In the fiery red era of the heavens, refrigerators are refreshed daily.

He Zhenzhong's work efficiency is indeed very high.

The next morning, before nine o'clock, a driver who claimed to be surnamed Li came to the door. This was the temporary driver that Leader He had arranged for Yang Guangming. The car was already parked at the entrance of the alley, waiting to be dispatched at any time.

Yang Guangming quickly tidied up, picked up the briefcase containing the relevant documents, and left home.

From afar, you can see a nearly new black Shanghai-brand sedan parked at the entrance of the alley.

The two walked over, and Yang Guangming bent down and got into the car.

The car was very clean, and although the seat covers were old, they were washed until they were white and there was no odor.

"Comrade Yang Guangming, where are we going now?" Master Li sat back in the driver's seat and asked, turning around.

"Let's go to the Bank of China's Shanghai branch first," Yang Guangming said.

This is the first step that I agreed upon with He Zhenzhong yesterday. We need to go to the bank to open a relevant account and prepare for the subsequent foreign exchange transfer.

"Okay," Master Li replied, skillfully shifting gears, releasing the clutch, and gently pressing the accelerator.

The car smoothly drove away from the narrow alley entrance and merged into the not-too-dense traffic on the main street.

With a private car service, efficiency is indeed different.

What used to require taking multiple buses and walking a considerable distance has now become easy and quick.

Yang Guangming leaned back in his seat, watching the street scenes rushing past the window, and pondered his next steps.

When I arrived at the Bank of China, everything had already been arranged.

A deputy director of the branch personally received Yang Guangming, and the relevant procedures were handled exceptionally smoothly in a small conference room.

The entire process, which involved opening a dedicated account and a personal account under the supervision of relevant government departments, confirming the foreign exchange transfer path, and signing a series of documents, took less than an hour.

The deputy director was warm and attentive, and expressed his admiration and gratitude for the valuable foreign exchange that Yangguangming could bring to the country.

Yang Guangming responded humbly, knowing that behind all this smooth progress was the invisible yet powerful hand of He Zhenzhong.

After leaving the bank, Yang Guangming asked Mr. Li to drive to a nearby post office.

He made an international call from here to Qiming Capital on Hong Kong Island, briefly instructing his assistant to immediately transfer US$800,000 and US$200,000 from his personal account to two specific accounts he had just opened at the Bank of China.

After doing all this, it was only 10:30 a.m.

Foreign exchange transfers and settlements take time and go through procedures. The efficiency of official channels cannot be as instantaneous as electronic transfers in later generations, and Yang Guangming was prepared for this.

He knew that he would have some free time for the next day or two, until the official process reached him.

This is a good opportunity to visit someone I need to see.

His trip back to China was short, only a week, so he couldn't possibly meet with all his friends and acquaintances.

But there are some people who absolutely need to be visited or have a get-together.

Factory director Zhao Guodong had been a mentor to him, and had given him strong support in leaving Hongxing Factory to study at Tsinghua University. It was only right and proper for him to personally visit Zhao Guodong and present him with a gift he had brought back from abroad.

There are also Xie Feiyang, Chu Dahu, and other childhood friends and classmates. Although their life paths have diverged, the friendship forged in their youth remains precious.

You could invite them out for a meal, catch up, and bring each of them a small gift.

He prepared a Parker gold pen and two cans of high-quality coffee beans for Zhao Guodong.

The gifts for my friends were several Swiss Army knives and several boxes of fine chocolates.

These gifts aren't particularly expensive, but they're novel and impressive in this day and age, enough to express your feelings without making the recipient feel burdened.

At noon, Yang Guangming went home for lunch and rested for a while. In the afternoon, he asked Mr. Li to drive him to Zhao Guodong's house.

Zhao Guodong lived in the staff quarters of the Hongxing State-owned Cotton Mill. The environment there was naturally not comparable to He Zhenzhong's, but it was still quiet and tidy.

When they knocked on the Zhao family's door, Zhao Guodong's wife answered.

When she saw Yang Guangming, she was taken aback for a moment, then a delighted smile spread across her face: "Oh, it's Guangming! Come in, come in! Old Zhao was talking about you yesterday, saying he heard you came back from abroad, but he hadn't seen you anywhere!"

