Chapter 41

While waiting, Zhang Bowen and the supervisor discussed the matter. The supervisor was very smooth and never spoke in absolutes. He said that during the excavation of the foundation pit, issues like quicksand, pipe gushing, and slope instability due to water were very common, and normal construction teams could handle them, although there were exceptions.

The project manager arrived soon after. He was very conservative and did not believe what Fang Tianfeng had said, firmly refusing to change the construction team unless the shareholders voted for it.

Within an hour, the other four shareholders had all arrived.

After some pleasantries, Zhang Bowen introduced the situation. Two of the shareholders trusted Zhang Bowen more, although they were skeptical of Fang Tianfeng's identity, they were still polite. The other two did not believe him at all.

Zhang Bowen argued his case, mentioning that Fang Tianfeng had accurately predicted the issues with Shi Weicheng and General Cheng, but he did not mention Pang Jingzhou.

The youngest shareholder, Mr. Lu, suddenly asked, "Is this Master Fang the one who offended Pang Jingzhou at the Yujiang Hotel, and then had Pang Jingzhou spread the word about him?"

Zhang Bowen was speechless. Mr. Lu's father worked at the city's Industry and Commerce Bureau, and he was the largest investor among the five, with the shallowest relationship with Zhang Bowen. He was also the one who first proposed adding an underground warehouse.

Fang Tianfeng remained calm and said, "That's me."

The other three shareholders became nervous and asked what had happened. Mr. Lu looked at Fang Tianfeng with ill intent.

"I heard a few days ago that there was a very young fraudster who pretended to be a fortune-teller and rushed into a private room at the Yujiang Hotel, trying to deceive Pang Jingzhou. But who is Pang Jingzhou? He exposed the fraudster on the spot, forcing him to flee in disgrace. I didn't expect that fraudster to deceive us. Isn't that funny?"

None of them laughed, but Fang Tianfeng did. Pang Jingzhou would not bother to fabricate such a story; it was likely his subordinates who distorted the facts to protect his reputation.

Fang Tianfeng said, "I have a few questions for you. With your intelligence, you should be able to answer them. First, Pang Jingzhou always entertains guests in the Hai Tian Hall, which is guarded by two bodyguards and two waiters. How could a young fraudster rush in?"

Mr. Lu,不服气 (unwilling to back down), said, "We don't have the qualifications to be invited by Pang Jingzhou, so of course you can say whatever you want."

But an older shareholder quickly said, "Master Fang is right. I had the honor of toasting with the boss at the Hai Tian Hall, and there were indeed bodyguards and waiters guarding the entrance."

"What if Pang Jingzhou let the bodyguards and waiters take a break?" Mr. Lu still refused to back down.

Fang Tianfeng ignored him and continued, "I have a second question. You should all know Pang Jingzhou's temper. If I were really a fraudster, would I dare to continue deceiving people in Yunhai City? When did Pang Jingzhou become so kind?"

"Maybe Pang Jingzhou just doesn't care about you. Does an elephant care about an ant?" Mr. Lu said.

Fang Tianfeng asked, "My third question is, do you know why Pang Jingzhou changed his bodyguards? You have plenty of time to find out."

Zhang Bowen, not wanting to offend Mr. Lu, but feeling compelled to speak, said, "Little Lu, don't say anything more. The people who had dinner with Master Fang that day included Deputy Director Chai from the Construction Committee and Mr. Meng."

"Which Mr. Meng?" Mr. Lu's face changed slightly.

Zhang Bowen, trying to show that it wasn't his fault, said, "Of course, the Mr. Meng who took the mixed-race model. I didn't want to mention it earlier."

Mr. Lu's face turned red, and he asked Fang Tianfeng, "Are you and Mr. Meng good friends?"

"He helped me, and I owe him a favor." Fang Tianfeng was grateful to Mr. Meng for helping him with the police trouble.

Mr. Lu took a deep breath, suppressing his anger, and said, "The project manager, supervisor, and construction team leader have all said that there is a high possibility of water seepage, and they have already prepared emergency plans. Even if there is a problem, it doesn't mean anything."

Fang Tianfeng pointed to the east side of the construction site and said, "In three days, there will be a significant accident on the east side of the construction site. It won't hurt anyone, but this construction team can't handle it, and it will delay the project. If this doesn't mean anything, I won't bother to say it. Mr. Zhang, take me away."

Mr. Lu casually pointed to the north side and said, "In three days, there will be a minor accident on the north side of the construction site. It won't hurt anyone, but it will delay the project. This is what I see from the feng shui. If I'm right, I'm Master Lu. If I'm wrong, what can you do to me?"

Zhang Bowen asked the construction team leader, "Can we dig the area Master Fang pointed out first to verify it quickly?"

The supervisor, project manager, and construction team leader all said it was not advisable to deviate from the plan, especially for a deep foundation pit. The construction team leader complained, "If we dig randomly, we might create problems where there were none."

Mr. Lu suddenly smiled and said, "Brother Zhang, I'm not against you; I'm thinking about our project. I also want to finish it as soon as possible and make money. If this fraudster is right, that's fine, but if he's wrong and we change the construction team, who will bear the loss? Who will cover the extra costs?"

