Xu Hui planned to buy a detached villa in the county as a foothold.
Upon arriving at the sales office, Xu Hui learned that the company, called Brilliant Real Estate, was on the brink of bankruptcy. Its owner had disrupted the crude oil asset chain.
After understanding the property's location, Xu Hui made a decision: to acquire the company.
The property seemed desolate, but in a few years, the city center would develop in this direction.
Fortunately, he could pay in installments. Xu Hui paid a deposit of 5 million yuan and officially became the boss of Brilliant Real Estate.
"This area is for villas, and this one is for townhouses. Mr. Xu, take your time."
The guide led the way, explaining the property in detail.
Several buildings had already been topped out, but unfortunately, the original owner's funds couldn't keep up, allowing Xu Hui to snag a bargain.
"Why can he go in, but we can't?"
Just then, a commotion arose at the property's entrance.
Xu Hui glanced over and saw Xie Xiaomei and her best friend.
They had also come to look at houses.
In the TV series, Xie Xiaomei and Liu Yishui often argued about buying a house after marriage.
Xiaomei wanted to buy a house in the city, while Yishui wanted to build one in the countryside.
Now, with Xiaomei's meager salary from the Agriculture and Animal Husbandry Bureau, she couldn't afford it and could only come to window-shop.
She'd heard rumors that the real estate company was going bankrupt and hoped to snag a bargain, perhaps a steeply discounted special offer.
"He can go in because he's…"
"Let them in!"
The security guard was about to speak but was interrupted by Xu Hui.
The staff handed Xiaomei and her friends hard hats before letting them in.
Xu Hui followed the guide elsewhere.
Elephant Mountain Village.
Yongqiang's return was like a bomb exploding in the village.
Xie Guangkun seemed overjoyed on the surface but was secretly worried—Yongqiang's job hadn't been finalized yet.
Wang Changgui sat in his office, smoking and brooding. After so many years as village director, would Yongqiang become the village secretary?
Having a young man above him felt stifling no matter how he thought about it.
Deciding to take action, Changgui rode his bike to town to see what Director Qi was thinking.
Changgui went to Dajao's store and bought two bottles of liquor on credit.
"Drink less; it's not good for your health. You never stop!"
Dajao advised.
"Not for me, it's for Director Qi."
"For someone else? This one's too low-end; this one's better."
Dajao took out a gift-boxed bottle from under the counter.
At the town office.
Changgui parked his bike downstairs.
He carried the two bottles in a black plastic bag and sneaked into Director Qi's office.
Knock, knock, knock…
"Come in!"
"Changgui, come in quickly."
Director Qi Santai waved him in.
Seeing Changgui carrying something, Qi became even more enthusiastic.
"What's this?"
"Two bottles of liquor."
"Liquor, huh."
Qi was slightly disappointed.
He was always feasting on lavish meals and attending drinking sessions.
What he really craved was something organic—free-range chickens, pesticide-free vegetables, wild mountain goods.
"Changgui, we've known each other for years. No need for formalities. What's up? Speak quickly; I've got another meeting soon!"
Qi asked straightforwardly.
"Director, you smoke!"
Changgui offered a cigarette and lit it.
"Director, Yongqiang's back in the village. What's the plan for him?"
Changgui closed the door and sat back down.
"Oh, I see. Did Guangkun buy the liquor and send you to ask?"
Qi blew a smoke ring and asked with a smile.
"No, no, I came on my own. I bought the liquor myself!"
Changgui hurriedly explained.
"Yongqiang's the village's first college graduate. I'll check if there's a position for him in the county."
"I see. I thought he'd be assigned to the village office."
Changgui sat up straight, relieved.
"I understand!"
Qi, a seasoned official, saw right through him.
"Understand what?"
Changgui looked embarrassed.
"You're afraid Yongqiang will become village secretary and push you out, right?"
Qi asked with a smile.
"Yes, but not entirely."
Changgui grinned foolishly.
"Don't worry. Someone like Yongqiang won't be left in the village. I'll make arrangements."
"When can you arrange it? I want to come work with you soon; I'll progress faster."
