Inside the Audi A6L heading back into the city, all was quiet.
The driver was An Changlin's secretary. In the rearview mirror, he could clearly see the lingering satisfaction on the three senior leaders' faces, along with the deep, bone-level ease that came after a good meal and plenty of drinks.
In the end, Gao Yuliang broke the silence.
"Changlin."
An Changlin immediately straightened, his posture respectful.
"Yes, sir?"
"This Chen Family Village has mountains behind it and water beside it. Peaceful surroundings, too. It's every bit as good as the Green Mountain Sanatorium!"
Gao Yuliang spoke slowly, as though stating a fact.
"Most importantly, it's more convenient here!"
A fiery gleam instantly lit up Ding Yizhen's and Ji Changmin's eyes.
Something stirred in An Changlin's heart, and an idea took shape in his mind.
He ventured, "Sir, do you mean... we could plan a high-end recuperation center in Chen Family Village?"
"A recuperation center?"
Gao Yuliang mulled over the words and slowly nodded, the light in his eyes growing brighter.
"That's a good proposal. Very good!"
"Exactly!" Ding Yizhen slapped his thigh, excitement in his voice. "Build it right beside the reservoir! Close to young Chen's Farmhouse Courtyard, with easy access to his ingredients!"
Ji Changmin added gravely, "Position it as the province's top health and recuperation facility for officials. Closed to the public, strictly for internal use. That would ensure privacy while making the most of young Chen's ingredients!"
The proposal instantly fired up everyone in the car.
They all understood what it would mean once the center was built.
It would be far more than a place for leisure and vacations.
It would become a nexus of power, bringing together the province's most influential connections!
An invisible center of power!
And the foundation of it all rested