Chapter 86

Including well-known catering companies like Xin Kaiyuan and Shui Zhong Yue, they all planned to hand over Shanwai Shan to Mr. Ding from the capital, thinking it would be a win-win situation for everyone. But things took a dramatic turn when Mr. Ding used persuasion to make everyone back off, reaching a tacit agreement. Unexpectedly, just before the auction, he himself became the underdog!

He was reluctant but helpless due to the other party's overwhelming strength and their imminent arrival in the capital. He had to give up reluctantly. He never imagined that the person who seemed the least likely to compete for Shanwai Shan would end up being the final winner.

Later, six or seven major catering industry giants participated in the auction for Shanwai Shan Catering Co., Ltd. However, the starting bid of 80 million yuan only saw four companies make symbolic bids before a mysterious overseas Chinese businessman snapped it up for 120 million yuan.

Of course, this mysterious figure was none other than Ding Hao.

When Mr. Ding saw Ding Hao's relaxed and carefree demeanor at the end, his anger almost boiled over. That guy had clearly been playing a trick, making a fool of everyone. Now, he looked drowsy and confused, as if he had just crawled out of bed! After all, Mr. Ding had brought a team of ten people to Qianjiang half a month ago to prepare for the auction.

He had made a commitment to the head of the Ding family to secure Shanwai Shan. Everything had gone smoothly at first, but he lost to a young man under 20. If Ding Hao were a local power or a representative of a prominent family from the capital, it would have been understandable.

But he was just a French-Chinese! Mr. Ding was very reluctant but had no choice! It was a typical case of being unable to stand someone but unable to do anything about it.

After the auction for Shanwai Shan, the Qianjiang Municipal State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission (SASAC) held a small cocktail party, inviting the leaders of the catering industry who had participated in the auction. Ding Hao was naturally among the invitees.

When Ding Hao arrived, he found that Qiao Yunna was also at the party. It seemed that many prominent figures from Qianjiang's political and business circles had come. They were all dressed in shirts and ties despite the hot weather...

"Ding Hao, let me introduce you. This is Secretary Huang of the Qianjiang Municipal Committee, and this is Mayor Zhang."

Secretary Huang? Mayor Zhang? Although Ding Hao was a homebody, he had seen the two big shots of Qianjiang on TV. Secretary Huang Baorui and Mayor Zhang Debiao were not locals, but they were said to have strong backing. Despite his surprise, Ding Hao quickly regained his composure.

Secretary Huang had already extended his hand, so Ding Hao hurriedly stepped forward to shake it, avoiding any rudeness.

"Mr. Ding, you are truly a young hero. If you have any business issues in the future, feel free to come to me or Mayor Zhang."

"Thank you, Secretary Huang, thank you, Mayor Zhang." Although Ding Hao didn't particularly like officials, he knew these people were here for Qiao Yunna's sake. Since he had joined the Yanlong organization, he would inevitably have to deal with these people. Moreover, this cocktail party was largely organized to support him.

The Secretary of the Qianjiang Municipal Committee and the Mayor both attended the party, which made the other catering industry leaders envious and resentful. They were all curious about this young man's background. Of course, Mr. Ding felt a bit better, seeing the grandeur of the occasion; he didn't feel so wronged.

Then, the SASAC leaders introduced Ding Hao to the other catering industry bosses one by one. Ding Hao had to force a smile and make small talk, while Qiao Yunna shook her head. This was an opportunity that others would have begged for, but he seemed ungrateful.

Later, Ding Hao spent most of his time chatting with Qiao Yunna, as he was not familiar with the others and had not yet learned how to socialize. This behavior, however, made the Secretary and Mayor take Ding Hao more seriously. They didn't receive such treatment, yet Ding Hao seemed very relaxed.

After all, who was Qiao Yunna? Even a mayor or vice-mayor would find it difficult to arrange a meeting with her. Moreover, Qiao Siping was likely to become a central leader soon. Qiao Yunna was undoubtedly the best person to connect with Qiao Siping.

Of course, the people at the party didn't know that Ding Hao had received Qiao Yunna's help because he had saved her. They assumed he was the son of a wealthy businessman or even a high-ranking official. Otherwise, why would Qiao Yunna be so enthusiastic?

As the party was about to end, Mayor Zhang held Ding Hao's hand tightly, "Mr. Ding, we warmly welcome your investment in Qianjiang. If you have any difficulties, please let us know. Here is my business card."

