Chapter 121 Is this the end?
When questioned by Song Jia, the two drivers exchanged disbelieving looks.
"This... how is this possible?!"
"We couldn't get out no matter how many times we tried before."
"But the young boss... how did he get out so easily?"
Just then, Liu Shang also hopped out of his car and walked over.
"The roads in the oilfields are generally on saline-alkali land, which gets slippery, and the standing water doesn't evaporate easily."
"In the future, when you drive through a mud pit like this, you have to follow the ruts made by bigger trucks."
"Don't drive straight into the middle of the pit!"
"You should be clear to go now."
"Try to drive as fast as you can, or you'll be late!"
At Liu Shang's words, the two men nodded in agreement, admitting that they had never driven on roads in the oilfields before.
As for the time, they promised they would speed up as much as possible.
Back in his own vehicle, Liu Shang drove the Pajero through the mud pit with ease.
Song Jia looked at him with a mixture of surprise and admiration. "Remind me, did we really graduate from the same driving school?"
...
Finally, Liu Shang and the others arrived at the liquid dispensing station right on time.
To Liu Shang's surprise, factory director Shen Chengcheng and several other factory leaders were already waiting for them.
Liu Shang and Song Jia got out of the car and walked over to greet Shen Chengcheng.
Song Jia had also met him before.
Clearly, her presence was not what Shen Chengcheng had been expecting, and he gave a wry smile.
"Liu Shang, you two lovebirds are always so romantic, never in a rush."
"We're on pins and needles over here!"
"The three tankers of hot water have been prepared according to your requirements, and all other on-site processes are ready."
"The next step is all up to you!"
Hearing Shen Chengcheng tease Liu Shang and lump her into it, Song Jia was fuming.
She was the real victim today, wasn't she?
She had originally planned to take a taxi home but was dragged here against her will, only to get stuck in the mud.
After hearing Shen Chengcheng's words, Liu Shang seemed to transform into a different person. He immediately began organizing the workers to add the chemicals to the tankers in the correct order.
This left Song Jia to make awkward small talk with Shen Chengcheng.
On the way over, Liu Shang had explained that he was helping Uncle Shen with a problem.
This made Song Jia quite curious. How old was Liu Shang, really?
Why would a factory director like Shen Chengcheng need to ask him for help?
And judging by the atmosphere today, the situation seemed quite serious.
At that moment, all the factory leaders and technicians on site looked thoroughly disappointed when they saw Liu Shang.
They couldn't help but bad-mouth factory director Shen Chengcheng under their breath.
These men weren't familiar with Shen Chengcheng, who had only recently transferred from the third factory, so they certainly had no idea what Liu Shang was capable of.
When they saw how much importance Director Shen was placing on today's operation, they had expected some important figure or renowned expert to arrive.
But they never imagined that after all that waiting, all they got was a young man in his twenties.
Whose kid was this? Some rich second-generation heir?
Tsk, tsk, and look, he even brought his beautiful girlfriend to the construction site.
They were a picture-perfect couple, dressed so nicely, but they looked completely out of place at a worksite.
This new factory director, Shen Chengcheng, is just messing around!
Ignoring their murmuring and contemptuous glances, Liu Shang quickly directed the workers on site to finish preparing the chemical mixture.
Three full tankers, sixty tons of the compound petroleum additive, should be enough to salvage this horizontal well.
About forty minutes later, Liu Shang's group arrived at the well site.
The construction team Shen Chengcheng had contacted was already standing by.
The owner of the salvage company, a man surnamed Li, was Shen Chengcheng's old classmate and best friend.
His company's main business was well repair, salvage operations, and selling various tools.
The company's scale and technical capabilities were considered quite good in the Fengcheng Oilfield.
During the previous salvage attempts, his company had been the most thorough and dedicated.
But despite their best efforts, every attempt had ended in failure.
Eventually, they had no choice but to give up.
Their manager, Li Changgong, had a professional background in the field and extensive on-site experience.
So, when Shen Chengcheng found him and said someone else was confident they could salvage the well and needed their help, Li Changgong had agreed without hesitation.
For one, he wanted to help his old classmate and good friend get through this difficult time.
He would have done the job even without pay.
For another, he was still quite frustrated with that particular well.
He wanted to see what kind of master could possibly succeed where he had failed.
But when he finally saw that the person who had come was a young man like Liu Shang, the disappointment was just too great.
So much so that even he, a man who was usually so composed, couldn't hide the true reaction on his face.
If Li Changgong felt this way, to say nothing of the others on site.
The air was thick with their contempt and disdain for Liu Shang.
"Is this supposed to be the expert the factory director invited himself?"
"We waited all this time, and this is who we were waiting for?"
"That's right, is this some kind of mistake?"
"Where did this kid come from? Isn't he a little too young?"
"Hey, a kid this age probably can't even tell the difference between an oil well and a water well. How did he become an expert?"
"If that's the case, the title of 'expert' has really lost its value, hasn't it?"
"Well, in my opinion, the factory director is just desperate and grasping at straws."
"Instead of finding a brat like this to come and mess around, he would have been better off hiring a monk or a Taoist priest to chant some scriptures. That might be more effective!"
...
At this moment, Li Changgong finally managed to mask the disappointment and contempt in his heart.
He smiled and shook hands with Liu Shang. "Mr. Liu, you're truly young and promising."
"You're the boss today. Just tell us, how do you want us to handle this job?"
Liu Shang offered a wry smile. "Please, Mr. Li, just call me Liu Shang."
"As for what to do next, it's simple."
"First, use a pump truck to inject the sixty tons of working fluid at a large displacement."
"Let it soak for two hours, then flow it back directly."
"After that, Mr. Li, you can proceed with the same salvage plan you used on your previous attempts."
After listening to his words, Li Changgong asked in surprise, "That's all?"
Chapter 122: You Are Still Too Ignorant About Technology!
It wasn't just Li Changgong; even Shen Chengcheng thought Liu Shang's technical proposal was absurd.
Before this, Li Changgong and his company had attempted to salvage the well using the exact same plan numerous times, and they had never even come close to success.
And now Liu Shang was proposing to do the same thing? Wasn't that just a joke?
But at that moment, Liu Shang nodded with unshakable confidence.
"That's right. It's the same plan Mr. Li and his team adopted before."
"I think it's a pretty good plan."
"This isn't a major problem. There's no need to overcomplicate things."
After he finished speaking, a wave of murmuring and discussion broke out among the crew on site.
*Who on earth is this young man? Does he have to boast so much?*
*Do you have any idea how many people have failed here before you showed up?*
*Even Schlumberger, the most technologically advanced company in the world, came and went. And you're saying this is a small problem?*
*Does that mean you're better than all of them?*
Seeing Li Changgong's complex and ugly expression, Shen Chengcheng patted him on the shoulder and they exchanged a meaningful glance.
The look seemed to say, *For my sake, just humor him.*
After all, Shen Chengcheng had long grown accustomed to Liu Shang's confident, almost prideful style.
Just then, the person in charge from Schlumberger, their chief technical engineer, approached Shen Chengcheng, his tone sharp.
"Director Shen, is this young man the reason you've been putting us off?"
"I heard the technical approach he laid out. I can only say that you are being naive—laughably so!"
"I can state with absolute certainty that there is no company in your country with the technology to successfully salvage this well."
"Even for some of us, the world's top oil technology service companies, a successful recovery is far from guaranteed."
As he spoke, the bearded foreigner shot a contemptuous look at the young Liu Shang.
"Hmph. Director Shen, you've wasted our time and resources all because you listened to the bragging and nonsense of a young boy."
"If you want us to perform the work in the future, the price will not be what we previously quoted!"
