Chapter 799: His Appetite Is Not Small

Zhou Andong nodded: "That's right!"

The old branch secretary sighed and said, "That's good, that's good!"

Zhou Andong laughed and put down his bowl: "Old Reporter Guan, I know you've always wanted me to invest in Zhenxing Village."

The old branch secretary wanted to say something, but Zhou Andong waved his hand to stop him: "Listen to me first. When Zuo Zuo Xingqing came to me, he initially wanted me to invest in tourism, but I refused because I also wanted to put some money into our village."

The old branch secretary's spirits lifted: "Are you serious?"

"Of course!" Zhou Andong shoveled a mouthful of rice and mumbled, "I have no interest in tourism investments, but since Zuo Zuo Xingqing came to me, I have to give him some face. So, I'll build a water plant here to sell water."

"Sell water?" The old branch secretary looked incredulous. "Water is everywhere; who would spend money to buy it? Wouldn't they be a fool?"

Zhou Andong burst into laughter and finished his last mouthful of rice: "There's no other way. I'm not interested in tourism, but since Zuo Zuo Xingqing came, I have to give him face. So, I'll build a water plant here. The investment won't be too large, but it can pull Zhenxing Village's economy up a bit."

The old branch secretary also laughed. Although he didn't understand it and didn't believe people would spend money to buy water, he trusted Zhou Andong.

A man who runs such a big business must have a way to sell it if he decides to sell water. Look at Ice Black Tea and Very Cola; didn't they sell like crazy?

As Zhou Andong and the old branch secretary chatted, Yuan Yuan Hongbiao sat opposite them, eating while pricking up his ears. Everything confirmed what Liang Zhen had said last night.

Zhou Andong investing in this water plant was likely just to give Zuo Zuo Xingqing face. Otherwise, why build a water plant? Even if it could be sold, how much money could it possibly make?

Thinking this, he felt happy, because Zhou Andong was interested in the limestone mine but didn't understand it. Wasn't this his chance?

As long as he could convince Zhou Andong to invest, he was confident he could pocket the money and leave Zhou Andong with no loopholes to find, even if he suffered a loss.

After eating their fill, the weather grew hot, and the crowd gradually dispersed. Only the dozen or so people who had helped remained to clean up, returning the borrowed tables, benches, bowls, and chopsticks to their respective homes.

After returning them, the head chef gave each of the dozen helpers a small basin of stewed meat to take home.

The militia company commander tried to settle the wages for the head chef, but was refused.

"Forget it, I have nowhere to spend the money anyway."

The militia company commander smiled and didn't insist. He counted the remaining money and returned it to Zhou Andong.

"It cost a total of 3,742.7 yuan. Here is the ledger; please take a look."

Zhou Andong took the money and handed it to Seeing Jian Qiu; he didn't look at the ledger.

"I trust you, so I won't look."

Flower Claw took a few older women to tidy up the house, locked the windows, came out, and locked the door.

"Branch Secretary, what should we do with this house?"

"Leave it for Su Yuling's child." The old branch secretary puffed on his pipe and looked at Zhou Andong and Seeing Jian Qiu. "When you tell her about her background, she can come back and see it. This is where she was born, and it is her roots."

Zhou Andong nodded and looked at the house: "Old Reporter Guan, we'll be heading back now. We got up too early, so we're going back to take a nap."

"Dongzi!" Just as Zhou Andong left the courtyard, Yuan Yuan Hongbiao chased after him.

"Uncle, what's the matter?" Zhou Andong stopped.

Yuan Yuan Hongbiao said: "Do you have time tomorrow?"

"I have plenty of time." Zhou Andong asked: "If you have something to say, just say it."

Yuan Yuan Hongbiao smiled: "If you're free, come to my place tomorrow noon. I'll have your aunt cook up all the game meat, and we'll have a drink."

"Sure!" Zhou Andong agreed readily.

Yuan Yuan Hongbiao was happy: "And bring Qiuqiu too."

Seeing Jian Qiu smiled: "I'll definitely be there."

