64: Chapter 64 The Mayor's Reception

Two hours later

Xue Zhongde followed Zhang Wei out of the Museum, looking somewhat anxious and indecisive. 'I was too nervous just now. I hope I didn't say anything wrong.'

Just moments ago, the mayor had personally received Zhang Wei backstage, thanking him for leaving the imperial seal of china in the City Name.

Zhang Wei took the opportunity to introduce Xue Zhongde, who was standing nearby, to the mayor. He briefly explained about the contract for the Instrument Factory and their plans for cultivation.

The Instrument Factory was notoriously the City Name's biggest mess. Hearing that the factory was now finding its own way out, the mayor was very pleased. After asking a few questions, he patted Xue Zhongde on the shoulder and praised him a few times, which thrilled Old Xue.

'You did fine. Didn't you even take a photo with the mayor before leaving? Post that on your social media when you get back, and who in the Instrument Factory would dare mess with you after that?'

Just then, Liu Haorui walked over. Zhang Wei asked curiously, 'Finished filming the video that quickly?'

'Don't even mention it,' Liu Haorui replied weakly. 'It was going fine at first, but then a bunch of experts and professors showed up. They were all old-timers and just pushed me out. One old guy even scolded me for handling the imperial seal without gloves. As if I ever wore gloves when I was polishing it right after it was dug up.'

Zhang Wei burst out laughing. 'These are all renowned experts and professors. Consider it an honor they even bothered to scold you.'

Hearing the occasional exclamations of surprise coming from the direction of the imperial seal's display case, Zhang Wei decided not to join the crowd. He turned to Xue Zhongde and said, 'Old Xue, how's it going with the evidence against that Factory Director Zhang? Can we get rid of him by the end of the year?'

Xue Zhongde smiled. 'Almost there. I got several deputy directors from the factory to jointly report him. There are just a few members of the factory leadership who are still hesitating. But after this meeting with the mayor, I doubt there'll be any more obstacles.'

Zhang Wei nodded. Since that Factory Director Zhang had tried to pull a dirty trick on him, he couldn't blame Zhang Wei for making sure he never recovered. It would also serve as a warning to Xue Zhongde. From now on, no one would dare cause trouble regarding matters at the Instrument Factory.

Just then, his phone rang. It was An Xiaoxi calling. 'When are you coming back? I want Korean fried chicken tonight. I just saw the female lead in a Korean drama eating it, and it looked so delicious. I want to try it too.'

Zhang Wei pretended to be serious. 'I'm not coming back for dinner tonight. But you dare eat Korean fried chicken?'

An Xiaoxi, holding Nut, asked in confusion, 'Why can't I eat it? Is it very spicy?'

Zhang Wei sighed. 'Kid, you need to be more careful. Haven't you noticed how characters in Korean dramas are always getting leukemia, cancer, or something? Their food is all contaminated with heavy metals, don't you know? It's like it's been fished out of nuclear wastewater. Be careful, you might wake up tomorrow with an extra finger.'

An Xiaoxi realized Zhang Wei was messing with her and got furious. 'You jerk, stop lying to me! If you don't want to buy it, don't make up such ridiculous excuses. Believe me, I'll smash your room to pieces right now!'

'Tsk, taking kindness for granted.' Zhang Wei, of course, wouldn't admit it. He sighed and said, 'Since you don't believe me, I'll just order you some delivery. It's not that expensive. I'm genuinely worried about your health.'

'That's more like it.' Soon after, An Xiaoxi received the delivery Zhang Wei had ordered. To be fair, Zhang Wei was quite generous—he'd ordered a whole two hundred yuan worth of fried chicken, with all sorts of flavors.

Looking at the fried chicken in front of her, An Xiaoxi remembered what Zhang Wei had said earlier. Her mind conjured up all sorts of images, and she completely lost her appetite. 'Zhang Wei, you jerk! Give me back my appetite!'

Meanwhile, Zhang Wei was at Sun Yicheng's place, locked in a battle of wills with her. To get back at her for provoking him at the pool earlier that day, Zhang Wei had to use every trick in the book. He barely managed to come out on top. Lying in bed, feeling the soreness in his lower back, he silently ordered delivery for two dozen oysters.

'By the way, how's your boss's health?'

'You don't know? I might be out of a job soon,' Sun Yicheng replied with concern. 'She seems to have been admitted to the ICU. Our boss is divorced, hasn't remarried, and has no children. In her current condition, she definitely won't be able to manage the business. The gym will probably either shut down or be sold. I have no idea what's going to happen next.'

Hearing this, Zhang Wei had a sudden idea. 'How much do you think your gym is worth?'

Sun Yicheng tapped her chin thoughtfully. 'I don't know the exact figure, but the boss once mentioned she invested over five million to buy the property. With the renovations and fitness equipment, it's probably worth seven or eight million.'

Zhang Wei thought for a moment and said, 'Here's what you do. Find an opportunity to ask her if she's willing to sell. If she is, try to negotiate the lowest possible price.'

Sun Yicheng looked surprised. 'You want to buy it? But that's not a small amount of money to take over a place like this.'

'Don't worry about that,' Zhang Wei laughed heartily. 'If I can take it over, you'll be the manager right away. How about I give you 10% of the shares too?'

The environment at this gym was truly excellent, and it had the highest customer traffic among the nearby gyms. It was clear the owner had put real effort into running it.

Zhang Wei currently had twenty million sitting in his account and was itching for an investment opportunity. This seemed like the perfect project falling right into his lap.

Sun Yicheng's eyes lit up. 'That would be amazing! Our gym's profits have always been quite good. I'm confident I can keep the place profitable, Boss~.'

'So, how are you going to thank your future boss?'

Sun Yicheng gave a seductive smile, pulled the covers over her head, leaving only her eyes visible. She blinked playfully.

'Whoa! I was just joking. Are you getting the wrong idea again? At the very least, let me finish the oysters when the delivery arrives,' Zhang Wei said, both amused and exasperated.

Never underestimate a woman's strength. Even after polishing off two dozen oysters, Zhang Wei still felt light-headed and terribly sore. He made up an excuse and headed back to Jiangnan Garden.

He was joking, but if he stayed any longer, he might not make it out alive today.

As soon as he opened the door, he saw An Xiaoxi training Nut. The dog was indeed clever and had already learned to play dead. An Xiaoxi made a gun shape with her hand, and Nut instantly dropped to the ground, motionless, while sneakily peeking at An Xiaoxi with its eyes. The whole act was hilariously absurd.

Zhang Wei noticed the Korean fried chicken on the table, untouched. He walked over, opened the packaging, and took a piece, popping it into his mouth.

'The cheese flavor is pretty strong,' he said after devouring a piece, licking his fingers and mumbling.

'Didn't you say this stuff is like it's been soaked in nuclear wastewater and would cause mutations if eaten?' An Xiaoxi was furious. This guy was inhuman—he was actually eating it!

Zhang Wei said nonchalantly, 'I'm not Korean. Their viruses can't touch me. Besides, are you dumb? Nuclear wastewater is the little japanese's thing. What does that have to do with the Koreans?'

An Xiaoxi was so angry she put Nut on the floor and shouted, 'Nut, go bite him!'

Nut actually obeyed, sprinting over with its paws flying. Zhang Wei calmly took a chicken wing and held it out. The dog stopped instantly, no longer baring its teeth, its tail wagging furiously. It gulped down the chicken wing in a few bites, then licked Zhang Wei's hand, looking at him with hopeful eyes.

'Do you know why Labradors can't be guard dogs?' Zhang Wei laughed. 'Because they have no bottom line when it comes to food.'