"I certainly wouldn't care what number I was ranked," Zhou Ni lowered her head in embarrassment. "You were the one who forced me to do that last time, and you still have the nerve to bring it up. Let's discuss future matters when I get back. I won't disturb your work anymore. Bye-bye."

After hanging up, I went online to start searching for successful planning case studies from smaller cities. Before the large-scale construction officially kicks off, I need to secure the layout in advance; otherwise, it will become a chaotic mess that will be impossible to fix later. Although this matter isn't officially under my purview right now, I know it will inevitably land on my desk sooner or later—that's an absolute certainty, or else my name wouldn't be Li.

As night fell, Secretary Ma, Xie Sen, and the others convened their usual dinner meeting. This time, the attendance list was expanded to include the heads of the Finance Bureau, Transportation Bureau, Urban Construction, the People's Congress, Taxation, and other agencies. It was grander than an official government meeting. The agenda this time wasn't about Ma Ling and the others who had suffered setbacks that afternoon, but rather about the future destiny of this group.

Secretary Ma spoke with a heavy heart, "Comrades, you are all comrades-in-arms on the same boat now. The provincial leadership has sent people to investigate the poverty alleviation funds. Specialist Zhou is taking this seriously and is frequently probing the specific whereabouts of the more than one hundred million in relief funds. Even if I don't say it, you all know in your hearts that none of you sitting here can escape responsibility. The main purpose of today is to discuss how to respond to the investigation."

Secretary Ma's words terrified everyone present. Before he even finished speaking, there was a buzzing murmur of discussion. Some were so frightened they were already thinking of slipping away to deal with their personal affairs at home; if they were subjected to Shuang Gui (a disciplinary measure) and their homes were raided, their hidden assets would be too easily exposed.

Xie Sen signaled for quiet. "Comrades, don't worry, don't be nervous. This matter won't have a conclusion anytime soon. Even if Zhou Qiang uncovers some clues, so what? He needs evidence. Our accounting books are flawlessly prepared; he won't find a breakthrough. What we need to discuss now is how to handle the potential investigation so that inconsistencies in our stories don't create a major problem."

Seeing that everyone had quieted down, Secretary Ma pointed to County Head Zhao, who was sitting on the side. "Let's start the discussion with Old Zhao here. Everyone express your thoughts and let's unify our narratives."

County Head Zhao's expression was somewhat awkward, but he had no choice but to brace himself and respond. After uttering a few noncommittal phrases, he said gravely, "Comrades, Liangshan currently has a great development opportunity. I hope everyone can recognize the direction and absolutely do not ruin yourselves."

County Head Zhao’s words had a double meaning; he dared not speak too plainly. If he announced that he had already 'defected,' he feared the others present might devour him alive.

The Director of the Finance Bureau interjected, "What great opportunity! Nonsense opportunity! None of the funds passed through our Finance department. Has that young whippersnapper from the Investment Promotion Office embezzled it all?"

The Director of the Transportation Bureau added, "Exactly! Why wasn't such a major undertaking as road construction reported to our Transportation Bureau first? This completely disregards the existence of the government. Moreover, why didn't our Transportation Bureau procure the road-building materials? Can materials purchased privately by them meet the standards? And the roads haven't been submitted to us for final inspection after completion—this is pure anarchism!"

Some below whispered amongst themselves. If they had to report to the Transportation Bureau, the roads wouldn't be finished in two days and nights; getting the permits in two months would be considered heaven-sent. One would still have to offer plenty of bribes. As for substandard materials, the materials procured by the Transportation Bureau had never met standards! And without treating them to dinners and gifts for inspection and acceptance, one couldn't even dream of passing. After all, the Liangshan Transportation Bureau hadn't had a major project in a long time; everyone was as starved as if they hadn't eaten in ten years, and they would ruthlessly extort on any opportunity that arose.

A Deputy County Head overseeing county enterprises complained, "And what about the establishment of the beverage factory? Why wasn't it reported to our county government first? They went ahead and managed the entire piece of land themselves. Our county government must also have equity participation and management involvement; how can they act independently of the government?"

County Head Zhao explained, "The matter of the beverage factory was agreed upon in the road construction contract. The Peach Blossom Financial Investment Company agreed to build our roads free of charge, on the premise that we would allow them to operate in Liangshan for fifty years without interference or cost. Furthermore, the company promised that all workers and management personnel would eventually be local Liangshan residents. Where else could we find such a deal? And you are still complaining here! With our level of competence, we would mess up even a good factory!"

