Chapter 424: Chapter 424: Intentionally Not Letting You See
Even though it was an office, it actually looked quite shabby, with very simple furnishings—a bed, a desk, and a row of sofas. There was a computer against the wall, but it seemed like it hadn’t been powered on for a long time.
"Sorry about the modest conditions. Oh, would you like some water? I can boil a kettle for you since there’s hardly any left. Actually, I come here quite often."
"No need, we’re just here to check things out today. Don’t trouble yourself. And since there’s nothing else, why don’t you take us around a bit more? I’ve only gotten a general idea, I haven’t seen everything clearly yet."
"Village Chief, there really isn’t much more to see. That’s pretty much it. Oh, and I haven’t had the chance to congratulate you on your new position yet. When you leave later, I’ll have the workers slaughter two chickens for you as a gift to celebrate your inauguration."
"I really shouldn’t accept. Honestly, there are so few chickens left, how could I possibly eat them? So, don’t trouble yourself. I am here to take a look around. Let’s go, take me over there."
Liu Zheng had no intention of staying in the office any longer because he knew if he just sat there, he would be oblivious to the world outside, unaware of the real situation here.
"Really, you want to keep going inside? Look, the factory area is quite big. It would probably take at least half an hour to walk around the whole place. Maybe we should leave it for another day."
"No need. Even if it takes two hours, I can manage. Let’s go. We’re not here for pleasure. Plus, I need to see for myself to help you through this tough time and figure out what to do next with the livestock farm."
Liu Zheng then stood up with a purposeful expression, determined to proceed, leaving Liu Erdong with no choice but to shake his head in resignation and lead them out of the room.
"Hey, isn’t that an electric cart?"
Just then, Li Dazhuang spotted a three-wheeled electric vehicle in the corner, obviously used for moving around the livestock farm or hauling goods.
Since they didn’t have many people, there would be more than enough room on it, saving both space and time.
"You mean that electric cart? It’s been there a long time, and I’m not even sure if it has any charge left. Plus, I don’t know where the keys are."
"Aren’t these the keys?"
At that moment, Li Dazhuang walked over and bent down to check. The keys were in fact inserted in the cart. When he turned them, the display lit up, indicating there was still power.
"Look at that. I’m such a scatterbrain! I didn’t expect the keys to be there. I was looking for them last time and couldn’t find them in the office. I thought they were lost for good. Well then, let’s take the electric cart. That way, we can save some time."
"Dazhuang, you ride the electric cart. I trust your skills. Plus, I need to sit in the back and listen to the factory manager talk about the current situation of the farm."
Liu Zheng noticed that as soon as Liu Erdong saw the electric cart, he hastily went over to ride it, but Liu Zheng stopped him. His thoughts were simple: he felt that Liu Erdong was acting weird, as if he were deliberately hiding something.
"Alright then."
Liu Erdong didn’t say much, nor did he argue. Then, the group got back on the electric cart, and it slowly started moving further into the factory area.
"We used to breed dairy cows here, but now the barns are basically empty, with no cows left. When we had them, we did sell some dairy products, but it was a fleeting success. Afterward, we didn’t pursue that project anymore."
As they drove forward, Liu Erdong gave a brief introduction at each shed they passed. Liu Zheng nodded thoughtfully, not taking any of Liu Erdong’s vague introductions to heart.
He believed in seeing for himself, as seeing is believing and hearing can be deceiving. No matter how compelling the figures he heard were, he wouldn’t take them seriously.
"Dazhuang, stop the cart here."
Suddenly, he asked Liu Dazhuang to stop, and Li Dazhuang brought the electric cart to a halt. Then, everyone jumped off the cart.
"Hey, Village Chief, there’s more ahead. Why get off here? Oh, and this place used to be for raising horses."
"Oh, I’m not interested in this spot. What’s that greenhouse up ahead for? Are those vegetables growing in there?"
From a distance, Liu Zheng had already taken notice. Although it was hidden behind the horse stable, he could tell what it was at a glance.
It looked like the typical greenhouse you’d find in the countryside, likely cultivating vegetables, as anything else seemed unfitting.
"Oh, right, when there’s nothing else to do, we grow some vegetables here. At the very least, it ensures self-sufficiency. Having something to eat inside the factory means we can grow some vegetables ourselves. Honestly, there’s nothing much to see."
"Since we’re here, let’s go have a look and see what kind of vegetables you’re growing. Go on, open it up and let me have a look."
"But Village Chief, there’s really nothing to see, just vegetables. Besides, our village often sees this kind of thing. I’d rather show you around some other part of the farm. Actually, I have a new idea for the livestock farm that I’d like to share with you."
"If you have ideas, that’s fine, and we can discuss them later. But right now, open this up and let me see what’s inside."
