novelonline Chapter 1487 1986
Chapter 1487 1986
Chapter 1487 1986
In her panic, Shi Xiaona didn't notice and bumped into Yang Shumao.
"Xiao Na, I'm sorry, I didn't mean to."
Yang Shumao was flustered and tried to help Shi Xiaona up, but Shi Xiaona raised her hand to stop him: "No need, I can do it myself."
Yang Shumo's hand froze in mid-air before he finally withdrew it, silently watching Shi Xiaona pick up the documents one by one. She stood up, dusted off her clothes, her movements swift and decisive, a far cry from the gentle girl she once was.
Their eyes met, and an awkward silence filled the air, thick with unspoken, complex emotions. Yang Shumo's throat tightened; a thousand words welled up in his mind, yet he didn't know where to begin.
"Are you alright?" Shi Xiaona finally spoke first, her voice low and unreadable.
Yang Shumo snapped out of his daze and forced a smile: "It's alright." He brushed the dust off his clothes and tried to make his voice sound more relaxed: "Old Qin treats me well. I'm planning to buy an apartment in Shenzhen and settle down here."
As he spoke, his eyes unconsciously swept over Shi Xiaona. She was still so beautiful, no, she even had a more mature charm than he remembered.
"That's good." Shi Xiaona nodded. "I have something to do, so I'll be leaving now."
"Okay." Yang Shumo opened his mouth, but in the end only uttered this one word.
He stood there, watching Shi Xiaona turn and leave. The sound of her high heels clicking on the ground was crisp and rhythmic, each step fading into the distance. Her back was straight and resolute, without a trace of lingering affection, as if their encounter had been nothing more than a chance meeting between ordinary passersby.
Only after the figure disappeared around the street corner did Yang Shumao slowly withdraw his gaze. He stood there for a long time, the bustling city seemingly falling silent in that instant, surrounded by people coming and going. A thought grew wildly in his heart like weeds, no longer to be suppressed.
……
The next morning, just as dawn was breaking, Yang Shumo arrived outside Qin Hao's office.
"Da Mao? So early?" Qin Hao was a little surprised, still carrying breakfast in his hand.
"Old Qin, I have something I want to tell you." Yang Shumo stood up, his expression serious.
Qin Hao looked at him and nodded: "Come in and talk."
The office wasn't large, but it was arranged simply and neatly. Qin Hao placed breakfast on the table, gestured for Yang Shumo to sit down, and then brewed two cups of tea for himself. The steaming tea emitted a faint aroma, but it did little to ease Yang Shumo's inner tension.
"Speak, what is it?" Qin Hao sat down behind his desk, looking at Yang Shumao with a calm gaze.
Yang Shumo took a deep breath and clasped his hands together: "Old Qin, I plan to go solo next year."
A few seconds of silence filled the office. Qin Hao didn't answer immediately. Instead, he picked up his teacup, blew on it gently, took a sip, and then put the cup down, frowning. "What's wrong? Are you having trouble at work? Or did someone upset you?"
"No, absolutely not." Yang Shumo quickly waved his hand, a bitter smile on his face: "Old Qin, you've been more than kind to me, really. Three years ago, when I first came to Shenzhen, I didn't know anything... If it weren't for you, I, Yang Shumo, wouldn't be where I am today."
Qin Hao leaned back in his chair, tapping his fingers lightly on the table: "So what are you up to? Going it alone isn't easy. Market competition is getting fiercer and fiercer. Going it alone is very risky."
Yang Shumo rubbed his hands together, his expression complicated: "I know it's not easy, and I know my life is very stable now. But Lao Qin, I just feel that you have come a long way. If I keep standing still, sooner or later I won't even be able to see your backs."
Silence fell over the office again. Qin Hao stood up, walked to the window, and gazed at the gradually bustling street outside. After a long while, he sighed, turned to Yang Shumo, and said, "Alright, I respect your choice."
Yang Shumo visibly breathed a sigh of relief, and his tense shoulders relaxed.
