Chapter 137: Turning Their Scheme Against Them! Hooking the Big Fish!

As soon as Lin Yue'e finished speaking, Lu Qingshan noticed Qian Jin hurrying over from the factory, his face somewhat grim.

"Qing Shan, come here for a moment," Qian Jin waved at him, "Sister-in-law Yue'e, come too."

Lu Qingshan felt something stir; Qian Jin's expression definitely meant trouble. He and Lin Yue'e followed Qian Jin to the equipment that had just been dismantled.

"What's wrong, Master Qian?" Lin Yue'e asked, puzzled.

Qian Jin looked around, confirmed no outsiders were nearby, made a shushing gesture, then crouched and pointed at the base of one slicer machine.

"Look here," Qian Jin's voice was very low, "When I was checking the equipment earlier, I found this thing."

Lu Qingshan and Lin Yue'e leaned in and saw, in an inconspicuous corner at the machine's base, a black device about the size of a matchbox, its color almost blending with the machine, invisible unless examined closely.

"What is this?" Lin Yue'e frowned.

Qian Jin's voice dropped even lower: "If I'm not mistaken, this should be a listening device."

A listening device! Lu Qingshan understood everything instantly. No wonder those people knew the situation in Shanwan Village like the back of their hand; they'd already tampered with the equipment!

"Are you sure?" Lu Qingshan suppressed the anger boiling inside him.

"Eight or nine times out of ten," Qian Jin nodded, "I've seen similar things in the factory before, but they were used to monitor equipment operation; this one is clearly for another purpose."

A flash of cold light passed through Lin Yue'e's eyes: "These people are utterly shameless!"

Lu Qingshan took a deep breath; memories from his past life told him that in this peculiar era, conspiracies and schemes were endless. He hadn't expected the other side to be so low, even employing listening equipment.

"Master Qian, this equipment was installed by Li Ming and his team, right..." Lin Yue'e said, a bit worried.

Qian Jin shook his head: "Not necessarily them. This thing is tiny; anyone could have installed it. Moreover, judging by its position, it looks like someone placed it deliberately."

Lu Qingshan thought for a moment, lowered his voice: "Let's keep this under wraps for now and go consult Brother Chen."

The three pretended nothing was amiss and walked slowly toward the village committee. At that moment, Chen Zhiguo was discussing equipment installation details with Li Ming.

"Brother Chen, can we talk privately?" Lu Qingshan approached Chen Zhiguo.

Chen Zhiguo glanced at Lu Qingshan's expression, immediately sensing something: "Alright, let's go inside to talk."

In the village committee's small meeting room, Lu Qingshan explained the listening device matter in detail.

After listening, Chen Zhiguo's face turned unusually serious: "You did the right thing; this kind of matter must not be taken lightly."

"Brother Chen, who do you think installed this listening device?" Lin Yue'e asked.

"Hard to say," Chen Zhiguo stroked his chin, "but one thing's certain: the opponent's methods are professional, not ordinary commercial competition."

At that moment, Lin Yue'e suddenly spoke up: "I have an idea."

The three men looked at her simultaneously.

"Since they want to eavesdrop on our movements, why don't we use this chance to send them some 'useful' information instead?" Lin Yue'e's eyes glittered with cleverness.

Chen Zhiguo's eyes lit up: "Sister-in-law, you mean..."

"Turn their scheme against them!" Lin Yue'e's voice was crisp, "Make them hear what we want them to hear, then see how they react."

Lu Qingshan looked at his wife, a warm current rose in his heart. The reborn Lin Yue'e truly made him see her in a new light; her wisdom and daring were no less than any man's.

"That's a great idea!" Qian Jin slapped his thigh, "It's called treating them with their own method, striking them back at their own body."

Chen Zhiguo nodded: "We can try, but be careful not to let them discover we already know about the listening device."

"Then what message should we transmit?" Lu Qingshan asked.

Lin Yue'e thought for a moment: "Just say our funds have problems and we may need to postpone construction. That way we can test their reaction and let them lower their guard."

"Brilliant!" Chen Zhiguo praised, "If the other side really has any scheme, hearing that will definitely make them uneasy."