"Hello, Auntie," Yang Guangming greeted her with a smile, and followed her into the house.

Zhao Guodong was sitting in a wicker chair in the living room reading a newspaper when he heard the noise. He looked up, saw Yang Guangming, and immediately smiled. He put down the newspaper and stood up.

"Guangming! You finally remembered to come and see me!" Zhao Guodong's voice was loud and clear as he patted Yang Guangming's shoulder forcefully, looking him up and down. "Hmm, you look good, even more energetic! How many days are you staying this time?"

"Uncle Zhao, I only have a week off this time, it's a family visit leave," Yang Guangming explained with a smile, sitting down on the sofa. "I just visited an elder yesterday and took care of some things, so I came to see you as soon as possible today."

“It’s rare for you to come back from abroad, and for such a short time, I know you must be very busy.”

Zhao Guodong waved his hand, signaling his wife to pour tea, and sat down next to Yang Guangming. "How are things abroad? Are you settling in?"

Yang Guangming gave a brief introduction to his studies and life at Stanford, focusing on his advisor's guidance and the research projects he is currently involved in, speaking in a humble yet warm tone.

Zhao Guodong nodded repeatedly, his eyes full of admiration: "Great, really great! I knew you were a promising talent, you'd shine anywhere! You've really brought honor to our Red Star Factory!"

After chatting about their studies for a while, Yang Guangming took out the gift he had brought.

"Uncle Zhao, Auntie, I didn't bring anything nice back from abroad this time. This is just a small token of my appreciation. Please accept it."

Upon seeing the exquisite Parker gold pen and the coffee beans printed with foreign language, Zhao Guodong waved his hands repeatedly: "You silly boy, you came all this way, why bring anything! You're being too polite! This gold pen and this foreign coffee are too valuable!"

“That’s right, Guangming, it must have been tough for you abroad, with no one to help you. How did you manage to bring so much stuff?” His wife chimed in.

"Uncle Zhao, Auntie, please don't refuse."

Yang Guangming faced Zhao Guodong with sincerity, saying, "Without your guidance and support back then, I wouldn't have had the opportunity to go out and study today."

You might find this pen useful for your office, and please try this coffee to refresh yourself. It's just a small token of my appreciation; if you refuse it, it would mean you're treating me like an outsider.

His words were sincere, and Mr. and Mrs. Zhao exchanged a glance, smiling with a mixture of helplessness and relief.

"Alright, alright, I'll take it, I'll take it! You still have such a silver tongue!" Zhao Guodong stopped refusing, picked up the Parker gold pen, and played with it with it with great affection. "This is a good thing, I'll use it for taking notes in meetings from now on!"

Aunt Zhao smiled and put away the coffee beans: "If you're going to do what Guangming says, then we'll keep them. I'll take this opportunity to learn how to brew this foreign coffee. Guangming, you and Lao Zhao have a good chat. You must stay for dinner tonight. I'll cook some of my signature dishes for you."

"Auntie, I won't bother you for dinner tonight. I have a get-together with some old classmates tonight." Yang Guangming politely declined, "Next time I come back, I'll definitely come to your house to try your cooking."

“A class reunion? That’s definitely not something I can afford to miss.” Zhao Guodong expressed his understanding. “Young people should get together more often. Okay, then I won’t keep you here today.”

After chatting for a few more minutes about their recent situations, Yang Guangming got up to say goodbye.

Mr. and Mrs. Zhao escorted him downstairs and watched him and Mr. Li get into the car before waving goodbye.

After leaving Zhao Guodong's house, Yang Guangming saw that it was still early, so he asked Mr. Li to drive him to the post office.

He needed to call Xie Feiyang and Chu Dahu to arrange a time and place for the gathering.

Upon arriving at the post office, he first called Xie Feiyang's workplace.

The person who answered the phone was Xie Feiyang himself. Upon hearing Yang Guangming's voice, he was stunned for a moment, and then burst into a joyful shout.

"Guangming! It really is you! When did you come back? Why didn't you tell me beforehand!"

"I just arrived the day before yesterday, so my schedule was a bit rushed." Yang Guangming asked, "How about it? Are you free tomorrow night? Let's get together with Da Hu, Yan Jun, and Shunan?"

