novelonline Chapter 1489 Reconciliation
Chapter 1489 Reconciliation
Chapter 1489 Reconciliation
Niu Tinggui's slamming of the door and departure was quite a commotion. The remaining neighbors looked at each other in bewilderment, and gradually stopped what they were doing. The once bustling courtyard suddenly became quiet.
The first to react was Aunt Wang: "Well... Qin Hao, I suddenly remembered that there's soup simmering at home. I need to go back and check on it, lest it boil dry."
"Yes, yes, I also remembered that my daughter asked me to go back early to help make dumplings."
"My mom is calling me home for dinner."
"I have something to do, so I'll be going now."
In no time, excuses arose one after another, and in less than five minutes, everyone in the yard had left. The enthusiasm they had shown just moments before for rushing to work seemed to have vanished, leaving only tools scattered on the ground and Qin Hao and his mother standing in the yard.
Looking at the empty courtyard, Qin Hao breathed a sigh of relief. These past few days had been incredibly bothersome with his neighbors; someone would knock on his door early every morning and it wouldn't stop until evening. Now, finally, he could have some peace and quiet.
He turned to go back into the house, but found his mother, Li Yuxiang, looking at him with a worried expression, hesitant to speak.
"Mom, what's wrong?" Qin Hao asked.
Li Yuxiang hesitated for a moment, then pulled Qin Hao into the house, closed the door, and lowered her voice to say, "Son, tell Mom the truth, is there something wrong with your business in Shenzhen? Are you short of money? Mom will give you some. I've kept all the money you gave me before, not a penny has been touched."
Qin Hao was taken aback, then laughed and cried at the same time: "Mom, nothing like that. The project in Shenzhen is doing great. Phase one of Jinxiu Garden is almost sold out, and phase two is about to open. What are you thinking?"
Li Yuxiang was skeptical: "Then why did all those people leave when they heard your business was failing?"
Qin Hao felt a warmth in his heart, but also found it amusing. He lowered his voice and whispered in his mother's ear, "Mom, I'm telling you something, but please don't tell anyone else. Da Mao quit his job not because my business failed, but because he wanted to start his own business and be his own boss. You must keep this a secret, otherwise his parents will cause trouble again."
Li Yuxiang breathed a sigh of relief and patted her chest, "Oh, I was so scared." Then she sighed, "Sigh, Da Mao's parents are really something else. It's one thing to treat others like this, but to treat their own child like this... You know, Da Mao is such a capable kid, working himself to the bone to earn money outside, and he still has to be pressured like this when he comes back. If this were my son, I would be heartbroken."
Qin Hao smiled and put his arm around his mother's shoulder: "So you're my mom, and they're them. Don't worry, your son is doing well, his business is growing bigger and bigger, and he has big plans for next year."
"That's good, that's good." Li Yuxiang finally smiled. "But you also need to take care of your health and not overwork yourself. You can't earn all the money in the world, but your health is the most important thing."
"Okay, Mom."
The mother and son were talking when footsteps sounded again outside the courtyard gate. Qin Hao frowned—who was it this time? He'd only had a moment of peace and quiet.
He got up to open the door, only to find Zhao Yajing and Shi Xiaona standing outside. The two stood one behind the other, maintaining a subtle distance, both with faint smiles on their faces, but their eyes held a hint of competition.
"Oh, what a coincidence, did you two plan this?" Qin Hao leaned against the door frame and teased.
Zhao Yajing and Shi Xiaona exchanged a glance and simultaneously snorted, "Who made an appointment with her?"
"I was just passing by."
"It was just a coincidence."
The two spoke almost simultaneously, then glared at each other before turning their heads away.
Qin Hao found it amusing and stepped aside to let the two in: "Alright, alright, it's all a coincidence. Come in, it's cold outside."
Seeing that it was the two of them, Li Yuxiang greeted them with a smile: "Ya Jing and Xiao Na are here? Come in quickly, it's warm inside. I just made some tea, freshly brewed Longjing, please have a taste."
"Thank you auntie."
"Happy Chinese New Year, Auntie."
The two followed Li Yuxiang into the main room, with Qin Hao trailing behind. The room was well-heated, and a wave of warmth washed over them as soon as they entered. A set of purple clay teaware sat on the table, its fragrant aroma filling the air, creating an elegant atmosphere.
