Considering she would spend significant time in Pengcheng in the future, Xia Xiaolan didn’t want unpleasant people to appear before her.

Having a permanent solution wasn’t bad.

The next day, while Liu Yong stayed in Yangcheng to continue discussing renovation matters with franchisees, Xia Xiaolan wanted to check on her “Golden Sand Pool” in Pengcheng.

“Ge Jian, can you find out where the Xia family lives? Help me deliver a letter there.”

Ge Jian drove without changing his expression:

“Manager Xia, I already know where they live.”

Oh?

Xia Xiaolan didn’t remember giving such instructions – apparently, Ge Jian had investigated on his own.

Xia Xiaolan hadn’t realized that a tight-knit group had formed around her core, including the clothing brand, building materials store, renovation company, and Qihang Real Estate. Ge Jian and others had grown closer because of her, bound not just by camaraderie but by unbreakable mutual interests – everyone would prosper only if Xia Xiaolan did well. They executed her instructions and even anticipated matters without being told.

Like the Xia family.

Though these people weren’t exactly presentable, Ge Jian still needed to track their movements.

His efforts weren’t wasted – here was Manager Xia’s request.

The Xia family shouldn’t stay in Pengcheng. What if they emerged to trouble Manager Xia? Ge Jian saw Manager Xia as precious jade that shouldn’t be tainted by cesspool stones.

If Xia Dajun wanted to cause trouble, like making a scene at the sales office when Golden Sand Pool began sales, Ge Jian could remove him, but the negative impact would already be made, affecting Manager Xia’s reputation!

Though he had investigated the Xia family early on, Ge Jian wouldn’t act without Xia Xiaolan’s direct orders.

“Just deliver the letter to Fan Yu, don’t alert the Xia family.”

“Yes, Manager Xia!”

Ge Jian was extremely reliable. Xia Xiaolan rested in the car seat and soon arrived at Golden Sand Pool.

Without leaving the car, she could see the neat row of buildings at the entrance, their exterior decorations almost complete, with workers removing scaffolding.

Wang Houlin hurried over despite his injured leg:

“Manager Xia, we’ve been waiting for you!”

Wang Houlin knew beautiful buildings meant nothing unless Xia Xiaolan was satisfied.

For the entire complex’s planning, even Mao Kangshan took a secondary role. Wang Houlin didn’t dare claim credit – this 20-mu property development was Xia Xiaolan’s training ground… He and Mao Kangshan handled the details and fixed oversights.

But the master plan was indeed Xia Xiaolan’s design.

Young people had fresher ideas than them. Wang Houlin thought taller buildings were better, while Xia Xiaolan considered “livability.”

Following Xia Xiaolan’s plan, Wang Houlin felt the complex would be more beautiful than the City Committee compound.

While other areas were still under construction, only the show buildings were complete. Even without landscaping, Wang Houlin found these buildings truly beautiful.

Who wouldn’t want to live in such houses?

He wanted to too!

But his salary couldn’t afford it yet.

Wang Houlin could only dream – Guangdong Construction had already allocated him housing.

While Mao Kangshan couldn’t greet her at the entrance, Xia Xiaolan spotted a familiar figure at the newly furnished sales office.

“Senior Guosheng is here?”

Mao Guosheng looked uncomfortable, “Little Xia, I’m now working in Yangcheng. Being closer, I came to visit the old man.”

Mao Guosheng’s eyes seemed full of unspoken words, hoping the astute and considerate Little Xia would understand his intentions and say what he couldn’t. But Xia Xiaolan merely exchanged pleasantries, telling him to enjoy a few days in Pengcheng before walking past him!

This wasn’t following the script – he’d transferred to Guangdong Construction, so Xia Xiaolan should naturally invite him to work at Qihang. Mao Guosheng was stunned.

Having competed with his wife Zheng Shuqin over face, his ears reddened as he stood there stupidly, unsure how to adapt.

Ge Jian glanced at him – if not for Master Mao’s sake, why would they let such a person wander around the construction site?

Living so many years, but living like a dog!

As Manager Xia’s business grew larger, a boss should maintain proper status. Except for particularly close people who could use first names, others should show respect.

Like Chen Xiliang, who genuinely admired Manager Xia – though older, he’d early on switched to calling her “Sister Xia.”

But Mao Guosheng kept calling her “Little Xia” in front of other company staff – how presumptuous!

If he had no ulterior motives, considering Master Mao’s connection, calling her “Little Xia” would be fine. But seeing how Mao Guosheng wanted to work at Qihang… heh, would Manager Xia invite such a person to be treated like royalty?

Ge Jian was indignant, while Mao Guosheng remained clueless.

No wonder he’d never gained respect at the Provincial Design Institute – it wasn’t entirely his father Mao Kangshan’s fault.

Xia Xiaolan had reached Mao Kangshan’s side. Zhou Maotong was also present – Qihang still used Guangdong Construction’s qualifications, so he needed to inspect the show buildings.

“Teacher, Senior Zhou, Engineer Wang, shall we examine from bottom to top?”

Zhou Maotong smiled, “Junior Sister Xia, this complex will be beautiful when completed. With the golf course on the left and Xiangmi Lake Resort on the right, Golden Sand Pool is like a pearl set between two major projects… Yes, yes, like two dragons fighting for a pearl – it can’t help but be popular!”

Everyone loves praise, and Zhou Maotong wasn’t just flattering Xia Xiaolan – his words made everyone at Qihang feel good.

It made perfect sense – calling the golf course and Xiangmi Lake projects “dragons” and Golden Sand Pool their contested “pearl” elevated all three projects.

Praising the neighbors was also praising Golden Sand Pool.

A former garbage pool, described so elegantly by Zhou Maotong – such a person understood technology, and had high IQ and EQ. If he couldn’t succeed, who could?

No wonder Mao Guosheng couldn’t match Zhou Maotong despite his flattery.

Xia Xiaolan invited Mao Kangshan to lead. Today, he was also polite, not disrespecting “Manager Xia” in front of everyone: “We don’t stand on ceremony as master and student. I see these buildings every day, but today’s scaffold removal is special – it marks completion. You should see it first.”

Xia Xiaolan climbed the stairs step by step.

She inspected the quality of several different model units that Liu Yong had decorated.

Her uncle’s work wouldn’t deceive her.

Standing on the top floor terrace, she overlooked the surroundings.

These were her buildings, her career.

1986 was approaching. Three years since her rebirth, Xia Xiaolan had worked diligently without a day’s slack. With Golden Sand Pool about to launch sales, she was finally approaching her biggest, most joyous profits!

“No, this isn’t just about how much money to earn. It’s about finally standing at the same starting line as those era pioneers, and even… being a few steps ahead of some of them…”

Though Golden Sand Pool’s buildings weren’t Pengcheng’s tallest, Xia Xiaolan had an illusion that she could overlook the entire Special Zone!