ABT ## Chapter 0098

 After more than a week away, Li Fanyu felt like he had stepped into a different world upon returning to Tiancheng.

China truly was vast; while the southern regions still enjoyed warm and gentle breezes, the north was already experiencing crisp autumn weather.

Before boarding the plane, Li Fanyu had already called Anning, who nonchalantly offered to pick him up from the airport.

Li Fanyu couldn't help but feel speechless about Anning. She always insisted on handling everything herself, as if she could single-handedly support the sky if it fell. With such a temperament, it's no wonder she's almost thirty and still unmarried.

Upon exiting, Li Fanyu looked around but couldn't find Anning.

"This is so unreliable. She said she'd come to pick me up, but now she's nowhere to be found," Li Fanyu sighed.

He was about to take out his phone to contact her when, out of the corner of his eye, he spotted Anning approaching with her characteristic swagger.

"What are you looking at? Did you go for a stroll in Puhai and forget who your sister is?" Anning waved her hand in front of him.

Li Fanyu blushed, "How could I? It's just been several days since we last met. Seeing a loved one unexpectedly can stir up emotions."

Anning took the backpack from him and gestured for him to follow. "Let's go. Stop wasting time; there's a lot of work to be done at the construction site."

Sitting in the passenger seat, Li Fanyu stretched lazily. It was evident that the car belonged to Anning's company; there was still a logo for Zhengxin Second-hand Cars on the floor mat.

"Sis, how's the construction of the lab building going?" he asked, feigning ignorance.

Anning glanced at him, knowing exactly what he was up to. "It's going well. The steel frame is almost complete, and it should be finished in another three to five days."

Li Fanyu took a deep breath. Oh, the act you put on! I wonder how long you can keep it up. You're so good at pretending, why bother with an automotive laboratory? Why not try Hollywood?

"Oh? Then we need to hurry and order the equipment. The sooner it's completed, the sooner it can be put to use," Li Fanyu said.

Anning's expression froze momentarily before she stuttered, "There's no rush..."

"How can there be no rush? It'll take time to go back and forth to Germany," Li Fanyu pressed on.

"Did Professor Zhang say something to you?" Anning asked cautiously.

Li Fanyu sighed deeply. "Sis, this isn't going to work. Since we're all in this together, we should treat each other like family. You can't keep everything to yourself and carry the burden alone."

Anning forced a laugh but remained silent. Under Li Fanyu's persistent questioning, she finally revealed that there had been a problem with the funding from the Development and Reform Commission - the support fund had experienced some unexpected changes.

Due to the groundwork already laid thanks to Baocheng's efforts, the infrastructure for the company's project was already in place. They could directly build the structure on the foundation, which made progress fast. During Li Fanyu's absence, the steel frame had nearly been completed.

Initially, Anning had been worried about unexpected changes, so she had poured money into speeding up the project. What was supposed to be completed in two weeks had been shortened to ten days. She planned to complete the main structure and then apply for support funds, using them to fill the gaps in the project budget. In theory, this was a good plan, as everyone knew that when asking the government for money, speed and accuracy were crucial. However, no one could have predicted the sudden turn of events.

Now, with the unexpected change at the Development and Reform Commission, it was undoubtedly a bolt from the blue for the laboratory project. As a result, the whole situation was in chaos.

Misfortunes never come singly. Someone must have said something to the construction manager, who, that very afternoon, found Anning and demanded payment for the current construction costs and materials.

Anning had some money on hand, but for a project that required several million yuan just to get started, she was unable to proceed with the construction of the factory building.

As Li Fanyu listened to Anning's fragmented account, he couldn't shake the feeling that something was wrong. This couldn't be happening. The establishment of the laboratory was led by Cheng Gang. The Development and Reform Commission had agreed to it, and yet, just a few days later, they changed their minds?

There must be something sinister behind this...

He pulled out his phone. "I'll give Mayor Cheng a call."

"No need, I've already gone to see him..."

Ignoring her protest, Li Fanyu dialed the number.

After a few busy tones, the call was answered. "I knew you'd call me. Asking about the support funds, right?"

Li Fanyu took a deep breath to calm himself down and said, "Mayor Cheng, the main structure of our laboratory is almost complete. How could there be a sudden change?"

"Hey! Are you here to interrogate me?" Mayor Cheng retorted.

Li Fanyu remained silent, waiting patiently for Mayor Cheng to continue.

After a moment of contemplation, Mayor Cheng said, "A delegation from the provincial government came down and raised objections to the establishment of your laboratory. They believe that Zhengxin is not qualified as an automotive manufacturing company. Someone must be behind this, but whether it's targeting Tiancheng or Zhengxin, I can't say for sure. I'm working on it, so hold off for now and don't rush."

Damn it! Someone is meddling? Who would wield such great influence to involve the provincial government?

Hold off? If the project stops for even a day, it's like throwing money into a pit!

If it weren't for the importance of his phone, Li Fanyu would have had the urge to throw it. He wasn't sure how much money Anning had on hand, but from her fragmented explanation just now, he estimated it to be at least several million yuan.

If the laboratory couldn't be built, wouldn't that money be wasted? No, it would be like throwing money into the water without even seeing a splash.

"Mayor Cheng! We've been spending money like water these past few days..."

"I know you're in a difficult situation. But rest assured, this laboratory. Tiancheng must establish it! I don't make promises lightly, but I can assure you; the automotive industry will be the focus of Tiancheng's development in the next five years! This laboratory is the first step in entering the industry, and no one can stop it! I won't say more. I'll notify you when I have news!"

Li Fanyu solemnly put away his phone. At that moment, a news report on the provincial radio caught his attention.

"Recently, the Asia Economic Forum held in Tiancheng City has officially concluded. Representatives of finance ministers and entrepreneurs from eighteen countries conducted in-depth analysis of the current economic situation in Asia at the forum... Finance Minister Wang Bowen stated that several policies will be fully implemented within six months, which will strongly promote the development of China's automotive industry as an important topic... Mayor Wang Wenqing of Nanhe City in our province clearly stated at the municipal council meeting that supporting the automotive industry would be an important development goal. It is reported that Nanhe City currently has nine large-scale automotive enterprises with an annual output value of 3 billion yuan, forming an initial industrial cluster... Nanhe Group will invest 200 million yuan to establish an automotive research center in the near future. If completed, this will be the country's first comprehensive laboratory cluster for vehicle research and development..."

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