Li Yuxiang poured tea for the two of them and then brought out several plates of snacks—peanuts, melon seeds, and various candies that Qin Hao had brought back from Shenzhen. After finishing, she smiled and said, "You young people chat, I'll go check on the kitchen. Stay for dinner tonight."
“Auntie, please don’t bother. We’ll just sit for a bit and then we’ll leave,” Zhao Yajing said.
“Yes, Auntie, please don’t be so polite,” Shi Xiaona added.
Li Yuxiang waved her hand: "No rush, no rush, you guys chat."
The room fell silent for a moment. Qin Hao picked up his teacup, took a sip, and looked at Zhao Yajing: "By the way, your mother was in such a hurry to call you back yesterday, what was it about? You left in such a rush."
Upon hearing this, Zhao Yajing looked helpless and shook her head: "Don't mention it, it's all because of my cousin."
"Your cousin? You mean... Wang Jianjun?"
“Yes, it’s him.” Zhao Yajing sighed. “He took the college entrance exam twice after graduating from high school but failed. Now he’s unemployed at home. Yesterday he came to my mother crying again, saying that it’s hard to find a job now, and he wants to start a small business but doesn’t have the capital. He wants me to invest money in him so he can open a shop and be his boss.”
Shi Xiaona blinked and asked curiously, "So, did you agree?"
Zhao Yajing snorted: "He said he wanted me to invest money and become a big boss, and he would work for me. But when I asked about the details, well, he wouldn't even let me appoint a finance person or check the accounts. He just told me to wait for the dividends. He really thinks I'm a sucker."
Qin Hao laughed: "That's quite a clever plan. So what did your mother say?"
“What else could my mom say? Of course she’d side with her nephew.” Zhao Yajing pouted. “She said things like, ‘We’re all family, would we lie to you?’ ‘Your cousin may have been immature before, but he’s grown up and knows how to improve himself.’ ‘Just help him out, consider it helping your mom.’ She went on and on, it was giving me a headache.”
Hearing this, Shi Xiaona couldn't help but think of Yang Shumao's parents. They were both family members, both trying to profit from their children; their methods differed, but their essence was the same. She couldn't help but ask, "If you don't agree, won't your mother make a scene?"
Zhao Yajing took a sip of tea, her expression complicated: "That's why I came out, so she wouldn't cry and nag me at home. Sometimes I really can't understand it. My cousin has been such a good-for-nothing since he was a child, and he's done a lot of petty theft. How can my mom believe that he can turn over a new leaf and do business properly?"
She paused, then looked at Qin Hao: "Do you think all parents are like this? They always think their own children and relatives are the best, and they don't believe anything others say?"
Before Qin Hao could speak, Shi Xiaona spoke first, her tone tinged with admiration: "Sister Ya Jing, you did the right thing. Business is business, and feelings are feelings; the two shouldn't be mixed up. But not many people can truly uphold this principle. If it were me, I might not be able to do it either."
This was the first time Shi Xiaona had called Zhao Yajing "sister." Although her tone was still a little awkward, her eyes showed a clear increase in respect. Zhao Yajing was taken aback for a moment, then a smile appeared on her face.
The atmosphere between the two eased somewhat for the first time. While they weren't exactly intimate, they were at least no longer as hostile as before.
After Zhao Yajing finished speaking, she looked at Qin Hao and changed the subject: "By the way, didn't you say you were going to open a Burger King in Beijing this year? Do you have a specific plan? I've been idle at home these past few days, so I might as well listen to it."
Qin Hao's eyes lit up: "I was just about to discuss this with you. Wait a moment, I'll go get the proposal."
As he spoke, he got up and went into the inner room, quickly taking out two printed documents and handing them to Zhao Yajing and Shi Xiaona respectively. The documents were thick, neatly stapled together, with the words "Northern Region Fast Food Market Expansion Plan" printed in large characters on the cover.
Zhao Yajing and Shi Xiaona took the documents and began to carefully read through them. The only sounds in the room were the rustling of pages turning and occasional gasps of surprise.
"Wow, Lao Qin, you're planning something big!" Zhao Yajing flipped through a few pages and couldn't help but look up. "This scale... is much bigger than I imagined!"
Shi Xiaona also looked up, her eyes shining: "This isn't just about opening a few stores; you're trying to build a complete supply chain system."
