Chapter 473

Wu An chatted a few more words, laughing as he hung up the phone.

Translation: Wu An chatted a few more sentences, then laughed and hung up the phone.

However, we must keep the meaning: "chatted a few more sentences" means chatted a few more sentences; "laughed and hung up the phone" means laughed and hung up the phone.

Thus: Wu An chatted a few more sentences, then laughed and hung up the phone.

Mai Hangyu and Li Xin saw Wu An put down his phone, flicked away the cigarette butt, walked over, and curiously asked: "Leader, why did you call again?"

Translation: Mai Hangyu and Li Xin saw Wu An put down his phone, toss away the cigarette butt, walk over, and curiously ask: "Leader, why did you call again?"

However, we should translate "leader" as "leader". Earlier we translated "Leader Xi" as "Leader Xi". Here "leader" refers to the leader (perhaps Chen Zhuren), so we translate it as "leader". Thus the quoted sentence becomes: "Leader, why did you call again?"

Thus: Mai Hangyu and Li Xin saw Wu An put down his phone, toss away the cigarette butt, walk over, and curiously ask: "Leader, why did you call again?"

Wu An said: "Nothing much, the leader is interested in my future plans; I briefly told him."

Translation: Wu An said: "Nothing much, the leader is interested in my future plans, I briefly told him."

Mai Hangyu slapped his forehead, suddenly realizing, and said: "Brother, I was wondering why you didn't make demands of the leader; it turns out you're guarding the long line, fishing for big fish."

Translation: Mai Hangyu slapped his forehead, suddenly enlightened: "Brother, I was wondering why you didn't make demands of the leader; it turns out you're guarding the long line, fishing for a big catch."

However, we need to keep the meaning: "guarding the long line" maybe "long line"? Actually "guarding the long line" could be "defending the long line"? Might be idiom: "guarding the long line" maybe "long-term plan"? Not sure. Let's translate literally: "guarding the long line". We'll keep as is.

Thus: Mai Hangyu slapped his forehead, suddenly enlightened: "Brother, I was wondering why you didn't make demands of the leader; it turns out you're guarding the long line, fishing for a big catch."

Wu An smiled and nodded: "I guess so."

Translation: Wu An laughed and nodded: "Pretty much."

For now.

Translation: For now.

As for the investment in Zhongzhong Village, it can only go this far; later, if the homestay is successful, can Zhongzhong Village still allow an outsider from another village to continue developing?

Translation: As for the investment in Zhenzhongcun, it can only go this far; later, once the homestay is done, can Zhenzhongcun still allow an outsider like him to continue developing?

However, we must keep the meaning of "outsider from another village". So: "Can Zhenzhongcun still allow an outsider from another village to continue developing?" We'll translate.

Thus: As for the investment in Zhenzhongcun, it can only go this far; later, once the homestay is done, can Zhenzhongcun still allow an outsider from another village to continue developing?

Not to mention that Director Chen is willing; even the people of Zhongzhong Village are not happy.

Translation: Not to mention whether Chen Zhuren is willing, the people of Zhenzhongcun aren't happy either.

By then, if he tries to do things behind the scenes, he will ultimately be unable to reach them.

Translation: By then, if he stirs up something behind the scenes, he'll ultimately be unable to reach.

However, the idiom "the whip is too short to reach" means unable to affect. So: "he'll ultimately be unable to reach it." We'll translate: "he'll ultimately be unable to affect it."

Thus: By then, if he stirs up something behind the scenes, he'll ultimately be unable to affect it.

Whether publicly or privately, Xiaoxi Village is his true stage; as for Zhongzhong Village, it can only be considered a front for making some money, gaining experience, and setting a benchmark.

Translation: Whether publicly or privately, Xixi Village is his true stage; Zhenzhongcun is merely a forward outpost for making some money, accumulating experience, and setting a benchmark.

Therefore, rather than wasting the leader's goodwill on Zhongzhong Village, it's better to save it for later.

Translation: So rather than expend the leader's goodwill on Zhenzhongcun, it's better to save it for later.

This time, being able to exchange contact information with Leader Xi and leave an impression on him is already considered a success.

Translation: This time, being able to exchange contact information with Leader Xi and leave an impression already counts as success.

Moreover, he proactively brought up his relationship with Wu Yingwei; as long as he achieves some results that the leader can see, the word "acting" in Wu Yingwei's title of acting village head will soon be dropped.

Translation: Moreover, he proactively brought up his relationship with Wu Yingwei; as long as he achieves a little performance that the leader sees, the word "acting" in Wu Yingwei's acting village head will soon be removed.

Actually.

Translation: Actually.

Wu An's thinking is also correct.

Translation: Wu An's thinking is also correct.

Xi Lianghong put down his phone, recalling Wu An's words from the call, and couldn't help but chuckle twice.

Translation: Xi Lianghong put down his phone, recalling Wu An's words, and couldn't help but chuckle twice.

