Chapter 850: Returning to Niushiling to See Qian Niang

The room suddenly fell silent.

I and Li Jia glanced at each other, then didn't speak.

At this point, Secretary Wu said embarrassedly: "Mr. Zhao, Chief Li, your conditions are really too harsh."

Our Zhuang Shi has already shown great sincerity.

If you insist on this, I'm afraid this cooperation will have to be delayed.

I said: "Secretary Wu, when you have time, please persuade Zhuang Shi again, don't let him get so excited."

Can we talk again? We really are short of money.

Now the projects over in Xue County have all been halted.

If we can't pull in investment, this project might really go belly up.

"Okay, Mr. Zhao, I'll privately talk to Zhuang Shi again. You also need to let Tian Shi know; let's work together." After saying that, Secretary Wu picked up her notebook and stood up.

I quickly shook hands with Secretary Wu,

Secretary Wu said: "Mr. Zhao, it's not convenient to keep you for lunch either."

Everyone just grab something casual to eat. If you don't go back tonight, I'll set up a banquet to treat you.

"Secretary Wu, no need to be polite, we'll head back soon. Between Huaihai and Zaocheng it's just a short distance; wherever we eat is the same." I said.

Secretary Wu smiled, didn't try to keep us any longer, and left the room.

Only Li Jia and I remained in the room,

Li Jia said: "Really stingy, the talks fell through, they didn't even bother with a meal."

"They won't feed you, I will—come on, let's go back to Zaocheng." I said.

"There's nothing else we can do; this Zhuang Shi has no human feeling at all." Li Jia said.

"Not being in the position, not plotting the policies—Zhuang Shi himself is just looking out for himself. Anyway, we've said what we needed to say; let them do as they please." I told Li Jia.

"Where are we going?" Li Jia asked.

"Back to Niushiling Village, I'll treat you to pork and huo shao." I laughed.

The two of us got in the car and drove toward Niushiling Village.

On the way, Li Jia said to me: "Mr. Zhao, you shouldn't have told them we're short of money; otherwise they'll keep insisting on their conditions."

"Li Jia, the reality is right there—we really have no money."

The financial situation of Zao Chengshi has already been stated by Tian Shi.

So I wanted to let them hear it, hoping they'd lend a hand of support." I explained to Li Jia.

"That's just daydreaming. They won't lift a finger—this attitude of Zhuang Shi really makes one uncomfortable." Li Jia said.

I didn't continue speaking.

Actually I said that on purpose for Zhuang Shi to hear,

that is, we're short of money here, and without money nothing can get done.

I believe Zhuang Shi will report to Liu Yong.

By then Liu Yong will surely insist, demanding that Zhuang Shi must be the major shareholder.

If everyone insists like that, then the investment matter might just amount to nothing.

What I want is exactly that nothing,

I just don't want Liu Yong to get involved.

We want to build it ourselves; if Liu Yong joins, we'd have no freedom to speak of.

Zhuang Shi will surely understand my meaning; I believe he'll act accordingly.

Everyone's just putting on an act, all with tacit understanding.

The car soon arrived at Niushiling Village.

Li Jia and I both got out of the car; I had already called Qian Niang ahead of time.

Qian Niang had prepared food for us.

Only Qian Niang and Qiao Jie were at home.

Ru Meng had gone back to class; Xiao Shitou was busy working in Xue County.

Seeing Li Jia and me come in, Qiao Jie's expression turned unnatural again.

Qian Niang looked at Li Jia and said: "Jianqiang, who is this girl? She's really handsome."

"Mother, her name is Li Jia, she's the bureau chief of the city tourism bureau; Li Jia, this is my foster mother." I introduced to Li Jia.

"This is Qiao Jie." I was introducing her to Li Jia.

"She's a city leader. Hurry up and sit." Qian Niang said.

"Our Jianqiang, all day long just knows beautiful women."

"I really admire her." Qiao Jie sighed.

