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At a land auction in Xi'an in 2003, Li Shuihua's fingers, which were lightly tapping the table, suddenly stopped.

When the bidding paddle was raised to show "18.7 billion", the entire room fell silent...

This local real estate company from Northwest China is actually going head-to-head with Vanke.

Moreover, it was a Ningxia company known for its poverty, but the real estate giants present remained calm.

Because such incidents have occurred many times, Shuihua Real Estate can be considered a star enterprise in Northwest China.

“We’re temporarily abandoning the residential land.” Amidst everyone’s astonishment, Li Shuihua stood up and pointed a laser pointer to the other side of the model. “Shuihua Real Estate is going to build this—the first urban complex in Northwest China.”

A large screen displays a 3D animation: a shopping mall with glass curtain walls surrounds a musical fountain, office buildings are connected by sky bridges, and there is even a cultural and tourism town modeled after the Western Xia imperial tombs.

The leader from the Housing and Urban-Rural Development Bureau adjusted his glasses: "Mr. Li, this plan..."

“It has passed the expert panel’s review.” She gestured to her assistant to distribute the documents. “This is the cooperation agreement with Wanda Commercial Planning Institute, and this is the technical support letter from the Department of Architecture of Tsinghua University.”

"Mr. Li, we are worried that the Northwest region will not be able to absorb commercial complexes."

"The leader is overthinking it! Xi'an is an ancient capital of China with thousands of years of history, so it can naturally carry both historical and commercial culture."

"..."

Three months later, the construction site of "Xi'an Saishang Jiangnan Plaza" was bustling day and night.

MaiMiao's "priority entry for commercial flagship stores + pre-sale of residential properties to support sales" model has created a miracle: 15 billion yuan was recovered on the day of the residential property launch, while the deposits of brands such as Walmart and Starbucks have covered 30% of the construction costs.

"Mr. Li, the banks in Yinchuan and Lanzhou have come to us proactively." The CFO couldn't hide his excitement as he held up the credit agreement. "They both say they'll give 'Northwest Light' the most favorable interest rate!"

Li Shuihua, however, was looking at another document—the "Engineering Quality Flying Eagle Plan" sent by Ma Debao from Yinchuan.

This man, who was once a master of button mushroom cultivation in Xihai Gu, now leads a quality inspection team of 120 people to travel to construction sites across the country, conducting surprise inspections of concrete mix proportions and steel bar specifications every week.

His "QR code traceability system" allows the production batch of every pipeline to be traced.

In the spring of 2004, the construction site of the "Xixia Mansion" in Yinchuan welcomed a special visitor.

The director of the construction department of the autonomous region squatted in the model room and tapped the tile joints with a coin: "Great! Full ceramic tile coverage, zero hollow tile rate!"

Turning to the media, he announced, "This is the quality that a real estate company in Northwest China should have!"

At the celebration banquet that evening, Ma Debao silently ate his rice.

Li Shuihua tapped his wine glass: "Why does our hero look so listless?"

“Sister Shuihua,” he pulled out a stack of photos, “there are three sections of pipeline in the Chengdu project that haven’t been treated with anti-corrosion measures. I’ve already asked them all to be redone… but the project may be delayed by two weeks.”

Li Shuihua sent the photos to the executives: "Take a look! It's this kind of dedication that makes the Shuihua project, which is 20% more expensive than the surrounding projects, still attract so many people."

She announced on the spot, "From today onwards, Ma Debao will concurrently serve as the Group's Chief Quality Officer and has the authority to halt any project nationwide!"

"Clap clap clap..."

"Mr. Ma, congratulations! Congratulations!"

The capital market is sending out offers one after another.

On the day the 50 billion yuan credit line from the China Development Bank arrived, Li Shuihua was having a video call with Suning.

The background of the husband on the screen is the conference room of the National Development Research Center: "Remember three things: First, don't get involved in private lending; second, don't acquire land at exorbitant prices; and third, maintain cash flow to cover short-term debt by more than twice."

"Got it, Director Su!" She smiled and showed the financial statements. "Our residential sales cycle is 68 days, which is a month faster than the industry average."

"Just keep that in mind! This is indeed the golden age for real estate, but it's also a time when problems can easily arise. The Water Splash Group absolutely cannot develop with these issues."

"clear."

With the launch of the "Golden Camel Project," hundreds of elites from Northwest China returned to their hometowns.

Wang Lei, the design director recruited by Mai Miao from Shanghai, stood on the banks of the Yellow River in Lanzhou, brimming with excitement: "Finally, I can use my expertise to build my hometown!"

His "Yellow River Impression" series of residential buildings incorporates elements such as sheepskin rafts and waterwheels into the facade, making them popular spots for online influencers.

In the midsummer of 2005, Shuihua Real Estate's national strategy launch conference shocked the industry.

On the large-screen map, projects in 28 cities shone like stars: Xi'an Cultural Tourism City, Chengdu "Panda Town", Qingdao "Ocean Legend"...

