After leaving the hotel, Lu Chengwen bid farewell to Chen Moqun and the others.
He repeatedly reminded Chen Moqun that if he ever encountered Long Aotian, he should absolutely not act arrogantly.
Once in the car, Xu Xuejiao also jumped in, smiling at Lu Chengwen.
Lu Chengwen felt awkward.
"About earlier... I'm sorry."
"It's fine." Xu Xuejiao lowered her head, smiled slightly, then looked at Lu Chengwen again. "Your kissing skills are pretty good. Actually, I should say you're really amazing."
"Uh..." Lu Chengwen awkwardly replied, "Earlier, there were some circumstances, so..."
Xu Xuejiao sensed something was off. "What do you mean?"
"Nothing. I just wanted to tell you... don't take it too seriously..."
"Don't take it seriously? That was my first kiss. How could I not take it seriously?"
"Your first kiss?"
"What do you think?"
"Oh, well... sorry about that."
"Lu Chengwen, you kissed me in front of so many people, and now you're telling me 'sorry'? What do you mean? You just pull me over whenever you feel like it, have your fun, and then tell me to get lost while you go back to being the diamond bachelor? Is that it?"
Lu Chengwen thought for a moment, then nodded. "Yes."
Xu Xuejiao pushed the car door open and got out. "Lu Chengwen, you're ruthless! If I ever talk to you again, I'm a dog!"
Then she slammed the door shut.
Lu Chengwen and the others arrived at the restaurant, and Zhao Gang drove over to attend to them.
Standing there, Zhao Gang watched as the furious Xu Xuejiao walked away in tears. He cautiously asked, "Boss Lu, what was... the point of that? Miss Xu seems to really like you, and her family is wealthy. I honestly think she's more likable than President Leng."
Lu Chengwen smiled at Zhao Gang. "Zhao Gang, just focus on your own duties. I have my own reasons."
"Oh."
Just then, a call came in from Li Meiqin.
"Boss Lu, could you come to the company when you have time?"
"What's the matter?"
"There are a few documents that need your signature for confirmation."
"Got it."
When they arrived at the company, many employees were whispering among themselves.
"Hey, Boss Lu is here."
"Yeah, he hasn't come to work in days."
Lu Chengwen walked in, and Jiang Shihan immediately followed him. "Boss Lu, great news!"
"What great news?"
"The office of the shantytown redevelopment team signed an additional contract with us."
"Get to the point."
Jiang Shihan replied, "You'll need to ask President Li for the details. She knows more."
A chorus of greetings came from all around: "Hello, Boss Lu! Good day, Boss Lu! Welcome, Boss Lu..."
Lu Chengwen turned and smiled. "Everyone, keep up the good work."
The employees exchanged puzzled glances.
As Lu Chengwen walked past, a female employee whispered in shock to her colleague, "Boss Lu! Did you hear that? He smiled at us and said we're working hard!"
"He used to ignore me completely! He'd just walk in and flirt with the attractive female executives. What's going on today?"
At a T-junction in the hallway, a female employee carrying a tray of coffee rushed out and collided directly with Lu Chengwen.
Coffee spilled everywhere, and Lu Chengwen's suit was ruined.
The employee was terrified. "Boss Lu, I'm sorry! Boss Lu, it was my fault! Boss Lu, I really didn't mean to..."
Jiang Shihan immediately flared up. "What's wrong with you? Do you know how much Boss Lu's suit costs?"
The employee was on the verge of tears.
Lu Chengwen chuckled, picked up the half-spilled cup of coffee from her tray, and took a sip. "It's fine, don't worry about it. Just prepare fresh coffee for everyone."
"Yes... yes..."
Jiang Shihan followed Lu Chengwen. "I'll fire her immediately."
Lu Chengwen was surprised. "What for? It's just some spilled coffee. No big deal. Look how scared she is."
Jiang Shihan smiled. "Boss Lu, in the past, you would've definitely scolded her. You've changed a lot recently."
Lu Chengwen ignored the comment. "How's your mother's illness?"
Jiang Shihan was deeply moved and replied carefully, "Thank you for asking. She's doing better, but as per our agreement, I'll need you to speak with President Xu to arrange her surgery."
Lu Chengwen nodded. "Understood."
When he entered the office, everyone immediately stood up. "Boss Lu."
"Mm, take your seats."
Jiang Shihan helped Lu Chengwen take off his suit jacket and handed it to another assistant to have it cleaned and pressed, while instructing another assistant to prepare a new suit for Lu Chengwen.
Lu Chengwen sat in his executive chair and smiled. "Alright, let's hear it. How much more does the office plan to squeeze out of us?"
Li Meiqin smiled. "This time, it's not squeezing—it's genuinely good news."
Lu Chengwen was puzzled. "Go on."
Li Meiqin brought out the city's planning blueprints. "This plot of land here has been specially priced and sold to us by the municipal government as compensation for the shantytown project."
Lu Chengwen examined the blueprint. "Where is this?"
"I think this land has great potential. It'll definitely be valuable in the future. If handled properly, we could make a huge profit."
"Oh."
Li Meiqin continued, "Also, after careful consideration by the municipal government and the office, they've reduced our tax rate for the next three years. We'll save a significant amount—rough estimates suggest several billion."
"Oh."
"Additionally, the projects our operations team has been eyeing have been given priority. Barring any surprises, they'll all be ours. The other major families and outside investors can only watch helplessly."
"Wait!" Lu Chengwen interjected. "Isn't that unfair competition? Won't it discourage investment?"
Li Meiqin explained, "Mayor Zhao said during the meeting that our Dasheng Group is a conscientious enterprise, making unparalleled contributions to the city. We can't let such a company collapse or let it suffer losses without gaining benefits."
