Chapter 109: Human Connections and the Black Bear Spirit

Chapter 109: Human Connections and the Black Bear Spirit

Zhao Han asked with a glimmer of hope in his eyes.

The idea of the night market town had come to him after much brainstorming and planning. He had always felt that with so many tourists visiting Liyuan Farm, the benefits to You City were not being fully realized.

Especially as Linyuan Farm continued to grow, attracting more and more visitors, the disparity would become even more apparent.

However, You City was about 20 to 30 minutes away from Linyuan Farm, and many tourists were unfamiliar with the area. Even if they developed attractions in You City, not all tourists would find them.

Moreover, Linyuan Farm now had two camping sites, one of which was acquired from Kailin Investment. Tourists staying at these camps would be unlikely to make a special trip back to You City for entertainment at night.

This was why he had initially considered developing a food street in You City but didn't follow through.

Now, the night market town project solved this problem perfectly. He believed it would become one of the economic centers of You City, thanks to his confidence in Mr. Zhang.

Linyuan Farm had achieved so much in such a short time, and he knew no one else could have done it.

As the Tourism Bureau Director of You City, he was well aware of the challenges. You City had 25 tourist attractions, and despite five years of promotion, the daily visitor count was only around 20,000.

In contrast, how long had Linyuan Farm been around, and how many visitors did it attract daily?

No one understood the gap better than he did.

To put it simply, without Mr. Zhang, Linyuan Farm would likely become just another ordinary attraction in You City.

Fortunately, the county had largely agreed to support Linyuan Farm. Given a few years, Mr. Zhang would surely turn it into a super-large comprehensive tourist destination.

How many visitors would that attract then?

Of course, to build the night market town, the most important thing was Mr. Zhang's cooperation, as the project relied heavily on the tourist flow generated by Linyuan Farm.

Seeing Zhao Han's hopeful gaze, Zhang Lin thought for a moment and said, "Director Zhao, I support the night market town project and will cooperate. However, my farm's funds are limited, so I won't be participating in the development. Just reserve some residential units for us, as we need employee housing."

By declining to co-develop the project, Zhang Lin was giving up a significant amount of profit.

Funding was indeed an issue. He had just paid Kailin Investment 20 million, still owed them another 20 million, and only had about 2 million left in his account.

But that wasn't the main reason.

The primary reason was that he didn't want to monopolize every project or try to profit from everything alone.

If a person insisted on doing everything and making all the money, they would end up as a lone wolf, attracting envy and resentment.

On the other hand, if he could make money while also helping others profit, he would gain many supporters.

For example, the night market town project proposed by Zhao Han.

The county planned to build a large town, which would involve many people and significant interests.

He didn't want to compete for those interests.

Moreover, even if he didn't participate directly, the project's success would bring him many indirect benefits. The people involved in the town's development would not want him to fail, as the town relied on the tourist flow from Linyuan Farm.

They would even hope for Linyuan Farm to thrive and attract more visitors.

This would provide him with a strong, invisible shield.

Zhao Han hadn't expected Zhang Lin to support the project while also giving up the opportunity to co-develop it. He knew the potential profits from this project were enormous.

He had already seen people trying to influence him and County Chief Liu about the project.

"Mr. Zhang, wouldn't you consider it? Your involvement would benefit the project," Zhao Han urged. Regardless of the other interests involved, he believed the project would be better with Mr. Zhang's participation.

"Mr. Zhao, a person's energy is limited," Zhang Lin shook his head. "I should focus all my energy on the farm. Spreading myself too thin would mean less time and effort for the farm. A thriving farm will attract more tourists, won't it?"

Zhao Han didn’t say much when he heard this. With a smile, he replied, “Since that’s the case, I’ll report back to the county truthfully, but rest assured, Mr. Zhang. The road construction will be handled by First Construction, and I guarantee it will be completed within three days. We’ll also arrange for bus services to start running on both sides once the road is finished.”

“Thanks for the trouble, Director Zhao.”

This would save him a lot of hassle.

Moreover, Zhao Han’s promise of completing the road within three days wasn’t in doubt.

After all, First Construction was the official construction company of Youcheng County.

The country’s official infrastructure capabilities were beyond reproach.

Consider the famous Huoshen Hospital, which was built on 500 acres of land in just ten days and was immediately operational. This hastily constructed hospital operated without a single issue for six consecutive months, surpassing even those meticulously built over several years.

Naturally, there were negative events online, but the overall trend was positive and upward.

After all, there was no place more stable than their country.

“Mr. Zhang, now that the matter is settled, I won’t disturb you further.” With that, Zhao Han hurriedly left the office center.

Looking around at the construction projects on the farm, he couldn’t help but feel a sense of awe. If it weren’t for someone like Mr. Zhang, who could transform a barren land into such a marvel in such a short time?

Afterward, he promptly returned to the county and found that Liu Xian, the county chief, and another person were there.

This person was the secretary from Ming City who had come to inquire.

Zhao Han hadn’t expected him to be there, but since he was, he reported, “County Chief Liu, I told you, Mr. Zhang will definitely support this project.”

“Does Mr. Zhang have any demands?” Liu Xian asked with a smile.

He had already reviewed the plan for the night market town and had to admit it was an excellent project, especially since it was county-led.

The online criticism about them not even knowing how to copy answers hadn’t completely subsided, and this project would be the best response. Who said they didn’t know how to copy?

However, this project relied on the foot traffic from Liyuan Farm, so it was crucial to have Mr. Zhang’s support.

Zhao Han quickly explained, “Mr. Zhang said he would support us fully, but he mentioned that he lacks funds and that it’s already a challenge to manage the farm. He won’t have the energy to invest in projects outside the farm and will not participate in this one.”