Young people are not bad; they have ideas, energy, dare to venture and strive, but they also think too big. If Wu An succeeds, it could be said that he single-handedly drove the whole village to prosperity.

Translation: Young people are not bad; they have ideas, drive, dare to venture and strive, but they also think too big—if Wu An succeeds, it could be said he single-handedly drives the whole village to prosperity.

Is that possible?

Translation: Is it possible?

Impossible!

Translation: Impossible!

Xi Lianghong frankly thought to himself that this was something he never dared to imagine.

Translation: Xi Lianghong honestly thought exactly that in his heart, because it's something he wouldn't even dare to imagine.

As for his words, of course he should mainly offer encouragement.

Translation: On the surface, of course, he should mainly encourage.

He pondered that he still needs to pay more attention; the young people's undertakings are not trivial, and he might lose control, but managing affairs in his position is precisely his duty.

Translation: He pondered that he still needs to pay more attention going forward; the young people's undertakings are not small, and he fears they might get out of hand—managing affairs in his position is precisely his duty.

……

Translation: ……

We need to output exactly the ellipsis? The line contains three dots. We'll output "……" as is? Probably keep same characters. We'll output "……". But we need to translate? It's just punctuation; we can keep as is. We'll output "……".

Wu An stayed at the construction site for a while; everywhere was messy and there was nothing to see, when fortunately Qiangqiang called, saying that the jewelry merchant coming to buy pearls had already arrived.

Translation: Wu An lingered a while at the construction site, everywhere was messy and there was nothing to see; just then Gao Qiangqi called, saying the jewelry merchant coming to purchase pearls had already arrived.

Upon learning that he was in town, Qiangqiang asked him to come over.

Translation: Upon learning he was in town, Gao Qiangqi asked him to come over.

Wu An also did not resist.

Translation: Wu An didn't resist.

Anyway, being idle is just being idle.

Translation: Anyway, being idle is being idle.

He arrived at the villa.

Translation: Arriving at the villa.

Qiangqiang was brewing tea; seeing him arrive, he greeted: "Sit down and have a cup of tea; the people will be here shortly."

Translation: Gao Qiangqi was brewing tea; seeing him come, he greeted: "Sit down and have a cup of tea; the person will be here shortly."

They drank two cups of tea.

Translation: They drank two cups of tea.

The people arrived.

Translation: The person arrived.

Wu An was somewhat surprised; the visitor was young, spoke standard Mandarin, likely not from this province; upon entering, he smiled and greeted: "Boss Gao, long time no see."

Translation: Somewhat surprising to Wu An, the visitor was young, spoke standard Mandarin; if nothing unexpected, he's probably not from this province. Upon entering, he smiled and greeted: "Boss Gao, long time no see."

Qiangqiang rose to respond: "Yeah, it's been about two years since we last saw each other; come, please sit, have tea."

Translation: Gao Qiangqi rose to respond: "Yeah, it's been about two years since we last met; come, please sit, have tea."

After the other party sat down, he looked over; Wu An and he made eye contact, Wu An smiled and nodded, greeting: "Hello."

Translation: After the other party sat down, looking over, Wu An and he made eye contact, Wu An smiled and nodded, greeting: "Hello."

"Hello."

Translation: "Hello."

The other party also nodded.

Translation: The other party also nodded.

"Mr. Zheng, this is Wu An, a younger brother I highly value."

Translation: "Manager Zheng, this is Wu An, a younger brother I highly value."

"Younger brother, hello."

Translation: "Younger brother, hello."

After exchanging greetings and small talk, A Jin walked over holding a tray with several pearls, saying: "Basically, they are all of this quality; take a look."

Translation: After exchanging greetings and small talk, A Jin walked over holding a tray with several pearls, saying: "Basically they're all of this quality; take a look."

Mr. Zheng picked up a pearl, examined it, and said: "Wow, the quality is this good?"

Translation: Manager Zheng picked up a pearl, examined it, and said: "Wow, the quality is this good?"

"Are they all from wild white butterfly oysters?"

Translation: "Are these all from wild White Butterfly Clams?"

Qiangqiang nodded: "This isn't deceiving you; after you look at the pearls, I can take you to the backyard to see the shells of the white butterfly oysters, which were just opened last night."

Translation: Gao Qiangqi nodded: "I wouldn't deceive you; after you look at the pearls, I can take you to the backyard to see the White Butterfly Clam shells, freshly opened last night."

Mr. Zheng couldn't put it down, playing with it in his hand.

Translation: Manager Zheng loved playing with it in his hand, unable to put it down.

Wild white butterfly oysters producing pearls of this quality is quite good; moreover, pearls from wild white butterfly oysters are far superior to farmed ones.

Translation: It's quite good that wild White Butterfly Clams can produce pearls of this quality, and moreover, wild White Butterfly Clam pearls are far superior to farmed ones.

