Chapter 158: Slapping Faces with Money

Zhang Pu did not care whether the people from the township and the village would come or not. Although Uncle Fu had asked later if they should make a few more phone calls, Zhang Pu’s response remained the same: let them come if they want, and if they don't, good riddance.

As it turned out, it was not even noon when Zhang Pu and Uncle Fu spotted a group of figures appearing at the foot of the mountain.

Even if these people suspected that Zhang Pu was just bluffing, they were eager to come up and settle the matter once and for all, and perhaps force Zhang Pu and Uncle Fu to leave this place today.

When the group finally reached the top of the mountain, Uncle Fu was somewhat surprised: not a single member of the previous party was missing. There was Director Zhang from the township along with two of his subordinates, the village party secretary, the village chief, and that bunch including Cheng Yuan and Hu Xiangling!

Zhang Pu, however, was not surprised at all. No matter how many decades Uncle Fu had lived, he could not possibly possess the millennia of worldly experience that Zhang Pu had.

Hu Xiangling deliberately offered an explanation, saying that the scenery here was so enchanting with its emerald hills and clear streams that she could not resist staying a few more days, and when the township happened to invite them today, mentioning how lively the mountain was, they simply decided to come for another visit.

At the end of her speech, she let out a cackling laugh like a hen, feigning innocence.

Zhang Pu cursed inwardly: The most shameless one of all is you!

It was unlikely that this crowd came just to join the excitement. More likely, they had come to wait and watch him fail to produce the six hundred thousand, ultimately reducing him to a desperate and humiliating plight. They wanted to see someone refuse a toast only to be forced to drink a forfeit.

Hu Xiangling claimed they were reluctant to part with the picturesque scenery here, but frankly speaking, Qingshan Township lacked any remarkable landscapes and was utterly unsuitable for development as a tourist resort. Zhang Pu thought to himself: If this place is ever turned into a tourist resort, it will probably have to wait until he builds his own Floral Sea Lodge!

Right now, Director Zhang, the village party secretary, the village chief, and the others were undoubtedly holding onto the expectation of watching him humiliate himself. Later, they would probably sneer: Well, kid? Still feeling arrogant? Young people shouldn't be so cocky!

Today would once again trouble Uncle Fu, who had to prepare a lunch, but thinking of what happened with Uncle Fu last night, Zhang Pu felt that making him work a little harder was well-deserved.

The group first sat down to brew some tea, while Cheng Yuan's clique waited with wide eyes, remaining silent like wooden puppets.

The atmosphere was indeed a bit chilly, and Zhang Pu refused to bring up the matter of money first. Eventually, the village chief and the party secretary grew impatient, announcing that if Zhang Pu intended to take over this mountain forest today, they had brought all the official documents and seals right up the mountain with them.

Were they really this obedient? They even provided doorstep service all the way up the mountain!

Zhang Pu smiled.

Even Uncle Fu found it somewhat incredible.

For a matter like this, ordinary people would usually have to beg at the village and township offices, and some might even have to offer favors and bribes. Yet Zhang Pu sat here like a grand patriarch, waiting for these public servants to deliver their services to his doorstep.

Even now, Zhang Pu remained silent. He simply clapped his hands, and shortly after, Ye Hui and two of his subordinates brought out the six hundred thousand in cash and equivalents.

Director Zhang, the party secretary, and the village chief stared in disbelief, stepping up close to the table to count the money. Even Cheng Yuan and Hu Xiangling, who had previously maintained a blank and indifferent expression, stretched their necks out like a pair of ducks.

Zhang Pu sneered inwardly: If Liu Yingde had brought a check for six hundred thousand directly and handed it to you, it would have been even more entertaining to watch.

Still, the current scene was enough to slap them across their contemptuous faces from a few days ago!

For the moment, Director Zhang, the party secretary, and the village chief were left speechless. Fortunately, they managed to keep their composure, otherwise they would have undoubtedly counted that sum of six hundred thousand several times over.