"Alright, Qiao Jie, quickly serve them rice; they look starving." Qian Niang told Qiao Jie.

Qiao Jie could only serve rice to Li Jia and me.

I said to Qian Niang: "Mother, you really understand me,

now I'm starving.

Li Jia, let's eat quickly. After we finish, we still have to go back to the city to report to Tian Shi." I said to Li Jia.

Li Jia nodded, picked up a huo shao, and started eating.

After Li Jia and I had a simple meal,

I told Li Jia to go rest in another room; I wanted to speak privately with Qian Niang.

Upon arriving in the room where Qian Niang makes offerings to the gods,

Qian Niang first lit a stick of incense.

Then she said to me, "Jianqiang, our safety is thanks to the Bodhisattva's protection. You should also worship."

I also followed Qian Niang in worshipping the Bodhisattva.

After the worship of the Bodhisattva,

Qian Niang said, "Jianqiang, Xiao Long called; he said he has no time to return now.

He also said that Fang Rui had made some leader his Godfather.

That way Fang Rui's background issue is solved.

I didn't understand what Xiao Long meant on the phone, and now that you're back, tell me, what exactly is happening."

"Mother, Xiao Long told you, I've just come back and wanted to discuss this with you.

It's a good thing.

That means Fang Rui has made Tian Shi of Zaocheng his Godfather.

Then Fang Rui's background issue is no longer a problem.

By then Li Ming won't object to the marriage between Xiao Long and Fang Rui." I explained to Qian Niang.

"Worshipping the leaders of Zao Chengshi, such high officials.

I never imagined it—how could they possibly favor Fang Rui?" Qian Niang asked, puzzled.

"This matter goes back to Xiao Long. Isn't Xiao Long always working under Tian Shi? He's been sighing all day because of Fang Rui. Tian Shi is his superior, so of course he has to get involved.

Xiao Long told Tian Shi about his affairs with Fang Rui.

When Tian Shi heard, he wanted to help Xiao Long, so he went back to discuss it with his wife,

It so happened that Fang Rui was a goddaughter, and the couple already had a son.

Thus they have both a son and a daughter.

By the way, the Tian Shi couple that Xiao Long and Fang Rui worshipped are the Godfather and Godmother.

I was there, Zhu Sheng acted as the witness." I recounted the process to Qian Niang.

Qian Niang nodded after listening,

then let out a long sigh,

"Alas, now everything's settled, my great concern is cleared.

I was worried to death over Xiao Long's matter.

Li Ming, what could you say now.

Fang Rui now has the Tian Shi couple as backing,

Li Ming's joy hasn't even had time to arrive,

By the way, does Li Ming know?"

"I don't know that; I guess Xiao Long will tell Li Ming.

I believe Li Ming won't be able to find any fault this time.

Thus the relationship between Fang Rui and Xiao Long can go on smoothly.

Indeed, if Fang Rui gives you a grandson, you'll be so delighted you won't even have time," I said with a smile.

"At my age, I just hope my children and grandchildren marry early.

Xiao Long and Fang Rui have a very good relationship.

Their matter being resolved is also thanks to the Bodhisattva's protection.

Now Xiao Long won't have to suffer any more.

Jianqiang, don't be angry at Li Ming either.

He's getting more and more confused as he lives.

I've already made him die of anger,

He's out, and still doesn't come home to see me.

The Da Heng Group job is also lost,

Now I'm counting on He Qing alone to earn money.

Drinking every day,

I really want to go to Zaocheng and give him a beating.

I'm in my forties, how can this be such nonsense?" Qian Niang nagged at me,

Listening made me feel uneasy; in fact, I'm currently in a hiring phase,

I really want to invite Li Ming over to work together.

But he doesn't take the initiative to speak to me,

How could I lower my face and beg him?

We both got stuck in a stubborn impasse.

I could only say to Qian Niang, "Mother, I'm not angry. The things between Li Ming and me, I've long forgotten them."