The meeting ended and Fyren walked back to his large office.
Maggie caught up with him, "Boss, we need to talk."
"Oh yeah, talk. Chloe, coffee."
Fyren sipped his coffee as Maggie stood in front of his desk.
"Boss, the shantytown project is almost guaranteed to lose money. With your judgment, you must see it's a sinkhole. I don't understand why we must take it over."
Fyren smiled, "How's the coffee?"
"Very good." Maggie forced a smile. "I've come to you for guidance. I hope you can enlighten me."
Fyren said, "The Buddha said it cannot be spoken."
"Huh?"
"Just do as I say. No matter how much effort it takes, we must get this project."
Maggie had never even heard of this ridiculous project before. "No matter how much effort"? It should be a no-brainer - just throw money at it.
If Dasheng Group wants to take over, everyone will roll out the red carpet. Might as well call them a bunch of suckers.
"And Fyren, the wage increase should be gradual. According to our local average wage level and domestic inflation standards, a sudden increase this large would be too costly—"
"These matters aren't up for discussion. Also, you don't need to wear short skirts to learn anymore. Wear whatever you like."
At that moment, Chloe knocked and entered. "Fyren, Mayor Ziv has requested your presence at the city hall conference room at 3 PM. They're discussing the shantytown renovation project."
"Got it."
Fyren looked at Maggie. "Meeting."
...
3:00 PM.
City Hall meeting room.
Fyren was five minutes late. Fortunately, Mayor Ziv was also delayed with other matters.
As Fyren entered, he saw many familiar faces.
Eliza, Executive President of Qingfeng Group;
Xena, Executive Vice President of Houde Group;
and Cora, Executive President of Xiangyun Group...
All four major families of Crystalpeak City were represented, though none by their chairpersons - only presidents and vice presidents attended.
Their reasoning was obvious.
This was a project they'd never touch, best handled by younger executives who could take the heat.
When Fyren entered, Eliza and Cora stood simultaneously.
Eliza regarded Fyren with a subtle smile.
Fyren politely shook her hand. "Eliza, long time no see."
Eliza laughed. "Long time no see" - though they'd met just yesterday.
Cora, noticing Eliza, quickly shook Fyren's hand next. "Fyren, as dashing as ever."
"Cora, you look stunning today. Beautiful dress."
Just as Fyren turned to greet Xena, she suddenly leaped up, startling him. Afraid she might fall, he instinctively caught her.
Good grief - Xena clung to Fyren like a koala.
Petite with slender limbs, she wasn't heavy, but... you're the Vice President of Houde Group!
What's wrong with you hanging on me in public like this!
Fyren asked nervously, "What are you doing? Get down!"
"I won't get down unless you give me a kiss."
"Stop it! There are so many people watching!"
"What are you afraid of?"
Eliza picked up her documents and slammed them on the table in displeasure.
Xena completely ignored her and tightened her arms around Fyren's neck. "Did you miss me?"
"You're going to be the death of me if you don't control yourself..."
At that moment, the secretary opened the door and Mayor Ziv entered.
"Sorry everyone, I've been extremely busy lately. Let's begin the meeting."
Mayor Ziv froze when he saw Fyren with a vice president clinging to him.
"Fyren, what are you...?"
Fyren quickly patted Xena's bottom, making her climb down with a red face. She stuck out her tongue and took her seat.
Secretary Winnie began speaking. After a lengthy explanation, the gist was that this project concerned national welfare and people's livelihoods. If left unfinished, it would reflect poorly on the city leadership and seriously hinder Crystalpeak City's economic development. She hoped the conglomerates would take over the project for the people's benefit.
After Secretary Winnie finished, Mayor Ziv spoke. He began with a sigh:
"Esteemed business leaders, I know all your parents well, and I understand this project is complicated and problematic. But Crystalpeak City must overcome this hurdle. On behalf of the municipal committee, city government, and 30 million citizens, I express my deepest gratitude to whichever group is willing to invest in and complete this project. This is a noble endeavor that will benefit current and future generations. I hope everyone can view this matter with long-term vision."
That sounded noble enough.
In reality, it meant spending your own money to clean up the government's mess.
The attendees exchanged glances, all remaining silent.
Hogan, sitting at the end of the table, looked at Fyren and suddenly said, "Mayor Ziv, we're businessmen. Asking us to invest in a profitless venture is like telling us to throw hard-earned money into a storm. Minghui Group absolutely won't touch this mess."
He then pointed at Fyren, "He's the wealthy one! Everyone knows the Zhang family, first among Crystalpeak's four major families, is incomparably rich. Let him pay the bulk, and I'll contribute a small portion."
Mayor Ziv turned to look at Fyren.
At that moment, Fyren's phone rang. He quickly stood up, "My apologies everyone, I need to take this call. I'll be right back."
