Chapter 1434 Replacement

"Exchange the dock for land in the south of the city?"

Upon hearing Colin's words, the veins on the back of Boss Lei's hand, which was gripping his cigar, bulged.

"Are you kidding me? Do those vampires even know that the throughput of Pier No. 3 alone was worth this much last year?"

The numbers he gestured made the ashtray clang loudly.

If it weren't for Luo Feng speaking up this time, he probably wouldn't have been able to control his temper.

Moreover, the dock that Boss Lei had finally acquired was one of the properties under Master Hong's control that he had always wanted.

Colin pushed the tablet over, unsurprised by the other person's reaction.

"But the government subsidies for new energy power plants are three times that amount."

Boss Lei stared at the profit forecast chart on the screen and suddenly grinned.

"You guys really know what you're doing."

“Tell Mr. Luo that I want to add another condition. Why can they add one, but I can’t?”

He sneered, "The old port area redevelopment project needs my people."

Colin raised an eyebrow and said, "Is Boss Lei planning to take this opportunity to expand his army?"

Lei, the boss, stubbed out his cigar in the ashtray, the sparks flying before going out. He said, "Mr. Luo's offer is generous enough. I can't let my men starve. Who cares who gets a piece of that lucrative old port area redevelopment?"

Despite his carefree attitude, he's actually quite intelligent.

"Aren't those guys in suits always calculating? Let them calculate how much they can save on bribes by using my construction team."

Colin typed a line in his memo: "I will pass those words on to Mr. Law."

"Please pass on a message for me."

Lei Laoda suddenly stood up, walked to the French windows and looked towards the port. "Once the power station is built, let Li Zhengxun and the others see who is the real boss of the European City Wharf."

"understood."

Colin turned and left.

He didn't have much to say to this person.

If it weren't for Luo Feng, he would have left long ago.

Three hours later, on the resort lawn.

After hearing Colin's account, Luo Feng was handing the kite string to the little one who had run over when he heard this and smiled.

"Boss Lei has learned his lesson."

Bai Ningbing handed over a bottle of water and asked, "Say yes?"

"Why don't you agree?"

Luo Feng unscrewed the bottle cap and handed it to her, saying, "Most of the workers in the old port area are former subordinates of Master Hong, and Boss Lei can keep things under control."

"If Li Zhengxun and his men dare to smuggle in some scum, it'll be perfect for Boss Lei to clean house."

A kite in the distance got stuck on the top of a sycamore tree, and the children were stacking themselves into human figures to reach it, which looked somewhat comical.

Bai Ningbing watched as Luo Feng helped the children steady the swaying human ladder, and suddenly said, "You knew all along that Boss Lei would make demands?"

"I'd be worried if he didn't mention it."

Luo Feng smiled and said, "The dock-for-land swap is the official deal, but the old port area is the real capital behind the scenes."

"If Li Zhengxun wants to use the dock as a bargaining chip, he has to accept that Boss Lei will plant his flag on his territory. That is an equal exchange."

No sooner had he finished speaking than Colin's phone rang.

He listened for a couple of sentences, his expression changing slightly as he said, "Mr. Luo, Li Zhengxun has replied, saying that the old port area renovation can use Boss Lei's people, but he requires that a supervisor be stationed there."

"Supervision?"

Luo Feng scoffed, "They're trying to plant spies, aren't they?"

Bai Ningbing chimed in, "Have Boss Lei install a soundproof ceiling in the supervisor's office."

Luo Feng raised an eyebrow at her; a sly glint flashed in the woman's eyes.

"Since they are supervisors, they should be made to focus on the blueprints and not let the noise from the construction site distract them."

Colin lowered his head, suppressing a laugh, and jotted it down in his phone's notes app.

"Also, they said the agreement will be signed in three days, at the Red Rose Restaurant."

"Red roses?"

Lei's voice came through Colin's speakerphone, laced with gritted teeth, "That place used to be Red Boss's territory, these bastards did it on purpose!"

Luo Feng gazed at the fading sunset on the horizon and said slowly, "Tell them to be there on time."

After hanging up the phone, Bai Ningbing suddenly tugged at his sleeve.

"There is a secret passage in the kitchen of the Red Rose Restaurant, which was dug by smugglers in the early years."

Luo Feng was taken aback, then laughed, "You even know this?"

"I found this when I was investigating Master Hong's background for you." Bai Ningbing smiled meaningfully.

Luo Feng looked at her and found that she was looking up at him, her eyelashes casting a faint shadow in the twilight, as beautiful as a painting.

He could easily reach out and touch the painting; the feeling of having it so readily available was truly wonderful.

