"This Liu Xincheng, I'm going to settle accounts with him," Liu Chunsheng said, about to go out.
But Liu Yifeng pulled him back: "Dad, the law enforcement officers said it was an anonymous tip. They don't even know who sent the complaint letter. Even if we suspect Liu Xincheng a million ways, we have no evidence. If you go to him, he won't admit it. But I think it's for the best. It's better than building half of it and then being reported and not allowed to continue. That would be a bigger loss!"
After listening to his son, Liu Chunsheng calmed down: "You're right. Fortunately, it's only just started. We'll get the permits and rebuild. Otherwise, if they demolished our greenhouse halfway through construction, we'd have truly terrible luck!"
"So don't get angry about this. Liu Xincheng actually helped us a lot. After I finish breakfast, I'll go see Grandpa Village Chief again and see how the voting results are. Then I'll prepare all the documents and permits for approval." Liu Yifeng said.
Speaking of which, Liu Chunsheng couldn't help but worry: "I heard that approvals for construction projects are not that easy to get. We don't know anyone, nor do we have any connections. What if it gets held up for half a year or more?"
"Dad, don't worry. The city management official I spoke with exchanged contact information with me. He said he'd put in a good word for me. Then I'll grease a few palms, and I believe it'll be approved soon."
"Wouldn't 'greasing palms' cost money?" Liu Chunsheng asked.
Liu Yifeng smiled: "Dad, the money for greasing palms is nothing compared to the money we'll make selling vegetables after the greenhouses are built. Delaying time is the real loss."
Liu Chunsheng didn't understand much about these things: "Dad can't help you with this. You handle it yourself. If you don't have enough money, Dad still has the tens of thousands you gave me before!"
"I wouldn't use your money for this. I have money. I'm starving, so I'm going to have breakfast." Liu Yifeng said and went into the kitchen.
At nine in the morning, the broadcast still hadn't started. Liu Yifeng was a bit anxious and immediately went to the village chief's house. He saw the village chief sitting at his desk, counting the voting results.
"Second Grandpa, aren't the results out yet?" Liu Yifeng entered the broadcast room. This room was also used to announce important village news. With this broadcast, all one had to do was speak into the microphone, and everyone in the village could hear it, eliminating the need to notify each household.
Liu Huogen heard Yifeng's voice and said without looking up, "Everyone has given me their submitted lists. I'm counting now. It should be done in about ten minutes."
"Let me help you!" Liu Yifeng said, reaching out to help. But as soon as his hand extended, he was stopped: "Don't move. For fairness, I can handle this myself."
"Then... then thank you for your hard work, Grandpa." Liu Yifeng nodded in understanding.
He waited in the room for about ten minutes. Liu Huogen finally finished tallying the data.
"Yifeng, even though we're family, as village chief, I must be fair and just. I can't be biased just because you're my relative. So, no matter what the result is later, don't be angry with your Second Grandpa," Liu Huogen stood up and said, looking at Liu Yifeng.
Hearing his Second Grandpa say this, Liu Yifeng guessed the situation. Although it was a bit surprising, it was also understandable. Liu Xincheng was the wealthiest person in the village and owned several orchards. When it was harvest time, he would hire villagers to work for him. Therefore, those people would naturally vote for him so they could continue working for him. Although he had also promised to let them invest in his greenhouse vegetable business, it was still something intangible and uncertain for many. But Liu Xincheng offered tangible income. Thinking this, Liu Yifeng could face the upcoming result calmly.
"Second Grandpa, what are you saying? You didn't vote alone, so how could I be angry with you! Just announce it. Whatever the result, I can accept it."
As soon as Liu Yifeng finished speaking, a gloating voice was heard.
"It seems you have some self-awareness and know you can't beat me. I say, let's not announce the results, why humiliate yourself? Don't think you can buy people's hearts by painting a rosy picture for the villagers and getting them to invest with you. You're still too naive about that," Liu Xincheng walked into the broadcast room, looking at Liu Yifeng mockingly.
Liu Yifeng didn't take his words to heart: "I don't feel ashamed of losing to you. After all, you have much more seniority in the village than I do. It's only natural that people would give you face."
"It seems I've underestimated your magnanimity. I heard the city management came to stop your greenhouse construction today. And you're going to lose again. It looks like your luck isn't too good today. I suggest you hurry and find a fortune teller to ward off evil, or things will continue to be difficult for you," Liu Xincheng said with his arms crossed, looking at Liu Yifeng with the air of a victor.
"You know who called the city management, but I have to thank the person who reported it. If it weren't for them, I wouldn't have known so quickly that building greenhouses requires approval. Fortunately, we found out early. Otherwise, if we had finished building and then had it forcibly demolished, that would have been a truly devastating loss!" Liu Yifeng's words clearly pointed to Liu Xincheng.
How could Liu Xincheng not understand? But he still pretended to know nothing: "I don't understand what you're talking about. Village Chief, it's getting late, you should hurry and announce the results. I have other things to do," he said. On the surface, he seemed perfectly normal, but inwardly, he was filled with regret, wishing he had reported it earlier.
Seeing the two speaking with veiled barbs, Liu Huogen, fearing a fight might break out, quickly turned on the microphone and said into the broadcast: "Everyone, regarding the matter of Liu Xincheng and Liu Yifeng wanting to rent the vacant land at the bridge last night, I have finished counting all your votes. Now, I will announce the results to everyone."
Whether they were busy at home or out working, the villagers stopped what they were doing upon hearing the broadcast, each curious to know who would end up with that piece of land. Liu Chunsheng's heart was in his throat, silently praying, "It must be my son."
However, things did not go as planned. In the end, Liu Xincheng received three more votes than Liu Yifeng, and the land became his. Hearing this result, there were still those who were happy and those who were sad. The happy ones were those who supported Liu Xincheng, while the sad ones were those who supported Liu Yifeng.