Chapter 65: The Secondhand Tyrant

“Fish Head Village has become famous?” Liu Meijia opened her eyes to find the internet flooded with stories about Fish Head Village—she was utterly shocked. How did the village’s reputation suddenly soar overnight?

This was the last thing she wanted to see. After some hesitation, she called Wen Rui, hoping to devise a way to cool down the sudden hype about Fish Head Village. Even if it meant spending some money, it would be worth it!

But her efforts yielded little effect. It was as if someone was deliberately spotlighting Fish Head Village; news about it was everywhere online. A poverty-stricken county, its most remote town, and within that, one of Donghe Town’s most secluded mountain villages—yet now the focal point of heated online debate. Liu Meijia had no idea what others thought, but in her mind, chaos ran rampant.

“Liu, what do you think? Would it work if we took a stake in Fish Head Village now?” Wen Rui’s mind was quick, immediately sniffing out a business opportunity.

Now that Fish Head Village was famous, whether they spent fifty million buying off the headstrong villagers or invested the same amount for a stake, the difference was significant. Wen Rui couldn’t believe that in such a poor backwater, anyone wouldn’t be tempted by fifty million.

“A stake?” Liu Meijia frowned, asking, “You want to invest in Fish Head Village?”

“Heh,” Wen Rui laughed slyly, his tone casual. “I have no grudge against Fish Head Village. If there’s money to be made, why not?”

Previously, Fish Head Village was such a godforsaken place that even the legendary “Ghost King’s Cave” only attracted local attention. But things were different now. With the rise of “Miss Xiaoyue,” Fish Head Village was a viral sensation, a trending destination—who could worry about not making money in the future?

And thinking again of that “Miss Xiaoyue,” Wen Rui felt a restless itch. He hadn’t realized such a charming girl existed in that rundown village.

“It’s possible,” Liu Meijia’s eyes flickered, her smile coy. “You want to invest, but that doesn’t mean they’ll accept. Don’t go there expecting a warm welcome and end up embarrassed.”

She guessed that, nine times out of ten, Fish Head Village would turn down Wen Rui’s investment. She’d met Tang Long, and he wasn’t someone easily subdued.

“It’s worth a try. What if they’re interested?” Wen Rui chuckled. He could always have a venture capital firm make the approach—no need to go himself.

“All right, I’ll be waiting for your good news, then!” Liu Meijia hung up with a sweet laugh, but her smile vanished instantly, her face darkening.

With such a commotion over Fish Head Village, even within Taoyuan County, attention wouldn’t fade. Outwardly, Wu Guangyao was supporting the village, so no one from the authorities dared openly cause trouble for them.

Qiangyuan Group had looked into Wu Guangyao’s background and found his roots ran deep—forcing their hand would be unwise unless they were truly desperate.

Liu Meijia stood before her floor-to-ceiling window, frowning as she gazed outside. The meaning behind Wen Rui’s call was clear: for now, they would hold off any action against Fish Head Village. He didn’t want to stir up trouble he couldn’t smooth over.

“Invest?” Her eyes lit up. Wen Rui’s words had sparked an idea. Fish Head Village was short on funds. Although they’d received over ten million in compensation from her last time, the recent catastrophic flood had reportedly destroyed their houses, and that money had all gone to rebuilding.

If Fish Head Village wanted to develop tourism, they’d need to raise money. Otherwise, in such a remote spot with poor transportation, who would go—unless they’d lost their minds!

She picked up her phone. “Xiaocui? This is Aunt Liu. Hehe, I heard you just got back from abroad... Your father says you want some experience in the company? Interested in helping Aunt Liu out? Ever heard of Fish Head Village? Yes, I’ll set up a subsidiary just for you…”

…

Tang Long, with his team, bought four brand-new Great Wall pickups, a cargo van, and a used Toyota Prado directly from the county seat. The pickups and the van were new; the SUV was second-hand, all costing just over half a million yuan.

With the five million transferred by Yao Handong, Tang Long could afford to act decisively. Given the village’s road conditions, an all-terrain vehicle was essential for emergencies. He hadn’t specifically planned to buy a Toyota Prado, but at the used car market, he’d happened upon someone selling one—and it turned out to be a familiar face.

The seller was Mr. Yang, owner of the Baofeng Jade Carving Factory in Taoyuan County—the same place Zhang Xiu’e had recently bought a batch of “little gifts.”

