Li HaoChen’s decision not to pursue financial compensation from them was also for the sake of these more than two thousand mu of sea area. After all, it was their territory, and he understood the principle that a powerful dragon doesn't suppress a local snake. Although the few of them had committed a crime and were taken in, their parents wouldn’t see it that way. They would definitely place some of the blame on Li HaoChen.
However, not pursuing this huge compensation would be different. They would think Li HaoChen was magnanimous and even considerate of them, and they would be grateful.
It was much like giving a slap and then a sweet date. Although the slap was self-inflicted, it was a combination of being tough and gentle, a potent tool for winning hearts.
By the time he left the Municipal Bureau, it was almost three o’clock. Li HaoChen called Liao Mingrui to meet at the usual spot.
Within a few minutes, Liao Mingrui arrived in a hurry, “Boss Li, is everything settled?”
“Everything is settled, thank you!”
“Not at all, it was just a small effort, hehe!”
Li HaoChen subtly handed over the shopping cards he had bought earlier. How he arranged them was up to him; it wouldn’t matter if he took them all. However, he believed Liao Mingrui wouldn’t be that foolish. After chatting for a while, they both departed.
By the time he returned to Niuwei Village, it was evening. Huang Haibo and the others had already completed the measurements. Seeing Li HaoChen return, Huang Haibo said, “Haochen, we’ve finished. The overall budget will be ready for you tomorrow. I reckon it will be around 200 million. Steel and cement prices have risen recently. Do you want to start construction after the New Year? After the New Year, it should save you around ten million.”
This was close to his own estimate. Li HaoChen saw no need to wait a few more months; the sooner it was completed, the sooner he could start farming seafood. He was looking at the long term, not just the present. Every additional seafood species in his space meant hundred or even thousand-fold returns. Once the quantity became massive, what was ten million? Time was more valuable than money.
“I won’t wait, Uncle Bo. Start construction as soon as you’re ready. However, some things need to be modified. I’ll give you a design drawing later, just follow that. Tomorrow, I’ll provide you with a copy of the approval document, which will make things more convenient.”
“You’re the boss, you call the shots. I’m eager to start construction now, hehe!”
“Uncle Bo, you guys can head back first. I still have some things to attend to and will leave later.”
After dinner, Huang Haibo and his team thanked Lu Yingshan and left. They actually wanted to pay for their stay, having slept there for one night and eaten three hearty meals. Not giving something felt wrong, but Lu Yingshan adamantly refused. Unable to persuade her, they had no choice but to drop it. However, with the construction project starting, they would inevitably be staying there for a month or two, and there would be plenty of opportunities to make it up to her.
“Boss Li, shall I prepare a room for you?” Upon hearing that Li HaoChen intended to stay, Lu Yingshan, for some reason, asked this question. As soon as the words left her mouth, she felt a bit embarrassed. What was she doing?
“No need, Secretary Lu. I’ll sleep in the car.”
Being rejected, Lu Yingshan felt a slight sense of disappointment. As she turned to leave, Li HaoChen called her back again.
“Did you change your mind?” Lu Yingshan felt a secret joy, not understanding why, but… the outcome was not as she had imagined.
“You’ve worked hard these past few days. This is just a small token of my appreciation; you must take it, or I won’t dare ask for your help next time.”
Li HaoChen took out three thousand in cash from his car and, before Lu Yingshan could refuse, pressed it into her hand.
Looking at the money in her hand, Lu Yingshan wanted to return it, but Li HaoChen gave her no chance and immediately ran towards Niuwei Bay. Seeing that she couldn’t catch up, Lu Yingshan had no choice but to give up, sighing inwardly, “I was thinking too much. We’re not on the same level. Money is still the best…” m..oΓg
Entering Niuwei Bay, Li HaoChen first called Murong Yanran. He had delayed his return by another day. Today was past the danger period, and he would have to wait until next month to come again. Murong Yanran complained resentfully about Li HaoChen.
“It’s all your fault, wasting another golden opportunity. Next month, during the danger period, if you don’t put in twenty-four hours of effort, I’ll…哼!”
“What? Twenty-four hours of farming? Even an iron ox would break down from that.”
Li HaoChen only said this to himself in his heart; he wouldn’t dare say it out loud. He swore a solemn oath and promised to compensate her doubly next month before being let off the hook.
The reason he stayed was twofold. Firstly, he wanted to check the sand crabs again. Based on yesterday’s situation, there were definitely still plenty of sand crabs. Secondly, of course, there were the oysters that had been cut and fallen to the seabed. Those were worth two to three hundred thousand. He needed to see if there was a way to retrieve them, otherwise, the villagers of Niuwei would surely get to them in a couple of days.
Mr. Li HaoChen prepared the traps for catching sand crabs, placed mussel meat inside the traps, and then entered his space again.
After upgrading his space, he installed the kayak and propeller he had brought in, then changed into a diving suit, equipped with a strong flashlight, oxygen tank, and other gear. Everything was ready, and he brought his equipment out.
By then, the tide had risen to the edge of the beach. In a little while, he could go into the water.
After waiting for about fifteen to sixteen minutes, seeing that it was almost time, Li HaoChen pushed the kayak into the water. He paddled a few meters forward before climbing into the boat, gripped the pull cord, and with a strong tug, the generator sputtered to life.
Under the bright light, he identified his direction and slowly proceeded. The wind and waves were a bit strong at night, so his speed wasn’t fast. After about ten minutes, halfway through the journey, Li HaoChen dimmed the strong light. There were people on duty at the oyster rafts. It was still early, and they were probably not asleep yet. Moreover, after yesterday’s incident, even though Li HaoChen hadn’t blamed them, it was still their dereliction of duty. They were now patrolling with utmost diligence.
After another five or six minutes of sailing, seeing that he was close, Li HaoChen brought the entire kayak into his space. He put on his gear, checked everything again, and then emerged from the space.
*Plop~*
With a crisp splash, the sea surface returned to normal, while Li HaoChen was already swimming forward underwater. He was several hundred meters away from the shore. Although the water was still slightly turbid, it didn’t significantly affect his visibility. Under the illumination of the strong light, he could see about five to six meters ahead.
Soon, Li HaoChen arrived at the oyster rafts. Besides the oysters hanging in clusters, there were also a rich variety of fish hiding at the bottom of these rafts.
However, Li HaoChen was not greedy. Once the construction was completed, they wouldn’t be able to escape his grasp. Moreover, with the oyster rafts as a natural food source, they would definitely attract fish, shrimp, and crabs continuously.
Li HaoChen walked through the aisle between the oyster rafts and soon found the area opening up before him. Without a doubt, this was where they had cut off the oyster lines.
He swam along the edge and soon arrived at the area where the oysters had been cut and thrown into the seabed.
Li HaoChen shone his light downwards. The seabed was covered with haphazard oyster clusters, stretching for hundreds of meters. Seeing this, Li HaoChen gritted his teeth again, “Damn it, these scoundrels deserve it.”