Tang Hongen knew better than others what capabilities Xia Xiaolan possessed.

What did Sheng Xuan amount to? Tang Hongen himself didn’t even care.

There wasn’t just one bank in Pengcheng. If Sheng Xuan wanted to block Qihang’s mortgage, they could simply switch to another bank. How could Sheng Xuan pose a problem?

People shouldn’t overestimate their capabilities. Without one butcher, people can still find ways to eat pork!

“I heard from Little Peng that you’ve already completed one building. Are you selling so soon?”

Xia Xiaolan nodded, “How else can we recover the capital? I’m very confident about this property. The environment is excellent, and we have a first-mover advantage!”

Only the neighboring golf course project under construction could match the quality of a development like Jinsha Pool. The Wilson family’s investment was substantial – they bought over 2,000 mu of land, but they’re still working on the golf course. Until the course is complete, their project has no outstanding advantages… So they can’t keep pace with Jinsha Pool. A 2,000-mu project requires phased development, while Jinsha Pool is just 23 mu and can be completed in months!

Once she sells the Jinsha Pool properties, Xia Xiaolan couldn’t care less about how the Wilson family manages their project next door.

However, after hearing Xia Xiaolan’s pricing for the properties, Tang Hongen studied her for a while:

“Putting aside whether you can sell these units or not, this price is beyond what ordinary people can afford. This wasn’t what you said when acquiring the land.”

Xia Xiaolan felt somewhat guilty, “We hadn’t expected to discover gold sand when we acquired the land. Originally, we planned to build a mid-range residential complex. Now that the quality is fixed and we’ve spent the money, we can’t sell at low prices anymore.”

Work unit welfare housing could cost 200-300 yuan per square meter.

But those were only available to unit employees, with quality standards clearly evident, let alone any consideration for the living environment.

Commercial housing and public housing were inherently different. Public housing land was free, while Jinsha Pool cost Xia Xiaolan nearly 3 million yuan, not counting the later speculation premium.

Selling at welfare housing prices would mean losing tens of millions.

She might as well have sold the land to Tang Yuanyue or Du Zhaohui for villa development.

“Apart from being taller, Jinsha Pool’s environment isn’t much different from villa districts. To be honest, the construction cost alone is nearly a thousand yuan per square meter. How should we price these units? Truthfully, ordinary people can’t afford these homes, but Uncle Tang, this is commercial housing, a high-end development.”

Those thinking of buying commercial housing in 1985 weren’t ordinary people anyway.

A better quality of life requires personal struggle.

People working regular jobs in official units sought stability. Their salaries were fixed with slow growth, but units provided housing… Old public housing had poor facilities, shared bathrooms and kitchens, and families cramped in small rooms – that was unavoidable.

Those who could afford commercial housing now were the minority who got rich first.

One shouldn’t just see their wealth without noting their risks. Moving goods north and south carried significant risks, and national “Reform and Opening” policies fluctuated between strict and lenient. One misstep could be labeled as “speculation and profiteering.” These early wealthy people earned money while risking everything – those without such courage, vision, and opportunity shouldn’t envy their ability to buy commercial housing.

Tang Hongen frowned: “Convincing me is useless. Let’s see if you can sell the units first.”

Xia Xiaolan’s words weren’t pleasant but were truthful.

Current average wages were still too low.

Tang Hongen’s salary was only around 300 yuan, after working diligently for over twenty years since his job assignment.

Yet some foreign factories in Pengcheng paid new employees three to four hundred monthly – perhaps this was the new change brought by Reform and Opening? No wealth comes instantly. He knew Xia Xiaolan invested over ten million in Jinsha Pool, with only over a hundred units planned. If prices were too low, Xia Xiaolan would lose enough to jump into the sea!

Never mind, why should he worry? Like “East Lake Beautiful Garden” before it, “Jinsha Pool” targeted Hong Kong customers.

Xia Xiaolan remained confident.

She planned not just advertisements but active client invitations for viewings.

After eating at Tang Hongen’s place and lingering for over two hours, she went downstairs to find Ge Jian had returned, seemingly waiting in the rented car the whole time.

“You’re back?”

Ge Jian nodded, “Ms. Xia, I’ve completed what you asked.”

Ge Jian had delivered the letter to Fan Yu. Xia Xiaolan yawned: “Ge Jian, would you dare go to Hong Kong?”

“You mean—”

“Place an advertisement in Hong Kong newspapers, and inquire about highly regarded feng shui masters there. If they cooperate with Jinsha Pool’s promotion, we can offer 200,000 Hong Kong dollars or a unit in Jinsha Pool!”

Top feng shui masters served Hong Kong’s wealthy families, but Xia Xiaolan believed no one disliked extra money.

200,000 Hong Kong dollars or a Jinsha Pool unit should be enough to persuade them, and it wouldn’t take much time.

Ge Jian agreed readily, but Xia Xiaolan worried he might not connect with the right people in Hong Kong. She knew limited Hong Kong merchants, and after consideration, only Tang Yuanyue could help with introductions.

Sigh, this was troublesome – she shouldn’t have played too hard to get before.

Yuanhui was recently decorating his office, so she had an excuse to talk… But Tang Yuanyue had finally quieted down and stopped sending flowers, and Xia Xiaolan didn’t want to provoke him.

Money or face – which to choose?

After a full five seconds’ consideration, Xia Xiaolan chose money.

No choice – if Jinsha Pool units didn’t sell, she couldn’t fill such losses.

Back at the hotel, Xia Xiaolan called Tang Yuanyue.

Tang Yuanyue was naturally delighted – this was historically the first time Xia Xiaolan actively sought his help!

Of the two people Xia Xiaolan knew who could handle this, one was him, and the other was Du Zhaohui. Her choosing him over Du Zhaohui spoke volumes.

“This is a small matter. Since Ms. Xia has asked, I’ll handle it beautifully. Would Ms. Xia have time tomorrow too—”

“Mr. Tang, I owe you a favor! Sincerely sorry about tomorrow, I have an appointment with the bank.”

Tang Yuanyue laughed heartily: “Then I’ll save this favor. When I need Ms. Xia’s help, please don’t refuse.”

Xia Xiaolan agreed promptly: “Alright, as long as it’s not illegal or unethical, I’ll help Mr. Tang once!”

Tang Yuanyue might have been joking, but Xia Xiaolan preferred this arrangement. They exchanged a few more pleasantries before Tang Yuanyue hung up.

Inviting a feng shui master?

Xia Xiaolan was quite bold to play with such things in mainland China.

“No, she’s treating Hong Kong people as cash cows. Looks like Jinsha Pool is ready to launch sales…”