Chapter 77: The Little Heiress

"Secretary Xiu'e, what is your view on our Yutou Village's 'water resources'?" Tang Long shifted the topic, smiling as he spoke.

After returning, he had spent most of the afternoon thinking it over. That minor-league assassin, Shan Xiu, wasn't wrong—Yutou Village's tourism resources indeed had significant limitations. The scale was fixed; no matter how you expanded it vertically or horizontally, even with a yearly market of three or five hundred million, that's about as far as it could go.

This money would surely be enough to lead the villagers to prosperity, but people can't just focus on the present, can they?

As the slick-backed leader said, the future isn't just about the hardships at hand; it's also about poetry and distant horizons.

"Water resources?" Zhang Xiu'e paused briefly, tilting her head as she looked at Tang Long. "You mean the Lian Gou Depression?"

Although Yutou Village faced the sea, its fishery resources weren't particularly advantageous compared to other places. The only real advantage was the "Lian Gou Depression," a rare natural breeding ground.

That was also why Qiangyuan Company was so intent on occupying this spot!

Now, the Lian Gou Depression teemed with fish beneath its surface, and it was even more suitable for cultivating other economic products, such as sea cucumbers, abalone, and even lobsters—high-value marine produce.

"Lian Gou Depression is just one part!" Tang Long's expression was serious as he considered, "When we came back today, didn't we buy a truckload of bottled water from the county? Our mountain in Yutou Village has springs. The villagers, myself included, have drunk from those mountain springs for generations. I think our mountain spring water is no worse than any bottled water on the market!"

"Mountain spring water?" Zhang Xiu'e's eyes widened. "You're not thinking of opening a factory to produce bottled water, are you?"

Yutou Village's tourism business was barely getting started, not even stable yet. Investing in a bottled water company would require equipment importation, building a factory, and a massive amount of manpower and resources.

Simply put, Yutou Village didn't have the capital for such an undertaking!

Even if they managed to set up a bottled water company, who would buy the product?

Running a business and pioneering a market is like waging a campaign; it's far from as easy as it sounds.

"It's not my idea!" Tang Long laughed, shaking his head and pointing at Shan Xiu. "It's our little rich lady here who's thinking about opening a factory!"

Little rich lady? Shan Xiu?

Zhang Xiu'e's big eyes turned to Shan Xiu. "You want to set up a company in Yutou Village to produce bottled water?"

Shan Xiu glanced at Tang Long, nodded calmly, and said, "Yes, I'm prepared to invest one hundred million in Yutou Village's mountain spring water. As long as the quality passes the national authoritative inspection, once approved, the funds will be ready."

Liu Yishou and Zhao Xiaoyue, sitting nearby, looked on eagerly. One hundred million? Mountain spring water?

Even one million was beyond their imagination, let alone a hundred million.

"You two have already discussed this?" Zhang Xiu'e frowned.

Tang Long denied it immediately, smiling apologetically. "Of course not. We just chatted about it on the way back, nothing concrete. Whether we actually do this, that's for you, Secretary Xiu'e, to decide!"

Zhang Xiu'e rolled her eyes and ignored him, turning to Shan Xiu and frowning. "Let's set money aside for now. There is indeed a spring behind the mountain; we all drink from it often, and the quality is certainly good.

But I don't really suggest setting up a factory in Yutou Village. You've seen the environment: surrounded by mountains on three sides, facing the sea on one, only a single road in and out, and the road isn't great."

Shan Xiu nodded. "No problem, I can fund the road construction from the village to the town, making it easier for vehicles in the future!"

"..." Zhang Xiu'e was both amused and exasperated by Shan Xiu. "Tang Long was right—you really are a little rich lady!"

To offer to fix the road between the village and town just like that—repairing it would cost at least several million, and she didn't seem to care at all. What else could she be but a little rich lady?

"You really want to do this?" Zhang Xiu'e asked.

Shan Xiu nodded and smiled. "Xiu'e, don't worry. I have the money, and I'm optimistic about the domestic bottled water market."

Zhang Xiu'e smiled wryly. "I don't doubt you have the funds, but you should know, an investment this size isn't a small matter. Shouldn't you consult your family before making such a decision?"

"No need," Shan Xiu shook her head, calm as ever. "My family is gone; I'm the only one left. I only have you all for friends."

Zhang Xiu'e was taken aback, sensing another layer of meaning in Shan Xiu's words.

"If you want to invest and build a factory in Yutou Village, the village company must participate as a co-investor!"