The Deputy County Head for enterprises was about to retort when Secretary Ma slammed the table. "Enough! This is all Zhao Qian’s fault! Everyone think about whether there is a way to drive him out. We tried probing that kid this afternoon, but he won't yield to force, and he’s quite skilled. Simple intimidation probably won't work."

"Give him some money to make him leave... Accuse him of improper sexual conduct... Chop him up... Frame him for arson and kidnapping..."

A string of vicious schemes were rolled out. Secretary Ma said, "One by one, everyone, don't rush. Let's eat and drink first. In short, none of us will rest easy until this kid is gone. Since force won't work, we will try courtesy before force..."

Since summer days are long and bright, and because Yun Yao feared her mother might discover I had stayed in her room, I had to leave the two girls and return to the county government just as dawn was breaking. I wasn't in the mood to take a second nap, so I went to the back kitchen to help the fat master cook. By the time Yun Yao arrived for work, I had finished most of the chores, moving her so much that she nearly threw herself into my arms right in front of the fat master.

After breakfast, Ning Shixuan arrived pushing her bicycle to find me. "Didn't you say we were going to the beverage factory at eight to pick people up today? Let's go; it’s almost 7:40. It’s not right to keep people waiting."

Ouyang Qian mentioned that the beverage factory employees would arrive at eight o'clock, and I needed to be in charge of the reception—mainly arranging accommodation and lodging. They would handle the work assignments themselves.

Indeed, we arrived a bit late. The massive convoy had already arrived, and a man in his forties was speaking with Sun Caiwu. Seeing us arrive, Sun Caiwu immediately rushed over. "Director Zhao, this is Manager Wang from the beverage factory. Before we fully take over here in Liangshan, the factory operations have been managed by him." Sun Caiwu had the largest individual shareholding, and after two days of intensive training from his niece, he was already managing things quite capably—truly deserving of someone who had worked in Shimen City before.

"Hello," Manager Hu shook my hand. "President Ouyang instructed that upon arriving in Liangshan, we are to follow Director Zhao’s lead in everything. Please issue your orders, Director Zhao."

I smiled. "There are no such strict rules; this is a win-win cooperation. First, let’s settle everyone into the factory dormitories, and then we’ll tour the workshops to formulate a plan for starting the production line. Once production is on track, we'll immediately begin training local staff."

Manager Wang agreed. "Good. Everything will be done as Director Zhao says. I'll have everyone start moving their things down first. President Ouyang has specially approved a large quantity of office supplies, and these vans and cars will remain assets of the beverage factory. President Ouyang is extremely optimistic about the future of the beverage factory, so we must not fail her expectations."

With so many people, the work of moving things to the factory office building was done quickly. Arranging and setting up the interior, however, was a detailed task that couldn't be rushed. Afterward, the group proceeded to tour the production workshops.

As we moved around, an employee wearing a work cap followed closely behind me, completely obscuring his face. Wherever I went, he was right there. Finally, I couldn't stand it anymore. While everyone else was inspecting the machinery, I turned back and asked him, "Comrade, why do you keep following me? If I go back to the county government, will you follow me there too?"

The person's voice was hoarse. "Yes, if you go to bed, I’ll go with you too. Have you found a new flame here and forgotten me?"

I yanked off the person’s work cap, and a cascade of beautiful hair immediately spilled down. "Qingqian! It's you! What is this nonsense? Hiding among the workers to scare me? You could have told me if you were coming."

Ouyang Qing glanced around nervously, seeing that no one was paying attention to us, and said softly, "I missed you. If I didn't mix in with the workers, other people might see me, and that would be so embarrassing. Everyone would say I broke the rules."

"Hehe, you could have come for an inspection tour just like Xu Jing and Fang Yanmeng," I countered.

Ouyang Qing tossed her silky hair and put the hat back on to cover her face. "I won't. That way, it’s easier for people to find fault. Do you want to take me somewhere private? It's been a long time since we’ve been wild. Don't you miss me? Have you been completely captivated by that girl just now?"

I pulled Ouyang Qing into a blind spot, wrapping my arms around her, my hands starting to wander restlessly over her body. "Who could be more charming than you, you little vixen? Are you ready for another ten rounds?"

Ouyang Qing offered no resistance to my exploring hands. "Yes. I wonder if you can last this time."

I declared, "Fine, let's see who begs for mercy first. Wait for me by the door. I'll tell them I’m leaving and come find you."