"A young man like him isn't even worthy of wiping the tables at Schlumberger, yet you're treating him like an expert?"
"To brazenly claim this salvage is a 'small problem' is utterly ridiculous!"
"To use a phrase from your country, it's the most absurd joke I've ever heard!"
Schlumberger, along with the other international petroleum service companies, had always carried themselves this way in the domestic market.
Proud, insolent, and defiant.
However, as much as it angered the domestic industry professionals, they had to objectively admit that the foreign technology was indeed superior. This was especially true for petrochemical additives; unlike mechanical tools, these chemical formulas couldn't simply be reverse-engineered.
There was little choice but to accept it.
Consequently, after the engineer from Schlumberger finished his tirade, Li Changgong, Shen Chengcheng, and the others all wore grim expressions.
But they all remained silent.
At that moment, however, Liu Shang glanced at the foreigner and said coldly, with incomparable contempt, "You are still too ignorant about technology!"
His words caused another uproar at the scene.
The young man's tone was far too arrogant, his words too extreme.
It was like he was just running his mouth, completely detached from reality.
This was an oil field construction site that required solid technical support; you couldn't get by on talk alone.
The Schlumberger engineers and the other foreigners just snorted coldly, deciding to wait for Liu Shang to fail so they could properly criticize the ignorant kid.
Meanwhile, Li Changgong and the other oil field personnel felt deeply embarrassed. This Liu Shang was making them lose face, and they sighed helplessly.
Even Shen Chengcheng lacked any confidence, frowning with worry. If Liu Shang failed, Schlumberger would surely raise their price again.
Seeing so many people ganging up on the isolated Liu Shang, Song Jia felt a mix of anxiety, anger, and pity, but there was nothing she could do to help.
In the midst of it all, Song Jia couldn't figure it out.
Even she, an outsider, was feeling this stressed for him, yet Liu Shang, the man at the center of the storm, remained calm and composed, an expression of cool detachment on his face.
*This guy truly has nerves of steel and an incredibly thick skin!*
Soon, under Liu Shang's direction, the operation officially began.
First, three tank trucks filled with a hot water-based chemical auxiliary working fluid were injected into the well.
Then, the well was left to soak for two hours.
During this long wait, Liu Shang didn't bother interacting with anyone, instead returning to his car to chat with Song Jia.
What surprised Song Jia was that Liu Shang seemed to feel no pressure at all, as if nothing were happening.
Finally, after two hours, it was time for the critical step: Li Changgong and his team would begin the salvage attempt.
By this point, a great many people were waiting to see Liu Shang, and by extension Shen Chengcheng, make a fool of himself.
They had already prepared countless clever insults, planning to unleash them on the arrogant kid after he inevitably failed.
As for the salvage crew itself, even Li Changgong and his team had zero expectations for success.
They had attempted to salvage this well more than a dozen times, and each time had ended in failure.
And every failure had been definitive, the kind that offered no glimmer of hope.
So they couldn't believe that for the same well, with the same people, using the same method, the addition of a mere three tanks of working fluid could possibly make any difference.
However, as soon as the first phase of the salvage began, the pressure readings and the response from the bottom of the well were noticeably, vastly different.
So much so that the highly experienced old engineer on-site hurriedly called over to Li Changgong, who was chatting with Shen Chengcheng and the others.
There was a palpable undercurrent of tension and excitement in his voice.
Recognizing that tone, Li Changgong ran over without a word and personally took part in the next stage of the salvage work.
And when their second phase began, the feedback from the bottom of the well was even better than before!
At this point, an expression of pure, incomparable surprise flooded Li Changgong's face.
He shouted excitedly at Shen Chengcheng, "Old Shen, get over here, quick!"
"Old Shen" was what they called each other in private.
Publicly, and at work, Li Changgong always addressed him as Director Shen.
For Li Changgong to call him Old Shen now was enough to show the sheer excitement overwhelming him.
First, Li Changgong had been suddenly called over, and now it was his turn.
As he walked toward the construction truck where Li Changgong was, Shen Chengcheng was already feeling an unbearable mix of nervousness and excitement.
*Liu Shang, that kid… he's not actually going to pull it off again, is he?*
Chapter 123 I'm Convinced!
When Shen Chengcheng walked quickly to the engineering vehicle, Li Changgong could no longer hide his excitement and said quickly in a low voice, "Old Shen, we've got a shot!"
Not only him, but the engineers from their company were equally thrilled. After all, this well had made fools of them several times already. In their hearts, this well was like a bitter enemy.
Shen Chengcheng himself was an expert in oilfield engineering. After glancing at the series of parameters on the instrumentation, he immediately understood everything, and his eyes lit up.
"Changgong, the man you told me about—make sure he stays steady!" he urged. "We need to nail this in one go!"
At this, Li Changgong was filled with aggressive determination. "Don't worry, I'll salvage this well today even if it's the last thing I do!"
Soon, their fishing tools made contact with the equipment at the bottom of the well. The initial attempt to latch on got an excellent response. This meant that the successful salvage of the well was basically a sure thing. At the very least, they would make significant progress and retrieve some of the tools stuck at the bottom, which would greatly reduce the difficulty of subsequent salvage operations.
A very excited Shen Chengcheng ordered someone to invite Liu Shang into the engineering vehicle.
Upon meeting him, Shen Chengcheng didn't say a word, but slapped Liu Shang hard on the shoulder to express his current mood and his goodwill.
Liu Shang didn't know whether to laugh or cry. Why was everyone at the Fengcheng Oilfield so rough when expressing friendship? First, it was Pan Qingfeng from the third production plant, and now Shen Chengcheng. He was just a freshman, for goodness' sake. How could he withstand the manhandling from these men with hands calloused from years of fieldwork?
At that moment, the attitude of Li Changgong and the others in the vehicle toward Liu Shang had done a 180-degree turn. They even felt a little awed by his air of mystery. They all knew in their hearts that if the well was successfully salvaged today, the credit wouldn't belong to their own skill. It was undoubtedly thanks to the three truckloads of additives Liu Shang had injected into the well earlier.
Finally, after more than two hours of salvage work, all the stuck tools at the bottom of the horizontal well were successfully retrieved. The entire operation went incredibly smoothly.
Unsurprisingly, a burst of excited and enthusiastic cheers erupted inside the engineering vehicle. Li Changgong, the technicians who had been defeated by this well several times before, and especially Shen Chengcheng, who felt like he had just weathered a storm, were all trying to outdo each other in their excitement.
Shen Chengcheng gave Li Changgong a fierce hug, then spun back to Liu Shang with lightning speed. Once again, he clapped him hard on the shoulder. "Liu Shang, good job. You really saved me this time, Uncle Shen!"
Facing the ecstatic Shen Chengcheng, Liu Shang just smiled indifferently and said a few modest words, insisting he was being given too much praise. The success of today's salvage, he said, was mostly due to Mr. Li Changgong.
At this, Li Changgong walked up to Liu Shang with a wry smile and shook his hand passionately.
"Liu Shang, you don't have to flatter me. I, Li Changgong, know my own limits. To be honest, we tried to tackle this well several times before and gave it our all, but every attempt ended in disastrous failure. The kind of failure where you don't see a shred of hope. But who would have thought that in your hands, it would be as easy as slicing tofu? It just obediently gave in like a shy maiden!"
The men beside him laughed and chimed in, "That's right! Before, this well played hard to get with us—acting all aloof and reserved, wouldn't even give us a second glance."
"But the moment it meets Mr. Liu, it turns into a hussy, ready to drop her clothes and surrender. Guess our charm just isn't up to par!"