The most eye-catching segment is the "asset-light operation" section...

All seven of the Shuihua Saishang Jiangnan Plazas that have opened are profitable, with an average rental return rate of 8%.

"Remember! We don't act like barbarians." Li Shuihua faced the CCTV camera with composure and confidence. "Shuihua's rapid expansion relies on product strength, capital efficiency, and a deep understanding of urban development."

"Yes, Mr. Li."

"Furthermore, quality is of paramount importance! Mr. Ma must be extremely cautious in this regard."

"Yes, Mr. Li, I will absolutely not allow any quality issues to arise at Shuihua Real Estate."

"And to my colleagues in the purchasing department, there's no end to the money you can earn. If anyone does anything like selling inferior goods as superior ones, don't blame me, Li Shuihua, for being ruthless. I'll send you to prison to sing 'Tears Behind Bars.'"

"..."

After the press conference, the strategic research room on the top floor of the Yinchuan headquarters was brightly lit.

Li Shuihua and her core team analyzed the satellite map: "The industrial site in Beijing is too risky to redevelop... On the other hand, the Tianjin Binhai New Area has obvious policy benefits."

“No! Tianjin is a special case. Shuihua Real Estate will absolutely not enter Tianjin.” However, Suning, who was sitting in the corner, directly stopped Li Shuihua.

"why?"

"You don't need to know why! Just do it, and remember to sell when the land is at its highest point."

Just then, Mai Miao suddenly pushed the door open and entered: "Mr. Li, the secretary of Vanke Chairman Wang Shi called and would like to invite you next Wednesday to exchange experiences on asset-light operations!"

Amidst the cheers, Ma Debao quietly checked his plane ticket to Shenyang for tomorrow...

The newly built "Snow Town Cultural Village" there is about to be inspected and accepted.

Outside the window, the majestic outline of the Helan Mountains stands tall in the twilight, a testament to the company's steady development.

On New Year's Day 2006, the Shuihua Group held its annual gala at its own Shuihua Plaza.

When Li Shuihua announced that annual sales had exceeded 280 billion yuan and net profit margin had remained at 18%, the representatives of Northwest Bank in the audience stood up and applauded.

The large screen switched between live feeds: bustling crowds at the Xi'an Saishang Jiangnan Square, warm lights in a residential area of ​​Yinchuan, and tower cranes standing tall on a construction site in Qingdao...

At the celebration banquet, Li Shuihua presented the "Star of the Year" award to Ma Debao.

This former rural youth now manages an 800-person quality inspection team, achieving a 100% pass rate for all projects he handles. He said shyly, "Actually, I should thank Teacher Su the most; he taught me how to use big data to analyze potential quality issues..."

In a corner, Suning, who had just returned from Beijing, smiled and raised his glass.

In his briefcase lay the latest draft of the "14th Five-Year Plan for the Development of Western China," with a small red circle drawn next to the clause "supporting the cross-regional development of leading enterprises in Northwest China."

……

At six o'clock in the morning, Baiya Township, the most remote part of Xiji County, was still shrouded in fog.

Fourteen orange-yellow school buses had already started their engines, and the four characters "Shuihua Hope" on the front of the buses shone brightly in the morning light.

Experienced driver Master Ma wiped the windshield and told the education bureau officials who came to inspect, "This car is very sturdy. Last winter, when heavy snow blocked the mountains, it still managed to get the children to school safely." Meanwhile, 80 kilometers away at Minning Town Hope Primary School, Bai Chongli stood on the newly built plastic track, lost in thought.

The row of poplar trees along the playground were planted by him and the students when the school was built, and they are now as thick as a bowl.

The sound of students reading aloud could be heard from the teaching building, and a science video about the "underwater world" was playing on the electronic screen in the multimedia classroom.

"Principal Bai, it's time to raise the flag!" the Young Pioneers instructor reminded softly.

"Okay! Coming right away."

As the national anthem played, the five-star red flag slowly rose.

Looking at the children's rosy cheeks, Bai Chongli suddenly recalled his time at Jintan Village Primary School twenty years ago...

Back then, the "playground" was a patch of compacted yellow earth. Whenever the wind blew, teachers and students had to cover their mouths and noses to attend class.

During the most difficult time, the entire school had only three pieces of chalk left, so he had to use a wooden stick to write on the sand to teach.

“Now it’s much better.” After the ceremony, he stroked the brick wall of the teaching building and said to Li Shuihua, who came to visit, “Heating, computers, laboratories… it’s even more complete than schools in the county town.”

Li Shuihua smiled and handed over a list: "Next month, I'll get you a telescope so the children can see the stars."

She pointed to a construction site in the distance, "That's a teachers' apartment building. It will solve the teachers' accommodation problem next year."

"Shuihua, you and Suning have done so much for Xihai Gu."

“We are all native sons and daughters of Xihai Gu, so it is only natural that we should give back to our hometown.”