Qin Hao smiled and sat down opposite them, beginning to explain: "If we only open a few branches in Beijing, it would be a complete waste of the vast market in Hebei and Northeast China."
He pointed to the map on the document: "You see, Beijing is the center, to the north are the three northeastern provinces, and to the south are Hebei and Tianjin. Especially the northeast."
Despite the later saying that Northeast China has declined and that "investment doesn't cross the Shanhaiguan Pass," in the 80s, Northeast China was the richest region in the country, without exception.
Qin Hao paused for a moment, then continued, "In terms of average income, the three northeastern provinces are even higher than cities like Beijing, Shanghai, and Guangzhou. There are many industrial and mining enterprises, workers have stable incomes, and strong purchasing power. Moreover, people in the Northeast are outgoing and like to try new things."
Zhao Yajing nodded: "That's true. I went to Shenyang a few years ago. The department stores there were packed with people, and they were buying things like they were free."
"So," Qin Hao turned to the second half of the document, "in order to fully tap into the Northeast and Hebei markets, I plan to build a large-scale chicken supply base in Hebei that integrates breeding, slaughtering, and freezing. In this way, we can ensure a stable supply of chicken quality for all our stores, and we can also control costs."
After reading the document, Shi Xiaona frowned. She put it down, looked at Qin Hao, and said seriously, "Such a large-scale project involves a significant investment and substantial funds and resources. According to company regulations, such decisions should be voted on at a board meeting beforehand. Why was I completely unaware of this?"
Qin Hao did not avoid her gaze and said seriously, "Because this plan itself is invested and executed solely by a mainland company. In other words, it does not fall within the business scope of Burger King Hong Kong."
Shi Xiaona was shocked. She looked at Zhao Yajing, but found that Zhao Yajing was calm and completely unaffected, obviously already knowing about this.
"You mean..." Shi Xiaona's voice tightened slightly, "You're planning to start a new business in the mainland?"
Qin Hao spread his hands: "From the very beginning, including in the prospectus, there was no mention of Burger King stores in mainland China. Even now, the more than 20 stores in Guangzhou do not have Burger King signs."
Shi Xiaona instantly understood, her eyes widening even more: "So, you're planning to re-register a fast food brand in mainland China? Completely independent of Burger King in Hong Kong?"
“That’s right.” Qin Hao nodded. “Hong Kong’s market is limited after all. It has reached a bottleneck at its current scale. On the other hand, the mainland is a market with unlimited development potential. It has a large population base, rapid economic development, and increasing consumption power year by year. If we don’t make a move now, it will be difficult to enter the market in the future.”
He paused, looking at Shi Xiaona: "Moreover, the situation in mainland China is different from that in Hong Kong. To do business in mainland China, you need a mainland identity and connections, and foreign companies will face many restrictions. So the best way is to enter as a domestic company."
Shi Xiaona's expression turned serious. She was silent for a few seconds, then suddenly asked, "Why did you tell me? Aren't you afraid I'll tell my father and he'll take this to the board of directors? That would damage your authority on the board, and you might even be asked to resign."
This was a pointed question, and Zhao Yajing looked at Qin Hao, wondering how he would answer.
Qin Hao laughed and spread his hands: "I never intended to hide it from you, it's just that the time wasn't right to tell you before. As for Uncle Shi, I didn't intend to put you in a difficult position, so you can tell him. But I believe he will keep this secret for me."
"Why?" Shi Xiaona pressed.
“Because we’re in the same boat now.” Qin Hao looked directly into her eyes: “Uncle Shi is one of Burger King’s shareholders. If the news leaks and Burger King’s stock price drops, it won’t benefit him either.”
Shi Xiaona's expression softened somewhat. She had to admit that Qin Hao was right. Although her father valued profit, he wasn't stupid and wouldn't do anything that harmed others without benefiting himself.
However, another question arose in her mind. She looked at Zhao Yajing, a hint of bitterness in her voice: "Then why did she know before me?"
Zhao Yajing glanced at Shi Xiaona smugly and raised her chin: "Back when we founded Burger King, you were still in university in Hong Kong. Of course, Lao Qin would discuss any plans with me first."
These words were blunt, and Shi Xiaona instantly lost her temper. Yes, what could she do? She was the newcomer. Zhao Yajing and Qin Hao had started their business together, worked hard together, and that friendship and trust were something she couldn't match.
