought about it; these past few days Xiao Qi is training in the Provincial Capital, staying in a hospital is pointless.

I'd rather come with you to Huaihai for some fun," Shi Yong said.

When Shi Yong said that, I got even more angry. This Shi Yong—what can I say? I should have never asked.

I said nothing further,

and drove, with Shi Yong, toward Huaihai.

After arriving in Huaihai, I first contacted Li Jia, asking her to come straight to Huaihai after returning from Bian Jiang.

Li Jia agreed.

I then got in touch with Secretary Wu, informing him that I had arrived in Huaihai.

Secretary Wu sent me a message,

telling me to stay at the Blue Sky Grand Hotel in Huaihai,

and that around eight in the evening, Zhuang Shi would come to see me.

So Shi Yong and I checked into the Blue Sky Grand Hotel in Huaihai.

The Blue Sky Grand Hotel is near the Huaihai railway station and is a very famous hotel in Huaihai.

After checking in,

Shi Yong immediately started voice‑chatting with Xiao Qi on his phone.

I watched from the side and couldn't help asking Shi Yong,

"Shi Yong, you're messing around with other women like this—does Ya Ling really not question you?"

Shi Yong laughed, "Bro, I told you, Ya Ling doesn't ask me.

Now we have a gentleman's agreement: I don't ask about her, and she can't ask about me.

Everyone does their own thing.

Nowadays, this kind of marital lifestyle is popular. Carrying the title of husband and wife, each lives their own life.

Shi Yong's words left me stunned,

Only then did I realize I'm out of touch with society. I can't keep up with the pace of life.

Now couples are merely nominal; everyone just has a label, and the rest is each living their own days.

What meaning does such a marriage have?

In the era of my traditional understanding, a husband and wife formed a family,

mutually respecting each other, being trustworthy, sharing responsibilities, making the family thrive, and raising children to adulthood.

Times have truly changed; what meaning does forming a family have now, even while bearing the title of husband and wife?

I really can't understand.

Fine, I won't try to understand. I smoked a cigarette, watching Shi Yong happily voice‑chatting with that Xiao Qi on WeChat.

I suddenly felt lonely at this moment.

I actually didn't have a woman to chat with me.

Hehe, thinking of that, I smiled.

If that's the case, I have no difference from Shi Yong.

I stepped out of the hotel and walked alone on Huaihai's streets,

My steps involuntarily headed toward Huaihai Ancient City.

I quickly arrived at Huaihai Ancient City, and surprisingly one had to buy a ticket to get inside the Ancient City.

Damn, they changed so fast.

It reverted to its previous state.

Selling tickets increases revenue.

I bought a ticket and entered the Ancient City.

Today is the fifteenth day of the first lunar month, the perfect time to boost tourism by viewing lanterns.

Inside the Ancient City, a few lanterns were sparsely hung.

The visitor flow was still decent.

But everyone looked more and bought less.

I asked a tourist why they weren't buying anything,

The tourist told me the items here were too expensive.

I asked the shop owner again why they sold at such high prices.

The owner said that if they didn't price so high, they'd make no profit. Now sales have directly dropped.

Because the Ancient City no longer holds lottery events.

Mainly because they can't lose money to generate hype.

The Ancient City's administrators think the lottery events are for shop owners, requiring them to put up real gold and silver.

The two sides negotiated to no avail.

After listening to them finish, I smiled and left.

I had long known it would be like this,

Back then, that lottery event was truly funded by us, aiming to improve the Ancient City's business and stimulate its consumption.

We thought it would quickly lease out the Ancient City's shops.

All of that was achieved,

These rents were also handed over to the city.

But trying to extract more money from them is now impossible.

I walked around the Ancient City once and then came out,

and no one recognized me,

My tenure was too short,

Which is fine; it's actually good that no one knows me.

After leaving the Ancient City, I felt that if it continued like this, the only way to end it would be to shut down.

It only makes these shop owners suffer.

Sigh, the investment was huge, and everything was lost in the hands of these guys.

There's nothing that can be done about it.

After exiting the Ancient City, I smoked a cigarette at the entrance.

I watched a red sun on the western side of the Ancient City about to set.

In fact, if the Ancient City is managed well, it can still yield very good profits.

But some people are too greedy, and then there's nothing that can be done.

I must explain the situation to Qian Director, lest he fall into a trap later and we can no longer cooperate.

I took out my phone, found Qian Director's number, and dialed it,

"Old Qian, what are you busy with?"

"Zhao Ge, I'm at home preparing for the Lantern Festival," Qian Director said over the phone.

"Didn't you move? Are you getting used to life in the south?" I asked.

"It's manageable; as long as you have money, you can adapt anywhere. Without money, you can't adapt anywhere," Qian Director replied.

I laughed heartily,

"Old Qian, what you said makes sense. Let me tell you something: I came to Huaihai Ancient City again today.

They are no longer holding the lottery events.

From now on, when leading tours, be careful; this line should not be promoted."

"They stopped so quickly, damn, we worked so hard, they took the rent and immediately stopped recognizing us.

These guys aren't the ones in charge. Zhao Ge, I understand, and from now on I'll arrange travel agencies to reduce trips to Huaihai Ancient City," Qian Director said.