Liu Fen wasn’t highly educated, but she happened to know the verse Tang Hongen had recited.

With so many people at customs, Tang Hongen spoke seriously without even blushing.

Liu Fen, however, turned bright red.

Little Wang, Grandmother Yu, and others pretended not to hear Tang Hongen’s romantic display – whatever poem it was, they pretended not to understand even if they heard it.

Tang Hongen knew when to stop – Afen was shy, and such words were only for private moments between husband and wife.

“Come home with me to rest first. We’ll have dinner with your brother and his family tonight. You should let them know you’re back safely after your trip abroad.”

Indeed, Liu Yong didn’t even know why she went abroad, just thinking she went to visit Xiaolan and do some sightseeing. Liu Fen had brought gifts to distribute to everyone.

Everything was bought by Xiaolan and brought back directly, adding two large suitcases more than when she left.

There were things for Liu Yong’s family, for the Mao Kangshan couple, and many items for Tang Hongen. Even Little Wang received gifts from America, including Tang Hongen’s new secretary.

The new secretary was overwhelmed with the honor, but Liu Fen was glad she had thought of it.

Better to give everyone something than to leave someone out awkwardly.

Grandmother Yu and Min Xiaoju went to rest at the guesthouse. Tang Hongen took Liu Fen home. She had brought him watches, fountain pens, several ties, a complete suit, and several shirts. Considering his position, she chose items without visible logos.

Tang Hongen tried on the clothes – they fit well, just needed minor alterations to the sleeves and trouser length:

“Now I’m wearing foreign brands too.”

Liu Fen gave him a look, “Xiaolan bought them with her competition prize money.”

Tang Hongen took off the clothes – it was too hot to wear a full suit unless staying in air conditioning.

Whoever had to wear a full suit was suffering; cadres all preferred short-sleeved shirts.

“Our care for her wasn’t wasted.”

Speaking of the competition prize money, Tang Hongen was very proud, but in his position, it wasn’t appropriate to boast to just anyone. He could only invite Liu Yong out for dinner, along with Ying Jinchuan, to show off about Xia Xiaolan – Liu Yong nearly got angry with him. Liu Zitao was only in elementary school; forget bringing Liu Yong any honor, he’d thank Buddha if teachers didn’t complain about Liu Zitao’s mischief.

It would be at least ten years before Liu Zitao might amount to something.

He had married late and had children late, so he didn’t want to compete with people like Tang Hongen.

Ying Jinchuan, being single and alone, also rolled his eyes at Tang Hongen.

At least Liu Yong had a child to pin hopes on; Ying Jinchuan had nothing – Tang Hongen was going too far!

Tang Hongen didn’t think he was excessive – couldn’t he talk about excellence?

As a leader, one needs thick skin – truly incomparable to others.

Just like now, while Liu Fen was unpacking, Tang Hongen took her hand: “Comrade Afen, why don’t you show some concern for me? I haven’t been sleeping well since you went to America, always having insomnia.”

How should she show concern for that?

Tang Hongen soon showed her how.

Poor sleep could be “compensated” for!

That evening at dinner with Liu Yong and his wife, when Li Fengmei received a bunch of cosmetics Liu Fen brought from abroad and saw her looking tired and yawning, she told Liu Yong: “Just eat dinner, no drinking. Afen just got back from such a long flight, look how tired she is.”

Liu Fen tried hard to act natural. The flight wasn’t actually that tiring – it was more exhausting dealing with someone’s shameless demands for “compensation”… Looking back at Tang Hongen, he sat there seriously as if everything that happened before leaving was just Liu Fen’s imagination.

Tang Hongen was discussing business with Liu Yong:

“Isn’t it almost time for the Jinsha Chi houses to be delivered? With Xiaolan away, Brother, please keep an eye on things. Jinsha Chi is a key residential project supported by the city government – it must be delivered on time and with quality assured.”

As the first land sold to a private real estate company for commercial housing, with Xia Xiaolan having built up Jinsha Chi’s reputation so much and selling at high prices, it was impossible for people not to pay attention.

“We’re in the final stages now. The neighborhood landscaping is done, and many owners are eager to take possession and start decorating. I’ll help watch things for Xiaolan.”

If there were problems, they couldn’t rashly hand over the houses. They couldn’t cut corners on the remaining work just because Xiaolan was abroad – what would happen to Qihang Real Estate’s reputation then?

Tang Hongen pondered:

“I heard George’s decoration company is competing with Yuanhui for business at Jinsha Chi?”

Liu Yong chuckled, “That’s true, but he hasn’t gained any advantage.”

Although Xia Xiaolan hadn’t prohibited other decoration companies from entering, Liu Yong still had ways to handle George. Despite Yuanhui’s shallow qualifications, the company now had a reputation in Pengcheng with many successful cases. The Hong Kong decoration company George bought couldn’t compete with Yuanhui on pricing.

For the same decoration work, Liu Yong dared quote 50,000 while the Hong Kong company had to quote 70,000.

What about that extra 20,000?

Hong Kong’s wages were higher, and unlike Yuanhui, they didn’t have “Anjia Building Materials” providing low-cost materials in Pengcheng.

If George quoted 50,000, he wouldn’t make any profit.

But Liu Yong could profit at the same price.

Among over a hundred Jinsha Chi homeowners, only a few chose George’s Hong Kong company – 90% of the business went to Liu Yong.

Tang Hongen nodded, “No need to be polite with him. Everyone’s doing legitimate business, and foreign merchants must follow the rules. Let the market decide – Hong Kong decoration companies can compete with Yuanhui, and Yuanhui can equally compete with Hong Kong companies.”

Liu Yong’s heart stirred – was this encouraging him to pursue the golf course project’s decoration work?

He had thought since it was all Wilson’s, George would surely monopolize the golf course decoration… But from Tang Hongen’s tone, that wasn’t the case! Why not compete then? Although Yuanhui was already making plenty from Luna’s dozens of store decorations and Jinsha Chi’s home improvement business, he couldn’t complain about having too much money. Getting the golf course decoration would be like landing another Nanhai Hotel project!

…

“Team Zhou, you have a phone call!”

The communications officer notified Zhou Cheng of another call, making Captain Fang in the next room seethe with envy.

“Why do so many people look for Zhou Cheng?”

Gao Fei shushed him, “He’s Deputy Regiment Commander now, one rank above you. Don’t just call him by name. Remember what Uncle said – be patient with him, things will look up in a few months!”

Fang Shizhong couldn’t understand why things would look up in a few months.

He was just privately complaining because he felt resentful, but face to face with Zhou Cheng, he knew the other outranked him – he didn’t need to be overly respectful, but certainly wouldn’t dare speak sarcastically.

While the couple stewed in jealousy, Zhou Cheng received a call from home.

At noon on June 4th, Zhou Yi had given birth to a daughter by cesarean section at Beijing Hospital.

“It was a difficult birth – she almost lost her life,”

Guan Huie still felt frightened thinking about it.