After agreeing on the plan, the four returned to the equipment installation site.

"Yue'e, you said we invested so heavily this time; what if we fail?" Lu Qingshan deliberately raised his voice near the listening device.

Lin Yue'e cooperated perfectly: "Qing Shan, don't say that; don't we still have Shenyang Heavy Industry's support?"

"But the funds are indeed tight now," Lu Qingshan sighed, "I calculated that after paying for the equipment, Liquid Capital will be insufficient. We may have to postpone the start by a month."

"Then what to do? Should we think of another way?" Lin Yue'e pretended to be anxious.

"What other options are there?" Lu Qingshan waved his hand, "We can only wait until next month's village income is credited before we decide."

After saying that, the two pretended nothing was wrong and walked away.

Qian Jin, listening nearby, admired them silently; the couple's acting was impressive—if he hadn't known beforehand, he would have believed them.

Sure enough, early the next morning, the village committee's phone rang.

"Hello, is this Shanwan Village?" a stranger's voice came over the phone.

"Yes, who are you looking for?" Zhao Yongnian answered.

"I'm looking for Lu Qingshan, Factory Director. I'm Manager Wang from Changchun Investment Consulting Company; I heard your village's project ran into some difficulties?"

Zhao Yongnian glanced at Lu Qingshan, who gestured for him to continue.

"Yes, it's a bit difficult; how did you know, Manager Wang?" Zhao Yongnian asked.

"Oh, here's the thing: our company specializes in solving funding issues. If Factory Director Lu is available, I'd like to come over for a detailed discussion."

Lu Qingshan took the phone: "Manager Wang, hello, this is Lu Qingshan."

"Factory Director Lu, I've long admired your reputation!" Manager Wang's voice was enthusiastic, "I heard your project has great prospects, but you're facing some funding difficulties?"

"That's indeed the case," Lu Qingshan pretended to be helpless, "The equipment has arrived, but the subsequent funding can't keep up."

"That's easy to solve!" Manager Wang said immediately, "Our company can provide funding support, or purchase your equipment and factory, at a perfectly fair price!"

Lu Qingshan and Lin Yue'e exchanged a glance; the fish was on the hook.

"Manager Wang, what's the exact cooperation method?" Lu Qingshan continued the act.

"How about this: I'll come over this afternoon, and we can discuss in person," Manager Wang said eagerly.

"Alright, we'll wait for you."

After hanging up, Lu Qingshan immediately called Chen Zhiguo.

"Brother Chen, the fish is on the hook."

"】Good, I'll arrange manpower right away, today I'll get to the bottom of Manager Wang's details." Chen Zhiguo said on the phone."

"In the afternoon, a brand-new Santana drove into Shanwan Village. A middle-aged man in his forties stepped out of the car, wearing a suit and leather shoes, holding a leather briefcase."

"】Factory Director Lu, long admired, long admired!" Manager Wang warmly shook hands with Lu Qingshan."

"】Manager Wang, you're too kind, please come in." Lu Qingshan led him to the village committee."

"】Factory Director Lu, I've heard your project is very promising, but funds are tight now?" Manager Wang got straight to the point."

"】That's the situation, the initial investment is a bit large, and indeed there are some difficulties now." Lu Qingshan sighed."

"】Manager Wang's eyes flashed with a hint of delight: "This is easy to handle, our company can purchase all your equipment and factory buildings at 80% of market price, paid in cash!""

"80%! This is outright robbery taking advantage of a fire!"

"】Lu Qingshan suppressed his anger: "Manager Wang, is this price perhaps a bit……""

"】Factory Director Lu, you need to consider the actual situation." Manager Wang waved his hand, "Given the high risk of such projects, offering this price is already very Sincerity.""

"Just then, Chen Zhiguo walked in with several people."

"】Manager Wang, right? Please cooperate with our investigation." Chen Zhiguo produced his credentials."

"】Police Comrade, I haven't broken the law!" Manager Wang panicked."

"】Wang Jianshe, whose real name is Wang Jianmin, is a fugitive who slipped through the net in the Li Jianye case."

"】Chen Zhiguo said coldly, "Now, what else do you have to say?""