Chapter 37

The meeting ended, and Lu Chengwen walked back to his large office.

Li Meiqin caught up: "Boss, we need to talk."

"Oh, sure, let's talk. Shihan, coffee."

Lu Chengwen sipped his coffee while Li Meiqin stood in front of his desk.

"Boss, the slum project is almost certain to lose money. With your judgment, you must see it as a bottomless pit. I don't understand why we have to take it on?"

Lu Chengwen smiled: "How's the coffee?"

"It's good." Li Meiqin forced a smile: "I'm here to seek your guidance, hoping you can teach me more."

Lu Chengwen said: "The Buddha says, it cannot be said."

"Ah?"

"Anyway, just do as I say. No matter how much effort it takes, you must secure this project."

Li Meiqin had never heard of a project that required "no matter how much effort." This project could be started with money alone.

If Dashing Group takes it on, everyone will give you the green light. It seems we've found a fool to take the hit.

"Also, Mr. Lu, the wage increase needs to be gradual. We should gradually raise it based on the local average wage and the national inflation rate. Suddenly increasing it so much would be too costly..."

"Let's not discuss these matters. Also, you don't need to wear short skirts anymore. Wear whatever you like."

At this moment, Jiang Shihan knocked and entered: "Mr. Lu, Mayor Zhao has asked you to attend a meeting at the city government conference room at 3 PM. The topic is the slum renovation project."

"Got it."

Lu Chengwen looked at Li Meiqin: "Time for the meeting."

...

3 PM.

City Government Conference Room.

Lu Chengwen was five minutes late, but fortunately, Mayor Zhao was busy and wasn't in the conference room.

As soon as Lu Chengwen entered, he saw many familiar faces.

Qianfeng Group's CEO, Leng Qingqiu; Houde Group's Executive Vice President, Xu Xuejiao; and Xiangyun Group's CEO, Chen Mengyun...

All four major families of Xuecheng were present, but none of the chairmen attended personally; only the CEOs and vice presidents came.

It was clear that none of them wanted to touch this project, and it was best for the young ones to take the blame.

As soon as Lu Chengwen entered, Leng Qingqiu and Chen Mengyun stood up simultaneously.

Leng Qingqiu looked at Lu Chengwen and smiled.

Lu Chengwen politely smiled back and shook her hand: "CEO Leng, it's been a while."

Leng Qingqiu laughed, thinking, "What 'it's been a while'? We met yesterday."

Chen Mengyun, feeling annoyed by Leng Qingqiu, also shook Lu Chengwen's hand: "Mr. Lu, still as cool as ever."

"CEO Chen, you look beautiful today. Your dress is lovely."

Just as Lu Chengwen was about to turn to greet Xu Xuejiao, she jumped up, startling him. Afraid she would fall, he quickly caught her.

Good grief, Xu Xuejiao clung to him like a koala.

Xu Xuejiao, with her small frame and slender limbs, wasn't heavy, but... you're the executive vice president of Houde Group!

What are you doing hanging on me in public!?

Lu Chengwen nervously asked: "What are you doing? Get down!"

"Not until you kiss me."

"Stop it, there are so many people here!"

"What's the problem?"

Leng Qingqiu picked up a document and slammed it on the table, dissatisfied.

Xu Xuejiao ignored him, hugging Lu Chengwen's neck: "Missed me?"

"If you didn't make my life hard, I'd be grateful..."

At this moment, the secretary opened the door, and Mayor Zhao entered.

"Sorry, everyone, I've been busy. Let's start the meeting."

Seeing Xu Xuejiao hanging on Lu Chengwen, Mayor Zhao was taken aback.

"Mr. Lu, what's going on?"

Lu Chengwen quickly patted Xu Xuejiao's bottom, and she blushed, got down, and sat on the side, sticking out her tongue.

Secretary Wu began speaking, going on for a while about how the project was crucial for the city's development. If it continued to be delayed, it would reflect poorly on the city leadership and severely hinder Xuecheng's economic growth and construction. He hoped the groups would consider the city's needs and take on the project.

After Secretary Wu finished, Mayor Zhao began, sighing first:

"Esteemed business leaders, I know your fathers, and I understand that this project is complex and a hot potato. However, Xuecheng needs to overcome this challenge. Any group willing to invest and complete the project will have my gratitude, representing the city government and the 30 million citizens of Xuecheng. This is a great cause that benefits the present and the future. I hope you can take a long-term view."

This sounded good.

In reality, it meant they wanted the businesses to foot the bill and take on the project.

Everyone looked at each other, but no one spoke.

Hu Shuhui, sitting at the end, looked at Lu Chengwen and suddenly said: "Mayor Zhao, we are businessmen. Without profit, asking us to invest is like asking us to throw our hard-earned money into the wind. Minghui Group will not get involved in this mess."

He pointed at Lu Chengwen: "He has money! Who doesn't know that the Lu family, the leading family of Xuecheng, is incredibly wealthy? If he invests, I'll invest a smaller amount."

