Chapter 421: Relocation (Part 2)

Apologies for the delay yesterday due to family matters. I will make up for the missed update today.

The guests from the provincial capital included both men and women. Hou Weidong immediately called Shuiping, the general manager of Tuochen Hot Springs, and requested the two best VIP suites.

Shuiping sounded hesitant. "Director Gao just called. He mentioned that provincial guests had arrived and requested two top-tier VIP rooms. Unfortunately, we only have one left."

Hou Weidong replied firmly, "Reassign one of Director Gao’s top-tier suites. Offer him a slightly lower-grade room instead."

Shuiping hesitated. "That’s difficult for me to arrange, Director Hou. Could you perhaps speak with Director Gao directly?"

Hou Weidong immediately dialed Gao Jian’s number. He briefly explained the situation, emphasizing, "These are guests invited by Secretary Zhou." Upon hearing that the guests were associated with Zhou Changquan, Gao Jian agreed readily. "No problem. I’ll instruct Shuiping right away to switch to a slightly less premium medium-sized private room."

Arriving at Tuochen Hot Springs with three cars, Hou Weidong waited until the provincial guests had entered the water. Citing the need to attend to service details, he did not enter the pool himself. He stepped into the outer lounge and had just lit a cigarette when Gao Jian, the Director of the Southern New District, emerged from the inner area.

Seeing Gao Jian, Hou Weidong joked, "Many thanks." He added, "I’ve already soaked twice this week. It feels endless."

Gao Jian felt the same way. He took a deep drag of his cigarette and said, "You’ve only come twice. I’ve washed four times this week. Before the hot springs opened, I used to drive all the way to Maodong just to soak. Now, the mere mention of hot springs makes my legs weak."

"It’s just the novelty. After a few more visits, people will naturally lose interest."

"I hope so," Gao Jian replied.

As the head of the Southern New District, Gao Jian was a significant figure in Shazhou. With a broad network and a sociable nature, he had hosted numerous important leaders to try out the new hot springs since its opening. On one hand, he used the venue to build favors and expand his connections; on the other, the frequency of visits from friends had become somewhat exhausting.

Gao Jian invited Hou Weidong to the hot spring tea house. It was a semi-open-air establishment featuring rockeries, bonsai, and flowing water, offering a pleasant environment. The two ordered a pot of Tieguanyin tea and sipped slowly while waiting for their friends to finish bathing.

After chatting for a while, the conversation turned to work. Gao Jian asked, "Has the site selection plan for the 'Four Major Teams' been finalized? Relevant departments come to discuss land issues every day. Since the relocation of the Four Major Teams hasn’t been fully settled, many projects cannot proceed. The Municipal Party Committee has placed a heavy burden on the Southern New District. I look forward to the relocation work starting soon."

Hou Weidong replied, "We are still waiting for the official approval from higher authorities. However, according to reliable sources, there should be no major issues. That said, once the Four Major Teams move to the Southern New District, many departments will follow. Your demolition and relocation pressure will be immense. I experienced this firsthand when I was at the Yiyang New Management Committee. It’s troublesome."

Although Hou Weidong’s rank was not high, his position was critical, making his words highly credible. Gao Jian responded happily, "I’m not afraid of the pressure from demolition. Pressure is also motivation. What I fear is having no projects." He then asked, "There are currently three proposals for the office locations of the Four Major Teams. Which one does Secretary Zhou favor?"

This was a crucial question. The offices of the Four Major Teams would undoubtedly become the future central hub. If developers could obtain this information in advance and secure surrounding plots, the potential for value appreciation would be enormous.

Hou Weidong paused thoughtfully. "I’m not entirely clear on that matter."

In reality, Zhou Changquan did have a preference. This preference had emerged during occasional private tours of the Southern New District, where Zhou Changquan took Hou Weidong to inspect the area. Upon reaching an open plot, Zhou Changquan had remarked casually, "This piece of land is excellent. The terrain is flat and open. Besides building offices, we could construct a municipal square. The new office buildings must reflect the broad vision and inclusive spirit of the Municipal Party Committee."

Hou Weidong had immediately realized that Zhou Changquan favored this site. Upon returning, he investigated the land’s status and found it was collective land belonging to the First Brigade of Fangniuwan Production Team, not yet requisitioned.

According to the rules of procedure for the Municipal Party Committee Standing Committee, the site selection for the Four Major Teams required formal study and approval. Although Zhou Changquan’s preference effectively represented the Committee’s stance, Hou Weidong, acting prudently, did not reveal this information to Gao Jian.

As they chatted, Bu Gao arrived at the tea house, looking relaxed, accompanied by Xiaoman and others. He did not notice Hou Weidong and Gao Jian at first, engrossed in laughter and conversation with the women.

Xiaoman, Zhu Yingying, and the other women were strikingly beautiful, drawing the attention of both Hou Weidong and Gao Jian. Gao Jian was dazzled by the array of beauties, while Hou Weidong’s gaze was drawn specifically to Zhu Yingying.

He had stood her up previously, but the vibrant energy of her figure had left a deep impression on him. As a man in his prime, and having been without sexual intimacy for nearly a year, he inevitably harbored some imagination. This was not a matter of morality, but the instinct of a male organism—the very instinct that drives species reproduction. However, since humans developed morality and social rules, this instinct was concealed, burying desire within the depths of the mind.

Zhu Yingying’s hair was pinned up, exposing her neck, which appeared long and elegant, like that of a giraffe.