"I always felt that Li Zhengxun and the others wouldn't sign the agreement peacefully," Bai Ningbing said softly, linking her arm with Luo Feng's.

Just then, the children's laughter drifted over on the evening breeze.

Luo Feng couldn't help but tighten his grip on her hand.

"Let them see. The true owner of the red rose hasn't made his official appearance yet. I'll be waiting to watch this good show from the audience."

In fact, Bai Ningbing's worries were unnecessary.

The agreement for the Red Rose Restaurant was signed with exceptionally smooth progress.

This time, just as Luo Feng said, everyone had their own ulterior motives, and they were all suspicious of each other and hindered each other.

They think they haven't suffered any losses, but in reality they have suffered a great deal.

Li Zhengxun and his two companions looked at the list of construction teams brought by Boss Lei, their eyes flickering, but ultimately they did not make any further requests.

Luo Feng sat in the main seat, gently tapping the table as he watched the three parties sign the documents, a faint smile always playing on his lips.

"That's good. I also prefer everyone to be harmonious and peaceful, without any arguments."

Upon hearing this, everyone nodded in agreement.

As for what they were really thinking, Luo Feng didn't care at all.

After the ceremony, Lee Jung-hoon raised his glass and said, "Mr. Luo, it's been a pleasure working with you."

Luo Feng clinked glasses with him. "It's been a pleasure working with you."

As they walked out of the restaurant, Boss Lei couldn't help but say, "Why are they being so well-behaved today?"

Luo Feng glanced at the back door of the restaurant, which was the direction of the secret passage entrance that Bai Ningbing had mentioned, and said calmly, "Because they know that there's no benefit in having wicked thoughts."

Boss Lei nodded as if he understood, "Then next..."

"Proceed as planned."

Luo Feng patted him on the shoulder, "Keep a close eye on the power station and the old port area projects."

"Don't worry, Mr. Luo!" Boss Lei thumped his chest loudly.

Watching Boss Lei's departing figure, Luo Feng said to Team Leader Chen, "Notify Colin that the first batch of samples for the new energy project can begin testing."

"Yes."

In the days that followed, Europe gradually returned to peace.

When news came that the new energy project was progressing steadily and the first batch of samples had been successfully tested, Luo Feng was playing football with the children on the lawn of the resort.

Bai Ningbing walked over with the tablet, smiling, and said, "It's a success."

Luo Feng took the tablet, looked at the data on it, and smiled with satisfaction. "Thanks for your hard work, Colin."

He said he wanted to treat you to a meal to celebrate.

“Okay.” Luo Feng nodded. “Let’s do it tonight. Have him bring all the core members of the project team.”

This project is not something he can complete alone.

“That’s what Colin said too. He told me not to tell you yet, and to hear what you have to say,” Bai Ningbing said with a smile.

"That old fox." Luo Feng couldn't help but shake his head upon hearing this.

Such a test was meaningless to him.

At the dinner, Colin and the project team members were very excited and toasted Luo Feng one after another.

Luo Feng responded one by one, "This is not my achievement alone, but the result of everyone's joint efforts."

"Next, we need to speed up the process and strive to put the new energy power station into use as soon as possible."

Everyone echoed in agreement, creating a lively atmosphere.

Afterwards, Luo Feng spoke with everyone about the next steps in the project.

Everyone listened intently, no one daring to lose focus.

By the time the banquet ended, night had fallen.

Luo Feng stood at the restaurant entrance, watching Colin and his team leave, chatting and laughing.

Everyone is excited about the successful completion of this project.

After all, being able to participate in such a project is an immense honor.

Bai Ningbing handed him a light jacket and said with concern, "It's chilly at night, put this on."

Luo Feng took the clothes and put them on, then casually took her hand and asked a question.

"Shall we go for a walk?"

They hadn't walked like this in a long time, so Luo Feng really missed this feeling.

The two strolled slowly along the roadside, their shadows stretched long by the moonlight.

Bai Ningbing suddenly remembered something and seemed to be deep in thought.

"By the way, I had the secret passage of the Red Rose Restaurant re-inspected. There were several collapsed sections, which have been quietly repaired."

Luo Feng raised an eyebrow and said, "You've certainly thought this through."

"We can't let the smuggling routes from back then really become a hidden danger."

Bai Ningbing looked up at him and said with a smile, "But speaking of which, when Li Zhengxun and the others were signing the agreement that day, their eyes kept glancing towards the kitchen. Maybe they really did have their eyes on the secret passage."

Luo Feng chuckled and said, "I expected their intentions."