In the oilfields, where people worked under difficult conditions for long stretches, it was normal to make crude jokes. But hearing their words, Song Jia, who was standing beside Liu Shang, felt increasingly awkward, and a blush crept onto her cheeks.
*What on earth are these bastards talking about?* she thought to herself. *Are they blind? Don't they see a young lady standing right here?*
When Liu Shang had been called over, Song Jia had grown curious. Since she had nothing to do sitting in the car, she had simply followed him. She had watched as Liu Shang remained calm in the face of everyone's earlier doubts, and now she had witnessed his success with her own eyes as he completely proved them wrong. This huge contrast stirred a vicarious excitement and joy in her.
Even she hadn't expected this hateful guy, Liu Shang, to be so capable.
Unknowingly, as she stood on the sidelines in the glow of the setting sun, Song Jia felt as if Liu Shang was now shrouded in an aura of mysterious brilliance. And mystery and brilliance were two things that girls found most attractive.
Liu Shang, on the other hand, remained extremely humble in the face of everyone's praise, responding only with a gentle smile.
Li Changgong laughed and said to Shen Chengcheng, "I'm telling you, Old Shen, have you noticed? Everyone here, you and me included, is getting emotional. But Liu Shang is the only one who's been sitting back calmly, as if just watching the clouds roll by. Forget his skills for a second, just that commander-like composure—to remain as placid as a lake even in a crisis—that's not something an ordinary person can match!"
In truth, Liu Shang wasn't nearly as relaxed as Li Changgong claimed. After the tools were successfully salvaged from the bottom of the well, his heart finally settled, and he let out a long, joyous breath of relief.
A successful salvage meant that the 10-million-yuan risk contract had been fulfilled. At least seven or eight million of that would go into his pocket. After all, if he wanted to establish himself in the oilfield, his previous 800,000 yuan was far too meager to accomplish anything significant.
At that moment, a group of technicians from the engineering vehicle stepped forward to shake Liu Shang's hand.
"Mr. Liu, I, Old Li, sincerely apologize to you! I've worked in this oilfield for most of my life, and not many people have earned my respect. But with this well today, seeing is believing. I'm truly convinced!"
After him, others came up to shake his hand as well.
"Mr. Liu, I, Old Yang, am also convinced. We tried so many times with this well and made no progress at all. I really can't figure it out. How did your three truckloads of additives go in and make it behave like a completely different well? You're just too amazing!"
Chapter 124: I Want to Die!
Seeing that everyone's opinion of Liu Shang had completely changed, Shen Chengcheng, who was in high spirits, laughed and began to proudly introduce him.
"You all met Liu Shang before when I invited him as an expert. Do you still remember your expressions and disdain back then?"
"Let me tell you, don't underestimate Liu Shang just because he's young."
"If it weren't for Liu Shang, where do you think the profile control technology used at the Third Plant came from?"
"Without Liu Shang, how do you think I, Old Pan, and Zhang Zhengmao all got promoted?"
Upon hearing Shen Chengcheng's words, everyone, including Li Changgong, had a sudden moment of realization.
Then, they were all collectively shocked and sighed with emotion. "Mr. Shen, are you saying that the profile control technology from the Third Plant, the one held up as a model for the entire oil field, was created by Liu Shang?"
"Well, I'll be!"
"It's true what they say: meeting the person is better than just hearing their name. Who would have thought that such incredible technology was actually created by Liu Shang?"
"If that's the case, then everything makes sense. Young Mr. Liu has real, profound skills."
"It's truly amazing. This is what they mean when they say there's always someone better out there."
"How old is Mr. Liu? With such composure and skill, his future achievements will be limitless!"
At this, Shen Chengcheng said with a smile, "I told you, but you don't need to praise him so much."
"Let me tell you, Liu Shang is an extremely rigorous technical talent."
"He is especially skilled and insightful when it comes to geological dynamics and petroleum additives!"
Afterward, Shen Chengcheng looked at Liu Shang again.
"Liu Shang, although this well has now been successfully salvaged."
"There's no doubt that this project will be submitted for approval as our plant's annual scientific and technological achievement."
"When that time comes, Uncle Shen will definitely need your help again."
"So now, in front of everyone, why don't you tell us the real technical details behind this well!"
Hearing Shen Chengcheng's request, everyone turned their curious eyes toward Liu Shang.
Although the well had been successfully salvaged, and by their own hands no less, everyone, including Li Changgong, was still baffled.
They truly couldn't figure out how a well that had been completely impossible for them to fix had become as easy as slicing through butter in Liu Shang's hands.
Seeing the situation, Liu Shang could only smile and explain.
"Actually, this well was never as difficult as you imagined."
It was the same old style—arrogant and confident.
If he had said this before, it would have certainly drawn ridicule from everyone.
But now, they were all utterly convinced. They even felt that the more audacious Liu Shang acted, the more capable he truly was.
Watching them, Song Jia, who was already used to Liu Shang's style, found the whole scene rather amusing.
At this time, Liu Shang continued, "In our oil field's current salvage techniques, we often rely on the brute traction force of our tools and workover rigs."
"After a tool gets a hook, it has to be pulled hard by the workover rig."
"If a 30-ton rig isn't enough, we replace it with a 40-ton, 60-ton, or even an 80-ton rig."
"This approach can easily cause the tool to pull off or damage the well's structure. It's also prone to causing safety accidents."
Hearing Liu Shang's words, Shen Chengcheng, Li Changgong, and the others nodded repeatedly, their brows furrowed in thought.
What Liu Shang said was correct. This was exactly how workover and salvage operations were currently handled in the oil field.
Just then, Liu Shang shifted the topic back to the well in question.
"Now, let's talk about this well."
"Because it's a horizontal well, it's very different from the vertical and deviated wells we've operated on before."
"Therefore, salvaging the stuck tools in the horizontal section at the bottom of the well was bound to be more difficult."
"Previously, I combined this well's drilling data, its reservoir's physical properties, and many other parameters. My analysis concluded that the most likely cause of the stuck bottom hole assembly wasn't a mechanical or design flaw."
"It was more likely caused by a combination of oil condensate, colloids, asphaltenes, and impurities like clay and iron filings that had accumulated at the bottom of the well."
"So, I prepared a mixed working fluid composed mainly of a penetrating agent, a demulsifier, a descaling agent, a plugging remover, and a shrinkage agent to soak and clear the blockage at the bottom of the well."
"The purpose of the hot water was to leverage intermolecular activity to maximize the effectiveness of these agents."
"Think about it: once the oil condensate and impurities surrounding the tools at the bottom of the well are all cleaned up, leaving only the simple wellbore and the tools themselves, our salvage operation would naturally become much easier."
After listening to Liu Shang's explanation, everyone present was stunned and found it hard to believe.
"This… are these petrochemical additives really so magical?"
Facing their questions, Liu Shang smiled. "Don't underestimate these petroleum additives. Their effects are far greater than you can imagine."
"Take the dish soap we commonly use at home as an example. When you're washing greasy dishes, isn't there a huge difference between using just water and using dish soap?"
"Even when using dish soap, there's a massive difference between using warm water and cold water."
"Therefore, in our workover and salvage operations, if we can correctly understand the role of these petroleum additives, our capabilities will rise to a whole new level!"
After hearing Liu Shang's words, Shen Chengcheng couldn't help but nod, his heart filled with confidence and anticipation for the projects and achievements he planned to pursue this year.
Li Changgong and the others also shook hands with Liu Shang again, their excitement palpable, and couldn't help but exclaim:
"Liu Shang, listening to you today has been more enlightening than reading books for ten years!"
"What we've gained from this well today is truly immense!"
"This is settled, then. The next time we encounter an intractable problem, I'm calling on you to come out of retirement and help us. You can't refuse!"
