Chapter 549: A Little Design

Leaving the Homestay Project site, Wu An brought Gu Anran to Lao Mai's house.

He got off.

He knocked.

Li Xin opened the door.

Li Xin saw Wu An, was slightly startled, then quickly greeted, "Little Wu General, why are you here?"

Wu An said, "I just got back yesterday, bringing some seafood."

"Why are you here?"

Li Xin said, "I'm living here now. Ah, please come in, please come in. I got too nervous when I saw you suddenly, please forgive me."

Wu An smiled.

Take a look.

No wonder they can improve; even their speech has class.

He walked in.

No need for an umbrella; Li Xin helped put the umbrella away.

Mai Hangyu came out of the house, looking like he had been napping, and upon seeing Wu An and Gu Anran hurried to greet them, especially the latter, repeatedly calling her sister‑in‑law, inviting her to sit and have tea.

Seeing the plastic bag Wu An had set aside, he opened it, saw Gray Croaker, and asked, "Brother, did you come all this way just to deliver this?"

Wu An replied, "Yes, what's up? It's a good thing."

"It's just a croaker."

"You know nothing; give it to your grandfather, he'll definitely recognize its value."

"Oh."

Mai Hangyu didn't retort, moved a stool and sat down.

Wu An asked, "Everything going smoothly?"

Mai Hangyu nodded, "Quite smooth. I won't mention the village; with Chen Zhuren watching, no one dares to cause trouble, and with Leader Xi's support, it's especially smooth."

Wu An listened, neither agreeing nor disagreeing.

Mai Hangyu continued, "Oh, right, a couple of days ago Leader Xi visited the site, telling us to be ready; leaders from the county or even the market might soon come to inspect the work."

Wu An was startled, "Inspect what work?"

Mai Hangyu shook his head, "I asked; Leader Xi didn't say much, only that sometime leaders will come to the town, possibly to look at our Homestay Project, but it's uncertain whether they'll actually inspect."

"I guess it's uncertain."

"Senior Leader is so busy; just touring the town is a big deal, why would they come to our village?"

Wu An's eyes flashed, "There's another matter."

Mai Hangyu nodded.

Wu An thought for a moment, found Chen Zhuren's phone and called, asking him; the latter was vague, essentially saying that at his level he doesn't know much.

But Chen Zhuren did explain why County/Municipal Level Leaders would come: it's mainly about the rural revitalization theme.

Wu An replied, "Chen Zhuren, be ready to welcome this great opportunity."

Chen Zhuren: "A An, what do you mean? Explain, explain."

Wu An said, "These days, stay busy in the village, tidy up the village's appearance, so the Senior Leader won't see any unsightly side."

Chen Zhuren: "You speak as if the Senior Leader will definitely come."

Wu An smiled slightly, "He will definitely come."

"Regarding the rural revitalization theme in the town, is there anything more suitable to showcase than a returned university graduate like me starting a business here?"

If the Senior Leader doesn't come, he'll still find a way to steer things.

Chen Zhuren said, "A An, it's appropriate, but it must also pique the leader's interest."

Wu An asked, "Chen Zhuren, should we advertise?"

"Prepare some signboards or banners."

"The more eye‑catching, the better."

Chen Zhuren slapped the table, "A An, you've got a good mind, alright, I'll implement it right away."

If County/Municipal Level Leaders come to the village to inspect the Homestay, it's also good for Zhenzhongcun; as the village official in charge of the project, there are many benefits.

He hung up.

Wu An also briefed Mai Hangyu and Li Xin, saying that having Senior Leader's attention is good, but if they see something bad, the trouble will be huge.

Forging iron still needs one's own strength.

Mai Hangyu and Li Xin pounded their chests in assurance, stating the Homestay Project is flawless; neither the materials nor the construction have any cut‑corners, and it can pass even a front‑page inspection.

Wu An waited a while, and Lao Mai returned, dusty and wind‑blown.

The old man went fishing again.

A hardcore enthusiast, the kind that no longer needs rescue.

Wu An poured a cup of tea and said, "Lao Mai, the catch is average, just these small fish, not much pull. When I buy a fishing boat that day, the two of us will go deep‑sea angling."

Lao Mai hummed, "Speak up, what's up?"

"Nothing much…well, there is a little thing," Wu An chuckled, "With your ability, you must have taken many apprentices when you first started work."

Lao Mai took a sip of tea, waiting quietly for more.

Wu An continued, "Here's the thing, in a few days the Senior Leader will inspect the work; if a reporter happens to come to the Homestay for an interview, imagine how great that would be."

Lao Mai said, "Wow, that abacus of good wishes is really well‑crafted."

"Alright, this is easy to handle."

Wu An quickly poured another cup.

Take a look.

This is Lao Mai.

Though old in age, he is extremely straightforward.

When it's time to act, he acts, without any hesitation.

Lao Mai said, "I'm waiting for your deep‑sea fishing boat."

Wu An nodded, "It will be arranged."

He didn't stay long, got up and took his leave.

After he left, Mai Hangyu mentioned Wu An's delivery of Gray Croaker, Lao Mai nodded and said, "Alright, we'll eat them all tonight."

Mai Hangyu: "He said the Gray Croaker is excellent."

Lao Mai said, "Gray Croaker is good, but the person is even better. When you go out later, can you remember to bring me something back?"

Mai Hangyu was soul‑tortured by that sentence.

…

He walked around the town; the bubble‑tea shop was doing well, with two young girls busy serving, and Gu Anran made a round but didn't linger in the shop.

The two headed home, already at four in the afternoon; the weather was bad, the sky gloomy as if night were falling.

First, escort Gu Anran home.

The elder women in the Village were all talking about the village dogs' collective fainting incident, and Wu An joined in for a while; indeed, rural elder women are skilled at spreading rumors.

He, the instigator, listened with rapt attention.

Without much delay, when he arrived at the dock, he parked and chatted with Lao Xie.

"Lao Xie, I didn't see you yesterday."

"I went to receive cargo. I heard the villagers say you didn't catch much on this trip?"

"Hm? Where did that false information come from?" Wu An handed over a cigarette; if it were someone else, he'd be too lazy to say much and just nod, but talking with Lao Xie required sincerity.

Lao Xie took the cigarette, smiled, "I knew it; the word's spread around the dock, saying your stride is so big it pulls the egg, and after switching to a Trawler your luck turned bad."

"You only went out to sea for two days and came back; surely there was little gain, so you returned early to cut losses in time."

"Anyway, the rumor has a nose and eyes."

Wu Anle smiled, "You believe that?"

Lao Xie said, "Do you have two brothers surnamed Fan working as deckhands on your boat?"

Wu An nodded, "Yes, there are."

"Their father came to the dock shouting, saying the brothers didn't earn a single cent and took home some catch," Lao Xie paused, then continued, "Now your reputation is big, it will spread quickly."

"I guess someone doesn't wish you well."

"They deliberately spread the news everywhere."