Chapter 39: The Old Man is Just Stubborn

After leaving the meeting room, Mayor Zhao held Lu Chengwen's hand, his excitement evident.

"Chengwen, thanks to you today! You've saved my face. Now I can give a proper account to the province, my colleagues, and the people of Snow City."

"Oh, it's nothing, really."

Lu Chengwen's mind was still spinning, trying to figure out what had just happened.

Mayor Zhao could see that Lu Chengwen was distracted and didn't press further.

He leaned in closer: "This year's honors will definitely be yours, so be prepared. I'll expedite the approval of the blueprints from the higher-ups—it'll be very quick. Also, if you need anything, just let me know. We'll set up a dedicated task force for the shantytown project to coordinate with your Dasheng Group. I assure you, at the municipal and city government level, all of Dasheng Group's work will have the green light. We'll provide full support."

"Thank you, thank you, Mayor Zhao, and Secretary Wu."

Secretary Wu smiled and said, "Mr. Lu, Mayor Zhao is genuinely grateful. You should come by more often to chat with the leadership."

"Of course, of course."

Lu Chengwen walked out of the building in a daze. Zhao Gang opened the car door for him, and as Lu Chengwen stood by the car, he glanced back at the towering municipal building, feeling as if he had just woken up from a dream.

...

The final investment structure: the Lu family invested 50 billion; the Xu family invested 20 billion; the Chen family invested 12 billion; the Leng family invested 4.9 billion. Total: 86.9 billion.

Additionally: Hu Shuhui donated 30 million in the name of his group for the construction of all public toilets in the shantytown.

Things moved quickly—so fast that Lu Chengwen could hardly believe it. That very afternoon, the provincial approval came through.

As soon as the higher-ups heard that someone had taken on the shantytown project, with the four major families collectively investing over 80 billion, the provincial leaders immediately dropped everything and convened a meeting to discuss it.

Not only were the blueprints approved, but a professional guidance team was also sent to finalize the details.

...

At the golf course.

Lu Guanghong, Leng Tianhao, Xu Zhiyun, and Chen Qingbin—four tycoons—were playing golf.

Lu Guanghong swung his club and hit a great shot, looking quite pleased.

"It's been a while since we've all gotten together like this, hasn't it?"

Leng Tianhao, wearing gloves, adjusted his club nearby: "Cut the nonsense. We're all just here to avoid the chaos."

Xu Zhiyun laughed: "What can we do? Mayor Zhao's been pushing that messy old city renovation project on everyone. We're just trying to lay low for a bit."

Chen Qingbin smiled: "Old Lu, your kid's been doing well lately. I heard he quietly acquired a high-tech company. That boy's got guts—high-tech? Does he even understand it?"

Lu Guanghong's face darkened.

The other three families had inherited their wealth—in other words, their ancestors were already wealthy. Only Lu Guanghong had built his fortune from scratch.

He started his business in his twenties, and by his thirties, Dasheng Group had become a top enterprise in Snow City. By his forties, Dasheng Group was already a giant in the northern region.

Unfortunately, in his fifties, he fell seriously ill.

Otherwise, he wouldn't have been so quick to hand over the business to Lu Chengwen.

But strangely enough, despite Lu Chengwen's lack of formal education, he had a knack for business—he rarely lost money and often came out ahead.

The father and son had plenty of money, but neither had much in the way of education.

This had always been a point of ridicule and mockery from the other three families.

They were aristocrats, wealthy for generations, while the Lu family were upstarts—nouveau riche. The others looked down on them.

Lu Guanghong snorted: "What the hell is high-tech? All high-end businesses are run by people. Are kings and nobles born into their status? One day, my son will buy out all those so-called 'noble' companies run by good-for-nothings."

The other three exchanged glances, each with a hint of disdain.

Sure, you've got money, but culture is your weak point.

And most importantly, bloodline! We're aristocrats. No matter how rich you are, we'll always see you as a parvenu.

Hmph!

Chen Qingbin said, "Anyway, that shantytown project is a death trap. Whoever touches it is doomed. You all need to keep that in mind."

Xu Zhiyun added, "No need to say more. You all sent your CEOs to the meeting, but I sent my youngest daughter, the vice president. Heh. Mayor Zhao will understand what I mean."

Leng Tianhao took a swing, cursed under his breath, and threw his club to the caddie: "I heard Chengwen say he's taking on that project."

