Chapter 104: What If I Opened?

Lu Zhengrong's words were very infuriating, as they could be interpreted as deliberately leaving them waiting in the reception room, intentionally ignoring them.

If it were someone else, Du Peng might have lost his temper immediately, but considering Lu Zhengrong's position as the Deputy Secretary of the South River Municipal Committee, even Du Peng did not dare to be disrespectful. Zhou Ming and Du Peng had to endure it, and Zhou Ming said to Lu Zhengrong, "Secretary Lu, hello. I rented two floors of commercial space on Dongmen Street through the State Assets Office. However, just now, Director Yao from the Municipal Comprehensive Security Office came and sealed off the two floors I rented."

"It was my order," Lu Zhengrong admitted generously. He said to Zhou Ming, "I know you have been to the Harbor City, but we are not like Harbor City here. Don't bring those corrupt places from Harbor City here. You should remember that you grew up under the Party's banner and should be proud of our country. You should abandon your sycophantic mentality toward foreign things."

Zhou Ming found Lu Zhengrong's scolding unreasonable and said, "Secretary Lu, our place is just a legitimate entertainment venue, not a corrupt place, and it does not promote capitalist decay. We have registered with the Public Security Bureau and the Industrial and Commercial Bureau."

"But you haven't been reviewed by the Municipal Committee!" Lu Zhengrong reminded. "This matter is settled for now. Put your project on hold. I have a meeting to attend. We will discuss this matter later."

After speaking, Lu Zhengrong turned and left. Zhou Ming quickly followed and said, "Secretary Lu, could you tell me what exactly is wrong with our venue? We can correct it, or I can send our registration materials from the city government to you."

"Fine, then prepare the materials and I will review them when I have time," Lu Zhengrong said.

"Could you give me a specific time, Secretary Lu?" Zhou Ming asked.

"I said I will review them when I have time," Lu Zhengrong repeated.

"Could you at least give me a rough estimate of when that might be? So I can be prepared," Zhou Ming continued to press.

Lu Zhengrong became impatient: "How much longer are you going to drag this out? This is the Municipal Committee building, not a market. Please understand your position and stop making a fuss!"

"Secretary Lu, if I have said anything inappropriate, please forgive me. But I am not making a fuss; I just want my venue to open as soon as possible."

Zhou Ming tried to make a final appeal, but Lu Zhengrong clearly was not receptive: "Enough. You are truly ungrateful. I have already told you that your so-called KTV is problematic and represents the corrupt ideology from abroad. If you continue to make a fuss, I will call the police and have you arrested!"

Seeing Lu Zhengrong's expression, Zhou Ming realized his final efforts were in vain and sighed, asking, "Secretary Lu, what benefits did they give you to make you help them like this?"

This question stunned both Du Peng and Lu Zhengrong's secretary. No one expected Zhou Ming would dare to speak this way to a Deputy Secretary of the Municipal Committee. Was he out of his mind?

Lu Zhengrong widened his eyes in anger: "What are you saying? Do you know what you are talking about? Do you know what the consequences of your words will be?"

"I certainly know what I am saying. It's just that Secretary Lu, you might not know what you are doing. Some things I shouldn't say, but now I have to. Secretary Lu, some matters are best left alone for your own good," Zhou Ming said.

If Zhou Ming's previous words only surprised Du Peng and Lu Zhengrong's secretary, his latest remarks made their minds short-circuit.

Du Peng was somewhat okay, but Lu Zhengrong's secretary was completely stunned. He had worked at the Municipal Committee for four years and had been with Lu Zhengrong for two years. With South River's development, he had seen many people in and out of the government, but he had never seen anyone like Zhou Ming—who, despite having no status, dared to speak this way to Lu Zhengrong. What was he thinking? Such words to a leader were like slapping him in the face, especially when he was seeking favor from him. Was he out of his mind?

Zhou Ming's mind was perfectly clear, and he had his own plans.

Lu Zhengrong was so enraged by Zhou Ming's words that he was trembling. He pointed at Zhou Ming and said, "You are so arrogant and lawless. I tell you, as long as I am here, your KTV will never open!"

"Oh? What if I do open?" Zhou Ming deliberately retorted.

This question left Lu Zhengrong at a loss for words. As the Deputy Secretary of the South River Municipal Committee, with political and legal power, and third in the Municipal Standing Committee, he should have been a prominent figure in South River. Even the Municipal Secretary had to give him face. Yet, here was a mere businessman with no background, daring to talk to him like this and asking what if he did open?

