Chapter 297: Eating Crabs (Part 2)

As they moved to the rhythm of the dance, Hou Weidong gently slid his right hand, which had been resting on Zhu Yingying’s waist, slightly downward. The movement was subtle, yet it allowed him to feel once again the firm elasticity of her waist.

"Professional training makes all the difference," he thought.

Hou Weidong couldn’t help but let his imagination run wild: What would it feel like to have her beneath me?

His body responded to the imagined scenario, and he subtly leaned his upper body forward while tilting his hips back, a posture designed to avoid any accidental contact between their lower bodies.

As the dance continued, they drew closer. Their chests brushed against each other several times, and a few strands of her hair tickled the inside of Hou Weidong’s nose.

Hou Weidong had grown up in the county town. Institutions like the Lingxi Daily and the provincial Song and Dance Troupe were entities he had only ever seen on television or in newspapers. He vividly remembered the time the Song and Dance Troupe performed in Wu Hai County; his sister, Hou Xiaoying, had been so excited she jumped around the room. That memory remained etched in his mind.

Now, Zhu Yingying—a figure who previously existed only on stages or screens—was presenting herself as if available for the taking. The mere sensation of this proximity was enough to exert a powerful effect on Hou Weidong.

Bu Gao had grown up in the county town with his father, sharing a similar sense of awe. When Bu Gao had once pinned the most popular dancer, Xiao Man, from the Song and Dance Troupe beneath him, the psychological thrill had even surpassed the physical pleasure.

Now, Bu Gao was using this very allure to tempt Hou Weidong.

Hou Weidong’s mind and body were locked in a constant struggle. He knew that if he wished, he could remove Zhu Yingying’s underwear tonight and enjoy her elastic, responsive body. The thought made his arousal intensify. Yet, he constantly reminded himself: Bu Gao liked to take unconventional risks. He could not give Bu Gao any leverage. This was a matter of principle.

Zhu Yingying was quite curious about Hou Weidong. Logically, those who hung around with Bu Gao were rarely good people. Yet here he was, playing the role of a gentleman. She secretly curled her lip, thinking, “If this man isn’t incredibly hypocritical, he’s just too cowardly. He doesn’t act like a man.”

Each lost in their own thoughts, their dance steps intertwined, and their bodies collided again. This had happened several times that evening. Zhu Yingying felt the hand on her waist tighten, and their bodies pressed closely together.

"The fox has finally shown its tail. None of these men are good," Zhu Yingying sighed inwardly.

Zhu Yingying held Hou Weidong tighter. Years of dance practice had made her highly sensitive to physical cues. She felt the solidity of his body, the lack of excess fat around his waist and abdomen, and the hardness of his lower body.

At that moment, a warm palm slipped into her clothes. It traveled up from her waist, deliberately flicking the strap of her bra, then slid down the center of her spine, and without hesitation, entered her skirt.

Surprisingly, Zhu Yingying did not feel her habitual urge to recoil. Instead, she gently rested her head against Hou Weidong’s cheek.

When the song ended, Hou Weidong suddenly said, "Excuse me, I need to take a phone call."

Zhu Yingying waited in the small dance area. One song passed, then another, but he did not return. She walked out into the outer room, where only the television flickered; there was no sign of anyone. Just as she was wondering what had happened, a hostess pushed open the door and said, "A gentleman just told me he had an emergency and had to leave. He asked me to let you know."

Zhu Yingying stood stunned for a moment before realizing she had been stood up. This had never happened to her before. She felt a mix of relief and frustration, muttering under her breath, "Country bumpkin. Small-town fool."

The next morning, Bu Gao arrived at the Jinxing Hotel early. Seeing Hou Weidong exercising on the balcony, he said with a half-smile, "You really did it, Hou Weidong. You left Miss Yingying alone at Shangjia Karaoke. She is a star of the Song and Dance Troupe, and you just abandoned her. You’ll have to apologize to her properly another day."

Thinking of the previous night’s events, Hou Weidong felt refreshed and laughed, "Zhu Yingying is too beautiful. If I had stayed any longer, I definitely would have lost control. I am known in the New Management Committee as having a 'strict wife.' I’m afraid I’d be kneeling on a washboard when I got home."

Bu Gao laughed heartily. "A real man wields power when awake and rests on a beauty’s lap when drunk. What is there to fear?"

Bu Gao did not believe Hou Weidong’s excuse. In the past, he had sent people to tail Hou Weidong. Although there was no concrete evidence, he had deduced from the details in photographs that Hou Weidong and Li Jing likely had an affair. "It seems Hou Weidong is also cunning and refuses to bite the bait easily." Since he had decided to purchase land in the New Management Committee, he was still preparing to find another opportunity to win Hou Weidong over. This was a long-term investment.

After Hou Weidong and Bu Gao finished breakfast, Zhang Xiangyu, the Deputy Director of the New Management Committee, finally dragged himself out of bed.

The previous day, Zhang Xiangyu had enjoyed himself immensely with the beauties at Shangjia Karaoke. One of the women had led him to a private room, and they had downed another bottle of Chivas Regal. For Zhang Xiangyu, who was accustomed to strong liquor, this mild foreign whiskey lacked kick, but under the temptation of the women, he had drunk, sung, and danced thoroughly. However, mindful of the top leader, Hou Weidong, he had declined the suggestion to stay overnight and returned to the Jinxing Hotel.

