The next morning at eight, Huang Haibo called to say they were already working on site. Li Haochen quickly washed up and ate a lovingly prepared breakfast. This was a mandatory course for him now. Although the taste still needed improvement, it couldn't be denied that it was sweet.
Starting the day so sweetly, how could his luck be bad?
Just as he was about to leave, he received a call from Xie Baolian. "Aunt Lian, good morning."
"If I didn't call, you probably would have forgotten me," Xie Baolian complained, pouting.
"How could that be? I could forget anyone but you, Aunt Lian, right?"
"You're so glib. Alright, your branch store has been approved. You just need to come and sign later."
"Really? Love you, love you!" Receiving such good news first thing in the morning, one could only imagine his mood.
"You scamp, I'm hanging up now, I need to get to work. Treat me to lunch!"
"Absolutely. See you at lunch."
Hanging up, Li Haochen rushed to the gate construction site. The stainless steel security gate had already been hung and was being spot-welded for reinforcement.
"Sizzle sizzle~"
Li Haochen looked at the steel fortress and nodded with satisfaction.
"Uncle Bo, you've worked hard."
"Haochen, just a few finishing touches and it'll be done. Wait a moment."
Huang Haibo, holding an aluminum ladder, climbed up and welded two layers of irregularly shaped sharp spikes around the stainless steel gate. He also wrapped several coils of barbed wire around the top and sides. In the sunlight, they glinted with a chilling coldness that was quite intimidating.
Moreover, Huang Haibo, with great foresight, welded a long stainless steel pipe inside the gate and installed a 360-degree surveillance camera, with the wires already connected. It just needed to be powered up.
"Haochen, how is it?"
"Uncle Bo, you've thought of everything. It's perfect."
Li Haochen was completely satisfied with the protective measures Huang Haibo had added.
When it came to settling the bill, Huang Haibo was also completely satisfied. How could he not be? It was over twenty thousand yuan! Of course, he didn't overcharge Li Haochen; the materials spoke for themselves.
As he was leaving, he asked Huang Haibo to spray "Private Property, No Trespassing" and similar phrases on the gate.
By the time he arrived at the administrative center, it was already noon. Xie Baolian was waiting for Li Haochen with the documents.
"Aunt Lian, I'm sorry, I was a bit delayed by something."
Xie Baolian smiled as soon as she saw Li Haochen arrive, looking very happy. "Haochen, you just need to sign here."
After signing, Xie Baolian, just off work, took Li Haochen to a small restaurant not far away. It was quite quiet. Since there were no private rooms, they found a small table by the window.
"Haochen, you seem to have lost some weight."
"Have I?" Li Haochen touched his face.
"Yes," Xie Baolian said confidently. Judging by her expression, she probably just found an excuse to order a large spread and engage in her usual feeding ritual.
As expected, Li Haochen's bowl was piled high like a small mountain.
Watching Li Haochen eat heartily, Xie Baolian's smile curved like a crescent moon.
Meanwhile, in Qingniu Village, adjacent to Dalong Village, Zhao Dafu and his brother were crouching under the large banyan tree at the village entrance, whispering something. Upon closer inspection, they were the same two people Li Haochen had encountered yesterday at the Butterfly Bay exit.
"Dabao, do you think that young man yesterday came out of Butterfly Bay?"
Zhao Dabao took a puff of his water pipe, which gurgled loudly. "Probably. I didn't pay much attention. I only saw him carrying a large roll of safety rope."
"Why do you think he was carrying such a big roll of safety rope?" Zhao Dafu mused, stroking his chin.
"Probably for climbing mountains," Zhao Dabao mumbled, continuing to puff on his water pipe with an expression of utmost satisfaction.
"Slap~"
"Brother, why did you hit me?" Zhao Dabao touched the back of his head, complaining with a hint of resentment.
"Puff, puff, puff! I'll puff you to death! What were you saying just now?"
"Why did you hit me!"
