Chapter 283: The Great Development (Part 1)

June. The Southeast Asian financial crisis was beginning to show its first signs. Thailand bore the brunt of the initial shock, with its real estate and financial sectors suffering heavy blows. It seemed that after a single storm, Bangkok’s economy had collapsed, particularly its banking sector, which was hit the hardest.

At this time, the crisis had not yet severely impacted China. Yiyang, located far from the nation’s economic centers, remained untouched by the turmoil.

However, Lingxi Construction Group, as a real estate enterprise, possessed a much sharper sense of smell. As soon as the Southeast Asian crisis emerged, the board of directors held several meetings. They unanimously agreed that once the Southeast Asian storm began, domestic credit would inevitably tighten. For capital-intensive enterprises, this was far from good news.

Although several major projects of the Lingxi Group had been completed on schedule, leaving the group with ample funds, the sudden outbreak of the Southeast Asian crisis led the board to decide to temporarily halt any large-scale real estate projects until the crisis had passed.

Yao Qiang, however, held a different opinion. He argued that they should take advantage of the domestic credit tightening to acquire more land. When the situation improved, the land appreciation alone would yield a significant fortune. Under his vigorous persuasion and after repeated deliberations, the board finally agreed with his proposal.

Over the years, Yao Qiang had established connections with leaders across various regions of Lingxi. Liu Bing, the mayor of Shazhou, was an old friend of many years. Through Liu Bing’s recommendation, Yao Qiang came to Yiyang and met with County Head Ma Youcai.

After the inspection concluded, the county government hosted a welcome banquet at the Yiyang Hotel. Zhang Yajun, Qin Feiyue, Hou Weidong, and others were present to accompany the guests. During the meal, Yao Qiang and his assistants engaged in a drinking battle with the Yiyang officials. Yao Qiang, a northerner, had a formidable capacity for alcohol. He clinked glasses with County Head Ma Youcai using large cups. Ma Youcai showed signs of intoxication almost immediately.

Seeing that Yao Qiang was still provoking them, Hou Weidong, wanting to protect Yiyang’s face, stepped forward. “Waiter, open two bottles of Wuliangye. Use the hotel’s special large cups.”

The “special large cups” were a feature of the Yiyang Hotel, prepared specifically for those ready to engage in heavy drinking. Each cup held more than one jin (half a kilogram) of liquid, making them even more substantial than large beer mugs.

Hou Weidong poured a full jin of Wuliangye into his stomach. As the liquor went down, it burned like fire.

Yao Qiang was momentarily stunned by the sight of a cup larger than a beer mug. He had not expected to find such reckless drinkers among officials of a certain rank. However, spurred on by the crowd’s jeers, this northern man, who had never lost a drinking contest, refused to show weakness. He already had a capacity of over a jin. Gritting his teeth, he tilted his head back and downed the entire jin in one go.

With a jin of liquor in his stomach, Yao Qiang’s face turned blood-red, and sweat dripped down his forehead.

County Head Ma Youcai, though drunk, remained clear-headed. Knowing the situation could not escalate further, he called over a waiter and whispered a few instructions. Then, he smoothed things over, saying, “Everyone, don’t just focus on drinking. I just ordered a famous Yiyang soup to help Mr. Yao sober up.”

Both Yao Qiang and Hou Weidong had reached their limits and were holding on by sheer will. The others, shocked by their feat, stopped pressing them for more drinks.

The so-called Yiyang sour soup was essentially pickled radish soup, with a few red chilies added. Sour with a hint of spice, it was an excellent remedy for hangovers. Yao Qiang had spent considerable time in Lingxi and was not afraid of chilies. He drank a large bowl of the sour soup, sweating profusely, and felt his stomach relax.

Regaining his composure, Yao Qiang said, “Director Hou of the New Management Committee, you have an impressive capacity.”

Hou Weidong felt a fire burning in his belly. He drank two bowls of the sour soup before managing to suppress the alcohol’s effects. “Mr. Yao’s capacity is also admirable,” he replied.

As the saying goes, one’s drinking habits reveal their character, and one’s card-playing style reveals their work ethic. This was a conclusion drawn from years of experience, and it held truth. Yao Qiang looked at Hou Weidong’s young face and found himself increasingly pleased with him. He suggested, “Director Hou, your capacity is even greater.”

He continued, “The New Management Committee area is the most valuable section for development in Yiyang, but the current development efforts are insufficient. In coastal development zones, the standard practice is to invest capital first to achieve ‘three connections and one leveling’ or ‘five connections and one leveling,’ or even ‘seven connections and one leveling,’ before selling the land in large blocks. This is called ‘packaging.’ It facilitates overall planning and increases land prices.”

Hou Weidong had already carefully calculated the costs of land leveling. If they followed this plan, it would cost at least fifty thousand yuan per mu (a unit of area). Yiyang’s current financial strength simply could not support such an expenditure. However, to transform the New Management Committee into a high-level development zone, land remediation was essential.

County Head Ma Youcai, standing nearby, said, “This matter will be resolved soon.”

