Rebirth: She is Ready for a Counterattack!-Chapter 460 - 459: The Reconciliation Banquet?

However, upon reaching the county, the local leaders were already waiting by the roadside to welcome Gu Xiaoqing and her group.

Seeing Gu Changhai, Gu Xiaoqing squinted her eyes, thinking to herself that this old man seemed to have come with an agenda.

Although he was just a county official, Gu Xiaoqing understood that in the country, a local manager often has more power than an official, so she got out of the car and invited these leaders to a meal at the best restaurant in the county town.

During the meal, Gu Changhai was diligently serving everyone dishes and pouring drinks.

"Leaders, to be honest, Xiaoqing is the most capable person from our village. A true heroine!"

Gu Changhai smiled as he filled Gu Xiaoqing’s glass, flattering her. 𝚏𝕣𝐞𝗲𝐰𝕖𝐛𝐧𝕠𝕧𝚎𝚕.𝐜𝚘𝗺

"Indeed, Miss Gu truly is one of our outstanding women."

The county leaders also knew that Gu Xiaoqing was from Gu Family Village and had a formidable reputation, so they naturally chimed in.

In fact, they were somewhat anxious, having heard about the major events at Gu Family Village a few days ago, which seemed like a battle.

They were actually afraid of the items those bodyguards present had at their waists.

"You’re too kind, but I’ve already been expelled from Gu Family Village and am no longer one of them."

"Hey, you can’t say that, Xiaoqing. Third Old Master Gu is old and confused, he listened to the wrong people and made a mistake, and he’s already faced his due punishment. Isn’t it true that he scared himself to death just a few days ago? That’s what happens when you do too many bad deeds!"

As Gu Changhai spoke, he used clean chopsticks to serve Gu Xiaoqing a dish, then smirked and said, "As for me? I’m a muddled old man, and my brain doesn’t work well. But I believe mistakes should be corrected. Leaders, don’t you agree?"

"Yes, yes, correcting mistakes is a great virtue!"

They were all here because they’d accepted Gu Changhai’s gifts of tobacco and alcohol, and this meal was on him as well, so naturally, they sided with him.

"Today, I’m here to apologize to you, Xiaoqing. Whatever you think about the past, I want to say, your uncle was wrong. I’ll punish myself with three glasses."

Saying that, Gu Changhai, already flushed from drinking, tilted his head back and drank.

After drinking, he took a big bite of food, organized his thoughts, and continued, "You know, the village spontaneously collected money to prepare to build another road to your factory. We’ve even named it, it’ll be called ’Xiaoqing Road.’"

"That’s great, Xiaoqing Road!"

The leaders at the table immediately clapped and laughed, "Let’s call it that, let’s call it that."

In fact, this road was merely an expansion and refurbishment of the road Gu Ruhai had previously built.

Originally, the people of Gu Family Village were dead set against spending money, but Gu Changhai’s words left them speechless.

"If they pay for the road, will you still dare to walk on it?"

Gu Changhai’s words scared the villagers into parting with their money; there was only this one road to the county, and if Gu Xiaoqing took it over, they really would have no way to live.

Gu Xiaoqing smiled, realizing she had underestimated Gu Changhai.

This old man had extensive experience, could rise and fall as needed, and was truly a character. No wonder he could support his son into the position of village chief, his tactics were quite good!

Seeing this, Gu Changhai immediately waved, signaling someone to bring in a banner.

He then handed it to the county leaders and Gu Xiaoqing, saying: "To thank the leaders and Xiaoqing for the contributions to the village, we specially made this banner for you. Though it’s a small gift, it carries our heartfelt thanks."

The people around Gu Xiaoqing glanced at their boss, and Gu Xiaoqing nodded and said: "Go ahead and accept it."

Seeing an opportunity, Gu Changhai promptly pulled out a paper note from his chest and handed it to the county leaders.

"Leaders, given Xiaoqing’s contribution to the county, we jointly hope she can be recognized as an outstanding labor model in our county, one of the ten outstanding young people."

The county had long been considering this, so the leaders, while quietly discussing among themselves, nodded and said in a show of formality: "Alright, we will consider this matter."

"Seeing that I’m not short of money, they use grand titles to flatter me."

Gu Xiaoqing saw through Gu Changhai’s tricks but also understood his intentions. She knew the people of Gu Family Village were finally scared and finally behaving.

Thus, Gu Xiaoqing smiled and said: "This is something I’m not quite worthy of."

"You are, you are, absolutely worthy!"

Gu Changhai, afraid that Gu Xiaoqing wouldn’t accept, was the first to step up and assure her.

"Alright then, since Uncle Changhai insists, I’ll give you a promise: once the factory is built, I will definitely need to hire workers. At that time, I will prioritize workers from near the village. Of course, wages will not be less than 800 a month."

Upon hearing this, Gu Changhai was stunned and exclaimed, "Really?"

"Of course, as long as they work well and meet the workload, with various benefits and bonuses, it won’t be less than 800 a month. This is my promise as Gu Xiaoqing,"

Gu Xiaoqing replied with a smile.

Thud!

Gu Changhai suddenly knelt in front of Gu Xiaoqing, crying and saying, "Xiaoqing, I’m already thankful to the heavens for you forgiving your uncle, and now you’re giving such great benefits to the village, how can I ever repay you? Rest assured, we will repair Xiaoqing Road as quickly as possible, you’re practically our living Buddha!"

This salary was an astounding figure in the village; even in times after 2010, many villagers’ income was barely three hundred. Otherwise, why would the villagers all leave to find work?

Gu Xiaoqing had purchased so much land, it was natural that she intended to build more than just a factory.

This meal quickly turned into everyone trying to impress her.

At the end of the banquet, Gu Changhai quietly mentioned the ancestral temple to Gu Xiaoqing.

"Xiaoqing, you see if you could..."

"Don’t push your luck, I’ve already planned for that piece of land." Although Gu Xiaoqing didn’t particularly care about that small piece of land, she didn’t want to let Gu Changhai succeed so easily.

"No, no, no, Xiaoqing, we were hoping you could allow the villagers to first relocate the ancestral temple to the other side of the artificial canal, and then start construction?"

Gu Changhai asked, somewhat nervously, as this was the last solution the village had come up with.

"How much time?"

Gu Xiaoqing’s face was expressionless as she asked lightly.

"A month... no, no, no, fifteen days, not enough? Ten days, it’ll be done within ten days."

"Alright, I’ll give you ten days."

Gu Xiaoqing agreed straight away.

The meal concluded, and all objectives were achieved, leaving Gu Changhai happily returning to the village with good news.

He felt that the days of happiness were just around the corner.

Meanwhile, as Gu Xiaoqing sat in the car heading back, Ryan gave her a thumbs-up and said, "Boss, your move was brilliant!"

"Oh, are you praising me?"