Chapter 88: A New Chapter of Opportunities

Leaders, please don’t be too disappointed.

How is that even possible!

After a few polite pleasantries, Cao Jun asked, “Xiao Xu, do you need the company car to pick you up at the airport?”

“No thanks, Boss. I’ve got my own ride.”

“Alright then, see you at the guesthouse!”

“See you at the guesthouse!”

Time flew—it was already nine in the morning.

Xu Hao had arrived at the arrivals hall of Yan City International Airport. Along with him was Han Xiaoqing.

“Brother Hao, we’ll meet in Mingsha County once the students are on break!”

Han Xiaoqing smiled warmly and extended her right hand.

“Call me as soon as you get there. I owe you big time for the desert greening project—without you, sealing that deal would have been impossible.”

Xu Hao hurriedly reached out his hand.

Just three days ago, thanks to Han Xiaoqing’s introduction, he had met a top professor from a world-renowned university and secured the patent at a friendship price of one million—a windfall he couldn’t ignore.

When news reached that Xu Hao was leaving today, Han Xiaoqing insisted on seeing him off, and he couldn’t refuse.

“It’s nothing. My professor is a die-hard environmentalist. Even without me, you’d have nailed the deal.”

Han Xiaoqing smiled again.

“No way. Without you, I wouldn’t even have known about this technology!”

Xu Hao shook his head.

He wasn’t a fool—he knew exactly how vital Han Xiaoqing’s help had been during the patent talks. “Anyway, whenever you or the students call, food, lodging, and transport are on me.”

“Are you sure about that?”

Han Xiaoqing beamed, offering no refusal.

“Absolutely!”

Xu Hao nodded seriously. Just as he was about to add something more, his phone rang suddenly.

He pulled it out—it was Zhu Qiang calling.

“Brother Hao, answer the phone first!”

Noticing his cue, Han Xiaoqing nodded and stepped aside.

Xu Hao smiled as he answered. “Qiangzi, what’s up?”

“Brother Hao, after nearly twenty days of preparation, the exhibits in the Wooden Tengwang Pavilion are almost complete. Should we officially open the pavilion for visitors when you return?”

Zhu Qiang’s voice came through quickly.

“The exhibits are ready?”

Xu Hao was taken aback.

Just a couple of days ago, Zhu Qiang had complained that the gathered items were too meager for the Wooden Tengwang Pavilion and might attract criticism from visitors. But now, “Last night, Uncle Wang from Hongsha Gang Village contacted President Luo. He voluntarily brought out the family heirloom and even rallied the village elders—he contributed several high-quality artifacts that really set the stage.”

Zhu Qiang remarked with admiration.

It proved that even the treasured heirloom of a humble family could not be underestimated.

“Alright, since everything’s in place, organize the opening of the Tengwang Pavilion tomorrow! As for tickets, stick with our plan of twenty yuan per ticket—it’s affordable for everyone.”

After a moment’s thought, Xu Hao confirmed the arrangements.

“Tomorrow? I was planning on waiting for you to return so we could hold a proper ceremony!”

Zhu Qiang was momentarily stunned.

“No need. You can handle the opening ceremony yourself—remember, you’re the CEO and legal representative of Mingsha Tourism. Besides, my live stream for the guesthouse has been losing steam. The sooner we open, the better.”

Xu Hao added.

Although he had been busy renovating the Wanchun Pavilion for over half a month, he kept tabs on the guesthouse. In Ning’an, Tianchen Culture was staging new events every few days, almost every event making the headlines. In contrast, visitors at the Ancient Building Courtyard in Ning’an were increasing, while Mingsha’s guesthouse was barely supported by a few Loyal Fans—otherwise, it would have nearly collapsed.

“So, when will you be back?”

After a brief pause, Zhu Qiang asked.

“I need a few days in Haishi. Mr. Fang from Haofang Culture is gathering actors and renting filming equipment—I’m returning with them.”

Xu Hao outlined the plan.

It wasn’t that he didn’t want to return to the guesthouse sooner—the TV drama’s start couldn’t be delayed any longer.

“Alright then, I’ll announce on Mingsha Tourism’s official Weibo that we’ll hold an opening ceremony for visitors either the day after tomorrow or the following day!”

“Great!”

The sun rose and set—two days passed in the blink of an eye.

Although Mingsha Tourism announced the official opening of the Tengwang Pavilion on its Weibo and held a sizable ceremony, Xu Hao, busy in Haishi with his new drama, didn’t do a live stream to promote it.

As a result, the event didn’t draw the massive crowd that was expected.

The attendees were mostly Mingsha County officials, tourists staying at guesthouses in No. 1, No. 2, and Qixia Town, along with villagers from Hongsha Gang Village and nearby hamlets.

A few hundred people huddled in front of the vast square of the Tengwang Pavilion, hardly making it seem lively.

After the ceremony, once everyone had ascended, the base square was nearly empty except for a few cleaners, making the guesthouse area feel deserted.

This scene was quickly captured by some visitors and posted on social media.

……

In Jiangcheng—a city of over ten million people, where three rivers converge and serve as a hub for the Long Kingdom—

at that very moment,

inside a high-rise along the river bearing a “Nanjiang News” sign, a man in a white shirt and gold-rimmed glasses watched videos on his phone and suddenly perked up.

He then turned to his computer and began typing rapidly.

“Hey, this is interesting! Just when I needed a scoop, you delivered one—I feel destined for success!”

Sitting up straighter, he promptly saved and downloaded the video.

“Xiao Wang!”

After wrapping up, he shouted towards the door.

“Editor-in-Chief! You called for me.”

Soon after, a lady in a short skirt and black stockings pushed open the office door.

“Xiao Wang, inform the news department that today’s headline will be reserved for me!”

The man nodded.

“Headlines? Editor-in-Chief, do you have a big scoop?”

The lady was stunned at first, then excited.

She worked at Nanjiang News, a unit known for explosive, sensational stories on social media, short videos, and websites, which brought in likes and views—its main income source. Occasionally, they even accepted an apology from those exposed.

In short, the bigger the news, the higher the attention and revenue for her team.

The bespectacled man, Sun Da, was the Editor-in-Chief of Nanjiang News and a partner in the website, primarily in charge of local news.

“This scoop is huge. If we time the exposure right, it’ll spark nationwide debate.”

Sun Da adjusted his gold-rimmed glasses.

“Editor-in-Chief, what’s the angle this time?”

The lady couldn’t help but ask curiously.

For a headline, the news has to be sensational enough to draw nationwide attention.

“What angle? How about a story where an impoverished county in a northwestern province spends a fortune on a vanity project in the desert? Don’t you think that has huge potential?”

Sun Da smirked triumphantly.

“Once this recovery wave hits, everything that’s owed will be made up for.”