After the banquet dispersed, Wang Bing noticed Hou Weidong’s pale complexion and drove as smoothly as possible. When they arrived at the Shazhou College building, Hou Weidong still felt waves of nausea rising. After Wang Bing drove away, Hou Weidong went into the wooded area behind the building and vomited until he felt somewhat relieved.

“I came to Shazhou this afternoon to discuss a contract. Weidong, what are you doing?” Li Jing’s voice, clear and ethereal, came suddenly through the phone.

She was currently sitting in a small building in Shazhou, which served as the office for the Jinggong Group. The group had moved its headquarters to Lingxi, so this small building had become a branch office. Besides the conference room, a large private room had been specifically reserved for Li Jing, though no one else used it.

“I just had some drinks. I competed with Yao Qiang from the Lingxi Construction Group and finished a bottle of Wuliangye in one go. Pretty impressive, right? I can barely walk now; I’m sitting on the college stairs,” Hou Weidong said, leaning against the stairs, his legs feeling heavy.

Li Jing detected the strong scent of alcohol in Hou Weidong’s voice and chided him gently, “You fool. Why do you always compete in drinking? Go home first. I’ll bring hangover medicine over shortly.”

“You’re coming from Shazhou?”

“There’s a highway. It’ll be quick.”

After hanging up, Li Jing drove herself, playing Meng Tingwei’s songs along the way. “Winter in Taipei, come see the rain…” Although new singers and good songs appeared every year, Li Jing still preferred Meng Tingwei’s music. In her youth, her greatest wish had been to buy a portable cassette player and listen to music slowly while hiding under her covers. That wish was only fulfilled after she started working at the Shazhou Investment Company.

Those years of youth, bitter and sweet, seemed to blend into the slightly melancholic melody of the song.

The highway was smooth and fast, with few vehicles at night. In half an hour, she arrived at the gate of Shazhou College.

Hou Weidong had vomited again in the restroom and was lying in bed, feeling miserable. Hearing that Li Jing had already arrived at the college gate, he was surprised. “Just tell them you’re looking for the Lakeside Professor Building. The guard will know. Actually, I’ll come down to pick you up.”

Li Jing said, “If you’re feeling unwell, don’t bother coming down. I’ve brought hangover medicine.” She laughed, “I’ve traveled everywhere, how could I not find the Lakeside Teaching Building?”

Hou Weidong sat on the edge of the bed, closing his eyes for another minute or two before getting up. Fortunately, he had not taken off his clothes after returning home, so he didn’t need to dress again.

In that minute or two, Li Jing drove to the Lakeside Professor Building. However, she wasn’t entirely sure if this was the correct building. As she got out of the car, she saw a woman with short hair carrying a lunchbox pass by.

“Excuse me, is this the Lakeside Teaching Building?”

Guo Lan was returning from the hospital. Her father was recovering quickly and would be discharged in a few days. She was in a good mood, humming the tune of “June Pastoral.” She glanced at Li Jing and said, “This is the Lakeside Teaching Building.” To herself, she thought, This woman is very beautiful and fashionable. She definitely isn’t from Yiyang.

Li Jing thanked her and called Hou Weidong again. “Weidong, I’m downstairs at the Lakeside Building. Which floor are you on?”

Hearing the name “Weidong,” Guo Lan paused slightly, then continued walking. Just as she reached the second floor, she saw Hou Weidong coming down.

“Guo Lan, you’re back. Is Professor Guo feeling better?”

Guo Lan caught the strong smell of alcohol on Hou Weidong and knew he had drunk too much again. Coming from a scholarly family, she had never liked drunkards. Seeing him in this state, she felt a sudden surge of irritation. “He’s much better. He’ll be discharged in a few days,” she said coolly.

Hou Weidong, emboldened by alcohol, talked more than usual. “After he’s discharged, you could take him to Shazhou or Lingxi for a comprehensive check-up. Consult a good doctor. You must pay attention to his health in the future.”

Guo Lan said softly, “Mm.”

Li Jing came upstairs and saw Hou Weidong talking to the woman she had met earlier. Being very perceptive, she deliberately said, “Director Hou, our boss has been waiting for you for two hours. You must grace us with your presence today, no matter what.”

Back in her room, Guo Lan did not turn on the light. She walked to the window and watched Hou Weidong get into the car, which then disappeared into the dense woods and dim streetlights of Shazhou College.

Thinking of how intimately the woman had called him “Weidong,” Guo Lan felt a strange mix of emotions. Who is this woman? Why does she call him so affectionately?

Then, recalling the woman’s words and the way she had asked for directions, she thought, This woman has never been here before. Judging by her appearance, she must be a public relations representative sent by some company. Having worked in the Organization Department for several years, she had seen many officials fall because of beautiful women. She couldn’t help but worry for Hou Weidong.

Standing in the darkness for a while, Guo Lan suddenly realized, What am I doing? Hou Weidong is married. Why am I worrying about this?

Realizing this, her heart became even more unsettled.

Li Jing drove to the highway exit and stopped the car. She took out a blister pack of medicine. “This is imported hangover medicine that protects the liver. Take it first. Don’t drink so heavily in the future; it puts too much strain on your liver.”

Watching Hou Weidong obediently take the medicine, she smiled. “Who was that girl upstairs? Pure and elegant, like a water lotus.”