"Mayor Zhao also said that until the shantytown project is resolved, many of our city's investment projects will face significant setbacks. Only after completing this project will Snow City's ability to attract outside investment stabilize and grow. In short, he's fully supporting our Dasheng Group."
Lu Chengwen sighed.
Rubbing his chin, Lu Chengwen asked, "Is there more?"
"Yes." Li Meiqin said. "In short, because of this project and our Dasheng Group, Mayor Zhao has been lobbying at the provincial level these past few days. The subsidies and preferential policies he's secured for us are the best! He doesn't want us to collapse—he wants us to survive and complete this project. There are too many benefits to list. Right now, Dasheng Group is the hottest star enterprise."
Everyone looked at Lu Chengwen.
Lu Chengwen didn't show the slightest hint of joy. He remained completely calm, even frowning slightly.
[This is a disaster! I'm going to lose so much less money now!]
Jiang Shihan was stunned. What on earth was Boss Lu thinking?
Lu Chengwen tapped the table twice and looked at Li Meiqin. "So... is there any way we can... not sign this additional contract? Reject the tax cuts, benefits, and... the land?"
Li Meiqin was baffled. "I... already signed it. The contract is in effect. We just need your confirmation for the internal execution within the group."
Lu Chengwen rubbed his chin, deeply troubled.
All the executives grew tense.
This was a win for them!
The Dasheng Group was bound to lose money on this project, but the government had been considerate. Mayor Zhao, sympathetic to their plight, had gone to great lengths to secure these benefits. Why did Boss Lu seem unhappy?
Lu Chengwen scratched his head. "From now on, if anything like this happens, notify me immediately."
"Okay, understood."
Li Meiqin felt wronged. Any other company would've jumped at such an opportunity, signing immediately for fear of losing it.
This additional contract carried no risks, required no investment, and promised massive returns—all well within her authority.
Yet Boss Lu didn't seem grateful. If anything, he looked displeased.
Just then, someone burst into the room. "Boss Lu! Congratulations!"
"What now?!" Lu Chengwen snapped.
"The stock price of our Ninth Pharmaceutical Factory is skyrocketing!"
Lu Chengwen shot to his feet. "What did you say? Explain!"
"Here's what happened! Yesterday, a mysterious ID posted a recording online of you reprimanding the young master. Based on the conversation, it completely dispelled the rumors that you intentionally produced counterfeit drugs! And your stern rebuke of the young master has been widely reposted by influencers. Major commentators are making videos and writing articles praising you as the conscience of the pharmaceutical industry!"
"Online sentiment is now overwhelmingly in your favor, calling you a model of compassion and a role model for the times! The Ninth Pharmaceutical Factory's reputation has been restored, and its stock price has surged 300% above its previous peak! Right now, the factory's market value is estimated at over 220 billion! Just from the stock surge, we've earned at least 80 billion!"
Lu Chengwen's eyes widened, and he slumped into his chair, muttering, "It's over."
[The stock price here won't stay this high forever—it'll drop. But even if it halves, I'll still net over 40 billion!]
[Over there, I've made 40 billion, and here, the 50 billion I planned to lose isn't even fully spent. On top of that, I've gained a piece of land! After all this effort, I might end up breaking even.]
[I worked so hard to lose over 50 billion, only for the pharmaceutical factory to turn around and make 40 billion! And now Mayor Zhao insists on throwing land and projects at me!]
[I'm ruined!]
Jiang Shihan's lips twitched.
Boss Lu's calculations were way off!
This was obviously a miscalculation!
What kind of logic was Boss Lu using?
Little did she know, Lu Chengwen had planned to lose money in this world to make money in the real one. Now, the money he'd lost here was being recouped by the pharmaceutical factory. Of course he was devastated.
All that effort for nothing.
At that moment, a few female employees in professional attire and black stockings stood at the door, making faces at Li Meiqin.
Lu Chengwen was starting to feel chest pains.
He pointed at the door. "What are they doing? Look! Just look!"
"Yes."
Li Meiqin hurried out. After a brief exchange, she returned excitedly. "Boss Lu, more good news!"
Lu Chengwen's face turned pale.
"Don't joke around! How is that possible?"
"It's true!" Li Meiqin said. "The blueprints for the shantytown have finally been approved. Construction can start immediately! And the municipal government has promised that after the shantytown's redevelopment is complete, 40% of the commercial district's operations will be handed over to Dasheng Group!"
"Boss Lu! I'm in awe of you! I formally apologize to you!"
A vice president stood up.
Lu Chengwen was on the verge of a heart attack. "Sit down! We'll talk another day!"
"No! I can't contain my admiration for you any longer! I must speak!"
"Damn it!"
"Yes! Thank you, Boss Lu!" The man excitedly held up his phone. "We just received word that Dasheng Group's stock price is also soaring! The marketing department's phones are ringing off the hook—everyone's clamoring to reserve housing and commercial space in advance! With this, not only will we not lose money on this project, we'll make a huge profit! A massive profit! Boss Lu! We're raking it in!"
Everyone stood up, cheering, congratulating, hugging, shaking hands...
"Boss Lu is amazing!"
"Boss Lu is seriously amazing!"
"Nonsense! Boss Lu is just amazing!"
"Boss Lu and 'amazing' are equally amazing!"
"Hey? Boss Lu is... Boss Lu has fainted from joy!"
"Quick! Quick! Pinch his philtrum!"
"Ah, what good will that do? Boss Lu likes beautiful women! Book a nightclub and get him ten girls! Boss Lu deserves it!"
"Right! All of them in short skirts and black stockings! Boss Lu is a pervert—that's his thing!"
With the last shred of his consciousness, Lu Chengwen weakly cursed, "You bunch of... damn idiots..."