If Xia Xiaolan had heard Kang Wei’s presumptuous questioning of her advice to Zhou Cheng about hoarding houses, she would have laughed and waited for house prices to prove him wrong.
How could buying several small courtyards in Beijing in ’84 not provide for retirement?
If they didn’t sell midway, it would not only provide for retirement but enable a very high standard of living. Of course, in 30 years, Zhou Cheng would only be in his early fifties, far from retirement age. If he stayed in his current position, that would be the peak of his career.
“I’m listening to your sister-in-law. I advised you earlier to buy two units too, at least for when you get married, so you won’t have to wait for work unit housing. I can’t continue the cigarette business, it should have ended earlier. I need to apologize to you for that, knowing you were excited about this business… But honestly, Little Wei, don’t be too greedy. As long as you have enough money to spend, keep this business going for two more months, then let it go. Don’t worry about whoever picks it up after – it won’t have anything to do with either of us.”
The cigarette business is still profitable now, but how long would it stay that way?
Previously his family didn’t interfere, but now his father suddenly forbade it, making Zhou Cheng ponder.
If this business couldn’t be touched anymore, he couldn’t leave Kang Wei stuck in it alone – that would make him Zhou Cheng’s scapegoat.
Kang Wei gritted his teeth, “I’ll follow your advice, give me a month to wrap things up!”
He might not be as smart as Zhou Cheng, but he had one advantage – he wasn’t afraid of losing face and was willing to listen to smart people. Zhou Cheng wouldn’t harm him; otherwise, he wouldn’t have brought him into the cigarette business in the first place. They’d made good money, and there was a new business in Shenzhen. Kang Wei had gotten quite tanned under the Shenzhen sun, but he believed the building materials store would be profitable.
With Zhou Cheng withdrawing, Kang Wei decisively chose to end the cigarette business.
Legitimate business could be profitable too – after all, he’d watched Xia Xiaolan grow from trading eggs to now having at least a hundred thousand in assets. Sister-in-law Xiaolan had no capital and wouldn’t accept Brother Cheng’s help, but Kang Wei was different – he not only had capital but was thick-skinned.
He was willing to accept anyone’s “help”!
‘Anxin Building Materials,’ from July when Xia Xiaolan went south to prepare, with all major shareholders busy, had taken until now to be ready for opening.
After discussion, they decided to officially open on National Day.
To celebrate with the nation, they decided to make it lively – more firecrackers and lion dancers were hired, and Shenzhen still had these traditional performers available, as Hong Kong investors’ factories loved these ceremonies.
At this time, Liu Fen was also in Shenzhen.
With the border pass, travel from Guangzhou to the Special Zone was convenient, and Liu Yong suggested waiting to return together on National Day.
The building materials store had a telephone installed – business necessitated it. After several months in the area, Liu Yong could handle such small matters without Help from Tang Hong’en, and certainly wouldn’t seek help from Tiancheng’s boss Liu Tianquan – Liu Tianquan had already figured out Liu Yong’s situation, knowing that besides an almost empty shell company called Yuanhui Decorating, his only real business was this building materials store at People’s Bridge Small Commodities Market.
Liu Yong’s assets were even less than Liu Tianquan had imagined.
The building materials store appeared to be a partnership. Liu Tianquan couldn’t figure out the mess of shareholders, nor did he need to – he just needed to know that Liu Yong was truly poor… but his background connections were truly significant.
Once Xia Xiaolan left Shenzhen, without her supervision, Liu Yong and Liu Tianquan found much common ground.
It wasn’t about complete debauchery; regarding food and drink, Liu Yong was shown the finer things by his namesake Liu Tianquan. Liu Yong felt Liu Tianquan was trying too hard for the “South Sea Hotel” project – a prestigious Hong Kong businessman spending all day with Liu Yong, a small contractor, seemingly unconcerned about losing face.
But his niece had said not to touch the “South Sea Hotel” – favors thin with use, and the project exceeded Yuanhui’s capabilities. Despite potential profits from Liu Tianquan, overall it would be a losing proposition.
Tang Hong’en’s “friendship” was far more valuable than the South Sea Hotel project!
If Tang Hong’en stayed in Shenzhen for three to five years, how could Liu Yong and Xia Xiaolan not make money doing honest business here?
With so many opportunities, why sacrifice a long-term invisible backer for temporary profits? They didn’t need Tang Hong’en’s direct help – his mere presence was enormous support for Liu Yong.
Kang Wei especially listened to Zhou Cheng because Zhou Cheng wouldn’t harm him.
Liu Yong particularly listened to his niece because Xia Xiaolan wouldn’t harm him.
No matter how persuasively Liu Tianquan spoke, Liu Yong firmly refused. Dining together was fine, but other cooperation was impossible. Several times, Liu Yong was tempted when Liu Tianquan introduced other business opportunities instead of the “South Sea Hotel” – profitable ones with guaranteed payments. Liu Yong forcefully suppressed his greed; he couldn’t be hasty now, or he might fall into a trap.
Liu Yong kept saying he was busy with the building materials store, thanking Liu Tianquan for his support but claiming he lacked the capacity for other projects.
“I only have a few people, none capable of independent work. I really can’t risk disappointing you, Brother Liu. We’ll have to cooperate in the future.”
Liu Yong currently had work anyway.
Though all small jobs, after the municipal government guesthouse opened for business, it had earned “Yuanhui” quite a reputation. Besides the guest rooms, the restaurants looked particularly good – both the main dining hall and smaller restaurants had their style. People inquired at the guesthouse, and gradually, Liu Yong received several small projects.
Gong Yang had just finished supervising Xia Xiaolan’s countryside house construction when he was called to Shenzhen to draw plans… Starting school in September, Gong Yang was now a senior, with more flexible time. Not many art students these days traveled far and wide sketching at their own expense, but Gong Yang had produced many works during his last visit to Beijing. This time he wanted to sketch the vibrant reform and opening up in the Special Zone – what could his department teachers say?
They eventually granted him leave.
Once in Shenzhen, Gong Yang had no time for the seaside, completely immersed in work – Liu Yong’s “Yuanhui” was now handling three projects simultaneously.
Fortunately, with Li Dongliang and Ge Jian helping share the load, Liu Yong could manage.
All the building materials needed for Gong Yang’s designs were available at ‘Anxin Building Materials – though not officially open, the store was already selling.
When Xia Xiaolan called the store, someone answered.
“Opening on National Day? Alright, remember to watch the National Day ceremony. I’m in the school’s honor guard formation, though I don’t know if you’ll be able to see me on TV.”
Whether they could see her or not, Liu Yong and Liu Fen would treat it as if they definitely would.
Hearing about the building materials store opening on October 1st, Driver Xiao Wang asked on behalf of the leadership. Tang Hong’en couldn’t possibly appear at a small building materials store opening – on October 1st, every city had its celebration activities, and Tang Hong’en had to attend Shenzhen’s celebrations with other leaders!
However, when Xiao Wang mentioned that Xia Xiaolan had been selected for Huaqing’s honor guard formation, he brought it up to the leader, making Tang Hong’en laugh:
“That’s her style, always keeping busy! Record the program when it’s on – let’s see if we can spot her among the tens of thousands of people.”