“Come on, let’s follow them.”

Having reached this point, Du Zhaohui believed he had uncovered the truth. This was something he should keep to himself – how could he possibly tell Tang Yuanyue?

He might call him “Brother Tang,” but they weren’t brothers.

Even if they were real brothers, when it came to interests at stake, Du Zhaohui wouldn’t hesitate to backstab.

“Manager Meng, you waited until now to tell me such important information. Do you find Tiancheng too small for your ambitions? Perhaps you’re still hoping to follow your Liu Chairman?”

Du Zhaohui dropped this comment before catching up with the others.

Manager Meng felt wronged. He hadn’t expected Young Master Du to take an interest in this project. After Liu Tianquan failed to recruit Liu Yong, Manager Meng rarely saw Young Master Du, leaving no opportunity for flattery.

Who knew Liu Yong would reject Tiancheng only to partner with Dongfeng Holdings now?

Back then, Liu Yong’s refusal had been so firm!

The group led by Tang Hongen had almost finished touring the Nanhai Hotel. Huo Chenzhou pointed at the bare concrete building, explaining the hotel’s plans to Mayor Tang. Those around kept nodding as if they could visualize the finished product through Huo Chenzhou’s description.

Damn, the presentation was terrible, not inspiring at all.

Following Huo Chenzhou’s description, Du Zhaohui thought to himself, that he wouldn’t want to stay in such a hotel!

But Mayor Tang listened attentively, leaving others no choice but to applaud.

Du Zhaohui clapped resentfully: what a bunch of sycophants!

The number one sycophant, Tang Yuanyue, sensed something was wrong. If they let Huo Chenzhou continue his nonsense, Nanhai Hotel’s management rights would soon belong to Dongfeng Holdings.

“Mayor Tang, shall we discuss the details at the meeting venue?”

Huo Chenzhou shot him a cold glance.

Both men were considered elites, both wearing dress shirts with slacks, though Huo Chenzhou certainly lacked Tang Yuanyue’s presence.

Something about Huo Chenzhou exuded confidence. While Tang Yuanyue wore designer brands, Huo Chenzhou wore shirts worth just dozens of yuan, yet still held his own:

“Chairman Tang, discussing on-site gives us a better perspective!”

The tension between them was palpable.

Du Zhaohui interjected, “The sun is strong. We can discuss it just as well at the venue. We don’t mind the heat, but we should consider Mayor Tang’s comfort.”

“Young Du is here too.”

Tang Hongen acted as if he’d just noticed Du Zhaohui.

“Our group’s decoration company is also participating in this bid. My presence isn’t necessary, but when Secretary Peng mentioned you’d be here, I couldn’t miss it.”

With just a few words, Du Zhaohui demonstrated his closeness to Tang Hongen.

Tang Hongen didn’t expose him, “Let’s follow Young Du’s suggestion. The bidding should prioritize shareholder opinions. Let’s discuss details at the venue.”

The group relocated en masse.

Liu Yong had hitched a ride with Dongfeng Holdings. He couldn’t even afford to buy a car, and it wouldn’t have been appropriate to arrive by bicycle.

Now in the same boat as Huo Chenzhou, he reminded him once inside the car: “That must be Young Master Du from Cheng Rong Group. Unexpected that Tiancheng is under his management now. Tiancheng was previously under Liu Tianquan – that family’s dishonesty in business. Last year, Liu Tianquan tried to recruit me just for the Nanhai Hotel decoration project.”

Last year, Liu Yong had firmly refused to join, even when Liu Tianquan dangled the Xiangmihu Resort project as bait.

Thankfully, Xiaolan had seen through it.

Not to mention the nauseating “beauty strategy.”

Huo Chenzhou sneered, “Quite dishonest indeed!”

As competitors, they were having a shareholders’ meeting today, yet yesterday Du Zhaohui had invited him out. Huo Chenzhou, wanting to avoid complications, had directly refused.

This was Liu Yong’s first encounter with Du Zhaohui.

