53: Want money? Dream on!

"It's nothing, Boss, I'm going to work."

The young worker grinned, turned, and left.

Xu Youwei and his companion, both looking blank, stared at the departing worker's back, lost in thought.

Just now… were they looked down upon?

"Gentlemen, these are the Steel Factory's documents and permits."

Li Mubai came before them with some documents and placed them on the coffee table.

Hearing this,

the two snapped back to reality.

Xu Youwei suppressed the shock in his heart, picked up the documents from the table, and began to scrutinize them, attempting to find any inconsistencies.

After a while,

a hint of disappointment appeared in Xu Youwei's eyes.

He hadn't found a single unreasonable point in any of these documents and permits.

Originally, he had intended to find problems within these documents to 'educate' Li Mubai.

After all, many factories have many areas that are not compliant.

But he never expected that the Steel Factory's paperwork would be so complete!

Even some procedures he hadn't thought of had been processed.

This made him feel a sense of powerlessness.

However,

that wouldn't stump him.

Having been in this position for many years, he naturally had his own methods.

Before long,

he gathered all the documents and permits on the table, then revealed a benevolent smile:

"Mr. Li, I've reviewed your factory and some of the paperwork; it's all legal and compliant. We might ask you a few questions next, and we hope you'll answer truthfully."

"That's your job, Mr. Xu, just ask away."

Li Mubai said indifferently.

As long as the other party was enforcing the law impartially and acting according to the rules, he didn't care.

But if they were trying to use their position to gain benefits,

then he was sorry.

He couldn't comply!

"Mr. Li, I remember that last year, the owner of this factory wasn't you. Why the change this year?"

Xu Youwei asked his first question.

"Ah, that…"

Li Mubai smiled:

"This Steel Factory belongs to my father; he only handed it over to me to manage this year."

Upon hearing this,

Xu Youwei nodded, showing an 'I see' expression.

He had thought the Steel Factory had changed hands.

It turned out it was just passed down from the previous owner of the Steel Factory to his son.

If that were truly the case…

Then it also meant that the other party had no one backing him.

After all, the previous owner of the Steel Factory,

each year when he came, would prepare a generous gift for him.

If the other party had someone behind him, it would be impossible to act that way.

Thinking of this,

Xu Youwei couldn't help but feel a surge of joy in his heart:

"Since that's the case, did your father tell you about…"

He didn't finish his sentence.

He just hoped Li Mubai would understand on his own and then give him the benefits.

"Tell me what?"

Li Mubai's face, however, showed a puzzled expression, though he was chuckling inwardly.

He, of course, understood what the other party was trying to convey with those words.

But so what?

If he didn't want to give, could these two force it?

"Didn't your father tell you about us?"

Xu Youwei frowned slightly.

He still just thought Li Mubai was young and didn't quite understand the meaning of his words.

So he pondered in his mind

how to use subtle words to make Li Mubai understand the true meaning of his message.

"He did."

Li Mubai's expression was calm, his tone placid.

"Since that's the case, did your father tell you to be prepared?"

"My father did indeed instruct me. However… because I rode my bicycle to work, with all that exercise, I forgot."

Hearing this,

a chill flashed in Xu Youwei's eyes:

"You dare to forget something like that? Do you know the consequences of doing so?!"

Li Mubai chuckled:

"Consequences? I really don't know. How about… you list them one by one?"

"You!"

Xu Youwei was furious, momentarily at a loss for words.

He just pointed a finger at Li Mubai, his eyes wide, breathing rapidly.

Liu Xun, beside him, was utterly dumbfounded.

He never expected that Xu Youwei would also have a day where he was so enraged that he lost his composure.

When they went to other enterprises,

which of those entrepreneurs, bosses, or chairmen wasn't utterly respectful towards them?

How was it that upon arriving at this Steel Factory, their halo became ineffective?

After a good while,

after several deep breaths, Xu Youwei finally calmed his heart.

This was the first time he had seen someone dare to defy him so boldly.

Other business owners

would eagerly speak and act according to his wishes.

Yet this young man named Li, in front of him, dared to be so unappreciative.

It seemed if he didn't show the other party some 'color,' this newborn calf wouldn't be afraid of the tiger!

Thinking this,

Xu Youwei couldn't help but look at Li Mubai with a solemn expression:

"Mr. Li, your actions simply show you don't put either of us in your eyes!"

"In my eyes? Just you two?"

Li Mubai's tone was disdainful, and he continued:

"As public officials, you are not enforcing the law impartially."

"Instead, you're thinking of using your position for personal vendettas, disregarding the law. People like you two, and you expect me to put you in my eyes?"

"Ask yourselves, touching your own consciences, do you deserve it?!"

Crunch, crunch…

Xu Youwei's face was ashen, his teeth grinding audibly, the indignation in his eyes reaching its peak.

When had he ever suffered such humiliation?

His first reaction was to make Li Mubai pay for his actions.

However,

after a few breaths,

Xu Youwei forcefully suppressed the anger in his heart, then feigned concern, but in reality, threatened:

"Mr. Li, you truly are a newborn calf not afraid of the tiger!"

"Don't you understand the principle of a headless fly bumping around everywhere?"

"If you want to grow big and strong, you need key people, at key times and places, to say a key word for you."

"Otherwise… you might very well fail halfway through your venture!"

Li Mubai glanced at him, his tone flippant:

"The principle isn't wrong.

"But aren't you overestimating yourselves? Do you think you're those 'key people'?"

Hearing the sarcasm in Li Mubai's words, Liu Xun looked astonished.

He hadn't even spoken yet, and he was caught in the crossfire while lying down?

Are you kidding me?!

Xu Youwei, however, maintained a smile:

"Whether we are those key people, Mr. Li will know in a few days."

"Now I can give Mr. Li another chance."

"As long as you produce this amount, I will guarantee your Steel Factory's safety."

He said, extending one hand, fingers spread open.

"You want five thousand?"

Li Mubai frowned.

"No, no, no, that amount can't compensate for your arrogant remarks just now."

Xu Youwei gently shook his head.

"Then you mean… fifty thousand?"

Li Mubai guessed again.

This time,

Xu Youwei didn't shake his head but nodded with a smile on his face:

"As long as you can produce it, then I'll be the bigger man and let bygones be bygones, mercifully letting you off the hook."

"Otherwise…"

The strong sense of threat made Li Mubai feel very displeased.

He immediately spoke:

"Are you crazy for money? Fifty thousand yuan is enough to buy two apartments in the county town!"

"Your appetite is truly enormous! Aren't you afraid of being choked to death?!"

Xu Youwei, however, was unhurried:

"You mean… you won't give it?"

"Why should I give it! You want money? Dream on!"

Li Mubai looked at Xu Youwei with the eyes of someone looking at an imbecile.

He really took him for a fool, asking for fifty thousand out of nowhere?

Hearing this,

Xu Youwei wasn't angry but laughed coldly:

"In that case, Mr. Li should be prepared."

Li Mubai was about to show them out.

Just then,

the door to the lounge suddenly opened, and a strong, resonant voice followed.

"Mu Bai, is the steel ready?"