Chapter 1498: The Old Fox Was Almost Angered to Death

"Not yet. He wanted to agree, but I pushed back against him, so he didn't agree and said he wanted to think about it some more."

"Well done."

Shi Youxuan also felt there was something fishy about this, so she gave Shi Yuke an idea: "Release the news about the contracting, attract more people to come and bid, and let the highest bidder win. That way, you keep the initiative in your own hands."

"Okay."

Shi Yuke suddenly saw the light.

By the time Gu Zhihao sobered up, it was already dark. His wife brought over a bowl of Sobering Soup: "Come, drink some soup. It's for sobering up and nourishing the liver. You're a good person in every way, but you're just too honest. Why drink so much? Do you not care about your health anymore?"

Although Shi Yuke's tone was one of complaint, it was mostly out of concern.

She felt sorry that her husband was so sincere and unguarded toward everyone.

In the past, this personality of his was fine, because the people around him were common folk just like him, and no one plotted against him.

Even if they did plot, it was just over trifles or petty schemes, and her husband still had a bit of that petty cunning himself. But when encountering someone with real depth and guile, his little bit of cunning wasn't enough.

"Wife, the most correct thing I've done in my life is marrying you."

He laughed foolishly, finished the Sobering Soup in one gulp, and then looked left and right: "Where is Brother Huo?"

"He went back long ago. Do you think everyone is like you, downing a glass for every one poured?" Mentioning this, Shi Yuke got angry.

During the day, when the two of them were drinking, she was watching from the side.

The glass would be filled, her husband would down it in one go, while Huo Zhenteng would just hold his glass, talking without drinking, or just taking a small sip.

He drank little himself, but he was very good at urging others to drink, coaxing Gu Zhihao into glass after glass until he got drunk before long.

Once Gu Zhihao was drunk, Huo Zhenteng would try to fish for information.

But no matter how meticulous his planning was, he still miscalculated one thing—Gu Zhihao would just go to sleep when drunk, and nothing could be fished out of him.

Facing his wife's reproach, Gu Zhihao rubbed his head and smiled sheepishly: "Hehe, I'm just an honest person, aren't I? I'll change next time."

Saying he would change, but in reality, if something like this happened again, he would still be the same.

Shi Yuke asked: "What you and Chairman Huo talked about, how are you considering it?"

"What matter?"

He looked blank, then thought carefully, and suddenly realized: "Oh, I remember now, the matter of contracting the Resort."

Gu Zhihao frowned: "I don't want to run the Resort at all, but the price he offered is too low. However, what he said also makes sense..." He swayed back and forth, unable to make up his mind.

His wife chided: "I knew you would think like that. You, you have a good heart, but you can never tell the difference between good and bad people."

"Just now while you were asleep, I asked Xuanxuan, and Xuanxuan said we should hold a bid."

"A bid?"

"That's right. It means releasing the news that the Resort is up for contract, and then those who want to take it on can come and compete. The highest bidder wins; that's still better than him just talking to himself."

Gu Zhihao hesitated and said uncertainly: "Is that okay? Look, the idea was given by them, and then we hold a bid. Wouldn't that be a bit unprincipled?"

Shi Yuke:...

She poked her finger at her husband's forehead, frustrated at his lack of progress: "You really have a pig's brain. You haven't improved at all after being Village Chief for so long. No wonder you get plotted against. Why don't you think about it? If that Chairman Huo were really kind-hearted, would he offer you such a low price?"

"And what kind of friendship do you have? Why would he want to help you?"

"Do you know anything about Huo Zhenteng's past? Do you know how he made his fortune?"

He shook his head to every question; he truly didn't know.

Actually, it wasn't just Gu Zhihao who didn't know; before Shi Yuke called her sister today, she didn't know either.

The sisters had chatted for a long time on the phone just now. Shi Youxuan told her to be wary of this man Huo Zhenteng and to constantly remind her brother-in-law, lest he be sold and still help the other party count the money.

Investigating Huo Zhenteng's past, and the food poisoning incident this time—which they suspected was Huo Zhenteng's doing—Shi Youxuan had just mentioned it all.

Shi Yuke spoke in detail by her husband's ear. Gu Zhihao didn't believe it at first, but later thought it made sense.

Then, under his wife's guidance, he carefully mulled over the whole process of how he and Huo Zhenteng met and the timeline of their interactions, and only then did he realize his wife was right!

He nodded firmly and agreed: "Okay, let's do as you say. We'll hold a bid!"

The Resort was to be contracted out through a bid.

When this news spread, Huo Zhenting was so angry he smashed a priceless teapot.

His gaze was gloomy as he muttered to himself: "Fine, Gu Zhihao, you refuse a toast only to be forced to drink a forfeit. Don't blame me for being impolite."

The food at the Resort could kill people.

The rumors in Chen Family Village that had already subsided were once again making a huge stir, and they were showing signs of intensifying.

Now it wasn't just spreading in Chen Family Village; even the city knew about it!

Such a reputation was very unfavorable for future operations, and many businessmen who were prepared to bid hesitated and backed out.

The bidding activity began.

Huo Zhenteng appeared on the scene with a smile. He was happy from the bottom of his heart because, affected by the rumors, Chen Family Village had no other bidders—only him!

In other words, he could manipulate things however he wanted.

But soon he noticed something was wrong, because many reporters had come to the village, preparing to record the entire bidding process and broadcast it live.

The reporters who came weren't just ordinary small-time reporters; they were all from financial news outlets and top-tier media like the Jiangzhou Daily. Huo Zhenteng felt very uneasy, his heart pounding.

With the rumors causing such a stir, there was basically no one bidding, so why go to such great lengths?

Before he could figure out what was going on, he saw the Mayor arrive, along with Sheng Hanyu.

Seeing Sheng Hanyu, his brain "buzzed" and went blank.

Could it be that Dingsheng Group was also going to participate in this?

Although Huo Zhenteng hoped this wasn't true, seeing Sheng Hanyu sit in the bidding seat, he had to accept reality even if he didn't want to—it was indeed true!

He didn't want to go head-to-head with Dingsheng, because he simply couldn't win.

But having planned for so long to get to this point, he wasn't willing to withdraw now, so he could only bite the bullet and continue.

Sheng Hanyu and the others arrived right on time. As soon as they arrived, the bidding began; not a single minute was wasted.

First is the presentation.

A normal bidding presentation requires both parties to clearly state the contract price, the benefits to be distributed to the villagers, the duration, and the responsibilities and obligations to be borne by both Party A and Party B.

Originally, Huo Zhenting should have started first, but he feigned modesty and let Sheng Hanyu begin.

His attitude was humble, and his intention to curry favor was very obvious.

But Sheng Hanyu didn't even pay him any mind, stating that they should follow the rules!

Follow the rules?

What a joke.

Huo Zhenteng is not a child; he is a cunning old veteran, and he would never believe Sheng Hanyu's words.

It is even less likely that he would do things according to the rules he spoke of.

If he were to honestly follow the rules, he would definitely lose.