She lowered her head, looking at the plan in her hand, remained silent for a moment, and then looked up again, her eyes now calm: "I understand. So what do you need me to do next?"
Qin Hao and Zhao Yajing exchanged a glance, both seeing satisfaction in each other's eyes. Shi Xiaona's reaction was better than they had expected; she neither threw a tantrum nor pressed for details, but instead directly asked what the next step was. This indicated that she had accepted the situation and was willing to participate.
"Next," Qin Hao picked up the project plan again, "we need to find a suitable location to build a breeding base. Langfang has a good geographical location, close to Beijing and with convenient transportation. I plan to go and take a look in a few days."
“I’ll go too,” Zhao Yajing said.
“I’ll go too,” Shi Xiaona said almost simultaneously.
The two looked at each other, then turned their heads away.
Qin Hao laughed: "Okay, let's go together then. But we need to get this done quickly, we have to get started after the New Year."
……
Over the next few days, Qin Hao was indeed busy. He first contacted the local government in Langfang through intermediaries to express his investment intentions, and quickly received a warm response. In the mid-80s, various regions were attracting investment, and investors with strength and experience like Qin Hao were exactly what local governments welcomed.
So, on the 28th day of the twelfth lunar month, Qin Hao, Zhao Yajing, and Shi Xiaona boarded a car bound for Langfang.
Standing at the gate of the courtyard, Li Yuxiang watched her son prepare to leave again, and kept nagging, "You child, you can't even have a peaceful New Year. What time is it, and you're still running around? Everyone else is busy buying New Year's goods and preparing for the holiday, and you, on the other hand, have to go on a business trip..."
Qin Hao smiled and put his arm around his mother's shoulder: "Mom, I'll only be gone for two days. I'll definitely be back on New Year's Eve. This is important business. Once this is done, we can open a fast food restaurant in Beijing next year, so you can eat whenever you want."
"Why would I eat that foreign stuff?" Li Yuxiang said, but her eyes were full of laughter. "Alright, alright, go ahead, be careful on the road, and come back soon."
"Okay, Mom."
The three of them rode in a Beijing Jeep, which Zhao Yajing had borrowed from a friend. Road conditions were poor in the 80s; ordinary cars were prone to breaking down on long journeys, while Jeeps, though bumpy, were sturdy and durable.
It's only a few dozen kilometers from Beijing to Langfang, but the road was bad, and it took us more than two hours to get there. The local leaders in Langfang were very welcoming; they personally greeted us at the intersection and took the three of us to the county government.
In the conference room, Qin Hao detailed his plan—to invest in and build a large-scale, modern breeding base in Yongqing County, including a breeding chicken farm, hatchery, feed mill, slaughtering and processing plant, and cold storage, with a total investment expected to exceed 20 million yuan.
This figure stunned the leaders present. In the mid-1980s, 20 million yuan was no small sum.
"President Qin, your plan... is quite large in scale." The county head adjusted his glasses, his tone a mixture of excitement and caution.
Qin Hao nodded: "Yes, if we're going to do it, we'll do it the best. Once this base is completed, it will not only supply our fast food outlets in North China, but also supply chicken products to other catering companies. It is expected to solve the employment problem for at least 500 local people, and the annual tax revenue will not be less than one million."
These figures have made the leaders' eyes light up. Employment and tax revenue—these are tangible achievements.
Over the next two days, Qin Hao and his delegation inspected several potential sites in Yongqing County, ultimately selecting an area that was not far from the highway, flat in terrain, and had abundant water resources. The local government promised to expedite the land approval process and pledged preferential policies in areas such as taxation and utilities.
The negotiations went smoothly, and by the afternoon of the 29th of the twelfth lunar month, both sides had basically reached an agreement. Qin Hao promised that a professional team would be sent over after the Spring Festival to conduct detailed planning and design, and construction would officially begin once the permafrost thawed.
On the way back to Beijing, Zhao Yajing, sitting in the passenger seat, turned to Qin Hao and asked, "The base matter is settled, but what about the subsequent operation and management? It's such a big undertaking, who will take care of it?"
This is a crucial question. Running a breeding base is not as simple as opening a shop; it involves multiple aspects such as breeding technology, disease prevention and control, production management, and sales channels, requiring a knowledgeable and responsible person to oversee it.
Qin Hao drove without answering immediately. He glanced at Shi Xiaona in the rearview mirror and noticed that she was also looking at him, her eyes seemingly expectant.