"Red Rose is ostensibly a restaurant, but secretly..."

He paused, a meaningful glint in his eyes, "Perfect for being an informant."

Bai Ningbing nodded knowingly, then was suddenly drawn to a noise from the roadside.

The two turned their heads and saw two dark figures sneaking around in the back alley. When they saw Luo Feng, they were obviously stunned, and then they ran away.

“They’re Li Zhengxun’s men.” Bai Ningbing recognized one of them.

Luo Feng didn't move, but took out his phone and sent a message to Team Leader Chen.

"Have someone follow them and see what they're planning to do."

He took a deep breath as he put his phone away.

"It seems they still haven't given up."

"Should we just get rid of it?" Bai Ningbing asked.

"Not urgent."

Luo Feng shook his head. "The new energy project has just made progress. If we make a move against them now, it will only alert them. We'll settle the score slowly once the power station is completed."

Just then, Luo Feng's phone rang; it was Boss Lei calling.

"Mr. Luo, a batch of building materials of unknown origin has been discovered in the old port area. We've investigated for a long time but haven't been able to find the source. What do you think..."

Luo Feng glanced at the distant port and narrowed his eyes slightly.

"Don't make a fuss. Write down the model and quantity of these building materials. I'll go check on them tomorrow."

After hanging up the phone, Bai Ningbing, who was standing next to her, frowned and asked, "Was it Li Zhengxun's doing again?"

"pretty close."

Luo Feng squeezed her palm and sneered, "It seems they're trying to tamper with the project materials."

"Then I'll go with you tomorrow."

Luo Feng nodded, and seeing the reluctance in her eyes to part with him, he suddenly smiled.

"With you here, I'm much less worried."

Bai Ningbing felt a little embarrassed by his gaze and turned her face away to look at the lake.

"Speaking of which, the kids want to go to the amusement park tomorrow, would you like to come along?"

"Okay."

Luo Feng readily agreed, "Perfect, it's time to let them relax."

The two smiled at each other. The evening breeze, carrying the coolness of the lake, swept by, but it could not dispel the warmth in their eyes.

A gentle evening breeze carries the fragrance of grass and trees.

He looked up at the starry sky and suddenly felt that such a simple life wasn't so bad.

There are no swords or shadows, no deceit or treachery, only the people around us and the things before our eyes.

Back at the villa, Lin Naizi was sitting on the sofa reading a book. When she saw him and Bai Ningbing come in, she put down her book and said, "You're back."

"Ah."

Luo Feng walked over and sat down, pulling her into his arms, seemingly unconcerned about Bai Ningbing's presence or any potential problems.

"Are the children asleep?"

"Yeah, I'm exhausted after playing all day."

Lin Naoko leaned against him and whispered, "You didn't seem very excited about the successful test today?"

Luo Feng smiled. "I'm excited, but more than that, I feel reassured."

"We'll be able to return to China soon."

Lin Naoko froze, then looked up, her eyes filled with surprise, "Really?"

She had always longed to return to China, to see the place where Luo Feng had once lived.

Upon hearing this, Bai Ningbing glanced at Luo Feng, but this time, she said nothing.

"real."

Luo Feng nodded, "Things here are almost all arranged. Boss Lei can stabilize the situation, and Colin can manage the project well."

"We'll leave once the power station is officially operational."

Lin Naizi's eyes instantly reddened, and she hugged Luo Feng tightly, "That's great."

"I can finally go back to your hometown and see your parents."

Luo Feng gently patted her back, glanced at Bai Ningbing, and felt a warmth rise in his heart.

He knew that, apart from Lin Naizi, Bai Ningbing had always longed to return to China, to that familiar place.

And he also missed everything about China.

"Sister Lin, what a coincidence! I also long to return to China."

Bai Ningbing ultimately accepted her role as the official girlfriend and broadened her perspective.

"Sister Ningbing, we can all go back now."

Lin Naizi got up from Luo Feng's embrace, her head down, still a little embarrassed.

To outsiders, she is a financial prodigy and a female tyrant in the intelligence world; however, to Luo Feng, she is a mentor, a friend, and a lover who shares joys and sorrows.

But in front of Bai Ningbing, she was like a girl next door.

This made Luo Feng very curious.

Was this something Rinko did intentionally, or...?

As the days went by, the new energy power station was put into use as scheduled, and new energy vehicles gradually appeared on the streets of Oucheng.

Because it is still a relatively new industry, there is not much consensus on its merits, and it has not had much impact on the market share of traditional automobiles.

This is quite normal; even in countries with high acceptance rates, new energy vehicles are not yet mainstream. (End of Chapter)