I stood on the balcony and waved to Ye Zhi. She smiled and walked towards me. As we walked, I watched her figure intently. Her long hair flowed like clouds and water in the afterglow of the setting sun, it was truly beautiful. Even her walk exuded a calm and composed air. If I disregarded the differences of the mundane world and just considered two simple bodies, I would gladly take her to live in seclusion. I thought that just watching her might make this life quite interesting.
I felt inexplicably sad because it was a plan that seemed impossible to realize.
Ye Zhi came down from the first floor to the balcony. She put the plastic bag on the table and said to me, "I bought you some local cherries from Dali."
"Are there small cherries this season?"
"Hmm, it's newly released, and it's quite sweet. You should try it."
As Ye Zhi spoke, she took another small cherry from the bag and gave it to me.
I took it from her, then took a bite. It was both sweet and sour; it was definitely freshly harvested…
After a brief silence, I said to her, "We're leaving for the small mountain town tomorrow morning. Get some rest tonight. It's almost a thousand kilometers, it'll be quite tiring."
"The scenery from Yunnan to Sichuan is beautiful, and you can easily pass the time by enjoying the scenery along the way."
After a brief pause, Ye Zhi asked me in a low voice, "Aren't you going to try to get those shops from Cao Jinbo again?"
"Let's talk about it when we get back. Don't dwell on this anymore... I don't think you did anything wrong. If you really give in because of me, I'll truly feel useless..."
Ye Zhi interrupted me and said, "If we didn't have this relationship, even if Cao Jinbo and I had a dispute over the Cangshan Villa project, it wouldn't involve you... If this is just between the two of you, without these external factors, I think you are very confident in taking these shops from him, after all, you have already proven your ability to him."
"Then we absolutely cannot let him succeed... How is this any different from a threat!"
Ye Zhi remained silent.
I then asked, "So, what exactly is this Cangshan Villa project? Why are you all fighting over it so fiercely?"
Ye Zhi explained, “This project was originally invested and constructed by Shili Group. Last year, several projects invested by Shili Group overseas suffered large-scale losses, which led to the break of the project's capital chain. So, they put this project up for sale... Well, Dali has unique climate conditions, which attracts many people from other places to buy houses and properties. Therefore, the real estate market has been very hot in the past two years, especially vacation properties, which are very popular among investors from other places. Cangshan Villa is such a vacation villa project... It can be said to be a relatively large piece of the real estate market right now... However, because Shili Group's asking price is not low, there are not many people who can take over... The government is worried that the suspension of this project will affect the stability of the local real estate market, so it is trying its best to get our group to take over the project... Our group has always had a good relationship with the local government, and this project does have great industry benefits, so the board of directors entrusted me to make sure that this project is secured.”
"I understand now. With such a huge profit incentive, no wonder Cao Jinbo is envious!"
"Well... the businesses he's doing now aren't what the higher-ups like... so he wants to use this project to transform his personal assets... I heard he's been visiting a lot of banks lately and has also been trying to get some local business owners who are doing well to invest in this project... eventually he'll definitely raise enough funds, but compared to our investment method, it's very inefficient, so the Shili Group isn't too willing to give them time."
"No wonder he keeps emphasizing the local entrepreneurs and foreign investors. It turns out he has leveraged the power of so many people for this project... I think he's trying to put pressure on you by saying that if your group wins this project, it will mean you've offended all the powerful local entrepreneurs in Dali."
"That's the idea, but what could be more powerful than the support of the 'government'?... He's just making a last-ditch effort."
At that moment, I felt a greater sense of competition in society... In my eyes, Cao Jinbo was like a big fish that could devour us small shrimps at any time, but in Ye Zhi's eyes, this relationship of being devoured had changed... Although Cao Jinbo's arm was strong, he could not ultimately twist the thigh.
After a moment of silence, I finally spoke to Ye Zhi, saying, "I've figured out the cause and effect of this matter. You don't need to worry about me. Anyway, you're bound to encounter difficulties in your career. I'll just consider this a learning experience for myself."
Ye Zhi replied with some guilt, "I hope I haven't caused you too much trouble."
"Let's not talk about this anymore, let's eat first... let's see what delicious food you bought for me."
As I spoke, I opened the bag and took out one of the takeout orders.
Ye Zhi then asked, "What about the friend who was with you today? I bought him one too."
"The other one isn't yours?"
“I ate at the hotel before I came.”
I nodded and replied, "He went to Beijing... There's a big landlord there who bought nine shops in Jiulongju. If we can negotiate a deal, our work here can proceed as well."
What did he do for a living before?
"Don't worry about public relations. Communication is his forte. I don't think there will be any problems."
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