Chapter 4833

"I've been too busy lately, and I've really been wanting to see you, Sister Lan. I only just caught a breather today, so I called you. Sister Lan, order whatever you'd like to eat!" Zhao Desan smiled and handed the menu to Ma Lan. Ma Lan didn't stand on ceremony; she ordered a few dishes Zhao Desan liked and handed the menu to the waiter nearby.

"How is the New Rural Construction project coming along?" Zhao Desan picked up his teacup, took a sip, and asked casually.

"Ever since that Town Mayor Qi was replaced, Shenlong Town has been very supportive of the project. It's progressing smoothly, and we've been working overtime to get it done," Ma Lan said with a smile.

"As long as it's going smoothly, that's good. What are your plans for the future, Sister Lan? Are you going to continue with real estate?" Zhao Desan asked offhandedly. He always felt that when Ma Lan suddenly told him she wanted to get into real estate, the decision felt too abrupt; he didn't think it was her original intention.

"Once the New Rural Construction project and your complex project in the Chanba District are underway, I still want to try and get more projects. The construction industry is quite good right now," Ma Lan took a small sip of tea and said unhurriedly.

"Have you taken on any new projects, Sister Lan?" Zhao Desan asked curiously.

"Not yet. There are only so many big projects, and the competition is fierce. Small projects don't have much profit margin. You're a District Head now; if there are any good projects, you could introduce them to me, my dear District Head Liu," Ma Lan joked with Zhao Desan.

"Me? If there's a big project in the district, I'll definitely think of you first. There aren't any big projects right now, just some scattered, minor ones that you probably wouldn't look twice at," Zhao Desan said with a helpless smile.

"Let's hear them." Hearing that there were some small projects, Ma Lan said with great interest. She was someone who couldn't stay idle. With a net worth in the billions, she had enough to live in luxury for the rest of her life, yet she still wanted to carve out a niche for herself in the construction industry.

"Recently, the entire Hexi Province has been working on the 'Big Six' highways. A document was issued for the 'Village-to-Village' highway plan, connecting all rural areas. Of course, these are just rural roads, but I can help you with this, Sister Lan, though I suspect there isn't much profit in it," Zhao Desan said with a smile.

"Rural roads? Let me think." After hearing this, Ma Lan fell into deep thought. Even when the waiter had been serving the dishes for several minutes, she didn't seem to notice. Seeing her serious expression, Zhao Desan didn't want to disturb her, so he sat there watching her.

This woman in her forties, apart from a few crow's feet at the corners of her eyes, still had fair, smooth, and flawless skin. With willow-leaf eyebrows, almond eyes, a petite and straight nose, and sexy cherry lips, her permed hair tied back gave her a particularly noble and elegant temperament. Although her figure had become slightly fuller with age compared to previous years, it wasn't the bloatedness of a middle-aged woman, but rather a plumpness that remained curvaceous. She was truly a mature beauty, still full of charm!

"I think this is feasible, but I'll have to go back and have the company's technical staff do an assessment to be sure. After all, I'm not a professional." After a few minutes of contemplation, Ma Lan reached her final conclusion. Seeing that the dishes were already on the table, she smiled slightly, helped Zhao Desan pick up his chopsticks, removed the paper sleeve, handed them to him, and said with a smile, "Eat up, it'll get cold if you don't."

Zhao Desan hurriedly took the chopsticks and looked down to see that the dishes on the table were all ones he liked. He couldn't help but feel a surge of emotion. He looked up at the smiling Ma Lan with tenderness and said, "Sister Lan, you still remember that I like these dishes?"

Hearing Zhao Desan's words, Ma Lan looked up and smiled gently, "Nonsense, how could I forget! Eat more!" As she spoke, Ma Lan gave a brilliant smile and placed a piece of pork rib into Zhao Desan's bowl.

Ma Lan's gesture sent a warm current through Zhao Desan's heart. Seeing Zhao Desan's beaming expression, Ma Lan also felt a bit melancholy. Carefully calculating, she and Zhao Desan had known each other for nearly seven or eight years. Over these years, if it weren't for his help, she would likely have been defeated in the competition with the Lin family long ago. Every time she was with this young man, she felt as if she had returned to her youth, full of longing for romance. Although she knew it was impossible for her to be with him, he could give her the feeling she craved. Thinking of this, Ma Lan smiled wistfully and said, "Desan, we haven't seen each other in a long time. You've become a District Head, and I haven't even congratulated you. Shall we have some wine?"

Zhao Desan didn't decline, so Ma Lan turned and called the waiter to bring a bottle of wine, pouring two full wine glasses. Ma Lan raised her glass and smiled, "Desan, congratulations on being elected District Head, and thank you for everything you've done for me all this time. Today, I'll take this opportunity to toast you to express my gratitude."

"Sister Lan, you're being too formal!" Zhao Desan smiled mischievously, raised his glass to meet hers, and the two clinked glasses and drank in one gulp.

After setting down their glasses, the two chatted while eating. This feeling made Ma Lan feel very comfortable. She rarely drank, usually only doing so to entertain business clients, and almost never felt like drinking on her own. Being with her beloved young man after such a long time made her feel very happy, and wine was undoubtedly a great mood enhancer. Zhao Desan felt the same; he disliked those social drinking sessions where he couldn't eat well, had to drink until he was half-dead, and had to put on an act, saying one thing to one person and another to the next. It was very uncomfortable. But being with the woman he liked, he didn't have to worry about all that.

After a few glasses of wine, a flush appeared on Ma Lan's fair face, making her look very charming and giving her a sense of allure. Every gesture and smile exuded the unique aura of a mature and noble woman. "Come, Desan, let's have another glass!" Ma Lan smiled seductively, raised her glass again, and tilted her fair neck to pour another glass down her throat, looking in high spirits.

"Sister Lan, don't drink any more, you'll get drunk," Zhao Desan said, quickly trying to persuade her as he saw her face reddening and a hint of intoxication in her expression.

"Don't worry, Sister won't get drunk. Sister is just happy." Ma Lan looked at Zhao Desan with deep affection. Seeing the touch of emotion and tenderness in his eyes, a sweet smile bloomed on Ma Lan's lips.

As they ate and chatted, Zhao Desan suddenly remembered the purpose of finding Ma Lan today, so he said to her, "Sister Lan, by the way, let me ask you something. Are you familiar with corporate matters?"

"Corporate? Which aspect? Why are you suddenly asking this? Are you thinking of starting a business?" Ma Lan smiled and asked curiously.

"No, our district government is currently auditing a state-owned enterprise in the district. I don't know much about this. Could you help me see if there are any problems with these accounts?" Zhao Desan knew that Ma Lan had been in the coal business in Yuyang City for many years and must know something about corporate matters. He immediately took out his notebook and showed Ma Lan the accounts he had copied.

"Let me see. I'm not exactly a professional, I just know the basics. Shouldn't the auditors be looking at these accounts? Why are you asking me?" Ma Lan asked, looking at the dense numbers in the notebook.

"You don't need to check if the math is right. I want you to help me see if there are any problems with the purpose of these expenditures," Zhao Desan reminded Ma Lan.

"Expenditures? Let me see." As she spoke, Ma Lan began to read word for word the dense numbers, corresponding amounts, and purposes that Zhao Desan had copied down. Ma Lan looked very carefully and didn't look up once. Zhao Desan could only pin his hopes on Sister Lan now, smoking a cigarette while watching Ma Lan with anticipation.

(Chapter 2618: Finding a Good Helper)! ===== CHAPTER 4834 =====