The moment Lu Chengwen stood, the room fell silent.
He had transformed completely.
Gone were the sleazy glint in his eyes and the cunning smirk.
The Lu Chengwen before them now was poised, confident, and charismatic—despite the stench of rotten eggs wafting through the meeting room.
He spoke:
"You all saw what happened outside. My suit was torn by an old lady, my face and neck scratched up. Why? Because her grandson can't go to school. Because her son, a deliveryman, broke his leg and lost their income. Because she's sick and can't afford medicine. So… I became her punching bag."
"Cough, cough." Mayor Zhao quickly interjected, "The people can get impulsive when they're struggling. Ultimately, it's our government's failure…"
Lu Chengwen boldly raised a hand, cutting off the mayor.
Everyone, including Mayor Zhao and Secretary Wu, was stunned.
"Sorry, Mayor Zhao, let me finish."
He continued, "But that lady said something that hit me hard. She yelled in my face: 'You rich folks in your fancy cars and villas—do you ever think about the poor?'"
Lu Chengwen clapped his hands sharply. "That's been true since ancient times. Today, I, Lu Chengwen, am making a solemn promise!"
The room held its breath.
His voice rang out, firm and resolute: "Dasheng Group will see the shantytown project through to the end…"
At those words, Mayor Zhao exhaled in relief, the weight of his administrative burden palpable.
Leng Qingqiu, Xu Xuejiao, and Chen Mengyun were floored.
Was this the same Lu Chengwen who never took a loss, always chasing profit?
Hadn't Long Aotian threatened him just yesterday?
With a terrifying assassin group backing Long Aotian, how could he…
Lu Chengwen's eyes blazed with fury. "Dasheng Group can go bankrupt, but we will ensure every grandma in Xuecheng can afford her medicine! That every child can go to school! That every working person has a secure life!"
Mayor Zhao was thrilled.
Good heavens, a conscientious entrepreneur!
If Lu Chengwen kept these promises, he'd be Xuecheng's hero—a titan of industry restoring the people's trust!
As the mayor started to clap, Lu Chengwen, still fuming, added, "And another thing! I'm cleaning up the farmers' market!"
Everyone froze. What does this have to do with the farmers' market!?
Lu Chengwen roared, aggrieved, "Stop selling rotten eggs to old ladies! I propose we treat vendors peddling bad eggs like they're selling biochemical weapons—execute them, arrest them, then shove bamboo sticks under their nails and douse them in saltwater…"
Mayor Zhao jumped up. "Alright, enough about the egg vendors! Let's give Boss Lu a round of applause for his heartfelt dedication to Xuecheng's people!"
Lu Chengwen, still riled, gestured to the mayor. "This suit was expensive! That lady ruined it—talk about losing face…"
"Yes, yes, it's on me. I'll personally cover it!"
"It's the smell—Mayor, take a whiff…"
"Shut it!" Mayor Zhao, half-laughing, half-exasperated, said, "Watch it, or I'll smack you!"
Lu Chengwen pressed on. "One more thing! I request the task force immediately compile a list of struggling residents. For the past three years' rent, Dasheng Group will cover it all at once! Kids who can't attend school—figure it out! How can kids not go to school when they're entitled to homes? And for those unable to work due to injury or illness, we need specific policies. Our Ninth Pharmaceutical Factory can partner closely, providing one-on-one aid at cost price…"
"Fantastic!" Mayor Zhao gripped Lu Chengwen's hand, at a loss for words, patting his shoulder. "Chengwen, on behalf of Xuecheng's people, thank you!"
"And the rotten egg vendors…"
"Enough! Can you drop the egg thing for now?"
"It's the smell on me—take a sniff…"
Mayor Zhao was losing it. "Where's the damn clothing delivery!? Someone shut this kid up!"
He was overjoyed.
A clever chef can't cook without ingredients, and Xuecheng's economy had been struggling for two years.
Mayor Zhao, in office for two and a half years, had grand plans but no funds.
The shantytown project was a crushing burden.
If it could take off, Xuecheng would see its spring!
Getting entrepreneurs to invest was like pulling teeth. The government couldn't fund much, and historical debts needed someone to take responsibility.
No amount of begging worked—entrepreneurs might humor you, but billions for a risky project? No way.
They'd tried everything, but lacked a leader to take charge.
Thankfully, Lu Chengwen had a moment of insanity… no, noble integrity.
Without him, the project could stall for years, dragging Xuecheng down and missing critical growth opportunities.
Mayor Zhao promptly called a press conference to share the news.
Meanwhile, Lu Chengwen had Li Meiqin transfer the fifty billion received yesterday to the city's shantytown task force account.
With that money, Mayor Zhao stood tall.
When he'd first arrived, Xuecheng's growth was sluggish, lacking major investments or flagship enterprises—above all, lacking funds.
