Chapter 153: I’m Here (Part 3)
After reviewing the relevant documents, Hou Weidong said, “The paperwork is incomplete. I won’t sign for now.”
Li Jing looked somewhat surprised and gave him a resentful glance. “Weidong, you don’t trust me.”
Hou Weidong spoke seriously. “It’s not a matter of trust. I studied law, so I care deeply about legal relationships. It’s better to settle things clearly beforehand to avoid chaos later. Once the legal framework is clear, our future cooperation will be stable.”
Li Jing agreed with Hou Weidong’s point of view. She raised her hand in a delicate gesture, took a sip of her rich coffee, and said, “Weidong, tell me what’s missing, and I’ll have it prepared immediately.”
Seeing that Li Jing agreed to supplement the documents, Hou Weidong gave a few instructions and added, “While you’re preparing the paperwork, arrange a car for me. I need to find Ms. Liu Guangfen to sign right away. She is your true partner; I am merely her authorized agent.”
The Goubewan Quarry was the largest in Shangqinglin, and its legal representative was Liu Guangfen. All of Hou Weidong’s activities were being conducted under the name of her authorized agent. Li Jing was fully aware of this arrangement. She said, “Go quickly and return quickly. After the formal signing, the four of us will go to Hanhu to celebrate the birth of Jinggong Group.”
As Hou Weidong stood up, she casually adjusted his collar and said, “I am still the Vice President of Shadaosi. I have power in my hands, but it expires soon. Go to Hanhu and have a good time.”
Hou Weidong got into the car and headed toward Wu Hai County.
When Liu Guangfen saw her third son return, she was overjoyed. However, upon hearing that he was leaving immediately, she deliberately put on a stern face and ignored him. Hou Weidong had a whole set of tricks for dealing with his mother. He leaned on her shoulder, saying affectionate words, which finally made her happy. After his mother signed the documents, Hou Weidong hugged her tightly, collected the papers, and went downstairs.
Liu Guangfen stood by the window, watching the car speed away. She muttered, “That little rascal, he runs so fast.”
Once in the car, Hou Weidong tried calling Xiaojia again. Her mobile phone was unreachable, and there was no answer at the landline in their home at Xinyue Building. When the car reached the suburbs of Shazhou, Hou Weidong tried again, but the result was the same.
After the procedures were completed, Hou Weidong handed a check for one million yuan, which he had prepared in advance, to Li Jing. He said, “This is my token of loyalty. I hope Chairman Li can lead Jinggong Group to great success.”
Li Jing’s face lit up like a flower, her eyes particularly bright. “Today, the four of us will go to Hanhu and drink until we are drunk.”
Shortly after arriving at Hanhu, a Bluebird and a Santana slid into Building 6 one after another. The four shareholders of Jinggong Group—Li Jing, Meng Xia, Hou Weidong, and Guan Dapeng—were present. Meng Xia was the oldest, in his mid-thirties. His belly protruded higher than that of a woman five months pregnant, and he looked extremely self-satisfied. Guan Dapeng, on the other hand, appeared refined and scholarly.
Hearing that Hou Weidong was the Deputy Mayor of Qinglin Town and had only graduated three years ago, Meng Xia shook Hou Weidong’s hand firmly. “Mayor Hou is a young talent with an unlimited future. If there is anything you need help with, just say the word. I will do whatever I can.” This was followed by a round of mutual flattery. While they chatted, the service staff brought out exquisite dishes and a case of fine wine, then quietly withdrew.
Li Jing was not a strong drinker, but she was skilled at persuading others to drink. Under her encouragement, Meng Xia and Guan Dapeng took turns challenging Hou Weidong. Hou Weidong’s tolerance for alcohol had been built up by drinking high-proof Yiyang Hong. This red wine tasted very mild, and he felt no effect from it. In contrast, Meng Xia and Guan Dapeng began to show signs of intoxication after downing several large glasses.
After eating and drinking their fill, Meng Xia held a toothpick in one hand to pick his teeth and rested the other on his belly. He smiled with deep meaning. “Chairman Li, what good projects does Hanhu have?” Li Jing glared at him playfully. “When people are full and warm, they think of lust. That describes people like you.” She picked up the walkie-talkie nearby and ordered, “Prepare Building 2. Guests are coming. Three people.”
Meng Xia and Guan Dapeng were regulars at Hanhu. Their lustful nature had long been exposed to Li Jing, so there was no need for pretense. Guan Dapeng said with infinite reluctance, “If Li Jing leaves Shadaosi, she will have to leave Hanhu. That would be a great regret in life.”
Hanhu was a property of Shadaosi, directly managed by Li Jing. Over the past two years, it had become an important place for Li Jing to network with various influential figures. However, she never liked this place because it was a paradise for men, and since she was a woman, it was not her paradise.
Soon, beautiful service staff came to guide them, and Meng Xia and Guan Dapeng followed.
Another waitress stood beside Hou Weidong, her hands clasped in front of her. Her posture was elegant, and her attitude was sincere. She was waiting for Hou Weidong.
