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The meeting concluded, and Lu Chengwen returned to his large office.

Li Meiqin caught up, "Boss, we need to talk."

"Oh, sure, let's talk. Shihan, coffee."

Lu Chengwen sipped his coffee as Li Meiqin stood before his desk.

"Boss, it's almost inevitable that the shantytown project will lose money. With your judgment, you can surely see it's a bottomless pit. I don't understand why we have to take it over."

Lu Chengwen smiled, "How's the coffee?"

"Very good." Li Meiqin forced a smile. "I came to seek your guidance, hoping you could teach me more."

Lu Chengwen said, "As the Buddha said, some things are better left unsaid."

"Huh?"

"Anyway, just do as I say. No matter how much effort, we must secure this project."

Li Meiqin had never heard of such a ridiculous project requiring "no matter how much effort." This project was effortless; you just needed money to get it off the ground.

Dashing Group was taking over, with everyone giving them the green light. It was truly a case of throwing good money after bad.

"Also, Lu, salary increases need to be gradual, based on our local average wage levels and domestic inflation standards, gradually increasing. Suddenly hiking them up like this incurs too much cost..."

"We won't discuss these matters further. Also, you don't need to follow their lead in wearing short skirts anymore. Wear whatever you want."

At that moment, Jiang Shihan knocked on the door and entered, "Mr. Lu, Mayor Zhao invites you to the municipal government meeting room at 3 p.m. The discussion will be about the shantytown redevelopment project."

"I got it."

Lu Chengwen looked at Li Meiqin. "Let's go for the meeting."

...

3 p.m.

Municipal government meeting room.

Lu Chengwen was five minutes late, fortunately, Mayor Zhao was also busy elsewhere and hadn't arrived in the meeting room yet.

Upon entering, Lu Chengwen saw many familiar faces.

Qianfeng Group's Executive President Leng Qingqiu, Hude Group's Deputy Executive President Xu Xuejiao, and Xiangyun Group's Executive President Chen Mengyun...

All four major families of Snow City were present, and none of the chairmen attended in person; it was all CEOs and vice presidents.

Needless to say, their thoughts were all the same.

They wouldn't touch this project with a ten-foot pole; it was most appropriate for young people to come and offend others.

As Lu Chengwen entered, both Leng Qingqiu and Chen Mengyun stood up simultaneously.

Leng Qingqiu looked at Lu Chengwen, revealing a slight smile.

Lu Chengwen politely smiled back at her, shaking her hand. "President Leng, long time no see."

Leng Qingqiu smiled; this deadhead, what "long time no see," they met just yesterday.

Chen Mengyun felt disgusted seeing Leng Qingqiu, but then she shook hands with Lu Chengwen. "Mr. Lu, still as suave as ever."

"President Chen looks so beautiful today, the dress is lovely."

Lu Chengwen was about to turn and greet Xu Xuejiao when she jumped up directly, startling Lu Chengwen. Afraid she might fall, he quickly caught her.

Goodness, Xu Xuejiao was hanging on Lu Chengwen like a koala bear.

Xu Xuejiao had a small figure, thin arms, and legs, not heavy at all. But the point was... You're the deputy executive president of Hude Group!

What's the meaning of hanging onto me in public like this!?

Lu Chengwen nervously asked, "What are you doing? Get down!"

"I won't, I'll get down if you kiss me."

"Don't joke around, there are so many people!"

"What's there to be afraid of?"

Leng Qingqiu picked up some documents and slammed them on the table in annoyance.

Xu Xuejiao completely ignored her, hugging Lu Chengwen's neck. "Missed me?"

"If you don't stop harassing me, I'll burn incense for relief..."

At that moment, the secretary pushed the door, and Mayor Zhao entered.

"Sorry, everyone, I've been too busy lately. Let's start the meeting."

Seeing Xu Xuejiao clinging to Lu Chengwen, Mayor Zhao was momentarily stunned.

"Mr. Lu, what's this..."

Lu Chengwen quickly patted Xu Xuejiao's bottom, and she blushed, sticking out her tongue, and sat down on the side.

Secretary Wu began speaking, talking about how this project was crucial for the nation's economy and people's livelihoods. If it continued to be delayed, it would reflect poorly on the city's leadership and seriously hinder Snow City's economic development and construction progress. He hoped that all groups could consider the national interest and take over the project to continue its development, and so on.

After Secretary Wu finished speaking, Mayor Zhao began his speech, sighing first:

"Esteemed business leaders, I know your predecessors, and I understand the complexity of this project. It's a hot potato. But our Snow City needs to overcome this hurdle. Whichever group is willing to invest and carry out this project from start to finish, I, on behalf of the Municipal Party Committee, the Municipal Government, and the thirty million citizens of Snow City, express our gratitude. This is a great cause for the present and future generations. I hope everyone can look at this matter with a long-term perspective."

That sounded nice.

In reality, it meant they wanted you to put in money and effort to take over for the government.

Everyone looked at each other, but no one spoke up.

Hu Shuhui sat at the end, looking at Lu Chengwen, and suddenly said, "Mayor Zhao, we are businessmen. We speak in business terms. Investing without returns is asking us to throw our hard-earned money into the wind, isn't it? Minghui Group definitely won't wade into this muddy water."

Then he pointed at Lu Chengwen, "He has money! Who doesn't know that the Lu family, the head of Snow City's four major families, is as wealthy as a nation? If he pays, if he's willing to pay the bulk, then I'll chip in."