Why?

Translation: Why?

Farmed white butterfly oysters are induced to produce pearls artificially; first a nucleus is inserted, and they may be harvested in a year or two, with some merely having a layer attached to the surface.

Translation: Farmed White Butterfly Clams are induced to produce pearls artificially—first an implanted nucleus is inserted, possibly harvested in a year or two, and some merely have a layer attached to the surface.

Meanwhile, this kind of wild white butterfly oyster pearl is different.

Translation: But this wild White Butterfly Clam pearl is different.

Compared to farmed ones, it can be described as genuine material.

Translation: Compared to farmed ones, it can be described as genuine material.

Mr. Zheng nodded: "You don't need to look at the shells; I've raised white butterfly oysters for years, and wild and farmed ones cannot be distinguished at a glance, but after a few more looks you can tell the big difference."

Translation: Manager Zheng nodded: "No need to look at the shells; having raised White Butterfly Clams for years, I can't say wild and farmed ones are distinguishable at a glance, but after a few more looks the difference becomes clear."

As he spoke, he picked up the largest pearl and said: "This one is big enough to make a pendant; pearls of this size and quality, I can offer a purchase price of 3,000 yuan each."

Translation: As he spoke, he picked up the largest one and said: "This one is big enough to make a pendant; for pearls of this size and quality, I can offer a purchase price of three thousand per piece."

"The smaller ones are 1,000 yuan each."

Translation: "The relatively smaller ones are a thousand each."

"These... still need further subdivision."

Translation: "These…… still need further subdivision."

Speaking.

Translation: Speaking.

He took out a small electronic scale and gloves, etc., from his briefcase and said: "Altogether, they can be divided into six grades..."

Translation: He pulled out a small electronic scale, gloves and such testing tools from his briefcase, and said: "They can be divided into six grades in total……"

After hearing the explanation, Qiangqiang and Wu An exchanged a glance, both feeling a bit dazed.

Translation: After hearing the explanation, Gao Qiangqi and Wu An exchanged a glance, both somewhat dazed.

In that case.

Translation: In that case.

With so many pearls, we can now categorize them.

Translation: With so many pearls, they can now be categorized.

The four of them went to the basement.

Translation: The four of them went to the basement.

Qiangqiang took all the pearls out of the safe; seeing so many pearls, Mr. Zheng felt some self-doubt, wondering whether his judgment was accurate.

Translation: Gao Qiangqi took all the pearls out of the safe; seeing so many pearls, Manager Zheng felt some self-doubt about whether his judgment was accurate.

He's now into aquaculture; he wouldn't bring up that many pearls all at once.

Wu An didn't know what Chief Zheng was thinking at the moment; he kept 240 pearls, later he would keep a few dozen for himself, then split the rest evenly with A Qing and the others.

In total, there were 1,000 pearls.

Chief Zheng set the standard, and they sorted according to it; they couldn't go faster even if they wanted to, and after finishing lunch they had only sorted half, so after eating they didn't even rest and continued sorting.

The four of them spent over three hours sorting, and finally Chief Zheng checked once more and said, "The sorting is not bad."

The highest grade was worth 3000 per pearl, with a total of 52 pearls, which comes to 156000.

The four middle grades totaled 612 pearls, priced between 2600 and 1300 each, while the lowest grade alone had 336 pearls.

In total, the amount came to 1800400.

Gao Qiangqi smiled and said, "Let's go up and talk."

Sit down.

Drink tea.

Chief Zheng drank a cup of tea, then said proactively, "Boss Gao, I'll add another ten percent."

"This is already the highest price I can offer."

Gao Qiangqi smiled and said, "Two million, take it."

Chief Zheng fell silent for three seconds, nodded, and said, "Deal, but may I ask one question…"

Gao Qiangqi poured him a cup of tea and said, "Chief Zheng, I have nothing to say."

Chief Zheng gave an embarrassed smile and silently drank his tea.

He also knew that asking Gao Qiangqi where he had found so many White Butterfly Clams was rather abrupt, but he couldn't help wanting to inquire.

After the funds arrived, Chief Zheng left with the White Butterfly Clams.

Gao Qiangqi asked, "A An, are you satisfied with the price of two million?"

Wu An nodded and said, "I'm definitely satisfied."

"If it weren't for your help, I wouldn't even know what price I could get, let alone whether there would be any subsequent trouble."

If he ignores the market and rashly sells, he will definitely be trapped—there's no doubt he will be scammed 100%.

Remember, in business there's not a single good guy.

Not long after.

1800000 arrived in the account.

After receiving the money, Wu An didn't linger; the shells and meat hadn't been sold yet, but they were only worth a few ten thousand, so he had Gao Qiangqi transfer the money to him directly when the time came.

He might not have time to come next.

Still the same saying: the White Butterfly Clam was just a surprise, while Ambergris is the real big score!