Chapter 360 - 359: That’s Enough

That night in bed, He Lang said to Xue Yue, "There’s an old, abandoned reception center on Hewen Street. I plan to take over that piece of land, tear it down, and build a hotel."

Xue Yue wasn’t surprised. She just asked He Lang, "The government banned the sale of land last year. How are you planning to take it over?"

He Lang smiled. "I’ve already asked someone. It’s possible to get the land-use rights for seventy years. That’s plenty of time. As for what happens after seventy years, that won’t be my problem."

Xue Yue asked doubtfully, "Asked someone? Who has that kind of authority?"

He Lang pinched Xue Yue’s ear. "You don’t know what the Qi family does?"

Xue Yue blinked. "Why would I need to know that?"

He Lang explained with a sigh, "Qi Mingyang’s father, Qi Guokang, works at the Planning Bureau. He’s a director, in fact. I went to the Planning Bureau a while ago. That plot of land is just an abandoned site that’s been sitting empty. The higher-ups haven’t decided what to do with it, but it’s bound to be torn down and repurposed eventually. Now, I’m offering to pay for it—and just for the usage rights. They have no reason to object."

"But it’s not like he can decide that all on his own, right? It’s government land, after all. The application process probably won’t be easy."

He Lang nodded. "I’ve already submitted all the documents Qi Guokang asked me to prepare. Whether it works out or not is up to them now."

"Have you been planning this for a while? Otherwise, why did you suddenly have Little Chen go back to school to further his education?"

He Lang laughed. "That’s right. Once the hotel is built, I plan to train Little Chen to manage it for me. He isn’t an outsider; I trust him."

Xue Yue, of course, had no objections. "What made you think of running a hotel?"

He Lang clicked his tongue. "The population of Beijing City is growing rapidly every year, and housing prices are soaring. I’m green with envy."

Hearing this, Xue Yue couldn’t help but smile. ’Who said He Lang doesn’t love money?’

He Lang then sighed contentedly. "When the time comes, Little Chen will manage the hotel, and I’ll hand the supermarkets over to Shitou and Xing Jun. I’ll be a hands-off boss and even have time to pick you up from work."

"You’ve got it all planned out nicely, but nothing’s set in stone with the land yet," Xue Yue said, trying to bring him back down to earth.

He Lang stretched languidly and said fearlessly, "My offer meets all their requirements, and I’m putting up the money. How could it fall through? You just wait and see."

Xue Yue was already used to He Lang’s restless energy. It wouldn’t be surprising no matter what he stirred up.

There was still no news about He Lang’s land, but Wang Hai’s building project was already in its final stages.

The first buildings to break ground were already finished. Wang Hai came looking for He Lang.

"Brother, your Brother Wang is short on cash. Hurry up and spot me some more. My project will be finished in another three months."

He Lang held up a hand. "You’re too late, Brother Wang."

Wang Hai leaned closer to He Lang. "Don’t tell me you opened another supermarket branch?"

He Lang pursed his lips. "Take another guess, Brother Wang."

Wang Hai frowned in thought for a few seconds, then suddenly pointed at He Lang. "You rascal, don’t tell me you’ve gone into real estate too?"

He Lang chuckled. "Of course not. I wouldn’t poach Brother Wang’s business. I’m planning to build a hotel, so I can’t touch my funds."

Wang Hai breathed a sigh of relief. "Hah, so it’s a hotel. Still, you’ve got a sharp eye. That’s a surefire money-maker."

He Lang laughed. "I can’t compare to you, Brother Wang. The housing prices in Beijing City change daily. All those properties of yours... Tsk, tsk."

At the mention of this, Wang Hai also burst into hearty laughter.

He patted He Lang’s shoulder. "See? You contributed to Brother Wang’s business, didn’t you? I brought over the floor plans for you to look at today. We agreed back then that your money was an investment. So, what do you want? The cash or the properties?"

"The properties, of course! I’m not an idiot. Money doesn’t appreciate, but houses are a different story." He Lang had decided on taking the properties long ago.

Wang Hai handed the blueprints to He Lang and pointed. "These two buildings are finished, and these next few are almost done. This one has large units, over two hundred square meters. I’m planning to keep two for myself. Take a look. There are also one-hundred-and-twenty-square-meter ones and some eighty- or ninety-square-meter ones. You can choose for yourself."

He Lang studied them carefully. "Give me two of the large units, two of the small ones, and one of the mid-sized ones."

Then he carefully selected the floors, choosing ones that were neither too high nor too low.

Wang Hai asked He Lang in surprise, "How many people are in your family? Can you even live in all these places?"

He Lang nodded. "Of course. The two large ones are for my daughter and son. I have uses for the other few."

’Of course, the more properties, the better, especially in the current market. This counts as an investment, too.’

"How old are your two kids? You’re already getting them houses?"

He Lang folded his arms across his chest and leaned back in his chair. "I don’t care about anyone else, but my daughter and son must have them. We have the means, don’t we?"

Wang Hai raised his eyebrows but had no objections. "You’re something else. But that money you invested wasn’t a small amount; it was a real lifesaver for me. Once I sell off this batch of properties, I’ll give you a share of the profits."

He Lang opened his mouth to speak, but Wang Hai cut him off. "Don’t you refuse. We’re close. There’s no need for formalities. I’m being sincere here."

He Lang nodded. "Alright, I’ll listen to you, Brother Wang. But didn’t you say you’re short on funds again? What are you going to do about the money?"

Wang Hai grinned, a roguish smile playing on his lips. "I’m going to borrow it from my father-in-law."

He Lang was surprised. "You sealed the deal with Meng Ye?"

Wang Hai wiped his mouth and said smugly, "Well, I ’ate’ her. It doesn’t matter if she denies it now."

He Lang frowned. "You didn’t force her, did you? Brother Wang, she’s a girl, for crying out loud. We have to have some shame."

Wang Hai spat in He Lang’s direction. "Bullshit! Am I that despicable? Of course I didn’t force her. I just got her to drink a little. Who knew that little spitfire, who always acts so tough, is a total lightweight? Heh heh, and then—"

As he spoke, Wang Hai rubbed his hands together and waggled his eyebrows at He Lang. "You know."

He Lang’s expression stiffened. "Dude, that’s taking advantage of her. How is that any different from forcing her?"

Wang Hai gritted his teeth. "Of course there’s a difference! I didn’t force her—she forced me! I was the one who got pinned down!"

He Lang froze for a moment. Seeing the aggrieved look on Wang Hai’s face, he couldn’t help but burst out laughing. "HAHAHAHA!"

Wang Hai was telling the truth. He never expected Meng Ye to be like that when she was drunk. He’d had some ideas of his own, thinking he might as well take the opportunity to sleep with the little spitfire. He just never imagined that the moment he was about to make his move, Meng Ye would shove him onto the bed and have her way with him. Although, well, the outcome was more or less the same, the details were truly beyond description.

"HAHAHAHA!"

He Lang was laughing so hard he couldn’t stand up straight. Wang Hai’s face grew darker and darker.

"Alright, that’s enough out of you! I still got what I wanted, so it’s all the same."

"HAHAHAHA."

With a stiff face, Wang Hai kicked the table. "Fuck!" Then he stormed out.

"HAHAHAHA!"

Even after he was out the door, He Lang’s laughter could still be heard. Wang Hai gritted his teeth. ’No way. I’ve got to be the one on top next time.’

And with that, he really did head toward the Meng Family’s home.