Chapter 59

(Chapter 5: Seeking Collection and Red Tickets! Xiaofangpian has been working hard to write and update, hoping that friends who like this book can support more. Xiaofangpian thanks everyone here!)

After talking with Du Peng, it was already quite late. Zhou Ming decided to order some food at the café with Tang Ran before sending her home. However, what neither Zhou Ming nor Tang Ran expected was that when they arrived at the entrance of Tang Ran's dormitory complex, they found Wei Hua's father waiting there.

Seeing Zhou Ming and Tang Ran, he hurriedly ran up and said, "Boss Zhou, Ranran, I finally caught up with you. What happened today was entirely our fault. I didn't discipline Wei Hua well, which led to this mess. I've already given him a good scolding. This is a small token of our family's apology to Ranran. I hope you can forgive him."

Tang Ran looked up at Zhou Ming, clearly leaving the decision to him.

Seeing this, Wei Hua's father continued to Zhou Ming, "Boss Zhou, I know you are a big boss in Gangcheng and don't lack anything. This is just our apology, please, I beg you!"

Zhou Ming looked at Wei Hua's father, whose clothes were drenched in sweat, and there were several empty mineral water bottles scattered around, indicating he had been waiting for a long time, possibly since lunchtime.

Zhou Ming understood his thoughts. He had worked hard to set up a factory and poured all his energy into it, so he couldn't bear to let the bank take it away. Now, with the incident involving Wei Hua, he had already scolded Wei Hua in the restaurant, but he was still worried about any lingering resentment and didn't dare to call Tang Ran for fear of upsetting her. So, he had to wait here with the gifts.

Parents' love is truly boundless, and Wei Hua was really causing his father a lot of trouble!

Zhou Ming sighed inwardly, then reached out to take the gifts and said to Wei Hua's father, "Uncle Wei, I'll take your gifts, and we'll let this matter go."

Seeing Zhou Ming accept the gifts, Wei Hua's father was almost in tears. He said to Zhou Ming, "Thank you, Boss Zhou."

Zhou Ming nodded, "Alright, Uncle Wei. If there's nothing else, you should go home and take a shower. I'll call Director Yang at the Bank of China."

Hearing this, Wei Hua's father left with repeated thanks. Tang Ran commented, "Actually, Uncle Wei is quite pitiful."

Seeing Wei Hua's father, Zhou Ming thought of his own parents. When he was fired from the factory, his parents had also humbly begged the factory leaders for mercy. Especially in his previous life, when his father was already suffering from complications from a perforated appendix and sepsis, he still dragged his ailing body to the factory to plead for Zhou Ming's job, even until his last breath.

Thinking of this, Zhou Ming felt a wave of sadness.

At this moment, Zhou Ming suddenly felt a soft touch on his cheek. He turned to see Tang Ran wiping away the tears that had unconsciously fallen from his eyes.

"Brother Ming, what's wrong? Did I say something that upset you?" Tang Ran asked carefully.

Zhou Ming shook his head, "No, I just suddenly thought of some sad things. But now that I'm here, I won't let these things happen again. I'll work hard to earn money, make influential friends, and ensure that those I care about and those who care about me live a good life!"

Tang Ran nodded seriously, "Brother Ming, I'll also work hard in the future, so you won't have to worry about me. I want to help you too!"

Zhou Ming laughed, teasing Tang Ran, "That's great, Ranran. You need to work hard. Now that you're my girlfriend, if I find out you're not working hard, I'll spank you!"

Tang Ran's face turned red, and she said shyly, "Oh, Brother Ming, what are you saying? How embarrassing!"

...

The next noon, Zhou Ming arrived at Dongmen Hotel, the most luxurious hotel in Nanjiang. He entered a high-end private room where Du Peng was already sitting.

Seeing Zhou Ming enter, Du Peng quickly stood up and said, "I contacted the Nanjiang Land and Resources Bureau through one of my grandfather's students. Today, we're inviting the bureau's director, He Yujin, for dinner."

Zhou Ming was somewhat surprised. Although Du Peng didn't specify, he must have used a significant connection, possibly even at the municipal committee level. Normally, with such a connection and being a red offspring, he could have ignored the lower officials. However, by inviting the director to dinner, Du Peng showed his thoroughness in handling matters.

