Even if Xiao Wu were an idiot, he would know that Xiao Minghui’s implication was clear.
To put it bluntly, Xiao Minghui had backed down.
However, he was too embarrassed to back down to a village chief, so he had his secretary do it.
“Chen Feng, what should we do now? Old Xiao is completely unreasonable. He’s made up his mind to seal the crayfish project equipment.”
Watching Xiao Minghui and his entourage get into their car, Cheng Lu panicked.
“Miss Cheng, don’t worry, there’s no one in the power game who is completely unreasonable.”
Chen Feng replied calmly.
“Even so, facts speak louder than words. Xiao Minghui really got into the car…”
Cheng Lu said anxiously.
“It’s also normal.”
Chen Feng replied with a smile.
“What do you mean, normal?”
Cheng Lu was becoming more confused.
“Of course, it’s normal. Regardless, Xiao Minghui is the head of the Jiangcheng Industry and Commerce Bureau. In front of everyone, how could he back down to a village chief like me? So…”
He trailed off as Secretary Xiao Wu approached.
“Chen Feng, you can have people tear off the seal.”
Secretary Xiao Wu said with a flushed face.
To be honest, this kind of public humiliation was not only embarrassing for Xiao Minghui but also for him.
Cheng Lu was stunned.
Chen Feng was too amazing! He could predict everything.
“I’m sorry, Secretary Wu, seals like this can’t be torn off casually. Whoever tears it off goes to jail.”
Chen Feng said deliberately.
In fact, he just wanted to annoy Secretary Wu.
He had given them a chance before, but they didn’t cherish it, so he had to show them some attitude.
“Fine, I’ll tear it off myself, alright?”
Secretary Wu turned around sheepishly to tear off the seal.
“Chen Feng, by doing this, aren’t you offending Secretary Wu?”
Cheng Lu asked tentatively.
“I did offend him.”
Chen Feng replied calmly.
“Chen Feng, didn’t you tell me that in the power game, it’s better to have one more friend than one more enemy? Why would you offend Secretary Wu?”
Cheng Lu asked in confusion.
“Miss Cheng, to be honest, this isn’t exactly offending someone; it’s a declaration.”
“A declaration?”
“Yes, it’s a declaration that we have backing and aren’t afraid of the people in Jiangcheng acting with impunity. Also, Secretary Wu is Xiao Minghui’s secretary. No matter how much we try to please him, he won’t become our friend. So, since we can’t be friends, it’s better to be firm.”
Chen Feng explained solemnly.
“Chen Feng, you’ve matured a lot.”
Cheng Lu exclaimed.
“The power game is dangerous; one must mature or perish.”
Chen Feng replied humbly.
“Chen Feng, you said the Wulin Village crayfish project is so successful. When can we go to Lianhua Town for our positions?”
Cheng Lu asked, taking the opportunity.
“Soon. Actually, according to the usual practice, the three of us could have taken our positions in Lianhua Town last week. However, Mayor Qin thinks ahead. She believes it’s best to accumulate sufficient political capital before taking office. That’s why I tried to find a way to spend twenty million to brand the Wulin Village crayfish project. Practice has proven that this move was quite effective.”
Chen Feng explained calmly.
“So, Mayor Qin really has foresight.”
Cheng Lu said with a hint of jealousy.
When Chen Feng spoke of Mayor Qin, his eyes had a different sparkle, which made her feel uncontrollably jealous.
Compared to Qin Yan, her only advantage was her age; in all other aspects, she was at a disadvantage.
She was truly afraid that Chen Feng liked wise women who were older.
“Mayor Qin does have foresight, otherwise she wouldn’t have become a strong woman in the power game, nor would she have been able to make a comeback after being demoted. However, you’re not bad either.”
Chen Feng changed the subject.
“I’m not bad either? Tell me more.”
Cheng Lu looked at Chen Feng expectantly.
“To be honest, I can’t pinpoint your specific strengths. However, if you and Mayor Qin were placed before me and I had to choose, I would definitely choose you.”
Chen Feng said with sweet talk.