Cheng Yuan and Hu Xiangling had nothing to say either.

This outcome was not what they had anticipated, nor was it the result they wanted, yet... but...

The faces of Cheng Yuan and Hu Xiangling turned completely ashen. Cheng Yuan still tried to maintain a shred of dignity, which only made him look all the more ridiculous.

Without any politeness, Zhang Pu began to slap their faces verbally: "I am not calling off this engagement. I am going to the provincial capital, and I'll tell Wang Sisiyi to get ready and wait!"

Hu Xiangling’s expression darkened even further.

Zhang Pu singled out Hu Xiangling, saying, "I have money too, saw that didn't you?"

Hu Xiangling was truly enraged. Combined with her inherently venomous nature, she glared straight into Zhang Pu’s ordinary face for a moment, and through gritted teeth spat out, "There are plenty of wealthy young men in the provincial capital who are much more handsome than you! Just wait for some fierce competition when you get there!"

"What competition? What could anyone else possibly compete with me for? I am her rightful, legitimate husband!" Hu Xiangling successfully provoked Zhang Pu's roguish streak.

Cheng Yuan secretly tugged at the hem of Hu Xiangling's skirt, signaling that she had gone too far with her words.

Hu Xiangling swallowed her grievance with bitter resentment, regarding Zhang Pu as a thorn in her side. In her heart, she resolved that whenever Zhang Pu came to the provincial capital, she would stop at nothing to obstruct his affair with Wang Sisiyi, and might even enlist others to make things difficult for him and deal with him!

Realizing there was no more drama left to be played out, Cheng Yuan promptly announced his departure.

Zhang Pu offered a sarcastic farewell: "Don't bother seeing yourselves out!"

Director Zhang, the party secretary, and the village chief seemed somewhat reluctant to see Cheng Yuan and his group leave, but truthfully, a greater part of them was filled with lingering awe and admiration for Zhang Pu.

All the paperwork was processed for Zhang Pu right here on the spot, just as they had agreed upon beforehand.

However, none of them had any appetite left to stay for lunch.

Watching these people genuinely prepare to leave, Zhang Pu thought to himself: What a waste of Uncle Fu’s busy morning preparations!

If these people wanted to leave, let them go! Zhang Pu only needed this mountain forest to build his Floral Sea Lodge. He cared nothing for those people, nor was he afraid of them!

Just as the group was heading down the mountain, Zhang Pu received a WeChat message from Liu Yingde, stating that they were about to arrive at Qingshan Township.

They certainly made good time, Zhang Pu praised mentally.

At the same time, Zhang Pu replied to Liu Yingde: The money matter has been settled, but he still wanted Liu Yingde to bring the money along and come in person anyway.

Unable to contain his excitement, Zhang Pu told Liu Yingde: He was going to turn this place into a second Floral Sea Lodge.

The latter responded with an expression of apparent surprise and praise.

After finishing his WeChat communication with Liu Yingde, Zhang Pu caught a glimpse of Uncle Fu sneaking off to the side to chat on his own phone.

What kind of mischief was Uncle Fu up to now?

Zhang Pu immediately recalled the scene from the previous night.

Zhang Pu thought: In broad daylight like this, could Uncle Fu possibly be notifying that monster again?

But he had already paid the money to the other party, what on earth would that monster come to snatch? Zhang Pu chuckled inwardly.

As Zhang Pu put away his phone, Uncle Fu happened to put his away as well.

Zhang Pu intentionally locked eyes with Uncle Fu for a split second.

The latter looked slightly guilty.

Yet Uncle Fu put on a calm facade. An ordinary person would have been easily deceived by Uncle Fu's air of worldly vicissitudes, but Zhang Pu certainly would not!

Uncle Fu hurried off under the pretext of preparing lunch. From some point onward, Zhang Pu’s gaze had begun to fill him with dread.