As the sound of the car grew louder, Li Qingfeng quickly looked down the mountain.
It was a jeep, and it looked somewhat familiar.
By the time the car stopped and two people alighted, Li Qingfeng finally understood why the jeep looked familiar.
It was because these two people were Shangguan Dadan and his master, the plant expert Liu Yuanhua.
"What are you doing here?"
Upon seeing the two, Li Qingfeng spoke directly and with displeasure.
Hearing his question, Shangguan Dadan was about to retort, but Liu Yuanhua, standing beside him, stopped him.
"Don't speak carelessly, Town Chief Zong will be here soon!"
At this, Li Qingfeng's mind flashed back to the transfer order this person had produced earlier, which seemed to be signed by Zong Shuyun, the town chief of Jiefang Town!
"The Town Chief is coming?"
Seeing Liu Yuanhua, whose usual arrogant demeanor had changed, Li Qingfeng thought to himself.
A roaring engine sound echoed from the foot of the mountain, and a large SUV charged up from below at full speed.
On the uneven mountain terrain, the SUV seemed to glide as if on flat ground, racing all the way to the summit.
"Screeech!"
As the SUV reached the top, a sharp braking sound pierced the air.
Li Qingfeng watched the long, black tire mark on the ground, indicating the SUV had finally stopped.
As the SUV came to a halt, Liu Yuanhua and Shangguan Dadan's expressions turned extremely serious.
Noticing their expressions, Li Qingfeng called out to Fifth Uncle beside him, and they stood together.
At that moment, the door of the SUV creaked open.
As the door opened, a woman of considerable height appeared in Li Qingfeng's line of sight.
Stepping out of the car, Zong Shuyun glanced around, spotted Liu Yuanhua, and walked over to him.
"Greetings, Town Chief Zong!"
"Hmm! Who is Li Qingfeng and Xu Wu?"
After hearing Liu Yuanhua's greeting, Zong Shuyun, appearing very aloof, gave a casual "hmm."
"Town Chief Zong, these two in front are them!"
Upon hearing Zong Shuyun's words, Liu Yuanhua immediately turned into a sycophant, pointing at Li Qingfeng and Xu Wu and saying.
Hearing him, Zong Shuyun walked directly opposite Li Qingfeng.
As she approached, Li Qingfeng was enveloped by a fragrant scent. Looking at her directly, the so-called Town Chief of Jiefang Town, Zong Shuyun, was exceptionally beautiful.
Zong Shuyun appeared to be in her early to mid-twenties.
Natural beauties were either elegant and refined, or charming and alluring, but this Town Chief possessed great beauty tinged with a trace of heroism and a hint of boldness, coupled with an air of grace and dignity that commanded respect and deterred a direct gaze.
She was wearing a round-neck T-shirt, her slightly curly long hair cascading down to her shoulders. Her long, slender legs added to her striking, cool elegance!
Li Qingfeng had not expected such a beautiful woman to be his town chief.
"Are you Li Qingfeng?"
Zong Shuyun asked, looking at Li Qingfeng, who seemed to be of similar age.
Seeing the beautiful woman, Li Qingfeng nodded in response.
Upon hearing his reply, Zong Shuyun stated her request directly.
"Liu Yuanhua's research plan can bring significant economic benefits to Jiefang Town, so I hope you two can discuss it properly!"
"How about this, if you are willing to rent out the orchard for one year for the research institute's studies, I, Zong Shuyun, promise that the town will provide you with a fifty thousand yuan economic subsidy."
Hearing her words, Li Qingfeng smiled and then pushed Xu Wu forward.
Seeing her confused little expression, Li Qingfeng explained the reason.
"This is my Fifth Uncle, Xu Wu. This orchard, spanning over one and a half hectares, is his property. You can ask him if fifty thousand yuan can compensate for his annual income."
Upon hearing Li Qingfeng's explanation, Zong Shuyun shifted her gaze to Xu Wu beside him.
"Town Chief, I, Xu Wu, am just a humble fruit farmer. It is indeed a great honor for my orchard to have you grace us with your presence. However, I truly cannot accept fifty thousand yuan for a year's rent!"
"Don't rush to refuse. At most, I can represent the Town Chief in offering you a seventy thousand yuan economic subsidy. This is the limit of what I can mobilize!"
Hearing Xu Wu's words, Li Qingfeng clearly saw the beautiful Town Chief frown slightly, then say her final concession in a very gentle tone.
Seeing that both Li Qingfeng and Xu Wu seemed to have made concessions with Zong Shuyun's arrival, Liu Yuanhua's arrogant demeanor resurfaced.
He urged Xu Wu, "Boss Xu, your fruit trees have already withered. If you refuse Town Chief's economic subsidy, then your orchard will have no chance at all!"
"Yes, yes! Boss Xu, I also advise you to be sensible and adapt to the circumstances!"
Shangguan Dadan, who had been unable to interject, quickly chimed in agreement upon hearing his master Liu Yuanhua's words.
As he spoke, he glanced at Zong Shuyun beside him, as if seeking praise.
Hearing their words, Xu Wu's face suddenly darkened.
Looking at Liu Yuanhua, Xu Wu, for the first time, directly cursed, "How dare you say that? I, Xu Wu, gave you tens of thousands of yuan for the research institute to help me investigate the source of the fruit tree disease. Not only did you fail to find any reason, but you also kept threatening me to use the fruit trees for research."
Xu Wu coughed repeatedly, angered by his own words.
Pointing at Liu Yuanhua's nose, he said, "Don't think you can get away with bringing some Town Chief here! Let me tell you, this orchard was cultivated by me, Xu Wu, tree by tree. No amount of pleading will work!"
Xu Wu's words were resolute; he simply refused to lease his orchard to Liu Yuanhua's research institute.
"Town Chief Zong, what do you think of this?"
Hearing Xu Wu's words, Liu Yuanhua was extremely annoyed and tossed the ball back to Zong Shuyun.
Li Qingfeng also turned his gaze to Zong Shuyun beside him.
Perhaps due to Xu Wu's words, the usually gentle Town Chief Zong's smile had vanished.
She was likely holding onto her composure, as she was clearly angered.
After all, as a mediator, being scolded for no reason would put anyone in a bad mood.
However, as the Town Chief of Jiefang Town, her primary concern was still the development of her town.
Knowing that Xu Wu could no longer be reasoned with, she shifted her attention to Li Qingfeng, who was there from the beginning.
Looking at the young man who was taller than her, Zong Shuyun asked, "Can we talk?"