Back to 2008: I Helped My Dad Become the Richest Man

Chapter 82 The Threshold of the Provincial Department of Science and Technology

At 8:30 a.m. the next day, Luo Xiyuan wore a black wool coat over a simple white shirt, dark trousers, and her hair was tied in a neat high ponytail.

This outfit made her look a bit more mature, but after all, she was only fifteen years old. Her face still looked like that of a junior high school student, revealing an undeniable youthful innocence.

She carried her briefcase and took a taxi to the Provincial Department of Science and Technology.

The building of the Provincial Department of Science and Technology is located in a bustling area of ​​the city center. It is a somewhat old Soviet-style building with a gray and white exterior that makes it look solemn and dignified.

Security guards stood at the entrance, and people coming in and out carried briefcases, walking hurriedly, their faces bearing a kind of seriousness unique to those within the system.

Luo Xiyuan got out of the car at the entrance and paid the fare. She stood at the bottom of the steps and looked up at the national emblem above the gate.

She didn't go in immediately, but instead went to a small shop next door and bought a bottle of mineral water.

The water vendor, a middle-aged woman in her forties, sized up Luo Xiyuan while giving her change: "Young lady, are you looking for someone? It's not easy to get in here; you need an appointment. Usually, it's big bosses or government officials who come here."

"I have an appointment." Luo Xiyuan took the change, unscrewed the bottle cap, took a sip of water, and spoke calmly.

At 9:00 AM sharp, a black Passat pulled up in front of the Science and Technology Hall.

The car door opened, and Zhou Liang'an got out of the back seat.

He was dressed in a dark suit today, his hair was neatly combed, and he was carrying a black briefcase, looking very formal.

Luo Xiyuan walked over and greeted him, "Good morning, County Chief Zhou."

When Zhou Liang'an saw Luo Xiyuan, he first breathed a sigh of relief, and then looked her up and down.

"Little Luo, your outfit today—" Zhou Liang'an hesitated before speaking.

He had hoped that Luo Xiyuan would dress a little more maturely, but the girl still looked like a student, which was really too conspicuous in the science and technology hall.

"What's wrong? Is it inappropriate?" Luo Xiyuan asked.

"No, it's fine." Zhou Liang'an gave a wry smile. "Just when you see Director Li later, try to speak as little as possible. Let me lay the groundwork for you. Director Li is a very meticulous person, with extremely high standards for numbers and project implementation. Don't make any promises you can keep."

Zhou Liang'an was actually quite uncertain.

Although he had praised Luo Xiyuan to the skies, when he actually arrived at the entrance of the provincial government building and looked at the little girl who was only up to his shoulder, his heart pounded with apprehension.

If this young girl says something wrong in front of Director Li, he, as the county magistrate, will also be implicated, and his official position might even be affected.

"County Chief Zhou, don't worry. I know what I'm doing." Luo Xiyuan saw through Zhou Liang'an's worries and reassured him calmly.

The two walked to the registration desk at the entrance.

The security guard glanced at Zhou Liang'an's work badge, confirming his identity as the county magistrate of Qinghe County, then looked at Luo Xiyuan and pointed at her, asking, "And this is?"

"This is Luo Xiyuan, the CEO of Luo's Group, an outstanding young entrepreneur from our county. Today, she's coming with me to meet Director Li," Zhou Liang'an introduced in an official tone, with a serious air.

The security guard glanced at Luo Xiyuan suspiciously, thinking to himself, "Is the threshold for becoming a CEO really that low these days? Even a middle school student can become a boss."

But he didn't ask any questions, registered them according to regulations, and let the two in.

Once we reached the third floor, the corridor was very quiet.

The only sound was the crisp sound of leather shoes stepping on the terrazzo floor.

The walls are covered with slogans about technological innovation and displays of scientific research achievements over the years.

Meeting room number three is at the end of the corridor.

Three people were already sitting on the sofa in the reception area by the entrance.

Judging from their attire, they were all businessmen, talking in hushed tones, each carrying a thick file folder.

Luo Xiyuan and Zhou Liang'an walked over and found an empty seat to sit down.

A middle-aged man with a beer belly next to Zhou Liang'an glanced at him and struck up a conversation: "Brother, which city are you from?"

Are you here to get Director Li to approve a project as well?

Zhou Liang'an nodded politely: "From Qinghe County. Here to report on some work."

"Qinghe County?" The beer-bellied man thought for a moment. "Isn't that a place for agriculture? How come it's in the Science and Technology Department?"

We manufacture electronic components, and we've been waiting here for three days for this high-tech subsidy opportunity. Director Li is too busy; we can't get a hold of him at all.

The middle-aged man sighed as he spoke, took out a cigarette pack from his pocket, glanced at the no-smoking sign on the wall, and put it back, looking somewhat agitated.

