67: Chapter 67 Harassed

The inspection convoy drove toward the abandoned mining area.

Along the way, Secretary He Mingxuan explained the planning proposal in detail. Chairman Jiang Ruhu nodded from time to time and occasionally raised a few sharp technical questions, all of which Secretary He Mingxuan answered fluently.

Standing on the observation deck at the highest point of the mining area, overlooking the entire redevelopment planning zone, Chairman Jiang Ruhu held up the planning map to compare it with the actual site and suddenly asked:

"Secretary Xiao, this location is planned for our factory building, but the slope is so steep that the cost of foundation treatment will be very high."

Xiao Bei was well prepared: "Chairman Jiang, please look over there."

He pointed to a relatively flat area on the east side. "This is our reserved alternative plot. The terrain is flat, and it is closer to the planned logistics channel."

Chairman Jiang Ruhu squinted to look at it, then suddenly laughed: "Good lad, so this is where you were waiting for me! This plot is indeed more suitable. Why did you push for the previous location?"

Xiao Bei replied candidly: "To be honest, the original plot involves the relocation of several households, and we wanted to prioritize livelihood issues. But if your company prefers the eastern plot, we will certainly respect the enterprise's choice."

"Hahaha!" Chairman Jiang Ruhu laughed heartily. "Secretary Xiao, although you are young, you are well-versed in the art of negotiation. However, I like honest people. Just for this, let's continue our discussion."

The inspection lasted for three hours, and Chairman Jiang Ruhu became increasingly satisfied with the redevelopment plan for the mining area.

Near noon, Xiao Bei suggested: "Chairman Jiang, it is already lunchtime. We have prepared a simple meal at a restaurant in town. What do you think..."

Chairman Jiang Ruhu waved his hand: "Don't bother with those big hotel routines. I came here this time just to taste your local specialties. Do you have any of those... old restaurants that locals often go to?"

Xiao Bei exchanged a glance with Secretary He Mingxuan: "We do, but I'm afraid the environment might be too simple..."

"Authenticity is exactly what I want!" Chairman Jiang Ruhu said with great interest. "When I was inspecting abroad, the most memorable places were those family-run restaurants in small alleys. Lead the way!"

Twenty minutes later, the group arrived at a small restaurant at the east end of town called "Old Place."

The storefront was small, but it was kept clean and tidy. Several yellowed old photos and calligraphy works hung on the walls.

The restaurant owner, Zhou Hua, was a middle-aged man in his fifties. Seeing Xiao Bei bringing guests in, he hurriedly greeted them: "Secretary Xiao, you're here! Please come in. I've saved the best private room for you."

Xiao Bei introduced them with a smile: "Uncle Zhou, this is Chairman Jiang of Green Energy New Materials, who came specifically to taste our Bishi Town home-style dishes."

"Oh, what an honored guest!" Zhou Hua enthusiastically shook Chairman Jiang Ruhu's hand. "What would Chairman Jiang like to eat? Our stewed chicken with mountain bamboo shoots and stir-fried cured meat with scallions are our signature dishes."

Chairman Jiang Ruhu's eyes lit up: "Good! Just those two, plus a few seasonal vegetables. Just enough for us to eat is fine."

After three rounds of drinks, the atmosphere in the private room was lively.

Xiao Bei stood up with his glass, his face full of attentive smiles: "Chairman Jiang, let me toast you again! The suggestions you made during today's site inspection have truly enlightened us!"

Chairman Jiang Ruhu was clearly pleased by this flattery and raised his glass with a smile: "Secretary Xiao, you are young and promising. Mayor Qin really has a keen eye for talent to entrust Bishi Town to cadres like you!"

"You're too kind." Xiao Bei lowered his voice with feigned humility. "To tell you the truth, our entire town is looking forward to the entry of a leading enterprise like Green Energy. You see this glass of wine—"

He deliberately lowered his glass to clink against the bottom of Chairman Jiang Ruhu's glass. "I'll finish mine; please feel free to drink as you wish!"