“However,” Qin Hao walked back to his desk, his expression serious, “you have to help me get through this year. The sales of Phase 1 of Jinxiu Garden are at a critical moment, and there are still more than two months until the Chinese New Year. We can’t afford any mistakes during this period.”
"Don't worry, I will definitely stand guard until the very end," Yang Shumo solemnly promised.
Qin Hao patted Yang Shumo on the shoulder and smiled, "Alright, all good things must come to an end. What I gave you was all earned through your hard work, so you don't owe me anything."
Yang Shumo's eyes welled up with tears: "Old Qin, I..."
"Stop with the mushy stuff." Qin Hao waved his hand, a smile spreading across his face. "Besides, if you go out on your own, you might discover some great projects, and we could even make money together. These days, having more friends means having more options."
Yang Shumo was completely relieved. He stood up and bowed solemnly to Qin Hao: "Old Qin, don't worry. No matter what, I will never be your enemy. We will always be brothers, and I will remember this friendship for the rest of my life."
"Alright, alright, stop with the fluff." Qin Hao laughed and scolded, "Get to work. Two more groups of Hong Kong clients are coming to see the property today, so you'd better hurry up."
"Alright!" Yang Shumo perked up and strode out of the office.
……
The news of Yang Shumao's impending departure quickly spread throughout the company. Zhao Yajing was the first to become restless; upon hearing the news, she rushed over and headed straight for Qin Hao's office.
"Qin Hao! What's wrong with Sha Mao? Did you two have a fight?" Zhao Yajing rushed in without knocking, her face full of anxiety and confusion.
Qin Hao was looking at a construction schedule when he looked up and saw Zhao Yajing rushing around. Helplessly, he put down the document in his hand and said, "Sit down and talk. Have some water."
"I'm not thirsty!" Zhao Yajing plopped down in the chair opposite her, arms crossed. "Tell me quickly, what happened? Sha Mao was doing so well, why did he leave? Did you upset him?"
Qin Hao shook his head with a wry smile: "Do I look like that kind of person?"
Zhao Yajing stared at him for a few seconds, then softened her tone: "Then why? The Jinxiu Garden project is going so well, and the second phase is about to start. If he leaves now, wouldn't that just cause trouble?"
Qin Hao briefly explained his idea of going it alone. Zhao Yajing was speechless for a long time after listening.
"Just for this?" She couldn't help but raise her voice: "I think this idiot Mao is a complete moron! He'd rather be a project manager than go out and go it alone? Does he know how fierce the competition is these days? Does he think going it alone is so easy?"
Qin Hao gestured for her to lower her voice: "If I could persuade him, I would have done so already. But you know Shu Mao's personality; he seems easygoing, but he's actually very stubborn. Once he's made up his mind, not even ten oxen could pull him back."
"Then I'll go find him!" Zhao Yajing stood up and was about to walk out.
"Stop." Qin Hao called out to her, "Don't go and make things worse. Even if you keep him here, it's useless if his heart isn't in it. You can't force a relationship, don't you understand that?"
Zhao Yajing turned around, her face full of displeasure: "But the Jinxiu Garden project has always been overseen by Sha Mao. He knows every step of the process clearly, from the start of Phase I to now. Phase II is about to start, and construction and sales—which of these can be done without him? We can't do without him here to oversee things!"
Qin Hao rubbed his temples; he had considered this issue for a long time. Finally, he looked up at Zhao Yajing and said, "Well, since KFC in Hong Kong has already withdrawn, I can focus my efforts on the mainland next year. I'll hold down Jinxiu Garden Phase II for now, and hand it over to a suitable person once I find one."
Upon hearing this, Zhao Yajing sighed and sat back down in her chair: "Then this is the only way for now. But have you thought this through? If you're in charge, what will happen to the business in Hong Kong?"
"The Hong Kong market has stabilized and there shouldn't be any major problems," Qin Hao said. "But in Shenzhen, Jinxiu Garden is our first project in the real estate industry, and it can only succeed, not fail."
Seeing that Zhao Yajing still looked depressed, Qin Hao smiled, got up and poured her a glass of water: "Don't get upset. Da Mao isn't like Xie Laozhuan. This kid is smart and quick-witted. Sooner or later he'll go out on his own."
