Chapter 645 - 287: This Tea Is Too Expensive, 2 Billion a Sip

’Otherwise, if that person falls from power one day, I could very well be dragged down with them.’

’He had money, but in the face of power, it was nothing!’

Xi Huai’an hadn’t expected Xu Yun to call him "Leader" instead of "Uncle Zhang."

Anyone else would have jumped at such an opportunity.

But this guy, Xu Yun, not only failed to appreciate the gesture, but he also took the initiative to define his relationship with the leader as neither too close nor too distant.

The leader was also a little surprised by how Xu Yun addressed him.

’This young man is interesting.’

He smiled and said, "Young man, you only use titles during work. Right now, I’m just an elder to you. There’s no need to be so formal. Just be casual."

"Since you put it that way, Leader, I feel much more at ease."

Xu Yun poured himself a cup of tea and replied with a smile, "I was scared to death just now."

"I didn’t see any sign of you being nervous when you saw me."

"That’s just me putting on a brave face."

After taking a sip of tea, Xu Yun changed the subject. "Oh, Uncle Xi, this tea is quite good. Let me take some home with me when I leave."

The leader heard this and asked in surprise, "You know how to appreciate tea?"

"This kid’s expertise in the art of tea is on par with a national master."

Xi Huai’an explained from the side, "The Da Hong Pao from the mother tree you had last time was a gift from him."

"Is that so?"

The leader said meaningfully, "That’s precious stuff. I’ve been craving it for a long time."

"Ah, what a shame. I don’t have any more either."

Xu Yun understood the man’s underlying meaning and feigned a sigh. "I gave it all to Uncle Xi. If you’d like some, Leader, you can ask Uncle Xi for it directly."

"Is that so?"

The leader looked at Xi Huai’an and said, "Old Xi, you’re not being honest. Didn’t you tell me you were out?"

"..."

Xi Huai’an’s mouth twitched. He was in a tough spot and couldn’t say a word.

He had been reluctant to part with it himself and had wanted to rope Xu Yun into it, having him present the gift to the leader and earning some goodwill for him in the process.

After all, how many wealthy people out there couldn’t find a temple to pray in, even with a pig’s head in hand?

But this guy was something else. Within just a few minutes, he had repeatedly rejected such an opportunity.

’Is he genuinely not interested, or just playing dumb?’

’Or is he actually dumb?’

"Uncle Xi."

Xu Yun didn’t want to play mind games with these old foxes anymore and got straight to the point. "You didn’t call me here today just to introduce me to the leader, did you?"

"Young man, you’re very straightforward. I like that."

The leader looked at Xi Huai’an and teased, "You see? This is how young people are. You’re the one with all the schemes, and he doesn’t even appreciate it."

Anyone who could reach his position was a shrewd judge of character.

He saw right through his old friend’s little schemes but chose not to expose them.

If Xu Yun had actually taken the bait and deliberately tried to cozy up to him, his impression of the young man would have been halved, and he wouldn’t have brought up what he was about to say.

It would have ended with them just finishing their tea and leaving, as if this meeting had never happened.

"..." Xi Huai’an.

’Great, now I’m caught in the middle, looking bad from every angle.’

He stood up and said, "In that case, you can discuss the rest with Xu Yun yourself. Anyway, I’ve brought the person you were looking for."

"Alright," the leader nodded.

Xu Yun watched Xi Huai’an leave, then turned to the middle-aged man and asked with a smile, "Leader, how can I be of service?"

"Old Xi says you have a lot of money."

"Uh."

Xu Yun heard this and said awkwardly, "Not really, just a *bi-llion* or so. It’s nothing worth mentioning compared to the real big shots."

"Last year and this year, a lot of real estate companies went bust. You know about that, right?"

"I know a little."

"A real estate project I previously approved also went bust."

The middle-aged man said, "Construction is now halfway done, but the project has been abandoned. A lot of ordinary people who bought homes there can’t get their properties."

Xu Yun didn’t speak, but he guessed what was coming.

He asked tentatively, "Are you hoping I’ll take over the project, Leader?"

"Yes."

"Leader, while I sympathize with everyone’s misfortune, but..."

Xu Yun said, "My money doesn’t grow on trees, either. The previous developer took the money and ran. If I put up the cash to finish construction now, everyone gets their homes, but what do I get?"

"You’ll have the goodwill of our government leadership."

The leader continued, "Not only that, but a portion of the land that the original real estate boss hoarded will also be transferred to you at market value, based on your construction costs."

"..."

’To be honest, Xu Yun was no fool.’

’There were too many variables in the leader’s two promises.’

’First, the government’s goodwill?’

’That was too intangible. It was impossible to judge its value.’

’Maybe it would be priceless, or maybe it would be worth less than dirt!’

’Then there was the second promise.’

’With the real estate market in such a slump and constantly declining, the land the government would compensate him with would probably be in the suburbs. It could very well become worthless wasteland.’

’Of course, it could also be worth a fortune someday.’

’So, it all came down to whether he dared to take the gamble.’

’But even so, he didn’t believe that a leader of this stature couldn’t find other investors to do this.’

’And that they would ultimately need Xi Huai’an to find him.’

After a moment of silence, Xu Yun asked, "Leader, may I ask how much it would cost to take over this abandoned residential project you mentioned and complete all the construction?"

"Two billion."

"..." Xu Yun.

’No wonder they couldn’t find anyone!’

’Only a fool would spend that much money to do something like this.’

’Other people’s money, unlike his, didn’t just appear out of thin air.’

That’s why he felt no psychological burden or pressure.

’I have to take this gamble!’

’If I win, the payoff will be huge.’

After the middle-aged man finished speaking, he saw Xu Yun fall silent and knew that the figure he had quoted was a bit too high.