Chapter 59: A Slap and a Sweet Date

After finishing his conversation with Du Peng, it was already late. Zhou Ming decided to grab something to eat at the café with Tang Ran before taking her home. However, when they arrived at the entrance of Tang Ran's dormitory, they were surprised to find Wei Hua's father waiting there.

Seeing Zhou Ming and Tang Ran arrive, Wei Hua's father hurriedly came up and said, "Boss Zhou, Miss Ranran, I've finally waited long enough to see you. What happened today was entirely our fault. I failed to properly discipline that rascal, Wei Hua, and that's why he acted so recklessly. I've already given him a good lesson. This is a small gift from our family to apologize to Miss Ranran for Wei Hua's behavior. We hope you can forgive him."

Tang Ran looked up at Zhou Ming, clearly leaving the decision to him.

Wei Hua's father continued, turning to Zhou Ming, "Boss Zhou, I know you're a big boss from Hong Kong, and you lack for nothing. This is just a token of our apology. I beg you, please accept it."

Zhou Ming looked at Wei Hua's father, whose clothes were soaked with sweat, and noticed the empty water bottles lying around, indicating that he had been waiting for them for a long time, possibly since after lunch.

Zhou Ming understood his thoughts. Wei Hua's father had worked hard to establish a factory and poured all his efforts into it, so he couldn't bear the thought of it being sold off by the bank. After what happened with Wei Hua, he had already scolded him in the restaurant, but he was still worried that Zhou Ming held a grudge. Unable to contact Tang Ran directly, fearing it might anger Zhou Ming, he had no choice but to wait outside with a gift.

The thought of Wei Hua causing trouble for his father made Zhou Ming sigh inwardly. He reached out and took the gift from Wei Hua's father, saying, "Uncle Wei, I'll accept this, and we'll consider the matter settled."

Wei Hua's father was so relieved when Zhou Ming accepted the gift that he almost cried. He thanked Zhou Ming repeatedly, saying, "Thank you, Boss Zhou."

Zhou Ming nodded and said, "Alright, Uncle Wei, if there's nothing else, you should go home and take a bath. I'll give Director Yang of the Bank of China a call."

Hearing Zhou Ming's words, Wei Hua's father repeatedly agreed and left. Tang Ran commented, "Uncle Wei is actually quite pitiful."

Seeing Wei Hua's father, Zhou Ming couldn't help but think of his own parents. He remembered how, when he was fired from the factory, his parents had to humble themselves to beg the factory leaders for mercy. Especially in his past life, when his father was suffering from sepsis and other complications caused by a perforated appendix, he still dragged his severely ill body to the factory to plead with the leaders. Even on his deathbed, he was still worried about Zhou Ming's job.

Thinking of this, Zhou Ming felt a wave of sadness.

At that moment, Zhou Ming suddenly felt something soft touch the corner of his eye. Turning his head, he saw Tang Ran gently wiping away the tear that had unknowingly escaped.

"Brother Ming, what's wrong? Did I say something to make you sad?" Tang Ran asked cautiously.

Zhou Ming shook his head and said, "No, I just suddenly thought of something very sad. But since I'm here now, I won't let those things happen again. I'll work hard to make money, make connections with influential people, and ensure that the people I care about and those who care about me will live good lives!"

Tang Ran nodded earnestly and said, "Brother Ming, I'll also work hard in the future so you won't have to worry about me. I want to help you too!"

Zhou Ming laughed and teased her, "Alright then, Ranran, you'd better work hard. Now that you're my girlfriend, if I find out you're not working hard, I might just spank you!"

Tang Ran blushed and shyly said, "Oh, Brother Ming, what are you talking about? You're embarrassing me!"

...

The next day at noon, Zhou Ming arrived at the Dongmen Hotel, currently the most luxurious hotel in Nanjiang. Entering a high-end private room, he saw Du Peng already seated there.

Upon seeing Zhou Ming, Du Peng quickly stood up and said, "I've contacted the Nanjiang Land Bureau through one of my grandfather's students. Today, we're here to treat the Land Bureau's Director, He Yujin, to lunch."

Zhou Ming was somewhat surprised by this. Although Du Peng hadn't gone into detail, Zhou Ming didn't know exactly what kind of connections he had used, but considering it was his grandfather's student, this person was undoubtedly significant—possibly even at the level of a municipal party committee member. Logically, with such connections and his status as a red descendant, Du Peng could have easily ignored the lower-level officials. Yet, he still chose to invite them to a meal, which spoke volumes about Du Peng's thorough consideration.

It wasn't that these minor officials could disregard their superiors' instructions and deliberately mess up Du Peng's affairs. Instead, it was a matter of habit. If Du Peng started neglecting these lower officials now, he might develop a pattern of neglect that could lead to future problems. After all, the elders would eventually pass away, and as a red descendant who had lost his greatest support, these habitual oversights could become his Achilles' heel.

