Chapter Nine: Debt

The next day, representatives from Qiangyuan Company came to Yutou Village on their own initiative.

“Our company’s General Manager Liu would like to meet with Secretary Zhang Xiu’e and Village Head Tang Long.”

The visitor from Qiangyuan was quite young, not at all like the fierce, menacing group stationed at Liangouwazi. He looked more like a recent college graduate on an internship, someone from headquarters who had been sent by leadership simply to relay a message.

“Which Manager Liu?” Tang Long asked.

Zhang Xiu’e immediately responded, “It should be Liu Meijia.”

The young man nodded. “Miss Zhang is right. It’s our Executive General Manager, Ms. Liu Meijia. She would like to invite both of you for a meeting.”

“Shall we go?”

Zhang Xiu’e looked at Tang Long.

Tang Long shrugged, utterly nonchalant. “You’re the Party Secretary of Yutou Village. This kind of thing is your call.”

Zhang Xiu’e shot him a coquettish glance, thinking to herself, What’s the point of me making decisions if you won’t go along?

“Well, since they’ve extended an invitation, we might as well go and see what they want.” She added, “It’s a good chance to bring up the issue of their outstanding payments.”

“Sounds good!” Tang Long grinned. He found this university-trained official more and more interesting, someone who suited his taste.

They boarded the Qiangyuan Company vehicle sent to pick them up, bumping all the way to Donghe Town.

“Secretary Xiu’e, we really need to fix this road when we get a chance. Unless you’re driving an off-road vehicle, you can’t get through. Even in a car, your backside gets rattled to pieces,” Tang Long commented.

Zhang Xiu’e smiled at him, replying readily, “As long as you can find the money, not to mention fixing the road, I’d have no objection if you wanted to cut through a mountain for a tunnel.”

Fixing roads takes money—without it, how could anything be done? With the meager funds in the village committee’s account, they could barely afford two shovels, let alone a road. If not for poverty and the lack of opportunities, people with any strength wouldn’t have all left the village.

“I’ll find the money and get this road fixed!” Tang Long nodded, not at all treating her words as a joke. If you want prosperity, you need roads first. That’s a truth that’s held for decades, and it’s still true now.

Liu Meijia had personally come to Donghe Town to meet with the local leaders after the conflict between Yutou Village and Qiangyuan Company the day before. The county authorities were paying close attention, and a special investigation team had reportedly been set up.

Liu Meijia was a decisive person and knew this was no time to quibble over trivial matters.

At the best restaurant in Donghe Town, an exquisite banquet had been prepared. Accompanying them was Qiangyuan Company’s manager, Wang Chengwei.

Liu Meijia personally greeted them at the restaurant entrance, sizing up the pair with a charming smile. “You must be the Party Secretary and Village Head of Yutou Village. So young and accomplished!”

Zhang Xiu’e had heard much of Liu Meijia’s reputation, but this was her first time meeting her in person. Still, she remained composed and shook hands calmly.

There’s an old saying—never strike a smiling face—but that didn’t work on Tang Long.

“Manager Liu, you are quite the captivating figure yourself!” Tang Long dodged Liu Meijia’s flirtatious gaze and outstretched hand, offering a devilish smile as he headed straight into the private room.

“Wow, this is a feast!”

Without ceremony, Tang Long pulled out a chair and sat down before the lavish spread.

“Miss Zhang, please, let’s eat and talk,” Liu Meijia said graciously, gesturing for them to sit.

Zhang Xiu’e glanced at the laidback Tang Long, then sat down beside him.

“This wine isn’t bad,” Tang Long muttered as he poured himself a drink, paying little attention to Liu Meijia’s pleasantries.

“To speak plainly, I invited you today in hopes that we could become friends,” Liu Meijia said as the drinks circled the table.

“Friends with Qiangyuan Company?” Tang Long looked up at the alluring woman across from him, a half-smile on his lips.

“Of course. Why not?” Liu Meijia replied, gazing at him seductively.

“Fine, why not? Then, Manager Liu, tell us—how do you suggest we be ‘friends’?”

Sitting to Liu Meijia’s right, Wang Chengwei took two bank cards from his briefcase and set them on the revolving table.

Liu Meijia smiled, “Each card contains two million. Think of it as a token of my goodwill. I wonder if you, Brother Tang Long, are satisfied?”

Zhang Xiu’e’s expression shifted. She hadn’t expected Liu Meijia to be so generous, offering four million right away.

Tang Long chuckled. “With that kind of money, you could’ve leased Liangouwazi and built a good relationship with Yutou Village years ago. Manager Liu, where were you then?”

If Qiangyuan Company had followed the rules from the start, none of this would have escalated.

“Brother Tang Long, isn’t two million each for you and Sister Xiu’e enough?” Liu Meijia fixed her gaze on Tang Long.

“Money is a wonderful thing,” Tang Long said, grinning as he picked up the bank card that had rotated around to him. His action made Liu Meijia and Wang Chengwei breathe easier—if they could win over these two, the rest would be easy.

Tang Long spun the card between his fingers, then suddenly flicked it at Liu Meijia.

Whoosh!

It seemed to cut through the air.

Liu Meijia’s face changed as she ducked her head. The card grazed her cheek, the sharp edge leaving a shallow line of blood before embedding itself in the wall behind her.

“My, Manager Liu, I didn’t expect you to be so quick on your feet!” Tang Long clapped his hands as if it had all been a harmless prank.

“Brother Tang Long, what do you mean by this?” Liu Meijia’s smile was dazzling, but her eyes were icy as she spoke through clenched teeth.

Tang Long lounged in his chair, careless as ever. “Nothing much. Just wanted to remind Manager Liu that money is only good if you live long enough to spend it.”

“Is it not enough?” Liu Meijia probed. “Three million for you, two million for Sister Xiu’e. And if you’re interested, you could join my company—starting salary of three hundred thousand a year.”

Tang Long glanced at Zhang Xiu’e. “How many years has Qiangyuan Company occupied Liangouwazi?”

Zhang Xiu’e blinked. “Four and a half years.”

“So, if it’s a million a year, Qiangyuan owes Yutou Village at least four and a half million, right?” Tang Long nodded.

“Just about,” Zhang Xiu’e replied softly.

Tang Long turned to Liu Meijia, his tone light but pointed. “Manager Liu, when will Qiangyuan Company pay back what it owes our village?”

Liu Meijia met Tang Long’s gaze for a long moment before responding coldly, “The offer stands, and in addition, we’ll settle all outstanding lease payments for Liangouwazi. Altogether—ten million.”

“Where’s the contract?” Tang Long sat up at the figure.

“You…” Zhang Xiu’e found herself unable to guess what Tang Long was playing at.

Liu Meijia signaled to Wang Chengwei, who immediately understood and stood up. “I’ll prepare the contract right away.”

“Make it look good,” Tang Long added, “and have our share written as compensation for the years Qiangyuan Company has bullied, oppressed, and assaulted Yutou Village’s residents.”

Wang Chengwei turned to Liu Meijia for confirmation.

Liu Meijia’s face shifted several times before she finally gritted her teeth and said, “Do as Brother Tang Long says.”

“Yes.”

Tang Long turned to Zhang Xiu’e. “Do you have the town leader’s number? Call them over as a witness.”

“I do,” Zhang Xiu’e replied, still unsure what Tang Long was planning. She took out her phone, found Qian Youwang’s number, and—encouraged by Tang Long—dialed the town leader.