"What do you think?" Qin Hao asked Zhao Yajing in return.
Zhao Yajing glanced at Shi Xiaona, then shrugged: "The second phase of the Jinxiu Garden project is about to start, and you'll have to go to Shenzhen to keep an eye on it. You'll also have to take time to go to Hong Kong from time to time. I definitely won't have time. The stores in Guangzhou and Shenzhen are enough to keep me busy, and there's also the clothing store business."
She paused, then continued, "Old Xie can be transferred over there, but he knows nothing about aquaculture. If we put him in charge of this, he'll probably be completely lost."
The meaning was quite clear at this point. Qin Hao and Zhao Yajing both turned their gazes to Shi Xiaona.
Shi Xiaona opened her mouth slightly and pointed at herself: "Me?"
Qin Hao smiled: "What do you think? You studied business administration in Hong Kong and worked in a trading company, so you have management experience. Moreover, you were involved in this project from start to finish and understand the situation. I think you are very suitable."
Zhao Yajing nodded in agreement: "I also think you're a good fit. But this has to be voluntary. If you find it too strenuous, or have other plans, that's fine too."
Shi Xiaona looked at the two of them, a complex emotion welling up inside her. She understood that this was Qin Hao and Zhao Yajing's acceptance and trust in her. Zhao Yajing's claim of being busy was actually giving her a chance—with Xie Laozhuan in Guangzhou, Zhao Yajing didn't need to worry much. The reason she said this was to allow her to take over the project smoothly.
After a few seconds of silence, Shi Xiaona raised her head, her eyes resolute: "I can take it on. But..."
"But what?" Qin Hao asked.
“I need to have shares,” Shi Xiaona said. “At least 10%. I can invest this money, and the shares will be calculated based on the actual investment amount.”
Qin Hao and Zhao Yajing exchanged a smile and almost simultaneously extended their hands:
"Welcome to the team."
"Pleasant to work with."
Shi Xiaona also extended her hand, and the three hands clasped together. At that moment, the relationship between the three underwent a subtle change—from past emotional entanglements to genuine business partnerships.
The jeep entered Beijing at dusk; red lanterns were already hung along the streets, and the festive atmosphere of the Lunar New Year was growing stronger. Qin Hao first took Zhao Yajing home, and then took Shi Xiaona home.
Upon arriving at the entrance of the Shi family's villa, before getting out of the car, Shi Xiaona turned back to Qin Hao and said, "Thank you."
"Thank me for what?" Qin Hao asked with a smile.
Thank you for trusting me.
"You are trustworthy too."
Shi Xiaona smiled, a smile that was especially captivating under the streetlights. She waved and turned to enter the courtyard.
Qin Hao sat in the car, watching her figure disappear behind the door, before starting the car and driving home.
……
According to old Beijing custom, on the first day of the Lunar New Year, one should sleep until one naturally wakes up, symbolizing a peaceful year ahead. Qin Hao did indeed plan to do so—he had been busy until very late the night before and wanted to catch up on his sleep today.
However, things didn't go as planned. Around seven in the morning, he was sound asleep when he was woken up by a series of urgent knocks on the door.
"Old Qin! Old Qin! Get up!"
It was Xie Lao's voice that was relayed.
Qin Hao groggily opened his eyes, glanced at the alarm clock on the bedside table—it was only 7:20. He snapped irritably, "What's going on! Can't even a person have a moment's peace on New Year's Day!"
"Something good has happened! Hurry up and get dressed!" Old Xie's voice was filled with excitement.
Helpless, Qin Hao could only get up, hastily put on some clothes, and slip on his slippers to open the door. Outside, Old Xie stood with a mysterious expression, and next to him stood someone—it was Jia Xiaoying.
Qin Hao was taken aback: "Jia Xiaoying? Didn't you go home? Why are you here so soon?" He teased, "Are you afraid Old Xie will cheat on you?"
Jia Xiaoying glared at him, about to retort, but was pulled by Xie Lao: "Let's talk about serious matters, let's talk about serious matters."
Jia Xiaoying then reluctantly said, "My dad wants to talk to you."
"What do you want to talk about?" Qin Hao rubbed his sleepy eyes and ushered the two into the courtyard. Beijing was still quite cold in the early morning, and their breath turned into white mist.