"That's good!" Yuan Yuan Hongbiao said: "You go back and rest. I'm heading back to the town. Even though my official position isn't big, there's always something to do every day."

Watching Yuan Yuan Hongbiao drive away in his Santana, Zhou Andong sneered.

"This guy's ambition isn't small. I wonder how big his appetite is."

"His appetite isn't small either," Seeing Jian Qiu said softly, then pulled Zhou Andong: "Let's go, hurry back and see my daughter."

Zhou Andong burst into laughter, and Yuan Hai and the others followed suit.

The gloom brought by Su Su Yuling's tragedy was dispelled by their laughter.

………………

The next day, Zhou Andong and Seeing Jian Qiu drove to the town.

Yuan Yuan Hongbiao's house was not far from the town government, right by the roadside. It was a five-room tiled house with a front courtyard of about half a mu.

Zhou Andong parked the car at the gate, attracting the attention of many. Although it was a town, Mercedes-Benz cars were still rare.

"Dongzi, Qiuqiu, come in quickly."

Since the gate was open, Niu Niu Hongjuan was cooking in the outer room and happened to see the car arrive, so she came out to greet them.

Yuan Yuan Hongbiao also came out: "Come inside. It's too hot outside; there's an electric fan in the house."

Entering the house, Niu Niu Hongjuan took two bottles of Very Cola from the refrigerator: "This is produced by your factory. I've been drinking this all along."

Zhou Andong took the cola; it was ice-cold, and it felt truly refreshing after a sip.

"You have to drink ice-cold cola in the summer."

"Right, I like it too." Niu Niu Hongjuan turned and went out: "You guys chat; the food will be ready soon."

Yuan Yuan Hongbiao also took a bottle of cola from the refrigerator: "When Very Cola was launched, I didn't know it was from your factory. But I bought two cases just to win a prize."

Zhou Andong placed the bottle cap he was holding on the kang and said with a smile: "Keep this bottle cap; it will definitely win a big prize."

Yuan Yuan Hongbiao laughed heartily: "I'll take your word for it, boss. If I win a Santana, I'll trade in the one I have."

"Food's ready, Dabiao, set the table," Niu Niu Hongjuan shouted from the outer room.

"Alright!" Yuan Yuan Hongbiao was about to move.

Seeing Jian Qiu stood up and said: "Uncle, you and Dongzi chat; I'll set the table."

Yuan Yuan Hongbiao didn't stand on ceremony: "The table is behind the back door in the outer room."

Soon the table was set, and Niu Niu Hongjuan brought out a large basin of stewed game meat.

"I made a one-pot stew with roe deer, wild rabbit, pheasant, hazel grouse..."

"This is good stuff!"

Zhou Andong grabbed a piece with his hand, not knowing what kind of meat it was, and put it in his mouth.

"Mmm, fragrant, delicious!"

Niu Niu Hongjuan smiled: "If it's delicious, eat more. There's also cornmeal flatbread; I'll go get it."

Yuan Yuan Hongbiao asked: "Dongzi, white liquor or beer?"

Zhou Andong said: "It's such a hot day, let's drink beer."

Yuan Yuan Hongbiao took two bottles of beer from the refrigerator, opened the caps, and placed one in front of Zhou Andong.

"Let's not use glasses; let's just drink straight from the bottle."

"Sure!" Zhou Andong raised the bottle, tilted his head back, and drank half the bottle in one go. "Refreshing!"

Yuan Yuan Hongbiao said: "Drinking ice-cold beer on a hot day like this is truly satisfying."

Niu Niu Hongjuan brought in a basin of cornmeal flatbread: "Why isn't Qiuqiu drinking?"

Seeing Jian Qiu waved her hand: "I don't drink alcohol!"

"Eat, eat, don't be a stranger!" Yuan Yuan Hongbiao urged, putting a piece of meat in his mouth. "Dongzi, Liang Zhen came to the town last night and told me you were interested in the limestone mine?" ===== CHAPTER 800 =====