After Guo Weihua hung up the phone, he leaned back in his chair and lit a cigarette—the Beicheng Tiantan brand he usually couldn't bear to smoke.
Once he had calmed his emotions, he decided to visit the old leader at the provincial level that very night. This matter couldn't be reported through the city to the province—after all, the city government was watching with covetous eyes. If he wasn't careful, they might intercept the deal, or even hold things up to leverage their own position in attracting the investment.
This was the chance to transform Shanghu Town, and it was also his chance.
News that an overseas Chinese investor was returning to Shanghu Town to build a factory initially spread only within a small circle, but in these times, who didn't have a relative at home worrying about unemployment? Within less than two days, the entire town of Shanghu was buzzing.
Though in their hearts, a joint venture factory couldn't compare to a state-owned one, even a fly's leg was still meat. It was better than idling at home all day, eating and drinking for free while enduring dirty looks.
Dayu Town got the news as well. Commune Director Wang Mingliang's face was grim all day, as volatile as a firecracker—if a dog so much as walked past him, he'd want to kick it twice.
Why couldn't it be their Dayu Town's overseas Chinese? Truly, comparing goods made you want to throw them away. The thought of how he'd paid out of his own pocket to treat the overseas Chinese who'd come back to visit relatives to several days of meals at the state-run restaurant made his heart ache. Most importantly, his face burned with shame.
One could only imagine how Old Qian from Shanghu Town would mock him at the next city meeting.
The Lu family of Shanghu Town had owned cloth shops in Dayu Town before liberation—the Lus were practically half-natives of Dayu Town. If they could invest in Shanghu Town, then Dayu Town wasn't out of the question either. Moreover, Dayu Town was right next to Tongtian Lake—the entire Nanhu City's aquatic products depended on Dayu Town.
If they were opening a food processing factory, wasn't there also a chance for cooperation? Every household in Dayu Town knew how to make spicy dried fish, and they had the delicious, rich-roe Chinese mitten crabs. Their aquatic resources were extremely abundant.
Having figured out the key to the matter, Wang Mingliang suddenly stood up from his chair and clapped his hands. If you don't fight and don't strive, you get nothing. Fight and strive, and there's opportunity.
Wang Mingliang was a man of action. That very day, he brought his people and rushed to Shanghu Town. The town had only one guesthouse, so finding the person wouldn't be a problem.
Lu Chuyu was currently lying on her bed, chewing on the end of a pen, pondering how to plan the food factory. Hearing the knock on the door, she asked, "What is it?"
"Boss, Wang Mingliang, the commune director of Dayu Town, is waiting for you at the front desk downstairs. He says he'd like to meet with you."
Han Jianhua's voice came from outside the door.
Lu Chuyu glanced down at her watch. It was almost mealtime, so she replied, "Give me a moment."
She climbed out of bed and picked out an apple-green suit dress, paired with a small white hat.
This outfit had been custom-made by a tailor when she was in Los Angeles, inspired by Audrey Hepburn's look in the 1964 film Paris When It Sizzles. Such a striking apple green would naturally draw everyone's attention in China at this time—she wanted to collect as many Emotion Points as possible.
Wang Mingliang was momentarily stunned when he saw Lu Chuyu. Why was this Ms. Lu dressed like a green bean bug?
"Ms. Lu, hello. I've heard so much about you. I'm Wang Mingliang, commune director of Dayu Town. I apologize for showing up uninvited."
Fortunately, Lu Chuyu had no idea what Wang Mingliang had just been thinking. She smiled in response. "Director Wang, hello. It's just about mealtime—why don't we discuss matters at the state-run restaurant? I recall they have private rooms there."
"Fine, fine, fine. My treat," Wang Mingliang quickly agreed.
The group walked to the state-run restaurant, and along the way, someone even walked into a utility pole because they turned their head to stare at Lu Chuyu.
"Good heavens, that one in green is the overseas Chinese who's going to build a factory in our town? Why does she look different from us—just like a foreign devil?"
"Did you see that? Her eyes are glowing green."
"What do you know? She's a half-breed—no wait, a mixed-blood. I heard she's got serious background. That female foreign devil's mother was the daughter of the Lu family, the big rich family in our town, and her father is a big tycoon from America."
"No wonder. But she really is beautiful. And rich too."
"Isn't that bald-headed guy the commune director of Dayu Town? Damn, isn't he here to steal our town's investment? I need to go to the commune office right now."
"What's she wearing? All flashy and strange. You can tell at a glance she's not a good person. Our ancestors said it best—those not of our kind must have different intentions. Her building a factory in our town doesn't seem like a good thing to me either."
"Clearly not a proper person at all."
"Old Liu's wife, your eldest son still doesn't have a job, right? We all heard what you said today. When the factory actually gets built, don't you dare go sign up."
"Who knows if it'll even get built? Nothing's set in stone yet. Hmph."
Lu Chuyu had long been accustomed to being the center of attention. As for the gossip and idle talk, she paid it no mind whatsoever—good or bad, it was all Emotion Points. Anyone who contributed Emotion Points to her was a good comrade.
The private rooms at the state-run restaurant were generally not open to the public. Although Wang Mingliang was not a leading cadre of Shanghu Town, he was from the neighboring town, and once he flashed his credentials, the enthusiastic waitress naturally led him to a private room. Moreover, with Lu Chuyu, who had already become a well-known overseas Chinese in Shanghu Town, no one dared to be negligent.
Once at the dinner table, Wang Mingliang didn't beat around the bush and directly stated his purpose.
"Ms. Lu, our Dayu Town is right next to Tiantong Lake, which is known as the number one lake in Sanxiang. It's extremely rich in aquatic products. Every household in Dayu Town knows how to make spicy dried fish."
