Whether or not he needed to do something, it was better to be safe than sorry.
Keeping something in reserve would never hurt. He would start making arrangements once he got back.
Gu Sanqing was unaware of the significant assistance his decision would bring him in the future. He only knew that the Gu family was facing a storm.
Looking at Gu Sanqing walking at the end, a flicker crossed Sun's father's eyes before quickly disappearing. He then turned to his son and asked, "Eldest, have you sent someone to invite Comrade Zhang Liunian?"
Yesterday, he had said that if the situation was true, he would invite Zhang Liunian over for a meal. Now that everything had been confirmed, he couldn't go back on his word.
"I have already sent someone to pick up Comrade Zhang Liunian. By the time we get back, he might be here," Sun Nian replied respectfully, standing beside his father.
Sun's father smiled. "It's fine. He just signed the contract yesterday, so he'll be busy today. It's no trouble for us to wait."
Sun Nian paused. It was only then that he remembered Zhang Liunian was here to attract business cooperation. Thinking of this, he opened his mouth to ask his father why they hadn't cooperated with Zhang Liunian yesterday, but he didn't ask when he met his father's knowing gaze.
Sun's father saw what his son wanted to ask and said, "Comrade Zhang Liunian and we will have many opportunities to cooperate in the future. There's no need to rush. Let's go home and entertain our guest first!"
Meanwhile, Zhang Qian, who was guarding Hongde Village, was almost asleep from waiting when a group of people finally broke into the village chief's house. Zhang Qian did not recognize these people. After they caused a scene and left, Zhang Qian immediately followed, wanting to see who had sent them. He followed them to the entrance of a grand mansion.
After inquiring with several passersby, he learned that it was the Gu family's gate.
Having confirmed their identity, Zhang Qian returned home indignantly. He took out his key and opened his door, only to find that Zhang Liunian and his wife were not there.
"Why hasn't Brother Liunian returned yet?" Zhang Qian paced around the room, eager to tell Zhang Liunian what he had just found out.
Where was Zhang Liunian, whom Zhang Qian was thinking about? He was sitting at the Sun family's dining table with his wife. Xiao Zhou stood behind Zhang Liunian, ready to receive instructions, diligently performing his assistant duties.
Sun's father noticed Xiao Zhou and asked, "Isn't he Kang Dafu's assistant? Did you borrow him?"
Zhang Liunian replied with a laugh, "I poached him from Brother Kang. He's my assistant now."
Sun's father raised an eyebrow upon hearing this. Poached? Zhang Liunian, who had only just arrived in Pengcheng, seemed to be treated too well by Kang Dafu. Not only did Kang Dafu consistently stand by Zhang Liunian and oppose the Gu family, but he also gave his own assistant to Zhang Liunian. Sun's father did not believe this would happen without some benefit.
"Kang Dafu is a good person. We have business dealings with him, and he is trustworthy. That's why I attended your dinner after receiving his message." Sun's father had a very good impression of Kang Dafu and also explained why a first-tier factory like theirs would attend a second-tier factory's dinner yesterday.
Zhang Liunian naturally knew the relationships among these people. In his previous life, he had only come here next year, and their relationship then was only average.
"Brother Kang is a good person. The success of this dinner is also thanks to his help. Otherwise, I don't know how long I would have been delayed in Pengcheng."
Zhang Liunian had many things to handle at the moment and couldn't stay in Pengcheng for long.
"He did help you, but if you hadn't cleverly resolved the conflict yourself, the cooperation yesterday might not have happened. Gu Lou was careless and underestimated you, which allowed you to successfully turn the tables and prove your innocence. You don't know how ugly his expression was today. He looked like he had eaten rotten fish. It was hilarious.
And that piece of land has already been snatched up by him. Guess how much he paid?"
Sun's father was very happy talking about Gu Lou, especially thinking about how he had managed to trick him once, and it might be the worst trick he would play on Gu Lou. He was extremely excited.
"When he slandered me yesterday, he should have anticipated the possibility of backlash. Moreover, I strongly suspect that he is the spy for the Hong Kong businessman." Thinking of what happened yesterday, Zhang Liunian always suspected that Gu Lou was the spy.
Sun's father's smile disappeared when the topic of spies came up, and his expression became solemn. "Logically, it's unlikely, because he is the captain of the anti-Hong Kong businessman association and one of the leaders who resolutely resists Hong Kong businessmen. However, I also noticed something strange about him. I'll investigate it. If I find evidence, I can bring down the Gu family in one fell swoop."
The business circles in Pengcheng were like this: either you are strong, or you are weak. As fellow members of the business community, if a large factory fell, there would naturally be many beneficiaries.
Moreover, the Sun family and the Gu family had a feud. How could they let go of the opportunity to bring down the Gu family in such a situation?
"You can investigate the Pengcheng Hotel. Given how clearly he spoke, he most likely went to that place. It's difficult for others to investigate, but you, Uncle Sun, certainly can." Zhang Liunian believed that Sun's father, who had some connections at the hotel, was the most suitable person.
Sun's father nodded upon hearing this. It wouldn't hurt to send someone to ask. After all, he had some ability. If evidence could indeed be found at the hotel linking Gu Lou to the Hong Kong businessmen, then Gu Lou and the Gu family would surely fall.
"I'll have someone investigate tomorrow."
Seeing that he took it to heart, Zhang Liunian didn't say anything else. Then he spoke about the auction mentioned by Sun's father. "The Gu family will have to fork out at least twenty million for taking that piece of land this time."
That was indeed a huge sum of money. He still remembered that when he first heard about the land, the Sun family had spent nearly twenty million to acquire it. Now, with the Sun family playing a trick, the Gu family would have to pay at least over twenty million, or they wouldn't be able to get it.
Sun's father was slightly stunned when he saw how accurately Zhang Liunian guessed. He then looked at his son beside him and asked, "Did you tell Liunian?"
Sun Nian immediately shook his head. Then, as if he had realized something, he was somewhat surprised at how Zhang Liunian knew so quickly that the Gu family had acquired the land for twenty-four million.
This Zhang Liunian was really interesting. He always seemed to know about certain things immediately.
For example, the situation with that piece of land and the price it was sold for today.
"How do you know?" Sun's father blurted out when his son shook his head.
Zhang Liunian replied with a smile, "I have my ways, but I can't say."
Sun's father did not press further. He hadn't mentioned the matter of the land yesterday. Everyone had their own channels and connections. Whether as friends or business partners, one shouldn't ask too many questions.
"Let's not talk about this. The food is served. Let's eat quickly," Sun's father said, picking up his chopsticks to ease his earlier discomfort and inviting Zhang Liunian to eat.
Zhang Liunian nodded, picked up his chopsticks, and first served his wife a few pieces of braised pork ribs. "Eat quickly. This is your favorite."