The Bootlicking Antagonist Only Wants to Survive, but the Female Lead Refuses to Follow the Usual Plot

Chapter 261: Battle of North and South Continent ChengWen

Jiang Shihan was stunned and laughed, "What are you saying? How could I regret it?"

Lu Chengwen sighed, "Let's go back, and spend more time with your family."

Jiang Shihan noticed that Lu Chengwen seemed tired, "Mr. Lu, are you exhausted from work? Maybe you should do less."

"If I did less, Da Sheng Group would basically have no one left." He smiled. "Go on, spend time with your family."

Jiang Shihan pouted, "You shouldn't be so nice to them. They wouldn't dare to argue back if you just scolded them."

Lu Chengwen laughed, "Porcelain doesn't argue with tiles. I can scold a whole table of people, but how can I scold millions in Snow City? There are so many people criticizing me behind my back, if I were to reply to every one of them, I'd need eight mouths."

"Then why are you giving them big gift bags, lobsters, and good wine…"

"Shihan, people all have weaknesses. There have been few saints throughout history."

Lu Chengwen patiently taught, "In life, you need to learn how to interact with ordinary people, people with flaws, and even people with problems. You can earn money to treat your mom's illness, but now you should learn how to treat her emotional wounds."

Jiang Shihan nodded, "I understand. Now that we have a big house in the city center, and I'm the girlfriend of Snow City's richest man, heh, mom will finally hold her head high. I'm sure those people will start flattering her crazily."

"Tell your mom, that's all superficial. They'll criticize her even more behind her back."

"How can there be such people?"

"Most people are like that."

Lu Chengwen pinched her cheek, "Go on."

Lu Chengwen walked into the hall and Zhang Shen'er stood up, "So she really is your girlfriend!"

Lu Chengwen said, "Why would I lie to you? Why aren't you leaving?"

Zhang Shen'er said faintly, "I'm waiting for my colleagues to pick me up."

"I already had Zhao Gang arrange a car for you!"

"Oh, no need. It's okay. I'll just have my colleagues pick me up, so Zhao Gang doesn't have to make another trip."

"Alright, I'll leave first."

"Okay."

Lu Chengwen didn't walk too far when Zhang Shen'er called out to him, "Wait a moment!"

Lu Chengwen turned around, and Zhang Shen'er ran over, "Well... as a token of gratitude, how about I treat you to a meal?"

"Haha, no need. I'm afraid that halfway through, I won't be able to resist teasing you, and you'll directly hand me over to the police."

Zhang Shen'er angrily said, "Can't you behave yourself!?"

"Big sister! You're so beautiful, your thighs are so soft and tempting, how could I resist?"

Zhang Shen'er chuckled, "Go away, go away, always smooth-talking. Next time, I'll definitely have you arrested!"

Just as Lu Chengwen was about to leave, he turned back again: "Seriously, their management system is quite hidden, and there might be big figures lurking behind. You can't go after them alone anymore. It's too dangerous."

"I know."

"Solving cases and catching bad guys isn't just about being brave. You have to think more and stay calm."

"I know."

"Also, you can't catch all the bad guys. It's likely a long-term job. You need to learn how to relax. You can't always think about the people who are still suffering and push yourself to keep working. That will affect your judgment…"

"Okay, okay, I know! You're even more annoying than my dad!"

Lu Chengwen knew that this girl was actually spoiled.

She thought she was different from other rich second-generation people. She had endured a lot of hardship and thought of herself as being very noble.

In reality, compared to ordinary people, the hardships she faced weren't much at all.

He reminded her again, "You're still young, and there will be plenty of opportunities to work on cases. Right now, what's most important is to learn more, observe more, and listen more… You're not the one mainly responsible for the stability and prosperity of society at this stage, the era hasn't handed that responsibility over to you. Your job now is to cooperate with your mentors and experienced officers to solve cases. When you're ready, then…"

"Okay, I know! You keep repeating yourself!"

Lu Chengwen knew that young people like her hated being lectured, and they would get annoyed after hearing just a few sentences.

But if he didn't say anything, he'd be worried.

Even if he said something, it was likely to go in one ear and out the other.

Lu Chengwen shook his head and turned to leave.

Zhang Shen'er pouted, "Really just like my dad, always preaching."

Then she realized something was off, "Hey!? Isn't he the same age as me? Why is he talking to me like he's an adult?"

Lu Chengwen had a busy day.

That day, Li Meiqin reported that someone had found her and transferred 4.5 billion to the Da Sheng Group's business account.

At the same time, Lu Chengwen injected all of Xu Xuejiao's 12 billion into the shantytown project.

That very day, Xu Xuejiao, in her role as president of Houde Group, signed the document for additional investment and injected another 20 billion into the shantytown project.

The ordinary people's lives continued as usual, with no visible changes.

Those who needed to buy vegetables continued to buy vegetables, those who needed to watch dramas kept watching, those who wanted to book rooms did so, and those who wanted to relax lay down…

But in Snow City's business world, big news kept coming.

Li Meiqin was thrilled!

With more than 30 billion coming in, the funds could last a while longer.

But money was being spent too quickly!

Faster than originally expected!

Li Meiqin was really worried about it.

However, it was clear that the construction progress was moving even faster.

