You Were Told To Go Undercover, And You Married The Daughter Of A Mafia Boss? - Chapter 9:

Chapter 9: I’m Buying This Land

Shen Nan waved his hand, “Kid, you’re really playing big this time.”

“Alright then, I believe in you. I’ll leave this matter to you. Xiao Hui will contact you later.”

“Thank you, Brother Nan. I promise I won’t let you down,” Zheng Chuan said excitedly.

The truth was, he was working this hard to prove to Shen Nan that real estate and finance made way more money than being in an underworld gang—and with far less risk.

Even though it was no longer like the gold rush of the 1990s, for Zheng Chuan, this was still a land of golden opportunity. So many chances and breakthroughs were bound to erupt in the coming decade.

“Kid, I’m playing this big with you, so you better make it count,” Shen Nan said, slinging his arm around Zheng Chuan. “Don’t screw this up.”

“Relax, Brother Nan. My life is tied to you now.” Zheng Chuan chuckled.

The plot of land in the eastern part of the city belonged to Baisha Village. It was currently unused. Zheng Chuan knew the place had a strategic location, and government planning had already begun. Before long, it would be designated as the site for the tech innovation headquarters.

When that happened, the entire surrounding area would undergo a massive transformation.

As for why they weren’t buying more land—first, there wasn’t enough funding. Second, the surrounding land was all government-owned and not for sale.

“Brother Chuan, are you really sure this land will make money?” Xiao Hui asked, walking with Zheng Chuan through a few kilometers of bumpy road.

Besides a large orchard at their destination, everything else was covered in wild grass. The view was desolate, stretching so far it seemed endless.

“Trust me. This land’s value is about to soar,” Zheng Chuan smiled. “It might seem remote now, but soon, this place will be unrecognizable.”

Xiao Hui nodded. He only handled the accounts. Since Zheng Chuan was so confident, he didn’t argue.

“You’re here to buy land?” a few villagers hurried over at that moment.

The one leading them was the village committee secretary. After confirming Zheng Chuan was the one who contacted him earlier, he politely invited Zheng Chuan into the village office.

The village secretary’s surname was Li. He handed Zheng Chuan a cigarette and said, “This land belongs to the village collective.”

“A few years ago, we encouraged the villagers to farm and planted pear trees. You’ve seen them—the harvest is pretty good. It’s our village’s main source of income.”

“So if you want to buy, the price might be a bit steep.”

This guy’s eyes flickered as he spoke, and his tone had a greasy, cunning edge—he was going to be a tough one.

Zheng Chuan already knew the soil here was alkaline, completely unsuitable for growing crops. This guy had planted trees just to fool higher-ups and scam subsidies.

Still, it was a sizable orchard, which gave him the leverage to ask for a sky-high price.

“As long as there’s sincerity, the price can be negotiated,” Zheng Chuan smiled. “Secretary Li, name your price. I’ll see if I can accept it.”

“What are you planning to use this land for?” the village secretary dodged the question.

“We’re in the logistics business. We want to build a warehouse here as a logistics hub,” Zheng Chuan casually made something up.

This place was so far from the city, with terrible roads—no one in their right mind would build a warehouse here.

But both sides knew the game. Secretary Li didn’t press further. Instead, he said, “Look at how well our fruit trees are doing. This orchard produces tens of thousands of tons every year.”

“Net profit is several million annually. Honestly, if the price isn’t right, even if I want to sell, the villagers won’t agree.”

“Just name a price already,” Zheng Chuan frowned. So we’re playing hard to get now? Can’t you just get to the point?

“This much.” Secretary Li held up five fingers. “50 million.”

“50 million?” Xiao Hui couldn’t stay calm anymore. Damn, why don’t you just rob us?

This godforsaken place with a few scattered, undernourished fruit trees—you dare quote that price?

You’re even greedier than us gangsters.

“That’s right, 50 million,” Secretary Li nodded. “We won’t consider anything less.”

“Secretary Li, I came here with full sincerity,” Zheng Chuan said calmly. “But that price is a bit too high.”

“Too high? Do you know how much money this orchard makes? We don’t even want to sell it if you’re not buying.” The one who spoke this time was Secretary Li’s son.

“Exactly. If it weren’t for your sincerity, I wouldn’t even be quoting a price today,” Secretary Li said, not even blushing. “Not long ago, a businessman wanted to build a golf course here. Offered me 60 million, and I still didn’t sell. You’re getting a bargain.”

“No room to negotiate?” Zheng Chuan asked.

“Not a single cent less,” Secretary Li, that old fox, stood up as if to leave.

“Uncle Li, no need to rush,” Zheng Chuan stopped him and glanced at Xiao Hui.

Xiao Hui took out a box and placed it on the table.

Zheng Chuan opened it. Inside was a full box of cash.

Secretary Li and his son’s pupils contracted noticeably, and greed flashed in their eyes.

“I won’t beat around the bush. My boss’s budget is 30 million.”

“If you’re willing to sell, this money is the deposit. If not, we’ll look elsewhere.”

With that, Zheng Chuan crossed his legs and leisurely sipped his tea.

Having been reborn, he understood human nature all too well.

A million might just be numbers in speech or on a bank card, but when laid out in cold, hard bills—the impact was something else.

“Well… our village is large and has a big population. Thirty million is really too low,” Secretary Li muttered, but his eyes were glued to the cash, afraid to look away for even a second.

With a snap, Zheng Chuan shut the case. “Xiao Hui, let’s go.”

The two of them stood and walked out. Secretary Li panicked, “Wait, young man, let’s talk again?”

“This is the price. Not a cent more,” Zheng Chuan said firmly and left with Xiao Hui.

As soon as they stepped out, the father and son inside lost it. They rushed out after them.

“Wait, we’ll sell—just as you said.”

“Good. Let’s sign the contract then,” Zheng Chuan smiled.

Once the contract was signed and payment made, the entire village—men, women, and children—poured out to watch. Everyone looked cheerful.

Some even looked at Zheng Chuan like he was an idiot.

Those few scraggly trees produced small, sour fruit—not even pigs would eat them.

To them, this land was a hot potato. Finally, someone was dumb enough to take it off their hands.

“Secretary Li, as stated in the contract, once this land is sold, its use and future value have nothing to do with the village anymore. This 1 million is the deposit. The remaining payment will arrive tomorrow. Please confirm,” Zheng Chuan said.

“Alright, no problem.” Secretary Li eagerly signed the contract. Two copies—transaction complete.

Neither side wanted the other to back out. Once signed, Zheng Chuan immediately left with his people.

“Brother Chuan, if the land’s value really shoots up, these villagers will definitely try to renege,” Xiao Hui said. “I know their type too well.”

“Heh… and what if they do? Did you forget who we are?” Zheng Chuan knocked him on the head.

“Ah, right! We’re the underworld! Are we really going to be scared of these greedy villagers?” Xiao Hui suddenly realized.