He sat back down and continued, "Maybe he'll go out and explore, discover some business opportunities, and if he doesn't have enough capital, he can bring us in and get a share of the profits?"
Zhao Yajing pouted and snorted, "Hmph, you two brothers have already made up your minds, what can I do? I just feel it's a pity. It's not easy to train someone, and they just leave like that."
"Everyone has their own ambitions," Qin Hao comforted him. "Besides, Shu Mao promised me he would get through this year. With him in charge of finishing up the first phase of Jinxiu Garden, there won't be any problems. After the New Year, we can slowly look for a replacement for him."
Zhao Yajing then reluctantly nodded.
……
The success of the first phase of the "Jinxiu Garden" project quickly caused a sensation in Shenzhen's real estate circle. Selling 70% of the units in just two months was nothing short of a miracle in this era. In particular, the model of attracting Hong Kong investors to buy properties caught the eye of many industry peers.
Soon, some astute real estate developers began to follow Qin Hao's example. They contacted Hong Kong real estate agents through various channels, inviting Hong Kong residents to view properties. For a time, busloads of Hong Kong people could be seen visiting several major housing developments in Shenzhen.
However, the results were quite different.
Some developers with connections in Hong Kong have indeed achieved some success, but many more have found that despite a large number of Hong Kong prospective buyers, sales are extremely low. They are baffled; they are operating according to the "Golden Garden" model, so why is the result so different?
As a result, many real estate professionals began to approach Qin Hao, hoping to learn from his experience. Some brought gifts to his door to curry favor, while others subtly probed him over drinks.
Qin Hao's attitude remained consistent: he smiled without saying a word and served tea to the guest.
It wasn't that he was unwilling to share his experience, but rather that he deeply understood that the intricacies involved were far more complex than they appeared on the surface. The success of Jinxiu Garden wasn't solely due to its Hong Kong customer base, but more importantly, the competitiveness of the product itself.
Those real estate developers who didn't receive Qin Hao's "true teachings" turned to Hong Kong real estate agents who seemed to have appeared out of nowhere. These agents were all eloquent and guaranteed to bring in a large number of Hong Kong clients. They quoted hefty prices, but the eager developers gritted their teeth and accepted.
The result was predictable. These agents did bring in busloads of people, but most were just there for a "free day trip to Shenzhen," with very few actually interested in buying a house. Real estate developers were busy from morning till night, arranging receptions, preparing materials, and showing properties, exhausted, yet they barely made any sales.
Once or twice, property developers could console themselves by saying it was just bad luck. But after it happened repeatedly, even the most naive person would see the problem. They began to question these Hong Kong agents and demand explanations.
The real estate agents, however, were well-prepared. They argued confidently: "It's not that we don't work hard, it's that your houses are no good! The apartment layouts are outdated, and the community planning is backward. How can you compare to 'Garden of Beauty'? Hong Kong people have high standards, so naturally they won't be interested in your houses."
While this may sound harsh, it's not entirely without merit. Real estate developers have privately sent people to visit Jinxiu Garden, and they have to admit that their product is indeed well-made.
The apartment layouts at Jinxiu Garden are designed with Hong Kong residents' living habits in mind, with each unit featuring a private balcony. The community's planning is also forward-thinking, not only reserving green space but also including amenities such as a children's playground and a large shopping mall, thus embodying the concept of a "living community."
In contrast, other real estate developers' products are still at the stage of "just having a place to live is enough", with simple unit types and lack of supporting facilities, which naturally fails to attract discerning Hong Kong investors.
Even Hong Kong residents investing in the area would choose King's Garden after comparing options. This is because even if the return on investment isn't as high as expected, King's Garden properties are suitable for owner-occupancy and can serve as vacation homes in Shenzhen. Other developments don't even offer this.
……
Two months have passed in the blink of an eye, and the weather in Shenzhen is gradually turning cooler, with the air filled with the atmosphere of the year's end. Sales of Phase I of Jinxiu Garden are nearing completion, with 90% of the units already sold, leaving only a few units remaining that are not ideal in terms of floor or orientation.
