Chapter 592: Shen Nan Soars

Gu Anran felt quite happy inside.

Wu An truly had no guard at all toward her.

Trust is mutual.

This trust made her feel very comfortable; correspondingly, she also trusted Wu An a lot.

At the dining table.

Mainly Elder Zhang was sharing some amusing anecdotes about antiques; Wu An listened attentively and occasionally chimed in. Even without the knowledge behind those anecdotes, just hearing them as stories was quite interesting.

They ate and drank for two hours.

Wu An paid the bill, first escorted Elder Zhang back to the antique shop, then went to the hotel.

It was different from before.

He had booked a suite here for a long-term, annual lease.

As for the house.

He didn't intend to buy.

In their small county town, the current and future housing prices differ by only about a thousand yuan per square meter; that's still fine, otherwise they'd have to break the bank.

And the chance of breaking the bank is relatively high.

It's better to book a room in the hotel, just carry a bag to check in, and when you leave it's left spotless, enjoying professional one‑on‑one service.

This is far more hassle‑free than buying a house to stay in occasionally, where any dirt or damage requires hiring someone to fix.

Of course.

It also depends on the person.

Gu Anran just wants to buy a house to live in; after all, it's hers.

After all, staying in a hotel never feels comfortable; each time she checks everything meticulously, fearing hidden cameras.

Things are like that.

Nothing is perfect, after all.

After the check, the two of them chatted idly, but had no time for idle talk.

They got down to business.

…

Evening.

At Wu Yingjin's home.

Shen Nan and the others gathered together.

They were drinking celebratory wine; whether they opened champagne halfway was of no concern to anyone.

First, they celebrated Wu Yingjin's transformation into the deputy director of Xixi Village, which opens further opportunities.

Anyway, after downing a bottle of wine, Shen Nan said.

Wu Yingjin replied with a compliment: "What does it matter that I'm a deputy director? Isn't it still thanks to you and Elder Village Chief."

"We're celebrating today because you're going to clinch the project tomorrow."

"The signing ceremony will also have leaders from the county and the Market attending for a visit."

"Now that's a tremendous good thing, worth celebrating."

"Come, come, come."

"I'm toasting, everyone raise a glass to Shen Nan, may you grow big and strong, leading us to earn big money."

Everyone joined the cheers.

Lin Hu, who had rarely drunk before, now shouted along.

Although Shen Nan waved a hand, outwardly showing a modest pose, their mouth was practically split with laughter.

After a drink, Lin Hu complimented: "Ah Nan, you're truly impressive, even getting such a big leader to come assist."

"I didn't expect you have such extensive connections."

"If you're willing to bring me wealth, I thank you."

"Anyway, I must toast you."

He stood up, tossed out a line like "I'll do whatever you say," and raised his head to drink.

Shen Nan heard him hype the atmosphere to this level and also drank a full cup.

To be honest.

Shen Nan also found it unbelievable.

Even a small project in the Village could attract such a high‑ranking leader to visit.

The prestige is just too huge!

He knew it obviously had nothing to do with him; he thought it was Grandpa's doing.

Earlier he found it odd why Elder insisted on postponing the signing ceremony for so long; it turned out he was waiting for the Senior Leader.

Elder is awesome.

He naturally wouldn't tell outsiders about his family's situation; if Lin Hu and the others misunderstood, let them.

Listening to everyone's compliments, Shen Nan couldn't help feeling a bit elated.

Flattery never fails.

Lin Hu continued: "I'm actually quite curious, you have such great energy, why must you return to develop in the Village?"

Shen Nan: "Huh?"

He didn't know how to answer; it couldn't be that he returned because Elder is the Village Chief, so he thought it'd be nice to shade under a big tree.

Lin Hu didn't let Shen Nan stay embarrassed long, slapping the table: "If you're embarrassed to speak, I'll speak for you."

Is it because you saw how poor our village is, and the villagers work hard but can't make money, so you came back to lead us all to get rich together?

Definitely!

Shen Nan, I toast you!

Upon hearing this, everyone else also wanted to toast.

Lin Hu shouted, "Don't all fight with me over it—if you want to toast, get in line behind me."

Shen Nan drank happily.

Damn.

Lin Hu's words really hit home for him.

Exactly, exactly, exactly.

Whether he used to think that way or not, from now on he thinks that way.

Lin Hu used to be quiet, but surprisingly he's quite eloquent. He encourages Lin Hu, since he's so good at speaking, to speak more from now on—he loves to listen.

Wu Yingjin also knows how to flatter, but unlike Lin Hu's blunt praise, he understands the art of stepping on one and lifting another.

"Lin Hu is absolutely right; on this point, you're far stronger than Wu An."

"That brat Lin Hu is selfish, only knows how to make money for himself, and couldn't care less about the villagers' well-being."

"As the saying goes, those who follow the Way gain much help; those who lose the Way gain little help."

"Look, now everyone in our village supports you—even Wu Yingwei's father is helping you prepare the contract ceremony."

"This shows you're exactly the kind of person who gains much help by following the Way."

All this flattery made Shen Nan laugh out loud.

"Well said, well said."

"Come on, have a drink!"

Shen Nan proactively asked for a drink.

Others also joined in the clamor.

"The deputy director is right—now the villagers all work for you, even Wu An's father helps you; you should tell Wu An to let him work with you in the future."

"If even Wu An ends up working for you in the future, then effectively you'll be the one calling the shots in the village."

"Right, right."

Shen Nan had drunk too much and was feeling lightheaded; normally, if he heard this, he'd definitely scoff.

But now.

He actually took it to heart.

He also thought everyone's words made sense; as long as he took the initiative to win people over, that brat Wu An would surely come bowing to him.

He asked: "Is that brat Wu An in the village?"

Everyone shook their heads, saying they didn't know.

Shen Nan had someone go look for him.

Lin Hu quickly said: "He's not here; I saw him drive off."

Wu Yingjin: "Just call him."

Lin Hu said: "It's already this late; isn't that inappropriate?"

Shen Nan took out his phone, slurring, and shouted: "I'll call him—that's giving him face."

"Even if it's midnight, he has to answer."

After saying that, he found Wu An's phone number.

He placed the call.

Wu Yingjin shouted: "Shen Nan, turn on the speaker!"

Shen Nan put the phone on the table and turned on the speaker.

Lin Hu was dumbfounded.

This isn't how the script was written!

Wu An never said that; all we can say is that plans can't keep up with changes.

He couldn't stop it either.

Not long after, the call didn't go through, and immediately the 'the number you dialed is currently in use' tone sounded.

Shen Nan called again.

Wu Yingjin and the others cursed and raged, furious that Wu An wouldn't answer Shen Nan's call and just hung up.

That guy… if Wu An were right here, these people might even lay hands on him.

The second call was placed.

This time it went through!