Zhao Dafu reached out as if to hit him again, but Zhao Dabao leaped back, evading the attack, feeling rather smug.
Seeing his attempt foiled, Zhao Dafu, with his clenched jaw, became enraged. He stomped his foot, chased after Zhao Dabao, and delivered a thorough beating. A few minutes later, he patted his hands with satisfaction. "Hmph, see if you dare to dodge again. Don't mistake a tiger for a sick cat! Think quickly about what you just said, or else..."
Zhao Dabao shivered. He knew Zhao Dafu wasn't joking; he'd be beaten again if he wasn't satisfied. His mind was a jumble, and he couldn't recall anything. As he twisted and turned, cold sweat began to bead on his forehead.
Zhao Dafu sat on the stone steps, staring at Zhao Dabao, impatiently tapping his foot. His expression suggested he was about to explode.
After another two minutes, the veins on Zhao Dafu's forehead bulged like earthworms. He suddenly jumped up and raised his hand.
Just as Zhao Dafu's palm was about to descend, a thought flashed through Zhao Dabao's mind. "Brother... Brother, I remember now! Don't hit, don't hit."
"Then speak quickly."
"What was it..." Zhao Dabao paused, then smacked his thigh. "Yes, yes, yes! Climbing mountains, probably climbing mountains. That's it."
Zhao Dafu's hand stopped in mid-air, and he tilted his head in thought. "Climbing mountains?"
"Slap..."
"Brother, why are you hitting me again?" Zhao Dabao touched his aching scalp, pouting aggrievedly.
"Hahaha, that must be it! Using safety ropes, just like rock climbing, and then adding a few carabiners, wouldn't that work? I'm so smart!" Zhao Dafu declared confidently, raising his hand to strike, but his aim was off.
"Where did he go?"
Zhao Dabao was extremely pleased with his foresight.
"This kid is really quick to get away this time."
"Alright, hurry up and come over here. Let's go."
"Brother, where are we going?"
"Calling you a pig would be giving you too much credit. Where else could we be going but to buy safety ropes and carabiners? If I don't conquer Butterfly Bay today, then the money will be... Heh heh!"
Zhao Dafu had long coveted Butterfly Bay. Two years ago, when he was still a rash young man, he had ventured in once. The abundant sea snails inside had delighted him. However, he had almost fallen off a cliff and died on the way out. Not only did he not get any sea snails, but he was also terribly frightened and fell seriously ill.
Since then, he had not dared to go back. Yesterday, he had only lingered at the edges, too afraid to enter. Now, reminded by his foolish younger brother, his buried desires had resurfaced.
The thought of conquering Butterfly Bay made his dark face turn almost as dark as a blooming chrysanthemum. He walked as if he had a motor attached, his footsteps "da da da," almost flying, incredibly fast.
They arrived at a hardware store near Dalong Village and emptied their pockets to gather the necessary items.
As he paid, he winced in pain from the expense, then burst into laughter.
The two of them, smoking cigarettes and humming along to Jay Chou's "Nunchucks," were as happy as could be.
Upon reaching the entrance, their expressions were full of anticipation.
Zhao Dafu, with a face like a pig's liver, his nostrils almost spewing fire, stomped his foot hard against the gate. "Ouch..."
Good heavens, Zhao Dafu's entire big toe swelled up like an egg, so red it could probably light up an area at night. It looked painful just to see.
"Damn it, who the hell put a gate here, I swear..."
Unable to contain his anger, he grabbed a large stone nearby, intending to smash the gate. But when he looked up, he saw the round surveillance camera staring at him. How could he dare? He'd end up in jail for this.
He didn't dare smash the gate, but he was fuming. If he didn't vent his frustration, he might get sick. He waved the stone around wildly, and by sheer bad luck, he smashed his toe again.
Not only had he spent money, but he had also injured his hands and feet. It was truly a case of losing the wife and the soldiers. He was so angry he almost spat blood.
If he had known that the surveillance camera wasn't even powered on, he probably would have jumped into the sea.