Chapter 81: Securing the Land

“See? Didn’t I say earlier that Li Shujie and the others were discussing business? Once they finished, they’d definitely have me over for a toast. And now, Li Shujie himself is coming to our table. It must be because I hadn’t gone over yet, so he’s come here in person.”

As Li Shujie truly made his way toward their table, Zhang Daoren shot a provocative glance at Chen Jianpeng.

Chen Jianpeng frowned, realizing that Li Shujie was indeed approaching their table. Could he really be here for Zhang Daoren?

“Zhang, you’ve got to introduce me in a bit. I want to toast Li Shujie too,” Chu Qiaozhi said, his face brimming with anticipation.

With the Chu family’s current standing, he wasn’t yet qualified to offer a toast.

“Don’t worry. With our relationship, if I get to eat meat, I won’t just leave you with soup. I’ll personally introduce you to Li Shujie,” Zhang Daoren replied, smugness written all over his face.

“Great, fantastic! Zhang, you’re my brother—my real brother!” Chu Qiaozhi exclaimed excitedly, his gaze toward the others at the table growing all the more proud.

“Young Master Zhang, I’ll be relying on you as well,” Yan Yutang said ingratiatingly to Zhang Daoren, hoping for an introduction, too.

The others grew excited, each hoping Zhang Daoren would introduce them as well.

“Young Master Zhang, we’re counting on you,” someone else at the table pleaded.

“Don’t worry, Mr. Yan. I know how to handle things—unlike some people, who think the world should revolve around them just because of their status,” Zhang Daoren said, glancing challengingly at Chen Jianpeng, his face aglow with triumph.

This was exactly the feeling he craved—being the center of everyone’s anticipation.

Chen Jianpeng’s expression soured, but he held his tongue, though inside he was puzzled. Why would Li Shujie care about someone like Zhang Daoren?

“And you, kid—weren’t you pretty cocky just now? Let’s see you act tough again. If you dare put on an act in front of Li Shujie, I might actually start to think you’re something special,” Zhang Daoren taunted Mo Han.

Mo Han’s lips curled in a mocking smile, but he ignored Zhang Daoren.

With a cold snort, Zhang Daoren saw that Mo Han wouldn’t respond and decided not to waste any more words.

“Oh, Li Shujie! What brings you over here in person? I didn’t dare disturb you while you were discussing business earlier. If you’d just had my father let me know, I would’ve come to toast you all right away.”

At this moment, Li Shujie finally arrived at their table. Zhang Daoren eagerly stepped forward, face full of expectation.

But Li Mingjun merely cast him a fleeting glance before walking right past him, stopping in front of Mo Han.

“Mr. Mo, if Wang Xing hadn’t reminded me, I wouldn’t even have known you were here. Come on, join us at our table for a few drinks,” Li Shujie said with a smile.

Everyone was instantly stunned, eyes wide with disbelief.

Someone as distinguished as Li Shujie was personally inviting this man?

Who on earth was this guy?

Wait—what had Li Shujie just called him? Mr. Mo?

Everyone was shocked.

No one had expected Li Shujie to come over and personally invite Mo Han for drinks. Speculation about Mo Han’s identity swirled through the group.

In that instant, even Yan Yutang and Chen Churan were visibly taken aback. They had never imagined Mo Han would know Li Shujie, too.

Only Chen Jianpeng suddenly understood.

“All right,” Mo Han replied with a gentle smile. He rose, taking Li An’an with him as he followed Li Shujie.

Just as he was about to leave, something came to mind. Mo Han turned back to pick up the plan Chen Jianpeng had just drafted.

After all, he had intended to talk to Li Shujie about the land.

As Li Shujie put his arm around Mo Han and led him toward the main table, the looks that followed them were a mix of awe, envy, jealousy, and deep confusion.

Zhang Daoren’s face had already turned the color of pig’s liver.

Li Shujie was so warm toward Mo Han, yet so cold toward him—not even sparing him a second glance.

His father was, after all, head of the Zhang family, and sat at the main table with Li Shujie.

Why? Why was that man, who seemed so ordinary and insignificant, treated with such respect by a heavyweight like Li Shujie?

Chu Qiaozhi, Yan Yutang, and the others were equally bewildered.

Who was Mo Han, truly? Why was it that every time he was present, the world seemed to turn upside down?

Chen Churan’s eyes were wide as she watched Mo Han’s retreating figure, a flicker of emotion passing through her gaze—one she herself did not fully understand.

“Zhang, even your father went over to toast that guy,” Chu Qiaozhi remarked to a mortified Zhang Daoren.

Zhang Daoren nodded, having seen his own father, Zhang Xingquan, also take the initiative to toast Mo Han and Li An’an. If he still thought Mo Han was an ordinary person at this point, he’d be a fool.

Embarrassed, he glanced at Chen Churan and forced a smile. “Churan, I never realized your friend had such a wide network. I may have underestimated him before.”

“All right, you’ve underestimated too many people. You’d better leave now—we have important matters to discuss,” Chen Churan replied, frowning slightly at Zhang Daoren.

“Churan, what are you all discussing? Is your family planning on working with them?” Zhang Daoren asked, confused.

“That’s right. Why else do you think we’re sitting together?” Chen Churan replied.

Zhang Daoren was taken aback. He glanced at the group, then reluctantly got up to leave. In truth, he had no face left to stay any longer.

Chen Churan had given him an out, and he took it gratefully.

But today, he would not forget the name Mo Han.

Not long after, Mo Han and Li An’an returned.

“It’s settled. Li Shujie agreed to sell us the land at the foot of Qianling Mountain. The price is fair—just a two percent down payment, and the rest to be paid off over five years,” Mo Han announced without preamble.

“That’s excellent. When can we take possession?” Chen Jianpeng asked.

“We can go to the land office tomorrow to handle the paperwork,” Mo Han replied.

“Good, then I’ll take care of it first thing,” Chen Jianpeng said, nodding. “According to the plan, we can also start contacting construction companies tomorrow, right?”

“Yes,” Li An’an replied with a nod.

Chen Jianpeng was eager to get the new factory built, and so were they.

Given the medicinal effects Mo Han had described, they all believed that once the products hit the market, they would be in high demand.

They were all keen to get the new factory up and running as soon as possible.