As he spoke, he pulled out a small jar of marinated spicy dried fish from his bag and placed it on the table.
"I'm not sure if you can handle spicy food, Ms. Lu. This small jar is mildly spicy. Please have a taste—you can eat several big bowls of rice with it. I guarantee that after eating it, you'll have a lingering fragrance in your mouth and an unforgettable aftertaste.
Not only that, but Tiantong Lake's most famous product is our Chinese mitten crab with tender meat and rich roe. It has the characteristics of a green back, white belly, yellow fur, and golden claws. It'll be the perfect time to harvest them in a while, and I'll bring you some later.
Chinese soft-shelled turtles and yellow eels are also extremely famous, not to mention other aquatic products. It's not me, Wang Mingliang, bragging—when it comes to aquatic products in the entire Nanhu City, you have to look at our Dayu Town. So, since you're planning to invest in a quick-frozen food factory, is there a chance for us to cooperate?"
This was an unexpected pleasant surprise.
Lu Chuyu picked up her chopsticks and took a piece of dried fish. Wang Mingliang really hadn't exaggerated—it was indeed fragrant as she chewed, and the mildly spicy flavor made it hard for her, someone who couldn't handle much spice, to stop eating. If this were made into canned goods or small vacuum-sealed bags that could be torn open and eaten as a snack, sales would certainly not be low.
Not only domestically, but it also had great prospects for overseas sales.
The hairy crabs could also be made into crispy fragrant crabs, spicy crabs, crab meat sticks, and so on. It really would be worth having in-depth cooperation with Dayu Town. Moreover, since the two towns were adjacent, transportation wouldn't be a concern.
"This spicy dried fish is indeed extremely delicious. The food factory I'm planning to build will primarily produce quick-frozen foods, and this dried fish fits perfectly. Director Wang, let's schedule a time later to discuss the cooperation details in depth. This dried fish product should also be very popular if exported overseas."
Lu Chuyu dangled a "bait" that delighted Wang Mingliang beyond measure and made it impossible for him to refuse.
"What? Export overseas?"
Wang Mingliang stood up excitedly, his face flushing red from the thrill. He enthusiastically grabbed Lu Chuyu's hand with both of his. "Ms. Lu, then I'll be waiting for your good news! You probably know a bit about this—what our country needs most right now is foreign exchange. If we can really export and earn foreign currency for the country, then I, Wang Mingliang, owe you my very life."
"You're too kind, Director Wang. I still have Chinese blood flowing through my veins, and my heart is red. Naturally, I'm willing to contribute a small, insignificant amount of strength to China."
This meal could be described as a pleasant gathering for both host and guest.
But Guo Weihua, who had just rushed back from the provincial capital, was not doing well at all.
He had barely stepped into his office and hadn't even settled into his chair when he heard his subordinates report that Secretary Wang of the Dayu Town commune was currently dining with Lu Chuyu in a private room at the state-run restaurant.
Damn it, his home was about to be raided!
That shameless Wang Mingliang!
Guo Weihua didn't even have time to drink a sip of tea before rushing out. He happened to run into Qian Changjiang in the hallway and was grabbed by him. "Secretary Guo, I just heard the province approved it? We're really letting foreign capital have the final say?"
"Hey, Old Qian, let go of me quickly! I'm telling you, Wang Mingliang is right now eating with Ms. Lu at the state-run restaurant. You don't need me to spell out what that old fox is up to. Now let me go!"
Hearing this, Qian Changjiang quickly released his grip on Guo Weihua's hand. "Let's go, I'll come with you. I knew that Wang Mingliang was a schemer—he's trying to poach from us."
He couldn't afford to worry about anything else right now. After all, the higher-ups had given their approval. Even if he wasn't happy about it or had objections, that was their own internal matter within Shanghu Town. Even if the meat went bad, it had to rot in their own pot—there was no way they'd let someone else snatch the food.
"Oh, isn't this Secretary Guo and Director Qian? Are you here to eat too? Hahaha, I just finished my meal with Ms. Lu. I won't disturb you two then. Ms. Lu, I'll be waiting to hear from you. Secretary Guo, Director Qian, see you around."
Lu Chuyu also smiled and said, "Take care, Director Wang."
After Wang Mingliang left the state-run restaurant, he felt that today's weather was truly wonderful—the sky was so blue, and the clouds were so white.
And when he thought about the look in Qian Changjiang's eyes, as if he wanted to bite him, he felt satisfied inside. No matter what, their Dayu Town had managed to get a piece of the pie.
Delightful.
Back in the private room at the state-run restaurant, Guo Weihua and Qian Changjiang exchanged a glance. He couldn't very well directly ask about Wang Mingliang's purpose, so he could only smile and exchange pleasantries first.
Then he mentioned that the provincial authorities had already approved Lu Chuyu's request, and since fate had brought them together at the state-run restaurant, why not take the opportunity to discuss the matters concerning the joint venture factory.
Lu Chuyu naturally saw through Guo Weihua's little scheme. She didn't expose him, nor did she proactively bring up Wang Mingliang's purpose for coming. Instead, she declined with a polite smile, saying, "I still need some time to organize the plans for the joint venture factory. Let's talk again tomorrow. I won't disturb Secretary Guo and Director Qian's meal any longer."
"Alright, alright, we'll talk again tomorrow."
Guo Weihua smiled as he saw Lu Chuyu out, but his heart was in turmoil. Could Wang Mingliang really have stolen the deal from under his nose? After all the effort he'd put in at the provincial level, was he going to end up making a wedding dress for someone else?
The more he thought about it, the more anxious he felt.