Agreeing to Create Bad Games, What the Hell Is ‘Titanfall’? Chapter 399: Paying Up

Li Xuefeng had been feeling sowhat troubled lately.

Actually, "troubled" wasn’t quite accurate — it was more like mixed feelings, or perhaps... the blessed kind of trouble.

Binjiang, as the top GDP city in the province, held a pivotal position across the province and even in the North China region.

As Binjiang’s number one official, Li Xuefeng naturally bore the responsibility of continuing past achievents and leading Binjiang toward an even brighter future.

GDP could not drop.

Not only must it not fall, it had to be pushed upward by any ans possible.

That was the directive handed down to him, and it had always been his goal.

Put nicely, this was about securing benefits for the city’s people and contributing to regional developnt.

Put selfishly, it was a record that could advance his career.

Therefore, comrcial developnt in Binjiang’s southern suburbs was sothing that had to be done.

Only!

Li Xuefeng had never expected!

The patch of a little over ten thousand square ters in the southern suburbs that he had initially handed over to Pengcheng Real Estate as a perfunctory, token transfer had inadvertently beco the most popular small resort in Binjiang’s southern suburbs!

Thanks to the production team of Longing for Life moving in and sparking interest, the "Stardew Valley Resort" had beco next to impossible to book!

Tourists wanting to experience the celebrity-style relaxed vacation lined up from Nantiann all the way to Penglai East Road.

Word had it!

By the end of last month, bookings for Stardew Valley Resort had already been scheduled out seven and a half months.

Visitors wanting that relaxed getaway kept coming non-stop; there was simply no downti!

So now!

Let’s take a look at the state of this little "experintal field" of just over ten thousand square ters.

First, it was an investnt and developnt project ford by Pengcheng Real Estate — Binjiang’s key property developer — together with Golden Wind, the nationally recognized outstanding erging private enterprise.

Second, it served as the filming location for the nationally popular slow-paced variety show Longing for Life.

Finally, it had been recognized as a key project by Peng Qianqian, Binjiang’s outstanding young entrepreneur representative, and Shen Miaomiao, honorary chairman of Binjiang’s Young Entrepreneurs Association.

The total investnt in this project was about 86 million yuan, but the advertising revenue from the show alone had already exceeded 200 million yuan.

From land acquisition and construction investnt to explosive profit recovery, the whole process took no more than half a year.

If one didn’t know the inside story, Li Xuefeng even suspected that Golden Wind and Pengcheng Real Estate had built a money-printing factory there!

So!

Although a large portion of the Stardew Valley Resort’s success owed to luck — precisely investing in a variety show and thus achieving huge returns in a short ti — you'd be hard-pressed to deny the profit it generated.

Thus!

Given such exhilarating news, the higher-ups naturally focused attention on matters related to comrcial expansion and developnt in Binjiang’s southern suburbs.

Besides praising Li Xuefeng as a model of hard work at provincial etings, they also urged him to continue vigorously developing the southern suburbs and achieve even more brilliant results.

Official recognition was certainly gratifying.

But the practical side of things also gave Li Xuefeng a headache.

He knew full well this "Jinpeng Real Estate" success was a once-in-a-century occurrence.

Wanting to replicate that result in a short period was basically a fantasy.

He understood that, and so did the various real estate developers.

Stardew Valley Resort had succeeded.

But its land area was still too small to serve as the core of a comrcial belt.

So, theoretically…

…

That southern-suburb land parcel remained a chicken-rib no one wanted to take on — tsk.

Shen Miaomiao sat in the front row of the conference hall, pen in hand, smiling on the surface while knowing exactly what was going on inside.

Secretary Li had been droning on for half an hour.

Although his speech was professional and broad in vision — talking about "regional economic advantages" and "comprehensive industrial coordination"...

However.

It was not difficult to discern that Secretary Li’s remarks had one core ssage — spelled out in two words —

Pay up!

What was a "key project enterprise mobilization eting"?

Frankly, it was a push for related enterprises and developers across the city to use Golden Wind’s Stardew Valley Resort project as a model, urging everyone to chip in for southern-suburb developnt, open their wallets, buy up those barren wilderness land plots, and develop them!

Everyone present was no fool with spare cash.

They knew better than anyone how accidental the success of Stardew Valley Resort had been and how rare such an opportunity was for an industry peer.

So everyone nodded and agreed in principle: yes, yes, yes — Secretary Li is right!

As for paying up?

Huh? What? Ma sothing i? So Dongi? Ma Dong sothing?

It was the sa routine.

Shen Miaomiao even felt a little sorry for poor Secretary Li, who was putting so much effort into mobilizing people.

Finally!

Just as Shen Miaomiao was about to give in to her boredom and uncap her pen to doodle a turtle in her notebook!

Secretary Li at last finished his rallying:

"…The developnt of the southern suburbs is a legacy-building endeavor,"

"We hope enterprises and units shoulder their social responsibility and add another beautiful landscape to our Binjiang."

"Thank you all."

With that, applause broke out and the mobilization eting concluded.

Mission accomplished!

Peng Qianqian let out a small, private sigh of relief and began closing his notebook to stand up.