***
While their corner of the site was buzzing with excitement, it was a completely different scene elsewhere.
The representatives from Party A—the oil field's client—had previously mocked not only Liu Shang but also Plant Director Shen Chengcheng.
Their confidence had been built on a single premise: it was impossible for a boy as young as Liu Shang to succeed.
And Shen Chengcheng was a mud bodhisattva crossing a river—barely able to save himself, let alone others. His days were numbered.
But!
But!
Who would have thought that this outrageously young kid would get so lucky, like a blind squirrel finding a nut, and actually pull it off?!
What was more terrifying was that the successful salvage of this well not only saved Shen Chengcheng from stepping down in disgrace, but it also became a major accomplishment for him!
What the hell, isn't this fatal?!
There's a long-standing tradition of settling scores when the time is right.
Before, when Shen Chengcheng's influence was weak, they had all been disobedient and openly disdainful of him.
They had even publicly ridiculed the expert he invited!
But who the hell would have thought he'd make a dramatic comeback like this and catch everyone completely off guard!
Damn it all, rank has its privileges!
And to make matters worse, the person they had offended to death was the top boss of the Ninth Plant!
How were they supposed to survive during their long working relationship with the Ninth Plant in the future?
Thinking of this, their guts twisted with regret. At that moment, they all wanted to die.
Chapter 125: Worthless as Clay Dogs
Liu Shang, Shen Chengcheng, and the others emerged from the construction vehicle with smiles on their faces.
The men who had previously offended Liu Shang, particularly the factory director, rushed forward one after another, shaking hands and fawning over them with obsequious enthusiasm.
They all congratulated Shen Chengcheng repeatedly, saying that with the well successfully salvaged, they too could finally breathe a sigh of relief.
Shen Chengcheng naturally sneered internally at their hypocrisy, which was as dramatic as the face-changing art of Sichuan opera. However, with his poise and sophistication, he saw no reason to retaliate on the spot.
These old scores would be settled slowly in the future.
As for Liu Shang, this group of men no longer showed any of the cynicism and contempt they had before. On the contrary, they lavished him with praise, their exaggerated words making Song Jia, who stood beside him, get goosebumps.
Liu Shang, however, remained perfectly calm in the face of their flattery, showing no obvious mood swings.
Seeing this, Shen Chengcheng, Li Changgong, and the others couldn't help but nod in secret approval. Liu Shang's composure was not something an ordinary person could possess; it was truly rare.
While their side was buzzing with excitement, the people from Schlumberger, especially the foreigners who had previously challenged Liu Shang, were not in a good mood.
They truly couldn't comprehend how someone as young as Liu Shang, working with Li Changgong's salvage company and its relatively outdated technology, could have salvaged this well so easily.
It was simply unimaginable.
Before this, Schlumberger had also conducted an objective analysis and technical assessment of this well. Their overall approach was similar to the one Liu Shang had adopted today: first soak the well with oil additives like surfactants and interfacial active agents, then use internationally advanced coiled tubing technology for the recovery.
But even with that plan, their estimated success rate was 40% at most. Their projected salvage process was nowhere near as smooth as what Liu Shang and Li Changgong had just demonstrated.
Now, Li Changgong's team, which had failed several times before, had successfully retrieved the fish using traditional and comparatively backward methods.
It seemed the crucial difference had to be the petroleum additive compound, the working fluid prepared by Liu Shang.
It had to be said that the work ethic and research spirit of these foreigners were still outstanding. As soon as the successful salvage was confirmed, they went straight to the tanker truck and took a sample of the residual working fluid that Liu Shang had prepared.
Then, right there on-site, they used their portable laboratory equipment to analyze the fluid's properties.
After seeing the results, everyone, including the proud foreigners, was left dumbfounded.
The working fluid prepared by Liu Shang exhibited values for surface tension, interfacial tension, and penetrating ability that were not just excellent, but terrifyingly so.
They had no choice but to admit that the technology behind this composite working fluid was superior to and more advanced than Schlumberger's own petroleum additive technology.
How could this be possible?
How could such a brilliant sample of petroleum additives appear in the hands of someone so young, here in the Fengcheng Oilfield, in a country that had always been relatively behind in this area of technology?
But the thing that shocked them the most was that the sample they had taken was one that Liu Shang had already diluted tenfold.
One could only imagine how formidable the various indicators would be for the pure, undiluted working fluid.
Finally, after a discussion and a report to their superiors, the bearded foreigner from Schlumberger, Hans, steeled himself and walked over to Liu Shang and Shen Chengcheng.
He first shook hands with Shen Chengcheng, offering his congratulations.
Naturally, Shen Chengcheng responded politely with some official pleasantries, thanking Schlumberger for their support and expressing a willingness to continue cooperating in the future.
Afterward, Hans finally got to his main objective and turned to shake hands with Liu Shang. He skillfully maintained a somewhat arrogant posture, careful not to be overly off-putting to Liu Shang while still preserving the prestigious and mysterious air of the world's largest oil technology service company.
In doing so, Hans hoped to create favorable conditions for the negotiation to come.
"Young man, congratulations on the success of this well."
"I must say, you have indeed earned our re-evaluation and respect."
"We're very interested in you and your formulation for these petroleum additives."
"I wonder if you would be interested in joining us at Schlumberger, or if you would be willing to sell us the formula? Don't worry, we will definitely offer you a very good price."
Hearing Schlumberger try to recruit Liu Shang, many in the crowd looked on with envy. After all, Schlumberger was one of the most powerful oil service companies in the world, a true supergiant, and the compensation for its employees was famously high.
But at this moment, contrary to most people's expectations, Liu Shang just glanced at the still-arrogant Hans.
"First of all, I personally don't care about your so-called evaluation or respect from Schlumberger."
"In my eyes, your 'world-leading technology' is nothing but clay chickens and pottery dogs—utterly worthless. As for selling the formula or joining you, that's even more impossible."
"Oh, by the way, I seem to recall you saying that your people at Schlumberger are better at wiping tables than I am. So why would you come to buy my formula? Your company is huge; there must be plenty of people cleaning tables. Just find a few of them and have them come up with some formulas."
Hearing Liu Shang's words, everyone around broke into laughter.
For years, they had put up with a lot of arrogance from Schlumberger. But helplessly, their own skills weren't good enough, and since they had to ask for their help, they could only swallow their pride.
Now, seeing their own technology gain the upper hand and hearing Liu Shang's sharp retort to Schlumberger, everyone felt a surge of satisfaction.
Faced with Liu Shang's ridicule and the crowd's laughter, the faces of Hans and the other foreigners turned ugly. He stared at Liu Shang and snorted coldly.
"Hmph, young man, I advise you not to be so arrogant. One day, your formula will be worthless. And you will pay a terrible price for your arrogance and rude words today!"
Facing Hans's threat, Liu Shang just smiled lightly.
"Hehe, there's nothing I fear less than other people's threats. I'll say it again: in my eyes, Schlumberger's so-called world-leading oil technology is not worth mentioning."
In the end, Hans and the others from Schlumberger left the site in a rage.
The scene regained its former atmosphere of enthusiasm and joy.
At that point, Liu Shang turned to Shen Chengcheng.
"Uncle Shen, it's getting dark, and everyone's been tired out all day. I still have some things to take care of, so I'll be heading back now."
Hearing that Liu Shang was about to leave, Shen Chengcheng didn't reply immediately. Instead, he looked over at Li Changgong and the others around them with a meaningful smile.
Chapter 126 A Night to Forget
The moment Liu Shang said his goodbyes and tried to leave, even before Shen Chengcheng could say a word, Li Changgong and the other leaders from the oil production plant immediately protested.