Changgui asked eagerly.
He'd mentioned this to Qi many times, always wanting to work in town.
"There's no vacancy in town. Unless someone retires or leaves due to injury."
Qi shook his head.
Changgui's expression darkened, and he fell silent.
"Well, there's one other way. If you successfully attract investment, I'll transfer you to town. No one can object."
"I see."
Changgui brightened for a moment but then slumped again. "Director, I don't know any wealthy people. How can I attract them?"
"That's up to your methods. For example, ask around if anyone in the village has relatives in big cities."
Qi suggested.
"I never thought of that before. I'll ask around."
Changgui remembered.
That afternoon, Changgui began visiting households in the village.
He went door-to-door, inquiring about anyone with wealthy relatives outside.
After asking for half a day, he came up empty-handed.
Changgui sat in Dajao's store, smoking and looking dejected.
"You didn't think it through. If someone had wealthy relatives, would they still be in the village?"
Dajao pointed out bluntly.
"True."
Changgui sighed.
"Hey, Dajao, Li Fu works on construction projects outside and knows many big bosses. Can he help?"
"He called me last night asking for money. What do you think?"
"Then it's hopeless."
Changgui shook his head.
"Dad, dinner's ready."
Just then, Xiangxiu arrived. "I knew I'd find you at Dajao's."
"I'll be back. Someone's buying something. I'll keep an eye out and ask around."
Dajao said.
Back home, Xiangxiu asked curiously, "Dad, what did Dajao mean by 'keep an eye out'?"
So, Changgui briefly explained the investment attraction plan.
"Xiu, you work at the village clinic. Have you met or know any wealthy people?"
Changgui asked casually.
"Wealthy people go to hospitals, not our village clinic."
"True."
"The wealthiest person I've met is Liu Yishui. He runs a rabbit farm. He came to me this afternoon because his breeding rabbits were sick. He asked if I could treat them. I said I only treat humans, not animals. Can you believe it?"
Xiangxiu laughed.
"Right! I was in the village this afternoon and didn't visit Yishui. He might have connections!"
With that thought, Changgui stood up.
"Dad, dinner's ready. Eat first, then go?"
"I'll eat when I get back."
Changgui hurried out.
Soon, he arrived at Yishui's rabbit farm.
Several workers in protective suits were digging a pit at the gate to incinerate and bury dead rabbits.
Strangers weren't allowed in, so Yishui came out.
"What's going on at the farm?"
Changgui asked.
"Rabbit fever. It's bad. Hundreds have died. I need to find a technician who understands farming; I can't handle it myself!"
Yishui sighed.
"True. No business is easy these days."
"Uncle, what do you need from me?"
"Right, the village is planning to attract investment. Do you know any wealthy people?"
Changgui asked seriously.
"The businessmen I know sell feed or buy rabbits—small-time stuff. They have a few hundred thousand at most. What can they do?"
Yishui shook his head.
"Think harder. Relatives of relatives, or friends of friends—anything works!"
Changgui urged.
"Honestly, no. If there were wealthy relatives, they'd have been borrowed from already. Who'd still be in the village?"
"Ah!"
Changgui sighed deeply.
It seemed there was no hope of transferring to town through investment attraction.
"Wait, there's someone!"
Suddenly, as Changgui was about to leave, Yishui remembered.
"Who?"
Changgui's eyes lit up.
"Wang Xiaomeng!"
"Don't joke. Xiaomeng's family sells tofu, earning just a few dozen yuan a day. Wang Laoqi has no money."
Changgui scoffed.
False hope.
"No, not Laoqi. Xiaomeng knows someone, a foreigner, I think. He drives a 2-million-yuan SUV. Anyway, he's filthy rich."
Yishui recalled Xiaomeng's friend, Xu Hui.
"Yishui, do you have his contact info?"
Wang Changgui's eyes widened.
This sounded promising—a wealthy investor like this was hard to find.
"I don't know him, but Xiaomeng might have his phone number."
"Yishui, you're busy. I'll check with Laoqi!"
Changgui rushed off.
He had a feeling this person might invest in Elephant Mountain.