When they went to retrieve materials, they did encounter some trouble.
However, it wasn’t Liu Tian Quan causing difficulties.
Rather, the Xiang Mi Hu district management expressed dissatisfaction with Liu Yong taking the materials away.
The district was set to open to the public next year, with all projects entering their final stages. Liu Yong had properly registered before starting the renovation work, but now after working for half a month, he wanted to withdraw.
Liu Yong had a massive headache. While Pan San and Li Dong Liang could handle physical confrontations, they couldn’t win this argument with reason.
The delay coincided with a leader’s inspection of the Xiang Mi Hu project progress, accompanied by representatives from Te Neng Group and Zheng Tai Group, who witnessed Liu Yong’s dispute with the Xiang Mi Hu staff.
Liu Yong became the example case.
After listening for a while, the leader told those around him, “We must unite all forces that can be united. The bigger picture is paramount – we can’t delay the holiday resort’s opening next year.”
While the leader’s words were casual, the representatives hadn’t expected to encounter such a situation and were dissatisfied with Liu Yong’s side.
After the leader left, they kept Liu Yong behind for a thorough discussion.
Upon inquiry, they learned Liu Yong had taken the job from Tian Chen. While his qualifications weren’t an issue – Yuan Hui had even completed renovations for the municipal government guesthouse – the problem lay with Tian Chen. How dare they joke around with the Xiang Mi Hu renovation schedule?
When Liu Tian Quan was called in, he immediately grasped the situation.
“I’ve already said it was the carelessness of my subordinates who made mistakes in drafting the contract. The responsible employee has been fired, and we can sign a new contract.”
Liu Tian Quan spoke amiably, patting his big belly, and the Xiang Mi Hu staff couldn’t help but nod.
But Liu Yong became anxious – he didn’t trust Liu Tian Quan and couldn’t work with him again!
Liu Tian Quan’s smile carried a hint of grinding teeth: “Brother, who could understand your company’s design proposal better than you? With Director Pan of the resort watching, we’ll sign a new contract. Would we not pay you after you complete this bit of work?”
Director Pan was the joint representative appointed by the two groups developing the resort.
A project worth a few hundred thousand was just a tiny part of the resort.
Director Pan normally wouldn’t concern himself with such minor matters – he only happened to be present today. With Liu Tian Quan promising to sign a new contract in front of him, Pan knew there must be some complications. His involvement provided a kind of “guarantee” – if Liu Yong still had concerns, who exactly didn’t he trust?
If Liu Yong refused to continue working at Xiang Mi Hu, he would be disrespecting Director Pan – how could he then remove his materials from the district?
“Brother Tian Quan, this isn’t right of you.”
Director Pan wouldn’t stay to argue over a matter worth just a few hundred thousand. Once he left, Liu Tian Quan’s smile became even more meaningful. Liu Yong realized this whole scene was likely orchestrated by Liu Tian Quan… He had many renovation contracts and must have known about the leader’s inspection visit, yet never told Liu Yong.
Before yesterday, they hadn’t even fallen out – what was Liu Tian Quan’s intention?
Liu Tian Quan’s cheeks quivered, “Brother, this shows our brotherhood can’t be broken – we must continue working together.”
Liu Tian Quan truly wanted to keep Liu Yong under his thumb.
He didn’t know Pan San’s background, but Pan San knew about his “business” in Fujian Province. Liu Tian Quan couldn’t possibly let Liu Yong fly free. Of course, this control was mostly about aligned interests – as long as Liu Yong could make money following him, they were like grasshoppers tied to the same rope.
It wasn’t Liu Tian Quan preventing Liu Yong from taking the materials – it was the Xiang Mi Hu Holiday Resort refusing to allow it.
This was the situation Kang Wei and Xiao Lan found when they arrived.
“Xiao Lan, what do you think about this—”
Liu Yong was furious – that fat Liu Tian Quan was bullying them.
“Just leave those materials. Give them to Manager Liu – with his vast business, he can surely make use of these materials.”