"Hey, Liu Shang, you can't possibly leave on such a happy occasion!"
"That's right, Liu Shang, we agreed that we have to have a few drinks with you!"
"What's this? You're leaving already?"
"Or are we not important enough for you to stay?!"
Facing this series of good-natured jokes and questions, Liu Shang could only offer a wry smile in explanation.
Then he played his final card.
"No, no, I'm just a junior. How could I think what you're all suggesting?"
"It's just that I've kept this young lady out all day, and it's getting late. I have to get her home."
"Otherwise, her parents will start to worry, right?"
Hearing Liu Shang's words, Song Jia, who was standing beside him, was seething.
*This jerk,* she thought, *now he thinks of me! Where was this consideration earlier?*
But when the men around them heard Liu Shang's excuse, they all shared the exact same look of disbelief.
They had all been young once; they could tell at a glance that Liu Shang and this girl had an unusual relationship.
Besides, none of them believed his claim that he could 'accidentally' keep such a beautiful girl out for a whole day!
At this time, Shen Chengcheng lowered his voice and said with a smile:
"I have to say, Liu Shang, you're getting bolder and bolder, aren't you?"
"Using young Miss Song as a shield at a time like this... that's not very chivalrous of you!"
Hearing Shen Chengcheng's words, Song Jia, playing the part of the victim, nodded with a smile in her eyes.
But Shen Chengcheng's next sentence made her unable to smile anymore.
"Liu Shang, let me tell you, Jiajia's father, Mr. Song, and I have been friends for many years."
"So, don't even think about using Miss Song Jia as your shield."
"If I said I was keeping you two—this young couple—here for a drink, I'm sure Old Song wouldn't object, would he?"
A young couple? What young couple?
Hearing Shen Chengcheng's words, both Liu Shang and Song Jia felt as if they'd been struck by lightning—completely mortified.
Song Jia, in particular, was extremely ashamed and indignant. She shot Liu Shang, the culprit, a hard look.
Seeing her glare, Liu Shang wanted to explain, but before he could speak, Shen Chengcheng suddenly changed his tone.
Like an elder speaking to his most favored junior, he patted Liu Shang on the shoulder and said earnestly:
"Liu Shang, to tell you the truth, today is definitely the most significant day in my life as Uncle Shen."
"This carefree joy I'm feeling right now... it's comparable to the moment my son was born."
"And you are the biggest hero today."
"No matter what, you have to have a good drink or two with Uncle Shen!"
Seeing Shen Chengcheng put it that way, Liu Shang could only nod helplessly in agreement.
He then seized the moment to give Song Jia a wry smile and a traditional bow with folded hands, silently conveying his apology and regret.
In the end, Song Jia just snorted lightly and proudly turned her head away.
They ended up at a nearby restaurant—not too large, but known for its excellent food—which they booked out entirely.
And so began a celebration dinner with an extremely lively atmosphere.
It was clear that Shen Chengcheng was overjoyed today, but his high spirits spelled misfortune for Liu Shang.
Because Shen Chengcheng and the others praised him so highly, time and again, everyone could see how important Liu Shang was in Shen Chengcheng's eyes.
Therefore, those hoping to curry favor with Shen Chengcheng became even more polite and enthusiastic toward Liu Shang, constantly approaching him with glasses in hand.
Besides them, Li Changgong and the others also shared many drinks with Liu Shang, and the two groups became more and more familiar.
During the dinner, Liu Shang and Li Changgong's group also promised to help each other in the future, forming a strategic partnership.
Liu Shang was young, healthy, and could hold his liquor well, but even he got completely hammered that night.
He drank until he blacked out.
To be fair, the culprits who drank him under the table were definitely not Shen Chengcheng and Li Changgong.
Because from what he could recall, they seemed to have passed out even before he did!
The ones who truly brought Liu Shang down were those who had previously offended him and Shen Chengcheng and now wanted to use this occasion to smooth things over.
Since the beginning of the banquet, these men had been approaching Shen Chengcheng and Liu Shang with bottles in one hand and glasses in the other, ready to apologize and make amends.
They were basically offering self-punishing toasts; for every sip Shen Chengcheng or Liu Shang took, they would down a full glass.
For every glass Shen Chengcheng and Liu Shang drank, they would drink three, or even chug straight from the bottle.
It stands to reason that Liu Shang couldn't refuse anyone who came to toast him under such circumstances.
But there was one thing he couldn't figure out: why were there so many people at the plant who had offended Shen Chengcheng?
They were like locusts, rushing over in an endless stream of batches!
Especially after they had managed to drink Shen Chengcheng, Li Changgong, and the others under the table, Liu Shang became the final target.
They all rushed him at once!
Just like that, he drank sip after sip until he was drunk into oblivion.
This intense drinking atmosphere terrified Song Jia, who sat beside Liu Shang the entire time.
She was afraid these men would actually drink Liu Shang to death.
So much so that toward the end, Song Jia took the initiative and drank several glasses of wine on Liu Shang's behalf.
In Liu Shang's fragmented memory, he recalled barely eating a few bites of food, constantly surrounded by people forcing him to drink.
When the onslaught was at its worst, his only reprieve was the juice Song Jia kept feeding him.
Then, his mind went blank, and he lost consciousness completely.
He vaguely remembered Song Jia supporting him as he was helped into and out of a car.
He had to admit that under the influence of alcohol, the feeling of Song Jia's soft body against his and her light fragrance made his blood surge.
However, with what little willpower he had left, he managed to control himself.
That night, Liu Shang vomited countless times, his insides burning as if on fire.
And that night, Liu Shang had many dreams, all on repeat.
He dreamed most often of Jiang Ruolin, of the two of them kissing deeply and passionately.
Perhaps the only thing from the dream he would never forget was the scent and sensation of kissing Jiang Ruolin.
It was sweet!
It was the first time he'd ever experienced a kiss that felt so sweet and beautiful!
...
The next day, when Liu Shang woke up, strong sunlight was streaming in through the bright windows.
He looked at his phone; it was already ten o'clock in the morning.
And he found himself on a large bed in a very luxurious hotel room.
Chapter 127 Boyfriend for a Day
And beside Liu Shang was Song Jia.
Although the hair and clothes of the two were a little messy, they had both slept fully clothed, which gave Liu Shang some relief.
He had to admit that Song Jia was a good girl, and he liked her free-spirited and lively character very much. It was just that this girl was too precious, and his own complicated life couldn't bear the weight of a relationship with someone like her.
At that moment, Song Jia was startled awake by Liu Shang's movement.
Neither of them had drunk a small amount, and they had simply fallen asleep in their clothes. At this moment, Song Jia's eyes showed a trace of fatigue and sleepiness.
But the next moment, as her consciousness gradually returned, panic began to set in. This was the first time in her life she had shared a room with a boy. Although nothing had happened, the two of them had spent the night together in the same bed. In such a private environment, how could she not panic?
Besides, it wasn't as if *nothing* had happened last night…
After Liu Shang had vomited and fallen asleep, Song Jia, who was still wide awake from the alcohol, suddenly wondered what it was like to kiss. And what kind of feeling would it be to kiss Liu Shang?
And so, she had gathered her courage, her heart pounding nervously, and lightly touched her lips to his.
She never expected that this curious act of hers would ignite something in Liu Shang. Before she could pull away, he subconsciously pulled her in. It was too late for her to break free.
What followed was a deep, intense kiss that sent a shudder to the depths of her soul. Under Liu Shang's assault, Song Jia gradually melted. This feeling—body numb, brain blank, an almost suffocating sensation—was the first she had ever experienced.