Interestingly, as the number of available properties dwindled, those Hong Kong investors who had previously been hesitant became anxious. They stopped being picky about floors and stopped complaining about prices, and their enthusiasm for viewing properties increased significantly. The sales department's phones rang incessantly, all inquiring about the availability of units.
"Mr. Qin, we sold three more units today, leaving only a dozen or so left," the sales manager excitedly reported to Qin Hao.
Qin Hao nodded: "Very good. As planned, the remaining houses will not be discounted; they will be sold slowly. Tell the customers that our second phase will start construction next spring, and the apartment layouts will be even more optimized than the first phase."
"understand!"
As the Spring Festival approaches, the atmosphere on the construction site is becoming increasingly lively. According to the plan, the site will be closed on the eve of the Lunar New Year, allowing the workers to go home for the holiday. A long line has formed early in the morning outside the finance office, filled with construction workers coming to collect their wages.
These men, from all over the country, wore simple, honest smiles. They greeted each other and chatted in their respective local dialects.
"Old Li, I heard that electronic watches are really cheap in Shenzhen. I'm planning to bring one back for my son."
"My wife asked me to bring some fashionable clothes, saying that the women in the village are now all wearing Hong Kong goods."
"My husband asked me to buy a tape recorder so he can listen to operas at night."
In the finance office, contractor Lao Zhang, with a cigarette dangling from his lips, watched with a smile as the workers happily received their paychecks. He was a middle-aged man in his forties, with dark skin and rough hands, but he was a righteous man and highly respected among the workers.
"Old Li, I told you I'd settle your wages by the end of the year, and I haven't shortchanged you a single penny, have I?" Old Zhang handed Old Li a cigarette after he received his wages.
Old Li, an honest man in his early fifties, took the cigarette and tucked it behind his ear, a simple smile spreading across his face: "Not only did you get the full amount, you even gave me two hundred yuan as a holiday bonus. Zhang, you keep your word, I trust you."
"It's good that nothing's missing." Old Zhang patted Old Li on the shoulder: "Keep the money safe, sew it into your inner pocket, don't let anyone rob you. Things haven't been safe lately, I heard there have been robberies on the road."
Old Li nodded repeatedly: "I understand, I understand."
"Will you come again next year?" Old Zhang asked.
Old Li immediately straightened his back: "Of course I'll come! My three kids are all counting on me. The eldest is taking the high school entrance exam next year, which costs money; the second is weak and needs extra nutrition; and the youngest is still young and growing. If I don't come to Shenzhen to work, how can my few acres of land be enough?"
Old Zhang nodded in satisfaction: "Then come early. The boss said that on the first day of work next year, everyone will get a red envelope, still two hundred yuan each, as long as everyone comes."
"Oh dear, I'd better come early!" Old Li's eyes lit up: "Two hundred yuan, that's two months' salary for me! Zhang, you'd better save me a seat!"
"Don't worry, I'd love to have more experienced masters like you."
Just then, a commotion broke out at the door.
"The boss is here!"
"Happy New Year to you, boss!"
"Boss, you're going to make a fortune!"
Qin Hao greeted the workers with a smile as he walked.
"Thank you all for your hard work." Qin Hao raised his voice, "The project has progressed smoothly this year, which is inseparable from everyone's hard work. I, Qin Hao, would like to thank you all!"
The workers responded enthusiastically.
"You're too kind, boss!"
"Of course, of course!"
Qin Hao walked to the front of the line, his gaze sweeping over the expectant faces. He said seriously, "After you receive the money, please send it home promptly. Don't take too much cash back with you. The roads are not safe. Don't let your hard work of the year end up benefiting others."
Qin Hao originally planned to transfer the money directly to the workers through the bank, but when he inquired at the bank, he learned that there was no such thing as payroll service in those days. Many workers couldn't even write their own names, let alone have bank accounts. Left with no other option, he had to pay them in cash.