The second residential complex in the residential area was about to be completed.

This is excellent news for Da Sheng Group.

The first phase of construction involves building thirty-six residential buildings, which can accommodate around seven thousand households, potentially solving the relocation issue for twenty-five to thirty thousand people.

The current issue is whether to immediately allow the residents to move back in.

This issue has already been brought up to Mayor Zhao and Lu Chengwen's schedule.

However, when Mayor Zhao contacted Lu Chengwen's team, he heard that Lu Chengwen had been called to the police station again.

Mayor Zhao was very frustrated.

Lu Chengwen, this guy, is capable of getting things done, but he's also top-notch when it comes to causing trouble and bringing problems upon himself.

Such a big issue requires a meeting for discussion, and yet you're off to the police station again. What am I supposed to do!?

Feeling helpless, Mayor Zhao had his secretary, Wu, call the police station to ask what trouble Lu Chengwen had gotten into this time. He said that Lu Chengwen was an important member of the Snow City Chamber of Commerce and a representative of Snow City's quality entrepreneurs.

According to the rules, such a high-ranking person would need to have the city's approval before being arrested. Why are you always acting on your own?

The response was: "He wasn't arrested. This time, he has performed a meritorious deed, and we're just asking him to come back to give a statement."

Mayor Zhao grabbed the phone: "Since he hasn't done anything wrong, immediately have him come to the city for a meeting! You're asking him for a statement or to give a reward—send someone here to the city government building to wait for him. Once he's done with the meeting, you can ask him anything on the spot."

Thus, Lu Chengwen came out of the station and hurried to the city government building.

As expected, whenever plans, measures, and schemes were discussed, there were always differing opinions.

One side believed that allowing more than twenty thousand residents to move in now, without proper facilities in place, would affect the public opinion and market prices for the entire shantytown project.

The residents would be living there with construction happening all around them. The machines would be roaring during the day, and the giant lights from the cranes at night would shine like a concert…

The residents would have to travel long distances just to shop, shower, repair cars, or refuel…

Buses couldn't reach the area, and there was no subway station…

The public wouldn't care about the government's difficulties or the need to handle things step by step. They would just complain, file complaints, and curse in the streets.n/ô/vel/b//jn dot c//om

At that point, Mayor Zhao would be blamed as the big bad guy who took bribes from Lu Chengwen.

Lu Chengwen would be accused of running a low-quality project, stuffing his own pockets as a profiteer.

It would be better to wait until the supporting facilities were in place before allowing the residents to move in.

The other side also had its arguments.

The pressure from public opinion and the reality of the situation was unbearable! The buildings were finished, and if the first batch of people didn't move in now, things wouldn't stay quiet.

Various rumors would fly around.

There would be talk about how the best apartments had been bought at low prices by insiders, about government-business collusion, and how ordinary people were left out.

People would say that the promise of housing for the people was just a stunt, that the apartments had been divvied up by the big shots, and only the leftovers went to the real shantytown residents.

This was just the public opinion!

In reality, because the shantytown project had been delayed for so many years, some people had already passed away, leading to many inheritance disputes and lawsuits, which were heating up.

Meanwhile, the houses were still not available, and the court was overwhelmed, finding it difficult to handle the situation.

There were many remaining issues concerning people's livelihoods, healthcare, employment, and education…

There were just too many problems.

Once the first batch of people moved in, it would be a reassuring signal!

It would show everyone that the houses were under construction and that soon, everyone would be able to move into their new homes.

In any case, all the arguments were valid and heartfelt, all for the stability and prosperity of Snow City.

Mayor Zhao leaned more toward the latter option.

However, he needed Lu Chengwen's opinion.

Mayor Zhao wasn't an expert; he was the one who made the final decision and took responsibility for the consequences of the decision.

So, he needed to listen to various opinions and suggestions before making the final call.

And Lu Chengwen's stance was of great value.

Lu Chengwen was also feeling torn.

His first thought wasn't what the others had mentioned but rather: with new residents moving in, it would be inconvenient to even order takeout.

Lu Chengwen said, "Could we have a unified approach? That is, we allow the first batch of residents to move in, and through our administrative and publicity efforts, we try our best to gain the understanding of the public, letting them know that the initial move-ins will be without full facilities. And…"

Lu Chengwen added, "Most of the residents will need to renovate their homes… yes!"

Lu Chengwen suddenly became excited: "We could have them compete internally!"

Everyone was stunned.

Lu Chengwen said, "I, a profiteer! A profiteer must understand human nature. Let's have them fight for the houses now!"

"Chengwen, don't mess around!" Mayor Zhao was horrified.

The public is like water; it can carry a boat, but it can also capsize it.

If you do well, they'll let you float, but if you do badly, they'll wish to drown you.

Especially the people in the shantytown, who have been poor for so long—now you want them to fight for houses? Won't their heads get smashed to pieces!?

Lu Chengwen laughed: "You're all experts, first-rate talents, but there's one thing you're wrong about: you're too merciful toward the public."

Lu Chengwen shook his head: "The public—if you're too merciful, they'll push their luck and bully you. You have to be tough with them!"

Secretary Wu coughed hard: "Mr. Lu, please mind your language."

"Hahaha!" Lu Chengwen said, "I have a plan! It'll defeat the traitor Cao!"

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