The Sea Queen of 1985

Chapter 424: Chapter 424: A Rude Request

That was just Han Xiaorui—straightforward and true to her feelings.

”That’s true,” Ye Feng lamented. ”I really don’t understand how people can be like that. Scheming against their own family. Even if the boat was in the man’s name, his relatives shouldn’t be fighting over it. After all, the man is dead, but he still has a wife and children.”

Han Xiaorui shrugged. ”Things are actually much better now, with protections for women’s rights. I see on TV how it was in ancient feudal society. Families with only daughters, let alone no children at all, would have their entire inheritance devoured by relatives. It happened all the time.”

”Thanks to Chairman Mao, the women of our Hua Country have stood up. Now we have equal opportunities for work and education. The women of Hua Country have a limitless future ahead of them.”

”I’ve been reading Mao’s Selection lately, and I’ve realized just how great the Chairman was. His judgments, predictions, and philosophical words have been incredibly enlightening. Ye Feng, I suggest you read it too.”

Ye Feng raised an eyebrow. ”I have a set on my desk at the office. I read it whenever I have free time. It’s truly a treasure of humanity. The methodologies, in particular, have given me a lot of ideas for my work.”

”We have a set at home, too. I put it in the study. You can read it if you want,” Han Xiaorui said with a smile. ”I was always smart, but my thoughts used to be a mess. I lacked structure in how I approached things, and even lacked foresight and the ability to plan.”

”It’s different now. I feel like my thinking has been elevated, and my whole perspective on problems has changed. Back then, the Chairman treated Hua Country, the world, and all of humanity as his chessboard. I can’t operate on that level, but I can at least consider the big picture for all of Jinshan Bay.”

Ye Feng handed Han Xiaorui a peach. ”You’re already doing a great job. You’re pregnant, yet you haven’t let anything slide. You’re more capable than most people.”

This wasn’t just Ye Feng flattering her; it was the truth.

At the police dog training base, over two hundred puppies were growing up strong. Each one was so clever, far surpassing ordinary police dogs.

Whether it was training for drug detection, bomb disposal, or tracking, the abilities these police dogs displayed were always impressive.

Many public security units were now constantly calling to inquire about them. Their performance during their internships was so outstanding that the units wanted to keep the dogs before they had even graduated, but Han Xiaorui refused.

If she was going to train them, she was going to train the best police dogs possible.

Although the dogs at the training base were already excellent, they hadn’t reached their peak potential yet.

She even turned down requests from the higher-ups.

It wasn’t just about training the dogs to have outstanding skills, but also about training them to protect themselves as much as possible.

Han Xiaorui hoped these police dogs could live out their lives peacefully and, at the very least, survive when faced with danger.

Her aquaculture business was also a great success.

The Jinshan Bay Investment Company was also running smoothly.

The donated Jinshan Bay Primary School and junior high had also opened and were receiving rave reviews.

Even though school was already in session, she often heard about students transferring in from other areas.

Han Xiaorui blushed at Ye Feng’s praise. ”Actually, I’ve only gotten this far because so many people have helped me. And you’re the one who’s helped me the most. Thank you, my love.”

Ye Feng hugged her, resting his chin on her neck. ”I’m the one who should be thanking you.”

「The fishing moratorium ended.」

The fishing boat bought from Yu Xiaohui had already arrived at Jinshan Bay.

Han Xiaorui now had three boats. Along with Yang Zhigang’s, they were all ready to set sail.

Many of the smaller, ten-meter fishing boats, having been held back for months, had already gone out to sea.

It was the larger boats, on the other hand, that required all sorts of preparations, with fueling and icing being essential.

Yang Zhigang had bought a pig’s head to make an offering to the sea.

Amidst the CRACKLE and POP of firecrackers, the four fishing boats started their engines and headed for the vast, open sea.

By now, the little sea snake had grown up.

It was now over ten meters long, and it followed along.

Nourished by her Water Ability, the little sea snake had become smarter, more agile, and easier to communicate with.

With it following them, it could herd large schools of fish their way.

The people at Jinshan Bay Pier were filled with envy when they saw Han Xiaorui’s boats.

Yang Zhigang went with them, coordinating and commanding from a central position.

”Sister Xiao Rui, you’re far along in your pregnancy. Let’s head home,” Wu Yao said with a smile, helping Han Xiaorui walk back.

In her other hand, Wu Yao carried a stool, so Han Xiaorui could sit and rest for a bit if she got tired.

She was incredibly thoughtful and took excellent care of Han Xiaorui.

Just then, Liu Xiangnan came running over.

”Sister Xiao Rui! Kuno Hiroo introduced a team from Japan. They said they’re here to inspect the sites for the water park and aquarium, but they’ve made a lot of demands. Brother Jianguo doesn’t think it’s acceptable, so he sent me to get you.”

Hearing this, Han Xiaorui was taken aback. ”What kind of demands did they make?”

Liu Xiangnan scratched his head. ”We provide the money and the land, and they’ll be in charge of the survey and construction. Everything has to be imported from Japan, and they want a fifty-one percent stake.”

”What?” Han Xiaorui stared, stunned. ”Xiangnan, did I hear you right? I provide the money and the land, and I only get a forty-nine percent stake?”

Liu Xiangnan nodded. ”That’s what the translator said. Brother Jianguo was floored. He said he’s never seen anyone so shameless. We just want to hire someone to design and build an advanced water park and aquarium, not go into business with them!”

’Are these people out of their minds? Or do they just think we’re stupid and are trying to rob us blind? I don’t get why they’d even think this way.’

Han Xiaorui thought for a moment. ”There’s no other explanation besides sheer arrogance. Fine, I’ll go with you.”

Liu Xiangnan reminded her, ”Sister Xiao Rui, please be careful. You’re about to give birth, aren’t you?”

Han Xiaorui nodded. ”Soon. I’m not at my due date yet, but it’s twins. They could come any time.”

They arrived at the office building.

Her office and the conference room were temporarily located at the ornamental fish farm.

Yang Jianguo usually handled some matters and received guests for her.

But since there was a dispute, she had to handle this one personally.

When the Japanese team saw Han Xiaorui arrive, they seemed unimpressed. The group was composed entirely of men in suits, all wearing arrogant expressions.

”These are our demands. If you do not agree to them, we will not build you an advanced water park and aquarium.”

Benkawa Kenta’s attitude was resolute; he was very confident about this negotiation.

’Hua Country has no such technology,’ he thought. ’Our technology from Japan is the best in the world, especially when it comes to the ocean. If Japan, a maritime nation, doesn’t have good technology, then no other country does.’

Han Xiaorui, who understood Japanese, spoke up. ”I’m only asking you to design a water park and an aquarium, not to go into business with you. I will not be giving you any shares. I’m hiring designers, not shareholders.”

”Besides, what kind of shareholder expects to get a majority stake without investing any money? If you want to commit daylight robbery, why bother with such a sanctimonious pretense? It’s 1986, not 1886. Are you sleepwalking, or are you drunk?”

Benkawa Kenta hadn’t expected Han Xiaorui to speak Japanese and was momentarily stunned. ”Since you speak Japanese, you should understand that our technology is highly advanced. Without us to build it for you, you’ll never have a water park and aquarium.”