Chapter 160: Tea and Village Ventures

Jinfeng Business Tower, Reception Room.

“Try some of this new Pu’er tea!”

Xu Zhiquan smiled and stood up, walking to the large tea table to brew the tea himself.

Xu Chen and Fang Jun followed and sat down.

As Xu Zhiquan washed and brewed the tea, he began to speak:

“There’s another matter I want to discuss with you two.

At this afternoon’s meeting, Vice Mayor Wu Yongming asked me a question.

He said that if we follow the reported plan to convert the Mechanical Factory into an Electric Vehicle Factory, would we need any help from the city…”

Fang Jun picked up his teacup and took a sip:

“Is the leadership being that straightforward?”

Xu Zhiquan chuckled:

“Mayor Wu is an upright leader who’s truly dedicated to boosting Tiancheng’s economy.

His question is not just a subtle hint; it’s also a genuine inquiry.

So, we need to think carefully about how to respond.

You two help me brainstorm—what requests could we make if we decide to ask?”

Fang Jun replied:

“First, it’s obviously about funding…

Once we acquire the Mechanical Factory, whether through mortgages or loans from commercial banks, we can calculate what we’ll get.

If the city provides policy support, we could secure even more funds.

Some places offer low-interest or even interest-free loans to businesses, though those are tougher to get…”

Xu Zhiquan listened and nodded quietly.

Fang Jun thought for a moment more:

“Then there’s introducing the electric vehicle production line—if the city or province steps in, it would make things easier.

Of course, we’d need to provide a list of target companies and a detailed plan for the production line first.”

Xu Zhiquan nodded seriously and refilled Fang Jun’s cup with tea.

“Well said, Teacher Fang!”

Xu Chen couldn’t help but nod:

“Absolutely! Teacher Fang was wasted just handling finances at the Mechanical Factory.”

Fang Jun: “You’re too kind, Teacher Xu. Working with you on the Shanghai and Mechanical Factory projects taught me a lot!”

Xu Chen: “…”

Xu Zhiquan laughed heartily:

“Now, you two are my teachers!”

Xu Chen thought for a moment and said:

“I think we could make another request, but it’s probably too early, and we’d have to phrase it carefully…”

Xu Zhiquan poured his son a cup of tea.

Xu Chen: “Our first electric vehicle will need time to gain traction, even with Xie Bingran’s promotion help.

If the city could commit to some designated purchases…”

Xu Zhiquan laughed: “So, we’re not just asking the city for money—we’re asking them to buy our products too…”

…

…

…

Fang Tao and Cheng Yong had smoothly started their jobs and were living with Li Rui in the dormitory at the town’s factory grounds.

They quickly bonded with the Maternal Uncle and Fourth Uncle.

These past few days, Xu Zhiquan had no outside commitments, so he stayed home, enjoying the rare downtime.

Li Rui took Fang Tao and Cheng Yong along with the Maternal Uncle, Zhang Yongqing, to work on the seedling pots.

All from rural backgrounds, they picked it up quickly and worked efficiently.

With Xu Chen waiting for his college entrance exam results and not wanting to waste time gaming, he stayed at the factory grounds, joining in with the plants.

After a couple of days, he started enjoying it and began to understand why the Maternal Uncle, Zhang Yongqing, was so absorbed in it.

Tending to these flowers and plants really brought a sense of calm and peace.

…

That noon, the sound of a car approached from outside.

Everyone stood up and looked—two figures, one tall and one short, walked in.

It was Fang Jun and Yang Congxin.

Xu Zhiquan was busy with Zhang Yongqing, dressed in work clothes with dirt on his hands.

He stood up, saw them, and laughed: “What brings you two here?”

Yang Congxin adjusted his black-framed glasses and smiled: “We’re here to check out President Xu’s seedling business!”

Fang Jun added: “Can’t just sit around collecting a paycheck from President Xu.

We’ve got some free time, so we’ll lend a hand here!”

Xu Zhiquan held up his grimy hands: “This is all dirty work— not what you university types should be doing.”

Xu Chen chimed in: “Dad, look who’s talking— the Maternal Uncle is a university grad too!”

The Maternal Uncle, Zhang Yongqing, stood up, a bit embarrassed: “I’m in this field by profession, and I genuinely enjoy it…”

Fang Jun and Director Yang found it intriguing, so that afternoon, they joined in with everyone.

The Maternal Uncle, Zhang Yongqing, became the “technical guide,” explaining grafting and cultivation techniques in detail.

With the Mechanical Factory still pending, over the next few days, Fang Jun and Director Yang actually came by daily to help.

Xu Zhiquan took a day to show them around a few projects, including the new lands in Beishan and the west of the city.

Yang Congxin remarked with admiration: “President Xu is quite the talent— turning seedling farming into such a big operation!”

Xu Zhiquan joked: “It’s mostly the direction Xu Chen set; I just handle the execution.”

…

…

…

Meanwhile, over the past couple of days, Xu Zhiquan made several calls.

It was about the recent case that had been dragging on, leaving him worried.