That was right — he and Sister Miao had co today to act as representatives of a model enterprise, show their faces, and give a short speech.

Now that the task was complete, it was ti to make a discreet exit.

After all, if they lingered, Peng Qianqian dreaded Secretary Li might wave his hand and say: "Your resort project did well. Interested in taking on another parcel?"

One ti as the unlucky sucker was enough.

He wasn't naive. Their success with the resort owed to luck and to Sheng Ge’s shrewd maneuvering.

There aren’t that many loopholes in the world for them to keep finding.

If they made money now and didn’t know when to stop, they could easily lose more than they'd earned later.

However!

Before he could turn to signal Shen Miaomiao to slip out,

a crisp, clear voice rang by his side:

"Secretary Li, please wait. Do you have a mont?"

Eh—?!

Peng Qianqian’s small eyes went wide in an instant!

He watched as Shen Miaomiao stood up and strode toward Secretary Li, who had just stepped down from the podium!

Big sister! What are you doing?!

We should be fleeing now, not walking right into the tiger’s den!

Peng Qianqian froze completely!

As if fate were against him, Shen Miaomiao even turned and waved at him before smiling at Li Xuefeng:

"Secretary Li, are you busy? Mr. Peng and I have a small matter we’d like to consult you about."

"Oh—Ms. Shen, you’re too polite," Li Xuefeng chuckled and shook Shen Miaomiao’s hand.

"Our governnt exists to serve enterprises. No need to report formally — let’s talk in my office."

Li Xuefeng remained very courteous toward Shen Miaomiao.

A person’s reputation cast a long shadow.

Even if he ignored Shen Miaomiao’s relationship with big entrepreneur Shen Wanlin, Shen Miaomiao herself carried a halo that ant he couldn't casually put on airs.

Besides!

He had no reason to give Golden Wind, a major taxpayer, attitude.

The moneybags deserved a polite smile from anyone.

"Good, good," Shen Miaomiao replied with a smile and a nod.

"Then we’ll trouble you, Secretary Li."

She glanced back at the embarrassed, reluctant Peng Qianqian: "Let’s go, Mr. Peng."

Could I refuse?

Peng Qianqian wanted to decline on the spot but didn’t dare.

All he could manage was an awkward, strained smile: "Ah..."

Footsteps sounded.

Before long, the group arrived at Office Number One.

They took their seats; after the secretary served tea, he exited discreetly.

In a mont, only the three of them remained in the office.

Peng Qianqian’s toes curled in his shoes; he felt like he was sitting on pins and needles, convinced Li Xuefeng’s gaze on him flickered with the color of banknotes.

"Ha—"

Blowing gently on the curling steam of her tea, Shen Miaomiao sipped and then spoke slowly:

"It’s like this, Secretary Li. We know you’re busy, so we’ll get straight to the point — hope you’ll excuse us."

"Oh, no problem," Li Xuefeng waved and laughed lightly. "Ms. Shen, just say whatever you have in mind. We aren’t ones to beat around the bush."

"Haha, good."

Shen Miaomiao smiled and nodded:

"You see, after today’s mobilization eting, your speech really inspired ."

"The developnt of the southern suburbs is a legacy-building endeavor, a beneficial project for the people, and a new pathway to stimulate economic growth."

"So we’d like to ask roughly... in what form will the land transfer for the southern suburb plots be conducted? And about when will it take place?"

Ah???

When those words ca out!

The other two n shivered simultaneously!

Only, Li Xuefeng’s shiver was one of delighted surprise, while Peng Qianqian’s was sheer panic!

Especially Peng Qianqian!

Sweat broke out on his forehead!

Big sister! Why bring it up now?!

They were hoping to have the topic introduced indirectly; you went and jumped into the pit yourself?!

That land must not be parceled out again!

If it were taken again, it would be a pure loss — a brutal money pit!

By contrast, Li Xuefeng was much happier, almost bursting with joy!

Good! Very good! Excellent!

"Well..."

Li Xuefeng paused and reflected for half a second as a flash of insight crossed his mind!

"Ms. Shen, do you have any suggestions?"

It had to be said: people who reached positions like this weren’t fools.

Moreover!

Those familiar with Li Xuefeng knew that as the city’s number one, he always treated GDP numbers as the primary tric of his work, focusing on economic growth.

That lent his style an adventurous boldness.

In short, he handed the initiative directly to the moneybags —

If you buy it, I’ll let it out however you want. You say the terms, and I’ll make it happen when you want!

As a pragmatist, Li Xuefeng knew the southern-suburb parcel inside and out.

From today’s reactions at the eting, it was obvious developers wanted nothing to do with it.

As everyone knew, there were three standard thods for transferring state-owned comrcial land: tendering, auction, and listing, collectively called "tender-auction-listing."

Tendering and auctioning were usually used for governnt-partnered projects and hot, core plots.

The southern-suburb parcel clearly did not fit those categories.

So!

Shen Miaomiao chuckled, set down her teacup:

"Have you considered transferring it by listing, Secretary Li?"

"I think that thod would be more convenient for both parties."