Chapter 28: Leaving Everyone Stunned!

Dou Fanggang nodded gladly and patted Tang Ye on the shoulder. “I’ve wanted to thank you in person for a long time but never had the chance. Today, I finally do.”

Du Chengfeng quickly regained his composure and said with interest, “No wonder President Dou insisted that Tang Ye attend the symposium!”

“It was nothing worth mentioning,” Tang Ye replied modestly.

Tang Ye knew that Yao Mei’s son-in-law was an entrepreneur but had never connected him with Aio Electric.

Seeing Xu Yiping’s puzzled expression, Dou Fanggang held Tang Ye’s hand and explained emotionally, “A few days ago, my mother-in-law suffered a stroke and collapsed by the roadside. Fortunately, Mayor Tang happened to be there. His father is the director of neurosurgery at the municipal hospital and personally operated on my mother-in-law. Without that, even if she survived, she would have been wheelchair-bound and unable to speak. She insisted that I must properly thank you.”

“Even if it’s a stranger in need, I can’t just stand by. Besides, I used to work with veteran cadres and knew Grandma Yao well. She was very kind to me. Oh, she even gave me a suit once!”

At that moment, Tang Ye’s mind was still clear.

Strictly speaking, Lin Ziyang was actually Grandma Yao’s lifesaver.

Dou Fanggang laughed heartily. “I know, I know! That suit was made by an old tailor ten years ago and was only worn once. After gaining weight, I never wore it again. She thought it was just gathering dust at home, so she gave it away. My wife even scolded her, but it turned out she gave it to the right person!”

Du Chengfeng was in high spirits. At this moment, the business negotiation had turned into a reunion of gratitude and reminiscence.

Once the mood was right, how could a major deal fail?

After some winding turns, they finally returned to the investment topic.

Du Chengfeng shifted in his seat. “President Dou, it’s clear you’re determined to place the project in Pinghu. Although Pinghu’s economy is modest, having a young official like Tang Ye makes its potential limitless.”

Hearing this, Xu Yiping smiled outwardly but cursed inwardly. Old Du was completely ignoring him!

Dou Fanggang chuckled, “What Mayor Tang said during the symposium eased my concerns. In business investment, policies and environment matter, but the key is choosing the right person because people make things happen. I trust Mayor Tang’s character.”

Du Chengfeng gestured to his secretary, “Bring over the map of Tianling County.”

The secretary carefully placed the map on the table.

Du Chengfeng drew a route on the map with a red marker.

“President Dou, the factory will take about two years to build. If you’re willing to locate it in Pinghu, we will complete this road within those two years.”

Dou Fanggang, who had been worried about Pinghu’s inconvenient transportation, brightened at Du Chengfeng’s promise. “If the traffic problem can be solved, the project can be implemented faster.”

Du Chengfeng suddenly stood, his eyes shining as he extended his hand. “President Dou, let’s strike while the iron is hot and set a date to sign the project contract!”

Dou Fanggang shook his hand and glanced at Tang Ye with a smile. “Friday this week for the contract signing.”

Du Chengfeng was overjoyed.

A two-hundred-million-yuan investment project was a rare achievement in the city, and Dou Fanggang had agreed so readily.

In the past, Du Chengfeng had to run ragged and wear down his voice to secure a project of the same scale; more importantly, it required coordination at multiple levels and mobilizing many resources.

Xu Yiping was left speechless, feeling a mix of emotions. He hadn’t expected such a two-hundred-million-yuan project to actually settle in Pinghu.

The key was, the county would even fund the road construction.

“To get rich, build roads first.” Xu Yiping had repeatedly raised this issue with the county.

Once the road was completed, how could Pinghu not develop?

It felt like a dream.

At the same time, Xu Yiping was filled with regret.

If only he had known Tang Ye would bring such a huge investment, why had he strained their relationship so badly?

Though the project was secured, it had little to do with him; all the credit belonged to Tang Ye.

Had he handled their relationship better earlier, he could have relaxed and used this achievement to advance further.

After two hours of discussion, Du Chengfeng and Dou Fanggang had drafted a preliminary contract framework.

“Then Friday it is for signing! I’ll arrange the ceremony and immediately contact city leaders and the media to witness this moment.”

Dou Fanggang smiled. “We’ll handle the media ourselves!” Then he smiled at Tang Ye, “You must be present at the signing ceremony!”

Du Chengfeng was initially taken aback but then laughed heartily. “Don’t worry, he won’t be absent!”

...

Tang Ye and Xu Yiping left, but the other attendees stayed behind, harboring hope.

Besides Pinghu, did they still have a chance?

The outcome was disappointing; no notification came.

“Impossible—the two-hundred-million project went to the last place?”

“To be honest, their township’s promotional video was really impressive!”

“Sigh, the boss of Aio Electric got tricked! Pinghu’s economy is abysmal; the promotional video was a lie. He’ll regret it sooner or later!”

One by one, people left in disappointment.

Jiao Deyi’s spirits plummeted.

After leaving the hotel, he headed straight to the county magistrate’s office, waiting to see Du Chengfeng.

Du Chengfeng knew why Jiao Deyi had come.

He didn’t know how to comfort him, so he let him sit on the sofa to digest the news.

After about ten minutes, Du Chengfeng signed a document, handed it to his secretary, massaged his temples, and said softly, “Deyi, Aio’s factory will be located in Pinghu. The signing will be Friday.”

Jiao Deyi’s eyes widened in disbelief. “It’s unfair! I’ve been watching Aio Electric for years, and Pinghu snatched the prize! I can’t swallow this grievance!”

Du Chengfeng smiled helplessly. “You’ve misunderstood. Dou Fanggang’s decision to invest in Tianling wasn’t because of your invitation but because of his mother-in-law’s wishes. His mother-in-law is Yao Mei, the former director of the city’s investment bureau. She was hospitalized recently with a stroke, and Tang Ye’s father was her primary surgeon!”

Upon hearing this, Jiao Deyi froze and, after a long pause, exhaled slowly at the ceiling.

He realized he had been a mere runner-up all along, even though he had put on a full immersive performance.

After all these years, sending greetings to Dou Fanggang every holiday and reminding him of his health, it had all been for nothing.

Looking back at his own behavior, he felt more like a clown—both laughable and pitiful.

He suddenly had a thought: if Tang Ye had chosen to take a temporary post in Zhugou Township, wouldn’t he have reaped the benefits?

Alas, fate was unkind, and the advantage went to that old tortoise, Xu Yiping!

...

Tang Ye traveled back to Pinghu Town with Xu Yiping and Xia Haiqiao.

The atmosphere in the car was different from before.

Xu Yiping occasionally tried to spark conversations with Tang Ye.

Tang Ye answered with short, indifferent replies.

Xia Haiqiao noticed Xu Yiping’s changed attitude toward Tang Ye and felt somewhat uncomfortable.

Upon arriving at the town government, Xia Haiqiao followed Xu Yiping into the office.

“Secretary, it was just a meeting, so why have you completely changed your attitude toward Tang Ye?”

Xu Yiping thought Xia Haiqiao lacked tact but patiently advised, “Be more courteous to Tang Ye from now on.”

Xia Haiqiao’s curiosity deepened. “Has Tang Ye already pulled strings with County Magistrate Du?”

Xu Yiping was speechless at Xia Haiqiao. “Tang Ye once saved Dou Fanggang’s mother-in-law, so Aio Electric decided to build the factory in Pinghu!”

“…”

Xia Haiqiao took a long moment to recover.

In just a few days, the investment challenge assigned to Tang Ye was completed?

And even exceeded expectations!