"You brought a young girl here, is it to broaden your horizons?" The middle-aged man looked at Luo Xiyuan and asked with a smile, his tone carrying a hint of teasing from an elder to a younger person.

Just as Zhou Liang'an was about to explain, Luo Xiyuan spoke first.

"Yes, Uncle. My dad brought me to the provincial capital to see the world." Luo Xiyuan continued, a harmless smile on her face.

Zhou Liang'an turned to look at Luo Xiyuan, his eyes full of confusion.

This girl is usually very domineering and doesn't even respect the bosses in the county. Why is she acting so well-behaved now?

Luo Xiyuan didn't look at Zhou Liang'an; she simply didn't want to cause any unnecessary trouble before meeting her superior.

Explaining your identity to these unrelated people is a complete waste of time and can easily attract unnecessary attention.

Just then, the conference room door opened.

A young secretary wearing glasses came out, holding a folder in her hand.

The beer-bellied man immediately stood up, beaming as he approached, "Secretary Wang, what about our electronics factory project? Could Director Li spare some time today to take a look? We've reorganized all the documents."

Secretary Wang glanced at him and said in a businesslike manner, "Mr. Zhang, the environmental impact assessment report for your project is not up to standard yet. Director Li said to come back after you have a satisfactory report. There are no other arrangements for you today, so you can go back now."

The beer-bellied man's face fell immediately, and he tried to plead again: "Secretary Wang, please be lenient, we'll only take up five minutes of Director Li's time—"

Secretary Wang had already turned her head away, ignoring him, and her gaze swept around the reception area.

"Which one of you is County Magistrate Zhou of Qinghe County?" Secretary Wang asked.

Zhou Liang'an quickly stood up: "I am Zhou Liang'an."

"Hello County Chief Zhou, Director Li is waiting for you inside. Please come in." Secretary Wang gestured for them to enter.

The beer-bellied man's jaw nearly dropped as he watched Zhou Liang'an and Luo Xiyuan walk into the conference room.

He waited for three days and couldn't even get through the door, while this county head in charge of agriculture, accompanied by a young girl, actually walked right in?

What kind of relationship must be behind this?

The conference room was spacious, with a huge oval conference table in the center.

The tabletop was polished to a shine, and several microphones and bottled water were placed on it.

At the far end of the table sat a man in his fifties.

He was wearing a white shirt, no tie, with the cuffs rolled up to his elbows, and was looking at a document in his hand.

This person is Li Wenbo, the director of the Provincial Department of Science and Technology.

Hearing footsteps, Li Wenbo looked up and put down the documents in his hand.

His gaze bypassed Zhou Liang'an and landed directly on Luo Xiyuan. His gaze was penetrating, as if he were examining an unexpected object.

Zhou Liang'an strode forward and bowed slightly: "Director Li, hello. I am Zhou Liang'an from Qinghe County. This is Luo Xiyuan from the Luo Group, whom I reported to you about."

Li Wenbo didn't speak immediately. He leaned back in his chair, crossed his hands on the table, and quietly looked at Luo Xiyuan.

The air in the conference room fell silent instantly, so quiet that you could hear the ticking of the clock on the wall.

Sweat began to bead on Zhou Liang'an's forehead.

He fears the silent scrutiny of his superiors most, as it is more stressful than direct criticism.

Luo Xiyuan, however, showed no sign of hesitation.

She stood there, meeting Li Wenbo's gaze, and allowed him to look her over without any hesitation.

She knew this was the first test of her mental fortitude.

After a full half minute, Li Wenbo finally spoke.

"Have a seat," he said, gesturing to the chair opposite him.

Luo Xiyuan pulled out a chair and sat down, placing her briefcase on the table with natural and fluid movements, showing no trace of a little girl's timidity.

"County Chief Zhou praised you as a business genius on the phone." Li Wenbo's voice was calm, revealing no emotion. "He said you started by raising pigs and now you've built an internet company with hundreds of millions of users. That's quite a leap."

"I've looked at your information. Fifteen years old, a junior high school student." Li Wenbo leaned forward slightly. "Young lady, tell me the truth, who's behind this internet company? Is it a foreign institution or a large conglomerate?"

Li Wenbo's questions were very pointed.

He simply couldn't believe that a fifteen-year-old girl from the countryside could pull off such a big stunt.

He suspected that Luo Xiyuan was just a puppet pushed to the forefront, with capital behind her using her as a shell to acquire land and obtain provincial policy subsidies.

Upon hearing this, Zhou Liang'an panicked and was about to explain.

Luo Xiyuan gently kicked Zhou Liang'an under the table to stop him.

She looked directly into Li Wenbo's eyes, opened her briefcase, and took out the business plan that she had updated overnight.

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