Next, the group began chattering away as a dozen entrepreneurs took turns speaking. Though their words differed, their message was identical.
All were polite, all paid lip service.
In short, one word: no money.
Some cried poverty, others claimed difficulties, still others said they didn't do infrastructure - their excuses varied widely.
Mayor Ziv's face grew increasingly grim.
A bunch of bloodsucking capitalists!
When demanding benefits from the city, they're all full of demands, but when asked to contribute, they all retreat.
Mayor Ziv grew furious, and the meeting atmosphere turned oppressive.
Secretary Winnie tried desperately to persuade everyone to overcome difficulties and respond positively, listing various facilities and benefits the municipal government could provide.
Mayor Ziv didn't even need to look to know these black-hearted businessmen couldn't be relied upon.
That Hogan in particular spoke most offensively.
When his turn came, his entire argument boiled down to one point: Fyren's richer than me, I'll pay if he pays!
Simple enough, but his delivery was so fragmented and grating.
The entire meeting endured his condescending tone as he kept talking without committing a single cent.
Only when Mayor Ziv rapped the table did he stop.
"So if someone pays, you'll pay?"
"I'll pay when Fyren pays! He's way richer than me!"
Mayor Ziv pointed at Secretary Winnie: "Fine, note this down - Minghui Group will pay when someone else pays."
"Hey I... I'm only paying a small portion!"
Mayor Ziv scanned the room sternly. "Anyone else?"
This sort of thing fears the first breakthrough.
Once someone starts, the rest become difficult.
At this, everyone shot angry glares at Hogan.
Secretary Winnie sighed in relief - at least there was progress. Mayor Ziv still had his ways.
But the others weren't about to be outdone.
Each declared they'd invest if Fyren did, since he had the most money.
Mayor Ziv stood. "I'm stepping out."
Fyren, returning from his phone call, bumped into Mayor Ziv outside.
"Mayor Ziv."
"Well, Fyren, how are things at home these days?"
"Everything's fine, thank you for asking."
"Oh dear." Mayor Ziv sighed. "No need to rush back inside, come with me."
Mayor Ziv and Fyren strolled through the small courtyard behind City Hall.
The mayor cautiously probed, "Fyren, what are your thoughts about this shantytown renovation project?"
Fyren said, "There's an issue with your planning."
"Oh? Please elaborate."
Fyren continued, "This area originally comprised six separate villages, but now you're planning to combine them into one massive residential community. Covering such a large area would require constructing over two hundred buildings, plus widening roads, laying new pavement, renovating sewers, and building supporting facilities..."
"So what exactly is the problem?"
"Technically nothing's wrong - you've even included subway station designs. That's all fine."
"Then what's the issue?"
"The problem is you haven't planned any commercial districts there."
Mayor Ziv paused. "It's a residential zone, and it's not far from existing shopping areas."
"Then what's the selling point? What do homebuyers look for? You've designed schools, hospitals, even parks - but no shopping district! That's inconvenient!"
Mayor Ziv looked down, deep in thought.
Fyren turned around. "Chloe! The blueprints!"
Chloe, who had been following at a distance, immediately rushed over and pulled the drawings from her bag.
"Look, Mayor Ziv, while all the designs are reasonable and show the municipal government's serious commitment, consider this - if we designed a circular commercial city here, with entertainment, shopping, dining, cinemas, even a stadium capable of hosting concerts... Not only would we revitalize the shantytown, we'd boost the entire North District!"
Mayor Ziv's heart skipped a beat.
This concept had been mentioned before, but no one had proposed it as boldly as Fyren.
During initial land reclamation, they'd promised this would be purely residential - no factories or commercial buildings.
There had been suggestions for a small commercial area to attract residents, but those proposals seemed conservative compared to Fyren's vision.
Fyren was thinking big - his proposed circle would encompass a massive area!
Mayor Ziv pondered deeply.
After a long silence, he sighed. "The residents won't agree - they just want their compensation and new buildings."
Fyren responded, "Calculate how much they want - give me a number. I can cover it. Just rebuild according to this plan - redesign the blueprints, replan the routes. We can't stop at just a few subway stations either - we need comprehensive coverage. And the highway needs proper connections with the ring road, plus dedicated expressway access to make this work..."
Mayor Ziv looked at Fyren, amazed both by his grandiose vision and the fact that the young man wasn't crying poverty or bargaining today, but instead seemed fully on board.
It was obvious from his secretary carrying around the marked-up drawings - covered with numerous annotations in his own handwriting - that Fyren had been closely studying the project.
"If - and I mean if - we can modify the project substantially according to your concept, would you be willing to take it over?"
Fyren chuckled, "Why else would I be studying it?"
Mayor Ziv said, "Good. But that group inside - I need you to handle them for me. Can you do that?"
Fyren smiled and slapped Mayor Ziv on the shoulder. "You'll see!"