Chapter 505 - 387: Why? Why? Why?
Zheng Bolan was taken aback by the sudden question,
but he quickly recovered and said, "Yes,
back when they were in the prime of their youth, they set foot on the unfamiliar land of the White-Red Empire.
When they first arrived, they knew no one and had nothing to their name,
so they could only start from the very bottom, doing the most arduous odd jobs.
They left at sunrise and came home under the stars.
They hauled bricks and tiles on construction sites, handed out flyers on street corners,
and washed dishes in restaurant kitchens,
experiencing countless hardships and tribulations, tasting all of life’s bitterness and sweetness.
However, they never gave up. Fueled by a stubborn refusal to accept their fate or admit defeat,
they gradually established a firm foothold in the White-Red Empire.
Step by step, they built the sizable and influential company they have today."
Chu He nodded slightly, as if listening, or perhaps thinking. After a moment, he spoke again, "Is your parents’ land development company a major player in the White-Red Empire?
Or, to be more specific, in Chiyoda City?"
Zheng Bolan was about to speak, a well-prepared boast already on the tip of his tongue,
but at that critical moment,
an image of Chu He’s calm, composed, and unfathomable demeanor suddenly flashed through his mind,
along with the two celestial beauties by his side, who looked like fairies descended to the mortal realm.
’This man before me likely possesses a background so powerful it’s completely out of my league,’ he thought.
’If I brag rashly and get exposed, I’ll just become a laughingstock.’
So, he forced himself to swallow the words on the tip of his tongue.
After a moment’s pause, he carefully weighed each word and said cautiously, "Actually, you couldn’t say we’re that strong.
In a place like Chiyoda City, where business competition is as fierce as a battlefield,
my family’s company is considered second-tier among land development firms at best.
While we can’t compare to the industry leaders who dominate the market,
we have carved out our own little niche,
with relatively stable business channels and a solid customer base,
allowing us to barely maintain our footing amidst the commercial tides of this bustling metropolis."
Chu He lifted his chin slightly,
a flicker of barely perceptible sharpness in his eyes. His tone was calm yet cut straight to the point. "A place like Chiyoda City is worth its weight in gold.
The land prices are staggeringly high.
Even a county on the outskirts of Chiyoda City has development value that can’t be underestimated,
so the prices naturally won’t be low by any means.
Your family’s company is merely a second-tier land developer.
How could you possibly land such a massive project?
If you really had that kind of capability, you probably would have joined the first-tier ranks and become an industry giant long ago.
How could you still be just a second-tier firm?
Isn’t there something off about that?"
His words were as sharp as a knife, showing no mercy,
completely ignoring Zheng Bolan’s increasingly awkward and uncomfortable expression.
"You really look down on people, don’t you!"
The girl standing next to Zheng Bolan instantly bristled,
fury burning in her eyes, her delicate features twisting slightly in anger. "And why can’t a second-tier land development company land a big project?
In a place like Chiyoda City,
becoming a second-tier land development company is already a huge achievement, okay?
I’m starting to doubt you have any real power at all. Otherwise, why can’t you even wrap your head around this issue?"
From her agitated state and her fervent defense of Zheng Bolan,
it was easy to see that the bond between them was deep, having long surpassed the boundaries of ordinary friendship.
She couldn’t stand Chu He speaking to Zheng Bolan in that slightly contemptuous tone,
and she certainly couldn’t accept the way his words
seemed to belittle and question the company Zheng Bolan’s parents had worked so hard to build.
Chu He shook his head slightly, his expression still perfectly calm, and simply explained, "I meant no disrespect."
His voice was as placid as water, without the slightest ripple, as if he were stating a trivial fact.
"I think you know exactly what you meant."
The girl snorted coldly.
If Zheng Bolan hadn’t been tightly holding her arm,
the girl probably would have recklessly launched another fierce verbal assault on Chu He
to vent the rage burning inside her.
Completely unfazed by the girl’s anger, Chu He continued at his unhurried pace, "Would it be convenient for me to visit your family’s project site?"
Zheng Bolan looked troubled, slowly shaking his head. He gave a wry smile and said, "To be honest, it’s not very convenient."
"Why isn’t it convenient?"
Yumizakura tilted her head slightly,
her silky hair gently slipping aside to reveal her fair, enchanting neck.
She blinked her large, soul-stealing eyes, which were full of curiosity and confusion.
Her voice was soft and melodious, like a nightingale’s song, mesmerizing anyone who heard it.
Zheng Bolan’s gaze inadvertently fell upon Yumizakura’s bewitching face.
He felt his heart suddenly begin to pound in his chest,
and his very core seemed to tremble.
In that instant, his mind went completely blank.
All reason and thought were devoured by that enchanting face.
He blurted out subconsciously, "Because landing this project also brought our family a lot of trouble.
Several other land development companies in Chiyoda City have been secretly trying to cause trouble for us.
The situation at the construction site is rather complicated and not very safe, so it’s not a convenient place for outsiders to visit."