Chapter 162

Deng Hanyu intercepted Qian Youyu in the county seat with a project for a hawthorn slice processing factory.

By the time Yue Bai hurriedly told me the news, a week had already passed.

Deng Hanyu had many devious ideas; the restructuring of the Cement Products Factory hadn't hooked Qian Youyu, and he had been nursing a fire in his heart. He couldn't just watch the big fish slip away! This was his desperate speech at the Town Standing Committee meeting. Qian Youyu's Yuetang Village was the village with the most land requisitioned for the expressway and the largest compensation; all in all, it amounted to half of the town's fiscal revenue. If this money were invested in Chengguan Town, it could almost build a new city.

I knew Deng Hanyu hated me to the bone. He had told Huang Qishan several times that he had "invited a wolf into the house." If he hadn't introduced me to Boss Qian in the first place, Qian Youyu would be like a turtle in a jar, and he could squeeze him however he wanted. Now that Qian Youyu wouldn't even answer his calls, Deng Hanyu not only felt he had lost face, but seeing the bird in his hand about to fly away, how could he just give up?

If the Cement Products Factory restructuring wouldn't work, why not launch a new project? No matter what method he used, the ultimate goal was to keep this land compensation money in Chengguan Town. Deng Hanyu mobilized all the town cadres, pooled their wisdom, and racked his brains until he finally came up with hawthorn.

Chengguan Town was rich in hawthorn. This fruit, which strengthens the spleen and aids digestion, was everywhere in the mountains. The common people had never looked at it properly; to the country folk, a wild hawthorn tree was no different from a blade of dogtail grass.

Once the idea was formed, it had to be executed! From market analysis to organizational marketing, from building the factory to importing equipment, from economic benefits to social benefits, Deng Hanyu listed out several reports in great detail. Then he sent people everywhere to inquire about Qian Youyu's whereabouts, and finally, after Qian Youyu left Suxi Township, he led a group of people to block him in the county seat, directly cornering the stunned Qian Youyu.

Deng Hanyu, his face wreathed in smiles, personally opened Qian Youyu's car door and said cordially, "Boss Qian, you didn't even come home to visit when you returned."

Qian Youyu's face turned beet red. He stayed in his seat, refusing to get out, his legs trembling slightly, and even his voice shook as he said, "Town Mayor Deng, what are you doing?"

People were standing all around his car, each of them looking at him with a smile, all wearing expressions of piety.

"Inviting you home," Deng Hanyu's smile didn't change in the slightest. "You've been driving all day, you must be tired. Come, let Xiao Li drive for you. You and I will ride in my car. We two brothers can have a chat." Deng Hanyu beckoned a young man over, signaling him to take the car from Qian Youyu.

This move by Deng Hanyu effectively broke Qian Youyu's legs; without his car, let's see where you, Qian Youyu, can run!

Seeing this situation, Qian Youyu knew that if he didn't do as Deng Hanyu wanted, he probably wouldn't be able to get away. So, he had to crawl out of his car and climb into Deng Hanyu's Santana parked nearby, his face ashen, refusing to say another word.

This tactic of Deng Hanyu's was called "inviting the guest into the urn." As soon as he saw Qian Youyu get in, he waved his hand happily to the group surrounding the car and said, "Everyone disperse, go do what you need to do." He drove Qian Youyu off toward the County Reception House in a flash.

The Reception House had been renamed "Huihuang Hotel," and the characters were written personally by Secretary Guan Peishan, vigorous and powerful.

As soon as the car arrived in the hotel courtyard, a group of people came out to greet them. Qian Youyu recognized most of them; they were cadres of all levels from Chengguan Town, men and women filling half the courtyard. As soon as Boss Qian Youyu climbed out of the car, a burst of enthusiastic applause erupted in the courtyard.

Qian Youyu was startled. It wasn't that he hadn't seen such scenes before, but he had never encountered one staged specifically for him. Qian Youyu felt flattered, and afterward, a sense of bravado surged within him. He straightened his back, nodded with a smile, and entered the hall amidst the cheers.

Deng Hanyu had long been prepared. A bright red banner was hanging on the wall of the hotel's conference room, with the words "Signing Ceremony" written on it.

Qian Youyu turned back in confusion and said softly, "Town Mayor Deng, I'm not doing the Cement Products Factory, you know that."

Deng Hanyu shook his head and smiled, "We aren't signing the contract for the Cement Products Factory; we're signing another one."

"Signing what?"

"The hawthorn slice processing factory."

Qian Youyu was dumbfounded. This Deng Hanyu, he didn't even use his brain when causing trouble. Qian Youyu thought, Oh, so you think you can do whatever you want, right? Although I, Qian Youyu, am a farmer, I am also a farmer-entrepreneur. Without some real skill, would I dare to go up to Mount Liang? I, Qian Youyu, have been able to make a name for myself in Hengyue City; am I afraid of capsizing in my own hometown?

Thinking of this, a strange smile appeared on the corner of Qian Youyu's mouth, and he stood at the door of the conference room, refusing to take another step inside.

"Please, Boss Qian," Deng Hanyu urged.

"I want to see the contract content first, and I need to consider it. There's no rush to sign," Qian Youyu said, pulling himself away, wanting to leave.

Before he could move, he found his shoulder held tightly by Deng Hanyu; he couldn't move even half a step.