Mr. Yang, a well-known local businessman in his forties, was selling a car less than three years old, originally bought for over six hundred thousand yuan, now urgently letting it go for just two hundred fifty thousand. His troubled expression made it clear he was in a bind. Tang Long later found out the reason: last night at “Xiantao Manor,” Yang had lost nearly two million yuan gambling. Only when dawn broke did he sober up, but by then it was too late for regrets.

He was selling the car to pay back his gambling debts; otherwise, tomorrow the debt collectors would haul things away from his factory. A few days earlier, the factory had received a large jade processing order, with all the materials still in storage. If the thugs from Xiantao Manor seized his clients’ materials, there’d be no recovering from it.

Left with no other choice, Yang went to the used car market to sell his car for some quick cash to settle his debts. Luckily, he hadn’t driven after drinking last night—or the car would’ve been impounded at Xiantao Manor as well.

Tang Long didn’t have much sympathy for Yang. As the saying goes, those who are pitiful often have themselves to blame. Why indulge in such ruinous, illegal habits?

On the way back, Tang Long asked Li Ergou, “You know Xiantao Manor?”

Li Ergou was surprised. “Sure, it was built just a few years ago. I’ve heard it’s more luxurious than a palace, and the women there... well, that’s just what people say. But it’s not exactly a reputable place.”

Tang Long nodded. He was merely curious, but it was clear that Xiantao Manor had made a name for itself in Taoyuan County—if even a country bumpkin like Li Ergou had heard of it, it must be notorious.

Given Mr. Yang’s story, Tang Long could easily imagine what kind of place Xiantao Manor was.

Besides the vehicles, Tang Long took Li Ergou and the others to stock up on a huge amount of supplies in the county.

Today, there were sixty-seven tourists. Judging by Jiang Xue’s hints, tomorrow wouldn’t be much quieter, and the weekend would bring a full five hundred people. Preparations had to be made in advance to avoid chaos.

Welcoming several hundred guests at once—food, drink, logistics—it was a headache. Fish Head Village wasn’t even in the running-in period, let alone operating smoothly.

“Miss Xiaoyue” had essentially put wheels on Fish Head Village, taking it straight from a wheelbarrow to an off-road vehicle. The leap was enormous—whether the village could handle it remained to be seen.

“You bought it?” Zhang Xiu’e glared at Tang Long as he got out of the Prado, her eyes practically spitting fire.

Even if they had money now, there were plenty of other needs in Fish Head Village—no need to splurge on this!

It was nowhere near time to flaunt their wealth.

Zhang Xiu’e wasn’t unreasonable. If they really could afford a nice car, she’d never object—especially since Tang Long was her man. But this wasn’t their own money; it was the village’s.

“Let me explain. Before you get upset,” Tang Long said with a sheepish grin, hastening to appease her.

Nearby, Shan Xiu and Zhao Xiaoyue exchanged a glance, then quietly backed away, not wanting to get caught in the crossfire.

“Talk,” Zhang Xiu’e said, her expression still icy.

Tang Long fetched a stool for her and began massaging her shoulders.

She felt both angry and amused, but her stern expression didn’t relax.

With her family’s means, she could easily buy Tang Long a million-yuan luxury car. The key was, this time, Tang Long spent village funds—not their own.

“About this car: it was over six hundred thousand new, less than three years old. I tested it myself—no issues at all. In the city, we could resell it for at least three hundred thousand. We bought it from the county for two hundred fifty thousand.”

Zhang Xiu’e nearly laughed out of frustration. “Planning to be a car dealer now?”

“No, nothing like that!” Tang Long chuckled, squatting in front of her. “Our village roads are rough. We need a capable off-road vehicle for emergencies—like medical ones—where every minute counts.

“Besides, this car belonged to Mr. Yang, owner of the Baofeng Jade Carving Factory.”

She paused, curiosity piqued. “His car? Why would he sell it?”

Just a couple of days ago, Yao Xuelian had personally led a team to buy carved gifts from his factory.

“He said he lost big at Xiantao Manor last night—selling the car to cover his debts,” Tang Long replied.

“So you’re playing the hero, coming to the rescue?” she teased, her tone softening.

“Heh, something like that.” Tang Long grinned, sensing her anger fade.

With a light smack to his head, she whispered, “You’re getting naughtier.”

If word got out that a dirt-poor mountain village spent tens of thousands on a fancy car, how would people react?

But the car was bought; she couldn’t exactly tell him to return it.

“How about I show you what I can do tonight?” Tang Long leaned in, grinning mischievously.

Her cheeks flushed as she scolded, “Get lost, you’re such a pest.”

She stood and walked away—no way was she going to flirt with him in front of everyone. The dignity of the party secretary must be preserved!