Mayor Zhao turned to look at Lu Chengwen.

At that moment, Lu Chengwen's phone rang. He quickly stood up, "Sorry, sorry everyone, I have to take this call, I'll be right back."

Next, a group of people started chattering, more than a dozen entrepreneurs speaking one after another, with different content but the same theme.

All polite and eloquent, all grandiose.

In short, they all had no money.

Some cried poverty, some said they had difficulties, some said they didn't know how to do infrastructure... They were all different.

Mayor Zhao's face became increasingly ugly.

A bunch of capitalists who don't show their true colors!

When asking the city for conditions and various benefits, they were all eager, but when it came to touching their own interests, they all shrank back.

Mayor Zhao looked angry, and the atmosphere of the meeting became oppressive.

Secretary Wu tried his best to mediate, mentioning various conveniences and benefits that the

municipal party committee and government could provide, urging everyone to overcome difficulties and actively respond.

Mayor Zhao knew without looking that these heartless folks wouldn't be swayed.

Especially Hu Shuhui, his words were the most offensive.

Every time he spoke, his central idea was: Lu Chengwen has more money than me, if he pays, I'll pay!

The meaning was succinct, but his words were too harsh and fragmented.

Throughout the meeting, he was the only one speaking arrogantly, not stopping even for a moment.

Mayor Zhao slammed the table, silencing him.

"Are you saying that if someone pays, you'll pay too?"

"Lu Chengwen pays, and I'll pay! He has way more money than me!"

Mayor Zhao pointed at Secretary Wu, "Okay, write down for Minghui Group, if someone pays, they'll pay too."

"I... I only took a small portion!"

Mayor Zhao looked at everyone sternly, "Anyone else?"

In situations like this, the beginning was always the most dreaded part.

Once someone took the lead, the rest found it hard to justify themselves.

At this moment, everyone directed glares at Hu Shuhui.

Secretary Wu breathed a sigh of relief; at least there was a breakthrough. Mayor Zhao was still sharp.

But the remaining people weren't just there for a free meal.

Each of them expressed, "If Lu Chengwen is willing to invest, then we will too because he's the wealthiest."

Mayor Zhao stood up and said, "I'll be back in a moment."

Lu Chengwen was pouring water when he bumped into Mayor Zhao as he went out.

"Mayor Zhao."

"Mm, Chengwen, how's everything at home recently?"

"Thank you for your concern, everything's fine."

"Sigh." Mayor Zhao sighed, "No rush to go back, come with me."

They strolled in the small courtyard behind the city hall.

Mayor Zhao opened up, "Chengwen, what do you think about the redevelopment project for the shantytown?"

Lu Chengwen replied, "Your planning has issues."

"Oh? Please elaborate."

"There used to be six villages there. Now you want to connect them all, creating a unified residential community. It's a large area, needing over two hundred buildings, as well as widening and laying new cement roads, renovating sewers, and building supporting facilities..."

"So, where do you think the problem lies?"

"Everything is fine. You even designed a subway station. All of that is fine."

"Then what's the problem?"

"The problem is, there's no commercial area there."

Mayor Zhao was puzzled, "It's residential land, and it's not far from nearby commercial areas."

"What's the use? What do ordinary people look for when buying a house? Schools, hospitals, and even parks are designed, but there's no commercial area! It's inconvenient!"

Mayor Zhao pondered with a lowered head.

Lu Chengwen turned around, "Jiang Shihan! The blueprint!"

Jiang Shihan, who was following from afar, immediately ran over and pulled out the blueprint from her bag.

"Mayor Zhao, all the designs are reasonable. The municipal party committee and government attach great importance to this project. But, think about it, if we design a circular commercial city here, with amusement, shopping, dining, movies, and even a stadium for concerts... It won't just transform the shantytown, the entire northern city will be revitalized!"

Mayor Zhao felt a pang in his heart.

This idea had been suggested before, but no one had been as bold as Lu Chengwen.

When the land here was reclaimed, it was assured that it would all be for livelihood projects, no factories or commercial buildings.

Back then, someone had proposed building a small-scale commercial area to attract residents.

But his proposal was much more conservative compared to Lu Chengwen's.

Lu Chengwen was aiming for big things.

With this bold circle drawn, a significant portion of land would be circled!

Mayor Zhao contemplated.

After a long while, he sighed, "The common people won't agree. They want buildings, demolition compensation."

Lu Chengwen said, "Calculate how much they want, compile a figure, Iand can get it. As long as you build according to this method, redesign the blueprints, and replan the routes, the subway stations can't be just a few, they all need to be taken care of. Also, the roads need to be connected, and there must be a separate highway entrance..."

Mayor Zhao looked at Lu Chengwen, surprised by his grand vision and surprised that this guy didn't play poor today, didn't play Tai Chi with him, but seemed genuinely focused.

From his secretary carrying the blueprints with him and the numerous marks on them, it was evident that this person had been paying attention to this project.

"If, and I mean if, the project can be modified to a great extent according to your ideas, would you be willing to take over?"

Lu Chengwen smiled, "Otherwise, why would I study it?"

Mayor Zhao said, "Good, but those people inside, I need you to handle them for me. Can you do it?"

Lu Chengwen patted Mayor Zhao's shoulder with a smile, "Just watch me!"