Chapter 833: Three months, either win or die

Wuzhou eastern suburbs, Listening-to-Rain Pavilion private teahouse.

This place is remote, the décor understated, but anyone in the know knows that those who come here for tea aren't really after the tea.

The most inner private room on the third floor, 'Bamboo Rhythm,' receives only one guest year-round.

At nine p. m., Zhao Tianyu's car slid silently into the rear courtyard. He brought no driver, himself carrying a black handbag as he got out.

The teahouse madam, a graceful woman in her forties, saw Zhao Tianyu enter, only gave a slight nod, making a 'please' gesture.

Zhao Tianyu, familiar with the way, went upstairs and pushed open the door of the Bamboo Rhythm room.

Wang Qigang was already waiting inside. Wang, not in formal dress today, had on a dark gray cardigan, and was bending over to fuss with the purple clay teapot on the tea tray.

Hearing the movement, Wang Qigang didn't lift his head: 'Come in? Sit.'

Zhao Tianyu put his handbag beside the tea table and sat down in the wicker chair opposite Wang Qigang.

In the private room, tea fragrance drifted, accompanied by the sound of flowing water from a guqin.

But Zhao Tianyu couldn't appreciate the ambiance at all; his mind was filled with that 36% annual interest rate, each day the interest feeling like a knife cutting into his flesh.

"Secretary Wang."

Zhao Tianyu got straight to the point, his voice low: 'Audit team, how much longer will you drag this out?'

Wang Qigang warmed the cup, rinsed the tea, and poured water in unhurried, fluid motions. He poured Zhao Tianyu a cup of tea and pushed it over: 'What's the rush? Good tea should be savored slowly.'

"I can't savor it!"

Zhao Tianyu almost shouted, but forced himself down, veins bulging on his forehead: 'Secretary Wang, I didn't come here for tea. That loan, three months, just a three‑month term! It's been almost a week, and the audit team is still dragging its feet there—I…'

"What are you panicking about?"

Wang Qigang lifted his eyes to him, a hint of impatience in his gaze: 'General Manager, how many times have I told you? In times like this, the more you need to stay calm.'

Zhao Tianyu really wanted to splash this teapot of tea on his face—stay calm? Hell, it's not you who took out the high‑interest loan!

But he didn't dare do that.

Zhao Tianyu took a deep breath, pulled a document from his handbag, and pushed it toward Wang Qigang.

"Secretary Wang, this is a copy of that loan agreement." Zhao Tianyu's voice hoarse: 'Please look at the clauses.'

Wang Qigang picked up the document and glanced at it.

When he saw the phrases 'annual interest rate 36%' and 'overdue daily interest rate surcharge 0.5%', his brows finally furrowed.

"Such high interest?" Wang Qigang set the document down, his eyes fixed on Zhao Tianyu: 'How did you manage this? Borrowing from such an institution?!'

"What can I do?!"

Zhao Tianyu finally couldn't hold back, slamming his fist on the tea table, making the purple‑clay teapot jump: 'All domestic routes are blocked by Lin Dongfan! Banks won't lend, friends won't loan, those usual bastards who call each other brother don't answer my calls when I need money! If I don't go to an overseas institution, am I just waiting to go bankrupt?!'

Wang Qigang said nothing, just looked at him.

Zhao Tianyu panted, eyes bloodshot: 'Secretary Wang, I'm not here to complain. I have one demand: within three months the audit must finish and assets be unfrozen! Otherwise, when the time comes I won't be able to repay… Before I, Zhao Tianyu, am ruined, I might drag someone down with me!'

His words already carried a threat, and Wang Qigang's face darkened.

Wang Qigang lifted his teacup, took a slow sip, and only after setting it down did he speak: 'General Manager, are you talking to me?!'

Zhao Tianyu's heart jolted, realizing he'd lost composure, and he hurried to soften his tone: 'Secretary Wang, I… I didn't mean that. I'm just desperate, truly desperate. With two months and three weeks left, if the assets aren't unfrozen, my properties will all be seized and Zhao Group won't survive either. Then…'

"Then what?" Wang Qigang cut him off: 'You think if you're done for, you can drag me down with you?'

