"Exactly. You need to refine your ideas further.
Find someone to design the overall plan and blueprints, then contact the management of those factory sites.
Land acquisition should be a natural progression."
"How about you handle this matter? I'll provide the funds."
"I know you're wealthy, but this isn't something money can solve.
It requires the approval of the administrative departments in charge of those factories."
"Who should I contact? Who oversees those departments?"
"Zhan Qingguo. He's primarily responsible for industrial production in our province."
"Zhan Qingguo? Why does that name sound so familiar?"
Guo Xuyang muttered to himself.
"Can't you talk to him?"
"He was transferred here from elsewhere and has no connection to the old man.
If we had someone to put in a word for us, it might help, but it would be difficult for him to actively coordinate this matter."
"How about contacting President Jiang?"
"That's certainly possible. However, it might be using a sledgehammer to crack a nut."
"Let me think about it again. I feel like I've heard that name somewhere."
"It wouldn't be strange if you've heard the name through the news."
"He's surnamed Zhan. Doesn't he have a daughter named Zhan Yifang?"
"Yes. He has a pair of twins, a daughter named Zhan Yifang and a son named Zhan Shiguang.
Do you know his daughter? If so, it would make things much easier.
He dotes on his daughter immensely."
"Then I'll try. Does this Zhan Qingguo have much influence?"
"If he wants to get it done, securing one or two factories shouldn't be a problem."
"I understand.
It seems I really need to listen to your advice more. I'm completely unfamiliar with the official circles here."
"This is actually quite straightforward.
You could have Old Jiang introduce you."
"Let's forget it. Last time I asked him to handle something, he almost got me into trouble."
"What happened?"
"It's a bit complicated, and it's in the past. It involves some classified information, so let's not discuss it."
"In that case, don't tell me. I don't want to get involved with any classified matters,"
Cheng Xiuping said.
As they were talking, the noodles arrived.
Xia Hubei personally brought them over.
"Director Guo, it's been a long time since I've seen you."
"Mr. Xia, please don't say that. Just call me Xiao Guo."
Guo Xuyang quickly said.
This Xia Hubei was subtly reprimanding him.
He hadn't properly visited Xia Hubei's home since the wedding ceremony held abroad.
Although he worked at Jun Yue Lai, Xia Hubei rarely came to the front.
Now that Xia Li's belly was showing, Xia Hubei wasn't foolish enough not to know whose child she was carrying.
"Director Guo, you're a busy man. Although I work at this restaurant, it's very difficult to get a chance to see you."
"Mr. Xia, the fault is mine.
After I'm done with today's business, I'll definitely visit to apologize."
"Saying apologize makes it seem distant. Some things are beyond my control.
But Lily is my biological daughter, and I hope you can understand that."
"Mr. Xia is right to criticize.
After returning, one matter after another came up, and I neglected this. It's indeed my fault."
"Today is a joyous occasion, and I didn't originally intend to come over.
However, it's truly difficult to find an opportunity to talk with you normally.
I hope you'll forgive my presumption today."
"Mr. Xia, what are you saying?
Anytime you wish to see me, just make a call, and I'll be here immediately."
"Alright, I won't disturb your meal.
I have to get back to work after eating. I'll head to the back now."
"I'll escort you," Guo Xuyang quickly stood up and said.
"No need to be so formal. Please continue eating."
Xia Hubei said and walked away.
"Who was that?"
Cheng Xiuping asked.
"Xia Li's biological father."
Guo Xuyang whispered.
"No wonder he said all that.
It seems you haven't been very attentive, have you?"
Cheng Xiuping pointed at him.
"I've been really busy lately."
"Too busy to even spare some time to visit his home?
It seems you never intended to go."
"This is indeed something I've overlooked."
"Love is between two people, but marriage is a matter of two families, or even multiple families.
If you don't handle these relationships well, who knows what trouble might arise in the future?"
"I understand. Do you want to eat more?"
"You two continue eating. I had breakfast earlier.
Why is Director Pi so quiet today?"
Cheng Xiuping glanced at Pi Xiaoqian and asked.
"I don't dare to speak recklessly anymore.
He kicked me out of the house early this morning."
Pi Xiaoqian said.
"What happened?"
Cheng Xiuping looked at Pi Xiaoqian, then at Guo Xuyang, and asked with confusion.
"It's about Xiao Xi.
I won't talk about it; just thinking about it brings tears to my eyes."
Pi Xiaoqian said, taking a bite of the noodles.
"These noodles are indeed good, thin and chewy."
Seeing that Pi Xiaoqian didn't want to elaborate, Cheng Xiuping didn't press further.
The two of them slurped down the noodles, wiped their mouths with napkins.
"Comfortable," Guo Xuyang patted his stomach and said.
"Still the same flavor."
"Did you eat them often before?"
Cheng Xiuping asked.
"Mr. Xia used to be from the county town.
When I graduated and was selling houses in the county town, I often went to Mr. Xia's place to eat noodles.
His skill was well-known in the county town.
Later, his son and daughter graduated from university and settled in the provincial capital, so he planned to retire.
Who would have thought it was such a coincidence that he is Xia Li's father?
Once I learned about the situation, I invited him to come here and continue his old trade."
"I used to wonder why a decent restaurant was making noodles.
So that's the story.
And the house you got back then was for your future father-in-law?"
"At that time, Xia Li and I were just starting.
I never expected we'd end up together."
"I understand why Mr. Xia had such resentment.
So that's the backstory.
This makes it even more your fault."
Cheng Xiuping said.
"Actually, initially Mr. Xia agreed to my relationship with Xia Li.
Xia Li told me her parents even urged her.
But after returning, I got busy and neglected this matter.
I never visited his home."
"No matter how busy you are, can't you spare some time?
It's not that far, just in the residential area behind this restaurant.
Even a stroll after a meal would get you there.
Stop making excuses. If you don't want to go, you just don't want to go.
Any further explanations will only make you look worse."
"You're absolutely right. I feel a bit scared to face Mr. Xia.
He knows everything about my family.
He's aware of every major and minor event that happens at home.
Because this place is mainly responsible for our family's meals and nutritional meals for Xiaohong and Xiao Xi.
I honestly don't know what to say when I see him."
"Isn't that easy to handle?
If you take Xia Li home, what can he say?
At most, he'll say a few critical words.
He won't kick you out of the house, will he?"
"It's my guilty conscience.
When Xiao Xi's mother visited, I didn't even dare to arrange for her to stay by the artificial lake; I had her stay at the King's Villa."
"These things can't be hidden forever. If you don't want anyone to know, don't do it."
"Let's put it off for one more day.
Today, we first need to get through this full moon celebration.
Yesterday, Xiao Hong's mother asked me in front of so many people if these women were my wives.
She almost put me in an awkward position."