Returning to his senior year of high school, he went all in and made billions by buying at the botto

The smile on his lips vanished completely, and his previously somewhat flippant gaze instantly turned sinister.

In the provincial capital, thanks to his father's position and his mother's wealth, many private business owners worth over 100 million yuan had to humbly offer him cigarettes and drinks.

He offered a valuation of 300 million, which was already his greatest sincerity. Moreover, he personally contributed 100 million, so it wasn't like he was just getting something for free.

To his surprise, this seemingly gentle and delicate woman refused him so decisively, without even showing any mercy.

"President Lin," Zhao Qiming leaned forward slightly, his voice low, "It's good for young people to be arrogant, but if they're too arrogant, they're just ignorant. Do you think your mine could have started operations smoothly for even a few days without official documents from the provincial government? The geological team can enter the site today, but tomorrow, the Provincial Environmental Protection Department, the Safety Supervision Bureau, and even the Provincial Department of Natural Resources could easily send down a joint enforcement inspection, and this rocky wasteland would be turned back into a dead zone."

Liu Xin, sitting in the passenger seat, clenched his fist instantly. He deeply understood what Zhao Qiming had said. He had worked his way up in the mines for many years before founding Longxin, and the biggest principle behind it was that the common people should not fight against the officials.

He wanted to ease the tension, but he couldn't swallow his anger. Besides, he only owned 30% of Xingxin Mining, while President Chen had a powerful background. Naturally, Xingchen Technology should handle this kind of person.

Lin Wan did not disappoint him. Without even raising her eyelids, she calmly replied, "President Zhao, our country is a society governed by the rule of law, and the provincial leaders are all principled and mindful of the overall situation. Xingxin Mining's procedures in Jiangcheng are all compliant and legal, and it receives key support from the county government. I believe that the provincial leaders at all levels will not willingly become tools for certain individuals to abuse their power for personal gain."

"Using public resources for private gain?" Zhao Qiming sneered as if he had heard the biggest joke in the world. "President Lin, it seems you are still too naive. Fine, we'll see."

"squeak--!"

Just then, the van braked smoothly and stopped in front of the temporary command post in the rocky outcrop on the eastern outskirts.

The car door slid open, and the cold winter wind, mixed with sand and dust from the mining area, rushed in, dispelling the tense atmosphere inside the carriage.

Deputy County Head Wang had already gotten out of the Audi in front and hurriedly walked over to open the car door.

Although he didn't know what they talked about in the car, his heart skipped a beat when he saw Zhao Qiming's gloomy face and Liu Xin's unfriendly eyes.

"General Manager Zhao, General Manager Lin, we've arrived. The site of Exploration Well No. 1 is just ahead." Deputy County Head Wang forced a smile as he greeted them.

Zhao Qiming straightened his black down jacket, didn't even glance at Lin Wan and Liu Xin, and stepped out of the car.

He stood on high ground, looking at the bustling mining area in front of him—several large drilling machines were roaring, workers wearing safety helmets were shuttling back and forth, and fresh rock strata were exposed in several newly excavated trenches not far away.

This scene intensified the greed in Zhao Qiming's eyes.

According to top-secret information he obtained from within the Provincial Geological Bureau, this gold mine in the eastern suburbs of Jiangcheng is a rare, extra-large, high-grade gold mine with a potential value of more than a billion yuan!

If handled properly, it could even become a major achievement for him to advance to the senior management of provincial state-owned enterprises.

How could he be willing to let such a lucrative opportunity be taken up by a country bumpkin from Jiangcheng County and an unknown company like Xingchen Technology?

"County Chief Wang," Zhao Qiming said, turning to Deputy County Chief Wang with his hands behind his back, "the site management is chaotic. Safety precautions are inadequate, and environmental dust control measures are practically nonexistent. Furthermore, I observe that the surrounding geological structure is unstable, posing a significant safety hazard."

Deputy County Chief Wang turned pale.

He knew Zhao Qiming was using this as an excuse to make a fuss, but given the other party's background, he could only force a smile and say, "Mr. Zhao is right. Xingxin Mining has only just started, and many details are still being perfected. I will definitely urge them to make the necessary corrections later..."

"Rectification? I don't think it's a matter of rectification." Zhao Qiming snorted coldly, took out his phone from his pocket, and made a call in front of everyone.