Bu Gao and Hou Weidong had just parted ways in Shazhou. At the moment of separation, Bu Gao had shaken Hou Weidong’s hand and said, "Many people are skeptical about investing in the New Management Committee. I am the one eating the crab first. Once development truly begins, I hope you will support us. Only when there is a profit effect will other developers dare to enter."

Hou Weidong had stated firmly, "Rest assured, Mr. Bu. Serving developers is my duty."

By the time they returned to the New Management Committee office, it was nearly eleven in the morning. Hou Weidong had not even warmed his seat when the County Government Office called, ordering him to report immediately to County Mayor Ma Youcai’s office.

Upon entering, Hou Weidong saw Huang Yishu, the Deputy General Manager of Qingda Group, sitting in Ma Youcai’s office. He immediately understood the purpose of the summons.

Ma Youcai got straight to the point. "Qingda Group needs land to build a staff sanatorium. What is your opinion?"

Hou Weidong glanced at Huang Yishu and spoke honestly, "I have discussed this with Mr. Huang. Qingda Group plans to build warehouses and a staff sanatorium. The required land is located within the residential zone of the detailed plan, which is classified as commercial land. Mr. Huang is requesting the price for industrial land. The difference for one hundred mu of land exceeds ten million yuan."

Huang Yishu replied, "The warehouses are indeed part of the Bearing Factory and the Tiejianshan Mud Factory. In any development zone, they are considered industrial land. Qingda Group is very optimistic about Yiyang’s development. Once this large warehouse is built, other enterprises will move in successively."

This was the focal point of the dispute.

After clarifying the situation, Hou Weidong wisely remained silent, waiting for County Mayor Ma Youcai to speak.

Ma Youcai said, "Qingda Group has provided significant support to Yiyang County, and the County Party Committee and Government are aware of this. In principle, the County Government agrees to Qingda Group’s purchase of land for the warehouse and sanatorium. The land price will be calculated according to industrial land rates. This matter has already been studied at the executive meeting of the County Government, and the meeting minutes will be issued shortly."

As the Director of the New Management Committee, Hou Weidong was completely unaware of the County Government’s decision, which did not align with standard procedures. He felt quite surprised. Looking at Ma Youcai’s bright red tie, he couldn’t help but associate it with Bu Gao’s attempts to corrupt him. He pondered, "Why didn’t Ma Youcai seek the opinion of the specific department? Did Huang Yishu also have intimate contact with Ma Youcai?"

Ma Youcai, looking pleased, said, "The matter of the New Management Committee land is settled. Yesterday, I spoke with Chairman Mu Shanxun. He mentioned moving Qingda Group’s Tongyun Machinery Factory to the development zone. Mr. Huang, when do you plan to begin the relocation? The County Government will continue to offer preferential policies regarding land, taxes, water, electricity, and gas."

Having successfully completed his task, Huang Yishu responded decisively, "As long as the land is secured, we can relocate at any time."

Hearing that Qingda Group was also moving a machinery factory, Hou Weidong thought, "No wonder the County Government agreed to Mr. Huang’s request. So that was the reason."

The Lingxi Bearing Factory and the Haiyun Machinery Factory were old state-owned factories in Lingxi that were insolvent. Located within the first ring road of Lingxi, Qingda Group’s acquisition of these enterprises served two purposes: the need for corporate expansion and the value of their land. After much effort, taking advantage of the domestic trend of forming large financial conglomerates and enterprises, Qingda Group completed the mergers and acquisitions.

After the acquisition, Zhang Mushan established the Qingda Machinery Manufacturing General Company, planning to consolidate all machining and manufacturing enterprises into areas with cheaper labor and land. The Yiyang New Management Committee was to be the location for Qingda Machinery Manufacturing General Company.

The land vacated in Lingxi could then be used for real estate development.

Ma Youcai and others were unaware of Qingda Group’s true intentions. To attract the Tongyun Machinery Factory to the New Management Committee, after careful consideration, they agreed to Huang Yishu’s demands. After all, the New Management Committee was still largely barren. If no one bought the land, it would be worthless.

Delighted by the successful investment attraction, Ma Youcai said, "Mr. Huang, please join us for a simple lunch today."

Huang Yishu, already weary from the Yiyang liquor, looked troubled at the mention of a meal. "County Mayor Ma, my tolerance for alcohol is indeed poor. Could we perhaps drink fewer cups?"

Hou Weidong felt even worse than Huang Yishu. Although a machinery factory was moving in, the New Management Committee would lose over ten million yuan in revenue.

He knew the New Management Committee’s situation best and had the most confidence in the land. He firmly believed that once ten billion yuan in funds arrived, the New Management Committee would become a hotbed of development. However, since the matter had already been passed by the executive meeting of the County Government, the New Management Committee, as a department of the County Government, could only execute the decision unconditionally.

Accompanying Ma Youcai to the Yiyang Hotel, Hou Weidong thought, "It is true that a higher official rank crushes a lower one."