Hou Weidong had experienced the tenderness of Hanhu, but he did not want to stay long today. He said, “Chairman Li, I need to return to Shazhou. I haven’t reported to my wife in a long time. If I don’t go back, there will be trouble at home.”
Li Jing’s expression was somewhat complex. “Are you really not going to rest for a while?”
Resting at Hanhu meant hot springs and beautiful women. Few men could resist such temptation. Hou Weidong was not a pedant; he had once enjoyed the company of beautiful women in the hot springs. But today, he truly did not want to linger at Hanhu.
Hou Weidong made a joke. “Colorful flags flutter outside, but the red flag at home remains unfallen. This is a realm of life that I still need to cultivate. Going home today is to ensure the red flag at home does not fall.”
After getting into the car, he called Xiaojia again, but the result was the same.
At the Shazhou Hotel, the Shazhou Construction Association was holding its inaugural meeting. Deputy Director Liu of the Shazhou Construction Commission attended the meeting, and Xiaojia was serving in the venue. Before the formal meeting, the big bosses in the Shazhou construction industry had already pledged donations, collecting nearly one million yuan in membership fees.
This was beyond Deputy Director Liu’s expectations. As the executive deputy director of the association, he would sign off on this one million yuan in fees. In other words, he had gained a small slush fund. After the formal meeting ended, Deputy Director Liu announced with great passion, “No one is allowed to leave tonight’s banquet. Whoever leaves will bear the cost of the first association activity.”
Bugao’s Xinyue Building had achieved huge success in Shazhou. Its perfect community-style service, spacious atrium, and excellent landscaping represented a model completely different from the previous single-building, isolated-household style. It immediately stirred the latent purchasing enthusiasm of the people of Shazhou. Despite the high price, the units were snapped up instantly.
Xinyue Building became a landmark of residential housing in Shazhou and implicitly set an industry standard. Developers with slightly stronger capabilities were all planning projects similar to Xinyue Building.
The boss of Xinyue Building, Bugao, had become a rising star in the construction industry. A rising star meant having enough money, which was undoubtedly true following the success of Xinyue Building. It also meant having sufficient social status, which was not a problem either. Bugao’s father was a Vice Mayor, and he himself was a representative of the Shazhou Municipal People’s Congress.
At this moment, this rising star accurately spotted Xiaojia through the crowd. The beautiful Deputy Director of the Office was looking down, writing something with a focused expression.
The previous incident with Ma Gui’s photo had failed to separate the two, which surprised Bugao. He had always been a good student, smoothly entering university and starting his own business after graduation. Within a few years, he had become a successful man in Shazhou. Although this was related to his father, it was mainly due to his own efforts, or so he believed.
The setback in pursuing Xiaojia only increased his desire to have her. The unattainable is always the best; this was an unbreakable truth.
Bugao walked over holding a wine glass and greeted her. “Xiaojia, what are you busy with?”
Xiaojia had originally had a good impression of Bugao, but after the photo incident, she had become wary of him. Seeing him approach, she smiled faintly and said, “I need to issue a briefing tomorrow, so I’m drafting it first.”
Bugao took the opportunity to sit beside her. “Two college graduates were assigned to the office this year. Let them write the briefing. Why do you need to do it yourself?”
The two chatted casually. Bugao was witty in conversation and managed to make Xiaojia laugh several times.
At eleven o’clock, Xiaojia habitually took out her mobile phone and turned it on. There was still some residual battery. She quickly dialed Hou Weidong’s number.
Hou Weidong was already sitting at home in Xinyue Building. His phone was within reach. Just as he was growing anxious, the phone rang.
“I was at the construction association meeting at the Shaguan. My phone ran out of battery. I’m calling you back from home.”
“I’m here.”
“You’re here? Where are you here?”
“At Xinyue Building. Come back quickly. I’m waiting to do the laundry.”
A flush of red clouds spread across Xiaojia’s face. Seeing Bugao sitting nearby, she swallowed a playful remark.
“Doing the laundry” was a euphemism between husband and wife, originating from a story. A couple was accustomed to calling their nightly intimacy “doing the laundry.” One day, after arguing, the husband felt aroused in the afternoon and said, “Let’s do the laundry.” The wife, still angry, replied, “There’s no electricity; the washing machine can’t be used.” That night, the wife’s anger had subsided, but the husband was still sulking. The wife said, “Let’s do the laundry.” The husband replied stiffly, “I’ll wash it by hand myself.”
Bugao saw Xiaojia suddenly smile with shyness and knew the call must have been to Hou Weidong. A surge of sourness rose in his heart. He thought to himself, “Zhang Xiaojia, you will eventually throw yourself into my arms.”
After the banquet ended, it was already twelve o’clock. Deputy Director Liu went to sing karaoke. Xiaojia asked for leave, citing discomfort, and hurried back to Xinyue Building.
Hearing the door open, Hou Weidong quickly walked to the entrance. As Xiaojia entered, Hou Weidong lifted her in his arms and carried her directly into the bedroom.
“Wait a moment, I’ll take a shower first. Ah, you bad guy, don’t rush.”