Volume One, Chapter 14: Securing Fulai Village
Zhang Han and Zhao Rui arrived at the agreed meeting place, where Liu Zhong was already waiting impatiently, standing in a shaded area with several cigarette butts scattered at his feet. He was anxious. Without having the full payment in hand, he couldn’t feel at ease.
Seeing Zhang Han approaching from a distance, carrying bundles of gifts, his tension finally eased. However, his expression darkened further when he noticed a mature, alluring woman accompanying Zhang Han. Could it be that this woman was the one deceiving him?
After exchanging greetings and brief introductions, Liu Zhong subtly warned Zhang Han not to get too close to just anyone. Apart from him, everyone else was only after Zhang Han’s money.
Zhang Han nearly lost his temper and wanted to leap out of the car to kick Liu Zhong away. That old miser had no shame at all.
At eight in the morning, they arrived at the entrance of Fulai Village. The car stopped, and Liu Zhong got out, hands on hips, surveying the village and the bumpy dirt road, lamenting, “Decades have passed, and this road looks just as dilapidated as ever.”
“Don’t they know the key to prosperity is first repairing the road?”
“But then again, with a good-hearted fool like you raising chickens here, a whole bunch of people can benefit from your fortune to buy houses in the city.”
“Unlike me back then, I made my way step by step—going to university, working, saving for a down payment... that’s how I reached where I am today.”
The three walked and talked as they approached Liu Zhi’s house. The bright red iron gate was half-opened. Soon Liu Zhi came out from the main house, and upon seeing Zhao Rui carrying gifts, he immediately cursed, “Get lost! No deal if it’s not 8,000 per square meter. Not even the King of Heaven can change that!”
He pushed Zhao Rui out, his face dark as thunder. The difference between 8,000 and 4,500 per square meter was a staggering 3,500, which for his roughly 200-square-meter house meant nearly 700,000 yuan lost!
Yet, after pushing Zhao Rui outside, he saw Liu Zhong standing silently, smoking a cigarette. Liu Zhi froze for a moment, surprised: “Brother, what are you doing here?”
Liu Zhong, cigarette dangling from his mouth, exuded an air of authority and sneered coldly, “Hmph, if I hadn’t come, I wouldn’t know how you were making things difficult for my future son-in-law!”
He deliberately added that extra phrase.
“What?” Liu Zhi was dumbfounded. Future son-in-law?
Inside the main room, the air conditioner was on, and the coffee table was laden with warm water and fruit. The four sat down, and Liu Zhi looked troubled.
“Brother, 4,000 is really too little. You know I only built this two-story house three years ago.”
“Zhi, after all these years, if I hadn’t helped you, could you have built this two-story house?”
“Has your conscience been eaten by dogs?”
Liu Zhong was clearly displeased. “Now my future son-in-law is about to start a big business—raising chickens. Because of me, he specifically chose this land in our village. Otherwise, why wouldn’t he pick the village entrance?”
“The village entrance is so convenient, near the water source, though the ditches on both sides are overgrown with weeds. I tell you, you people have no vision, trapped in the mud your whole lives!”
“This is a benefit I fought hard to bring to our village. I advise you not to be ungrateful!”
Zhang Han laughed inwardly. It didn’t matter; let him take all the credit for now. The higher he lifts himself, the harder he will fall six months from now.
Liu Zhong crossed his legs and said, “Don’t waste my time. Sign now!”
“Brother…” Liu Zhi gritted his teeth. “What if Fulai Village is demolished in ten years?”
“Demolished?” Liu Zhong sneered, “Tell me, which woman’s bed did you crawl into last night that made you lose your mind?”
“Why would Jiangnan develop and not Jiangbei? That would require a fortune!”
“Here’s my word: if Fulai Village is demolished, whatever the difference, I’ll make it up to you!”
Liu Zhi clenched his jaw. “Fine, I’ll sign!”
