"Why are you like this now?" the young man with the blond hair asked, batting away his hand as he tried to pull him into admitting fault.
Where was their arrogance from Port City?
"Alright, let's not waste time with idle talk. If we continue, the sun will set. Let's discuss the important matters," Chen Jiayuan said, interrupting the endless chatter of the two youths.
Hearing their chairman tell them to quiet down, the two youths, despite having much more to say, chose to close their mouths and not disrupt the meeting's progress.
Seeing the two youths were reasonably obedient, Chen Jiayuan turned to Zhang Liunian and asked again, "Comrade Zhang Liunian, think about it again. Do you want to invest in this automobile project? I can first ask about everyone's investment situation and intentions, and then I'll hear your final answer."
Zhang Liunian opened his mouth to say he didn't need to wait and that he refused, but Chen Jiayuan didn't give him the chance and started chatting with everyone else.
Half an hour later, Chen Jiayuan looked at Zhang Liunian again. Before Chen Jiayuan could speak, Zhang Liunian said first, "I will not participate in the automobile station project. I am, however, somewhat interested in the integrated commercial project. I wonder if I can participate?"
He still placed more importance on commercial development and investment, such as building shops and hotels.
However, when he said this, Chen Jiayuan was very angry. Zhang Liunian had clearly said the automobile project could be done, but he himself wouldn't invest, instead wanting to engage in the integrated project they discussed. Was he treating them like fools?
"I don't quite understand. Comrade Zhang Liunian, you said earlier that the automobile project was viable? Why aren't you investing in it and instead want to invest in the integrated commercial project?" Chen Jiayuan suppressed his anger and tried to appear amiable as he asked for the reason.
Zhang Liunian didn't hide anything and spoke frankly, "This project is good, but I also mentioned a prerequisite, didn't I? That is, as long as the higher authorities do not interfere, but you cannot confirm this factor. Why should I gamble?
My money is hard-earned and cannot be wasted. Therefore, compared to the automobile project, I am naturally more willing to invest in the integrated commercial project.
This can be accomplished with just money, and there are no hidden dangers to worry about.
You are also businessmen, so you should understand why I would make such a choice.
I am simply choosing a low-risk investment, for no other reason."
Zhang Liunian's words silenced everyone again.
Yes, they had almost forgotten. Zhang Liunian had always emphasized the issue of whether the higher authorities would interfere, but they had actively ignored this problem.
It wasn't that they actively ignored it, but rather that they were unwilling to discuss it. Everyone present knew that they had severely offended the people in authority.
The primary reason was their conflict with those in the National Chamber of Commerce, which had affected Pengcheng's development. If the higher authorities truly wanted to intervene in the automobile project, it might not be possible for them to get it off the ground.
Therefore, what Zhang Liunian said was not wrong. Compared to the automobile project, the integrated commercial project was more sensible and considered a low-risk investment.
So, people in China are also foolish. Their minds are equally clear.
"Cough, cough, cough. Comrade Zhang Liunian, your idea is not flawed. If you don't participate in this project, then so be it. As for the integrated commercial project, we will need to discuss it further next time.
Let's conclude today. We will have the final negotiation the day after tomorrow," Chen Jiayuan felt that the automobile project could not be rushed and that they needed to inquire about the higher authorities' thoughts.
After all, this was the first special economic zone in the country, and everything was subject to change. They also didn't want to throw their money into a bottomless pit.
Fortunately, Zhang Liunian reminded him, otherwise, they might have impulsively made a decision.
It seemed that Zhang Liunian's ability to get ninety million was not entirely due to luck; it was also due to his own capabilities.
They had truly underestimated him.
"Chairman, don't listen to his nonsense. Regarding the situation with the higher authorities, even the train station relies on commercial construction. They can't even dream of automobiles. We can finalize this project today without listening to Zhang Liunian's rambling," Mr. Ren said anxiously as he saw the chairman considering the project he proposed.
Chen Jiayuan glanced at him warningly. He wasn't unaware of why Mr. Ren was so eager to finalize this project. It was because his family had made their fortune by producing cars. If this project were to succeed, he would directly place car orders with his company.
At that time, he would not only play a leading role but also successfully introduce his family's cars into the mainland.
He could tolerate the members having personal interests, but he could not tolerate personal interests that were so great that they disregarded whether the project could be profitable.
The reason he established this chamber of commerce was to lead everyone to make money together, not to let them cheat their own people.
Otherwise, when he returned to Port City, wouldn't he become a scoundrel that everyone yelled at?
Upon receiving the chairman's look, Mr. Ren's expression of displeasure immediately stiffened. Then, he dared not utter another word and could only let Chairman Chen conclude today's discussion.
"Comrade Zhang Liunian, please stay. I promised to treat you to dinner, and you can't break your promise?" Chairman Chen hurried forward to keep Zhang Liunian, who was about to leave with his companions after the meeting ended.
Zhang Liunian paused. To be honest, he didn't really want to have dinner. He thought this and said it.
"Forget it. You must be tired today. We can have dinner another time."
Although Zhang Liunian's words were pleasant to hear, they still struck Chen Jiayuan as harsh.
"Don't be so indecisive. We agreed on this long ago. How can we go back on it? Let's go," Chen Jiayuan said, not giving Zhang Liunian a chance to refuse and pulling him outside.
Seeing this, Zhang Liunian had no choice but to go to the restaurant with him.
Zhang Liunian expected to be asked to invest again during this dinner, but surprisingly, the chairman didn't say a word about it. Instead, he inquired about Zhang Liunian's family situation.
Zhang Liunian mentioned some less important details and then asked about Chen Jiayuan's situation.
Chen Jiayuan knew this was an exchange of information. After revealing some details about his family, the two then returned home.
After parting ways with Chen Jiayuan, Zhang Liunian returned home and immediately called his wife.
When he learned that Tang Shitong had gone to find her, he became anxious. "Why don't you bring Huabao and them to Pengcheng to hide?"
That Tang Shitong was truly persistent, actually finding his wife and daughter.
Fortunately, he had made preparations when he left the provincial capital, so no one could get close to his wife and daughter. Even if Tang Shitong wanted to take his Huabao away, it would be impossible.
"There's no need. Shaohua is still young, and that person cannot enter our home. Just let him guard outside. He is also a public servant; he can't come every day. It's only because today is a weekend that he has free time.
You don't need to worry about us. You must be careful in Pengcheng and make sure nothing happens to you."