Chapter 8: Long Junhao

"Regarding the new second-in-command, I’ve looked into his background. He holds a master's degree in architectural economics and previously served as the vice mayor of Xichuan City. The Magai Commercial District, which he spearheaded, has been a tremendous success. That project, too, was the result of urban renewal in an old district.

Our South China old district shares many similarities with Magai. Although both are far from the city center, they occupy vast areas with convenient transportation. It is highly likely that the future development of the city will shift toward this direction. Therefore, even if no official documents have been issued yet, acquiring land here is a guaranteed win."

Zhou Xiaonan stared intently at Chu Nan. "Is that so? Why don't I believe that the future development of Jiangcheng will shift this way?"

Chu Nan sighed. "Wasn't there a proposal last year to focus on improving urban quality and to adopt multiple measures to alleviate traffic congestion, parking difficulties, and housing shortages in the central area? I believe the key lies in the South China old district. If renovated properly, it could very well become a new commercial zone and alleviate the pressure on the city center to a certain extent."

"You think the old district will be renovated this year based on just these two points?" Zhou Xiaonan asked, looking surprised.

Chu Nan said helplessly, "Are those points not enough? If you don't believe me, there's nothing I can do. Just pretend I never brought it up."

Zhou Xiaonan smiled. "I can lend you the money, but you'll need to sign a formal agreement and promise when you'll pay me back. If you can't pay, every cent you earn from work in the future will be mine, and I'll deduct it directly from your salary."

Chu Nan was speechless. "Do you have to be so ruthless?"

"This isn't being ruthless; I just don't like to come out on the losing end."

"I'll pay you back 1.2 million by the end of this year, how about that?!"

Zhou Xiaonan chuckled. "If you really intend to buy property in this district, is 1 million enough?"

"Of course not. The more, the better."

"Then what if I lend you more? Do you dare take it?"

Chu Nan gritted his teeth. "I'll take as much as you're willing to give. I'll pay you 5% interest."

"Fine. I'll have my lawyer come over to sign the contract with you in a few days."

"Good." Chu Nan did not refuse. As long as the money was in hand, everything else was negotiable. Besides, even if she offered him the money for free, Chu Nan wouldn't just take it.

"Then if there's nothing else, I'll be going."

"Mm."

"I wonder how much this rich girl can actually come up with," Chu Nan mused, watching her walk away. "Maybe two or three million?"

Although he wasn't sure what her father did for a living, given how confident she was, money clearly wasn't an issue for her.

...

In the second-floor corridor of Qiling High School, a handsome yet slightly effeminate youth stared fixedly at Zhou Xiaonan. "Why have you been running to the hospital these past few days?"

"Exactly! Big Sister, you should tell Brother Long about this!" a chubby boy beside him chimed in.

Zhou Xiaonan frowned slightly. "I go to the hospital because I have my own reasons."

"You have to tell me. Don't you know how worried I am about you?" The effeminate youth blocked her path.

Zhou Xiaonan stared at him for a moment before speaking slowly. "A friend of mine is sick and hospitalized. I've been taking care of him these past few days."

The youth's pupils constricted. "A man or a woman?"

"Does that matter?"

"Of course it matters." The youth's gaze was sharp. "You should know how I feel about you."

Zhou Xiaonan’s expression turned equally sharp. "I told you I needed time to think about it. Don't you understand that?"

"Oh, Big Sister, what is there to think about? Who could be better than Brother Long? You're both beautiful and handsome, and your families are well-matched. You're a match made in heaven!" the chubby boy blurted out.

"Luo Xiang, shut up." Zhou Xiaonan gave him a cold look. "This is between him and me."

"Alright, alright, I'll be quiet."

"I know you need time, and I'll give it to you. But I’ve said it before: you belong to me. I won't allow any other man to get close to you. Luo Xiang is right; only I am worthy of you," the youth declared with overbearing arrogance.

Zhou Xiaonan suddenly closed the distance between them. The gesture looked intimate, but her phoenix eyes were filled with mockery. "Do you know, Long Junhao? This is exactly why you disappoint me."

With that, she turned and walked away without looking back.

Long Junhao watched her departure, his expression turning incredibly dark.

Suddenly, he turned to Luo Xiang and his group. "Did you find out what I asked you to?"

"We did, Brother Long. That day, Zhou Xiaonan went to Class 172 to see a fat guy named Yang Jingtian."

Long Junhao's face darkened. "Do you know why she went to see him?"

"We don't..."

*Smack!* Long Junhao slapped the subordinate who spoke.

"A bunch of useless idiots. I can't even get you to find out a simple thing."

"Yes, yes, Brother Long is right to punish us. But we've found out that Yang Jingtian is a day student. We'll have plenty of time to deal with him once school ends," Luo Xiang quickly offered.

"That fat guy dares to get close to Xiaonan? Make sure you teach him a lesson," Long Junhao sneered.

"Don't worry, Brother Long! We'll make sure you're satisfied!"

...

After school that afternoon, Yang Jingtian was about to head home when He Qianqian called out to him.

"Yang Jingtian, why hasn't Chu Nan come to class for the past two days?"

"Exactly. The college entrance exam is coming up; does he not plan on going to university?" Tian Jiaojiao added from beside her.

Yang Jingtian laughed. "Ah, Chu Nan? He got hurt and is in the hospital. I was planning to go see him. Are you two coming?"

"Injured?" A flicker of worry seemed to flash in He Qianqian's eyes. "How badly is he hurt?"

"It's okay, he hurt his leg." Yang Jingtian waved it off. "It's nothing. A young guy like him will be fine in a week or so."

"How did he get hurt?" Tian Jiaojiao couldn't help but ask.

"Heh, you might not believe it, but Chu Nan is Zhou Xiaonan's savior."

"His savior? How is that possible?!" Tian Jiaojiao looked incredulous. Noticing the gazes around them, she immediately lowered her voice. "Yang Jingtian, what exactly happened?"

He Qianqian was also stunned. "That's right, explain yourself clearly!"

"Remember the flower pot that fell at the school gate a couple of days ago? Chu Nan and Zhou Xiaonan were the ones involved..."

Yang Jingtian recounted the truth of the incident. Finally, he asked, "Well? Do you want to go see him?"

"See him? Why would we do that? There's already a beauty there taking care of him; wouldn't we just be making things awkward for ourselves?" Tian Jiaojiao said with immediate disdain.

"You can't say it like that. You're friends, aren't you..."

"Friends? What kind of friends? After the things he said the other day, do you think we're still friends?" Tian Jiaojiao said angrily. "In my opinion, he deserved it. Why didn't it crush him to death? It makes me so mad!"

Yang Jingtian fell silent. Tian Jiaojiao had gone too far. He decided right then that he would never associate with her again. Cursing his buddy to die meant she was an enemy to him.

He didn't care about Tian Jiaojiao, however, and turned to He Qianqian. "He Qianqian, what about you? Are you coming?"

"Me?!"

"Oh, Qianqian, why would you go see him? Have you forgotten what he said to us? He hasn't apologized, so why should we visit him?"

"Exactly. Tell him that unless he apologizes, I won't go see him!" He Qianqian had also come to her senses. She felt that Chu Nan needed to be taught a lesson. If she went to see him now, it would imply she forgave him, and he would surely push his luck even further in the future.

"I see. Fine." Yang Jingtian shook his head and turned to leave.

He felt it wasn't worth it for Chu Nan. After he had spent years buying their meals, now that he was lying in a hospital bed, they still insisted on an apology before even considering a visit. Were these two really this unreasonable?