Chapter 39

Coming out of the meeting room, Mayor Zhao held Lu Chengwen's hand, his excitement evident.

"Chengwen, today it's all thanks to you! You've saved my old face. Now, I can give an account to the provincial leaders, my colleagues, and the people of Xuecheng."

"Oh, no, no problem."

Lu Chengwen's mind was still trying to figure out what had happened today.

Mayor Zhao could tell that Lu Chengwen was somewhat distracted and didn't chat much more.

He just leaned in closer: "This year's honor will definitely be yours. Get ready. I'll have the plans approved by the higher-ups as soon as possible, very soon. And if you need anything, just let me know. We will form a dedicated shantytown working group to specifically support your Great Sage Group. I promise that all of Great Sage Group's work will have a green light from the city party committee and the municipal government. We will ensure your success."

"Thank you, thank you, Mayor Zhao, Secretary Wu."

Secretary Wu smiled and said, "Mr. Cheng, our Mayor Zhao is genuinely grateful to you. Come around more often and chat with the leaders."

"Sure, sure, definitely."

Lu Chengwen walked out of the building in a daze. Zhao Gang opened the car door, and Lu Chengwen stood at the door, looking back at the towering municipal government building, feeling as if he had just had a dream.

...

The final investment structure:

The Lu family invested 50 billion; the Xu family invested 20 billion; the Chen family invested 12 billion; the Leng family invested 4.9 billion.

Total: 86.9 billion.

Additionally, Hu Shuhui donated 30 million in the name of the group for the construction of public toilets in the shantytown.

Indeed, it was very fast, so fast that Lu Chengwen couldn't believe it. By the afternoon of the same day, the provincial government had approved it.

Upon hearing that someone had taken over the shantytown project, and that the four major families had collectively invested over 80 billion, the provincial leaders immediately put aside all other work and convened a meeting to discuss it.

Not only were the plans approved, but a professional advisory team was also dispatched to discuss and finalize the details.

...

Golf course.

Lu Guanghong, Leng Tianhao, Xu Zhiyun, and Chen Qingbin, the four big shots, were playing golf.

Lu Guanghong swung his club and hit a good shot, feeling very satisfied.

"It's been a long time since we've all gathered like this, hasn't it?"

Leng Tianhao, wearing gloves, stood by and tidied his club: "Don't talk nonsense. We're all here to escape the hustle and bustle."

Xu Zhiyun laughed: "There's no choice. Mayor Zhao is looking for someone to take over that messy old city renovation project. We can avoid it for as long as possible!"

Chen Qingbin smiled: "Old Lu, your son is quite capable lately. I heard he quietly acquired a high-tech company. What kind of business does he think he can do? Does he even understand high-tech?"

Lu Guanghong looked displeased.

The other three families had inherited their wealth from their ancestors, meaning they had always been rich.

Only Lu Guanghong had started from scratch.

He started his business in his twenties, made Great Sage Group a top company in Xuecheng in his thirties, and by his forties, Great Sage Group had become a giant in the entire northern region.

Unfortunately, he fell seriously ill in his fifties.

Otherwise, he wouldn't have entrusted the business to Lu Chengwen.

But strangely, Lu Chengwen, though uneducated, was a good businessman, rarely losing and often gaining.

The two of them had money, but no culture.

This made the other three families mock and ridicule them openly and secretly.

They were nobles, rich for generations, while the Lu family was just a nouveau riche.

Lu Guanghong snorted: "What high-tech? All high-end businesses are done by people. Are the nobles a different breed? One day, my son will acquire all the so-called noble companies."

The other three exchanged glances, feeling somewhat disdainful.

You have money, but culture is your weakness.

Most importantly, it's about bloodline! We are nobles, no matter how rich you are, you're just a nouveau riche.

Chen Qingbin said: "Let's not talk about other things. The shantytown project is a business that should never be touched. Whoever touches it will die. Your young masters should know this."

Xu Zhiyun said: "Of course. You sent the president to the meeting, while I sent my youngest daughter, the vice president. Mayor Zhao will understand my meaning."

Leng Tianhao hit a bad shot and cursed: "Damn ball!"

Then he threw the club to the caddy: "I heard Chengwen say he would take on this project."

"Really?" Lu Guanghong laughed: "My son, I know him well. He's as shrewd as a monkey. He won't get involved in such a bad deal."

At that moment, Long Aotian walked over, followed by Hua Xueying in sports attire.

Leng Tianhao smiled: "Let me introduce you to a young talent, Long Aotian. He just returned from the border and is very strategic."

Long Aotian smiled: "I have met the heads of the four major families of Xuecheng."

Lu Guanghong looked at him: "Isn't this the guy who caused trouble at my house the other day? Leng Tianhao, why did you bring him here?"

Leng Tianhao smiled: "I need a piece of land recently, and he has helped me a lot. He's a talent."

Lu Guanghong snorted: "Why not ask your son-in-law for help?"

