Chapter 168 - 160: Crushed to Smithereens Before Even Entering the Ring

Chapter 168: Chapter 160: Crushed to Smithereens Before Even Entering the Ring

"Boss Du, I still have a few hundred yuan on my membership card. Can I get a refund?"

Pfft~

When Du Luming saw these messages in his business’s group chat, he nearly spat out a mouthful of blood.

He’d been hoping to stabilize his business. Instead, his last remaining customers were starting to desert him. Members were even asking for refunds on their fishing fees, and his high-end clients were messaging him directly.

Two words: Refund money.

’I was crushed to pieces before I even stepped into the ring.’

As if his very life force had been drained in an instant, Du Luming leaned back limply in his seat, the picture of utter despair.

’And I was fantasizing about going back to challenge him.’

’How ridiculous.’

If this were a fantasy novel, it’d be like stepping out of the crowd to announce a challenge, only to be crushed into dust by the master’s casually released aura before even setting foot on the stage.

’Fine, give them their refunds. To hell with it, I quit!’

He could see it clearly now. He and Chen Yuan Fishing Ground weren’t even in the same weight class. Forget a series of combination punches—a single bomb from them would be enough to wipe him out.

"Hello, Boss Zhu? Can you ask if I can return the hundred-pound Daqing? The giant ones are fine, but I really can’t keep the fishing ground open anymore. I’m getting rid of all the fish in my ponds. Yes, that includes the Daqing monster pond."

Du Luming was nothing if not decisive. Within minutes, he had refunded every single member’s fees—whether they’d asked for it or not—and started contacting the fish merchants.

"Find the next exit off the highway. We’re heading back."

After taking care of all that, he told his driver to turn around and even called the designated driver who was following them.

’What a mess.’

’Everything was fine on the way here. I was even fantasizing about going back to put up a fight. But before I even made it back, my fishing ground was already gone.’

Chen Yuan was unaware of any of this.

After coming to an agreement with Wang Heng and the others, he hopped on his No. 1 tricycle and headed straight for the village committee office, where he ended up chatting with Uncle Bin for several hours. ℯ

"I can give you free rein and back you up on the village construction projects, but the parking thing is a no-go."

Chen Wenbin organized the contracts and put them in a drawer. He handed several to Chen Yuan; they were land-lease contracts for villagers who had moved away and settled elsewhere.

Chen Wenbin was in charge of this. Every time he finalized the terms, he would call Chen Yuan over to sign. By now, Chen Yuan held the leases for at least half the land in the entire village.

After all, Chen Wenbin placed great importance on this path of developing leisure and tourism, so he was bound to put in a lot of effort.

"It’s August. The early rice and corn are ripe. If I let you use that open space for parking, the villagers will have nowhere to dry their grain. They’ll definitely complain. Besides, Zhou Jianming’s son is getting married and needs that space for the wedding banquet."

After putting the contracts away, Chen Wenbin picked up a pack of cigarettes from the desk and offered one to Chen Yuan.

"You’re right, I didn’t think it through."

Chen Yuan accepted the cigarette with a smile and dropped the subject.

’Since Uncle Bin has agreed to the construction at the Old Pond, I need to start immediately. I have to push the schedule as hard as possible, or I’ll miss the last bit of summer.’

’So, the parking problem has to be solved.’

He had originally wanted to use the village square. In the past, whenever there was a village meeting or an outdoor movie screening, huge crowds would gather there, and it could definitely fit several dozen cars.

It would solve the parking problem in one fell swoop.

But Uncle Bin had a point. The village couldn’t devote all its resources to supporting just one person, and Zhou Jianming’s son did need the space for his wedding.

"Actually, this is an easy fix." Chen Wenbin tapped a cigarette on the desk a few times. "So many people have moved out of the village. You can just have people park in front of their empty houses. It won’t block anyone’s way. It’ll be a bit scattered, sure, but it’s only a temporary measure." After he finished speaking, he finally placed the cigarette between his lips.

"I guess that’s the only way."

Chen Yuan picked up a lighter and lit Chen Wenbin’s cigarette before lighting his own.

"One more thing. Did your fishing ground take on financing?"

Chen Wenbin took a deep drag, his expression turning serious.

Chen Yuan was a little surprised. He’d only mentioned it last night, yet not even a day later, Uncle Bin already knew. ’Seems like nothing in Yu City Village really escapes Uncle Bin’s notice.’

’Who could have told him?’

"Financing is a good thing. You need money to build and grow quickly. But you need to be careful. Make sure you keep the decision-making power in your own hands. Don’t let someone else use our village’s resources only to swoop in and reap all the rewards."

Chen Wenbin was more serious than ever as he said this.

"Uncle Bin, you can be a hundred percent certain that’s not going to happen. I won’t do all the work just for someone else to benefit."

Chen Yuan declared with a serious expression.

He knew what Chen Wenbin was worried about: that the village committee would throw its full support behind him, only for an outsider to end up with all the gains.

’But there’s no way that would ever happen.’