The workers reacted differently to Qin Hao's instructions. Some nodded in agreement, while others were dismissive. It wasn't that they were ungrateful, but many of the workers had never dealt with banks before and knew nothing about the remittance process. Many also came from remote areas without even a bank branch, leaving them nowhere to collect their remittances.
In response, Qin Hao could only try to persuade one person at a time. The social order in the 80s was indeed worrying; highway robbers were rampant, and long-distance buses were frequently robbed.
When the contractor, Old Zhang, saw Qin Hao enter, he quickly stubbed out his cigarette and stood up: "Mr. Qin."
"Sit down." Qin Hao gestured to Old Zhang, and after the other man sat down, he said with a smile, "You must have heard that Manager Yang is leaving, right?"
Old Zhang nodded nervously. The news had already spread throughout the construction site, and the workers were discussing it privately. Yang Shumo was well-liked on the site; he was conscientious, polite to the workers, and never put on airs. Everyone was reluctant to see him go.
"Manager Yang has already handed over the reins to me," Qin Hao continued. "Next spring, we'll be working together. The second phase of the project is a big undertaking, so don't let me down."
Old Zhang felt even more uneasy. The boss's personal presence was both an opportunity and a challenge. The opportunity was that he could show off in front of the boss and perhaps be given an important position; the challenge was that if the boss was an inexperienced and gave incompetent instructions, he would be held responsible for any problems that arose. He had worked in the construction industry for over twenty years and had seen too many bosses who pretended to know everything and ruined perfectly good projects.
"No, no, that won't do." Old Zhang repeatedly assured him, "I will definitely cooperate fully with President Qin's work."
Qin Hao seemed to see through his thoughts and patted him on the shoulder with a smile: "Don't worry, leave the professional work to the professionals. You have been in the construction industry for so many years and have a lot of experience. You are in charge of the construction. I am mainly responsible for overall planning and external liaison. Let's each do our job and do a good job in the second phase of the project."
Hearing this, Old Zhang felt relieved and a sincere smile appeared on his face: "Don't worry, Mr. Qin, I will definitely do a great job on the project!"
Qin Hao gave the finance department a few more instructions, then took some money from the safe, signed the papers, and left. The atmosphere in the finance office only became lively again after he left.
"Boss Zhang, President Qin is a really good guy, he even gave us holiday bonuses," a young worker said.
Old Zhang lit another cigarette and took a deep drag: "Yes, I've worked on construction sites for so many years, and it's rare to encounter such an honest boss. So we have to live up to his expectations and do our job well."
"Of course, the boss can only give us bonuses if he makes money."
……
In the office, Qin Hao neatly stacked 150,000 yuan in cash, which he had taken from the finance department, in front of Yang Shumo. The thick stacks of banknotes, exuding the smell of ink, were particularly conspicuous under the fluorescent lights.
Yang Shumo was stunned when he saw the huge sum of money in front of him.
"Old Qin, I'm so sorry." Yang Shumao was a little at a loss.
Qin Hao leaned back in his chair and lit a cigarette. "What's there to be embarrassed about? This isn't a loan; it's your year-end bonus. You deserve a lot of credit for the Jinxiu Garden project going so smoothly. I can't just erase your contributions just because you're leaving, can I? What kind of person would I be?"
Yang Shumo opened his mouth, wanting to say something, but didn't know where to begin.
"Old Qin, I..." Yang Shumao's voice was choked with emotion.
"Alright, alright, stop with the mushy stuff." Qin Hao waved his hand, but his eyes were smiling. "Take it, it's what you deserve. Going out on your own will require start-up capital, and this money will help you solve a lot of problems."
Yang Shumo took a deep breath and nodded solemnly: "Okay, Lao Qin, then I'll shamelessly accept it. If you ever need my help in the future, don't hesitate to ask. Just give me a call, and I'll be there anytime."
"Why should I be polite with you?" Qin Hao laughed and scolded, "But I have to remind you, hurry up and deposit it before the bank closes. Otherwise, your parents might find it again, and all your efforts will be for nothing."
Yang Shumo's face was full of helplessness whenever his parents were mentioned.