"Hello, Director Zhang? This is Qiming. Yes, I'm at the gold mine site in the eastern suburbs of Jiangcheng right now... The situation here is very bad. There are serious signs of illegal mining and indiscriminate extraction, posing a great threat to safety and the environment. I suggest that the provincial bureau immediately organize an expert group to come down and reassess Xingxin Mining's mining rights and on-site safety. Before the assessment report is released, it would be best to stop their exploration and preliminary construction."

Upon hearing this, Deputy County Head Wang broke out in a cold sweat.

The Director Zhang he mentioned is the deputy director of the Provincial Department of Natural Resources, who is in charge of approving mining rights!

Zhao Qiming hung up the phone, turned around, and his arrogant smile returned to his face.

He looked at Lin Wan defiantly and slowly said, "President Lin, have you heard of production shutdowns and rectifications? Once the provincial government issues an official document, the losses from machine rentals and lost wages alone would be something your Xingchen Technology couldn't afford, right? Now, do you think my offer is low?"

The scene was deathly silent.

The man with gold-rimmed glasses who came with Zhao Qiming and his burly bodyguard both had smug expressions on their faces.

They had followed Zhao Qiming in performing this bullying act more than once, and it always worked.

Deputy County Head Wang was as anxious as an ant on a hot pan, frantically giving Lin Wan meaningful glances, signaling her to soften her attitude and say a few kind words.

Everyone was looking at Lin Wan.

The winter wind blew by, lifting a few strands of her hair.

Lin Wan stood quietly in place, her face showing neither anger nor panic.

She remembered what Chen Mo had told her before he left: "Starry Sky Technology doesn't need to bow down to anyone. Go for it. If anything big happens, I'll support you."

The thought of Chen Mo brought Lin Wan a sense of complete peace.

Lin Wan met Zhao Qiming's gaze and took a step forward.

"President Zhao, since you've already called the provincial government, why not have the expert team arrive as soon as possible?" Lin Wan's voice wasn't loud, but every word was clear and resolute.

"But I have three points to remind Mr. Zhao."

"First, all the approvals for Xingxin Mining were supervised by the Provincial Government Office. A one-day work stoppage affects the overall situation of Jiangcheng County and the province's key construction indicators. You can call Director Zhang again to ask if he is willing to take this responsibility for you."

"Secondly, Xingchen Technology is not a pushover. If the project encounters unfair administrative interference, we will utilize all our legal resources and file a formal complaint with the National Development and Reform Commission and the Ministry of Discipline Inspection regarding the illegal and disciplinary violations of certain individuals."

"third--"

Lin Wan looked directly into Zhao Qiming's eyes, a mocking expression on her face:

"Xingxin Mining currently has a credit line of 1.5 billion yuan from Huaguo Bank. Mr. Zhao, you think you can become a big player in Jiangcheng with just 100 million yuan? You have quite the appetite, but unfortunately, your capital is too small."

"You—!" Zhao Qiming was not expected that Lin Wan's words were so vicious, and he did not expect that she would even dare to offend the deputy director of the provincial department. He was so angry that his face turned green.

"Fine! Very well!" Zhao Qiming laughed angrily, repeating "fine" several times. "Lin Wan, I hope you'll still be this stubborn when the business is shut down for rectification! Then I'll make you beg me on your knees! Let's go!"

After saying that, Zhao Qiming turned and left, angrily getting into the Toyota Alphard he had driven over with his men, and drove away with the roar of the engine.

Watching the Alphard disappear from sight, Deputy County Head Wang sighed deeply, as if he had collapsed: "President Lin... you've completely offended Zhao Qiming. If the provincial development and reform system and the state-owned assets department really give us a hard time, Xingchen Technology will be in for a rough time."

Liu Xin then burst into hearty laughter: "Damn, that felt great! Mr. Lin, what you said just now was so satisfying! I, Liu, admire you!"

Lin Wan turned her head to look at Deputy County Head Wang, her expression softening, and reassured him, "Don't worry, County Head Wang. Since Secretary Zhou said the bottom line for the project can't be relaxed, it means the county is also our backing. Besides... I trust General Manager Chen."

"President Chen is in Hong Kong, so he probably doesn't know what's going on here, right?" Deputy County Chief Wang was a little worried, but he felt relieved when he thought of Chen Mo's powerful connections.

Lin Wan took her phone out of her coat pocket; the screen displayed a text message that had been edited but not yet sent.

She looked at the distant mining area and remained silent for a moment.

She knew Chen Mo might be in Hong Kong on important business, but she also needed to let him know what was happening here.

The resistance from the provincial government may be greater than imagined, and Secretary Zhou may not be able to withstand it alone.