Ding Hao took the card, glanced at it politely, and put it away. Although he wasn't one to cause trouble, having the support of the mayor would certainly be beneficial. Of course, Ding Hao understood that Secretary Huang and Mayor Zhang were here for Qiao Yunna's sake, or for the future central leader Qiao Siping. He wasn't foolish enough to push them away.

However, another problem soon arose. Qiao Yunna could help Ding Hao win Shanwai Shan at a low price, but she couldn't run the century-old catering business for him. She had a high status and was about to move to the capital, so most of her people would go with her.

Ding Hao clearly lacked the experience, and although Chen Fang had some, it was only for a small inn. The current general manager and deputy general manager definitely couldn't be retained. Through the accountant introduced by Qiao Yunna, Ding Hao learned that Shanwai Shan's revenue over the years had been good, but the top management was too greedy...

After much consideration, Ding Hao decided to hire a professional manager. Fortunately, he soon got his wish. One day, he drove his QQ car to the talent market with some documents, and on the way back, he stopped by the Xixi Wetland, parking by a small lake.

Ding Hao wasn't hallucinating; there was indeed a woman in the middle of the lake.

An hour earlier, this woman had come to a quiet lake. It was deep in the park, and except for weekends and early mornings, no one usually came here. Zuo Xueying had placed her phone, wallet, and resume on the shore and then walked step by step into the deepest part of the lake.

She had originally come here to clear her mind, but now she didn't know why she was doing this. She was overwhelmed by the pressure of life, not because she was weak, but because the world had given her no hope. If there had been even a glimmer of hope, she wouldn't have chosen to end her life.

Perhaps ending her life here was a good choice. The water was getting colder, and the water pressure was increasing. Zuo Xueying felt her head getting heavier, and her consciousness began to blur. She knew this was due to lack of oxygen, and soon she would be able to say goodbye to the world.

All the troubles that plagued her would become fleeting. At this moment, Zuo Xueying felt no regret, only a sense of relief.

But she seemed to have something she couldn't let go of, or perhaps she was unwilling to end her precious life so easily. As she was about to sink to the bottom, she began to struggle! But the depth of the lake exceeded her expectations, and her hands flailed desperately, grabbing at nothing...

Just as Zuo Xueying was about to lose consciousness, a strong arm suddenly wrapped around her, and she felt a breath of air enter her mouth. Then her body was quickly pulled upward. Soon, the water around her became warm again, and she was once more in contact with the air.

Zuo Xueying knew she had been saved, but she felt no joy at being given a second chance. She even resented the person who was performing CPR on her. "Why! Why won't heaven even give me the right to die!" she cried out in her heart.

Finally, thanks to the timely and effective first aid, Zuo Xueying regained consciousness. She lay on the grass, tears streaming down her face, and asked, "Why did you save me? It would have been better if I had died!"

"Ah! I went through so much trouble to save you, and you don't even thank me?" Ding Hao was exhausted and lay sprawled on the grass after seeing that Zuo Xueying was fine.

"Thank you? I hate you! Why did you meddle? Why didn't you let me die?" Zuo Xueying's tears flowed freely. Gradually, she realized that the person who had saved her looked familiar.

"Ah, these days, it's really hard to be a good person! Sorry, I forgot to ask if you wanted to be saved. Would you like to try dying again? I promise I won't interfere this time! Come on, go ahead and die again!" Ding Hao was quite blunt.

"Die again?" Zuo Xueying suddenly felt she didn't have the courage to get up and try again.

"It's you?" Ding Hao had been too focused on saving her to notice her clearly. With her hair wet and covering her face, he only realized now that she was quite attractive and well-built. He never imagined it would be Zuo Xueying! Last time, she didn't seem upset after their blind date.

He thought about it; a woman her age had probably been through a few relationships. Being stood up at a blind date wasn't a big deal. Ding Hao couldn't understand why Zuo Xueying, who had survived an eight-year relationship, would be so affected by his actions.

"Tell me, what could be so bad that you want to die? You're still young and should be enjoying life. Let me guess, did you break up with your boyfriend? Are you pregnant with his child? Did your family force you to have an abortion? Is he already married? Does he not want you to have a child?

Were you so eager to find a husband for your child? Did you try with others, but they all rejected you? Could it really be as dramatic as that?" Ding Hao was clearly getting into it, his enthusiasm growing as he spoke.