"I'm free! I absolutely have to be free! Now that you're back, even the most important things have to be put aside!" Xie Feiyang's voice was filled with excitement. "I'll arrange the place! Let's stick to our usual spot, how about Yuebinlou? Or do you have a better place to go?"

"Yuebinlou is quite nice; it's quiet and the food is good too." Yang Guangming had a very good impression of the place.

"Okay! It's settled then! Tomorrow night at six o'clock, Yuebinlou, the same private room as before, I'll try my best to invite them all!" Xie Feiyang took full responsibility.

"Okay, thank you for your help, Feiyang."

"Don't be so polite with me! See you tomorrow night!"

After hanging up the phone, Yang Guangming called Chu Dahu and Yan Jun's workplaces in turn.

Both of them were surprised and delighted when they received the call, and agreed without hesitation to be there the next day.

Finally, he called the Hongxing Factory's transport team and asked someone to call them.

About ten minutes later, Yang Guangming dialed the phone again, and Lin Shunan answered.

His voice sounded a little tired, but when he heard it was Yang Guangming, his tone immediately brightened.

"Guangming! You're back! That's wonderful!" Lin Shunan's voice was filled with heartfelt joy.

Yang Guangming invited him to get together tomorrow night, and he readily agreed, "Tomorrow night? If I'm free, I'll definitely be there!"

Having contacted everyone, Yang Guangming felt much more at ease.

My trip back was short, but being able to meet with old friends, have a meal, and chat was a relief.

The next day, Yang Ming made no plans to go out, intending to stay home and spend time with his children, enjoying some precious family time.

Jing Shu and Zhi Yuan were incredibly excited about their father suddenly having so much more time at home. They pestered him to tell them stories and play with them, filling the small Shikumen house with the children's laughter.

Lin Jianyue went to school. Zhang Xiuying and Yang Yongkang watched their son and grandchildren enjoying themselves, and when they left, they had satisfied smiles on their faces.

Yang Guangming cherished this brief, warm moment.

He knew that once he returned to the United States and threw himself into his studies and business, such days would become rare again.

Around 4 p.m., Yang Guangming began preparing for the evening's gathering.

He changed into a light but decent jacket and packed the gifts he had prepared for his friends—a Swiss Army knife and chocolates.

At 5:30, Mr. Li drove his car to the entrance of the alley on time.

Yang Guangming greeted his family, then went out, got into his car, and headed to Yuebinlou.

When we arrived at Yuebinlou, it was already 6:05.

As soon as he went up to the second floor, he saw Xie Feiyang standing at the door of the private room, looking around.

Upon seeing Yang Guangming, Xie Feiyang immediately greeted him with a smile.

"Here you are! Our great doctor has finally arrived! We've been waiting for you!" Xie Feiyang warmly put his arm around Yang Guangming's shoulder and led him into the private room.

Chu Dahu, Yan Jun, and Lin Shunan had already arrived in the private room.

Upon seeing Yang Guangming enter, everyone stood up, their faces beaming with the joy of a long-awaited reunion.

"bright!"

"You're finally back!"

Chu Dahu immediately gave Yang Guangming a firm hug, so strong that Yang Guangming almost couldn't breathe.

Yan Jun smiled and punched his shoulder, his eyes warm.

Lin Shunan stood a little behind, with a sincere smile on her face.

Even after several months apart, you can still see that everyone has changed somewhat.

Chu Dahu seemed to have grown stronger, with dark skin, indicating that he had spent a lot of time patrolling outside during his working hours.

Yan Jun's calm and composed demeanor as a father became even more pronounced.

Although Lin Shunan is still thin, her complexion is much better than before, and the gloom between her brows seems to have faded a bit.

"Please sit down, please sit down, don't stand!" Xie Feiyang, as the organizer, enthusiastically made arrangements. "Waiter, the dishes can be served now!"

Everyone took their seats.

Yang Guangming was naturally seated next to the head of the table.

"Guangming, you've really returned home in glory!" Chu Dahu's voice boomed. "A graduate student from Tsinghua University, and you even went to study in the United States! Among our group of old buddies, you're the most successful!"

“Da Hu is right, you’re someone we all look up to now,” Yan Jun echoed with a smile, his tone sincere and without a trace of jealousy.