At that moment, her heart was filled with only one fear: Was this hateful guy, Liu Shang, really going to take her first time, just like that?
Fortunately, somehow, Liu Shang, still in a haze, stopped in time and then fell back into a deep sleep.
This allowed Song Jia to breathe a long sigh of relief.
Looking at Liu Shang's sharp and handsome sleeping face, she couldn't help but think: *Actually, this guy is pretty handsome…*
It had to be said that Liu Shang's appearance in her life had been completely unexpected, catching her entirely off guard. For her, he was unlike any boy she had ever met; he was unique and full of mystery.
And that kind of mystery was fatal to a girl her age, a girl full of curiosity about the unknown.
"Uh, I… I didn't do anything last night, did I?"
Finally, Liu Shang, enduring his headache, bit the bullet and asked the awkward question.
Song Jia shot him a hard look.
*Didn't do anything? You brute, you took my most precious first kiss last night! You even stuck that big paw of yours inside my clothes!*
However, Song Jia decided she wanted to keep everything that happened last night as her own little secret.
So, she asked Liu Shang playfully, "So, what did you *want* to do to me last night?"
That one sentence made Liu Shang shrink back in embarrassment.
"Hmph, you nasty guy, you nearly drank yourself to death yesterday, you know?!" she huffed. "I was kind enough to take you in and even helped you block a lot of drinks!"
"You wasted a whole day of my time, and I had to babysit you all night like a maid. Tell me, how are you going to compensate me?"
Liu Shang was genuinely full of gratitude and guilt. He could only smile and nod. "My fault, my fault. I apologize…"
"Whatever compensation Miss Song wants, she'll get. As long as it's not me promising myself to you, I'll agree to anything else!"
Song Jia really wanted to punch him. "Hmph, you wish! Even if you wanted to offer yourself up, I'm not interested!"
...
Next, the two went to a nearby shop for some porridge.
Afterward, Liu Shang suggested he send Song Jia home, run some errands, and then meet her later to make it up to her by taking her to dinner.
But his proposal was rejected by Song Jia.
In desperation, Liu Shang had no choice but to bring her to the auxiliary facility that Lu Jianguo had provided. Before, he had only been focused on producing the medicine and shipping it out; the messy laboratory here hadn't been cleaned up yet.
Upon entering the lab again, Song Jia looked at the single bed, the reagent bottles scattered all over the floor, the experimental equipment, and the uneaten instant noodles, bread, canned food, and mineral water with a face full of disbelief.
"The medicine they used before… you produced all of it here?"
"And all this time you were missing, you were holed up in this lab?"
"But you're only a freshman. You haven't even taken many of your professional courses, so how are you so good at this?"
Liu Shang just joked that he was a genius and gave her a brief explanation.
Afterward, the two of them thoroughly cleaned the laboratory. They also had a specialized team come to take away all the garbage, empty bottles, and chemical residues for proper disposal. These were professionals Lu Jianguo had introduced to Liu Shang; they had the corresponding qualifications to handle chemical waste, so Liu Shang felt at ease.
To be on the safe side, Liu Shang paid them an extra fee, asking only that they dispose of the residue immediately to avoid any future trouble.
By the time they finished, it was nearly afternoon.
Song Jia, who hadn't eaten a proper breakfast, had been forced to do a ton of cleaning. Already tired and hungry, she was now feeling extremely resentful.
Feeling apologetic, Liu Shang hurriedly took her to eat her favorite Korean barbecue.
Then, at Song Jia's request, they went shopping together, and they each picked out a complete new outfit, from the inside out. Of course, Liu Shang paid for it all.
After that, they went to a sauna. Refreshed, they changed into their new clothes and went to see a late-night movie.
This was exactly the day Song Jia had wanted in her heart: for Liu Shang to be her boyfriend for a day.
It was a commemoration.
The next day, Liu Shang, who had returned to his dormitory late the previous night, set off early again and went to Shen Chengcheng's office.
Unlike the last time they'd met, today Shen Chengcheng was full of vigor and vitality. After seeing Liu Shang, he was exceptionally warm, ushering him to a seat and personally making him a pot of good tea.
Chapter 128 Prospect
"Liu Shang, come, try this excellent new tea your Uncle Shen got this year."
"I wanted to call you sooner, but I definitely didn't hold back on the drinking that night."
"Seeing you now, though, I'm relieved. It's good to be young!"
"An old man like me is still drinking porridge to soothe my stomach!"
Liu Shang smiled and asked how things were going. Shen Chengcheng, in high spirits, said that everything was proceeding smoothly.
Just then, Shen Chengcheng took out the bank card with the 70 yuan on it and returned it to Liu Shang.
"Liu Shang, you really helped Uncle Shen out this time."
"Everything with the well is going perfectly. I already explained the situation to Li Changgong yesterday."
"I told him to get the procedures started as soon as possible—go through authentication, settle the account, and get the money disbursed."
"The total contract value for this well is 1000 million. After deducting mandatory taxes, fees, and payments for the various construction phases, the final amount that will end up in your hands is about 700."
"To earn so much money at your age is truly impressive!"
"Of course, this is a testament to your own ability."
"As for Li Changgong and his company's salvage expenses, I told him to deduct it directly from the total payment. You can take this card back."
Liu Shang smiled and shook his head, not taking the card.
"Uncle Shen, this is all oilfield company business, after all. I'd rather not step out of line and cause any trouble for you."
"Besides, as a student, I don't spend much money. I'm not in a hurry."
At this, Shen Chengcheng let out a hearty laugh and stuffed the card directly into his hand.
"You kid, you're really something else, always thinking of others!"
"But think about it. If this were truly a business-to-business transaction, the bank card would have to go through the factory's finance department. Why would I be holding it?"
Seeing Liu Shang's surprised and confused expression, Shen Chengcheng continued to explain.
"Honestly, from the very beginning, I never planned on keeping your money!"
"What kind of friendship do you think Li Changgong and I have?"
"I asked him to do me a small favor like this, so how could he possibly accept money for it?"
"The only reason I had you keep this card here was to ensure you'd take this seriously and to put my own mind at ease."
"Even if the well salvage had failed, this card would have been returned to you!"
"And even if your Uncle Shen were a man of no character, he wouldn't be hurting for a mere 10 yuan."
"I'm not about to bully a poor student out of his hard-earned money."
"If I did that, I'm afraid Pan Qingfeng and Zhang Zhengmao would come over here and beat me senseless!"
Hearing Shen Chengcheng's explanation, Liu Shang finally understood. He smiled and scratched his head, expressing his thanks.
Shen Chengcheng waved his hands, still in a great mood.
"I'm the one who should be thanking you!"
"It's thanks to you that I can sit securely in this factory director's position."
"This morning, your Uncle Pan called me."
"When we brought you up, we both agreed that you're a true godsend for us old guys!"
"And look how young you are, with such accomplishments already!"
"Your future is limitless!"
"If you run into any difficulties down the road, feel free to come to me, or your Uncle Pan, or Uncle Zhang."
"In our eyes, you're like our own child. We're all curious to see just what heights you'll reach in the future."
"By the way, I forgot to tell you something."
"You know that oilfield contracts all have a payment schedule."
"The profile control project you did before has a one-year payment period."
"As for jobs like salvage and well repair, the payment period is three months."
"Given Li Changgong's connections and with me pushing things from inside the factory, I believe it will take three months at most for your 700 million to be transferred to your card."
"You're familiar with Li Changgong now. His family has a major business, so there won't be any problems. You can rest assured."
Hearing Shen Chengcheng say this, Liu Shang could only give a wry smile. What did he have to worry about?
