Chapter 2131

The next morning, the sky was as gloomy as if it had been splashed with a layer of ink. The whole world was shrouded in thick fog, as if draped in a gray, misty veil.

Zhang Xuan and her two subordinates arrived at Anqiu Alley early and even had breakfast there. They must have planned it, otherwise, why would they have come so early?

After eating, Zhou Andong was preparing to get into the car when Tang Lin arrived, followed by that idiot Zhang Zuo, and surprisingly, a strange girl was following him.

The girl had a fair and pretty face, exquisite features, a pair of myopia glasses on the bridge of her nose, and two black braided pigtails hanging behind her head.

She was wearing a pale yellow dress dotted with white flower patterns. She wore black round-toed, low-heeled leather shoes, and she looked very quiet and elegant.

"Are all the invitations sent out?" Zhou Andong was talking to Tang Lin, but his eyes were scanning Zhang Zuo and the girl.

Tang Lin noticed Zhou Andong's gaze and grinned: "The ones I sent invitations to personally were all elders and important friends; for others, a phone call was enough."

Zhou Andong asked: "What did the Second Squire say?"

"I feel it's about the same. Last night when I came over, I happened to see the Second Squire coming out of a courtyard. He said he had talked to seven or eight families, and they all wanted to swap houses with us."

Tang Lin raised his hand to touch his face, then looked up at the sky: "It seems like it's starting to rain."

At this moment, a raindrop fell on Zhou Andong's head, and he also looked up.

"Whether it's swapping or wanting money, you handle it. Also, arrange for those tenants. If there are households in difficulty, help them as much as you can and find them a job in the company."

"No problem." Tang Lin took a cigarette out of his pocket and handed one to Zhou Andong: "Don't worry, I will definitely arrange it well and won't leave any trouble."

"Hmm!" Zhou Andong took out his lighter and lit the cigarette: "If all those thirty-plus courtyards are taken, this whole area will be our own, so let's tidy it up well.

Especially the underground pipe network—water supply, drainage, sewage, heating—we'll spend our own money to renovate it. You go to the district first to ask; report what needs to be reported, spend money where it needs to be spent; this can't be skimped on."

Tang Lin held the cigarette in one hand and toyed with the lighter in the other: "I heard that the East City is going to renovate the underground pipe network in the next two years. Are we going to spend our own money to do it?"

"I heard that too." Zhou Andong looked up at the sky again; it was even gloomier than in the morning: "That's just talk. They will definitely renovate it, but who knows when?

Besides, by the time we've tidied everything up, paved the roads, planted trees, and planted flowers, they'll have to dig it up to renovate the underground pipe network, leaving it in a mess. It's better to spend our own money to renovate it; we're not short of that little bit of money."

Tang Lin nodded and said: "This area was occupied by various units before. Water supply, drainage, and sewage are fine; the pipe network exists, but where should the heating be connected?"

Zhou Andong pointed to the southeast: "There's a public toilet over there. Negotiate with the district to tear down the public toilet and build a boiler room. Also, for my courtyard, when renovating, the heating pipes were already reserved; connect them all."

"Okay!" Tang Lin thought for a moment: "When the city renovates the underground pipe network here, we'll just tear down the boiler room and connect it to the public heating pipes."

"Also!" Zhou Andong stomped his feet: "Dig everything underneath to build an underground parking lot, and put the entrances and exits on the east side. Remember, you must report it, and the procedures must be complete."

Tang Lin didn't quite understand: "Is it necessary to build so many parking lots?"

"Of course!" Zhou Andong laughed: "You'll know later how important it is to build a parking lot at this time."

"Alright!" Tang Lin still didn't understand: "Our company is run by you, so you have the final say. After all, you're the boss."

"Rumble..."

Lei Sheng came from the distant horizon, and lightning could be vaguely seen darting through the clouds, and the raindrops became denser.

"Right!" Zhou Andong opened the car door and was about to get in when he suddenly turned back: "Rifeng produces a new type of pipe. Since we're renovating the underground pipe network, go buy it from Rifeng."

"I've noted it down." Tang Lin waved his hand: "Hurry up and go; the rain is getting heavier."

Zhou Andong got into the car, slammed the door shut, opened the window, and looked at Zhang Zuo and the girl beside him again.

It was raining, but the girl was calm, with no anxious expression. That quiet peace really made people like her.

Zhang Zuo, being very gentlemanly, took off his coat, held it over the girl's head, and then the idiot smiled triumphantly at Zhou Andong.

"Dalin!" Zhou Andong crooked his finger.