Moreover, Du Peng's efficiency was commendable. He had already arranged a meeting with the Land Bureau Director just a day after discussing the matter with Zhou Ming. It was no wonder he would later become a billionaire; his attention to detail and efficient execution were certainly contributing factors.

After a short while, the door to the private room opened, and a thin, dark-skinned man walked in. Upon seeing Du Peng, he quickly stepped forward, extended his hand, and said, "You must be Young Master Du. I'm He Yujin. I apologize for being late. The municipal government had a meeting this morning, which delayed me a bit. I'm terribly sorry for keeping you waiting."

Du Peng patted He Yujin on the shoulder and said, "No worries, Director He. Please, come in and have a seat."

Du Peng then introduced Zhou Ming to He Yujin, saying, "This is Boss Zhou Ming, a prominent businessman from Hong Kong."

He Yujin hurriedly shook hands with Zhou Ming, saying, "Boss Zhou, it's a pleasure to meet you."

In the past, when meeting an official of He Yujin's rank, Zhou Ming would have eagerly tried to curry favor. After all, he was just an ordinary kid from a working-class family with no connections. But now, as Du Peng's friend, Zhou Ming merely shook hands with He Yujin, offered a brief greeting, and left it at that. Ironically, this distant demeanor made He Yujin believe Zhou Ming truly was a major player from Hong Kong.

After they all sat down, Du Peng had the waiter pour them drinks, and they each took a sip. Zhou Ming then got straight to the point, saying, "Director He, the reason we invited you today is simple. I've heard that the central government is initiating housing reforms, with Nanjiang as a pilot area. Du and I have started a company together and want to venture into the real estate business. We've taken a particular interest in a piece of land near the Dongmen Third Garden. Would it be possible to approve it for construction use?"

As an official, He Yujin clearly wasn't accustomed to such directness. But with one red descendant and one Hong Kong businessman in front of him—and having received instructions from his superiors—he had no choice but to comply.

He Yujin was momentarily taken aback but quickly forced a smile and said, "Boss Zhou, you truly have the courage of a big Hong Kong entrepreneur. I'm deeply grateful for your support of Nanjiang's development and reform. As for your request, I'll certainly submit it to my superiors for approval as soon as possible."

Du Peng was visibly displeased by this response, asking, "Director He, what do you mean? Didn't my uncle already speak with you?"

He Yujin hurriedly shook his head and explained, "Young Master Du, you've misunderstood. Of course, Mayor Chen gave me instructions. But as you know, the housing reform is still in its experimental phase in Nanjiang, and I'm just a small Land Bureau director. I don't have the authority to make such decisions. I can only submit it to my superiors and await their approval before I can give you a response."

Zhou Ming chuckled and said, "Director He, I may be running a business in Hong Kong now, but I'm originally from the mainland, and I'm not unfamiliar with the rules of the officialdom here. So, please, let's not go through the formalities."

"Boss Zhou, you've got it wrong. I really don't have the authority..." He Yujin began, but Zhou Ming interrupted him.

"Director He, we're not unaware that the Nanjiang Municipal Government is currently experimenting with land transactions, and that the area near Dongmen Third Garden is part of the pilot project. According to the process used for the land

 on Nangan Avenue, the sale documents should already be with the Land Bureau, right? So, Director He, please don't tell us you don't have the authority," Zhou Ming said.

Then, with a stern expression, Zhou Ming continued, "Of course, we're not going to force you, Director He. If you really think it's a problem, we'll take it up with other leaders."

Zhou Ming's words made He Yujin involuntarily shudder. He looked at Zhou Ming in surprise, a bit fearful. Although Zhou Ming wasn't an official, the pressure he exerted was even greater than that of any city leader. Especially his last words—they felt less like a suggestion to consult with other leaders and more like a threat to take away his position.

Hurriedly, He Yujin said, "Boss Zhou, Young Master Du, please don't be upset. I was just joking earlier. I'll handle your request as quickly as possible."

"I don't want to hear the word 'quickly.' How long will it take?" Zhou Ming asked.

"Half a month?" He Yujin tentatively replied, but seeing Zhou Ming's frown, he quickly corrected himself, "One week—at most one week, and I'll have the paperwork approved for you and Young Master Du."

"That sounds more like it," Du Peng said.

Zhou Ming then added, "Director He, actually, Du and I have some new ideas that might provide some fresh perspectives for the Land Bureau. This could give you, Director He, something more to report to your superiors."

Hearing this, Du Peng was a bit surprised. Zhou Ming's approach was a classic officialdom tactic of giving a slap and then a sweet date. He hadn't expected Zhou Ming to use it on He Yujin.

This strategy clearly pleased He Yujin, as his eyes lit up, and he said to Zhou Ming, "Thank you, Boss Zhou!"