Liu Xian was taken aback for a moment before he chuckled, “Mr. Zhang is still underestimating our county, playing the game of human relations. But his decision is admirable!”

He saw through the situation clearly and understood the young man’s mindset. However, this approach was also a very good way to handle things for the other party.

As for his words just now, they were naturally directed at the secretary.

The secretary also chuckled, “This Mr. Zhang is indeed a clear-headed person.”

Zhao Han then asked, “County Chief Liu, should we discuss this project and schedule a preliminary meeting?”

Liu Xian waved his hand and said, “Not so fast. Although Mr. Zhang has decided not to participate, we can’t ignore his feelings. This project will bring the most benefits to First Construction. You should go to First Construction first. Since Mr. Zhang has played the card of human relations, we must reciprocate.”

...

At Liyuan Farm, Zhang Lin returned to the firefly breeding room.

Under the dim lighting, due to the +1 growth speed attribute, some of the newly hatched larvae were already emitting a glow. Through the special leaves, another batch of firefly eggs had been produced, in large numbers.

Once this batch hatches and grows, he could release a few of them.

Liyuan Farm’s current projects, such as the camping site and flower sea acquired from Kaolin Investment, were ordinary. Without the game’s boost, they would lack a certain charm when completed and opened.

If he could add more fireflies, the nighttime scenery would be much more enchanting.

After observing for a while, Zhang Lin left the breeding room and went to inspect the farm’s various projects. At the service center, he found a man and a woman arguing. Even the security guards, hired through the game system, were unsure of who to help in this situation.

Initially, Zhang Lin thought it was a couple arguing, but as he listened, he realized something wasn’t right.

“Zhao Chao, why can you love Xiao Lu?”

”

  "Chuna, you're crazy! What are you doing?"

  "Damn it, don't bring that filthy stuff from your studies abroad here, okay?"

  "Chuna, I don't like LGBT stuff!" A girl in a white dress said awkwardly, pulling the boy to leave, "Zhao Chao, let's go!"

  Zhang Lin's ears were burning as he listened to a few sentences. He immediately instructed the security guards, "Throw that woman out!"

  Damn, he never thought this kind of thing would spread to China.

  He detested it deeply.

  The two security guards hired by the system immediately carried the woman out.

  "What are you doing? Let me go! If you grab me again, I'll report you!" the woman screamed frantically.

  This scene earned applause from many informed tourists.

  There were still some who didn't understand and whispered to their neighbors, "What's LGBT?"

  "Can you believe there are over a hundred gender and sexual orientations abroad?" someone replied.

  Zhang Lin paid no attention to the woman's threats. In foreign countries, such threats might work because the media and laws have been influenced by LGBT groups and pharmaceutical wealth. But in China, you'd get a slap in the face.

  Zhang Lin returned to his office, and not long after, the Tourism Bureau Director, Zhao Han, arrived.

  "Director Zhao, you rushed over again. Is it about the night market town project?" Zhang Lin greeted Zhao Han and sat him down at the tea table, pouring a pot of tea and smiling as he poured a cup for the other man.

  "Indeed, I have a contract for Mr. Zhang. This is a special contract that Liu County specifically asked me to bring, and it was signed by the people from the First Construction Company." Zhao Han said, taking out a contract and handing it to Zhang Lin, then smiling as he picked up his tea and took a sip.

  Zhang Lin was surprised when he saw the contract. It was a construction contract for the Liyuan Farm dormitory area in the night market town, and crucially, it stated that the funds would come from the county's enterprise support funds.

  In other words, after the night market town opened, the First Construction Company would build a dormitory area for Liyuan Farm for free.

  From this contract, Zhang Lin gleaned two pieces of information.

  First, the county clearly had high hopes for the night market town.

  Second, the First Construction Company was likely the biggest beneficiary of the night market town project.

  However, what surprised him even more was that Youcheng had support funds again? And each time, the names of the funds were different.

  It seemed that the room for maneuver in these matters depended on the county's willingness. This time, it might not be support funds at all, just a form of benefit exchange under the guise of support funds.

  After all, he chose not to participate in the night market town project.

  Such matters are best left unspoken.

  Zhang Lin also signed the contract with a smile. An additional dormitory area was always a good thing, at least he wouldn't have to worry about employee housing in the future.

  Moreover, he knew that if he didn't sign this contract, some people would be uneasy.

  With the contract delivered to Zhang Lin, Zhao Han's task was complete. He curiously asked, "Mr. Zhang, do you have any new projects in mind for the farm? If so, our Tourism Bureau will fully support you."

  "Why? Director Zhao, are you more anxious than me, the owner?" Zhang Lin asked with a smile.

  Zhao Han was straightforward, "Mr. Zhang, I won't hide it from you. Next year, a Party Secretary will be retiring, and everyone is vying for the opportunity."

  As he spoke, he made a gesture of lifting his palm.

  Zhang Lin understood and didn't hide anything, "I haven't thought of any new projects yet, but the farm will have a few moves coming up. The number of tourists won't decrease; it will increase."

  This was said with confidence. After all, he still had sweet potatoes, moisturizing cream, fireflies, and other attractions that hadn't been unveiled yet. Even without new projects, these items would attract many female tourists.

  Fireflies, in particular, would be a game-changer.

  "That's great!" Zhao Han's face lit up with a smile, and he drank his tea with evident pleasure.

  At this moment, Zhang Lin was surprised to see a prompt appear on the mental screen:

  【Congratulations on reaching the milestone of recruiting 500 employees! With more employees and increased tourist numbers, your farm seems to be missing something with a bit of spirit. Congratulations on your special reward: the Market has refreshed with a little black bear who likes to wear a monk's robe and enjoys skating!】

  Zhang Lin was taken aback by the game prompt.

  Monk's robe!

  A black bear spirit?

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end