After chatting for a little while longer, people began knocking on the door, needing Shen Chengcheng for work matters.
Sensing it was time to leave, Liu Shang tactfully took his leave.
Once back in his car, Liu Shang was still buzzing with excitement.
He slammed his foot on the accelerator, racing recklessly through the oilfields' wilderness.
He sped toward the magnificent, promising future that was about to unfold before him!
***
In the time that followed, Liu Shang fell back into his routine, shuttling between school and the company.
But his mood was exceptionally good.
During this period, however, a small incident sent shockwaves through Jiang Ruolin's home.
One day, after coming home, Jiang Ruolin left her phone to charge in the living room.
Her mother happened to see an intimate text message from Liu Shang—the kind of message filled with longing that young couples send each other.
Normally, Jiang Ruolin's phone was password-protected, and her family had always been liberal and democratic; no one would ever check her phone.
But the notification preview for this message was too conspicuous to ignore.
As expected, Jiang Ruolin was soon being questioned by her parents.
Was she dating someone at school?
In response, Jiang Ruolin neither confirmed nor denied it.
Her non-denial was as good as a confession in her parents' eyes.
In Jiang Ruolin's large, extended family, a great deal of attention was always focused on this beautiful, outstanding girl.
Even her parents, who were typically open-minded, suddenly became old-fashioned and rigid when it came to her love life.
Next, when her parents started asking about his family background, Jiang Ruolin's frown deepened, and she remained silent.
At this, her parents' attitude grew more resolute, their words harsher.
Left with no other choice, Jiang Ruolin sighed and lied, claiming it was just a crush that hadn't yet blossomed into a relationship.
Because she had always been trustworthy, the tense atmosphere in the house eased, and the pressure on her shoulders lessened slightly.
However, when it came to the topic of her dating, the arguments continued, sometimes escalating into full-blown quarrels.
During this time, Jiang Ruolin fought with her family countless times for her freedom and her right to love.
Her mood soured completely.
Despite this, Jiang Ruolin didn't transfer any of this pressure onto Liu Shang, choosing to endure it silently.
Soon, Liu Shang's birthday arrived.
He chose a very nice restaurant and invited his dorm mates to celebrate with him.
Jiang Ruolin was naturally there by his side, like family.
Because he had been in such high spirits lately, Liu Shang drank a great deal of wine.
And Jiang Ruolin, who rarely drank, also drank a lot, weighed down by her recent troubles.
She couldn't hold her liquor well and ended up even more drunk than Liu Shang.
After the party ended, to Liu Shang's utter astonishment, Jiang Ruolin was the one who suggested they get a room at the hotel.
After entering the luxurious suite of the five-star hotel, fueled by alcohol and desire, they could no longer hold back and came together in a night of intense passion...
Chapter 129 Buying a House!
As their intimacy deepened, under Liu Shang's passionate embrace, Jiang Ruolin's clothes fell away one by one.
Soon, she was left in nothing but a set of white underwear, appearing before him like a holy goddess.
Liu Shang was stunned for a few seconds before he was overcome by a deeper hunger, lowering his head to kiss her.
Finally, they lay skin to skin, and Liu Shang felt almost breathless from Jiang Ruolin's beauty. It was the first time he had been able to appreciate her holiness and beauty in such clear light.
"Liu Shang, today is your birthday," Jiang Ruolin whispered in his ear. "And the birthday present I want to give you is myself..."
Hearing her words, Liu Shang was even more moved and excited.
"This is the happiest birthday I've ever had in my life!"
At last, when everything was ready and Liu Shang was on the verge of taking the final step, he suddenly sensed in the darkness that something was wrong with Jiang Ruolin beneath him. Her apprehension went far beyond a girl's typical fear of the unknown.
Liu Shang gently kissed her forehead. "Baby, what's the matter?"
Tears that had been welling in Jiang Ruolin's eyes began to stream down her face uncontrollably.
"Liu Shang, what if one day... what if everyone in my family opposes us being together?" she asked, her voice trembling. "Or what if you have to face tremendous pressure, far more than you can handle? Would you leave me? When I think about a future without you, I get so scared I want to cry..."
Only then did Liu Shang finally understand why Jiang Ruolin had been acting a little strangely and seemed to be in low spirits recently. As for her offering herself as a birthday gift, her heart must not have been fully prepared for it.
At this, Liu Shang gently pulled Jiang Ruolin into his arms, sighed, and said, "Don't worry. The real me is far less fragile than you imagine. I won't choose to give up on you or leave you because of any external factors. It's like I've said before, leave all these problems for me to solve."
"What you need to do now," he continued softly, "is to enjoy your university life and your youth. As for your family, just try to relax for now. There's absolutely no reason for us to escalate the conflict ahead of time."
Jiang Ruolin was moved, but she didn't forget to correct him in a murmur. "It's *our* university, *our* youth..."
Liu Shang smiled and nodded. "Yes, you're right. It's our university, the youth of both of us. So, is everything alright now? Forget all your troubles and get some sleep, okay?"
"Mmm..." Jiang Ruolin, nestled in Liu Shang's arms, nodded obediently.
***
Early the next morning, Jiang Ruolin woke up before Liu Shang. The memory of what had happened last night immediately made her blush.
When Liu Shang woke from his sleep, Jiang Ruolin had just finished putting on her underwear.
Seeing her, Liu Shang couldn't help but praise her sincerely, "My wife is so beautiful!"
Like a startled rabbit, Jiang Ruolin hugged her clothes to her chest and scurried away. She blushed and said apologetically, "Liu Shang, I'm sorry... Your birthday present wasn't delivered last night..."
Seeing her shy expression, a fire ignited in Liu Shang's eyes. "Ruolin, actually, I think I'm starting to regret it now..."
"Do you want us to...?"
This time, Jiang Ruolin was genuinely frightened and fled from the room, laughing as she ran. "You're the one who said no last night! It's too late now, your birthday present has expired!"
***
After that night, although the two of them had not truly become one, their relationship grew more loving and intimate.
Jiang Ruolin also took Liu Shang's advice to cool things down and ease the tensions with her family. Eventually, her family became convinced that she wasn't actually in a relationship, and their lives returned to normal.
On Liu Shang's end, since the deal for his 700 million was still being processed, the 70 million in cash he had on hand became less critical. With some free time, he drove to a newly opened residential community near Youda University, thinking about choosing a house.
After all, as his relationship and career developed, living in the dormitory was becoming inconvenient with his early departures and late returns. Furthermore, being able to spend every day and night with Jiang Ruolin, living a peaceful and comfortable life, had always been his greatest wish. Buying a house in advance seemed like a good step toward that comfort and future.
The community, called Pastoral Pastoral, was very close to Youda University. Just to the east of the complex was a very large natural lake. The scenery, air quality, and location were all excellent.
And in 2007, housing prices were still very cheap. In the future, the value of this community was certain to appreciate several times over.
Following the careful guidance of a security guard, Liu Shang parked his Pajero in a space next to the sales office. He was then enthusiastically led to a seat by a saleswoman.
"Hello, handsome! Are you looking to choose a property for yourself, or are you helping your family look?"
With Liu Shang's young and handsome appearance, coupled with the Pajero he was driving, he was treated as a serious customer. After learning that Liu Shang planned to buy a property for himself, the saleswoman became even more enthusiastic and immediately ordered him a cup of coffee.
Under her guidance, Liu Shang examined the architectural model and even took a tour of the grounds. The Pastoral Pastoral community covered a large area. A circle of high-end villas was built around the lake. Their square footage was large and their prices were high, making them unsuitable for Liu Shang at this time.
Behind the villas were two rows of small, 12-story high-rises, and farther back were even larger high-rise buildings.