The three entered the house, and Qin Hao poured two cups of hot water for them. Jia Xiaoying warmed her hands with the cups before saying, "There's a new policy that just came out. The township is looking for developers to jointly develop our township. Our township will provide the land, and the developers will be responsible for demolition and resettlement..."
Qin Hao was instantly wide awake. He sat up straight and looked at Jia Xiaoying: "Your township? Taishan Township?"
"Correct."
Tell me more.
Just then, the courtyard gate was pushed open again. Zhao Yajing and Shi Xiaona walked in one after the other—according to old Beijing customs, people pay New Year's visits to their elders on the first day of the Lunar New Year, and they had come to pay their respects to Li Yuxiang.
Both of them were somewhat surprised by the scene inside the room.
"You're here so early?" Zhao Yajing asked.
"What are you talking about?" Shi Xiaona asked Jia Xiaoying curiously.
Qin Hao gestured for them to sit down and briefly explained the situation. Zhao Yajing and Shi Xiaona listened with interest.
"Is that the township where we were sent to work in the countryside back then?" Shi Xiaona asked. She had a deep affection for Taishan Township, which was an important part of her youth.
Jia Xiaoying nodded: "Yes, that's it."
Shi Xiaona thought for a moment: "Even if the township wants to demolish and develop the area, there's no need to talk to your dad, right? He's just a village official..."
"My dad is the deputy township head now!" Jia Xiaoying tilted her head back, her tone filled with obvious pride.
Qin Hao and Shi Xiaona exchanged a glance, simultaneously recalling their time as sent-down youth in Taishan Township—Jia Shifa was then a production team leader who, using his power, had done countless things to oppress the educated youth and enrich himself. Unexpectedly, a few years later, this man not only escaped punishment but had risen through the ranks to become the deputy township head.
These days, it seems only scoundrels like Jia Shifa get ahead. Both of them thought to themselves with this realization.
Qin Hao was silent for a moment, then said to Jia Xiaoying, "Let us discuss this matter and we'll get back to you tomorrow."
Jia Xiaoying hesitated for a moment, then stood up and tried to pull Xie Lao away. She could tell that Qin Hao was still wary of her. This made her somewhat uncomfortable.
However, Qin Hao stopped them: "Old Xie, stay a moment, I have something to ask you."
Jia Xiaoying's expression changed: "You don't believe me?"
Qin Hao said seriously, "It's not that I don't trust you, it's that I don't trust your father. Jia Xiaoying, we've known each other for so many years, I know what kind of person you are. But we also know what kind of person your father is. How could such a cunning person hand over such a big piece of the pie to an outsider? Such a large investment, I should at least be allowed to understand the situation, right?"
These words were blunt, leaving Jia Xiaoying speechless for a moment. She knew her father hadn't left a good impression on Qin Hao and Shi Xiaona—she knew a little about what her father had done back then. But she was, after all, Jia Shifa's daughter, and hearing others speak of her father like that still made her uncomfortable.
She bit her lip and shook off Old Xie's hand, saying, "Okay, you two chat, I'm leaving."
After saying that, he left without looking back.
Old Xie sighed and said, "Jia Shifa told me that he heard from Jia Xiaoying that you had done a project called Jinxiu Garden in Shenzhen, but Jia Xiaoying couldn't explain the details, so she asked me to go over there. I was going to visit you for the New Year anyway, so I went yesterday and told Jia Shifa about it. As a result, he asked me to bring Jia Xiaoying to see you early this morning. That's all."
After listening, Qin Hao tapped his fingers lightly on the table, lost in thought.
At this moment, Shi Xiaona's eyes lit up, and she said, "I think we can do this. Although the village we're going to is relatively remote, the township's geographical location is quite good. It's not too far from Beijing, and transportation is convenient. If we can really develop it, we should be able to make money."
Zhao Yajing nodded in agreement: "Moreover, we have the successful experience of Jinxiu Garden, which gives us an advantage in doing this."
Qin Hao shook his head: "Location isn't the problem. What I'm worried about is Jia Shifa. He's always been dishonest and greedy. If we cooperate with him on this project, we might get dragged down by him at any time. If the money is invested and the houses are built, and something happens to him, the whole project will fall apart."
That makes sense. Zhao Yajing and Shi Xiaona both fell silent.
After a while, Zhao Yajing asked, "You mean, we should bypass Jia Shifa directly? That might not be easy, right? After all, Jia Shifa is the deputy township head. If he causes trouble for us behind our backs, can we win this project?"