Zhang Bowen cursed inwardly, realizing that Mr. Lu was so ruthless, ostensibly concerned about responsibility but actually focused on the final profit distribution.

Zhang Bowen smiled and said, "Mr. Lu, that's not right. I'm also thinking about the project. If it succeeds, we all share the benefits; if it fails, I'll take the responsibility."

Mr. Lu suddenly raised his voice and said, "Why don't we set specific rules? If there's no major accident within three days, or if there is an accident but the construction team can solve it quickly, I'm right. If there is a major accident within three days and the construction team can't solve it in a short time, you're right. When the building is sold, the one who is wrong will give the one who is right three million. What do you think, Mr. Zhang?"

Zhang Bowen didn't expect Mr. Lu to be so direct but quickly understood that it was because of his close relationship with Mr. Meng. Mr. Lu was seeking revenge.

Fang Tianfeng also understood that this was forcing Zhang Bowen to take a side.

The older shareholder quickly tried to mediate, saying, "We're all friends; there's no need to hurt our friendship over this."

Mr. Lu, however, said rudely, "My friends don't have dinner with Mr. Meng the fatso!"

Zhang Bowen, though not as well-connected as Mr. Lu, could not be pushed around. He narrowed his eyes and said, "Since Mr. Lu puts it this way, I can't refuse. Let's make a bet and sign a written agreement, as you suggested."

They quickly drafted an agreement. If a major accident occurred within three days and the construction team couldn't solve it within five more days, Mr. Lu would give Zhang Bowen three million and change the construction team. If not, the opposite would happen.

The other three shareholders looked worried. They were friends with both sides, and this agreement would likely ruin their friendships.

Zhang Bowen hesitated before signing but, thinking of Mr. Meng and Deputy Director Chai, he signed resolutely.

As Zhang Bowen was about to leave, Mr. Lu suddenly said, "Master Fang, it's your turn."

Fang Tianfeng shrugged and said, "You're betting millions, but I'm poor and can't afford it."

Mr. Lu said, "Of course, you can't afford it. I mean, you should wait patiently for three days. When the police come to your door, be prepared."

"What if I'm right and successfully shorten the construction time, what will you say?"

Mr. Lu stared at Fang Tianfeng and slowly said, "If you're right, you'll have done me a great favor. I'll personally give you ten thousand and host a banquet at the Yujiang Hotel to apologize. I'll also personally debunk the rumors and say you are a great master, unafraid of Pang Jingzhou."

"Deal! It's a promise!"

The other three shareholders looked at each other, only able to smile bitterly. They couldn't get involved in this. However, the older shareholder walked a short distance away, made a phone call, and then returned.

When he came back, his look at Fang Tianfeng changed.

They chatted for a while at the construction site and then went their separate ways.

Zhang Bowen took Fang Tianfeng to Chang'an Garden and offered him five thousand, but Fang Tianfeng said he would wait for the results before accepting.

The next morning, Zhang Bowen invited Fang Tianfeng to the construction site again to see if there were any changes. Fang Tianfeng naturally said everything was under control.

On the afternoon of the third day, the five shareholders gathered, and Fang Tianfeng also arrived.

Everything was normal until evening.

Mr. Lu laughed and stood up, saying, "Master Fang, what do you have to say now?"

The other two shareholders looked extremely unfriendly, while the older shareholder was still patient.

Zhang Bowen's face fell, and he remained silent.

"What do I have to say?" Fang Tianfeng seemed puzzled.

Mr. Lu sneered and said, "The facts are clear. What can you argue? Come with me to the police station; I won't make it difficult for you."

Fang Tianfeng slowly said, "I said in three days, not on the third day. The deadline is 24 hours from tomorrow. Why are you in such a hurry?"

Mr. Lu sneered and said, "You're still stubborn. I'll wait until tomorrow night!" and then left.

The night passed quickly. In the morning, Zhang Bowen brought a lot of seafood to Chang'an Garden, including two large lobsters.

Zhang Bowen didn't say much, but his anxiety was evident. He said he would pick up Fang Tianfeng after lunch and then left.

His nephew, before leaving, smiled at Fang Tianfeng with the same malicious look as Mr. Lu.

Fang Tianfeng remained calm, contacting Shen Xin, An Tian Tian, his sister, and Xia Xiaoyu, inviting them to have seafood for dinner. When he called An Tian Tian, he specifically mentioned the two large lobsters.

"Take a day off!" An Tian Tian was immediately excited.

Xia Xiaoyu had to work that night and couldn't come, but she said she would pay back the money in a few days.

Su Shishi insisted on cooking.

Shen Xin asked how he could afford such expensive things, and Fang Tianfeng explained the situation.

Shen Xin was silent for a moment and said she believed he would be right, not to feel pressured, and to do his best.

At noon, Fang Tianfeng cooked a small pot of shrimp, a large plate of clams, and a steamed king crab, enjoying his meal alone. At 1 PM, Zhang Bowen picked him up to go to the construction site.

Zhang Bowen greeted him with a smile, but his anxiety was evident, contrasting sharply with the clear sky.

The construction site was bustling, and all the shareholders and site managers were present, waiting quietly.

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