Upon hearing the words "Demolition Office," Chen Yang immediately understood. The old city renovation project in Hengxiang had begun, and his first real pot of gold since his rebirth was about to be in his hands.
"Hello? What can I do for you?" Chen Yang asked politely.
"It's like this, the district government has launched the old city renovation project in Hengxiang, and your house is within the expropriation area. The government announcement was released yesterday, and our demolition office staff have already had preliminary communication with the owners. Because your house is currently vacant, we are calling you using the contact information you left when you transferred the property. We hope you can take some time in the next day or two to come to the demolition office so we can discuss the demolition compensation."
The demolition office staff were very envious. They heard that Chen Yang had only bought the house a few days ago, and he had already caught up with the demolition so quickly, meaning his assets had doubled in the blink of an eye—he was incredibly lucky!
"Okay, no problem. Zhonglou District Government, right? I'll come over tomorrow morning!" Chen Yang readily agreed.
After hanging up the phone, Chen Yang started the car. Yang Liuyi, hearing that Chen Yang was going to the district government the next day, couldn't help but ask:
"Chen Yang, what's up?"
Chen Yang turned the steering wheel and drove the car out of the parking space, replying:
"Oh, I bought a house a while ago, but before I could even move in, it got demolished. I'm going to the demolition office tomorrow to negotiate compensation."
"Wow! You own a house! I never knew you were so young, yet you're already a little tycoon!" Yang Liuyi exclaimed exaggeratedly.
"Yeah, and a single little tycoon at that!" Chen Yang said shamelessly while skillfully driving, "Sister Liuyi, are you getting more interested in this little tycoon?"
Faced with Chen Yang's teasing, Yang Liuyi blushed slightly and muttered:
"Who cares!"
After saying that, she couldn't help but chuckle. Chen Yang escorted Yang Liuyi downstairs. After they waved goodbye, he didn't rush to start the car. Instead, he took out a cigarette, lit it, and slowly smoked. After finishing the cigarette, Chen Yang made a decision and picked up his phone to dial Guan Weiping's number:
"Director Guan, hello, this is Chen Yang!"
"Xiao Fang! Hello, hello!" Guan Weiping's voice was warm. "Back from Sanya? Everything went smoothly?"
After Fang Hongda visited Han Xuehua, Guan Weiping had a vague feeling that Han Xuehua's identity was not simple. In other words, this meant that Chen Yang was not just a poor student on the surface. Moreover, Fang Xu had almost lost his life on the plane last time, and it was thanks to Chen Yang's timely intervention that Fang Xu was saved.
When Fang Hongda inspected the Security Bureau, he specifically mentioned the hijacking incident and praised Chen Yang highly. Guan Weiping knew Chen Yang's position in Fang Hongda's heart. Secretaries are always a barometer of a leader's mood, and Guan Weiping had a very good impression of Chen Yang after several meetings, so he became even more enthusiastic.
"Hehe, everything's fine. Although there were a few minor setbacks, overall it went smoothly!" Chen Yang replied with a smile, then got to the point, "Director Guan, the house I bought in Hengxiang last time, the Zhonglou District government called me today to say it's going to be demolished!"
The demolition had actually been discussed for some time, so Guan Weiping wasn't surprised and quickly said with a smile:
"That's good news, Xiao Fang! You can get a bigger house. And if you choose monetary compensation, the amount should be much higher than your original purchase price!"
Then Guan Weiping asked:
"What are your plans? Will you choose resettlement or monetary compensation?"
Chen Yang smiled and said:
"Personally, I..." "I hope to get the money! You know I don't need a house right now; the airline even gave me a villa as a reward! Having so many houses is useless, and I'm short of funds for my startup!"
"Oh..." Guan Weiping pondered for a moment, then said, "How about this, Xiao Fang, take some time to see Old Xie at the Housing Management Bureau. He and Director Guo of the Zhonglou District Demolition Office used to work in the same office and have a very close relationship. I'll also give Old Xie a heads-up later. Since you've chosen to take the money, let's try to get as much compensation as possible within the policy's limits!"
Chen Yang felt a surge of joy. Guan Weiping was indeed very helpful. Although Chen Yang hadn't explicitly stated the purpose of his call, Guan Weiping understood his intentions almost without hesitation and directly arranged the next steps for him.
The First Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee was truly impressive.
"That's wonderful! Thank you, Director Guan!" Chen Yang said happily.
The next morning, Chen Yang drove alone to the Zhonglou District Government. The government building, located next to Rongcheng West Lake Park, was magnificent. After glancing at the signs in the lobby, Chen Yang took the elevator directly to the fourth floor, where the demolition office was located.
Yesterday, before Chen Yang even went to see Xie Fangzhi, the deputy director of the Housing Management Bureau, Xie called first. Xie Fangzhi admired Chen Yang immensely; despite his young age, Chen Yang was incredibly tactful and could easily get along with the secretary of the Party Committee and the provincial capital's Public Security Bureau chief, addressing them as brothers.
Furthermore, Xie Fangzhi had established a good relationship with Guan Weiping because he had helped Chen Yang with the property transfer. Rumors circulated that Guan Weiping was likely to be promoted to deputy secretary of the Rongcheng Municipal Party Committee, deputy mayor, or acting mayor, making him his superior. Therefore, the good relationship he had built was all the more valuable.
