Doctor and His Glamorous Sister-in-Law

However, this was no challenge for Liu Ergou. He had long anticipated that Liu Jingming would try to make things difficult, so he showed little reaction.

Looking at the smug Liu Jingming, Liu Ergou calmly addressed the crowd. "Let me be honest with all of you. The reason I want to lease the wasteland is to lead our entire village to wealth and prosperity!

"If the medicinal herb cultivation goes well, I'll move on to other plans! By then, we'll replace most of the facilities in our village, and everyone here can even trade their current homes for new two-story villas!"

As he said this, Liu Ergou slapped his chest with loud thuds.

The moment he finished speaking, the crowd erupted.

"What? Two-story villas? Is he for real?"

"Who knows? But he looks pretty confident. It might actually be true!"

"True or not, this lease money is basically free cash. Why wouldn't we take it?"

"Damn, if that's the case, we'd be better off with Liu Ergou as village chief! At least he'd actually work for our benefit!"

The villagers' excited chatter, spurred on by Liu Ergou's promises, made Liu Jingming's expression darken. He began to suspect that if this brat, Liu Ergou, said just a few more words, his position as village chief might very well be lost to him.

Just then, Liu Ergou caught sight of Liu Jingming's gloomy face from the corner of his eye and gloated inwardly. He's always giving me a hard time. This serves him right. Now that he's lost the people's support, let's see what he does.

With that thought, Liu Ergou decided to fan the flames. Putting on a look of alarm, he said to the villagers, "Everyone, please don't say such things! I'm too young to possibly be the village chief!

"Besides, I'm not capable enough. If you ask me, Chief Liu is still the best! He may not have any outstanding achievements, but it's not easy to maintain the village. He's worked hard, even if he hasn't had any great successes! He's still the better choice!"

Liu Ergou's words nearly made Liu Jingming spit up blood. This kid is completely despicable! Utterly shameless! He's praising me as chief while simultaneously saying I have no achievements. Isn't that just a polite way of calling me useless?

The thought made Liu Jingming break out in a cold sweat. He couldn't let this go on any longer. If he did, he'd soon become the *former* village chief.

With that, Liu Jingming made his decision. "Alright, that's enough! Cut the nonsense! Since Liu Ergou is willing to take the wasteland and none of you have any objections, we'll lease it all to him!

"It's a ten-year lease at 300 per mu annually. For 50 mu, the total comes to 150,000, to be paid in one lump sum. If there are no problems, we'll sign the contract right now!"

Upon hearing this, Liu Ergou was inwardly thrilled. This old fool just had to make things difficult for me. If he'd just agreed from the start, we could have avoided all this nonsense. Why is he so flustered now?

As Liu Jingming finished, all eyes turned back to Liu Ergou, expecting him to produce the 150,000 yuan in cash.

Looking at their expectant faces, Liu Ergou was about to pull out his bank card to go withdraw the money, but then he hesitated. But wait... If I lease this land so easily, wouldn't that be letting old man Liu Jingming off the hook? That being the case, I have to make things a little more difficult for him. I'll let him know I'm not someone to be trifled with.

With this in mind, Liu Ergou put on a troubled expression. "Ah, about that 150,000 yuan... I don't actually have that much on me right now. I only have 100,000, but as long as…"

The moment Liu Jingming heard Liu Ergou say he didn't have the money, he cut him off and began yelling furiously.

"Liu Ergou, are you messing with us?! If you don't have the money, why did you even open your mouth! Leasing wasteland? You can lease my ass!"

Although Liu Jingming appeared furious, he was secretly relieved. Thank goodness the kid is short on cash. If he had enough to lease the land and actually made a success of it, my position as village chief would be done for. The humiliation would be unbearable.

After his outburst, Liu Jingming waved his hand dismissively to shoo Liu Ergou away.

But Liu Ergou wasn't about to let him have his way. With a casual flick of his own hand, he sent Liu Jingming stumbling back. Seizing the opportunity, Liu Ergou continued, "I said I don't have that much *on hand*, not that I don't have the money. I can pay 100,000 now and give you the remaining 50,000 in a few days!"

Liu Jingming immediately retorted, "That's rich! You say you'll pay in a few days, but what if you don't? Are we just supposed to let the matter drop?"

"Liu Jingming, are you brainless?" Liu Ergou retorted without holding back. "What century are you living in? Do you think I'd just skip out on a debt? We'll write the due date right into the contract. If I can't produce the remaining 50,000 yuan by then, the deal is off, I won't lease the land, and you can keep the money. How's that?!"

But even then, Liu Jingming refused. What I fear most is Liu Ergou actually leasing the land and achieving something. If that happens, my position as village chief won't be secure. I have to find a way to stop him, and his lack of funds is the perfect excuse.

"Liu Ergou, 150,000 yuan seems like a lot, but it's not much once it's divided among the villagers. You're only offering 100,000 now, which makes distribution even more of a hassle! If you can't produce the full amount at once, then just forget it!"

Hearing this, Liu Ergou knew it was time. There was no point in haggling with Liu Jingming any longer. By now, everyone present could see that the village chief was deliberately making things difficult for him. That being the case, the rest would be easy.

With that thought, Liu Ergou dropped the pretense.

"Liu Jingming! If you don't want me to lease the wasteland, just say so! There's no need to be so difficult about it! Fine! Big deal! I just won't lease it then!"

These words were exactly what Liu Jingming wanted to hear. He eagerly shouted, "Everybody heard that, right? It was Liu Ergou himself who backed out! I'm not the one stopping him!"

However, Liu Jingming's glee didn't last three seconds. Liu Ergou's next words nearly made him collapse on the spot.

"That's right, I'm backing out. I don't want to lease land from our village anymore! I think I'll go lease land from the next village instead. Goodbye, everyone. I'm off to give my money to them!"

After saying this, Liu Ergou flung his arm and left without any hesitation.