Chapter 2025: The Coward

Zhou Andong's car arrived at Nanqiao. At the construction site of the Qiaobei Stadium, they were digging trenches twenty-four hours a day, and the roar of machinery had never ceased. He merely took a glance before the car drove onto the bridge deck.

At this time, it was not yet seven o'clock. The sun was setting, and the afterglow of the sunset still hung in the sky. In the distance, the western sky was covered by large swathes of red clouds, resembling a raging fire, which, reflected against the Jiangzhou River, composed a breathtakingly beautiful scene.

A bird swept rapidly across the horizon, followed by a dive, lightly touching the surface of the river before taking flight again and disappearing into the distant sky. The scene was so beautiful it made one's heart flutter.

"Stop the car!" Zhou Andong said suddenly.

Wang Wentian slowly brought the car to a stop at the bridgehead, and Zhou Andong opened the door and got out.

He stretched his arms to have a good stretch, then took out a cigarette and lit it.

Wu Huilin, who was following behind, also got out of the car and walked to Zhou Andong's side.

"The Jiangzhou River is truly beautiful today."

"Indeed, such a Jiangzhou River is truly a rare sight."

Zhou Andong took a deep drag of his cigarette, and the smoke puffed out from his mouth, swirling in the air.

"I've lived this long, and it's my first time seeing it too."

Zhou Andong looked at the Jiangzhou River before him, a sense of tranquility and relaxation welling up in his heart.

It was truly his first time seeing such a charming Jiangzhou; it was intoxicating enough to make one forget all their troubles.

"Before the Spring Festival this year, Gu Bing said he would bring you back, but in the end, he ran off to Xiangjiang with you. What exactly is going on?"

Wu Huilin fell silent for a moment: "He said he hadn't achieved any major success yet. He'd bring me home once he made 'Yongchuang Tianya' big and strong."

"That coward." Zhou Andong cursed: "During the Spring Festival, I was originally going to take Qiuqiu to see her grandfather and grandmother, but too many things happened at the Jian family, so we didn't go.

But Qiuqiu and I are getting married on October 1st. We definitely have to go before the wedding; otherwise, it would be too improper. When the time comes, I'll find an opportunity to talk to Old Master Gu about you and Gu Bing."

"Thank you!" Wu Huilin said with a smile: "Actually, I'm not in a rush. As long as there are no problems with our relationship, it's the same whether we go to his house a day early or a day late."

"Since that's the case, I won't meddle in other people's business. You two decide for yourselves."

Zhou Andong's words were immediately met with a big eye-roll from Wu Huilin.

"A grown man, his word is his bond; what you say should be fulfilled, otherwise don't say it at all."

"Look at you." Zhou Andong held the cigarette in the corner of his mouth, his hands gripping the railing: "I said I'd help you plead your case, and you said you weren't in a rush. I said I'd let you solve it yourselves, and you're not happy either. It really lives up to that saying: 'Small people and women are difficult to deal with.'"

Wu Huilin tilted her head, looking at Zhou Andong with a smile: "Is Qiuqiu easy to deal with?"

"……"

Zhou Andong took a puff of his cigarette and then left. After getting off the bridgehead, they were at the Qiudongfang Shopping Plaza, and the two went inside to look around.

"The interior renovation is nearing its end; everything will be finished by the end of the month," Wu Huilin said. "Investment promotion is still ongoing. Five Xiangjiang brands, including Benetton and Giordano, have decided to move in.

Then there are domestic brands like Li-Ning, Guirenniao, Xtep, Anta, Feiyue, Warrior, and Plum Blossom. As for home appliances, Sony has clearly refused, but we have successfully negotiated cooperation with Siemens, Samsung, LG, and Panasonic.

As for domestic appliance brands, Konka, Midea, and TGL have also been settled. The one worth mentioning is Haier; they came to us themselves, requesting to cooperate with me."

Zhou Andong asked: "Did the negotiations go smoothly?"

"Very smoothly. This is thanks to the popularity of the urban complex. Now that urban complexes are being built in over a dozen cities, the Qiudongfang Shopping Plaza, as a supporting facility, is also the first large-scale indoor commercial street in the country. They are very optimistic about it, and their attitude toward cooperation is also very positive."

Speaking of this, Wu Huilin laughed: "The people from Haier, Li-Ning, and Guirenniao are already in Jiangzhou. They've been here for a week and are currently planning the renovation schemes. As soon as the interior of the shopping plaza is finished, they will immediately begin renovations."

"As long as it opens before the Mid-Autumn Festival, that's fine."

Zhou Andong turned and walked out, exiting through the east gate of the shopping plaza. Outside was the leisure plaza. It was just after dinner time, and the plaza was full of people.

Besides the winery employees who had already moved over, there were many residents from the city who had come to play by bicycle or bus. Just look, there were many young men and women dancing in the distance, the tape recorder volume turned to the maximum, audible throughout the entire plaza.

"Chairman Zhou, you're back."

"Wu Zong, you're here too."

"……"

When the winery employees saw Zhou Andong and Wu Huilin, they greeted them enthusiastically one by one. Those who weren't winery employees also looked over with curiosity.

Zhou Andong was the pride of Jiangzhou; from eighty-year-old elders down to three-year-old children, there was no one who didn't know him.

But he could only be seen on the news; it was rare to see him in person. At this moment, everyone raised their heads to look over.

Some citizens also followed suit and greeted him, calling him Chairman Zhou.

Zhou Andong wore a smile, waving to everyone to acknowledge them.

Wu Huilin couldn't help but tease: "Boss Zhou is Boss Zhou; you're even more popular than those big stars in Xiangjiang."

Zhou Andong said quite shamelessly: "Can't help it, who told me to be so handsome."

Wu Huilin burst into laughter: "For Qiuqiu's sake, I won't refute you."

The two chatted and laughed, walking together along a winding little canal in the plaza.

This canal brought water from the Jiangzhou River into the residential area, like a nimble ribbon, extending from the dam on the north side of the plaza to the west gate of Dongfang Yipin, finally flowing into the interior of the residential area.

The canal ran through the entire plaza, with seven arched bridges of different styles built along it. Although the span of each bridge was less than two meters, their unique design and exquisiteness were breathtaking. Not only was the styling beautiful, but it had also become a beautiful landscape of the plaza.

At this time, a group of children was playing by the canal, lying on the bank, playing with the water with great interest.

The adults stood to the side chatting, while keeping a close eye on every move the children made.

When Zhou Andong passed by, he kindly reminded the parents to always keep an eye on the children's safety.

Although the water in the canal was only about eighty centimeters deep, the current was still a bit swift.

The parents expressed their gratitude for Zhou Andong's concern, all stating they would take good care of the children.

Inside the security office at the west gate, two security guards were chatting. One of them looked up inadvertently and saw Zhou Andong and Wu Huilin walking over slowly.

"Brother Tao, take a look, is that Chairman Zhou and Wu Zong?"

Brother Tao looked back, hurriedly stood up, and exited the security office. By this time, Zhou Andong and Wu Huilin had already arrived at the main gate.

"Chairman Zhou, Wu Zong!"

Brother Tao took the magnetic card and swiped the door open. ===== CHAPTER 2026 =====