Liu Shang immediately took a liking to the smaller high-rises. The price was around 5,000 yuan per square meter, which was completely acceptable.
However, in the ensuing conversation, Liu Shang was told that the few buildings in the best locations had not yet been put on sale. Although several small high-rises in less desirable locations were already being sold, the 10th-floor units that Liu Shang wanted had already been reserved.
At present, only two 8th-floor units were left. To pre-order one, he would be required to bundle the purchase with a parking space and agree to a series of other miscellaneous, borderline-illegal fees. These were common sales office pitfalls, and Liu Shang was no stranger to them.
He didn't waste any more time arguing with the saleswoman. Instead, he stepped outside and called Mr. Zhong.
During a previous chat, he seemed to recall that Mr. Zhong's son-in-law worked in the real estate bureau. It also seemed he had a significant connection to the Pastoral Pastoral community.
After Mr. Zhong answered the phone and Liu Shang explained his situation, Mr. Zhong, as usual, laughed and joked with him for a moment. Then, he simply told Liu Shang to wait for his call.
Chapter 130: Three Bedrooms, Two Living Rooms, and Two Bathrooms
Soon, Mr. Zhong's son-in-law called and chatted enthusiastically with Liu Shang for a while.
He mentioned that Mr. Zhong often spoke of Liu Shang at home, praising him constantly.
During the chat, Liu Shang also learned that Mr. Zhong's son-in-law was well-acquainted with a senior official in the relevant department and that the developer of the Tian Yuan Mu Ge community was one of his close friends. Just a short while ago, he had even helped the community solve a small problem.
Finally, he told Liu Shang with a laugh that his father-in-law had just called him. "He said you wanted to buy a house," the son-in-law explained, "and that I should treat this as if I were buying the house myself."
He emphatically reassured Liu Shang that there would be absolutely no problem and told him to just wait a moment.
Not two minutes after he hung up, a vice president from the real estate company came trotting out of the sales office in person.
After making contact with Liu Shang, his attitude was even more humble. He apologized profusely for the previous neglect and poor hospitality.
The vice president's overly ardent attitude toward Liu Shang terrified the saleswoman who had initially received him.
*Who is this handsome young man?* she wondered. *What family is he from?*
Immediately after being welcomed into the VIP lounge, the vice president began personally recommending the best-located villa in the entire development to Liu Shang.
He also said that if Liu Shang wanted to buy it, the price would be 4,500 yuan per square meter, and they would include a full high-end renovation.
The original price was over 10,000 yuan per square meter, but for Liu Shang, it was only 4,500, and it came fully furnished. What an incredible favor this was.
Liu Shang politely refused with a smile, explaining that he was just a student and couldn't live in such a large villa. He was only looking for a small high-rise apartment.
After hearing Liu Shang's words, the vice president became even more cheerful and enthusiastic.
With a bold wave of his hand, he declared that Liu Shang could choose any unit he wanted from the building with the best location.
And it would be a gift, completely free of charge!
Seeing him act this way, Liu Shang said jokingly, "Mr. Li, if you keep this up, you're really going to scare me away."
"If that's your offer, I wouldn't dare buy in your community. I'd just have to run."
In the end, Liu Shang insisted on his original idea. He purchased a unit on the 10th floor of the building with the best location and view at the internal preferential price of 4,000 yuan per square meter.
Even so, Mr. Li from the sales office insisted, despite all of Liu Shang's refusals, on gifting him a well-located garage on the ground floor.
***
Ever since spending the night with Liu Shang, Song Jia's feelings for him had, without her realizing, grown hazy and complex.
Though she had originally resolved not to return to the company, she soon found herself back in the office that belonged only to the two of them. This time, however, she had brought several warm and sweet trinkets to decorate the space.
Although Song Jia intended to keep what happened that night as her own private memory, a little secret just for her, she found that in her subconscious, Liu Shang was gradually starting to occupy the position of a boyfriend.
During lunch, Song Jia and Liu Shang sat next to each other, chatting about topics that interested young people, while the senior leaders at the same table discussed oil fields and national politics.
At one point, Li Shaohua remarked with a smile, "I heard Old Fan was really in a bind this time. He sold his company as a package deal, and the price was pitifully low."
"Still, it seems no one is interested," he added.
The head of personnel, Sun, shook his head. "Old Fan has sold off all the company's vehicles, equipment, and even the office supplies."
"To put it bluntly, all that's left is an empty shell of a subsidiary, nominally attached to the oil field," he explained. "That, and a lot of chemical equipment that nobody can use."
"Who would want to buy that?!"
"By the way, Old Xu, there's something I don't understand."
"I heard that the chemical equipment and devices in Old Fan's company were never even used, so why can't they be sold?"
Xu Tiande offered a brief explanation with a smile. "This kind of chemical equipment, especially chemical towers, distillation towers, and the like, is very different from the machinery we're used to."
"Once it's assembled, if you want to dismantle it to sell, the value is not much higher than scrap steel."
"As I've said before, our region simply isn't suitable for building such facilities."
"It's not just that they're over-spec'd for our needs; the key is that we have no use for them at all!"
Then, changing the subject, he asked, "By the way, Liu Shang, Mr. Zhong said you bought a house in Tian Yuan Mu Ge?"
"I went to see that neighborhood with a friend a while ago. It's a quiet place right in the middle of the bustle. It's really nice."
Hearing Xu Tiande's words, everyone present was surprised and began praising Liu Shang for his good vision and ability to make money. He was so much more capable than other young men his age!
Faced with everyone's praise, Liu Shang just smiled. He joked that he had gotten it for a bargain, all thanks to the influence of Mr. Zhong's son-in-law.
He then laughed at himself, saying he had been terrified by the sales VP's enthusiasm. At one point, the man had insisted on giving him a fully furnished villa, and he had almost turned around and run away without buying anything at all.
His humor made everyone laugh even harder.
Mr. Zhong didn't forget to poke fun at him, saying, "This kid usually seems so courageous."
"But when a beautiful young woman practically offers herself to him, he's the one who runs away!"
Hearing Mr. Zhong's joke, Song Jia, sitting beside Liu Shang, blushed inexplicably as memories from that night resurfaced.
Later, after they returned to their office, Song Jia playfully admonished him. "Why didn't you tell me you were buying a house? I would have loved to come with you to see it!"
Liu Shang raised his hands in surrender and said with a smile, "Don't even mention it. I have to go over there this afternoon to handle the paperwork and pick up the keys."
"I wonder if Miss Song would do me the honor of visiting my humble new home?"
Song Jia snorted playfully. "Seeing as you've begged so sincerely, I suppose I can reluctantly accompany you!"
That afternoon, Liu Shang drove Song Jia to the Tian Yuan Mu Ge community. They quickly got the keys to the house and the garage.
When he opened the door, Song Jia was the first to step inside, her eyes wide with surprise.
Due to Liu Shang's special status, his apartment had received preferential treatment. Unlike the other units, which were delivered as bare shells, Liu Shang's house had already been partially remodeled by a construction company.
The non-essential walls had been knocked down, and the plumbing, electrical wiring, and bathroom waterproofing were all complete. The walls had also been professionally plastered and painted a clean white. Even the entrance door and the interior doors had been replaced with high-quality solid wood.
As a result, Liu Shang's 130-square-meter apartment, with its three bedrooms, two living rooms, and two bathrooms, looked far more spacious and bright than she had imagined.
From the moment Song Jia walked into the room, the look of surprise never left her eyes.
She was especially captivated when she walked to the bay window in the living room. Looking out through the wide, bright glass, she saw a small villa directly in front and a beautiful lake view not far beyond. The sight was absolutely intoxicating.
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