Yu Zhou didn't want to know, nor did he need to know, what Liu Dalong's intentions were.
He knew clearly that if Liu Dalong hadn't relied on his brother-in-law, he would have long since disappeared without a trace.
Among the deputy directors of the second factory, Liu Dalong was neither the most shrewd nor the most intelligent.
The biggest reason he became the director of the reform committee during the restructuring was his influential brother-in-law. If they were to truly clash, and their conditions were equal, Yu Zhou wouldn't fear him at all.
Now, Liu Dalong had made the first move, standing before him with an air of arrogance.
He appeared to be triumphant, wishing he could slap Yu Zhou then and there with no possibility of retaliation. But was that really the case?
Yu Zhou merely smiled faintly. Facing this familiar face, he seemed to show no emotion.
After a pause, he finally spoke, "You think by blocking my loan, you can successfully take over the dried fruit factory?"
"Or do you think I truly can't raise the money?"
Yu Zhou's words were light, as if the matter was of no consequence to him.
However, upon hearing this, Liu Dalong's expression flickered.
Indeed, he only sought a bank loan because he didn't want to trouble others.
But if the bank route truly became impassable, it wouldn't be difficult to raise funds elsewhere. In such a situation, could he truly grip Yu Zhou by the throat?
"Do you really think I have no backup plan?"
"To be honest, this dried fruit factory is mine, no matter who comes."
"With your meager abilities, you still want to compete with me? Do you truly believe Ms. Qin can solve everything? Do you understand the saying that a strong dragon cannot suppress a local snake?"
Liu Dalong now understood Yu Zhou's background and naturally knew this matter was difficult.
But difficult didn't mean impossible.
Regardless, Ms. Qin Siran's connections were not in Jiangbei. But he had a brother-in-law who was a district chief with real power in Jiangbei. Just this single connection meant that the reform office and other departments would have to show him some respect.
If it came to a real fight, he didn't believe that Ms. Qin, whose background was so mysterious, wouldn't give his brother-in-law face.
"This guy, he really thinks of himself as more important than anyone else!"
Seeing Liu Dalong's continued arrogance, Yu Zhou found it somewhat amusing.
Let alone the terrifying background of Ms. Qin, who could bring down a district chief with just a word.
Even if she didn't possess such a formidable background, could Liu Dalong's brother-in-law truly control everything in Jiangbei? The fact that Yu Zhou was involved indicated he had enough qualifications within the reform office.
Moreover, as the deputy section chief had mentioned before, as long as it was within reasonable limits, they would prioritize his application. In this context, the outcome was clear.
"Sir, I understand this is a business matter between you."
"However, you openly instructing the bank to halt lending is somewhat against the rules, wouldn't you say?"
The face of the business manager beside them was also quite displeased. This deal was practically sealed.
Who would have thought that the problem would arise from this?
He didn't know the extent of Liu Dalong's background, nor how he had managed to get the bank to block the loan.
But he couldn't deny that he was very unhappy now.
This was equivalent to severing their relationship, with no difference to making an enemy.
In this day and age, who in banking didn't have connections? Especially in a provincial capital like Jiangbei.
Even if you were powerful and could issue orders, you shouldn't do it so brazenly.
In reality, this matter could have been handled easily. A simple phone call and some delay tactics would suffice.
As long as the matter of the dried fruit factory was settled, the bank would have no further involvement.
But Liu Dalong chose to resort to using his influence to bully them. This annoyed the manager and made him develop a strong dislike for Liu Dalong.
"Who do you think you are? A mere bank employee, who gave you the right to speak to me like that?"
"And you, Yu Zhou, if you have the guts, go find your connections now? Don't think I don't know how you got rich, isn't it all thanks to a few women?"
"Eating soft rice to this extent is rare, but do you really think those important figures take you seriously?"
When Liu Dalong heard even a small bank employee dare to speak to him like that, he exploded with rage.
He viciously cursed the business manager without any reservation, and then arrogantly began to accuse Yu Zhou. In his eyes, Yu Zhou had only reached his current position by relying on his charm with women.
If he hadn't served a few women well behind the scenes, he wouldn't have achieved what he had today.
Important figures generally paid no mind to people like him. Didn't his brother-in-law's acquaintances, those influential women, act similarly?
He hadn't paid attention to Yu Zhou for a few days, and now Yu Zhou had gotten ambitious?
Yu Zhou smiled coldly, seemingly unfazed by the insult of rising through women.
He continued to smile calmly, as if what Liu Dalong said were facts.
"If I were you, I wouldn't be so arrogant."
"You have little ability yourself, yet your actions are widely known."
"If this continues, it won't be long before I might need to apply to see you."
Yu Zhou found it somewhat amusing. Why was he talking so much with someone who was on the verge of ruin?
Liu Dalong was already on the brink of madness. Without the financial support of the second factory, and with his own shady dealings, he was now a pawn that could be discarded at any moment.
Yet he was still trying his best to make a scene. Wasn't he just asking for trouble?
Perhaps, what was supposed to happen two years later in his previous life, Liu Dalong might not even last half a year in this one.
What he needed now was just a fuse.
Previously, Yu Zhou didn't want to be the one to light the fuse, but now, it seemed no one was more suitable than him to do so.
"Pah! You think I'm like you?"
"You're arrogant, what can you do to me? If you have the guts, eat me!"
Seeing Yu Zhou's calm demeanor, Liu Dalong was filled with even more anger. He immediately sat opposite Yu Zhou and began to mock him without hesitation.