Gu Xingdong, it turned out, had significant connections, even managing to get in touch with the mayor.
'Coal Briquette': "Mr. Gao, can we really rely on this guy Du? We've already secured the loan, a whole million, but they're asking for more documents, making so many hurdles. Are we going to be disqualified in the end?"
Although banks had begun to relax their loan policies this year, allowing private enterprises and self-employed individuals to borrow without interest or grace periods, the amount they were borrowing was too large – one million. In the end, they had to go through the Jiang family's connections, using demolition contracts as a pretext to secure the million-yuan loan.
Gao Mingyuan glanced at him and said calmly, "Don't worry. Things have come this far. I'm determined to win this project."
...
After Chen Lishu arrived at the shop, she relayed the information she had gathered from Gu Xingdong to Wang Aixiang.
"Buying a house is no small matter. Since it's not busy these two days, I'll give you a couple of days off. Go and check out the community and the surrounding area to get a better understanding of the situation."
Wang Aixiang smiled and nodded, "Alright, I'll go take a look shortly."
After Wang Aixiang left, Chen Lishu glanced at Wang Dazhu and then stood up, saying, "Dazhu, come here for a moment."
With that, she turned and headed upstairs.
Wang Dazhu, unsure of what was happening, followed Chen Lishu upstairs.
"Sister-in-law, just tell me what you need."
"It's not about work," Chen Lishu said, her gaze falling on him.
His tall and sturdy build, his honest-looking face, and his good disposition – he would surely be a qualified and good husband if he were to marry and have a family.
Wang Aixiang was a good woman, deserving of a good man to cherish her.
Wang Dazhu felt a bit uneasy under her scrutiny. He felt that Chen Lishu's gaze was similar to how the company commander used to look at him, and he instinctively straightened his back, starting to wonder.
If it wasn't about work, then what was it about?
He hadn't gone anywhere during this period; he had been at the shop the whole time.
No, Wang Dazhu shook his head immediately.
A couple of days ago, a comrade had come to see him, and he had gone out to dinner. He might have had a drink. Was he going to be criticized for this?
While he was lost in thought, Chen Lishu spoke again, "Dazhu, you're not young anymore. Have you considered your personal life?"
Wang Dazhu was taken aback. "Sister-in-law, are you going to introduce me to someone?"
Chen Lishu didn't deny it. "Do you have any preferred type? That way, I can keep an eye out for you."
Hearing that she was indeed going to introduce him to someone, Wang Dazhu's face broke into a wide grin. "What requirements could I possibly have? Given my situation, as long as she doesn't mind me, that's enough."
He wasn't being humble; it was the truth.
His hometown was in a remote mountain village, with little land and many people. The villagers were not well-off, and with many siblings, his family was so poor they could barely put food on the table.
Later, when he finally joined the army and started receiving a salary, he hardly spent any money. He sent most of his monthly earnings back home to subsidize the family. Now, working for Chen Lishu, his salary was even higher than when he was in the army. Apart from essential expenses, he sent the rest home without fail, all in the hope of improving his family's living conditions.
"Having no requirements won't do. Tall or short, fat or thin, gentle or fiery personality – this person will be with you for the rest of your life. You can't just pick anyone haphazardly and go through life like that. It wouldn't just be unfair to yourself, but also irresponsible to the woman. Don't you think?"
"This, this..." Wang Dazhu stammered for a long time before cautiously looking at Chen Lishu and saying, "Sister-in-law, aren't those requirements a bit too high? I really don't have high expectations. As long as she's a woman and willing to live a stable life with me."
Chen Lishu wasn't going to let him off the hook. "If you don't have requirements, how can you ensure you'll treat her well in the future? Only if you genuinely like her can you love and protect her wholeheartedly, right? At the very least, even if you argue after marriage, you'll be willing to admit your mistakes, won't you?"
"I..."
Chen Lishu continued, "If you find it hard to judge, you can just give a general idea. For example, is she lively and cute like Tian Lin?"
Wang Dazhu immediately shook his head. He was almost thirty; wouldn't that be like an old ox eating young grass? He couldn't possibly delay a young girl like that.
"Or perhaps someone like me?"
Wang Dazhu's head shook like a rattle drum. He had never even dreamed of such a thing.
"Or perhaps someone like Wang Aixiang?"
Upon hearing Wang Aixiang's name, Wang Dazhu felt his heart skip a beat, then beat rapidly twice.
Seeing that he neither nodded nor shook his head, Chen Lishu couldn't help but chuckle. "See? Now we have a potential candidate."
Wang Dazhu's face flushed, but his skin was too dark for anyone to notice.
"Sister-in-law, no, it's not what you think."
Chen Lishu nodded understandingly. "I know you don't have any particular feelings for Sister Aixiang, don't worry. I won't reveal a single word of our conversation today to anyone."
Wang Dazhu let out a sigh of relief, and his tense body relaxed. However, Chen Lishu's next sentence made him tense up again.
"Besides being divorced, Sister Aixiang is actually quite excellent in many aspects, both in appearance and ability. My mother-in-law was even saying recently that she wanted to introduce someone to her."
Chen Lishu said this seemingly casually, but her eyes were keenly observing Wang Dazhu's reaction. When she saw a flash of urgency in his eyes, she couldn't help but smile inwardly. She was now completely certain that Wang Dazhu also had feelings for Wang Aixiang.
The reason she hadn't directly asked Wang Dazhu about his feelings for Wang Aixiang at the beginning was twofold: firstly, she wasn't sure of Wang Dazhu's thoughts. If Wang Dazhu didn't like Wang Aixiang, given they worked together and saw each other every day, especially since Wang Dazhu was someone who couldn't hide his feelings, it would inevitably lead to awkwardness for both of them.
It was better to take a step back to advance. As long as she could gauge Wang Dazhu's thoughts, and then perhaps provoke him a little, she didn't believe Wang Dazhu could remain indifferent.
Chen Lishu stood up. "Alright, I know your thoughts. I'll keep an eye out for you."
Wang Dazhu watched her go downstairs, opened his mouth, but ultimately swallowed back the question he wanted to ask.
...
In the development office, Yu Guofeng sat with several other leaders, reviewing the qualifications submitted for this bid.
"This 'Pengcheng' Construction Company was seemingly registered only at the beginning of the year and hasn't completed a single major project. Shouldn't their bid be directly disqualified?" one of the leaders inquired.
Another replied, "Based on the materials from these private enterprises, only Hongyuan Construction Company seems to have decent strength. They've undertaken several major projects and are currently doing a good job on the Jiangpan Garden project, which is evident to everyone. I remember that when this project was initiated, several construction companies in the city were unwilling to take it, and it was ultimately Hongyuan Construction Company that accepted it."
Although Yu Guofeng remained silent, he nodded twice in agreement.