Chapter 81 - 81 81 Self-inflicted

Words : 1832 Updated : Sep 12th, 2025

81: Chapter 81 Self-inflicted 81: Chapter 81 Self-inflicted Liu Hun was now thankful that Cai Yan had underestimated him and set the yield per mu so low, otherwise he would really be burning with anxiety. This misfortune turned into a blessing, and he had his own ideas on how to make the most of this fortune. While Liu Hun was still pondering, Xie Dapeng, who normally wouldn’t care about anything, knocked on his door to take charge, and he brought Lin Fugui, the Director of both the Urban Construction Office and the Urban-Rural Economic Management Office, along with him. “Fella, this Lin Fugui is Xie Heguo’s favorite, in charge of two lucrative departments, he struts around the town like a crab, walking sideways,” Fen Ran whispered to Liu Hun as they saw the two men enter and casually sit down, completely oblivious to the outsiders. “Mr. Xie, Director Lin, what brings you two here this time?” Liu Hun asked, bold because he had put Lin Fugui in his place before and was guessing that this visit wouldn’t bring anything good. Sure enough, Lin Fugui got offended by Liu Hun’s words, pursed his lips, and said, “What ‘Officer’? I’m a manager! Xie, the manager! Know what a manager is? Illiterate!” Xie Dapeng, having been cajoled by Lin Fugui, came here to check the facts today and felt immensely pleased when he was addressed that way, as if a burst of acne began to secrete oil from his face with satisfaction. “Xie... Manager, didn’t we already talk about this at the town’s guesthouse?” Liu Hun asked Xie Dapeng, although slightly confused but expecting nothing good. Fancying himself a phoenix with the mere addition of feathers, Xie Dapeng was elated by the title “Manager,” and posed patronizingly to Liu Hun, “Here’s the thing, Liu Hun. I heard from Director Lin that your village was hit by a heavy rainstorm and the blueberry production was severely reduced. Is that true?” “Stop pretending! A loach in a vest is still a turtle! Call yourself manager and you start strutting around like one,” Qin Yue sat on the side disapprovingly and couldn’t help but mutter. “It’s indeed true; about half of our blueberry planting area in the village was affected, basically a total loss,” Liu Hun honestly stated, not trying to sugarcoat things for Xie Dapeng. Upon hearing Liu Hun’s confirmation, Lin Fugui instantly leaped as if bitten by a bedbug and shouted, “Manager Xie! Look, wasn’t I totally truthful? That’s just how it is! We need to take action!” “What action? Lin Fugui, how is this your business? You’ve caused enough trouble in Taiping Town already! Now you run to our Wanbao Village babbling nonsense? Like a dog, following the scent,” overcome by anger, Qin Yue couldn’t restrain herself and shouted at Lin Fugui. Initially, Lin Fugui had thought about connecting with Qin Yue when he first entered, but now he knew well that this ‘Immortal’ was not only untouchable but also wholly off-limits. Red-eyed like a furious bull, he pointed at Qin Yue and exclaimed, “What business is it of yours to speak? And how is this not related to me? Originally, Yang Yide first signed the contract with our town, then it was your village’s turn! Do you see what’s written on this contract? Can you even read?” Saying this, Lin Fugui slammed the contract Yang Yide had signed with the township government onto the table. Liu Hun grabbed the contract and perused the terms, quickly realizing how Lin Fugui had exploited a loophole. The last clause clearly stipulated that if Wanbao Village neglected its management duties causing the delivered quantity and quality of blueberries to fall below half of the required standards, the Township Government would step in for guidance and management. “Manager Xie, how come I’ve never seen this contract before?” Liu Hun asked Xie Dapeng, needing to confirm this document wasn’t fabricated by Lin Fugui. Xie Dapeng, hearing about the disaster affecting half the crop, was already wilted, unable to maintain his spry disposition even in his crisp suit, and despondently told Liu Hun, “What can you see here? This is a contract signed with the Township Government, legally binding over that village contract you have!” Then he quickly added, “Was there really a loss of half?” Looking at Xie Dapeng’s demeanor, Liu Hun knew he was also worried, so he reaffirmed, “Nearly half of the planting area was affected.” “Ah! How do we explain this! Your village really is the death of me!” Xie Dapeng slapped his knee hard, originally hoping to show off in front of Yang Yide, but now he was utterly exposed. “Manager Xie! Don’t worry! Isn’t our Township Government here? If the people of Wanbao Village can’t plaster a wall, then we must step in for them!” Lin Fugui, striking a lordly pose and feeling like he owned the place, commanded Liu Hun and the others, “According to the contract regulations! Since your Wanbao Village suffered half the losses, our Township Government will now take charge for guidance and management! I hereby declare that I officially take over the management of Wanbao Village’s blueberry planting, in all aspects.” “Look at you, acting all haughty! You announcing... you think you’re the real deal? You’re just lousy! Even if we slapped you