"My son-in-law?" Leng Tianhao wiped his club: "Can I rely on him? He's a miser. I'm even questioning whether to go through with the engagement."

Lu Guanghong, displeased, said: "What do you mean, Leng?"

"What do I mean?" Leng Tianhao smiled: "Whoever can get me that land, my daughter will be engaged to. That's my meaning! Your son is arrogant and doesn't give me any face."

Lu Guanghong was furious, secretly cursing his son for being unambitious.

"I'll take care of it. I'll talk to him when I get back."

At that moment, Long Aotian smiled: "I have some news. It's quite surprising."

"What news?"

Lu Guanghong didn't take it seriously and was about to swing his club.

Long Aotian smiled: "President Lu Chengwen announced at the meeting that he would invest 50 billion in the shantytown development."

Lu Guanghong's club flew out of his hand and landed on the ground.

The three old men rushed over to help him, their faces almost bursting with joy.

Xu Zhiyun laughed: "Old Lu, what's there to get excited about? Your son is a genius and must have seen a business opportunity. Five hundred billion, indeed, is a big move. I hope you can make a profit, I really do, hahaha!"

Chen Qingbin also said: "Exactly. Even if you lose money, it's no big deal. Your family is rich, so 50 billion is nothing. The people of Xuecheng will be grateful to you and your son!"

Lu Guanghong, holding his back, said angrily: "Get lost! You all just love to kick a man when he's down."

The two old men laughed, while Leng Tianhao said coldly: "He's not short of money, he just looks down on me. He's willing to spend 50 billion on a government project but hesitates when I need a piece of land. Humph."

Lu Guanghong, in pain, said: "Leng, there must be something wrong with this. I'll ask him when I get back and give you a reply."

"There's no need to ask. He doesn't respect me as his future father-in-law," Leng Tianhao sneered. "The Lu family's luck is running out. Shantytown renovation? Humph, he really dares to do it. He usually seems so shrewd, but when it comes to the crunch, he's just a coward."

Lu Guanghong, gritting his teeth, said: "What are you talking about!?"

Leng Tianhao said: "Without your family, I can still get that land! Aotian!"

"Yes, Mr. Leng."

Long Aotian said: "I've already talked to the sales department. The land can be bought for 1.9 billion and has been approved for commercial use. Congratulations, Mr. Leng. With this prime land, the Leng family will make a fortune in the next few years."

Leng Tianhao looked at Lu Guanghong: "Did you hear that? Without the Lu family, the Leng family can still thrive! My daughter is a genius, while your son is just throwing money away. My daughter is always focused on big things! What's the point of having a son? He can't even match my daughter's little toe!"

Lu Guanghong, in severe pain, was also short of breath.

The news had arrived, and the facts spoke for themselves. He had nothing to say.

At that moment, Long Aotian received another message, which shocked him.

"What's wrong?" Leng Tianhao walked over, ready to hit the ball.

"Cold... Qingqiu... announced that she will invest 4.9 billion and join the shantytown renovation project."

Leng Tianhao's reaction was identical to Lu Guanghong's, both in the moment of impact and the action of throwing the club.

Xu Zhiyun and Chen Qingbin helped him sit next to Leng Tianhao, their faces almost bursting from trying to hold back their laughter.

Leng Tianhao, drenched in cold sweat, said: "What is Qingqiu thinking!?"

Long Aotian sighed: "She must have been influenced by Lu Chengwen."

Leng Tianhao, in pain, said: "Lu Guanghong, did you know about this?"

Lu Guanghong, looking at him, said: "Look at my back! Do you think I would throw my club like this if I knew?"

Leng Tianhao thought about it and realized he had been caught off guard by the news. There was no need to act like this.

The two old men were trying to calm down, but their hearts were heavy.

Xu Zhiyun and Chen Qingbin, however, were laughing.

These two, one a nouveau riche and the other a declining family, always acted as if they were on equal footing.

Now, they were in the same boat, and they still wanted to marry into each other's families?

What a match! They would both be ruined together. How happy and surprised would they be?

The caddy set up the ball, and Chen Qingbin, holding the club, said, laughing: "What a beautiful day! I don't know why, but I feel so good today."

Xu Zhiyun laughed: "Of course, Lu Chengwen is a genius, and Cold Qingqiu is a rising star. They are a perfect match, truly enviable!"

The two old men were laughing, while the other two, holding their backs, were furious.

Chen Qingbin, preparing to hit the ball, said: "Golf is a noble sport, not for ordinary nouveau riche or declining families. One wrong move, and you might hurt your back!"

At that moment, Long Aotian received another message and showed it to Leng Tianhao.

Leng Tianhao, having been mocked by Chen and Xu, and clearly being treated as a target with Lu Guanghong, was furious.

Seeing the message, he gently held Long Aotian's wrist and said through gritted teeth: "Wait until he swings to tell him."