Shan Xiu replied, "That's fine. On the way back, Tang Long already explained it to me: I invest one hundred million, Yutou Village provides the people and the land, and I'll hold forty percent of the company, while Yutou Village holds sixty percent."

Pfft!

Just as Zhang Xiu'e raised her cup for a sip, hearing Shan Xiu's words made her spray water all over Tang Long's face.

"..." Tang Long wiped his face, half laughing, half crying. "My great leader Xiu'e, do you see any issue?"

"You really... have no shame!" Zhang Xiu'e wiped her mouth, muttering quietly.

Without waiting for Tang Long to defend himself, she glared and snapped, "Do you really think Yutou Village is a bandit den?"

"Hmm?" Tang Long looked at her, confused.

Zhang Xiu'e said irritably, "Let's put personal relationships aside and talk business. Do you think it's fair that Shan Xiu invests a hundred million and Yutou Village provides the people and land, and yet we take the bigger share?"

Tang Long nodded with a silly smile. "Of course. People and land cost money!"

"Nonsense!" Zhang Xiu'e threw decorum aside, her brows furrowed in anger. "That's just bullying, don't you see?"

Shan Xiu, nearby, murmured with a smile, "It's okay, Xiu'e. I'm happy to let Village Chief Tang Long 'bully' me!"

Her words brought sudden silence.

Even Tang Long's expression changed. What did that mean? The two of them were innocent—nothing had ever happened!

What do you mean, you're happy for me to bully you?

Have I ever bullied you?

Zhao Xiaoyue blinked, exclaiming, "Shan Xiu, don't tell me you've fallen for my brother Tang Long too!"

That "too" made Tang Long both amused and exasperated. His own little sister was truly the best at adding fuel to the fire.

Shan Xiu frowned, tilted her head to think seriously, then shook it. "I'm not as fond of him as you and Xiu'e are."

Zhang Xiu'e seemed relieved, and Zhao Xiaoyue patted her chest, muttering, "That's good!"

Tang Long said helplessly, "Come on, can't we stop dragging everything back to me?"

All this fuss—anyone with a weak heart would drop dead!

Zhang Xiu'e replied irritably, "It's all because of you! Which investor partners with a local factory without demanding majority control? Is it you who can manage the factory, or the villagers of Yutou Village? It's absurd!"

Absurd indeed. If Yutou Village dominated the factory, who would really be in charge in the future?

Doing things this way would be no better than Tang Long's previous approach with Yao Handong—just ask for the money directly!

Tang Long scratched his nose. He hadn't thought it through deeply, just didn't want Yutou Village to be shortchanged.

"Is the land in Yutou Village really worth fifty million?"

Zhang Xiu'e was fair-minded—she wanted the village to transform and thrive, and "fairness" could never be neglected.

"If you truly want to set up a bottled water company here, I won't stand in your way. It might benefit you, us, and the whole village."

She paused, then continued, "We can set aside a plot for your factory, and the village must hold shares. Once the factory is built, recruitment should prioritize villagers."

"Agreed!" Shan Xiu nodded instantly. She was determined to invest in Yutou Village, even if not in bottled water, then elsewhere.

The kindness of the 'Jing Ke Token' couldn't go unpaid.

After some thought, Zhang Xiu'e continued, "For the joint venture, Yutou Village will hold twenty-five percent of the shares, contributed as land equity."

Shan Xiu frowned, her gaze drifting to Tang Long.

"Why are you looking at me?" Tang Long was amused. As if there was some 'special' relationship between them.

Retracting her gaze, Shan Xiu addressed Zhang Xiu'e, "Xiu'e, isn't twenty-five percent a bit low for Yutou Village?"

Zhang Xiu'e smiled bitterly. "Silly girl, you're the one investing the money, the entrepreneur. You must consider your own profit first. The land alone is worth over twenty million—how is that little?"

She looked up at Tang Long, scolding, "I don't know what's going on in your head. It's fine to bully outside profiteers, but why turn it against your own people?"

Tang Long gave an embarrassed laugh, not daring to argue back. She was the boss now, whatever she said went.

Truthfully, Zhang Xiu'e was right. Tang Long's distribution plan was problematic; even if the land was valuable, it couldn't justify sixty percent of the shares.

"If you're willing to invest, we'll follow my share distribution plan. Too little, and I won't agree; too much, and we won't accept it either. Let's stick to business—investment is investment!" Zhang Xiu'e said earnestly.

With that settled, Shan Xiu had no reason to object. As long as Tang Long agreed, she was fine with anything.

"Alright, tomorrow I'll find someone to register the company and test the water quality," Shan Xiu nodded, thus confirming the bottled water venture.