This wasn't because the lower officials would deliberately sabotage Du Peng's plans, but rather a matter of habit. If Du Peng showed indifference to these officials, it could lead to more neglect, which might cause problems in the future. After all, the older generation would eventually pass away, and as a red offspring, losing this support could make these small details critical.

Moreover, Du Peng's efficiency was commendable. He had managed to secure a meeting with the land bureau director just a day after Zhou Ming mentioned it. No wonder he would become a billionaire in the future, likely due to his attention to detail and efficient execution.

A moment later, the door to the private room opened, and a thin, dark-skinned man walked in. Seeing Du Peng, he hurriedly approached and shook his hand, "Are you Du Peng, the young master? I'm He Yujin. I'm really sorry, the city government had a meeting this morning, which delayed me. I apologize for keeping you waiting, Young Master Du."

Du Peng patted He Yujin's shoulder, "It's fine, Director He, please come in and sit down."

Du Peng led He Yujin into the room and introduced Zhou Ming, "This is a big boss from Gangcheng, Zhou Ming."

He Yujin also shook Zhou Ming's hand, "Boss Zhou, it's an honor to meet you."

In the past, Zhou Ming would have eagerly tried to build a relationship with someone of He Yujin's level, given his humble background. However, as Du Peng's friend, Zhou Ming simply shook hands with He Yujin and said, "Hello," without further ado. This, however, made He Yujin believe that Zhou Ming was indeed a big boss from Gangcheng.

The three sat down, and Du Peng asked the waiter to pour the wine. After a toast, Zhou Ming got straight to the point, "Director He, I didn't invite you here for any other reason. I heard that the central government is implementing housing reforms, with Nanjiang as a pilot city. Du Peng and I have set up a company and are interested in the real estate business. We have our eyes on a piece of vacant land in Dongmen San Yuan. Can we get approval to use it for construction?"

As an official, He Yujin was not used to such directness, but he had received instructions from his superiors and had to comply.

He Yujin hesitated for a moment, then smiled, "Boss Zhou, you are indeed a bold businessman from Gangcheng. Your return to the mainland and your support for Nanjiang's development and the reform and opening-up policy are greatly appreciated by the government. I will certainly report your request to the higher authorities as soon as possible."

Du Peng was not satisfied with this response, "Director He, what do you mean? Didn't Uncle Chen tell you?"

He Yujin quickly shook his head, "Young Master Du, you misunderstood. Mayor Chen did give me instructions, but as you know, the housing reform is still in the pilot stage in Nanjiang. I am just a small land bureau director and don't have the authority to make such decisions. I can only report to the higher authorities and wait for their approval before giving you a response."

Zhou Ming chuckled, "Director He, although I now run a business in Gangcheng, I am originally from the mainland and am not unfamiliar with the rules here. Please don't give us the official runaround."

"Boss Zhou, you really misunderstand. I don't have the authority..."

Before He Yujin could finish, Zhou Ming interrupted, "Director He, we are aware that the Nanjiang municipal government is experimenting with land sales. The Dongmen San Yuan area is part of the pilot program. Following the precedent set by the Nangang Avenue land sale, the documents should already be at the land bureau. Are you telling us you don't have the authority?"

Zhou Ming's expression turned serious, "Of course, we won't force you, Director He. If you really have issues, we will seek other leaders."

This statement made He Yujin shudder involuntarily. He looked at Zhou Ming with surprise and fear. Despite not being an official, Zhou Ming's presence was more intimidating than any city leader, especially the last sentence, which seemed to imply that he would remove He Yujin from his position.

He Yujin quickly said, "Boss Zhou, Young Master Du, please don't be angry. I was just joking. I will handle your request as soon as possible."

"I don't want to hear 'as soon as possible.' How long exactly?" Zhou Ming asked.

"Half a month?" He Yujin ventured, but seeing Zhou Ming's frown, he quickly corrected himself, "One week, at most one week, I will have the approval ready for Boss Zhou and Young Master Du."

"That's more like it," Du Peng said.

Zhou Ming then said to He Yujin, "Director He, actually, Du Peng and I have some new ideas that might bring new perspectives to the land bureau and give you something to report to your superiors."

Hearing this, Du Peng was surprised. Zhou Ming was clearly using a common political tactic of giving a carrot after a stick, something he didn't expect Zhou Ming to use on He Yujin.

This approach clearly worked, as He Yujin's eyes lit up, and he said to Zhou Ming, "Thank you, Boss Zhou!"

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