Xia Xiaolan could focus on studying by plugging her ears, making the most of every moment regardless of her surroundings.

Seeing Gong Yang’s puzzled expression, Liu Yong’s greatest pride in Xia Xiaolan wasn’t her business acumen, but rather her dedication to studies. Though bursting with pride, Liu Yong explained to Gong Yang in a modest tone, “Let’s not disturb her. She’s taking the college entrance exam this July.”

College entrance exam?

Gong Yang was immediately filled with respect.

Though unaware of Xia Xiaolan’s academic performance, he admired her attitude toward self-improvement. What was wrong with being a private business owner? She didn’t forget to study even while running a business, seizing every moment to read even during business discussions. Even if her exam results weren’t ideal, Gong Yang deeply respected her for such a proper attitude.

Motivated by this, Gong Yang stopped daydreaming and hurriedly began reading the magazine Xia Xiaolan had given him.

Liu Yong was also busy improving himself.

The two mason workers exchanged bewildered glances. It was strange enough that masons were traveling to Beijing for business, but among their group of five, three were reading on the train. Were they going to renovate houses or attend school?

Both workers dared not make any loud noises.

The journey from Shangdu to Beijing was quick, taking only about ten hours. Boarding at 7 AM, the train arrived at Beijing’s platform by 6 PM. Like all visitors to the capital, Xia Xiaolan couldn’t help but take a few extra glances at Beijing West Station.

Kang Wei had been waiting idly at the platform, perking up when he heard the Shangdu-Beijing train arriving.

Xia Xiaolan’s face was highly distinctive.

With her tall stature, she couldn’t be missed in any crowd. Kang Wei quickly spotted Xia Xiaolan’s group.

“Sister-in-law! Sister-in-law, I’m over here!”

Kang Wei jumped up and down like a firecracker.

Waving his arms and legs, he caught Xia Xiaolan’s attention, and she headed his way.

“Oh my, Uncle Liu, you look quite impressive.”

Wearing a suit and tie, and carrying a briefcase, Kang Wei almost didn’t recognize Liu Yong.

“Well, I didn’t want to embarrass you in Beijing. Xiaolan insisted on having this suit tailored for me,” Liu Yong explained, then remembering Xia Xiaolan’s words about Kang Wei being a client, he quickly handed over a business card.

Kang Wei was stunned momentarily before giving a thumbs up.

He expressed his admiration: “Uncle, now you look like a big boss!”

Though Liu Yong certainly wasn’t as wealthy as Kang Wei, he had the proper bearing. Despite making good money running cigarettes on long-distance routes, Kang Wei dressed modestly and maintained a low profile even while continuing this business in Beijing. Though wealthy, Kang Wei hadn’t learned how to spend money properly. Seeing Liu Yong’s attire, he felt somewhat inspired.

“Let’s head out of the station first.”

Xia Xiaolan had spent ten hours on the train, studying for seven or eight of them. Having eaten lunch on the train, she was now starving.

March in Beijing wasn’t yet warm. Kang Wei wore the wool coat Xia Xiaolan had given him. Though not as handsome as Zhou Cheng, his confidence as heaven’s chosen one was impossible to conceal.

Gong Yang realized Kang Wei was the “client” who had summoned them from Shangdu, making him somewhat nervous.

The two masons were even more awestruck, too excited just to be standing in the capital.

Kang Wei initially thought Gong Yang was another worker, surprised by his delicate appearance. Upon learning Gong Yang was an art student from Shangdu University, he took a closer look.

Oh, just an ordinary person, no threat to Brother Cheng.

Having seen two of Zhou Cheng’s rivals in love, Kang Wei wasn’t surprised by another art student being interested in his brother’s wife.

The wealthy boss who didn’t know how to spend money had borrowed a Jeep to pick them up. In those days, traffic police wouldn’t check for overloading, so six people squeezed into one car as Kang Wei drove straight to Quanjude.

Coming to Beijing without trying Donglaishun and Quanjude would be a wasted trip.

Even in Xia Xiaolan’s era, when Quanjude had been surpassed by other roast duck restaurants, out-of-towners still felt compelled to try it. In ’84, Quanjude was the place to entertain visitors from out of town – or as locals would say, it had a “face.” Isn’t that what the big shots in the capital cared about – having face?

When it came to hosting skills, Kang Wei couldn’t compare to Zhou Cheng, who had the instincts of a leader and never skimped when treating guests.

Though they came from similar backgrounds, Zhou Cheng’s capabilities seemed innate, which Kang Wei had to admit. If Zhou Cheng were arranging this, he definitely wouldn’t have chosen Quanjude… but for someone of Kang Wei’s caliber, even the countrified Liu Yong could learn something.

Quanjude was famous in ’84, and Liu Yong found the menu prices surprisingly reasonable.

A duck was only about 10 yuan.

Wait, why did he use the word “only”?

Had buying that 20-jin bighead carp increased his tolerance for food prices?

While Liu Yong was lost in thought, he realized that even the capital had such modest consumption levels – perhaps their family had been spending too freely on food.

“Sister-in-law, order whatever you like, don’t be polite.”

The roast duck was a must, and Kang Wei immediately ordered two. Xia Xiaolan gestured for Gong Yang and the others to look at the menu. But Gong Yang and the workers weren’t foolish – they knew they were just tagging along and wouldn’t dare to order anything.

Besides, each dish cost several yuan – they wouldn’t order carelessly.

“Large duck bone soup for everyone, plus deep-fried pork tenderloin, moo shu pork… Furong chicken slices, and mock crab.”

Xia Xiaolan didn’t stand on ceremony with Kang Wei, ordering seven or eight dishes at once.

Kang Wei brought his own Maotai liquor.

Xia Xiaolan knew how to eat roast duck, and Kang Wei naturally didn’t need instruction. The other four followed their lead, managing to finish the meal without embarrassment. Gong Yang’s burps even tasted of roast duck. He had been persuaded to drink a glass of liquor by Kang Wei, and the table was cleaned of all dishes.

Kang Wei then took them to a guesthouse.

It looked ordinary from the outside but proved quite nice inside.

Xia Xiaolan asked about the cost, saying, “We’re paying for this ourselves, so it can’t exceed our budget.”

Kang Wei almost broke down, “This is my work unit’s guesthouse. Sister-in-law, it would be expensive if you came on your own, but I’m here to help!”

“You have a work unit?”

“What kind of question is that? Of course, I have a work unit!”

A cushy job was still a job.

The position had been arranged by Kang Wei’s second uncle. Even though he made money elsewhere, he didn’t dare casually abandon this job. While irregular attendance was acceptable, if he quit entirely, someone would surely inform his second uncle. Not wanting family conflict, Kang Wei kept this sinecure.

Anyone with eyes could see how casual Kang Wei’s attitude was toward work.

Gong Yang was extremely envious.

This was a Beijinger, with who knows what background – truly enviable. Gong Yang would graduate next year as a senior, and though Shangdu University wasn’t bad, an art student could never be assigned to work in the same system as Kang Wei… comparing people could make one despair. What some took for granted, others had to fight desperately to achieve.

Gong Yang wasn’t complaining about life’s unfairness; he just thought about performing well. Initially, he had treated painting posters for Xia Xiaolan as a simple job, but now it seemed this might not be just a one-time deal.