Chapter 112: Repayment
Translator:EndlessFantasy TranslationEditor:EndlessFantasy Translation
Zhang Lisheng kept his mouth shut while Maddie was still hesitating. He just quietly looked at the girl until she gave in and picked the cheque up with both of her hands shaking. She folded it in half and put it in her pocket, Zhang Lisheng then tossed $20 on the table and said, Wipe your tears and get me a hot beverage. Maddie wiped her tears off with a pale face and bought a hot beverage at the counter. She then gave it to Zhang Lisheng.
Didnt you see I gave you $20? Get yourself a cup as well. The young man glanced at the girl and took a sip of the hot beverage leisurely. Its too cold outside, Ill send you home after were done drinking here.
Maddie was stunned and looked at the young man in front of her with shock. She noticed that Zhang Lisheng whipped out his smartphone without paying too much attention and began browsing the New York map. He was looking at public land that belonged to the New York government. Just when he was looking at the suburbs on the map, he heard the girls weak voice all of a sudden, After I get home, do I have to come to you regular regularly?
You coming to me regularly? Does that make you my henchman or me your henchman? Ill contact you naturally when there are errands to run in the future. Put in all of your effort as a henchman when you do it by then
What kind of errands?
How would I know what kind of errand I would have in the future? Stop bugging me, Im looking at the map.
What are you looking for? I can help.
Youre quick in changing character. Thats right, you should do all of the little things from now on. Label all of the public lands belonging to the New York government, the surface has to be above 10 hectares and the traffic has to be convenient. Email me by tonight.
There should be an app that you can download online that does this for you directly, it can be done in a matter of moments. Maddie took the phone from Zhang Lishengs hand and returned it to him after playing with it for a couple of minutes. Zhang Lisheng then looked at the screen and noticed that there were up to 100 lands labelled in black. There were even detailed labels stating the lands distance from New York City, which he was stunned to see.
It seems like a qualified henchmans much more useful than I imagined he mumbled to himself and looked at Maddie next to him whose emotion he could not identify. Well done, Ill send you home now.
The worst case scenarios that she expected did not happen, not even one. The girl who was silent for a long time took the initiative to ask all of a sudden on the way home, Mr. Lisheng, why did you label those public lands on the map?
I have a slaughterhouse factory that needs expansion, Im looking for a suitable place.
I dont know that much about the slaughtering business but I think its very difficult to find a public space for a large-scale factory close to New York City
Thats none of my concern whether its difficult or not, my friend will solve that for me naturally.
Thats right, I can tell that youre an Iron Hero and not Spiderman. Of course you know many powerful friends.
What?
Nothing, I just thought since you can pick any land that you like, its best that you build it on land thats close to the road and the ocean no matter what kind of factory it is.
Maddies idea was secretly compatible with Zhang Lishengs. He then asked while feeling interested, The reason for doing that?
Its simple, as soon as the factory is expanding like a snowball, theres more potential in cargo such as building a small harbor
The girls willingness to say a lot to show how useful she was was just a facade to conceal the insecurity she secretly had. They arrived at the filthy area close to Chinatown where Maddie stayed as the both of them continued to chat.
Ill consider what youve said. Also, Ill email you whatever I need you to do in the future. Text me your email address later.
Thank you so much, Mr. Lisheng. Really Maddie nodded and said that before getting off the car.
However, Zhang Lisheng said calmly, This is just fair trade, you dont have to thank me.
He left after that. It was evening when he arrived home. He returned to his room after dinner and began cultivating the secret method. The night went by in his cultivation state that seemed like he was sleeping but not. On the next morning, Zhang Lisheng dressed casually and drove to the New York government office located at Broadway Avenue as promised. There was Battery Park on the south and Manhattan Island on the north, it was an important place where American theatres and musicals came from. There were theatres of all sizes scattered on both sides of the avenue, it seemed like there was music playing in the air.
Zhang Lisheng was a little surprised to find that the New York government town hall was here in the beginning. However, he came to understand that theatre and music was just a part of the long Broadway Avenue as he drove along the streets with buildings on both sides that had an old yet neat design while the noises of bustling crowds could be heard in the morning.
Just when he figured that, his Ford Adventurer turned onto a road as he followed the cars navigation feature and arrived in front of an old British-style building. Looking from the outside, the old building was considered small. There was a low steel fence around the building but there was no security guard at the entrance. It was considered an open-style structure, which was where the New York government office located.