"Don't even mention it. They called me yesterday, telling me to buy this and that," Yang Shumo said with a wry smile.
……
The 23rd day of the twelfth lunar month is the Little New Year. The sky over Guangzhou is overcast, and the air is filled with the festive atmosphere.
With the Spring Festival approaching, the airport was packed with people eager to go home for the New Year. Large bags of luggage, various regional accents, children crying, and flight announcements all blended together to create a lively scene at the end of the year.
"Old Qin, over here!" Old Xie waved his hand, his fiancée Jia Xiaoying standing beside him.
Qin Hao dragged his suitcase over, followed by Zhao Yajing. Yang Shumao wouldn't be back in Beijing for a few days longer because he needed to handle the final handover of his work.
"Is everyone here?" Qin Hao asked.
"Everyone's here, just waiting..." Before Old Xie could finish speaking, his eyes suddenly widened: "Oh, isn't this Shi Xiaona?"
Following his gaze, everyone saw Shi Xiaona dragging a delicate suitcase towards them. Today, she was wearing a long, off-white down jacket, a light pink scarf, and her long hair was draped over her shoulders, making her look much more gentle and graceful.
Shi Xiaona also saw them, paused for a moment, but quickly recovered and walked over.
She smiled slightly, her gaze lingering on Qin Hao's face for a moment.
Zhao Yajing's face darkened noticeably, but she didn't say anything; her eyes, however, were enough to kill.
After boarding the plane, Qin Hao found that his seat was right between Zhao Yajing and Shi Xiaona. Zhao Yajing naturally sat in the window seat, while Shi Xiaona hesitated for a moment and then sat in the aisle seat.
After takeoff, the cabin gradually quieted down. The fatigue of the long flight set in, and many passengers began to close their eyes and rest.
Qin Hao took out a document he carried with him and began to peruse it; it was the design drawings for the second phase of the project. He occasionally made notes on it with a pen.
He didn't know how much time had passed when he felt a weight on his shoulder. Turning his head, he found that Zhao Yajing had fallen asleep sometime earlier, her head resting on his shoulder. She was sleeping soundly, breathing evenly, her long eyelashes casting soft shadows on her eyelids.
Qin Hao smiled and gently adjusted his position to make her more comfortable. Just then, he felt a weight on his other shoulder as well—
Shi Xiaona also fell asleep, resting her head on his shoulder.
When Xie Lao, who was standing behind, saw this scene, he almost burst out laughing, but Jia Xiaoying glared at him fiercely, and he managed to hold it in. He mouthed silently, "Old Qin has finally met his match. It's truly a blessing from heaven."
Jia Xiaoying pinched his waist hard and warned in a low voice, "Hmph, do you also want to have two women on your left and right?"
"I don't have Old Qin's skills," Old Xie quickly begged for mercy.
"Hmph, you know that's good. You better behave yourself during the Spring Festival."
The four-hour flight passed in a subdued atmosphere. By the time the plane landed at Beijing Capital International Airport, it was already dark. Winters in the north are much colder than in Shenzhen; a biting chill was immediately noticeable upon stepping off the plane.
Everyone collected their luggage and walked out of the arrival hall. Fine snowflakes drifted down from the Beijing night sky, swirling and falling under the streetlights.
"Old Qin, can you help me with my suitcase? It's too heavy for me to pull," Shi Xiaona suddenly said.
As soon as she finished speaking, Zhao Yajing pushed her suitcase towards Qin Hao, with a self-righteous expression: "Mine is too heavy to carry either."
Qin Hao looked at the two suitcases in front of him, walked straight to the front of the line, and said without turning his head, "You all pull your own suitcases. What do you take me for? Camel Xiangzi?"
Zhao Yajing and Shi Xiaona exchanged a glance, each letting out a cold snort, and turned away. However, they still picked up their suitcases and followed behind Qin Hao.
Old Xie chuckled smugly from behind, only to be pinched on the waist by Jia Xiaoying.
"What are you laughing at! Hurry up and call a car, we're freezing!"
"Yes, yes, I'll go and call them right away."