23: Chapter 23 The Development Path of Mishui Township

Shang Rou used the word "desolate" to describe it.

That was correct; the most imposing piece of furniture in the room was that wardrobe.

The nightstands were just simple, small square tables used as temporary substitutes.

Director Zhou Qiang had once offered to purchase furniture for him, but Sun Ning had refused.

The current conditions were already very good, and he wouldn't be living here for many more years anyway.

One had to understand that before his older sister got married, he had lived in a small wooden shed inside a stairwell.

And that was the kind without any windows.

He had lived quite comfortably even then, let alone in such good conditions as these.

"Senior Sister, you're joking again! I am simply finding contentment in poverty."

Shang Rou said irritably, "I think you're just looking for suffering when you don't have to!"

Sun Ning didn't want to dwell on this with Shang Rou.

Trying to explain the contentment of poverty to this young lady who had never known hardship would be a pointless argument.

"How many days does Senior Sister plan to stay here?"

"Are you leaving tonight?"

"Huh?"

"I'm just teasing you. How could I leave without draining you dry? I don't want you having the energy to flirt with any pretty young women."

"I saw a pretty young woman in the office today who looked quite nice. Is she one of your admirers?"

Sun Ning found it amusing; Shang Rou was really getting jealous over nothing.

The person she was talking about was likely a staff member from the Party and Government Office.

It seemed she was the daughter-in-law of a retired leader.

She didn't even stop to think—how could there be any real beauties in such a small place?

Such scarce resources wouldn't stay in the township.

However, Shang Rou's teasing successfully stirred up Sun Ning's desire.

He hadn't tasted meat for over ten days.

For a man of his age, and one who had already experienced such intimacy,

enduring it was a tremendous agony.

Without another word, Sun Ning grabbed Shang Rou and headed outside.

The soundproofing in the self-built brick-concrete house was simply too poor, and this bed couldn't withstand Sun Ning's tossing and turning.

Besides, he could endure harsh conditions and find joy in them,

but he didn't want Shang Rou to suffer along with him.

Just sleeping one night on this hard bed without a mattress would leave this wealthy young lady aching all over.

In an instant, Sun Ning felt it was necessary to buy an apartment in the county seat.

Even if he didn't live there usually, there would be a place for Shang Rou to stay when she visited.

Now was not the time to think about all that; the most important thing right now was to eat meat, eat meat, and eat more meat.

How anxious was Sun Ning at this moment?

Just look at how he took the initiative to sit in the driver's seat, and you'd know.

Once in the driver's seat, Sun Ning realized something he had previously overlooked.

"Where did this new car come from? Did Senior Brother Gao arrange it for you?"

"I entrusted Senior Brother to buy it before I came. Senior Brother said he let your childhood friend handle the whole process, and it's for you to drive from now on."

"Spending money recklessly again. If you buy a car, do you think I'd dare to drive it?"

Sun Ning was puzzled; he had spoken to Deputy Chief Wei Minhang on the phone just a few days ago.

He hadn't heard him mention anything about buying a car.

They must have been so focused on the surveillance matter that they hadn't talked about anything else.

Since the car had already been bought, Sun Ning didn't intend to return it.

It could just gather dust at the residential compound; it would be much more convenient for trips to Zhongzhou later.

Even if people from Gongfan County found out, Sun Ning wasn't afraid.

His personal assets had already been reported back when he was at the Development and Reform Commission.

It was all legitimate income from stock trading during his university years.

The discipline inspection team there had the documentation for it; financially, he could withstand any investigation.

The car sped along, and Sun Ning arrived at the county seat in thirty minutes.

This was also thanks to the fact that there weren't many private cars on the road at this time.

On the way, Sun Ning kept discussing the electric bicycle business with Shang Rou.

This was the economic pillar Sun Ning wanted to find for Mishui Township, and even for Gongfan County.

It was also the greatest political achievement he was preparing for himself.

Unfortunately, this project wasn't as simple as pig farming or the feed mill.

This thing would probably take half a year to prepare.

These two years were also the best time for electric vehicles to enter the market.

This year, the national production of electric bicycles was 6 million, and the "Road Traffic Safety Law" had clearly categorized electric bicycles under non-motorized vehicle management.

Next year, it would double, reaching 12 million units.

And by 2007, they would be widely popularized on a large scale.

Even up until the year Sun Ning was reborn, electric bicycles remained enduringly popular.

Not to mention that electric bicycles were the preferred mode of transport for urban workers commuting to work.

Just looking at how every rural household had at least one electric tricycle and one electric bicycle, one could see just how huge the market and prospects were.

Shang Rou said she had already successfully found an electric vehicle enterprise on the verge of bankruptcy in a city in the south.

Negotiations were currently underway, and she believed there would be results soon.

In fact, by doing this, Sun Ning also had the intention of laying the groundwork for future new energy vehicles.

But he hadn't mentioned this to Shang Rou.

The timing wasn't right.

He didn't have the capital to engage in new energy research and development right now.

Upon arriving at the county seat, Sun Ning was preparing to head to the County Party Committee guesthouse to stay.

"Go to Wenxin Residential Compound!"

"You bought it today?"

"That's right. The guesthouse has too many eyes; if a Township Head like you brings a beautiful woman there, it's inevitable that you'll be discovered."

"I'm still unmarried; it's perfectly normal to be dating someone."

The response he got was a pair of beautiful, rolling eyes.

Sun Ning turned the steering wheel and drove toward Wenxin Residential Compound.

Wenxin Residential Compound was a commercial residential building newly completed the year before last.

At the time, advertisements claimed that Wenxin Residential Compound was the most luxurious residential area in Gongfan County, and it sold out as soon as it opened.

In his past life, during these years, his parents had insisted that he buy a house to use as a marital home.

He had looked at this compound too, but thought it was too expensive and didn't buy it.

Who would have thought that in this life, it would be casually bought by his own woman.

"You, you won't leave Gongfan County until you've made a name for yourself, so you need to have a home here."

"A big man like you doesn't care about these little things."

"So this big sister can only do it for you."

"Let's set this straight first: this is a house bought by your big sister. If anyone else moves in, they must be approved by me, okay!"

Sun Ning couldn't help himself and gave her a flick to the forehead.

Shang Rou's words really made him grit his teeth in frustration.

"Giggle... You're such a beast, I can't handle you by myself."

"But you are not allowed to find any sleazy women!"

"I can only be the one in charge for these few years; the future Mrs. Sun will be in charge later!"

Vixen!

Sun Ning was gritting his teeth in frustration at this moment, and his foot on the gas pedal pressed down a little harder without him realizing it.

In truth, Sun Ning was still very touched; Shang Rou had traveled all the way to Gongfan County and managed to buy an apartment in just one day.

He didn't need to look to know that this apartment must have been fully renovated and never lived in before.

There were no apps or online platforms back then, so she must have expended a tremendous amount of energy to buy this place.

Paying a premium was the least of the things involved in this process.

The car quickly entered Wenxin Residential Compound.

Under Shang Rou's direction, the car parked downstairs at Building 8.

The apartment Shang Rou bought was on the 3rd floor, and just as Sun Ning had expected, it was already renovated.

It looked like it had been cleaned spotless.

Sun Ning was starving, and without caring about anything else, he scooped up Shang Rou and rushed toward the bedroom.

"Put me down quickly, I need to shower."

"Together!"

Sun Ning slammed on the brakes, turned around, and headed to the bathroom.

A long while later, in the bedroom, Sun Ning was blow-drying Shang Rou's hair.

And Shang Rou was rubbing her knees incessantly.

She complained, "This crappy apartment is still too small, and there isn't even a villa in this Gongfan County."