Qin Hao spread his hands: "Let's give it a try. We'll talk to the township government directly and follow the proper procedures. If it doesn't work out, we won't lose anything. As long as we have money, where can't we find projects to do? Shenzhen, Guangzhou, Beijing, there are plenty of places to invest in."
Zhao Yajing and Shi Xiaona thought about it and both agreed that it made sense. Rather than cooperating with an unreliable person like Jia Shifa and living in fear, it would be better to try the proper channels. If it succeeded, great; if not, it wouldn't matter.
Old Xie, who was listening from the side, groaned, "This is it, Jia Xiaoying will probably drive me crazy."
Zhao Yajing glanced at him and said dismissively, "If you don't like it, just find another one. It's not like we haven't tried before."
Old Xie's temper vanished in an instant, and he said awkwardly, "You can't say that... I still have feelings for Xiaoying..."
"Come on, you're kidding me." Zhao Yajing rolled her eyes.
Qin Hao waved his hand: "Alright, it's settled then. Lao Xie, go back and explain to Xiao Ying that we're not targeting her, it's just business. If she understands, great; if not... well, there's nothing we can do."
Old Xie sighed and said, "I'll give it a try."
……
On the third day of the Lunar New Year, before the festive atmosphere had even faded, Qin Hao and Zhao Yajing drove to Taishan Township. Shi Xiaona originally wanted to go with them, but she had just taken over the breeding base project and had a lot of preparatory work to do, so she could only go to Langfang instead.
The Taishan Township government building is a two-story structure that looks quite old. It was the third day of the Lunar New Year, a holiday in principle, but several key leaders of the township government were still there—clearly, they had received advance notice.
After exchanging pleasantries, they got down to business. Qin Hao took out promotional materials and renderings for Jinxiu Garden and explained in detail their successful experience in Shenzhen. The township head and secretary nodded repeatedly, full of praise.
"This design is great; it looks high-end."
"The landscaping is also quite good, and there's even a children's playground; they've thought of everything very carefully."
"I heard it sells very well in Hong Kong? It seems that Hong Kong people also recognize its quality."
The atmosphere seemed harmonious. The township head expressed his welcome to Qin Hao, a capable developer, to invest in Taishan Township, and said he would provide strong support and all necessary conveniences.
Qin Hao breathed a slight sigh of relief—it seemed there was hope.
However, the situation changed the next day.
Qin Hao and Zhao Yajing arrived at the township government again as agreed, ready to discuss the specific details of their cooperation. However, they were only received by a clerk who said that the leaders had all gone to a meeting in the county and did not know when they would return.
"About the cooperation..." Qin Hao asked.
"This needs to be discussed in a meeting by the leaders. We'll let you know when we have the results." The clerk's attitude was indifferent, a stark contrast to his enthusiasm yesterday.
Qin Hao understood immediately—Jia Shifa must have been behind this. Yesterday they were all enthusiastic, but today it's turned into a "meeting to discuss" without even giving a specific time; it's clearly a delaying tactic.
As Zhao Yajing walked out of the township government building, she was still somewhat unwilling: "What should I do? Just give up like this? I think this project is really good."
Qin Hao shook his head: "It's not that we want to give up, it's that someone doesn't want us to do it. This Jia Shifa has a huge appetite. If we don't appease him first, this project won't work. But if we appease him, it will be considered bribery, and the whole project might be ruined."
He paused, then continued, "There's nothing to regret about not doing it. Our Jinxiu Garden project has already made a name for itself in Shenzhen and Hong Kong, so we won't have to worry about finding projects. Why bother getting involved with someone like Jia Shifa?"
Zhao Yajing thought for a moment and nodded: "You're right. Cooperating with this kind of person will inevitably lead to trouble sooner or later. Forget it, let's just not do it."
The two got into the car and headed back to Beijing. On the way, Qin Hao called Shi Xiaona and briefly explained the situation. Shi Xiaona was silent for a moment on the other end of the phone, then said, "Alright, let's focus on making the breeding base successful; that's the most important thing."
So, over the next few days, the three of them joined forces and focused all their efforts on advancing the Langfang chicken supply base project. Qin Hao contacted a design team in Shenzhen, asking them to produce a design plan as soon as possible; Zhao Yajing was responsible for coordinating funding and resources; and Shi Xiaona began recruiting management and technical personnel to prepare for the base's operation.