Zhao Rui was delighted, fearing Liu Zhi would change his mind. She quickly presented the prepared documents and had Zhang Han and Liu Zhi sign. The total building area was 220 square meters at 4,000 yuan per square meter, totaling 880,000 yuan.
Zhang Han roughly measured the courtyard with his foot—it was no less than eighty square meters!
Tsk! Being a sycophant isn’t entirely without benefit. Saving this much and having such a spacious courtyard, Zhang Han could hardly imagine how much money Liu Zhong made for him!
Liu Zhong was thoroughly pleased.
After signing and sealing with fingerprints, Zhang Han took out his phone and transferred the remaining 100,000 yuan to Liu Zhong. Liu Zhong, seeing the notification, nodded in satisfaction.
He glanced at Zhang Han, who winked at him; everything was understood without a word.
With 200,000 yuan in hand, Liu Zhong was even more motivated. “Zhi, there’s one more thing. You know the chicken farm takes up a lot of space. My future son-in-law wants more land, and several nearby owners want to sell.”
“You’ll come with me. Remember, if anyone asks, just say 3,500 yuan per square meter, got it?”
“When all contracts are signed and the chicken farm is built, I’ll have Xiao Han make you the farm manager, paying you 5,000 yuan a month!”
Liu Zhong raised his thick, dark eyebrows. “Xiao Han, what do you say?”
Zhang Han smiled, “I’ll follow Uncle’s lead—whatever you say goes.”
He readily accepted the compliment.
Upon hearing he could be the chicken farm manager with a monthly salary of 5,000 yuan, Liu Zhi was invigorated. “Let’s go. We’re all from the same village. Brother, you’ve helped them a lot before; who dares disrespect you? I’ll slap them myself!”
Zhang Han sneered. Truly, sharing the same bloodline, they spoke in the same manner.
With Liu Zhong and Liu Zhi backing him, who held some prestige in the village, matters proceeded swiftly.
Originally, others knew that the previous few houses were priced at 3,800 yuan per square meter and tried to raise their prices, but since Liu Zhi’s house was only 3,500 yuan per square meter, no one could push the price higher.
Moreover, Liu Zhong told everyone the chicken farm was brought to their village by him, or else it would have been built at the village entrance. This intimidated everyone, and the villagers signed their contracts one after another.
In truth, the main reason was that they all wanted to move out of Fulai Village. With Liu Zhong and Liu Zhi pushing things along, progress was much faster.
By seven in the evening, most contracts were signed, with a few left to prepare, so they planned to return the next day and then go to the city together to complete the property transfers.
Liu Zhong was full of pride, walking back with his head held high. He glanced sideways at Zhang Han. “Xiao Han, see? When Uncle steps in, it’s like having twice the strength.”
Zhang Han flatteringly replied, “Triple the strength!”
“Uncle, don’t go home tonight. Let’s eat out and then go for a foot massage.”
Liu Zhong looked stern. “Hey, you’re still young. You shouldn’t go to places like that.”
“Uncle, I’m doing it for you. After a whole day’s walk, you need a massage to relax,” Zhang Han smiled.
“All right, but remember—just this once, no wasting money.”
“Got it.”
The car arrived in the city. Zhang Han had Zhao Rui return first since she needed to work overtime preparing materials. Tonight would be busy.
Zhang Han and Liu Zhong went to the best foot massage parlor in An City and ordered the most expensive package. Liu Zhong hadn’t expected Zhang Han to be so savvy.
“You should go back. This isn’t a place for you.”
“By the way, something I shouldn’t have said…”
“Uncle, I get it. Want me to buy something for you?”
“I’m not that kind of person.” Liu Zhong shot Zhang Han a sharp, authoritative glare.
Zhang Han smiled awkwardly and left, feeling refreshed. Liu Zhong, oh Liu Zhong, just wait and see how miserable you’ll be soon enough.
He just opened his phone when a message came through:
“Xiao Han, are you busy now?”
“Aunt Yan, tonight… I want to talk to you.”