He used some connections to inquire about the case’s progress and subtly applied some pressure…

Since Fang Tao and Cheng Yong didn’t have driver’s licenses, Xu Zhiquan arranged for them to take classes.

Xu Chen thought about it and signed up too.

In his past life, Xu Chen was an experienced driver, but without a license now, he couldn’t drive legally.

It was a good opportunity during the break before university to get his license.

The driving school was in town, making it convenient.

On the first day of practice, Li Rui dropped Xu Chen and the others at the school entrance.

Fang Tao and Cheng Yong smoked nearby, acting a bit reserved around Xu Chen.

Compared to ‘Rui Ge,’ they were clearly more straightforward and laid-back.

Xu Chen kept things light, chatting with them about Bing Ge’s gossip.

Fang Tao, from the same village as Xie Bingran, mentioned how the Village Committee had fully renovated Xie Bingran’s family home.

They even put up a special plaque at the door, something like ‘Home of the Champion.’

After Xie Bingran won in Shanghai, the Village Committee organized the whole village to watch the news coverage on a projector in the square.

Those two villagers who had tried to arrange a marriage through a matchmaker were now too embarrassed to show their faces.

Fang Tao also brought up something that caught Xu Chen’s attention.

Xie Bingran’s long-remarried mother had appeared in the village one evening.

She stood outside the Xie family house for a while…

But she didn’t say or do anything before leaving alone.

…

…

…

The weather was sweltering.

The three stood in the shade, waiting for the instructor.

A clear voice suddenly called from behind: “Xu Chen?”

Xu Chen turned and saw a girl bundled up tightly, wearing a large sun hat and mask.

He couldn’t place her at first and paused.

She removed her mask, revealing a pretty face—it was Feng Qingqing, the town chief’s daughter.

Xu Chen smiled: “What a coincidence! You’re learning to drive too?”

Feng Qingqing stepped into the shade, looking a bit self-conscious in her outfit:

“Yeah, figuring I’d get my license during the break.”

Xu Chen thought it made sense—there were only a couple of driving schools in town.

Feng Qingqing: “How did your exams go?”

Xu Chen smiled: “No idea yet—waiting for the scores.”

Feng Qingqing: “I’m sure you did better than me.”

Xu Chen: “Nah, I’m just optimistic.”

Feng Qingqing: “Not true…”

Xu Chen laughed and didn’t push it.

Feng Qingqing: “Which city are you heading to for university? Decided yet?”

Xu Chen: “Not yet—depends on the results.”

…

While Xu Chen chatted with Feng Qingqing, Fang Tao and Cheng Yong stood quietly nearby.

They exchanged odd glances.

Xu Chen sipped his water and noticed their strange looks, feeling a twinge of unease.

Well…

These two were Bing Ge’s guys, after all.

Who knew if Bing Ge had told them to keep an eye on him or something…

Just as Xu Chen felt awkward, Feng Qingqing said softly:

“My dad showed me a competition the other day…”

Xu Chen: “Huh?”

Feng Qingqing: “It was the women’s 100-meter hurdles. He said the champion is from our town—Xie Bingran.”

Town Chief Feng Wenjiang had attended Xie Bingran’s grandmother’s funeral, so he knew her.

Xu Chen stayed quiet, letting her continue.

Feng Qingqing glanced up at Xu Chen: “Xie Bingran… she’s the girl you bought shoes, clothes, and a bag for, right?”

Xu Chen laughed: “Yeah!”

He paused suddenly.

Buying her running shoes, athletic wear, and a backpack…

The words sounded similar, but the vibe felt off.

Feng Qingqing didn’t catch his drift and looked down, saying quietly: “She’s really outstanding…”

Xu Chen didn’t respond, just gave an awkward smile.

As he wondered how to steer the conversation, an instructor called from afar: “Feng Qingqing, you’re up for driving practice!”

Feng Qingqing turned and replied, then said to Xu Chen: “I’ll head over!”

Xu Chen smiled: “Okay, catch up later.”

Once Feng Qingqing was gone, Fang Tao and Cheng Yong’s odd looks eased a bit.

Xu Chen sighed, tilting his head back for a long drink of water.

After a while, a dark-skinned, bald instructor approached.

Driving instructors were usually stern and quick to yell, but Xu Zhiquan had likely put in a word— this one was notably polite, especially with Xu Chen.

“Let’s start with getting the car going, and basic clutch work and shifting.”

Xu Chen thought this was too slow—it would waste time in this stifling heat.

He gestured to Fang Tao, who quickly understood and handed over a cigarette from his pocket.

Xu Chen took one and politely offered it to the instructor.

“Instructor, I’d like to jump straight to the second test maneuvers…”

The bald instructor took the cigarette and tucked it behind his ear.

“Alright, give it a shot. I’ll be in the passenger seat, and if it’s not right, I’ll hit the brakes!”

…

So, for the next twenty minutes, Xu Chen drew on his past life’s decade-plus of driving experience to give the instructor, Fang Tao, and Cheng Yong a little surprise.