Tang Lin leaned over: "What's the matter?"

Zhou Andong hadn't intended to ask, but he couldn't resist his curiosity.

"Who is the girl beside that idiot Zhang Zuo?"

Tang Lin laughed: "Don't you remember? There was a time when that idiot was half-dead, saying he was heartbroken."

Zhou Andong nodded: "Remember, it's this little girl?"

"Right!" Tang Lin tilted his head and whispered to Zhou Andong: "Jinchen is Zhang Jingkuan's mistress. This girl is called Jinxi, and she is Jinchen's younger sister."

Zhou Andong frowned, then heard Tang Lin continue: "Jinxi is a college student, and she's from Peking University. The two sisters have always been very close.

Before, when Jinchen was working, she often gave money to her sister, and Jinxi would happily take it. But after she found out her sister had become someone's mistress, she never accepted money from her sister again.

This time, Jinchen reported Zhang Jingkuan and received a bonus of one million, wanting to give it all to her sister, but Jinxi refused without hesitation.

Jinchen probably felt that she had taken the wrong path, not only ruining her own future but also making her sister unable to hold her head up in front of her classmates. She took this one-million bonus as compensation for her sister.

Thinking that she had been sentenced, her sister could have some security with this money. But her sister didn't want it, and she was a bit disheartened, so she entrusted us to donate this one million to a charity."

Zhou Andong's frowned brow relaxed, and he looked at Jinxi again: "How long is Jinchen likely to be sentenced?"

"That's hard to say." Tang Lin pondered: "In the Zhang Jingkuan case, Jinchen wasn't deeply involved, and she had significant meritorious service. It should be within two years, and it's even possible it could be a suspended sentence."

"Don't donate it now." Zhou Andong said: "You keep the money safe for now. When Jinchen comes out, if she still wants to donate it, let her donate it herself."

"Okay!" Tang Lin nodded and looked up at the sky: "Let's go; the rain is getting a bit heavy."

"What's the rush!" Zhou Andong asked again: "How did that idiot manage to chase her?"

"By pestering her, of course." Tang Lin laughed: "At first, she even called the police, saying he was a hooligan. If this were back in '83, even Old Man Zhang wouldn't have been able to save him; he would have been skinned alive even if he didn't get shot.

Even now, she hasn't agreed, but she can't stand his pestering. Sometimes she agrees to go out for a walk or have a meal with him, but she doesn't take anything he buys, so I think this girl is really good."

Zhou Andong also thought this girl was good. If you don't look at the family background, Zhang Zuo would have to burn a lot of incense to marry such a girl.

But the family backgrounds were ultimately too different, not to mention she had an older sister who was someone else's mistress. This hurdle was like a chasm, and it would be extremely difficult to cross.

Of course, if the girl was outstanding enough, outstanding enough that the Zhang family couldn't bear to push her away, then it wouldn't be a problem.

"Rumble..."

The thunder was already overhead, and the raindrops were becoming denser. Zhou Andong stopped asking.

"This rain clearly won't be small. Hurry inside to hide from the rain; we're leaving."

"Go ahead!" Tang Lin waved his hand: "Damn it, another day wasted; can't work."

Zhang Zuo had already pulled the girl into the gate and went to the entertainment room in the third courtyard; this weather was perfect for finding two people to play mahjong.

The motorcade had just left the alley when a bolt of lightning connected heaven and earth, as if tearing a hole in the universe. The dark world was illuminated, followed by deafening thunder. Even sitting in the car, Zhou Andong could feel the earth trembling.

It startled Zhang Xuan, who was sitting beside Zhou Andong: "This thunder is so loud; it's terrifying."

Zhou Andong looked at the sky outside the car, his expression becoming very solemn.

"What's wrong?" Zhang Xuan tilted her head to look over; she had never seen Zhou Andong so serious before.

"Nothing!"

Zhou Andong let out a long breath and talked to Zhang Xuan in detail about the specific purpose of the Overseas Trust Bank going to Japan to conduct business.

The rain outside grew heavier and heavier, and the road ahead couldn't be seen clearly. The speed couldn't be increased until they left the city and got on the national highway. After traveling more than thirty kilometers, the rain eased, and the speed was increased.

But they didn't encounter sunny weather along the way; it remained gloomy, and they encountered several bouts of rain. Fortunately, they left early and arrived in Jiangzhou at just past seven o'clock.

If they had left later, it would have been dark halfway, the road would have been even harder to travel, and they wouldn't have arrived home until the second half of the night.