Xiao Lan was also very unhappy.
Liu Tian Quan was collaborating with the Xiang Mi Hu district to bully them.
Xiao Lan needed to catch her flight and had no time to waste with Liu Tian Quan. Her main reason for coming to Peng Cheng was concern about her uncle committing “mistakes all men might make.” Family harmony was far more important than gaining or losing tens of thousands. Not only was the hostess situation a false alarm, but they also avoided Liu Yong falling into Liu Tian Quan’s trap.
Xiao Lan felt the financial loss was secondary.
She immediately understood what was happening. Liu Tian Quan was petty but, possibly considering Tang Hong En’s influence, hadn’t pushed things too far. Still, he wanted to maintain some control over Liu Yong.
Liu Yong could bow his head to make money, but being controlled and humiliated wasn’t in his nature.
Xiao Lan shared her uncle’s perspective.
When Xiao Lan said to abandon the materials, Liu Yong did leave with his people.
Pan San approached after leaving the resort, “Sister-in-law…”
Xiao Lan knew he still wanted to take action.
Yet it wasn’t appropriate to let Pan San act, so she could only thank him: “Brother San, you coming here to investigate Liu Tian Quan’s background was enough.”
Regardless of how Pan San investigated, Xiao Lan knew Liu Tian Quan’s background. When Pan San mentioned Liu Tian Quan’s other “business” in Fujian Province, and Tang Hong En advised Xiao Lan not to directly confront Liu Tian Quan, it was all because of his special background.
She and Liu Yong were too small now – with Liu Tian Quan backed by Cheng Rong Group, Yuan Hui couldn’t possibly handle him.
Xiao Lan continued pondering this matter even after boarding her flight.
Encountering someone like Liu Tian Quan in business was inevitable – should she confront him?
…
Liu Tian Quan’s people reported that Xiao Lan had left Peng Cheng.
Liu Tian Quan hadn’t received any hints from Mayor Tang, nor had any warnings come from the supposedly powerful people Fan Yu mentioned. He found it amusing that he had previously given Xiao Lan too much importance. The boss even called Fan Yu in to scold her for making a fuss over nothing.
Fan Yu was confused.
Could Fan Zhen Chuan’s arrest and the Fan family’s various misfortunes just be a coincidence?
Fan Yu didn’t believe it had anything to do with Xiao Lan. Fan Zhen Chuan had forced himself on many women, yet only stumbled upon Xiao Lan.
“Boss, you really should be careful. This woman is mysterious.”
Liu Tian Quan lifted her chin, “You’re quite cautious.”
Fan Yu lowered her head shyly.
Even this bit of coyness wasn’t easy for her to perform.
Liu Tian Quan’s fat face wasn’t even as well-maintained as Fan Zhen Chuan’s. Even Liu Yong, though thin and dark, was better than Liu Tian Quan in Fan Yu’s opinion. Liu Tian Quan was too promiscuous, and not a reliable long-term support.
It was a pity Liu Yong had almost taken the bait.
When Liu Tian Quan asked if she wanted revenge, Fan Yu was tempted but didn’t know how to proceed.
Seduce Liu Yong?
Liu Yong was just Xiao Lan’s uncle – Fan Yu felt becoming Xiao Lan’s aunt wouldn’t mean much. It would be best if Liu Tian Quan could deal with Xiao Lan directly. Thinking of this, Fan Yu quickly changed her approach: “No matter how mysterious a woman is, she’ll have to submit before you…”
Liu Tian Quan’s thoughts stirred – Xiao Lan was indeed unusually beautiful.
But she belonged to someone else – he couldn’t easily touch her.
Far water couldn’t quench the present thirst. Just as Liu Tian Quan and Fan Yu were rolling naked in bed, someone knocked urgently on the door.
“Boss, the dance hall has been raided! Many of our people have been taken away by the police!”
Liu Tian Quan instantly lost his arousal. What had Fan Yu just said about Xiao Lan being mysterious?
Damn, did it have to be this precise!