The land parcels Xia Xiaolan was buying now followed the same logic.

When land prices soared to hundreds of thousands or millions, Xia Xiaolan had to choose small parcels for her continuous buying and selling.

A 30-mu plot at one million yuan per mu would already cost 30 million!

Many people would join this game of “musical chairs,” and Xia Xiaolan had to consider the later players’ financial capacity. While 30 million was manageable, over 100 million would be difficult.

In the coming years, land transfers in Qiong Island would be like second-hand housing in first-tier cities thirty years later – two-bedroom units with good value would sell faster than three or four-bedroom ones.

Those capable of purchasing large land parcels wouldn’t buy from Xia Xiaolan; they’d negotiate directly with the government.

The real estate fever in Qiong Island confused not only speculators but also the local government, who simply thought: if people want to buy land, sell it – how else would fiscal revenue increase?

They didn’t learn from Hong Kong. Even by 2017, though Hong Kong’s per capita living space was small and plenty of buildable land remained, the Hong Kong government wouldn’t issue permits.

They’d rather reclaim land from the sea than release existing land.

Hong Kong’s size was fixed – once land was used, it was used. No matter how much land was released, built houses would find buyers.

But could Hong Kong handle such a population influx?

Urban expansion wasn’t just about building houses – additional citizens needed supporting medical care, education, public infrastructure, social welfare…

Qiong Island was the opposite – frantically building houses, but who would buy them?

The population wasn’t nearly large enough, leaving many houses abandoned or half-built after developers fled.

Xia Xiaolan had Liu Yong select land, and Ge Jian flew to Qiong Island to consult with him.

Yu Li accompanied them.

The only driver Zheng Feng stayed with Xia Xiaolan as a bodyguard.

Qiong Island was unfamiliar to Xia Xiaolan, formerly a smugglers’ haven, and she was uncertain about its security.

“Uncle, take your time choosing and negotiating. Rome wasn’t built in a day. Just convert our money into Yecheng land before year-end.”

It wasn’t yet May, and Qiong Island’s conversion from district to province and major special economic zone wouldn’t happen until next April.

Xia Xiaolan wasn’t sure if this would happen earlier – she believed her presence couldn’t affect such historical momentum. Qiong Island would become a province, but whether it would still be April ’88 was uncertain – what if it happened a few months earlier?

Like how Old Tang had introduced the comprehensive land use regulations after hearing her ideas – you never knew.

Year-end was safer and would maximize profits.

After aligning with Liu Yong, Xia Xiaolan went to find Zhou Cheng, accompanied by Zheng Feng.

She only knew his city in Qiong Island; the entire unit was sealed off. Married family members couldn’t reunite with their spouses during this period, let alone someone like Xia Xiaolan without official status.

But she still hoped to see Zhou Cheng.

With such strong UV rays in Qiong Island, Zhou Cheng must be tanned – had he lost weight from exhaustion?

He must be focused on his new work all day – did he think of her?

At reception, she could only beg others to pass along a message.

If she couldn’t enter, surely items could – at least his birthday gift.

They pointed to a pile inside:

“Everything goes there. Write a note with name, age, and position – we’ll deliver them together.”

Indeed, a room was filled with bags, the smell of salted fish evident… In a place like Qiong Island, only preserved foods wouldn’t spoil.

Besides packages, letters were piled high.

Why hadn’t she thought of writing when phone calls failed?!

She forgot, but Zhou Cheng, that fool, should have remembered.

Letter-writing didn’t violate regulations.

Hmph!

When Xia Xiaolan opened the watch box for inspection, the staff exclaimed, “This is valuable – can’t just throw it there. Comrade, I’ll store it separately.”

“Thank you! I’ll write a letter too.”

It wasn’t about knowing the watch’s value or brand – these people’s thoughts weren’t so complex. They simply considered watches precious items, and with such a small box, they didn’t want to misplace it.

After writing her letter, Xia Xiaolan signaled Zheng Feng, who went to build connections.

This wasn’t about money or gifts – regulations forbade that.

Nor about cigarettes or tea – how inappropriate!

The only connection was Zheng Feng’s background as a retired reconnaissance soldier.

Xia Xiaolan stepped out while Zheng Feng talked. Whatever he said worked – he returned with good news:

“Director Xia, they promised to deliver it today, though reception isn’t guaranteed.”

Field training might prevent delivery even today.

Xia Xiaolan nodded, “That’s fine, we’ll explore the area for a few days. Qiong Island has nice scenery.”

If Yecheng wasn’t prosperous, this small county with its classified unit was even more remote. Director Xia had been abroad but was willing to stay in this backwater just to see Squad Leader Zhou.

Though unmarried himself, Zheng Feng admired and envied Zhou Cheng.

Admired his willingness to continue striving in the unit despite giving up comfort, envied having such an excellent woman’s unwavering devotion.

The county town might be smaller than larger towns in Guangdong Province, with just one guesthouse, damp blankets, and unreliable 24-hour hot water.

Xia Xiaolan remained patient, eating well – places near the sea might lack other things but not seafood.

Or coconuts.

Coconut trees flowered year-round, ripening in peak heat. July-August coconuts were best, but missing the season didn’t mean she couldn’t enjoy them.

If not the best, second-best was fine.

She visited undeveloped beaches.

Only locals, no tourists – walking on the sand felt like having the whole beach to herself.

…

“Zhou Cheng, package for you!”

Pan Baohua tossed him a box, “You ask about mail every other day – finally got something to report.”

In the evening, Zhou Cheng returned to the unit exhausted, his clothes repeatedly soaked and dried.

Tomorrow was his 24th birthday, and he’d sensed he’d receive either a package or a letter these days.

Since arriving in Qiong Island, they’d been under complete lockdown – even officers like Zhou Cheng weren’t exempt. Rules were rules, leading by example. He didn’t know what was happening outside, nor could he tell Xiaolan about his life.

His wife must be so worried.

Zhou Cheng opened the box and smiled before reading the letter:

“Third Brother, Xiaolan’s here.”

The watch represented their agreement – every birthday, Xiaolan gave him one.

Zhou Cheng only had two arms, and couldn’t wear so many watches. It wasn’t about which watch – he just liked them, so Xiaolan gave them. It was a “time” pact.

Pan Baohua stared, “What, sister-in-law’s in Qiong Island and you want to meet her? Soldiers can’t have family visits, you can’t be special. No matter how tough, we must endure these first three months. A unit’s success depends on now!”

Zhou Cheng finished reading the letter accompanying the watch, flashing a bright smile:

“Third Brother, no need to break regulations – I have an idea.”