"Read it right here," Deng Hanyu said in an almost unquestionable tone.

"Must I sign?"

Deng Hanyu smiled without answering.

"And if I don't sign?"

"That's fine. I can accompany you to familiarize yourself with the situation before you sign," Deng Hanyu said, loosening his grip and waving his hand behind him. "Take Boss Qian to rest. This is our God of Wealth; everyone must be attentive. Satisfy whatever Boss Qian needs, remember?"

A chorus of agreement came from behind. Two sharp young men came over, led Qian Youyu upstairs, and took him directly to the room that had been arranged in advance.

For three days in a row, Deng Hanyu's shadow didn't appear. On the first day, Qian Youyu lay on the bed and slept all day; on the second day, he felt as if there were thorns on the bed and couldn't lie down anymore. On the third day, he really couldn't stand it anymore and opened the door to go out. As soon as the door opened, the two sharp young men greeted him from afar and ran over anxiously, asking what Boss Qian needed.

Only then did Qian Youyu realize he had been virtually placed under house arrest. A wave of irritation surged in his heart, and he retreated, slamming the door shut.

In the evening, Deng Hanyu finally appeared. As soon as he entered, he shouted loudly, "Boss Qian, have you rested well?"

Qian Youyu was curled up on the small sofa by the window. Without even raising his head, he said irritably, "Town Mayor Deng, have I broken the law? Why are you locking me up?"

Deng Hanyu shouted, looking incredibly aggrieved, "Boss Qian, how can you say that? You are our God of Wealth, who would dare lock you up? I've arranged for several people to be at your beck and call at all times. Even our Secretary doesn't get this kind of treatment." He sat down on the bed with a grin, his eyes sweeping over the contract on the desk, noticing that Qian Youyu hadn't even touched it in days.

"Then what is the meaning of this?" Boss Qian stood up angrily and paced the room restlessly.

"No meaning at all. I'm just inviting you home to invest in the economic development of your hometown—a deed that benefits the present and leaves a legacy for the future."

"I don't want to run any hawthorn slice processing factory," Qian Youyu said sincerely. "I don't understand the rules of this industry at all."

"It doesn't matter. Didn't you also not understand mineral water processing? If you can do mineral water, you can do hawthorn slices. It's the same."

"Who said I was going to do mineral water?"

"Don't speak false words in front of a real person, Boss Qian," Deng Hanyu said, emphasizing his tone. "I, Deng Hanyu, never fight a battle I'm not sure of. Whether you do it or not, I know better than you do yourself."

Qian Youyu laughed and said, "Are you a tapeworm in my stomach?"

"Not a tapeworm, but a nerve in your brain," Deng Hanyu said. "Stop pacing, you're making my head spin. Sit down and let's chat."

Qian Youyu sat down, crossed his legs on the small sofa, and said, "Town Mayor Deng, I know you have the best interests of the people of Yuetang Village at heart, but investment is a matter that concerns the livelihood of over a thousand people; it's not something to be joked about. Besides, I can guarantee that if I invest this time, it will definitely be in Chunshan County. Since the money is circulating within the county anyway, it's all the same."

"How can it be the same?" Deng Hanyu said, cracking his knuckles. "Having it from your mother or grandfather is not as good as having it yourself; having it from your brother or sister-in-law, you wouldn't dare reach out. Even if your husband has it, there are still two hands between you, don't you agree?"

Qian Youyu nodded thoughtfully, but not wanting to tangle with Deng Hanyu anymore, he said, "I'll think about it some more."

After saying this, he closed his eyes and ignored Deng Hanyu.

As soon as Deng Hanyu went out, he hurriedly picked up the phone and called Yue Bai. The result was Yue Bai running to find me, out of breath.

I thought for a moment and said, "Don't be anxious yet. Here's what you do: go to the county hotel and find Old Qian, tell him you have private business to discuss with him. I'll go find County Magistrate Liu. This is too much; what Town Mayor Deng is doing is kidnapping. In broad daylight, under the bright sky, if he dares to do this, I'll make him pay dearly."

Yue Bai gave a miserable smile and said, "Old Qian is really something, he doesn't even know how to report it to the police."

I said, "Old Qian has great wisdom. If he reports this, will he ever be able to return to Yuetang Village? Will he be able to return to Chunshan County? Will he be able to cooperate with us?"

I asked Yue Bai a series of questions that left her speechless.

"Go. The fact that Old Qian could call you at this time shows he hasn't changed his mind yet. I think only you can give him the courage and strength at this critical moment."

"Why should I go?" Yue Bai said coyly. "I'm neither a relative nor a neighbor."

"As his girlfriend!" I said. "Deng Hanyu won't suspect the status of a girlfriend. Deng Hanyu is a cunning old fox; he won't let go easily until he squeezes money out of Boss Qian's pocket."

"Is that really okay?" Yue Bai looked at me and said softly, "I don't want to get married."

"Why?"

"No reason. A woman's life doesn't have to be defined by marriage. Besides, you're still here." She said, blushing, her head lowered like a sunflower in the sunset.

"Let's solve the current problem first. We absolutely cannot let the mineral water plant project fall through," I said firmly.

"Then I'll go?"

"Go." I waved my hand and stopped talking, my heart aching inexplicably once again.