Hou Weidong had seen Zhu Yingying’s programs on television many times. Now, seeing the beauty fresh from the bath, moving vividly before his eyes, he couldn’t help but think of her astonishingly slender waist. His hormones surged uncontrollably. Yet, after several years of tempering in society, and particularly after Li Jing had given birth, Hou Weidong’s temperament had unconsciously become more steady. He merely appreciated the beauty without any further thoughts.

Bu Gao noticed Hou Weidong and Gao Jian in the corner of the room and smiled. "I was wondering why there were no VIP suites today. I was blaming Shuiping for not giving face." He added, "Why aren’t you two leaders going in to soak? The temperature is perfect today."

In Bu Gao’s eyes, both Gao Jian and Hou Weidong were friends worth cultivating. Hou Weidong was positioned at the center of Shazhou’s power, while Gao Jian was a powerful regional leader. Both were figures capable of generating significant economic value.

Gao Jian laughed, "If I wash any more, I’ll be washed white."

Zhu Yingying sat down, facing Hou Weidong directly. Since childhood, she had been talented in singing and dancing, pursued by men as numerous as fish in the Yangtze River. Being stood up by a man made her grit her teeth in anger, leaving a deep impression. While chatting with her female companions, she secretly observed Hou Weidong.

Xiaoman also noticed Hou Weidong. She leaned close to Zhu Yingying’s ear and whispered, "Do you remember? The man sitting over there is Hou Weidong." Zhu Yingying retorted stubbornly, "They’re all stinking men. What’s the difference?" Hearing this, Xiaoman smirked, "Hou Weidong is now the secretary to the Municipal Party Secretary. He has a promising future." Zhu Yingying glanced at Hou Weidong and said, "He’s just a secretary. Even if the Municipal Party Secretary himself came, he’d still be a stinking man."

"Do you have time tonight? I’d like to treat you both to dinner," Bu Gao invited.

Gao Jian stole a glance at the pretty girls at the neighboring table, feeling tempted. "Not today. I’m still accompanying guests. The leaders from the Provincial Development and Reform Commission are still soaking inside."

Bu Gao said, "Then let’s connect after dinner. We can go to Xinning Song City tonight." Bu Gao was familiar with Gao Jian; they had traveled to Beijing together once. Knowing Gao Jian’s preferences, he naturally extended the invitation.

Gao Jian turned to Hou Weidong. "Brother, come along tonight. Let’s sing a few songs and relax." Hou Weidong replied, "I have to accompany guests tonight. I’m not free to choose."

Bu Gao looked surprised. "Aren’t you two together?" Learning the reason, he laughed. "Director Hou, don’t always think about work. You should rest appropriately. Tonight, let’s watch Zhu Yingying perform." Although others were performing, he specifically mentioned Zhu Yingying.

Hou Weidong glanced at Zhu Yingying, who was sitting at the neighboring table, and said, "Forget it. I have to treat the guests to dinner. I can’t make decisions about evening activities."

At this moment, the comrades from the Provincial Development and Reform Commission began to emerge one by one. Gao Jian hurried over to greet them. Hou Weidong checked his watch and continued drinking tea, waiting patiently.

Bu Gao thought to himself, "The person who could get Hou Weidong to accompany them to the hot springs must be no ordinary figure." He waved to Xiaoman. "Give Director Hou a gold card."

The gold card was exquisitely made, with the cursive characters "Xinning Song City" elegantly written in the corner. Hou Weidong suddenly realized. "I heard this place is nice. So it’s Bu Gao’s project." Bu Gao replied, "I wasn’t involved in this. Xiaoman planned it. She is the boss."

Xiaoman had originally been a dancer in a song and dance troupe and knew little about society. After following Bu Gao, she had seen a different world, distinct from singing and dancing. The stage had lost its halo, becoming monotonous and rigid.

"Director Hou, welcome to Xinning Song City. The venue has two areas. The high-end area is accessible only to gold card members. There are usually small performances. Tonight, some of my sisters will come to perform," Xiaoman explained with a smile. "Yingying will perform a solo dance. If it weren’t for our sisterhood, this small place couldn’t afford to invite the pillar of the Provincial Song and Dance Troupe."

Hou Weidong smiled but did not respond.

At this moment, Wu Ying emerged with her daughter Meng Ning and two half-grown grandsons. Hou Weidong hurried to greet them. "Aunt Wu, it’s still early." Wu Ying replied, "It’s about time. Has Chairman Liu come out yet?"

The two young children chased each other around the room, shooting water guns at each other. Meng Ning noticed that water had splashed onto the people at the neighboring table. She called out an apology. "Sorry. The little ones are too mischievous."

Bu Gao felt that Meng Ning looked familiar but couldn’t recall where he had seen her. He politely said, "It’s alright. Children are children."

At this moment, guests from another VIP room also emerged: Liu Tiesong, Executive Vice Chairman of the Provincial CPPCC; his son Liu Mingming; Meng Ning’s husband Zhu Xiaoyong; and Shen Hao, the son of former Provincial Party Deputy Secretary Shen Enjie.

Bu Gao’s eyes lit up. He had a connection with Shen Hao, and Shen Hao knew some of Xiaoman’s female companions.

Shen Hao’s gaze slid past Bu Gao’s face, and he smiled slightly, acknowledging him. He approached the girl sitting next to Zhu Yingying. "Li Ying, where do we not meet in life? To encounter you in Shazhou is fate."