Chapter 37
The old man went out to make money, and taking advantage of the shutdown period, Tao Zhi wanted to build the kindergarten and consume the inventory of the board factory at the same time.
The village took care of the land and procedures. Tao Zhi hired a designer and a construction team. After calculating a rough amount, the subsequent matters were handed over to Village Chief Zhou.
Cheng Dachuan and Qin Yufen were not used to staying at home idle, so they volunteered to help at the construction site.
Tao Zhi had a flash of inspiration. This was a solution. She told Cheng Dachuan, "Find a few trustworthy people and take advantage of this opportunity to stay at the construction site and learn as much as you can from the construction and renovation teams. After we're done, we can set up our own construction and renovation team."
Cheng Dachuan was a little unconfident: "Will this work?"
Tao Zhi was very sure: "It's not difficult for those who know how to do it, but it's a bit tiring. Once you learn it yourself and take on a few apprentices, you'll have a team. I still have to build a house later, and I've been hoping to have someone from my family to take over."
Cheng Dachuan felt relieved upon hearing this. If his aunt-in-law was willing to give them training and they could pass her standards, then the team would be considered a successful team.
Since the factory was closed for the holiday, he simply asked his fellow villagers if they were interested in joining him. Some people, eager to learn the craft, actually found a few people to join him.
Tao Zhi explained the reasons for the transfer, explaining everything. Village Chief Zhou dismissed the transfer with a wave of his hand, dismissing it as a minor issue. Thus, the contracting process began.
As a result, Cheng Hui and Cheng Xing were even busier. First, Cheng Xing had to do half the inventory and registering of assets. Second, Cheng Xing had to repeatedly check and confirm the list and audit it. Even though they had hired a lawyer, Cheng Xing still had to review every single item in the "Contracting and Operation Plan." Not to mention the fire safety improvements that needed to be made. By the time the contract was finalized, Cheng Xing felt like he had aged several years.
Cheng Hui's clients were all handed over to the village committee. He personally led visits to nearby clients, and taught villagers how to maintain relationships with those further afield. Village Chief Zhou was adamant about retaining Cheng Hui, determined to thoroughly learn all his skills. Cheng Hui's voice was sore throughout the day, and Cheng Mingcheng flatly said his father was like a giant duck.
Tao Zhi asked him privately, "You're so selfless, are you going to quit this business?"
Cheng Hui replied: "Whether we do it or not is another matter, but we will establish a good relationship now so that it will be convenient for you to use the boards later."
Tao Zhi was surprised: "Did your father tell you that?"
Cheng Hui smiled shyly: "I guessed it myself."
Tao Zhi was relieved that her eldest son had grown up and was becoming clear-minded and perceptive. She no longer had to worry about him being deceived.
Tao Zhi patted him and said, "Good job, son."
At this moment, the landlord came to the door. Tao Zhi welcomed him in and said with a smile: "No wonder the magpie has been calling all the time. It turns out that a distinguished person has come to visit."
Don't hit someone who smiles at you. No matter how angry the landlord is, it will be half gone at this time.
Tao Zhi made a cup of tea for the landlord, and then kept looking at her with a smile, which made her feel embarrassed.
The landlord cleared his throat twice and said, "Xiao Tao."
"Hey, Sister Yin, tell me."
"I heard some neighbors say there's always someone hanging around outside the house. They asked me to come and ask, 'Who have you offended?'"
The family has been incredibly busy lately, with everyone leaving early and returning late. Besides the two aunts and the children, there's also Cheng Man and the others on the third floor. So Tao Zhi was also shocked: "I'm sorry, Sister Yin, I have no idea, and no one in my family has seen it. I think I need to check first. If this is true, I'll definitely deal with it as soon as possible."
Seeing Tao Zhi's expression didn't seem fake, Sister Yin's heart instantly turned cold. But it was no wonder; anyone who encountered such a thing would be furious. She didn't want to say much, so she sat for a moment, exchanged a few dry words, and then left.
Tao Zhi's first thought was to find an ally. She definitely needed to find a professional. She first approached Wen Xu, then Officer Yuan.
Still in Wen Xu's studio, Tao Zhi directly asked Officer Yuan: "Have you been targeted recently?"
Yuan Heng nodded.
Wen Xu was stunned: "Why have you never said that?"
Officer Yuan said: "I thought I was the only one being targeted."
Wen Xu shook his head: "You are wrong to think so. Any action of the other party will affect our judgment."
Tao Zhi's eyes were like knives: "They are so arrogant and are taking this opportunity to put pressure on me. Are they trying to force us to reconcile?"
"It could also be a naked provocation." Wen Xu lied.
Tao Zhi was furious. She thought: If I don't fight back, it will seem like I'm afraid of him. People always pick on the weak, but who knows what kind of humiliation will come if they keep backing down?
She asked, "Is there any way to stop this?"
"My suggestion is that you take pictures of their faces, stake out their positions every day, and call the police if you get any evidence."
"Can your colleagues be trusted?"
Officer Yuan smiled and said, "I'm just sitting on the bench. It has nothing to do with them."
“What if those people don’t listen?”
"Then continue to call the police. After a few calls, you can get media coverage and find anecdotes about the stalking officer."
Tao Zhi wondered, "Will this work?"
