Chapter 2756: Longevity and Eternal Sight

Chapter Thirty-Three: Long Life, Long View

Bai Changfeng had initially believed that the situation would be easily resolved. After all, it was just negotiating a price. As the saying goes, everyone has their own aspirations. Since they didn't want the money, and he wasn't forcing them to sell, he just needed to offer a suitable compensation for their troubles. He certainly didn't expect the people opposite him to be so difficult.

It wasn't that the price wasn't high enough, it was that they didn't want to sell at all. They refused to negotiate. Bai Changfeng was bewildered. He had dealt with countless people and seen all sorts of situations, but this was the first time he had encountered people who flatly refused to negotiate. They simply didn't want to sell!

He could offer a hundred million, even a billion, and they wouldn't sell. This was utterly frustrating. He was a reasonable person, but dealing with these people was like punching cotton. He felt utterly helpless.

Bai Changfeng smiled wryly. "Gentlemen, you are being unreasonable. I'm here to discuss a mutually beneficial outcome. I'm not trying to force you to sell. Since you don't want to sell, I won't force you. However, this matter still needs to be resolved. I need to find a solution for this predicament."

"It's not about being unreasonable," the other party replied. "We simply don't want to sell. How is that unreasonable? We didn't ask you to come, and we don't have any dealings with you. What predicament are you talking about? This is our land. If you have a predicament, you should find a way to solve it yourself. It has nothing to do with us."

Bai Changfeng was momentarily stunned. He had expected a lengthy back-and-forth, but he hadn't anticipated such a blunt rejection. These people were truly unyielding.

"Gentlemen, please consider this. If this matter isn't resolved, it will affect you too. Perhaps we can find a middle ground? For example, you could rent the land to me. I'll pay you an annual rent, and after a few years, I'll return the land to you. That way, you won't have to sell your ancestral land, and I can still achieve my goal. We can both get what we want, and it's a mutually beneficial outcome."

"Rent? We don't rent either." The other party was still unwavering. "We told you, we don't want to sell or rent. This land is our home. We live here, we grew up here, and we will die here. We won't leave."

Bai Changfeng felt a headache coming on. These people were harder to deal with than he had imagined. They were stubborn and refused to compromise. It seemed like a peaceful resolution was out of the question.

However, Bai Changfeng wasn't a man who gave up easily. He had always believed that as long as there were people, there was a way. He just needed to find the right approach.

He took a deep breath and said, "Gentlemen, I understand your feelings. This land is important to you. But please consider the broader picture. If this matter is not resolved, it could escalate. It's better for everyone if we can find a peaceful solution. I'm willing to offer a generous compensation, even beyond the market value. Please, reconsider."

The other party remained silent for a moment, then one of them spoke, "We don't care about the money. This land is our life. We won't sell, no matter how much you offer."

Bai Changfeng felt increasingly frustrated. He had tried everything – reasoning, appealing to their emotions, offering generous compensation – but nothing worked. These people were like rocks, unyielding and unmoving.

He knew he couldn't give up. This matter was too important. He needed to find a way to break through their defenses. He decided to change his approach. Instead of focusing on the land itself, he would focus on the people. He would try to understand their concerns and find a solution that addressed their needs.

"Gentlemen," he said, "I understand that this land is important to you. But what about your future? What about your children and grandchildren? Wouldn't you want them to have a better life? With the money I'm offering, you could move to a better place, live in a comfortable house, and provide your children with a good education. Isn't that worth considering?"

The other party looked at each other, and for the first time, Bai Changfeng saw a flicker of hesitation in their eyes. Perhaps this was his chance.

"We have lived here for generations," one of them said. "This is our home. We don't want to leave."

"I understand," Bai Changfeng said. "But you don't have to leave forever. You could consider it a temporary move. Once the project is completed, you can return. And in the meantime, you will have the resources to improve your lives and provide for your families."

He continued to press, highlighting the benefits of his offer and the potential risks of refusing. He painted a picture of a better future, a future free from the hardships they were currently facing.

Slowly, the other party began to waver. The prospect of a better life was tempting, and Bai Changfeng's words resonated with their desire for their children's well-being.

Finally, after a long silence, one of them spoke, "We will consider your offer. But we need time to discuss it among ourselves."

Bai Changfeng's heart leaped. This was the breakthrough he had been waiting for. He had finally found a way to reach them.

"Take your time," he said. "Discuss it thoroughly. And if you have any questions, feel free to ask. I'm here to help."

He knew that the negotiation wasn't over yet, but he had made significant progress. He had managed to shift their focus from their attachment to the land to their desire for a better future. This was a crucial turning point.

Bai Changfeng left the meeting feeling a sense of cautious optimism. He knew that there would be more challenges ahead, but he was confident that he could overcome them. He had a long view, and he was determined to achieve his goal, one step at a time.

As he drove back, he thought about the complexities of human nature and the importance of understanding people's motivations. He realized that in negotiations, it wasn't just about the price; it was about finding a way to connect with people on a deeper level, to understand their needs and desires, and to find a solution that benefited everyone involved.

He knew that this was just the beginning of a long journey, but he was ready for it. He was ready to face the challenges, to adapt his strategies, and to persevere until he achieved his objective. He had a long view, and he was prepared to go the distance.