Chapter 589: Chapter 580: Wen Jingqi Makes a Move (1)
The annual leave was over, and the skinny dog had left as well. After all, a man canāt go a day without money; he has to work, right? Besides, Skinny Dog still has a girlfriend over there. How could he stay at home playing with a bunch of old pals?
They didnāt keep Ding Qiang around since he had things to do at home tomorrow. Since he wasnāt planning to go out, there would be plenty of chances to see him later, no need to rush.
At five in the afternoon, Su Qing was sitting on the sofa watching Wang Xing munch down on sugary oranges across the room, unable to help but roll his eyes before saying:
"You better clean up after yourself, got it?"
"Hey, hey, hey, weāre all buddies here. Donāt be so petty. Worst case, Iāll take the trash out for you. Whatās the big deal over just a couple of sugary oranges?" Wang Xing said as he munched away.
In response, Su Qing glared at him, "Damn it, this small box of sugary oranges is my supply for a week, and you just stuffed them in like that? Buy your own if you want them so bad! Canāt you call Miaomiao and have her send over a box, peeled and ready to feed you if need be?"
Meanwhile, Lin Miaomiao had already returned, seeing as today was the first day back to work for everyone. Just that because of Skinny Dog, Wang Xing had taken an extra day off.
At the mention of Lin Miaomiao, Wang Xingās face bloomed like a chrysanthemum, seedy and rather unattractive, to say the least!
"Of course, my girlfriend is gentle, graceful, the best person in the world."
"Enough, enough, donāt act like youāre the only one with a girlfriend. Whatās the big deal? Whatās the plan for this year? Still planning on taking the civil service exam?"
At these words, Wang Xing paused, scratching his head, "I still plan to take the exam, but I canāt neglect making money either. Qingzi, got any other ways to make money? I want to earn more; I never thought about it before, but ever since being with Miaomiao, Iāve got a strong drive to earn money. Mainly because, you know, the stock market isnāt making anything right now!"
Indeed, after months of decline, the stock market was in the doldrums, overall unappealing to anyone.
Although most stocks experience ups and downs, the general trend remained on a downward slope.
Some stocks had decent performances, increasing at a rather slow pace, making little gain for anyone. In simple terms, putting in a hundred or eighty thousand, you earn next to nothing. Invest over a few hundred thousand, and the gains remain limited, plus the income and risk donāt align, so interest has waned.
Recently, even Old Su and Wang Xingās close buddies showed little interest in the stock market, not to mention others.
"Stocks, at least within the next half to a year, arenāt worth bothering with. Itās just not interesting. If you earn some, just take it. As for ways to make money... well, there are some, but youāre not qualified, and you canāt enter the field!" Su Qing said with a frown.
Does he lack ways to make money now? Of course not, in fact, many. But still, those around him can barely see any benefit.
The main issue is the high threshold, namely the need for entry capital.
Whether itās film investments or Wen Jingqiās project undertakings, none require merely a few hundred thousand to get in, right?
"Alright then, letās keep it at that. No rush for you anyway, just take it slow. Itās not like youāre getting married anytime soon. Who knows, maybe a chance will pop up. If thereās a good opportunity, Iāll keep an eye out for you!"
Hearing this, Wang Xing nodded. As for borrowing money from Su Qing to start a business, Wang Xing didnāt have the face for it yet.
The last time he lent out twenty thousand and got back three hundred thousand, he already felt he had struck it rich. If greed knows no bounds, well, thatās not right.
"Alright, mixing with you is no disgrace; anyways, now Iām also in your girlfriendās company, itās all the same!" Wang Xing said casually.
Isnāt it, he is now working in Shen Yiās company, itās all the same, no need to be so particular.
"Get lost, what do you mean āin with her,ā you knew me even before she was around!" Su Qing jokingly scolded.
"Right, then Iām off, bye-bye!"
With that, Wang Xing stood up to take his leave.
"Wait!" Su Qing suddenly called out.
"Whatās up, Qingzi? Got attached to me, have you? Afraid of being too lonely once I leave, ha ha ha!"
Su Qing: ā_ā
"Thereās no need for such unnecessary sentimentality, just help me take out the trash!"
Wang Xing: ...
"Damn, you call yourself having friends?"
Although he said this, Wang Xing still dutifully picked up the trash he made, but then his eyes darted to the few remaining oranges at the bottom of the box and smiled, "Oh, thereās just this bit left; you probably arenāt eating it, right? Well then, Iāll pack it up to let my girlfriend have a taste, okay, you donāt mind, do you?"
"Get out, just get out, I do mind! Damn!"
Seeing Su Qing already fuming, Wang Xing grabbed the box of oranges and ran off, happy in his mischief: you make me take out the trash, Iāll leave you with nothing to eat, a little satisfaction for your vulnerable soul!
Meanwhile, in Xining City, Zhao Zhengguo from Jucheng Company was gathering with a bunch of middle-aged and older men, enjoying drinks in a private room.
The private room held a small gathering of six, all recently active constructors in Xining, some being top bosses, department heads, others leaders of major companies.
