Talk about this with Huo Chenzhou.

Xia Xiaolan found it a bit strange, but since she happened to be very familiar with the Nanhai Hotel renovation progress, she went ahead:

“I’m not too familiar with the part Huajian is responsible for, but for Yuan Hui’s portion, we can finish the interior decoration by the end of September. While waiting for ventilation and odor dissipation, we can begin external landscaping. If Huajian’s progress doesn’t fall behind, Nanhai Hotel can complete the acceptance inspection by the end of this year at the latest.”

Xia Xiaolan was equally concerned about Nanhai Hotel’s construction period. Only after the completion inspection would Dongfeng pay the final 2.1 million in project payments – how much she and her uncle would earn depended entirely on that final payment.

“Can it officially open for New Year’s Day 1986?”

Xia Xiaolan shook her head, “Manager Huo, newly renovated buildings retain some harmful gases. I suggest ventilating for two more months and opening after the Spring Festival. The guests’ living experience would be better.”

Xia Xiaolan’s suggestion was conscientious. Though the hotel used quality construction materials, harmful renovation residues were unavoidable.

Ventilating before occupancy was common knowledge for most people in the new century.

Huo Chenzhou seemed quite anxious to open by New Year’s Day, and Xia Xiaolan couldn’t dissuade him.

“Then we can only rely on the hotel’s ventilation system. After all, Old Ning designed that part, so it should be quite effective.”

The opening timing might involve internal power struggles among the hotel’s shareholders. Xia Xiaolan couldn’t comment further and could only assure Huo Chenzhou that Yuan Hui would complete their portion well.

As for Huajian’s portion, Xia Xiaolan was helpless – neither she nor her uncle had authority over Huajian.

Huajian was a large organization. During joint construction, Huajian’s people had quite a few complaints about Yuan Hui’s work, as if cooperating with a small company somehow embarrassed Huajian. Xia Xiaolan found it absurd – was it her fault that Huajian couldn’t produce a renovation plan?

If they wanted Yuan Hui’s help, why not share profits with Yuan Hui?

Allocating one-fourth of the total project to Yuan Hui wasn’t something Xia Xiaolan and Liu Yong had demanded – Huo Chenzhou had offered it voluntarily.

They courted Yuan Hui when needed but looked down on them after crossing the river. Huajian had complaints about Yuan Hui, but Xia Xiaolan had major grievances herself!

If Mao Kangshan hadn’t been constantly patrolling the construction site, intimidating Huajian’s engineers, they might still be criticizing Yuan Hui’s renovation methods. Thinking of this, Xia Xiaolan was truly grateful for the fiery-tempered Mao Kangshan. She couldn’t have chosen a better teacher – though there were pros and cons, Xia Xiaolan only saw the benefits now!

Xia Xiaolan didn’t want to discuss Huajian further, and Huo Chenzhou didn’t pursue it:

“As long as Yuan Hui can complete their portion well. You must maintain quality control – during completion inspection, we won’t be lenient just because of Mayor Tang.”

Even though Xia Xiaolan was now in real estate development, there was no reason to disregard the 2.1 million final payment. Huo Chenzhou was just stating the harsh truth upfront.

Xia Xiaolan laughed dryly. This Huo Chenzhou was quite arrogant, speaking like that in front of Mayor Tang.

The words weren’t wrong, but the attitude was too haughty.

Tang Hong’en had wanted them to become closer, but despite their previous cooperation, their energies simply didn’t match.

The meal was awkward, and Huo Chenzhou left immediately after.

Xia Xiaolan finally couldn’t resist asking, “Uncle Tang, does this Huo Chenzhou have some significant background?”

“Why do you ask? Knowing his background, why weren’t you more accommodating? You’re usually quite clever, but today you were stubborn.”

Tang Hong’en wasn’t scolding Xia Xiaolan; he just didn’t understand.

Xia Xiaolan snorted, “Someone so young yet able to control such capital is naturally arrogant. I dislike how he wants to rely on you to expand in Pengcheng, yet doesn’t show you enough respect. Eating from the bowl while cursing the provider – how can there be such a good deal in this world!”

Xia Xiaolan was indeed perceptive.

Tang Hong’en was somewhat moved to see her united with him against a common adversary.

Call her slippery? She was truly as slippery as an eel.

But the slippery Xia Xiaolan was fiercely protective.

She would bristle at anyone who slighted those she cared about. Tang Hong’en was touched and pleased because Xia Xiaolan had placed him in her “care about” camp. Could he not see that Xia Xiaolan’s initial closeness was seeking patronage? But Xia Xiaolan was so clever and likable that Tang Hong’en had tacitly accepted it.

Times had changed – Tang Hong’en now saw Xia Xiaolan not just as a younger relative but treated her as family.

Some things didn’t need to be hidden from her:

“You know I went to Beijing recently and took your mother to Xiangshan?”

Xia Xiaolan nodded. She hadn’t asked about this yet, but Tang Hong’en brought it up voluntarily.

“I took her to Xiangshan to meet an elder. This elder is like a second parent to me. I wouldn’t have today’s success without his guidance and help. And Huo Chenzhou is his beloved grandson… I have everything today because of the elder’s help. Huo Chenzhou believes I owe his grandfather and should naturally help him. Such an attitude isn’t surprising.”

Tang Hong’en spoke lightly, but Xia Xiaolan felt very uncomfortable:

“I fear it’s not just Huo Chenzhou – his mother’s entire family probably thinks you must serve them? Uncle Tang, I don’t know how high-ranking the elder you introduced to my mother is, but I can say his descendants don’t have his insight!”

Huo Chenzhou’s attitude revealed his maternal family’s attitude toward Tang Hong’en.

Did they think Tang Hong’en was their family retainer?

Though Tang Hong’en wasn’t a regional official yet, he wasn’t far from it. What illustrious family could casually order Tang Hong’en around!

Even if Huo Chenzhou’s grandfather had helped Tang Hong’en, it wasn’t to make Tang Hong’en a slave for his descendants, right?

Xia Xiaolan finally understood the source of Huo Chenzhou’s arrogance – he couldn’t help flaunting his prestigious background.

Tang Hong’en heard Xia Xiaolan’s displeasure. He had his thoughts but had to show some respect to Huo Chenzhou because of the old leader: “That’s why I previously let Yuan Hui join the Nanhai project – partly to find work for your uncle, and partly because I feared Huo Chenzhou would act recklessly under my name. Having you interact with him is also to keep him in check.”

To check Huo Chenzhou’s ambitions?

Xia Xiaolan suddenly understood. Tang Hong’en would rather elevate her and Uncle Liu Yong, and let others believe they were his connections, firmly placing that label on her head, than let Huo Chenzhou and his family exploit him recklessly.

Tang Hong’en might be grateful and respectful to that elder but was very wary of the old gentleman’s family.

Being mayor didn’t mean unlimited power. Tang Hong’en had to balance various forces and had some constraints he couldn’t refuse… Xia Xiaolan felt somewhat sorry for Comrade Tang and even more for her mother:

“Uncle Tang, isn’t this relationship too complicated? Do you think my mom can handle it?”