The next day, the Construction Group's workers resumed their intensive work on the piling platform in the middle of the reservoir.
The roar of electric drills and the clang of metal once again shattered the morning silence.
Gao Qiqiang, Gao Qisheng, and Su Mei stood on the bank, all three looking grim.
Time ticked by.
Nine o'clock.
Ten o'clock.
Eleven o'clock.
The reservoir remained peaceful. Apart from the construction boats, there wasn't a soul in sight.
Li Youtian and his gang really hadn't come.
"Th-this... that's it? Problem solved?" Standing beside Gao Qiqiang, Chang Chenghu stared wide-eyed, his jaw practically hitting the ground.
Only yesterday, that old bastard had sworn that if they dared start construction, he would never let them hear the end of it.
Why had he suddenly backed down today?
Gao Qiqiang said nothing. He merely smoked in silence, the haze obscuring his unreadable face.
As he gazed at the bustling construction site in the middle of the reservoir, his own mind churned with shock.
Boss Chen's casual assurance yesterday-"I guarantee he'll behave tomorrow"-kept echoing in his ears, every word carrying immense weight.
How on earth had he done it?
Su Mei was equally baffled.
She adjusted her glasses, uncertainty flickering in her eyes behind the lenses.
From what she knew of human nature, a shameless thug like Li Youtian would never back down without blood being spilled.
Gao Qiqiang gave Chang Chenghu a meaningful look.
Chang Chenghu understood immediately. He stepped aside, took out his phone, and dialed a number.
"Hello? Seventh Great-Uncle? It's me, Chenghu... yes, yes. Let me ask you something. Why hasn't Li Youtian from your village made a move today?"
Whatever the person on the other end said,
Chang Chenghu's expression shifted from confusion to shock, then finally to utter blankness.
Holding