"I was just lucky, I caught a good time." Yang Guangming smiled modestly, his gaze sweeping over his old friends. "Is everyone doing well? Yan Jun, your Yaya and Nannan must have grown quite a bit by now, right?"

"That's right, Yaya is almost in elementary school, and Nannan can run around everywhere, she's so naughty." Yan Jun's face was full of happiness when he talked about his daughter.

"Shunan, where's Xiaojuan? Why didn't you bring her along?" Yang Guangming asked Lin Shunan.

Lin Shunan smiled and said, "Her mother is off today, so she won't be bringing her out. The child is older now, and she's shy around strangers, so it's uncomfortable to bring her out."

Yang Guangming nodded. He could sense that perhaps due to the longer period of adjustment, Lin Shunan's married life seemed to be more harmonious than when they first got married.

"Feiyang, how about you? How's it going at the government office?" Yang Guangming asked Xie Feiyang again.

Xie Feiyang shrugged, his face still bearing that seemingly carefree expression: "Same as always, just going through the motions and getting by. I can't compare to you academics who keep making progress every day."

But a hint of loneliness still inadvertently slipped into his eyes.

Yang Guangming knew that Feng Xianghong's admission to university in another city was a big blow to Xie Feiyang. Coupled with his own failure in the college entrance examination twice, the sense of loss in his heart probably had not been completely dispelled.

At this time, the waiter started to serve the food.

Steamed fish, stir-fried shrimp, braised pork and bamboo shoots... a variety of local Shanghai specialties were laid out on the table, their aromas irresistible.

Xie Feiyang opened the bottle of liquor he had brought and filled everyone's glasses.

"Come on! The first toast!" Xie Feiyang raised his glass, stood up, and said in a loud voice, "Welcome back to our good brother, Yang Guangming, from your studies abroad! Although we are far apart, our friendship remains unchanged! Cheers to our many years of friendship!"

"cheers!"

Welcome to the light!

Several wine glasses clinked together, making a crisp sound.

The strong liquor went down my throat, and a warm feeling spread, instantly making the atmosphere in the private room even more lively.

As they ate and chatted, the conversation quickly shifted from Yang Guangming's experiences living abroad to their own situations over the past few years.

Chu Dahu had the loudest voice. He talked about how he finally got his wish last year and bought a small apartment in the front building, which was over 20 square meters.

"It's not big, but at least we have our own place!" Chu Dahu's face was flushed, whether from the alcohol or excitement, it was hard to tell. "By using this room as a basement, I met my current girlfriend at the end of last year through an introduction. We're getting along really well, and I estimate we can get married next year!"

"Really? That's great, Da Hu! Congratulations!" Yang Guangming was genuinely happy for him, raising his glass. "Come on, let's have a toast to your upcoming marriage!"

"Cheers!" Chu Dahu downed his drink in one gulp, wiped his mouth, and said, "Speaking of which, I have to thank you for reminding me back then. Now I can finally call myself someone who owns my own home."

Yan Jun also shared his recent situation.

He was still working at the same grocery store, where he was skilled and reliable. He had been promoted to team leader. Although his position wasn't high, his responsibilities were greater, and his income had increased slightly, giving him more confidence to support his family.

"The only problem is that the two kids are expensive, and their schooling will cost even more money in the future, so we'll have to keep saving." Yan Jun said calmly, with a sense of planning and anticipation for the future.

Lin Shunan didn't say much, but listened quietly the whole time.

Only after being questioned by everyone did he briefly explain his situation.

His job remained unchanged, but his wife received a raise, increasing their family income and easing their financial burden.

Xiaojuan is very sensible, so there's not much to worry about.

"A simple life is good enough," Lin Shunan concluded, though a fleeting hint of bitterness crossed her face.

Yang Guangming could sense that although Lin Shunan seemed cheerful, he seemed to be putting on an act, and his married life was definitely not as peaceful and happy as he thought.

The weariness under the heavy pressure of life did not lessen with the passage of time; on the contrary, it seemed to have become heavier.

Xie Feiyang remained in the government office, working his way up based on seniority. His future wasn't particularly bright, but it was stable.