Jiangzhou was also overcast, but it wasn't raining. Zhou Andong went straight to the municipal government guesthouse, opened a room, and after settling in, had dinner at the restaurant.

The next morning, Zhou Andong got up relatively early. He pulled back the curtains; it was still overcast outside. Today was the seventh, and that big flood was coming soon. He had to prepare as soon as possible, but there was still an important activity tonight, and he had to attend it in person.

After washing up, Zhou Andong left the guesthouse and ran a lap outside, discovering that there were many taxis on the street, with the words "Golden Shield Taxi Company" printed on the doors.

"This kid is quite fast."

Zhou Andong muttered with a smile, returned to the guesthouse to take a shower, and then went to the restaurant.

Zhang Xuan and the others were already eating breakfast. Zhou Andong walked over.

"Why so early?"

Zhang Xuan took a sip of porridge: "You only have time in the morning, so we have to get up early."

"No matter how early you get up, you have to wait for the municipal government to start work." Zhou Andong went to get some food and returned quickly: "These few days, Jiangzhou also has rain. Looking at the weather outside, it shouldn't be small."

"If I'm blocked here, I'll stay a few more days and go to the farm to take a look."

Zhang Xuan had very deep feelings for the farm; after all, it was something she had built with her own hands.

"You can stay here for a few more days." Zhou Andong took a bite of a beef pie, and the oily juice flowed onto the plate: "Going to Japan isn't a matter of ten days or half a month."

At this time, Xiaobei and Cao Yi also arrived. After getting their food, they sat at the table next to them.

"Brother!" Xiaobei asked: "Do you have any activities tonight?"

"How do you know?" Zhou Andong turned his head to look over: "I don't think I told you."

Cao Yi put a peeled tea egg into Xiaobei's bowl and took over the conversation: "On the way to the restaurant, there were two people walking in front of us, and we heard them chatting about it."

Zhou Andong understood: "It's the promotion for Yugong Liquor. This plan has been prepared for a long time. I hope it doesn't rain tonight."

They chatted while eating and didn't get up to leave until eight o'clock.

Xiaobei and Cao Yi returned to Tanghezi, and Zhou Andong and Zhang Xuan went to the municipal government.

Deng Zhangli was already waiting in his office. Hearing the secretary report that Zhou Andong and Zhang Xuan had arrived, he stood up from behind his desk to welcome them.

"General Manager Zhang, welcome back to Jiangzhou for investment inspection."

Zhang Xuan smiled and said: "Jiangzhou can be considered my second hometown. I have also struggled here, and I haven't been away for long—less than a year—so let's not be so formal."

Deng Zhangli laughed heartily: "Don't stand and talk; sit!"

The secretary poured tea for the three of them and then withdrew.

Zhou Andong gave up the initiative; after all, Zhang Xuan was the protagonist this time.

"Mayor, our Overseas Trust Bank in Xiangjiang has no plans to conduct business in Jiangzhou, but Chairman Zhou has been talking to me. To be honest, I have to give him this face; after all, he was my boss before.

However, we must talk business. Our Overseas Trust Bank will abide by all domestic laws, including Jiangzhou's local regulations, but as a foreign-funded bank, the preferential treatment we should have cannot be less."

Hearing Zhang Xuan's words, Deng Zhangli's tense mood suddenly relaxed. It's still easier to get things done when there are people involved.

Look at other brother cities; how difficult it is to attract investment. They beg and plead, almost kneeling and kowtowing, yet they haven't attracted much investment.

Look at Jiangzhou again. With Zhou Andong here, the government's investment promotion department only needs to be responsible for receiving investors well, and there's nothing else to worry about. Many investors even come looking for them, hoping to land their investments in Jiangzhou.

"Please rest assured." Deng Zhangli guaranteed: "Within my authority, as long as it doesn't violate regulations, I will fight for the greatest preferential policies for you, ensuring you are satisfied."

"Please rest assured." Deng Zhangli guaranteed: "Within my authority, as long as it doesn't violate regulations, I will fight for the greatest preferential policies for you, ensuring you are satisfied."

In fact, for the Overseas Trust Bank, there wasn't much to negotiate regarding conducting business in Jiangzhou.

As long as both parties reached a consensus, handled the relevant procedures according to regulations, paid sufficient deposits, selected a suitable address, and completed the renovation, they could start business.

However, for Jiangzhou, it could bring far-reaching influence, and the significance was completely different. A foreign-funded bank choosing to establish a branch in Jiangzhou would not only enhance the city's international image but also attract more enterprises and talent, further promoting Jiangzhou's economic development.