Chapter 248: City-Shaking

How could this be a fire pit, bro?

Once we turn our luck, our future profits will only be greater than now!

Mayor Chang sees those red bills, and even if he's angry, he can't do anything about it!

Li Jiaci patted Wang Zhen's hand, comforting him.

But Wang Zhen replied unhappily: "You say it so lightly, putting me over the fire to roast while you hide yourself nicely!"

Can I do this, buddy?

You handle Mayor Chang on your end, and I still need to get the media to speak up for me on mine!

You think it's easy to act in front of the camera?

Li Jiaci poured himself a cup of wine.

He said with a smile.

Wang Zhen really couldn't see what was so difficult about it.

This guy has performed at least three major dramas in front of the camera.

He's even better than actors who graduated from formal film academies.

Wang Zhen asked: "Is it that as long as I settle Mayor Chang, you can change the fate of this losing game?"

Of course!

You, little brother, don't have the confidence to do this?

Li Jiaci raised his eyebrows and smiled.

That's actually true.

Li Jiaci usually appears carefree and lacking proper form.

But when it comes to critical issues, he often thinks more and further than others.

Every time he can turn the tide from a desperate situation.

Wang Zhen nodded, raised his cup, and clinked it against his.

Alright, I'll play the grandson in front of Mayor Chang!

Li Jiaci said: "Only you can play that grandson; nobody else could!"

Damn, why do I dislike listening to your talk so much?

Wang Zhen stood up, making a move to hit him.

Seeing that, Li Jiaci slickly dodged.

He wore a smug smile.

……

That morning.

Two explosive pieces of news appeared simultaneously in the public eye.

Li Jiaci invited dozens of media reporters and held a city-shaking press conference.

He formally announced to the outside world that all his factories would be indefinitely shut down.

Over five thousand employees were sent home.

In that era, a private enterprise employing that many workers had considerable influence.

Because behind those five thousand-plus workers were five thousand-plus families, directly affecting the livelihood of tens of thousands.

As soon as this news came out, it immediately caused a great stir in Pingzhou.

The citizens were still in shock.

Wang Zhen also held a press conference at the same time.

He declared that he would share Li Jiaci's fate, indefinitely halting work at over a dozen construction sites under his name and two furniture cities in the city.

The reputation of Shiqiang Jiaju cheng is beyond doubt.

Daily foot traffic reaches tens of thousands.

There are also many customers who come from afar, drawn by reputation.

Within just a few hours.

The videos of these two press conferences went viral across the country.

You have to know, the internet back then wasn't developed.

Achieving this effect shows how astonishing the influence of the Shiqiang brand is.

That afternoon.

Shiqiang Mu Cai Chang was blocked off by people from all walks of life.

But the factory already had no one inside.

Even the usual gatekeeper, Blacky, was nowhere to be seen.

And the Shiqiang Jiaju cheng in the city was the same.

Outside rumors ran rampant.

Someone found residents near the lumber mill and asked if they knew any insider information.

The interviewee appeared somewhat nervous and uneasy facing the camera.

But he still spoke truthfully: 'The lumber mill hasn't received any new timber since last week; a few days ago I heard they had a branch factory catch fire, and many fire brigade vehicles came, causing a ruckus all night!'

His statement immediately gave people a new lead.

The bustling lumber mill suddenly stopped taking in supplies, and the branch factory caught fire for no reason.

For a time, rumors ran rampant.

A certain villa in the suburbs.

The pot.

The clinking of glasses sounded very crisp.

Li Jiaci's face was red, and he said unsteadily: "We've eaten and drunk well today; in a moment I'll take you all to the Splendid Song and Dance Hall to sing K!"

Brother, you've already drunk two bottles; hurry up and sit down to eat something, or you'll vomit later!

Zhao Chen pulled Li Jiaci down to sit.

Worried his stomach would feel bad, he quickly ladled a bowl of hot soup.

But Li Jiaci waved his hand: "My mind is clear right now!"

After saying that, he downed another cup of alcohol.

Wang Yingna clicked her tongue: "You've had enough!"

What's the matter? I'm now an unemployed vagrant; won't you let me drink happily?

Li Jiaci stared, drunkenly asking.

Then Wang Yingna gave him a white-eye.

Not only are you an unemployed vagrant, everyone here is!

Huzi, quickly take the alcohol away, don't let your brother keep drinking!

This guy gets all smug after just a couple sips of horse urine!

Upon hearing that.

Li Yihu immediately got up to tidy up.

After a round of scolding.

Li Jiaci slumped in the chair back, laughing softly: "Who's ever seen such a rich unemployed vagrant? Hehe, the money we're making now couldn't be spent in several lifetimes!"

Alright you, you're getting smug again!

Wang Yingna grabbed his arm, saying: "Come back to the room with me, you're not rich? Take it all out so I can count it for fun!"

I still want to go to your brother's to sing K...

Forget about singing, everyone's drunk, who's going to drive?

Nothing's going on tonight!

Old lady can't handle you anymore, right?

How come there's a tigress?

Pa!

Wang Yingna slapped down.

The person became honest.

By late night, only the living room in the villa still had its lights on.

Zhou Wanting sat on the sofa, alone drinking red wine.

At that moment, a faint footstep sound came from the stairwell.

She turned her head and couldn't help but smile: "Is your man asleep?"

Hmm, why aren't you sleeping yet?

Wang Yingna tightened her coat and countered with a question.

Drinking a bit makes one feel comfortable; only when comfortable can one sleep.

Then let's do it together!

The two women sat side by side on the sofa.

Zhou Wanting poured her a glass of red wine.

Actually I'm quite envious of you.

Upon hearing that, Wang Yingna, quite surprised, asked: "You actually envy me? What a joke, you're a high-ranking Deputy Section-level leader of the Anti-Corruption Bureau; only others should envy you!"

Zhou Wanting took a sip of wine, grabbed a handful of peanuts from the table, and tossed them one by one into her mouth.

She looked at the villa's surroundings.

She said slowly: "We're about the same age; I still live in low-income housing, sharing a kitchen and bathroom with eight or nine tenants, while you've already moved into a large villa, surrounded by so many men—these are what I envy."

Wang Yingna nodded thoughtfully.

And your parents?

Zhou Wanting shrugged and said: "They're back home, running a small shop to support my brother's college studies!"

The topic seemed to end here.

The TV was playing My Fair Princess.

Outside the window, scattered drizzle floated.

Zhou Wanting leaned against the sofa back, half-asleep.

At that moment.

Wang Yingna suddenly said: "Your ordinary, unremarkable life is actually my unattainable fantasy!"

Huh? What did you say?

Zhou Wanting opened her eyes, looking at her doubtfully.

Both parents are still alive; that's something truly enviable...

Wang Yingna's voice grew softer and softer.

But Zhou Wanting still heard it clearly, and her heart felt as if something had fiercely stabbed it.