Chapter 009: The Engagement Banquet, Full of Trials and Tribulations

Zhang Sheng took a deep breath, negotiating seriously for the first time: "Director Xu, I understand your point and the important role you play in this. However, since this is a business transaction, I believe that compensation should be based on the contributions made. I recognize your efforts, and I know that without you, I wouldn't be able to accomplish this on my own. However... the risks I am taking, I believe, are worth this price"

Director Xu furrowed his brows for a moment, then suddenly relaxed them and laughed heartily: "Good! Very good, Xiao Zhang, you are quite eloquent. I enjoy working with intelligent people. Alright! I won't be verbose; fifty percent is fifty percent. There's no need to let our relationship suffer over a deal that hasn't even been made."

Director Xu continued to speak, but Zhang Sheng had already turned a deaf ear to it. His heart swayed unsteadily, like a kite with a broken string, drifting aimlessly in the wind, unsure of where to go. Although he had always been in unrequited love, hearing this news suddenly caused an inexplicable pain in his heart.

Zhang Sheng was taken aback upon hearing this, realizing that the so-called loan also needed to be obtained under other names. Although he did not understand what the crime of loan fraud entailed, he knew that these documents must be false. If the investment failed, it would not just be a matter of bearing the bank's debt, but rather he would have to bear criminal responsibility. No wonder Factory Director Xu merely laughed when he saw that Zhang understood the intricacies of the situation, and did not linger too much on the division of profits.

Zhang Sheng shot him a glare and scolded with a smile: "If you must be inappropriate, at least be inappropriate with your little golden bean."

Zhang Sheng inexplicably raised his hand and pointed at the car at the entrance of the cafeteria. The police officer, upon seeing this, realized that it was unnecessary to guide him since it was so close. He nodded, walked over, and leaned down to say a few words to the person in the front car. The police officer in the car held a walkie-talkie in his hand, loudly briefing his teammates on the situation as the vehicle headed towards the cafeteria

Director Xu also stated: "Of course, when we negotiate with the leaders of Qiaoxi District for land acquisition, we should use this pretext, which is to establish a greenhouse vegetable base. Because the municipal government has not yet issued directives for the development of Qiaoxi, the ownership of the land has not been transferred to the state and is still under the jurisdiction of the Qiaoxi District government, classified as collective land.

Zhang Sheng said: "Alright, however, we must clarify the profit-sharing arrangement at hetushu.com. If the investment is successful, how will the profits be divided?"

Director Mai stood casually with one hand in his pocket, exuding an indescribable nonchalance in his posture. At this moment, he exchanged a few words with Zheng Xiaolu, who then shot him a playful glance with a charming smile. Zhang Sheng had never seen Zheng Xiaolu smile with such a delicate expression; it was a smile that only a girl in love could display, sweet, beautiful, and remarkably captivating

Upon seeing Zhang Sheng, he forced a smile and looked up: "Brother Bai, what is it that you are carrying?"

The two walked towards the main entrance, and Old Bai happily spoke about how well-behaved his daughter was and how hard she studied, as if she were his entire hope and happiness, his face beaming with smiles

Guo Pangzi said to Lao Bai: "Look, look, there is no humanity at all. I knew long ago that he was thinking about my wife."

Old Bai is nearly forty years old, yet he laughed disrespectfully and said: "It's not that my brother is not human, but rather that my sister-in-law is too charming. To be honest with you, brother, I have long been thinking about her myself."

Zhang Sheng witnessed this scene with his own eyes, and his heart felt as if it had been turned upside down, with a mix of sour, sweet, bitter, and spicy emotions flooding over him. Every boy who has ever experienced the budding of feelings or had a crush on a woman has likely tasted that sense of loss. It felt empty and hollow.

Director Xu laughed and said: "What are we betting on? We are betting that the government will develop the Qiaoxi area. If the government intends to transform the entire Qiaoxi region into a high-tech development zone, would they be pleased to see a vegetable garden appear in the center of the district? The nature of the land use in the entire area has changed. As the owners of the land use rights, it is only natural for us to change its purpose or transfer ownership."

Director Xu furrowed his brow and asked, "Then tell me, how should it be divided?"

This time, he truly wagered a significant amount, yet throughout history, who has not been gambling? How many nobles and high-ranking officials have not similarly staked their fortunes and lives? A cowherd from the late Yuan Dynasty gambled his worthless life for a vast territory, merely hoping to gamble for a better life and a good future.