Even though Zhao Zhengguo holds a leadership position in a company, his construction company is too small to secure any major projects. He must maintain relationships to get a piece of the pie from the leaders above.
The current project heās working on has already been subcontracted three times by the time it reaches him. Nonetheless, he can still earn some money from it.
"President Han, President Wang, Director Li, Director Qian, Director Fang, I toast to you all. Thank you for taking care of me last year. Iām immensely grateful," Zhao Zhengguo raised his glass, laughing, and drank it all in one go.
The atmosphere in the room was quite good. Everyone present was either a company owner or a department leader. Although from different companies and holding different positions, everyone was interconnected through construction projects, so they were willing to gather and foster relationships.
Hearing this, the five of them chuckled and toasted in return.
In the room, President Hanās company was a big company above Zhao Zhengguoās, to put it simply, all the projects he won were given by them, so naturally, he had to be respectful.
Director Li and Director Qian were leaders of relevant departments in Xining City, and Director Fang was in charge of project engineering, while President Wang was the most renowned builder in the area. He was also involved in the current project, but given his strong capabilities, he got more of the projects.
"Itās should be, itās should be!"
"Boss Zhao, youāre being too polite!"
"Exactly, donāt worry, just arrange the next round and itās fine!"
"No way, we already said, the next round is on me!"
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An hour later, as everyone was reaching the end of the first round of dining, President Wang suddenly spoke: "Boss Zhao, I heard there was an accident at your project site before the end of the year, and the family members are not satisfied and intend to sue?"
Once these words came out, the atmosphere in the private room paused immediately.
Upon hearing this, Zhao Zhengguo looked embarrassed, with some resentment glancing at President Wang. President Han is here, why bring this up now, isnāt it just creating trouble for me?
"No worries, Iāve already sent people to resolve it, and I believe it wonāt take long to have a result. It definitely wonāt delay this yearās work resumption," Zhao Zhengguo said with a smile.
In his heart, he was already cursing Wang Haipeng fervently.
Upon hearing this, President Han, representing Jucheng Company, couldnāt help but express some doubt: "Zhengguo, didnāt I approve a compensation slip for that matter? Why hasnāt it been resolved? Is it because the deceasedās family is asking for more, trying to make exorbitant demands?"
Anyone in the construction business would have encountered such situations, where some families feel the compensation is too low and try to demand exorbitant amounts. In those cases, it usually has to go through legal procedures. However, they have a high winning chance, so theyāre not worried at all.
Upon hearing this, just as Zhao Zhengguo was about to explain, Wang Haipeng spoke up: "Actually, recently someone came to ask me, inquiring if it was my company. Since we have a decent relationship, they were afraid of making it difficult for me, so they specially came to ask."
Upon hearing this, everyone present, who were all shrewd individuals, immediately understood the implication in Wang Haipengās words: someone is trying to create trouble for President Han or seeking issues with this project.
To this, President Hanās expression changed, and he quickly asked: "Elder Wang, who exactly is behind it?"
As he wasnāt a local, he naturally wasnāt clear about the situation here, so he had to inquire.
"Wen Jingqi, the largest local construction company in Jiang City. His father was among the first in local real estate; I even worked under his family patriarch before!" Wang Haipeng said with a smile.
His tone was relaxed, but what he said indeed sent a shock through everyone present.
In Jiang City, especially in the construction industry, anyone with a bit of strength has heard of Elder Wenās name. Back in the days, he was a legendary figure. At the beginning of this century, he had already accumulated a vast fortune.
He was even a well-known entrepreneur in Jiang City, always leading the way in investments and business, so he had deep connections with the officials.
Back in the 1990s, law and order were not as they are now, with various thugs and rogue organizations rampant. Yet, Elder Wen managed to thrive, a character respected in both the underworld and official circles, who wouldnāt give him face?
In recent years, with societal development and improved security, things have naturally moved away from that realm, but his visible network hasnāt declined.
Otherwise, how could last yearās supported project fall to his son? Thatās an obviously profitable deal.
After hearing this, Li Cheng frowned and asked: "Elder Wen? Why would they know about such a minor issue and specifically inquire?"
As a leader of relevant departments, he naturally knew about the Wen Family and even had dealings with them. It could be said that quite a few significant constructions in Xining City were done by them.
Upon hearing this, Wang Haipeng smiled, stretched out his hands, and said, "That I donāt know. However, after Wen Jingqi, the eldest of the Wen Family, called me, his tone wasnāt great, so Iām just asking to see if thereās a misunderstanding we need to clear up quickly; otherwise, it might affect our project. After all, Iām also involved in this project."
Wang Haipengās tone was very relaxed, directly shifting the pressure to the others, seemingly sharing information, but in fact, he was complaining to the leaders of the relevant departments.
At this point, the remaining three leaders all looked at President Han and Zhao Zhengguo.
After all, the project issue came from your side. You must say something, right?
President Han also looked at Zhao Zhengguo, his face very stern, and said in a low voice:
"Whatās going on?"
...