Your venue was sealed by the Comprehensive Security Office, which is under my jurisdiction. Isn't asking this question foolish?

Originally, if you had been more humble and pleaded, perhaps I might have given you a month's grace as a favor. There was no need to offend someone unnecessarily. But now, with such an attitude, if your venue opens, then I might as well resign as Deputy Secretary!

Enraged beyond measure, Lu Zhengrong finally laughed: "Fine, I look forward to seeing how you manage to open. I won't be afraid to tell you, without my approval, even the Municipal Secretary wouldn't dare to give you the green light!"

Zhou Ming simply chuckled, patted Du Peng on the shoulder, and turned to leave with him.

Du Peng followed Zhou Ming out of the Municipal Committee building and then asked, "Zhou Ming, are we leaving just like this? Aren't we going to talk more with Secretary Lu?"

"You saw Secretary Lu's attitude; it was clear he wasn't open to discussion," Zhou Ming said.

"But I didn't think he was that adamant. After all, he's the third-ranking official in the South River Municipal Committee. He can't be so obstinate over this matter. If we talked more, we might have a chance," Du Peng analyzed.

Zhou Ming nodded: "Indeed, there might be a chance, but how long will it take? At least half a month, or even more if he has better connections with the other side. Do you think it's worth begging him only to end up with this result?"

"But if we give up now, we have no room for negotiation!" Du Peng said.

"Don't worry. Since I dared to speak to him like that today, I have a way to get him to lift the seal. Although I didn't plan to use it," Zhou Ming said.

---

In the afternoon, Zhou Ming went to pick up Tang Ran from work, and they went out for dinner, a habit Zhou Ming had developed in South River.

Today, Zhou Ming chose a Western restaurant that Tang Ran liked. After dinner, they walked in the park, and Tang Ran asked, "Zhou Ming, you seemed distracted since dinner. Is something wrong?"

Zhou Ming smiled at Tang Ran and said, "Nothing serious. Just a bit preoccupied."

Tang Ran pouted and said, "Don't lie to me. I heard from people at work that the two floors of commercial space opposite Dongmen Mall were sealed by the police. I remember you said you were going to open a KTV and dance hall there. Now that it's been sealed, isn't your hard work wasted? And you followed all the legal procedures to open the store. Why did they seal it?"

Zhou Ming patted Tang Ran's head and said, "Don't worry. It's not due to any legal issue. The people who sealed it are from the Municipal Committee, not the police. It's nothing serious."

"From the Municipal Committee?" Tang Ran looked puzzled and asked, "Why would the Municipal Committee seal your store? Do they have that authority?"

"Whether they have the authority or not doesn't matter. It's not for us to decide," Zhou Ming said, seeing Tang Ran still wanting to say something. He added, "Let's not worry about it. Du Peng and I went to the Municipal Committee in the afternoon to talk to the relevant officials about this matter."

Tang Ran nodded and Zhou Ming smiled at her. "Why are you so concerned? It's not your store that's been sealed. I'm not upset, so you shouldn't worry."

"I'm just worried about you!" Tang Ran said, lowering her head. "I feel like I'm not capable. I was just a rural girl before coming to South River, and I didn't study much. I can't help you with this."

"Don't say that. Helping me with the visa and passport for Harbor City was a huge help. If you hadn't helped, the political review alone might have been a disaster. If it had delayed my work, I would have regretted it. So, if anyone has helped me the most, it's definitely you!" Zhou Ming said.

Tang Ran looked up at Zhou Ming hopefully and asked, "Really? But Mu Qing can manage a big company…"

"Everyone has their own role. You are you, and she is her. You are my Tang Ran and will always be, not someone else," Zhou Ming said to comfort her.

Hearing Zhou Ming's words, Tang Ran finally smiled and nodded.

Zhou Ming was about to praise Tang Ran when suddenly, a scream echoed through the park, startling both Zhou Ming

 and Tang Ran.

They looked at each other, both doubting their ears, but then another similar scream followed. Tang Ran, looking anxious, said, "Zhou Ming, is someone in danger? Let's go check it out."

Compared to Tang Ran, Zhou Ming seemed to sense something behind the scream. He didn't have time to wonder why there were such open people in this era. He quickly said to Tang Ran, "No, Tang Ran, we don't need to get involved."

But Tang Ran wouldn't listen and pulled Zhou Ming's hand, "Zhou Ming, let's go see. If there's real danger, we need to run quickly."