He'd gone to provincial leaders, who'd said, "No money, but plenty of tasks! Think our heads are worth something? Sell them for cash! You're a mayor—figure out how to get money, or go home and babysit!"
So, he'd turned to the four major families, led by Lu Chengwen.
Now, with fifty billion in hand, he had leverage!
Without it, would he dare hold a press conference?
Dream on!
Of course, these were Mayor Zhao's inner thoughts.
His efficiency with funds was remarkable.
Why?
The shantytown project had been suffocating him. They'd run calculations and drafted plans repeatedly—only lacking money.
Now, with funds, he could deliver for the people.
Roughly 250,000 shantytown residents, averaging four per household, meant about 70,000 households.
At 4,000 yuan per household annually for rent subsidies, that's 280 to 290 million a year—nearly a billion over three years.
The remaining forty billion could cover job, education, and medical subsidies, compensating residents' losses.
In short, fifty billion was more than enough, with some surplus.
Crucially, it would quell public discontent, boost confidence in the project, and genuinely solve people's problems.
Lu Chengwen refused to attend the press conference, despite Mayor Zhao's assurances that no eggs would get through.
…
Lu Chengwen called Leng Qingqiu, Xu Xuejiao, and Chen Mengyun to a meeting room, pulling out three contracts.
These were guarantees: no matter the project's outcome, Dasheng Group would ensure they recovered their principal.
All three women realized Lu Chengwen had lost it.
He'd rather pour money into real benefits for Xuecheng's people than let Long Aotian profit.
But this move would undoubtedly enrage Long Aotian.
Given Long Aotian's shadowy backing, he wouldn't let Lu Chengwen off.
Leng Qingqiu glanced at the contract, sneered, and tore it up.
Lu Chengwen was shocked. "Qingqiu, what are you doing!?"
"I've got money—why do I need your guarantee? I only invested less than fifty billion. If I lose it, so be it. Signing this—am I even human?"
She shot a glance at Xu Xuejiao and Chen Mengyun.
Chen Mengyun smiled faintly and tore hers up too. "Two hundred billion? I can afford to lose it. Besides, it might not be a total loss. The shantytown will have new buildings—if momentum builds, we might even profit."
Lu Chengwen said, "Mengyun, this is serious. You should discuss it with your family."
Chen Mengyun bristled, glaring at him. "You think I'm less than Leng Qingqiu?"
Leng Qingqiu smirked provocatively, having goaded Chen Mengyun into tearing up the contract.
Lu Chengwen clarified, "That's not what I meant. This isn't a competition…"
"It is a competition!" Chen Mengyun snapped. "You trust Leng Qingqiu but not me!"
As they argued, Xu Xuejiao had already signed her contract, reviewed it happily, and sauntered over to Lu Chengwen, draping an arm around his shoulder. "Little Lu-zi!"
"What did you call me?"
She grinned mischievously. "Listen, you owe your big sister a huge favor today!"
Then she tore up her signed contract, sticking out her tongue at him.
Lu Chengwen's heart warmed.
This stunt of his was bound to make enemies, yet these three confidantes supported him so fiercely.
What's true support? Putting up real money, treating it like nothing, and sharing the risk of massive losses—that's genuine.
Xu Xuejiao giggled. "Little Lu-zi, what's your plan now?"
Lu Chengwen shot her a look. "Stop hanging off me. You're a girl—act like it."
"Ooh, touchy!" She smirked. "Hey, I heard your dad called my dad!"
"So what?"
"Don't you want to know what they talked about?"
"Nope."
He waved them off. "Why are you all still here? Go home."
Leng Qingqiu stepped closer. "Chengwen, what's your next move? Long Aotian won't let this go."
Xu Xuejiao rolled her eyes dramatically.
Leng Qingqiu ignored her.
Lu Chengwen laughed. "When the enemy comes, I'll block; when the flood comes, I'll build a dam. Worst case, I lose my head and get a scar. I've beaten him before—I want to see if this jerk's really invincible."
Chen Mengyun said, "Hire more bodyguards. Stay safe."
Lu Chengwen smiled.
[Bodyguards? Useless against Long Aotian's crew.]
[I'm probably doomed, so I'll finish what I need to do before I go.]
[If I can't change fate, I'll go down fighting! In your world, Long Aotian, you're the hero. But in mine, I, Lu Chengwen, am the protagonist!]
[I may not change much, but if I can get the shantytown project off the ground before I die—high-rises soaring, thousands of families settled—my life won't be in vain!]
[Long Aotian, I've been dodging you, but today, I'm done running. Let's settle this!]
[These girls need to stay clear of me—no need to get dragged down with me.]
With that, Lu Chengwen turned, face stern. "Alright, contracts are done. Get out. Stop bothering me. You girls drive me nuts."
He expected anger, but instead, all three smiled at him.
Lu Chengwen blinked, confused.
[Are these three idiots?]
_
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