"Shuihua, don't you hate those people who are always causing trouble?"

"Teacher Bai, Su Ning and I are pursuing the goal of lifting Xihai Gu out of poverty. We cannot let personal hatred affect the overall situation."

"..."

Just then, the sound of an engine came from afar.

Five brand-new school buses slowly drove into the campus, their bodies painted with cartoon-like rock paintings.

The children cheered and crowded around, touching the gleaming door handles and chattering: "This time it's an air-conditioned car!" "The windows are so big!"

Director Wang of the Education Bureau shook Li Shuihua's hand and said with emotion, "Ms. Li, your school buses have solved a huge problem. Now, even the children who live the farthest away in our county can get to school in less than an hour each way."

“Of course.” Li Shuihua looked towards the playground, where a little girl wearing glasses was engrossed in reading “Illustrated Guide to Marine Life.” “When I was her age, I had to walk four hours along mountain paths every day to get to school.”

……

At this moment, Su Ning is tidying up his office in the government building of the autonomous region.

A red-headed document was posted on the bulletin board: "Notice on the Appointment of Comrade Su Ning," with the words "Proposed Appointment as Deputy District Head of the Autonomous Region Economic Development Zone Government" standing out prominently.

"District Chief Su, what should we do with these?" The secretary pointed to several cardboard boxes in the corner.

It contained poverty alleviation notes, research photos, and hundreds of letters from the public.

The top letter has a crooked stamp on it and is signed "All villagers of Mawan Village, Guanqiao Township, Haiyuan County".

Su Ning gently took out the letter and unfolded it...

The crumpled letter paper was covered with red handprints, some of which clearly belonged to a child.

The letter read: "Cadre Su, we heard you're getting promoted, so we put our fingerprints on the document overnight... We remember the first well you helped dig in our village; now every household has running water..."

The ringing of the phone interrupted his thoughts.

The caller ID showed Li Shuihua: "Old Su, can you come to the Minning Primary School graduation ceremony next Wednesday? Teacher Bai wants to hold a special class meeting for the children of the 'diaozhuang' migrants from back then."

"Okay! I'll make time to do it."

The sun shone exceptionally brightly on the day of the graduation ceremony.

In the newly built remote classroom, Mai Miao interacts with the children through a large screen.

"Students, this is the ocean." Mai Miao switched the scene, and the azure sea instantly filled the entire screen.

A gasp of amazement filled the classroom, and one little boy even reached out to touch the projection screen, as if he could touch the waves that way.

Bai Chongli walked onto the podium with his cane, and the audience immediately fell silent.

The descendants of these "relocated migrants" may not know that the white-haired old man in front of them was once their fathers' only teacher in the cave dwelling.

“Children,” Bai Chongli’s voice trembled slightly, “do you know how much that school bus outside the classroom is worth?”

The students looked at each other in confusion.

A girl with pigtails timidly raised her hand: "My dad said he wants 300,000..."

“It’s 480,000.” Bai Chongli wrote the number on the blackboard. “That’s equivalent to 300 sheep, or 2,000 bags of flour.”

He looked around the classroom. "But the uncles and aunties at the Splash Group are willing to invest so much money in each of your futures. How are you going to repay them?"

"Study hard!" the children shouted in unison.

After the ceremony, a student teacher wearing a floral dress was tidying up the book corner.

Su Ning felt she looked familiar, and upon closer inspection, she realized it was Ma Chunyan, who had almost dropped out of school years ago...

The girl who went to work in Fujian to support her younger brother's education, and was later sponsored by Li Shuihua to return to her hometown to study.

"Uncle Su Ning!" Ma Chunyan excitedly showed her teacher's certificate, "I got into a teacher's college and I'm a student teacher now!"

"That's wonderful! It's all worth it for Aunt Shuihua's help to you."

As the sun sets, the last school bus drives away from the campus.

Bai Chongli and Li Shuihua stood at the school gate, watching the orange-yellow car disappear into the distance.

In the gullies of the Loess Plateau, these vehicles full of children are like flickering flames, illuminating every rugged turn.

"Shuihua, I heard that Su Ning got promoted again?" Bai Chongli suddenly asked.

Li Shuihua nodded with a smile: "It was just announced this morning."

“Great…” The old man looked at the newly built highway in the distance. “You two, one in the business world and the other in politics, are both working hard for this land.”

The evening breeze carried the faint sound of children singing, a routine activity on the school bus...

We sing the school song together every day before school ends.

The lyrics were written by Bai Chongli himself: "The Loess Plateau is my cradle, the Yellow River nurtured my growth..."

In the new office of the autonomous region government, Su Ning solemnly framed the letter covered with handprints and placed it in the most conspicuous place on the bookcase.

Outside the window, the lights of Yinchuan lit up one after another, many of which were schools and hospitals built by the Shuihua Group.

In the darkness further out, the school buses traveling along the mountain roads shone with warm yellow lights, like a string of flowing stars, heading towards dawn.

...(End of chapter)