While Du Zhaohui had investigated Xia Xiaolan, Liu Yong had also heard of Young Master Du’s reputation. Simply put, anyone who appreciated Xia Dajun couldn’t be good.

Liu Yong hadn’t been in Shenzhen when Xia Xiaolan had her car accident. He only learned about it after Kang Wei’s surgery was complete.

As an uncle, he lacked the power to stand up for his niece, but he deeply disliked the flamboyant Young Master Du.

Knowing Tiancheng was now under Du Zhaohui’s management and would be bidding, Liu Yong felt an especially strong desire to win.

“Manager Huo, I know you’re clever and might think little of my farming background and my young niece – we might seem inexperienced. You’re not wrong about me. I’m uneducated, don’t understand technology, and even struggle to read blueprints. But my niece is remarkable. She put great effort into creating a 30-million-yuan budget proposal, and there must be a reason for that.”

Liu Yong knew Du Zhaohui was formidable.

Even the cunning and vicious Liu Tianquan had been forced back to Hong Kong by Du Zhaohui.

With Du Zhaohui’s involvement, the bidding became more uncertain!

Huo Chenzhou patted the case containing design drawings at his feet, lost in thought, while Liu Yong worried silently.

Soon, the group arrived at the Municipal Government Guesthouse. While not the only available venue in Shenzhen, it was an appropriately neutral location for bid discussions.

The four investing parties sat around the table with Tang Hongen.

Liu Yong managed to secure a seat.

Everyone at the table was influential, making Liu Yong seem insignificant. However, being at the Municipal Government Guesthouse somehow gave him confidence.

This was ‘Yuan Hui’s’ most successful case – a project Liu Yong had taken on despite his reservations. Back then, he had limited funds, insufficient staff, and little experience… Despite the struggles, he had completed the guesthouse’s decoration and earned a good reputation.

Now Liu Yong had more experience than before.

The design proposal had been vetted by top domestic architects.

Manager Wu had secured bank loans.

What did he have to fear? If the proposal was approved, he’d roll up his sleeves and get to work!

“Ladies and gentlemen, I’m merely an observer today. The municipal government places great importance on the Nanhai Hotel project. It’s not just Shenzhen’s first five-star hotel, but a landmark building that will become Shenzhen’s calling card to the world, and a model of cooperation between foreign and state-owned capital. I believe your debates over the decoration proposals all aim to ensure Nanhai Hotel’s completion meets expectations, comparing economic and aesthetic aspects to select the most suitable proposal. Wouldn’t you agree?”

Tang Hongen’s words naturally drew applause.

He claimed non-interference, but Tang Yuanyue didn’t believe it.

If he truly wasn’t involved, Tang Hongen wouldn’t have appeared alongside Huo Chenzhou. With these remarks, even if he just sat and watched, the representatives from Hong Kong Merchants and HSBC would have to carefully weigh their choices.

At a minimum, the three Hong Kong investors couldn’t gang up against Dongfeng Holdings – Tang Hongen was the stabilizing anchor Huo Chenzhou had invited!

“Mayor Tang is right. Our company has always been concerned with Shenzhen’s economic development and actively participated in it. This is our company’s design proposal for Nanhai Hotel, for the shareholders’ consideration.”

Du Zhaohui took the initiative, placing his proposal on the table.

“A 25-million-yuan budget quote achieving the effect of a 30-million budget – that’s our company’s sincerity! Manager Huo, what do you think?”

Du Zhaohui pressed Huo Chenzhou, expecting him to present a low-budget, shabby proposal – come on, this was a five-star hotel! Even if not meet international standards, it couldn’t be done cheaply!

Huo Chenzhou held Tiancheng’s proposal without speaking. Du Zhaohui thought he had the upper hand, unaware of Manager Huo’s inner thoughts.

Was this a contest between him and Du Zhaohui?

No, it was more like a long-distance duel between Xia Xiaolan and Du Zhaohui!