Director Xu paused for a moment and suddenly burst into hearty laughter: "Haha! That sounds very convincing."

He had just mentioned this when a series of urgent sirens suddenly sounded, and a row of police cars with flashing lights rushed over, stopping at the factory gate. A police officer opened the door and got out, shouting inside: "Open the main gate, we are here to carry out our duties"

Moreover, having him take the lead on the loan does not necessarily mean he bears all the responsibility; it also allows him to maintain control. The land purchased with the loan will undoubtedly be under his name. Once the news is confirmed, Xu Haisheng will have no way to distance himself from enjoying the fruits of victory. If he does not take on this risk himself and instead leaves everything to Xu Haisheng to manage, once the news of the development in Qiaoxi comes out, Director Xu can sell the land at any time, and he will still end up with nothing.

He pointed to the sofa, signaling Zhang Sheng to sit down with him. He lit a cigarette, exhaled a smoke ring, and said: "Alright, I will start making contacts tonight. The first step is to get you a set of documents, a contract for purchasing land and constructing a vegetable base signed with the Qiaoxi District. With these documents, it will be easier to apply for a bank loan"

Zhang Sheng originally thought that Xu Haisheng would sign a profit-sharing agreement with him for the purchase of land. However, Xu Haisheng directly shifted to discussing the details of the loan and land acquisition, without mentioning this matter at all. After some thought, Zhang Sheng took the initiative to bring it up. Xu Haisheng glanced at him and smiled, saying, "No need, I trust you. As for the profit-sharing terms, let's just make a verbal agreement and keep it in mind."

Zhang Sheng felt quite emotional: "Indeed, the poor have their own joys. Fate has dealt me this hand of cards. What is the use of complaining? If I do my utmost to play it well, it may not be impossible to turn the tables. If I concede now, then I will truly have lost."

Zhang Sheng stared at him without any sign of fear: "Fifty-fifty! If you win, you get half for free; if I lose, I will have to bear the bank debt!"

Zhang Sheng was unsure whether Xu Haisheng truly believed in his character or was simply unwilling to leave any written evidence in the matter. He was very straightforward in his dealings and had already made up his mind that if things went awry, he would take full responsibility alone, never resorting to unfounded accusations. Conversely, if he succeeded, he would never forget his principles for profit or breach his promises. With a clear conscience, upon seeing that Xu Haisheng was unwilling to sign a written agreement, he decided not to insist any further.

The police officers got out of the car and rushed into the cafeteria. In a short while, two very burly police officers emerged, one on the left and one on the right, holding Director Mai hostage.

Director Xu smiled upon hearing his agreement and said, "That's right, young man, you need to have some adventurous spirit and drive. Whatever you do requires taking risks; the greater the risk, the greater the reward. If you only think about reaping the benefits without effort, no one will bring the big cake to your mouth. Since you have agreed, then it is settled."

At that moment, Fat Guo came running out of the electrical team, shaking the ground, holding a bundle of wires in his hand, and asked excitedly: "What are the police here for? What happened? Oh, Shengzi is here too. Did you assault a respectable woman and get someone to come looking for you?"

The two discussed some details, and Director Xu glanced at his watch and said: "It’s almost time for lunch. Today, Xiaomai is having a betrothal feast in the factory canteen's private room. I need to go show my support, so I won’t keep you. We will have more opportunities to drink and dine together in the future. I will start making arrangements tonight, and we will stay in touch. Wait for my news"

Zhang Sheng was filled with exuberance; if he failed, he would be unable to repay the principal and interest on the loan, and the exposure of his fabrication of false contracts and documents to defraud the loan would undoubtedly lead to a charge of economic fraud, resulting in a lengthy prison sentence. Yet, he felt a peculiar sense of excitement within, as if his entire being was ablaze with fervor

He patted his belly and said slyly, "Xiao Zhang, you must consider that without me, you have no chance of accomplishing this task. Once successful, that 40% will already be an astronomical figure. In life... one must not be too greedy"

At this moment, the off-duty bell had just rung. Except for departments like the electrical team, which were relatively relaxed, the employees from the workshop department had not yet come out. Old Liu from the reception was about to open the main door, but upon seeing the situation, he was momentarily taken aback. It was only after the police shouted again that he hurriedly went up to pull out the bolt and push open the door

"Shengzi, when did you come to the factory?" Former colleague Mhetushu.com, Old Bai from the electrical class, shouted at him with a grin.

