Chapter Forty-Four: All the Good Girls Are Gone

“Young man, tell me, what are your plans for that plot of land?” Zhao Fan put down his teacup, bringing up, as if by chance, the piece of land he had previously transferred to Chu Dong.

“What made you think of it, Brother Zhao?” Chu Dong loosened his tie. He was well aware that Zhao Fan had always been keenly interested in that land, especially since it had lain idle for so long. Back when Zhao Fan sold it to him at such a low price, it was clear he hoped Chu Dong would clash with Haifeng Group. Now, seeing both sides so quiet, he felt somewhat uneasy. Yet Chu Dong feigned ignorance.

“Ahem, it’s nothing much. It’s just that you’ve owned the land for quite a while now. If you never develop it, the authorities…” Zhao Fan hinted at Chu Dong.

“I see.” Chu Dong remained calm, sipping his tea lightly. “Brother Zhao, you know I’m new to business. Sometimes, I still need your help with matters like this.”

“There’s no need for such formality between us. Tell me, how can this old brother help?” Zhao Fan wasn’t afraid of trouble, only of having nothing to do.

“I was thinking about turning that piece of land into a small park. Do you think the authorities might be persuaded to grant me another plot in exchange?” Chu Dong spoke offhandedly.

“What?” Zhao Fan’s eyes widened.

He had never tried bargaining with the government like this. It sounded exceptionally difficult. After all, the land had already been sold; if the government took it back, that would mean a huge loss. If they were to allocate another plot, it would be even more complicated. The original price was not what it is now. If they offered Chu Dong a plot in the suburbs, he’d never accept; if they offered one in the city, the government would never agree. Zhao Fan scratched his head. This was only one aspect—the other was that if Chu Dong really took this route, he and Haifeng Group would never come into conflict. If he’d known this from the start, he’d never have handed over such a prime opportunity to Chu Dong.

“It’s not easy, not easy at all,” Zhao Fan repeated, scratching his head as he explained all this to Chu Dong.

“Well then, I’ll give it some more thought and see if there’s a better way,” Chu Dong replied, though he had already made up his mind. He simply wasn’t going to reveal his true intentions.

After they finished their tea and chatted idly for a while, they parted ways. No sooner had Chu Dong stepped out of the teahouse than his phone rang.

“Hello, this is the Real Estate Market Department of Haifeng Group. Am I speaking to Mr. Chu?” A sweet voice came through the line.

“Yes, this is he. What can I do for you?” Chu Dong was never one to refuse a conversation with such a voice. People often said that beautiful women rarely had pleasant voices, and that the most melodious voices belonged to less attractive women. But a large company like Haifeng Group would certainly insist on having both. Conversations with such women were nothing short of a pleasure.

“It’s like this: we saw your phone number posted along the road out towards Lüshun, saying you wanted to sell. I’m calling to verify—do you have full rights to dispose of that land?”

“Yes, I just bought it and haven’t decided what to do with it yet. If the price is right, I don’t mind letting it go.”

After his last visit, Chu Dong had hired someone to build a wall by the roadside and painted his phone number on it in red, advertising the land for sale. Now he’d actually gotten a call.

“All right, I’ll report this to my manager. If it’s convenient, I’ll call you back. Is that okay?” The polite professionalism of someone from a big company was unmistakable.

“Very well, I’ll be waiting,” Chu Dong replied, hanging up and jumping to his feet. He had an idea—now he just needed to put it in motion. It was finally starting to take shape.

Back at Feipeng Hotel, Chu Dong entered his room, where the business license for Anju Real Estate Planning Company hung in plain view. His so-called company operated right here.

“Hold her close, hold her tight, carry the girl up to the bridal sedan…” Chu Dong’s phone ringtone was one of those that Qiangzi and Haozi had set for him. He had no idea what those two rascals were thinking—always so creative.

“Hello, this is Chu Dong.” The number was unfamiliar, but Chu Dong picked up.

“Mr. Chu, good afternoon. This is Tang Yue, manager of the Haifeng Real Estate Market Department. May I ask if you’re free this afternoon?” The voice sounded about forty, bright and warm.

“This afternoon? Please hold on a moment while I check.” Chu Dong covered the phone, let out a few hearty laughs, then returned to the call. “Yes, I’m free. I was supposed to meet with a livestock farmer, but my secretary just told me he has something else on, so I canceled. What can I do for you?”

“Yes, yes, I’d like to discuss the matter of that land with you. If you’re available, could you come to our headquarters? I’ll be waiting in the lobby at three,” Tang Yue said, clearly pleased that everything was going smoothly.

That afternoon, Chu Dong arrived at Haifeng Group’s headquarters right on time. The building was even more luxurious than Yinlong Tower, its exterior clad in ocean-blue glass, giving the impression of a great wave.

With his short hair and medium build, Tang Yue looked every bit the capable professional. As soon as Chu Dong arrived, he extended his hand in a warm welcome.

“Sorry to trouble you, Mr. Chu. I hope it wasn’t too inconvenient.”

“Traveling far and wide in pursuit of profit, you’re too kind, Manager Tang. Besides, I don’t live far,” Chu Dong replied just as warmly.

“Please, Mr. Chu, this way. Let’s talk upstairs,” Tang Yue said, leading Chu Dong to the upstairs meeting room. After a few pleasantries, they sat down. A tall, slender secretary brought them water and left.

“I heard that you’re interested in selling your land. Our company is about to develop a high-end residential project nearby. If you were to sell to Haifeng, wouldn’t that be ideal for both sides?” Tang Yue got straight to the point, clearly not one for beating around the bush.

“How much is Haifeng willing to offer? I spent all my savings when I bought that land,” Chu Dong replied slowly.

“Fifty million.” Tang Yue’s sharp gaze narrowed as he named the figure.

“Goodbye.” Chu Dong stood up and left without hesitation.

“Wait, don’t go, Mr. Chu. Every price is negotiable. Please, don’t be hasty,” Tang Yue exclaimed, startled by Chu Dong’s sudden reaction. Only moments before, he had seemed so steady; now, Tang Yue was flustered.

“And this is?” An elderly man in a blue tunic suit stood in the doorway, smiling as he asked Chu Dong.

“This is Mr. Chu, the owner of the land near Lüshun Middle Road,” Tang Yue answered respectfully.

“Oh? So you’re Mr. Chu. Why are you leaving in such a hurry? Did we fail to make you feel welcome?” The old man walked around Chu Dong and took the main seat in the lounge.

“And you are?” Chu Dong mimicked the old man’s tone, turning to Tang Yue.

“This is our chairman, Mr. Wang Jintong,” Tang Yue hurried to explain, worried that Chu Dong might really leave.

“A pleasure, truly a pleasure,” Chu Dong said with a smile and a cupped fist salute. “It’s rare to meet someone of your stature. I have a matter to attend to, but I hope we’ll have a chance to learn from you another time. I’ll take my leave.”

“Young man, am I so intimidating you can’t even stay for a chat?” Wang Jintong gestured for Chu Dong to sit.

“Heh, what can I say? I have another appointment. Besides, it seems fate doesn’t favor cooperation between me and Haifeng. If I don’t grab the money while I can, all the good women will have been snatched away,” Chu Dong replied, feigning regret.