Chapter 125: Rival in Love? (Late Night Update—Please Vote!)

"Are you planning to lease that plot of land in Big Willow Tree Village?"

Inside the Cheng family mansion in Binhai, Zhang Xiuxiu stormed in with an air of fiery intensity. Cheng Liang was initially delighted; Xiuxiu rarely paid him any mind, and today, this scorching beauty had actually come to him of her own volition. He had not expected, however, to be met with such a scathing interrogation the moment she stepped inside.

"That's right! My father sent me to Binhai to open up the real estate market. But based on my years of experience, Binhai isn't ready for large-scale development yet. It's better to start with other projects first, such as resorts, hot spring retreats, and tourist attractions. I intend to build the largest leisure resort in the East China region at Big Willow Tree Village to serve the local government officials for their relaxation and entertainment..." Cheng Liang projected the persona of a successful young elite, his speech refined and his manners gentlemanly and magnanimous.

"Spare me the useless talk; I don't want to hear it! I'm warning you—you had better not set your sights on that land, or I won't let you off lightly!" Zhang Xiuxiu cut him off, her voice sharp.

She had actually heard about this from Zhang Siguo. Siguo was in a difficult position; the Zhang and Cheng families were long-time friends. Zhang Xiuxiu's father, Zhang Youcai, and Cheng Liang's father, Cheng Huaiyu, had deep business ties, making it hard for Siguo to refuse when Cheng Liang asked for his help to secure the deal. Cheng Huaiyu had even personally called Siguo to ask him to look after his son.

But the other party involved was none other than Yang Tian.

If it were anyone else, Siguo could have simply gone to Yuan Shan, the Director of the Land Bureau, and claimed the government urgently needed the land, refunded the lease fee, and then indirectly re-leased it to Cheng Liang. He could do the same now—after all, while Yang Tian was capable, he lacked real political power and social standing.

Yet, Zhang Siguo remained hesitant for two reasons. First, Yang Tian was no simple character; snatching the land from him would not be easy. Second, Mayor Lang Ping had taken Yang Tian as his sworn younger brother. No one knew what Lang Ping’s next move would be; he might be grooming Yang Tian for a meteoric rise. Offending him could lead to a grudge that would never end. Furthermore, Yang Tian had been a great help to Siguo—the construction of the overpass and the Binhai University New District were both Yang Tian's ideas, which had earned Siguo much recognition. Turning his back on him now to steal his interests would strip the Binhai political scene of any shred of human decency.

After much deliberation, Siguo decided to let Zhang Xiuxiu intervene, hoping she could talk to both sides and see if anyone would be willing to yield. Upon hearing the news, she had flown into a rage and confronted Cheng Liang.

"Xiuxiu, I'm doing all this for you! I'm working hard so that no one will gossip behind your back, saying that the boyfriend of the Zhang family's eldest daughter is a useless loser. Xiuxiu, really, I can live without the real estate and the wealth, but I cannot live without you!" Cheng Liang spoke with honeyed words, stepping behind her and gently placing his hands on her qipao, his touch beginning to wander downward.

"Disgusting!" Zhang Xiuxiu shoved him away. She hadn't originally felt so negatively toward him—she could at least accept him as a casual friend. But ever since she discovered his frequent visits to entertainment venues like "Night Haze," his lecherous gaze made her skin crawl.

After seeing her off with a forced smile, Cheng Liang’s face darkened instantly. His personal butler, Old Li, walked over, adjusted his spectacles, and scoffed, "That woman is becoming increasingly shrewish."

"Hmph. Did you find out? What is the relationship between that guy named Yang and the Zhang family? Why is that bitch Zhang Xiuxiu speaking up for him?" Cheng Liang asked suspiciously.

"I’ve looked into it. That Yang Tian helped Zhang Zhi, the mentally challenged son of the Zhang family, so they are all filled with gratitude toward him, especially Zhang Xiuxiu. Many say she has a thing for younger men. Also, I heard that the idea for the Binhai overpass came from Yang Tian, which is why Zhang Siguo favors him. And the rumor is that Mayor Lang Ping has taken him as a sworn brother."