Director Xu said with a smile: "I certainly will not shortchange you, a 60-40 split, I take 60 and you take 40. Xiao Zhang, apart from providing this information, you have nothing else to contribute."

Director Xu walked out with him while saying: "Yes, Xiaomai and Xiao Zheng are having their betrothal dinner today. You know, Xiao Zheng is an orphan, without any support. Isn't the factory her family? The factory leadership, the labor union, and the head of the orphanage she is in are all coming today..."

I estimated that we should buy at most three to five hundred acres of land; any more than that would be too much for us to handle. However, a scale of three to five hundred acres is not insignificant. It is said to be for establishing a greenhouse vegetable base, which still counts as agricultural land. It is merely a transfer of usage rights, and there is no need for reporting, thus significantly reducing the resistance.

Zhang Sheng has thought this through clearly; he cannot miss this opportunity. To avoid missing it, he must leverage Xu Haisheng's strength. Otherwise, he can only watch helplessly as countless skyscrapers rise in Qiaoxi. Even though he received the news in advance, he can only be a bystander.

Zhang Sheng still feels apprehensive about not adhering to the contract, as the provocation from that landlord's sister-in-law, Director Cui Zhiyan, was indeed quite significant

Director Xu stated: "In this way, as long as we facilitate communication with the village officials and the township government, we will be able to secure the land. Once both parties sign the contract, it will only be a matter of processing the transfer of land use rights and issuing the land encumbrance certificate at the district level; there will be no other issues."

Although they were laughing and joking, their eyes were all fixed on the entrance of the cafeteria. Zhang Sheng was particularly concerned, as an unclear thought made him involuntarily tense, causing his heart to inexplicably race.

Lao Bai accompanied Zhang Sheng towards the main entrance, as the electrician's workshop was right next to the reception room. Lao Bai said, "I just saw Guo Panzai. I heard that your little restaurant has closed down. He is now helping his wife on Xiao Er Road, practicing setting up a stall. He wants to get some electrical wires and light bulbs to set up a street stall in the evening. He is currently sorting out the wires in the workshop. It's a rare opportunity to get together. Shall we go out for a meal later?"

Old Bai waved the greasy plastic bag in his hand and said, "It's nothing, I bought a few pig trotters, steamed them in the unit's pot, and when I get home, I'll add some sauce. My daughter loves to gnaw on them"

Old Bai stared in astonishment and said to Zhang Sheng, "Xiao Zhang, what happened? The police setting up this kind of scene to find Director Mai doesn't seem like a good thing at all"

Zhang Sheng's eyes widened: "They... are here to arrest Director Mai!"

Zhang Sheng stood up, momentarily taken aback by these words, and exclaimed in surprise: "Mai Chu... is engaged...?"

Upon exiting Director Xu's office and leaving the office building, I walked a short distance and happened to see Director Mai and Zheng Xiaolu standing at the entrance of the cafeteria, engaged in conversation. Director Mai was tall and imposing, while Zheng Xiaolu's slender figure made her appear shorter in front of him. She tilted her head back, smiling sweetly, her pair of bright, sparkling eyes gazing at Director Mai. After exchanging a few words, Director Mai responded with a gentle smile.

Zhang Sheng's heart sank deeper, a surge of indescribable emotions surged within his chest, leaving him restless. Director Xu greeted him and walked away, but Zhang Sheng immediately turned and took another path to avoid them; he lacked the courage to witness that scene of happiness.

Regarding these land use policies, Zhang Sheng was completely at a loss. Upon hearing this, he questioned, "If it is to establish a greenhouse vegetable base, wouldn't selling it to a real estate developer in the future violate the contract?"

The police car drove in, and the first vehicle slowly stopped beside Zhang Sheng. The police officer who had just called out did not get into the car but walked over to examine Zhang Sheng up and down a few times, asking: "Is the finance director of your factory, Mai Xiaoqi, at the office today? Where is he?"

Zhang Sheng nodded and smiled apologetically: "I know too little about this area, I hope I haven't embarrassed you."

Zhang Sheng smiled slightly and shook his head, saying: "Director Xu, information is now the most important factor for making money. Moreover... I am not without other investments; I have taken on all the risks. For you, this is a transaction with guaranteed profit and no risk at all"

Although the old area west of the bridge has essentially become wasteland, it is still classified as agricultural land in government archives. Without a plan for converting agricultural land or exceeding the planned conversion indicators, they do not have the authority to approve its sale for construction purposes, and it must be reported to the district and city authorities