Chapter 152: A Pie in the Sky?

Li Dong declined the offer, and Hu Sichen chuckled silently.

However, he was not in a hurry, slowly finishing a cup of tea before saying, "Next time, wait until I finish speaking. Otherwise, you might miss out."

Li Dong squinted. Since Old Hu spoke so confidently, could there really be some benefit? But if there was something good, would Old Hu think of him?

Seeing Li Dong's doubt, Hu Sichen said calmly, "Actually, there are still eight stores left in the cooperative. Among them, seven are estimated to be worth around three million."

Li Dong knew the crucial part was coming, so he asked about the final store, which was estimated to be worth over six million.

A store worth over six million—was it located in the city center?

Li Dong was aware that the cooperative's stores were not large. If one of these small stores was valued at over six million given the current property prices, it must have something special about it.

"Do you know where Hua府 Avenue is?"

Upon hearing Hu Sichen mention Hua府 Avenue, Li Dong quickly replied, "Is the last store on Hua府 Avenue? But the property prices there aren't very high. Residential buildings are about three thousand per square meter, and commercial buildings should be around five thousand."

Five thousand per square meter would mean this store is over 1200 square meters.

Li Dong remembered clearly that there was no such large cooperative store on Hua府 Avenue.

If it's worth six million, and considering Hu Sichen's estimate of thirty million, does this mean the store is over 6000 square meters?

A commercial store of ten acres—Li Dong would definitely know if there was one.

Hu Sichen laughed again and shook his head, saying, "You're a billionaire, why are you so impatient?"

Li Dong complained inwardly, thinking that he wasn't as idle as Hu Sichen. They had been talking for two hours without addressing any real business.

Hu Sichen didn't prolong the suspense and said directly, "The store is not the key. The key is that behind the store, there's a piece of wasteland of sixty acres. This land is considered part of the store's range."

Li Dong's throat suddenly went dry. Was this for real?

Sixty acres of wasteland, Hua府 Avenue…

Combined, this was a golden egg!

Not long ago, there was a land auction on Hua府 Avenue. Li Dong hadn't inquired about the exact price but heard that each acre went for more than two million.

Sixty acres would be worth twelve million!

If Li Dong only had to invest thirty million, would this land worth over one hundred million be his?

Even if he didn't build anything, leaving it for ten or eight years could easily turn it into five hundred million. Could there be such a good deal in the world?

Of course, there's no free lunch in the world!

Hu Sichen's words quickly shattered Li Dong's fantasy.

Although Hu Sichen had talked in circles, Li Dong focused on the key point.

"You pay to relocate the old employees of the cooperative, and the wasteland will be developed by a dedicated team. You will get ten percent of the profits from the development."

Li Dong almost sprayed him with his drink!

So, he was paying and working, just to be a laborer for them!

Invest thirty million and end up with just ten percent of the profit? How could such a good deal not be his?

Li Dong forced a smile and said, "Teacher, thirty million is quite a large amount. I'm afraid I can't manage it."

Hu Sichen frowned slightly, "If the property is developed, the profit will be at least over three hundred million."

Sixty acres of wasteland could build at least twenty buildings.

Given that Li Dong would provide the land cost and the actual construction costs would be relatively low, even if the property prices didn't increase, the current market would still yield over three hundred million in profit.

Li Dong could do the math himself. In other words, he wouldn't lose money.

But is it that simple?

Building would take at least two years.

In that time, his thirty million could potentially become two hundred million.

Hu Sichen's suggestion was essentially an interest-free loan from Li Dong. Li Dong wasn't his father and wasn't going to agree to such a deal.

Even if it was a high-ranking official, Li Dong wouldn't agree.

Seeing that Hu Sichen was so persistent, Li Dong felt uncomfortable and said indifferently, "Teacher, don't be misled by Yuanfang's high valuation. Actually, thirty million is a lot for me. You probably heard about the recent issues, Yuanfang's financial chain almost broke, and I'm still worried about money."

If it were a genuinely profitable business, Li Dong wouldn't mind collaborating with Hu Sichen.

But the terms were too unattractive. He would be investing and working while only receiving ten percent of the profit. It felt like he was being treated as a fool.

Li Dong was impatient, thinking that Old Hu had been unreasonable this time.

Despite being a deputy district chief, he didn't even discuss a straightforward deal and ended up giving nothing.

Li Dong doubted whether such a person could actually become a district chief.

Hu Sichen didn't expect Li Dong to refuse so decisively and looked somewhat awkward.

However, he didn't lose his temper as expected. Instead, he sighed and said, "Since you have financial difficulties, let's forget about this…"

"Bang!"

Before Hu Sichen could finish, the door to the private room was pushed open.

Without knocking, two young men walked in.

One looked to be about thirty, with a buzz cut, wearing a white shirt, and had a sharp gaze.

The other was a few years older than Li Dong, with long, fiery red hair, dressed casually in shorts and flip-flops.

Li Dong glanced at the two and remained silent, turning to look at Hu Sichen.

Hu Sichen's expression darkened as he said in a deep voice, "Zhang Qing, Niu Meng, what are you doing here?"

Zhang Qing, the young man in his thirties, smiled at Hu Sichen's question but did not speak, keeping his gaze fixed on Li Dong.

Niu Meng, on the other hand, casually laughed and said, "Uncle Hu, I heard Mr. Li was leaving, so I came over to see him off."

He winked at Li Dong and said with a grin, "Mr. Li, in such a hurry to leave? Is it because your little mistress is waiting?"

Li Dong's face instantly darkened.

When the two entered, he had already guessed the situation—just second-generation heirs using their parents' influence for profit.

Such things were not surprising to Li Dong, and it wasn't unexpected that Hu Sichen would be involved, as their parents were likely more influential. Perhaps Hu Sichen's backer was one of their parents.

But just because they were influential didn't mean Li Dong had to give them any face. What were two second-generation heirs compared to him?

Li Dong coldly glanced at Niu Meng, ignoring him, and stood up to Hu Sichen, "District Chief Hu, I have some other matters. I'll be leaving now."

Hu Sichen nodded without speaking, his expression not very pleasant.

It wasn't directed at Li Dong but rather at the two newcomers.

He had risked his face to help them, but they didn't even show him any respect, which made Hu Sichen very angry.

His promotion was partly due to their parents' connections. Otherwise, Hu Sichen wouldn't have been involved.

But favors are favors; they were their parents' connections, not for two young people to dictate terms to him.

Despite his anger, Hu Sichen remained composed and did not lash out.

However, Niu Meng was not so restrained.

Upon hearing that Li Dong was leaving, Niu Meng coldly said, "Mr. Li, you're leaving just because we arrived? That's quite disrespectful!"