Mayor Zhao turned to look at Lu Chengwen.

At this moment, Lu Chengwen's phone rang, and he quickly stood up: "Sorry, everyone, I need to take this call. I'll be right back."

Next, a group of people chattered, with over ten entrepreneurs speaking in turn. Their content varied, but the theme was the same.

In short, they had no money.

Some complained about their financial difficulties, others about their lack of expertise in infrastructure... a variety of excuses.

Mayor Zhao's expression grew increasingly grim.

A bunch of ruthless capitalists!

When they wanted benefits from the city, they were all high and mighty, but when it came to their own interests, they all backed off.

Mayor Zhao, with a scowl, made the atmosphere tense.

Secretary Wu tried to mediate, promising various conveniences and benefits from the city government, urging everyone to overcome difficulties and respond positively.

Mayor Zhao knew, without looking, that these greedy people couldn't be relied on.

Especially Hu Shuhui, whose words were the harshest.

Every time he spoke, his main point was: "If Lu Chengwen invests, I'll invest!"

His message was simple, but his words were too fragmented and harsh.

The entire meeting room listened to him boasting, refusing to invest a single cent.

Mayor Zhao slammed his hand on the table, and he quieted down.

"Is it only when someone else invests that you will?"

"If Lu Chengwen invests, I will! He has much more money than I do!"

Mayor Zhao pointed at Secretary Wu: "Fine, note it down for Minghui Group. He will invest if someone else does."

"Wait, I... I'll only invest a small amount!"

Mayor Zhao, with a stern face, looked at everyone: "Anyone else?"

This kind of thing is hard to start.

Once someone starts, it's hard for the rest to refuse.

At this moment, everyone glared at Hu Shuhui angrily.

Secretary Wu sighed in relief, at least there was a breakthrough. Mayor Zhao was shrewd.

But the rest weren't just sitting there.

Each one said, "If Lu Chengwen invests, we will, because he is the wealthiest."

Mayor Zhao stood up: "I need to step out for a moment."

Lu Chengwen was using the restroom and ran into Mayor Zhao as he came out.

"Mayor Zhao."

"Yes, Chengwen, how's everything at home?"

"Thank you for asking, everything is fine."

"Ah." Mayor Zhao sighed: "No rush to leave, let's take a walk."

They strolled in the small courtyard behind the city government building.

Mayor Zhao spoke sincerely: "Chengwen, what do you think about the slum renovation project?"

Lu Chengwen said: "Your plan has issues."

"Oh? Explain."

Lu Chengwen said: "The area used to be six villages. Now, you want to connect them all, build a large residential community with over 200 buildings, widen and pave new roads, renovate sewers, and build配套设施..."

"Where do you see the problem?"

Lu Chengwen said: "Everything is fine, you even designed a subway station, which is great."

"Tell me the problem."

"The problem is, you lack a commercial district."

Mayor Zhao was taken aback: "This is residential land, and it's not far from existing commercial areas."

"What's the point? What do people look for when buying a house? Schools, hospitals, and parks, which you have designed, but no commercial district! It's inconvenient!"

Mayor Zhao thought deeply.

Lu Chengwen turned: "Shihan! The blueprints!"

Shihan, who had been following from a distance, quickly ran over and pulled out the blueprints from her bag.

"Here, Mayor Zhao, all the designs are reasonable, showing the city government's emphasis on this project. But think about it, if you design a circular commercial city here, with entertainment, shopping, dining, movies, and even a stadium for concerts... not only will the slum area be transformed, but the entire northern part of the city will be revitalized!"

Mayor Zhao's heart skipped a beat.

This idea had been suggested before, but no one was as bold as Lu Chengwen.

Initially, when the land was reclaimed, it was promised that it would be used for residential purposes, not for factories or commercial buildings.

Someone had proposed a small commercial district to attract residents, but his proposal was much more conservative compared to Lu Chengwen's.

Lu Chengwen was planning something big.

With one bold stroke, he had circled a large area of land.

Mayor Zhao pondered, thinking deeply.

After a long time, he sighed: "The residents won't agree. They want buildings and compensation."

Lu Chengwen said: "Calculate how much they want, and I can take it. As long as you redesign the plans and routes according to this method, the subway stations will need to be more extensive, and the roads will need to be ring roads with separate highway entrances..."

Mayor Zhao looked at Lu Chengwen, surprised by his grand vision and by the fact that he wasn't complaining about the cost or playing games with him. It was clear from the blueprints and the marks on them that Lu Chengwen had been closely following this project.

"If, and I mean if, the project can be significantly modified according to your ideas, would you be willing to take it on?"

Lu Chengwen smiled: "Why else would I study it?"

Mayor Zhao said: "Good, but I need you to help me deal with those people in there. Can you do it?"

Lu Chengwen smiled and patted Mayor Zhao's shoulder: "You can count on me!"