Just as the atmosphere was getting heated, the beautiful secretary brought by Chairman Jiang Ruhu, Tian Yuan, quietly stood up: "Chairman Jiang, I'm going to the restroom."

Chairman Jiang Ruhu nodded casually, his attention still on the table. Tian Yuan picked up her LV handbag and walked out of the private room on tiptoes.

Outside the back door of the restaurant was a narrow alley, and the restroom was at the end of it.

Tian Yuan carefully walked across the slippery stone path in her high heels, calculating that she should remind Chairman Jiang not to drink too much when she returned.

When she came out of the restroom, Tian Yuan was suddenly blocked by three drunken young men.

"Yo, beauty, haven't seen you around. Are you from out of town?"

The leading young man with yellow hair sprayed alcohol fumes, his eyes staring straight at Tian Yuan's slender legs.

Tian Yuan frowned and turned to the side, trying to bypass them: "Please move aside."

"Don't be in such a hurry to leave!" The yellow-haired man grabbed her wrist. "Have a drink with us brothers. I guarantee it'll be more interesting than keeping those old men company inside!"

"Let go of me!" Tian Yuan struggled hard, and her LV bag fell to the ground, scattering cosmetics everywhere.

"Quite feisty!" Another young man with red hair came up and reached out to touch Tian Yuan's face. "This skin, tsk tsk, city girls are just different..."

Tian Yuan screamed: "Help! Chairman Jiang! Secretary Xiao!"

In the private room, Xiao Bei was just getting to the crucial point: "Chairman Jiang, the biggest advantage of our project is..."

Suddenly, a faint cry for help interrupted him.

Secretary He Mingxuan was the first to react: "It sounds like Secretary Tian's voice!"

Chairman Jiang Ruhu's expression changed abruptly, and he stood up suddenly: "What's going on?"

Xiao Bei had already rushed out, with Secretary He Mingxuan and Director Liu Yinyin following closely behind.

The three of them ran to the back alley following the sound, only to see Tian Yuan surrounded by three thugs, her clothes disheveled.

"Stop!" Xiao Bei roared, rushed forward in a few strides, and shoved the yellow-haired youth away. "What are you doing!"

The yellow-haired youth stumbled a few steps. After seeing who it was, he was not afraid but instead became arrogant: "Yo, more busybodies? Do you know who I am?"

Secretary He Mingxuan had already shielded Tian Yuan, and Director Liu Yinyin hurried to help her tidy her clothes.

Chairman Jiang Ruhu arrived at this moment. Seeing his secretary in such a disheveled state, his face was so gloomy that it could drip water.

"Chairman Jiang..." Tian Yuan's voice trembled, and tears welled up in her eyes.

Chairman Jiang Ruhu coldly scanned the three thugs: "Secretary Xiao, is this the public security of your Bishi Town?"

Cold sweat seeped from Xiao Bei's forehead. If this matter wasn't handled well, the project that was about to be concluded might fall through.

He suppressed his anger and questioned the yellow-haired youth: "Which village are you from? Do you want to eat prison food? Do you know this is illegal behavior?"

"Illegal?" The yellow-haired youth sneered and pointed to his own nose. "I, Li Chengzhe, walk sideways in this area and no one dares to control me! Do you know who my uncle is? Town Mayor Sun Jiaming of Bishi Town!"

As soon as these words were spoken, the atmosphere at the scene suddenly froze.

Xiao Bei's eyes narrowed. Secretary He Mingxuan and Director Liu Yinyin exchanged a shocked glance—if what Li Chengzhe said was true, this matter would be complicated.

"Good, very good." Xiao Bei laughed out of extreme anger, took out his phone, and dialed a number. "Town Mayor Sun, please come to the back alley of the 'Old Place' restaurant immediately, right now!"