The dashboard in his Adventurer showed that it was 9:48 a.m. at the moment. After parking the car at a public car park nearby, Zhang Lisheng walked to the famous arched front hall of the town hall, following the people who were visiting. The journey was smooth, it was 10 a.m. sharp when he arrived.
Sunday was the usual opening day for the New York government town hall, there were many tourists excitedly taking photos of the front hall. Zhang Lisheng blended in the crowd and looked around, he heard a happy chuckle behind him all of a sudden, Being on time is another important characteristic of a successful person. It seems like youll definitely be successful in the future, Mr. Zhang Lisheng.
Youre on time just like me. Good morning Mr. Howick. Zhang Lisheng turned around and smiled while looking at the big hunk who walked towards him from the entrance.
Good morning Mr. Lisheng, I would like to thank you in person. You saved my whole family. Mr. Howick, who dressed like a tourist in an inconspicuous dirty-gray jacket, lowered his voice as he arrived next to the young man. His face became serious. I cant imagine at all if I were to lose my daughter after losing a son
Mr. Howick, I just did what I did within my ability
It might really be like that to you but it has a completely different meaning to me. Alright, this is not a good place to talk. Lets get down to business. Howick brought Zhang Lisheng out of the arched hall and headed towards the corridor. After turning here and there and climbing the stairs up and down twice, they arrived at an inconspicuous town halls office.
Its here. The office wooden door had a sign with the words New York City Land Administration and Management Department written on it. Howick straightened his collars, trying to make the jacket he was wearing look more formal. Bang bang bang, he knocked on the door.
Cough cough, please come in. It was supposed to be a rest day today, a young mans low voice came out of the office that had no people inside. Howick opened the door and walked to a nearby table directly. He gave a friendly hug to the plump, bald man who looked like he was in his 30s before snapping back to his senses. You must be Mr. Thomas. Im Howick, I heard about you from Mark a long time ago. My old buddy told me that youre his most credible subordinate and good friend. Birds of a feather flock together, I can tell that we can be friends by looking at you.
Oh oh, yes Mr. Howick. Thomas was feeling a little lost from the friendly hug that came out of nowhere from the strong and big man who he met for the first time gave. However, the anxiety he felt was almost gone right now. It was Mr. Mark who asked me to wait in the office during the weekends
Call me Howick. Im so sorry that you have to work because of my friends urgent matter. If you have the time, I hope that we could go to the Dumbo House next Saturday to play poker. Go relax. Youll see many familiar faces by then.
Inviting him to a poker game actually meant that he was opening up his social circle to Thomas. People who were not familiar with that would hardly get the meaning. Fortunately, although Thomas lived with a lifetime pension, as a civil servant who had no right to vote or to be voted, he knew very well that he did not live in a vacuum.
Its my pleasure to be invited by you Mr. Howick, Ill definitely be there next Saturday. He was clearly stunned for a moment from the reward that he did not expect and said passionately, Lets get down to business instead of delaying it. Is this your friend
Zhang Lisheng, a very young and talented industrialist. He had just received a handsome guarantee loan from Mr. Dolby Douglin and hes planning to expand his slaughterhouse.
Mr. Dolby Douglin? The That Mr. Dolby Douglin from Wall Street!
I dont think theres another Dolby Douglin in America apart from him. A grim flash appeared in Howicks eyes but he joked anyway.
Then youre really admirable, Thomas said feeling honored, he was much more passionate now when he turned his head to look at Zhang Lisheng. Mr. Zhang Lisheng, since youre here for me, you must want to pick a suitable land from our New York governments public land reserve.
Thats right, Mr. Thomas, Zhang Lisheng nodded and said.
Did you see anything you like?
Yes, the beach land three kilometers on the west side of Totley Town.
Totley, Totley Thomas mumbled while browsing the land Zhang Lisheng mentioned on the computer on his office table. He then said all of a sudden after looking at it attentively for a while, Mr. Lisheng, I think I roughly know your requirements. Convenient transportation on land and bigger potential in development when its close to the ocean. Big space but a horrible situation, it wont cause any backlash from environment enthusiasts. The land in Totley Town isnt bad but I have a better recommendation. What do you think of this land in Mutteslow? Its also close to the sea, its even bigger and the transfer fees cheaper, especially since the lands utility rate is the lowest D-Rank. Youll be able to use more land for your factory if you dont offer many job opportunities. Youll also enjoy preemptive privileges with the same condition.