The three of them were so busy that they didn't even have time to rest properly during the New Year. Li Yuxiang saw this and felt both heartache and pride—her son was successful, but he was also working too hard.
……
Meanwhile, after being turned down by Qin Hao, Jia Shifa did not give up. He began looking for other developers, taking the development plans for Taishan Township and peddling them everywhere.
However, things did not go as smoothly as he had imagined.
It was 1986. Although the reform and opening up had been underway for eight years, the real estate market was just beginning. Most well-established developers were focusing their attention on major cities like Beijing, Shanghai, and Guangzhou, where there was a vast amount of land waiting to be developed. Who would be willing to go to a rural area on the outskirts of Beijing to develop something?
Meanwhile, Yang Shumao was also worrying about starting his own business.
After resigning from Qin Hao's company, he had 300,000 yuan in start-up capital. This amount of money wasn't a lot, but it wasn't a small amount either. It was more than enough to open a small shop, but it was insufficient for a large project.
For the past few days, he's been wandering around Beijing, looking for business opportunities. He's looked at everything—restaurants, retail, clothing, small commodities… but hasn't found a project that he's particularly satisfied with. Either the competition is too fierce, the profit margins are too thin, or the required relationships are too complicated.
That evening, Old Xie asked him to go drinking. The two ordered a few dishes and a bottle of Erguotou (a type of Chinese liquor) at a small tavern, and chatted while drinking.
"Old Xie, what do you think I should do?" Yang Shumo took a sip of wine, his face full of worry: "Three hundred thousand seems like a lot, but when it comes to actually doing it, it doesn't seem like enough."
Old Xie poured him a full glass of wine: "If you ask me, you should just continue working for Old Qin. The breeding base is short-handed, so if you go and help out, Old Qin will definitely treat you well."
Yang Shumo shook his head: "That's different. I want to be my own boss, not work for someone else. Lao Qin is good to me, but no matter how good he is, I'm still working for someone else. I want to have my own business."
Old Xie nodded understandingly: "That's true. So, do you have any thoughts?"
"I haven't decided yet," Yang Shumo sighed. "If all else fails, I'll go to Shenzhen and find a project. There are many opportunities there, but the competition is fierce..."
As they were talking, Old Xie suddenly remembered something and slapped his thigh: "Oh, right, there's something I don't know if you'd be interested in."
"what's up?"
"The development of Taishan Township."
Old Xie then recounted how Jia Shifa had approached Qin Hao for cooperation, but Qin Hao had refused, and how Jia Shifa had gone around looking for developers. He concluded by saying, "That old rascal Jia Shifa is currently searching everywhere for people. If you're interested, I can help you make a connection."
Yang Shumo's eyes lit up immediately after hearing this.
Taishan Township! That's where he was sent to work in the countryside back then! He knows that place too well; he remembers every single tree and blade of grass. Besides, this project sounds very promising—the township provides the land, the developer is responsible for construction and sales, and profits are split. This is much more cost-effective than buying land and developing it himself.
"Old Xie, is this a reliable plan?" Yang Shumo asked.
"The project is definitely reliable; the township does have development plans. It's just that Jia Shifa... you have to be careful," Old Xie reminded him.
Yang Shumo waved his hand dismissively: "As long as the project is reliable, that's fine! I have my own ways of dealing with Jia Shifa."
The more he thought about it, the more he felt this was an opportunity.
"Old Xie," Yang Shumo raised his glass, "if this works out, I'll remember your favor!"
Old Xie turned and clinked glasses with him: "Why are we talking about this, brothers? But you should think it through, it wasn't easy for you to save that little bit of money."
"Don't worry, I know what I'm doing." Yang Shumo downed his drink in one gulp, his eyes gleaming with excitement. "Let's go, take me to find Jia Shifa right now!"
"Now?" Old Xie glanced at his watch; it was already past nine o'clock at night. "It's so late at night..."
"Now!" Yang Shumo stood up. "Opportunity waits for no one. If Jia Shifa finds someone else, it will be too late!"
Seeing his determination, Old Xie had no choice but to get up: "Alright, I'll take you there. But let's make it clear first, I'm just acting as a go-between. You two can figure out the specifics of how to discuss it yourselves."
"I know, I know, let's go!"