"No wonder the brat is so arrogant; he has so many people backing him! It's no wonder Old Four Zhang didn't agree to help immediately; he never intended to help me at all. Fine, fine! To think the Zhang family would oppose us for the sake of a penniless nobody! I'll see who has the last laugh!" Cheng Liang sneered.

"Heh, Young Master Cheng, we needn't worry. We have a trump card," Old Li said with a seasoned smile.

"That's true. I've already smoothed things over with Mayor Luo. He is the top dog in Binhai; once he steps in, everyone else has to move aside." Cheng Liang smiled confidently. He had spent plenty on Luo Gao, though his attempts to bribe Lang Ping had only earned him a rebuke.

"Mayor Luo has already stated that as long as it's not murder or arson, he can protect our family in Binhai," Old Li added smugly. Unlike the Zhangs, the Chengs lacked high-level political cover in the mainland, but they had money—and money could pave any path.

"What did you say earlier? That bitch Zhang Xiuxiu wants to sleep with Yang Tian?" Cheng Liang asked, his expression turning vicious.

"That's the rumor—that she’s so grateful for his help with her brother that she’s practically ready to get into bed with him," Old Li replied bluntly.

"That slut! Hmph, wait until you see how I torture her! And as for that Yang Tian, daring to fight me for a girl? He should check if he's even fully grown yet!" Cheng Liang laughed darkly.

"Young Master, you aren't planning to treat them like you did Fatty Wu, are you?" Old Li chuckled. Fatty Wu, a musician in Guangzhou, had been run over by a car dispatched by Cheng Liang after competing for a dancer; the dancer herself had been driven to madness and institutionalized.

"No, this time, I want to play something even more exciting!" Cheng Liang smirked, salivating at the thought of Zhang Xiuxiu’s alluring figure.

After leaving, Zhang Xiuxiu went to find Yang Tian to warn him, knowing exactly how cunning and ruthless Cheng Liang could be—a man who played the gentleman to your face while stabbing you in the back.

She waited at the entrance of Binhai No. 1 High School, but even after the students had cleared out, she couldn't find him. His phone was off, and he wasn't in his classroom. Panic set in—had Cheng Liang harmed him? She drove to the Hongyu Internet Cafe, and only when she saw Yang Tian sitting outside drinking beer and eating salted peanuts with Zhang Zhi did she finally let out a sigh of relief.

"You look like you're in a hurry," Yang Tian asked with a smile.

"Big Sis, are you being chased by lechers again? I told you, you're too high-profile—dress a bit more plainly next time and you'll be fine!" Zhang Zhi joked.

"Eat your peanuts! Yang Tian, I heard Cheng Liang wants to take your land?" Zhang Xiuxiu asked, watching for his reaction.

"He does! Your fiancé has a good eye, doesn't he? Deciding he wants my land. What, do the two of you want to open a resort and enjoy the pastoral life together?" Yang Tian teased, his face calm and steady.

"Stop it, I have nothing to do with him! Yang Tian, you need to be careful. Cheng Liang’s father has money, and he’ll stop at nothing," she said, her voice tight with worry.

"Yeah, Brother Tian, Cheng Liang likely sees you as a rival in love since you're so close to my sister. You're in big trouble!" Zhang Zhi added, though he was still grinning.

"Enough with the nonsense. Love rival? Why not say it's a love triangle?" Yang Tian retorted, causing Zhang Zhi to burst into laughter while Zhang Xiuxiu blushed.

Cheng Liang’s moves were significant. A few days later, Yuan Shan, the Director of the Land Bureau, called Yang Tian to inquire about the land's operations, mentioning that the government might urgently need to reclaim it. He told Yang not to worry too much, but Yang Tian could read between the lines: Yuan was giving him a warning.

Yang Tian knew Cheng Liang was behind this and that Yuan was hesitant, likely waiting for orders from above. Then, his phone rang again—it was Lang Ping. He told Yang to come to the city government office immediately and hung up.

Yang Tian rode his bike toward the municipal building, his resolve hardening. No matter what, he had to protect that land. If he let Cheng Liang turn Big Willow Tree Village into a playground for the rich, it would soon become a cesspool of vice.