on the wall, you’d still stink!” Qin Yue didn’t hold Lin Fugui in regard, unable to bear the sight of Wanbao Village’s hard-earned good start being ruined by him. “Stop rambling! According to the contract, you Wanbao Village folks breached it first. Everything must be handled as per the contract. Since you couldn’t handle it, then don’t bother, let Director Lin take over! It’s your own fault for not being competent!” Xie Dapeng was so annoyed by the argument, he slammed the table and settled the matter. “Us, incompetent? What makes you say we’re incompetent? When it rains, it pours; nobody can do anything about that!” Fen Ran couldn’t hold back anymore. If Lin Fugui were to take control of this situation in Wanbao Village, it would be like putting his hand up an innocent girl’s skirt—ruining both her reputation and reality. “Enough with the nonsense!” Lin Fugui waved his hand dismissively and then addressed Liu Hun and others, “Tomorrow, I’m coming over with my team to take full control! First off, the initial deposit of one hundred thousand that you Wanbao Village folks took has to be handed over to me, I’ll decide how to deal with that money. Secondly...” He paused, unable to think of anything else to say, he eventually added, “This is a significant issue; I need to go back and discuss it with Manager Xie before making any further plans! But that money needs to be handed over first!” “Why are you still talking here? You do whatever you want; I still need to figure out how to explain this mess to Manager Yang. Damn it, such bad luck!” Xie Dapeng said impatiently and then left. “Remember the money! I’m putting it bluntly here! If I don’t see the money tomorrow, Wanbao Village will have a hard time in the future!” Lin Fugui left a stern warning and followed Xie Dapeng out. “Tch! Bullies using their power!” Qin Yue spat viciously at Lin Fugui’s retreating figure. Bai Lian pulled Qin Yue aside and said, “Qin Yue, stop cursing. We need to think of a solution now.” “Maybe we should try talking to Mayor Xie? This might work?” Du Yueling suggested to Liu Hun, clearly aware of Xie Heguo’s previous recognition of Liu Hun. “Yes! I think that’s a good idea! We need to talk to Mayor Xie. We’ve been taking care of the blueberries from start to finish; why should Lin Fugui do whatever he wants and even demand money first? If Lin Fugui really takes over, I doubt a single fruit would grow! We really need to talk this over with Mayor Xie,” Fen Ran told Liu Hun, expressing her agreement. Liu Hun smiled slightly and said, “I’ve already thought about this. We can’t go to Mayor Xie. Sister Yue, didn’t you say it yourself? Lin Fugui is one of Mayor Xie’s favorites; our ten words wouldn’t match a single word from others. Besides, Lin Fugui daring to come here means he probably foresaw us approaching Mayor Xie, maybe even waited for us to do so. So that route is a no-go.” He already had a clear understanding of his relationship with Xie Heguo; commendations are one thing, appreciation another, but without firm interests or family ties, nothing is reliable. “You’re driving me crazy! What’s your plan then? Speak up!” Qin Yue anxiously asked Liu Hun, unable to keep calm. Liu Hun gestured for a few women to come over and said, “Notify every household right away, first thing tomorrow morning we start picking the fruit!” “What? Now? Can these fruits even count?” Qin Yue asked worriedly. “They count if I say they count!” Liu Hun replied confidently. Early next morning as dawn broke, the villagers of Wanbao Village were already bustling about, those with fruits picking fruits, those without helping out. After the rooster crowed three times, Lin Fugui arrived at the entrance of Wanbao Village with his two yellow dogs, Huang Qing and Huang Qiang, along with a group of people, including not just Xie Dapeng but also the Township Rural Affairs Director, Ren Peiling. “Whoa! Quite the grand welcome ceremony you’ve set up; what, got it all figured out overnight? Looks like you folks from Wanbao Village aren’t so foolish after all, knowing how to deal with people!” Lin Fugui looked at the villagers under the crooked neck old locust tree and felt very satisfied, exactly the kind of impact he wished for. Lin Fugui and his group walked up to the tree and addressed Liu Hun, “Liu Hun, we had an agreement yesterday, how is the money coming along?” “Director Lin, I think we should discuss this matter further, after all, this is something the people of Wanbao Village should handle themselves. Plus, they’re the ones who know everything here the best,” Ren Peiling told Lin Fugui, dressed again today in a sharp women’s business suit, still dignified with a powerful and charming presence. Lin Fugui, not one to give face over a piece of meat he couldn’t eat, especially since Ren Peiling could likely become a competitor in his career, flatly stated, “There’s no room for discussion! Everything has to go according to the contract!” “Alright!” Liu Hun shouted affirmatively and then said to Ren Peiling, “Director Ren, thank you for taking the trouble for Wanbao Village. Today, I really want to see who can squeeze even a drop of profit from Wanbao Village!”

Chapter 81 - 81 81 Self-inflicted

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