"Him?" Lu Guanghong laughed: "I know my son. He's sharper than a monkey. He wouldn't touch something as unlucky as this." Just then, Long Aotian walked over from a distance, followed by Hua Xuening in sportswear.

Leng Tianhao smiled: "Let me introduce a young talent, Long Aotian. He's just returned from the border regions, quite the strategist."

Long Aotian smiled and said, "Greetings to the heads of Snow City's four great families."

Lu Guanghong glanced at him: "Isn't this the kid who caused trouble at my place the other day? Leng Tianhao, why do you keep him around?"

Leng Tianhao smiled: "I need a piece of land lately, and he's been a great help. He's a talented guy."

Lu Guanghong snorted: "If you need something, why not ask your future son-in-law? Why bring in an outsider?"

"My future son-in-law?" Leng Tianhao wiped his club: "Can I count on him? He's as tight-fisted as they come. I'm starting to wonder if I should even go through with the engagement."

Lu Guanghong frowned: "Old Leng, what are you getting at?"

"What am I getting at?"

Leng Tianhao smiled: "Whoever can get me that land, my daughter will marry them. That's what I mean! Your son's too arrogant to give me the time of day."

Lu Guanghong was fuming inside, cursing his son for being so uncooperative.

"I'll deal with him. I'll talk to him when I get back."

Long Aotian smiled and said, "I've got some news. Quite surprising, actually."

"What news?"

Lu Guanghong wasn't paying much attention, about to take another swing.

Long Aotian said, "Mr. Lu Chengwen announced at the meeting that he's investing 50 billion in the shantytown development project."

Lu Guanghong's swing went wide, and he fell to the ground.

The three old men rushed to help him up, barely able to hide their smirks.

Xu Zhiyun laughed: "Old Lu, no need to get so worked up! Your son's a visionary—he must have seen some opportunity in this investment! Haha, but 50 billion? That's quite the sum. Let's hope you break even. Fingers crossed, haha!"

Chen Qingbin added, "Exactly! Even if you lose money, it's no big deal. Your family's rich anyway. Consider it a donation—the people of Snow City will thank you for it!"

Lu Guanghong clutched his back, furious: "Get out of here! All you do is kick a man when he's down."

The two old men burst out laughing, while Leng Tianhao said coldly, "Well, your son's not short on money—he just doesn't respect me. He's willing to throw 50 billion at the government, but when I need help with a piece of land, he drags his feet. Hmph."

Lu Guanghong winced in pain: "Old Leng, there must be more to this. Let me talk to him when I get back, and I'll give you an answer."

"No need to ask. He just doesn't respect his future father-in-law." Leng Tianhao sneered: "The Lu family's luck is running out. Shantytown renovation? Hmph. He's really got the guts to take that on. He seems so sharp usually, but when push comes to shove, he just caves and hands over the money. What a genius—more like a fool."

Lu Guanghong gritted his teeth: "What are you talking about!?"

Leng Tianhao said, "Even without the Lu family, I can get that land on my own! Aotian!"

"Yes, Mr. Leng."

Long Aotian said, "I've already spoken to the sales department. That land can be acquired for 1.9 billion, and it's been approved for commercial use. Congratulations, Mr. Leng. With this prime piece of land, the Leng family is set to make a fortune in the coming years." Leng Tianhao looked at Lu Guanghong: "Hear that? Without the Lu family, the Leng family can still thrive! My Qingqiu is the real genius. Your son's throwing money away for the government, while my daughter's been focused on big things from the start! Having a son... what's the point? He's not worth one of my daughter's toes!"

Lu Guanghong was in too much pain to argue, and with the news already out, there was little he could say.

Just then, Long Aotian received another message, and his expression changed.

"What is it?" Leng Tianhao walked over, preparing to take his shot.

"Qingqiu... she's announced an investment of 4.9 billion to join the shantytown renovation project."

Leng Tianhao's reaction was identical to Lu Guanghong's earlier—just as he was about to swing, he heard the news.

Yes, even the way he fell was the same.

Xu Zhiyun and Chen Qingbin helped him sit next to Lu Guanghong, barely able to contain their laughter.

Leng Tianhao was drenched in cold sweat: "What is Qingqiu thinking!?"

Long Aotian sighed: "It must be Lu Chengwen's doing."

Leng Tianhao clenched his teeth: "Lu Guanghong, did you know about this?"

Lu Guanghong glared at him: "