Upon receiving Guan Weiping's call and hearing it was about Chen Yang, Xie Fangzhi readily agreed, even guaranteeing it with a confident statement. In Xie Fangzhi's view, the fact that Chen Yang's house was slated for demolition so soon after purchase meant he must have received inside information. This further solidified Xie Fangzhi's belief that Chen Yang came from a wealthy family.
After all, it's not uncommon for spoiled brats to have high social status but little money, and acquiring wealth through various channels is a common characteristic.
Xie Fangzhi took this matter very seriously. Yesterday, he personally went to the Zhonglou District Demolition Office and met with his old subordinate, Director Guo Li, who had just been transferred from the Housing Management Bureau to the Zhonglou Demolition Office last year. He solemnly entrusted the matter to Guo Li and then quickly called Chen Yang, saying that everything was arranged and that Chen Yang should go directly to Director Guo upon arrival.
Chen Yang then called Director Guo Li and arranged to meet him at the Demolition Office this morning.
It was Monday, but the fourth floor where the Demolition Office was located was quiet and not crowded. Chen Yang looked through the nameplates of each office, trying to find Guo Li's office.
Just then, an office door opened, and a person walked out, closing the door behind them. Looking up, they saw Chen Yang looking around and frowned, asking, "Who are you looking for?"
Chen Yang stopped and looked over. The person was wearing a striped short-sleeved shirt, crisp black trousers, and his hair was neatly combed—a typical government official. Chen Yang thought this must be a demolition office worker, so he stepped forward and asked, "Hello, my name is Chen Yang. May I ask how you…?"
"Oh, you're the owner of that dilapidated house in the alley, right?" the worker rudely interrupted Chen Yang, scoffing, "Come with me!"
Chen Yang was stunned. What? Follow me? Who are you? The staff member took a few steps, then, seeing Chen Yang hadn't followed, turned back, frowning, and said:
"What's going on? Hurry up, I don't have time to waste with you!"
Chen Yang, instead of getting angry, smiled and, without asking where Guo Li's office was, followed the staff member at a leisurely pace with a playful smile.
The two arrived at another large office. The staff member pushed open the door, and the clerks inside greeted him respectfully:
"Section Chief Xu!"
"Hello, Section Chief Xu!"
Section Chief Xu nodded reservedly, glanced back at Chen Yang, and said impatiently:
"Come here quickly!"
"Oh..." Chen Yang nodded and followed Section Chief Xu into the office. Section Chief Xu led Chen Yang to a desk. Without even greeting him, he plopped down, took a few sips of water, and then glanced at Chen Yang, saying,
"Your house is going to be demolished, you know?"
"Yes, your staff called me yesterday!" Chen Yang replied calmly.
"Good to know!" Section Chief Xu grinned, casually tossing two documents in front of Chen Yang. "This is the demolition notice. Take a good look at it. If there are no problems, sign the demolition agreement!"
Chen Yang didn't touch the notice, but picked up the agreement and quickly skimmed through it, focusing on the monetary compensation standard. Chen Yang quickly found the clause stating that the compensation price per square meter was four thousand yuan, plus the house replacement cost multiplied by the depreciation rate, and subsidies. Chen Yang estimated it to be only about six or seven thousand yuan per square meter. Although the price was higher than what he paid for his house, it was still far below the compensation standards Chen Yang knew from his previous life.
There must be something fishy going on here!
Chen Yang put down the agreement and asked calmly,
"Section Chief Xu, isn't this compensation standard a bit off?"
Section Chief Xu's eyes flashed with disdain as he sneered,
"I knew you holdouts would try to bargain. Let me tell you! The demolition compensation standard is nationally standardized. We strictly follow the policies of our superiors. If you want a pittance, cooperate with our demolition. The first ten people to sign an agreement will get an extra 100 yuan per square meter as a bonus!"
Section Chief Xu's face was full of superiority, as if he were bestowing a handout upon Chen Yang. Chen Yang glanced at his watch without batting an eye. He'd already passed the time he'd agreed upon with Director Guo Li, so he crossed his arms and asked leisurely,
"What if I don't sign?"
"Bang!" Section Chief Xu suddenly stood up, slamming his hand heavily on the desk, startling the several staff members who were engrossed in their work.
"Don't sign?" Section Chief Xu revealed a disdainful smile, saying smugly, "Young man, I've been in the demolition business for over ten years. At the beginning, quite a few people wouldn't sign, but in the end, they all obediently signed! If you don't believe me, you can try!"
After speaking, Section Chief Xu's cunning eyes were fixed on Chen Yang's face, clearly trying to put pressure on him by taking advantage of his youth. The office fell silent, the atmosphere becoming tense.
Just then, Chen Yang's cell phone suddenly rang. Chen Yang glanced at the caller ID, a slight smile playing on his lips. While answering the phone, he cast a playful glance at Section Chief Xu. Chen Yang said,
"Director Guo, hello... um, I arrived a while ago, but I couldn't find your office... Where am I now? Uh... I don't know which office this is either. Section Chief Xu is giving me a lecture on regulations and policies!"