Zhao Tianyu opened his mouth but said nothing.

"General Manager."

Wang Qigang locked eyes with him: 'How long have we known each other? Ten years? Twelve years? When have I, Wang Qigang, ever let you down? Yes, you're having a tough time, but have you considered that I'm worse off?'

Saying this, Wang Qigang picked up the teapot.

While refilling the tea, he said: 'Now it's not just Lin Dongfan eyeing me; how many pairs of eyes in the province are watching Wuzhou? If I openly help you, tomorrow the Discipline Inspection Commission will summon me for tea! I can only work indirectly, only wait for an opportunity—do you understand?'

Zhao Tianyu remained silent.

"Next week, the Provincial Economic and Trade Inspection Team will come—this is an opportunity."

Wang Qigang continued: 'I've already arranged it; I'll focus on showing the inspection team the construction at "Cloud Peak Mountain Villa". How's the "resumption of work and production" scene on your end?'

"Already in progress." Zhao Tianyu muttered: 'I've recruited over eighty workers, moved the equipment over, and contacted the media.'

"Not enough."

Wang Qigang shook his head.

He further instructed: 'It needs to look proper. There can't be too few workers, the scene must be lively, and it must genuinely look like construction. On the media side, not only local outlets but also provincial reporters must be invited. Coverage should be positive, with great fanfare—Zhao Group, with the support of the Municipal Party Committee and Municipal Government, overcoming difficulties, actively resuming work and production, making a contribution to stabilizing Wuzhou's economy.'

Zhao Tianyu frowned: 'The audit team is still around—won't such a grand display…'

"Exactly, we need the grand display!"

Wang Qigang emphasized firmly: 'General Manager, you don't understand political matters. Sometimes momentum matters more than fact. As long as the inspection team sees a lively scene, provincial leaders see positive coverage, public opinion rises, and the audit team's side becomes easy to handle. Then I can say with justification—Zhao Group has already actively rectified, resumed work and production, made real efforts to safeguard people's livelihoods and stabilize the economy. In this situation, continuing to freeze assets and affect business operations runs counter to the broader goal of "optimizing the business environment".'

Hearing this, Zhao Tianyu's eyes lit up involuntarily.

He understood.

Wang Qigang wants to create momentum, using public opinion and superior pressure to force the audit work to, as soon as possible, "smoothly conclude", thereby shutting Lin Dongfan up.

"And the audit team side…" Zhao Tianyu asked.

"The audit team leader, Yan Wenbin, is my man." Wang Qigang gave a faint, meaningful smile: 'Rest assured, he knows exactly how to conduct the audit, how far to go, and when to wrap it up.'

"Then that's good."

This time, Zhao Tianyu finally relaxed.

He lifted the now‑cold tea, drank it all in one gulp; the tea was bitter, but he felt it sweet.

"Secretary Wang." Zhao Tianyu set down his cup, his tone much more respectful: 'What should I do next?'

"Two things."

Wang Qigang held up two fingers.

He said unhurriedly: 'First, make the scene at Cloud Peak Mountain Villa solid and thorough, so that the inspection team and provincial leaders find no fault. Second, keep a low profile during this period—don't provoke Lin Dongfan any further.'

I understand.

Besides," Wang Qigang paused: "What have you been keeping your brother-in-law Su Qingyu busy with lately?"

Zhao Tianyu blinked: "Him? Just like that, always messing around with artsy sponsorships, good-for-nothing."

Keep a close watch on him.

Wang Qigang's eyes deep: "I've heard he's been getting close to the Mayor's wife lately. At a time like this, you must keep those around you in check. Don't let some insignificant small fry ruin big plans."

Zhao Tianyu's heart tightened: "You mean...?"

"I didn't say anything." Wang Qigang waved his hand: "Just reminding you, better safe than sorry."