Where was he?

Xia Xiaolan had no time to worry about Mao Guosheng’s fragile feelings.

Mao Kangshan himself didn’t mind, so no one would specifically notify Xia Xiaolan about this matter.

Even if they had, she wouldn’t have time to deal with Mao Guosheng right now.

Because Huo Chenzhou was truly persistent – just days after meeting in Beijing, he had followed her to Pengcheng. He brought a new project proposal directly to Tang Hong’en’s home… which, of course, was now also Xia Xiaolan’s home.

Huo Chenzhou’s feelings were quite complex.

Previously, both he and Xia Xiaolan were guests when visiting. Now he was still a guest, but Xia Xiaolan had become the host.

And he particularly needed Tang Hong’en’s help – this feeling of seeking favors was truly unpleasant.

While Tang Hong’en reviewed his new proposal, Liu Fen brought tea from the kitchen. Huo Chenzhou quickly stood to receive it: “Thank you, Auntie Liu.”

Liu Fen smiled.

Not knowing how proud Huo Chenzhou used to be, she thought this young man was quite polite, having a good impression from both meetings.

Xia Xiaolan didn’t expose him.

Manager Huo had always been polite, hiding his arrogance.

Now it seemed he hid that pride even deeper, unnoticeable to most. Or perhaps, after realizing the Song family’s status couldn’t command Tang Hong’en, he had finally recognized his position and truly become less proud?

“Xiaolan, take a look at this.”

Tang Hong’en handed her the proposal.

Xia Xiaolan flipped through it quickly – it was still Huo Chenzhou’s previous plan, but he was much more modest this time.

In summary, he made fewer demands of the government, focused more on local economic contributions, and didn’t pressure the Pengcheng government for special treatment, following current policies instead.

Xia Xiaolan found the proposal sincere but questioned Huo Chenzhou’s location choice:

“Luohu District?”

Huo Chenzhou responded sensitively: “Is there a problem with Luohu District?”

“No, no problem…”

How could there be a problem with Luohu District? Though not the center of the Special Zone’s map, it was near Hong Kong, adjacent to Luohu Railway Station, and currently Pengcheng’s most prosperous commercial and logistics center. Throughout the 1980s, this was Pengcheng’s most thriving area, while other areas remained largely undeveloped… Xia Xiaolan’s Jinsha Pool complex sold well because Futian already had the Xiangmihu Resort and plans for a golf course – otherwise, who would buy property in such a remote location?

Hong Kong people weren’t foolish.

While Luohu dominated the ’80s, Pengcheng’s development center gradually shifted west in the ’90s.

New districts led by the Shanghai Hotel and Huaqiangbei gradually became Pengcheng’s commercial, logistics, and office centers.

Especially Huaqiangbei!

After the rise of the electronics industry, Huaqiangbei became Asia’s largest electronics distribution hub.

Xia Xiaolan understood these developments well – in her previous life, she had worked in Pengcheng after college, coinciding with Huaqiangbei’s powerful rise. Just thinking about the business opportunities made her blood rush.

If Huo Chenzhou planned to sell the building upon completion, Luohu District was the right choice, being currently the busiest area.

But for long-term holding, there were better options.

However, Huo Chenzhou wasn’t her partner – she didn’t want to volunteer this information.

To be more direct, she wasn’t close enough with Huo Chenzhou to play benefactor!

Huo Chenzhou’s doubts weren’t fully resolved. He felt Xia Xiaolan had been about to offer an opinion, but when he pressed, she stayed silent, leaving him quite frustrated.

Tang Hong’en approved his plan. Though Huo Chenzhou was happy, he remained uneasy.

When Xia Xiaolan saw him downstairs, he asked again:

“Xiaolan, do you have any suggestions? Please share them.”

Xia Xiaolan shook her head, “Really none. I think your plan is fine.”

She had thought it through.

Huaqiangbei’s rise didn’t mean Luohu would completely fail.

Even after 30 years, judging by second-hand housing prices, the most expensive wouldn’t be Futian but Nanshan District, with Luohu District ranking third or fourth – still very impressive.

It was just a matter of earning more versus less – wouldn’t it be profitable either way?

If she made Huo Chenzhou change his mind, and the building sat empty for two or three transitional years, that pressure would transfer to her… why create trouble for herself?

Huo Chenzhou remained skeptical but masked his thoughts with a smile: “Let’s set aside the investment matter. I’m entrusting you with this project’s design – no problem, right?”

With Mao Kangshan backing Xia Xiaolan, Huo Chenzhou wasn’t worried about the architectural design, and he could do her a favor – why not?

Xia Xiaolan agreed readily:

“That’s no problem. I’ve reviewed your proposal, and we can discuss any detailed requirements anytime.”

Recently, people approached her for both interior and architectural design.

She accepted all requests – such good practical opportunities were hard to come by.

Thinking of her financially constrained teacher, she didn’t hesitate with Huo Chenzhou: “Brother Huo, for such a big project, I can’t handle it alone. I’ll need Teacher Mao’s involvement. My design work would be free, but you see—”

Surely they couldn’t expect Teacher Mao to work for free too?

On what grounds?

Even Ning Yanfan had received 40,000 yuan for designing the Nanhai Hotel!

Huo Chenzhou understood immediately, “All labor requires fair exchange. We certainly won’t let Teacher Mao work for nothing. This project’s investment exceeds the Nanhai Hotel – Dongfeng Holdings is willing to pay Teacher Mao 50,000 yuan.”

50,000 yuan?

Xia Xiaolan found it marginally acceptable.

This was already Huo Chenzhou’s high offer – if he went to any design institute, plenty would take the job for 20,000 yuan.

Xia Xiaolan shook hands with Huo Chenzhou:

“Then I thank your company on behalf of my teacher.”

Huo Chenzhou engaged in mutual business flattery: “Having Teacher Mao’s involvement is Dongfeng’s honor.”

Hah.

What honor?

Why didn’t you seek Teacher Mao for the Nanhai Hotel earlier, choosing Ning Yanfan instead?

Xia Xiaolan knew Old Mao’s difficult temperament – if the Nanhai Hotel investors had approached him, they might have been rebuffed. He was a firecracker who wouldn’t bow for five bushels of grain.

But now was different.

Xia Xiaolan was confident Mao Kangshan would agree. Since she had taken the job, Mao Kangshan would naturally join in, worried she couldn’t handle it alone.

Before returning to Beijing, she went to discuss this with Mao Kangshan.

Right after Mao Guosheng left, she arrived at Jinsha Pool.

“Teacher, you must help me this time!”

She explained Huo Chenzhou’s commission and Mao Kangshan predictably glared: “You dare agree to anything!”

Xia Xiaolan brazenly replied: “Taking on challenges beyond one’s level drives progress, and I have you as a backup.”

She strategically focused on the task first, waiting for Mao Kangshan’s agreement before casually mentioning Dongfeng Holdings’ payment, which she felt guilty about and planned to give entirely to her teacher.

Mao Kangshan, unaware of her strategy, waved his hand: “Fine, I won’t stand on ceremony. I’ll take the payment… by the way, how much did you say it was?”