Chapter 496

Chen Yang returned to Qingshui City three days later, when Zhang Chunhua suddenly called and asked him to go to the municipal committee, saying Kong Jie had something to discuss with him.

Since Lin Jianguo was elected mayor of Qingshui City, Chen Yang has kept a low profile and hasn't visited Kong Jie in a long time.

When they met, Secretary Kong's face looked unpleasant. "Chen Yang, you're now a big shot beside the governor; around here I'd need an appointment just to see you," he said.

Chen Yang pretended to be glum and said to Kong Jie, "Big leader, don't tease me. One word from the governor and I lose a few hundred million. Who would want to be this big shot?"

Kong Jie's clenched face immediately broke into laughter upon hearing this. He laughed and scolded, "Serves you right! Who let you throw around money like that, making a single move a 150‑billion‑yuan investment that dragged out all the lurking troublemakers? Without the governor and Secretary Chen backing you up, this time they might not even leave your bones."

Chen Yang heaved a deep sigh. He hadn't expected the background of those lurking in the shadows to be so powerful, nor had he imagined that Yexin could not control Worry-free Residence.

Even though Wang Haifeng had fled to Macau, Worry-free Residence was left leaderless, and Yexin managed to take away only half of its shareholders.

"Chen Yang, I won't beat around the bush," Kong Jie said bluntly. "The city plans to give the May First Road project to Hong Kong merchants. Your father‑in‑law feels awkward bringing it up, so I have to step in as the bad guy."

Chen Yang had taken over the May First Road pedestrian‑street project for several months; just the land‑use rights and demolition compensation had already cost over a hundred million.

Now Kong Jie suddenly wants him to give it up, and he really feels reluctant.

However, being the mayor's son‑in‑law and having so many key projects in Qingshui City would sound bad if it got out.

Although these projects existed before Lin Jianguo took office, ordinary people don't care about that; they only believe what they want to believe.

Big leader, I can let the project go, but the money I've invested can't just be reduced, can it?

Seeing Chen Yang had no negative emotions, Kong Jie happily said: "Rest assured, however much money you invested, the Hong Kong investors will make up every penny. Even if you want to raise the price a bit, as long as it's not too outrageous, we'll turn a blind eye."

Chen Yang suggested meeting the Hong Kong investors first. If the other party is a wealthy tycoon, making a profit of several tens of millions would be enough. If they are just ordinary investors, he would also feel embarrassed to ask for an exorbitant amount.

For Qingshui City to develop, relying solely on local enterprises is far from enough. It's rare to have Hong Kong capital willing to invest, and Chen Yang also didn't want to let Kong Jie and Lin Jianguo lose face.

Kong Jie made a phone call, and about twenty minutes later, Zhang Chunhua walked in with a middle-aged man around forty years old.

Chen Yang glanced at him; the man wore gold-rimmed glasses, a black Armani suit, and his face looked somewhat familiar, though he couldn't be sure where he had seen him before.

The middle-aged man politely greeted Kong Jie, then extended his right hand toward Chen Yang.

Hello, I'm Wu Jinghui, chairman of Jinghui Investment Company.

Hello, I'm Chen Yang, the person in charge of the investment project on May First Road.

Chen Yang shook hands with him and, instinctively, asked: "Director Wu, you look a bit familiar; have we met before?"

Wu Jinghui said with a smile: "Mr. Chen, I'm Zhu Zhu's cousin; she recommended me to come invest in Qingshui City."

At first, Chen Yang wondered why a place like Qingshui City, where even birds don't poop, would catch the eye of Hong Kong investors; he hadn't expected it was Zhu Zhu who introduced them.

Zhu Zhu's cousin, also surnamed Wu, will surely be one of the heirs of the Shengfeng Group in the future.

"Director Wu, welcome to invest in Qingshui City!" Chen Yang enthusiastically shook Wu Jinghui's hand again, saying, "On behalf of the several million residents of Qingshui City, thank you!"

Wu Jinghui said gratefully to Chen Yang: "Mr. Chen, you're being too polite. I came to invest in Qingshui City this time at my grandfather's behest, to thank you for your lifesaving help to the Shengfeng Group."

Chen Yang waved his hand and said: "Director Wu, since you're Zhu Zhu's cousin, you're one of us now. Let's not stand on ceremony when we talk."

Wu Jinghui said to Chen Yang: "Since you've said that, Mr. Chen, I won't stand on ceremony either. Our company will take over the May First Road pedestrian street project with 150 million yuan—what do you think?"

With 150 million, Chen Yang could at least make a profit of 40 million. But since the other party was recommended by Zhu Zhu, making 40 million would be a bit too ruthless.

"Director Wu, my project has invested a total of 110 million yuan; give me 120 million! The extra money will be used to compensate the contractors and project staff."

Wu Jinghui looked at Chen Yang with some surprise; this behavior of not haggling and even voluntarily cutting the price by 30 million was something he had never seen before in the mainland.

"Mr. Chen, you are truly the most special domestic entrepreneur I have ever met!"

Chen Yang said with a smile: "If Director Wu could give a bit more support to Qingshui City's construction, I would be very grateful."

Wu Jinghui turned his gaze to Kong Jie and said: "As long as Secretary Kong and Mayor Lin can give a bit more support, our company is more than willing to go the extra mile."

Kong Jie heard this and burst out laughing: "As long as Director Wu is willing to invest in Qingshui City, I and Mayor Lin will certainly give full support to your work."

Wu Jinghui repeatedly expressed his thanks.

Seeing that the matter was settled, Chen Yang called Zhang Linlin, asking her to prepare the transfer procedures for the May First Road pedestrian street, and then had Wu Jinghui bring people to meet with her.

After Wu Jinghui left, Kong Jie happily patted Chen Yang on the shoulder.

"Chen Yang, you little guy, your energy is truly huge—Hong Kong investors would come to you by reputation. It seems the development of Qingshui City still has to rely on you!"

Chen Yang instantly understood Kong Jie's meaning and quickly said: "Big leader, this is purely a coincidence; I have no influence in Hong Kong."

Kong Jie laughed: "You're just pretending! As far as I know, most of your funds come from Hong Kong. If there are no connections there, how did you get your money? Don't tell me it's all from stock trading."

Chen Yang nodded and said: "Big leader, to be honest, my money really was earned in the stock market."

Kong Jie still didn't believe him, and said to Chen Yang: "Don't act. I'm not being greedy; just find another Hong Kong investor to come invest in Qingshui City. For the several million residents of Qingshui City, and for your father-in-law, isn't this request reasonable?"

Chen Yang knew Zhu Zhu and Guo Jin in Hong Kong. Zhu Zhu is now focused on his real estate project in Shencheng and is stretched thin; Guo Jin is merely a manager at a financial company and lacks investment ability.

Therefore, to fulfill Kong Jie's request, he could only go look for Zhu Zhu again.

"Big leader, I really don't know any Hong Kong investors. But since you've spoken, I can inquire with my friends in Hong Kong to see if any companies are willing to invest in Qingshui City."