"The knife is in someone else's hand, and we are the fish on the chopping board."

This was the most intuitive feeling Liu Zhuo and Xiao Qiang had at that moment.

They knew all too well that the more they showed urgency, the more control they would lose.

The tighter their opponent's grip on them would become.

But there was nothing they could do about it.

When the municipal government would finalize and announce the extension of Metro Line 10 was entirely out of their control.

What they could be sure of was that the extension reaching the outskirts was practically guaranteed.

Under such circumstances, they couldn't afford to stall on the issue of Jinzong Village any longer. The more time dragged on, the greater the uncertainties.

However, that single piece of land priced at 660 million yuan? It was daylight robbery!

If Ye Chen were acquiring it for three or four hundred million, it would have been acceptable.

But in just a few days, the price had skyrocketed tenfold!

This is outrageous!

"Mr. Ye, you're absolutely right. We shouldn't use the price you acquired it at as a reference. However, for Jinzong Village, a remote place in the outskirts, 660 million is an astronomical price! Not to mention Henda Group—no corporation would be willing to pay that amount!"

Liu Zhuo took a deep breath as he spoke.

He had deeply felt just how formidable Ye Chen was during their earlier exchange.

Ye Chen responded with a calm smile.

"Mr. Liu, you've hit the nail on the head. I don't deny that 660 million is indeed a sky-high price. But the fact that I'm sitting here today proves that such a price has its justification. Otherwise, your Henda Group wouldn't be going through all this trouble, would it? As for your claim that no corporation would be willing to pay such a price, I agree. At present, that's indeed the case."

Then Ye Chen added, "But..."

That single word sent a shiver down Liu Zhuo and Xiao Qiang's spines.

"But I believe Henda Group will want it," Ye Chen said with firm conviction.

"And why is that?" Liu Zhuo squinted, his gaze sharp.

"Because in just two days, your group has called me three times and met with me twice," Ye Chen replied matter-of-factly.

"And based on that alone, you're setting such a high price?"

Liu Zhuo fixed his piercing gaze on Ye Chen, as if trying to catch any subtle change in his expression.

But he was disappointed.

Like Xiao Qiang in the café earlier, he found Ye Chen's serene eyes impenetrable.

"No, Mr. Liu, you misunderstand me. I never intended to exploit Henda Group. I simply believe Jinzong Village is worth this price. Otherwise, why would I spend millions of my own money to acquire a barren, remote village?" Ye Chen said with a smile.

"Oh? Then perhaps Mr. Ye can explain further?" Liu Zhuo's heart trembled slightly.

"Mr. Liu, if I'm not mistaken, your team has maps of Jiangzhou and every phase of the metro's route extensions, correct? Could you provide them to me?" Ye Chen asked.

As soon as Ye Chen mentioned the metro, Liu Zhuo and Xiao Qiang's pupils contracted sharply.

But they quickly regained their composure.

"Although I don't know why you're making this request, this is something we can provide," Liu Zhuo said, taking out his phone.

Within two minutes, a staff member brought in the maps Ye Chen had asked for.

"Mr. Ye, here are the maps. What do you have to say?" Liu Zhuo asked.

Ye Chen remained composed, picked up a pen, and began drawing.

Using the metro map as a reference, he drew straight lines onto the Jiangzhou map, labeling each line.

Then he circled every extension added to the lines over the years.

When he finally stopped, the entire Jiangzhou map was covered with markings.

His last move was to draw a large circle around Jinzong Village.

Seeing this, Liu Zhuo and Xiao Qiang's pupils contracted again.

"Mr. Liu, Ms. Xiao, Jiangzhou's metro network is one of the most extensive and interconnected in the country. Over the years, as the metro has extended to the suburbs, the city's development has become increasingly comprehensive. Under this trend, do you really think the remote outskirts, just 20 kilometers from the last station of Line 10, will remain forgotten?"

Ye Chen's voice was steady and confident as he gestured at the map.

"Don't forget that the outskirts are the junction between Jiangzhou and several surrounding cities. Even if they remain overlooked for a while, it won't be for long. The government has prioritized inner-city development for years, but now that most districts have achieved rapid progress, don't you think their focus will shift outward?"

"Once the metro reaches the outskirts, Jinzong Village will be at its very center. By then, how much will this land be worth?"

Ye Chen smiled, exuding the demeanor of a master strategist.

Liu Zhuo and Xiao Qiang were visibly shaken.

Everything Ye Chen said matched the analyses their professional teams had conducted earlier.

Before they could respond, Ye Chen continued.

"While I'm confident that the outskirts will soon become prime real estate, I can't predict when the government will act. After all, every decision they make is interconnected, and unforeseen changes are not uncommon."

"However, the urgency with which your group has approached me suggests the government might already have plans to extend the metro. With Henda Group's resources, it wouldn't be surprising if you had insider knowledge."

"In this context, is 660 million still expensive? Not at all. While it may seem excessive now, once the government's plans are announced, many would be eager to pay that price. Jinzong Village will be the heart of the outskirts."

"My bottom line is 660 million, with no room for negotiation. If you can meet this price, the land is yours. If not, let's part ways amicably. But please don't return with a lower offer—it would only waste both our time."

Ye Chen's composed and measured words gave off the air of a seasoned business tycoon.

At this point, Henda Group was undeniably being led by the nose.

They had no choice.

Even bargaining was no longer an option.

Whether they liked it or not, they had to pay 660 million for Jinzong Village.

Just then, the door to the meeting room was flung open.

A middle-aged man with slicked-back hair and a tailored suit walked in, clapping as he entered.

It was none other than Xu Jia, the chairman of Henda Group, a legendary figure praised even by former Secretary Zhang Weimin.