Cheng Lu’s eyes were like knives. If he didn’t say some insincere sweet talk now, Cheng Lu would probably go mad.
“This is truly unprecedented. You, a straight man, are actually speaking sweet talk. Forget it, since you’re saying such things, I won’t hold it against you. Pack your things. Mayor Qin might call us to take our positions in Lianhua Town tomorrow.”
After speaking, Cheng Lu returned to her dormitory, her face flushed with excitement and shyness.
Just as Cheng Lu was packing her luggage in the dormitory, Cheng Liren suddenly called her.
“Xiao Lu, pack up and prepare to leave Wulin Village.”
Cheng Liren said directly.
“Dad, how did you know I was about to take up my post in Lianhua Town?”
Cheng Lu replied excitedly.
“You’ve misunderstood. I’m not asking you to return to Lianhua Town; I’m asking you to return to Jiangcheng. You are a top student from Ducheng University. Tell me which unit you want to join, and Dad will arrange for you to get in.”
Cheng Liren explained everything.
“Dad, didn’t I tell you? I don’t want to rely on your connections to enter the power game. I want to rely on my own strength to forge my path in the power game. Besides, I’m with Chen Feng, I can learn a lot, and I’m quite happy.”
Cheng Lu replied with confusion.
“Don’t mention that Chen Feng of yours.”
Cheng Liren tried his best to maintain a normal tone.
“What’s wrong?”
“He’s had bad luck. Originally, that twenty million low-interest loan from the provincial capital was due in two years. However, the provincial capital suddenly announced that they were sending auditors down, and Chen Feng’s twenty million low-interest loan was deemed an illegal loan and must be repaid early. I checked the time, and Chen Feng has already spent the twenty million. How can he repay it? This matter is destined to leave Chen Feng swamped with trouble.”
Cheng Liren explained.
“Dad, tell me honestly, did you do this intentionally?”
Cheng Lu retorted immediately.
“Xiao Lu, you think too highly of your father’s capabilities. If I had that ability, I wouldn’t be staying in Jiangcheng; I would have been transferred to the provincial capital long ago. You’re also in the power game now, and you should know that surprise audits can happen anytime without precise notice.”
Cheng Liren pretended to be calm.
Inwardly, however, he couldn’t help but feel happy. As long as Chen Feng failed and fell into disgrace, his daughter Cheng Lu would return to Jiangcheng.
“Dad, I’ve never asked you for anything since I was little, but this time, I must ask you. If Chen Feng can’t handle this twenty million, his path in the power game will be ruined.”
Cheng Lu said anxiously.
“Xiao Lu, Chen Feng is a talented young man, and I don’t wish for such an outcome for him. However, twenty million is not a small sum, and there’s nothing I can do to help. You can’t expect me to embezzle money to help Chen Feng, can you?”
Cheng Liren said righteously.
In reality, his wealth exceeded twenty million, and no one could find any fault with him!
“Alright, Dad, I’m not talking to you anymore. I’m going to find Chen Feng.”
With that, Cheng Lu hung up the phone directly.
“Chen Feng, something’s wrong, something big is wrong…”
As soon as she entered Chen Feng’s office, Cheng Lu exclaimed.
“What’s wrong?”
Chen Feng asked as if he knew nothing.
“My dad said that the low-interest loan from the provincial capital, which his friend helped him secure, is going to be recalled early by the provincial capital.”
Cheng Lu said with a cry in her voice.
Chen Feng gasped after hearing this.
The twenty million advertising fee had just been spent. How could he repay it so quickly?
What he had anticipated had happened. The Cheng family didn’t want him to get too close to Cheng Lu, which was why this had happened.
“Are you sure?”
Chen Feng asked, feigning calmness.
“It’s absolutely true. My dad told me himself. A commissioner from the provincial capital will be coming to Wulin Village this afternoon…”
Cheng Lu said with a guilty expression.
She had originally intended to help Chen Feng, but she didn’t expect things to turn out this way.
If the twenty million low-interest loan couldn’t be managed, Chen Feng’s path in the power game would come to an end.