Yuan Heng raised his lips and said, "If you can pry open their mouths and reveal the person behind this."
Tao Zhi thought of that scene and felt very amused. "But, isn't this difficult to do?"
"Of course, even thieves have their own code of conduct."
"What else? I'm worried about my family's safety." Tao Zhi asked.
"You can also file a complaint with the Discipline Inspection Commission. Attach various reports and evidence, accusing the Guo family of shielding you and threatening your personal safety in an attempt to interfere with judicial justice." Yuan Heng paused, "I'm afraid someone will become desperate and do something desperate."
Tao Zhi was troubled. "I'm not worried about the adults, but I have two little ones who can't leave their parents."
"How about this? Let the children stay home and don't go out for activities for the time being. If you are still worried, please ask for two more people to protect the children's safety. We will be inconvenienced during this special period."
"Then Officer Yuan, please find someone for me. I need someone more professional. I can offer a high salary."
"I'll tell them to come find you tomorrow."
"Okay, thank you."
Before Tao Zhi left, Officer Yuan added, "Don't worry, this won't take too long."
She left a sum of money as a token of encouragement.
Tao Zhi followed Cheng Jun's advice and asked him for a camera. She took photos of the harasser's face, his vehicle, his patterns of ambush, and his route. As they were about to hand over their shift, Tao Zhi called the police station.
Tao Zhi got straight to the point: "Officers, unidentified individuals have been staking out my house for several days. They've been working in shifts, with two people per shift. My family is so frightened we don't even dare leave the house. I beg you to come quickly and help us find out the truth so we can have peace."
As expected, the more serious the situation, the faster the police will respond. Thanks to Officer Yuan.
As luck would have it, when the police arrived, they ran into the people monitoring Tao Zhi, getting out of the van to change shifts. There was nothing to say now; they had to handcuff everyone and interrogate them again.
Tao Zhi presented a silk banner at the appropriate time, which read: "The people's police serve the people and take effective actions to alleviate their concerns."
She even paid a newspaper to invite a reporter to do an interview, praising the police station from top to bottom, inside and out, laying a good foundation for a close relationship between the police and the public.
Tao Zhi regretted not learning this trick sooner, which put her in such a passive position later. It wasn't too late now, she consoled herself.
She also revealed a little inside information, and the reporter said that he would follow up on this news to the end.
Tao Zhi also said that if she wanted to report it, she would definitely give a heads up in advance and provide first-hand information.
Her mission was accomplished. Next, it would depend on whether the Guo family would make the first move or Yuan Heng and his men would defeat the enemy first.
Life at home returned to normal. Liang Jingyi continued to accompany Cheng Xing, while Zhao Zihao was responsible for picking him up and dropping him off. Cheng Hui went out more frequently, so Xiao Zhao spent more time with him. Cheng Mingcheng and Cheng Jin each assigned two people, previously openly, but now secretly. And Ms. Tao Zhi herself was her best talisman.
Cheng Jun listened to Tao Zhi's advice and returned to the brick factory, where he continued to endure the hardship of being broke. Although Tao Zhi gave him some money, she said it was for buying land, so Cheng Jun transferred the money to the company and used it to pay back the bank.
Small clients didn't default on payments, but the money was used to cover the factory's operations and expenses. Sometimes it wasn't even enough, and Cheng Jun had to use the studio's income to make up for it. If he hadn't trusted Ms. Tao, he really wanted to close the business.
Cheng Jun's suppressed emotions finally erupted when that major client offered two more plots of land as collateral for his debt. He made a phone call and yelled at his partner, "Should we get someone to take care of him?"
Tao Zhi's voice rang out from the other end of the line: "Who are you trying to get?"
Cheng Jun was puzzled. He moved the receiver away, but there was no sound. He moved closer, and it was still Ms. Tao. He slapped his forehead and thought, "I must have dialed the wrong number."
Cheng Jun went along with the mistake and complained to his mother. As he spoke, he felt like he was about to cry.
Tao Zhize was so happy that she couldn't stop smiling. What do you call this? God closes a door for you, then opens a window for you. This is naked compensation.
She interrupted Cheng Jun's complaint and said, "If you don't want the land, then just sell it to me."
Cheng Jun felt very comforted, but his happiness didn't last for a few seconds. He then thought of a very realistic question: "Mom, do you still have money now?"
Tao Zhi choked, "It seems, should be, maybe, there are not many left."
Cheng Jun suddenly wanted to cry again.
Tao Zhi said angrily, "How about I give you some advice?"
"You say."
"Should we build on that land and sell the houses instead?"
Cheng Jun said weakly: "Who wants it?"
Tao Zhi scolded him, "Don't stay in the mountains digging for sand. Go buy a ticket right now. Go to City B, City G, City S, or any of these first-tier cities and personally investigate. Then you'll understand the current state of real estate. Once you've explored them all, you'll know whether acquiring land, building houses, and then selling them is feasible or not."
Cheng Jun was stunned when he heard this, but he subconsciously took out a pen and paper and wrote down the precautions that Ms. Tao mentioned.
After saying hello to his friends, he bought a ticket and set off. Sitting on the train, Cheng Jun felt very sad: another day of being manipulated by Ms. Tao.
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