He never mentioned Feng Xianghong, but instead cracked jokes and talked about interesting things that happened at work, trying his best to maintain a lively atmosphere.

But Yang Guangming could sense that, even after several months, the emptiness and confusion behind his smile had not disappeared.

After several rounds of drinks and several dishes, everyone's conversation became even more lively.

Yang Guangming took out the prepared gifts and distributed them to everyone.

"I came back in a hurry this time and didn't bring anything fancy, just some little trinkets, please don't mind."

They were pleasantly surprised to see the exquisite Swiss Army knife and the beautifully packaged imported chocolates.

"Wow, this is a real gem! It must have been brought from abroad, right?" Chu Dahu held the Swiss Army knife, admiring the various small tools on it.

"This chocolate looks high-end. I'll take it back for my daughter to try." Yan Jun accepted it with a smile.

"I've troubled you again, Guangming," Lin Shunan said.

"Why are you being so polite with me?" Yang Guangming patted his shoulder.

Xie Feiyang accepted the gift and smiled, "You're always so thoughtful of us. Thanks, Guangming."

The atmosphere at the gathering was great. Everyone reminisced about fun times from their childhood, lamented how quickly time flies, and looked forward to a vague yet hopeful future.

Although their life paths have diverged and they may not have as many common topics as before, the friendship that has been built up over the years has not faded with time and distance.

Around 8 p.m., the party was drawing to a close. Everyone was slightly tipsy, their faces glowing with satisfaction.

Stepping out of Yuebinlou, the cool night breeze helped to soothe the effects of the alcohol.

At the restaurant entrance, everyone said goodbye to each other and agreed to meet again when Yang Guangming returned.

Watching his old friends leave and disappear into the night, Yang Guangming felt warm and fulfilled.

Mr. Li drove the car over, and Yang Guangming got in, leaned back in his seat, and closed his eyes slightly.

This gathering allowed him to temporarily escape from the complexities of foreign exchange, real estate, and company affairs, returning to simple and genuine interpersonal relationships, and experiencing a rare sense of relaxation.

The next morning, Yang Guangming stayed home with his family as usual.

He figured the procedures with the bank and the State Administration of Foreign Exchange were almost complete, and he was just thinking about whether to contact He Zhenzhong in the afternoon to ask about the situation when someone ran over and called him to the alley entrance to answer the phone.

The call was from He Zhenzhong.

"Guangming, did I disturb your rest?" He Zhenzhong's voice sounded like he was in a good mood.

"No, Uncle He, I'm at home."

“Okay. Two things.” He Zhenzhong spoke as crisply and decisively as ever. “First, the $800,000 you remitted has been confirmed to have arrived, and the formalities are basically complete.”

With a clear conscience, the successful transfer of the money to the designated account meant that one of his most important goals for returning to China had been achieved.

"That's great, thank you so much, Uncle He and the relevant departments."

"The second thing is about the house you want to buy. The housing authority is very efficient. According to your requirements, they have initially selected two garden villas that are well-preserved, have clear property rights, and are free of disputes."

It turns out the office space was being occupied by two different organizations. Things have been coordinated; as long as you confirm, they guarantee to vacate within a week.

Yang Guangming was surprised by how quickly things progressed. It seems that all departments really gave the green light and went all out to complete this huge foreign exchange revenue target.

"What are the specific details of these two houses?" Yang Guangming asked.

"The areas are all very large, and the building quality and layout are also good. After all, it used to be used by the work unit, so it was maintained quite well."

"Specifically, I'll have someone from the Housing Management Bureau take you there this afternoon. Do you have time?" He Zhenzhong made very thoughtful arrangements.

"I'm available anytime this afternoon."

"Okay, then just wait for the call. Old Chen from the housing authority will contact you and take you to see the property. As for the price, they have a preliminary assessment, we'll discuss that after you've seen the property."

"Okay, thank you, Uncle He."

After hanging up the phone, Yang Guangming felt somewhat invigorated.

The housing situation has made substantial progress, and it sounds pretty good.

He was initially worried that in this day and age, it would be difficult to find high-quality garden villas with clear property rights, no historical issues, and a willingness to sell.

It now seems that government intervention can indeed resolve many obstacles that ordinary people cannot overcome.

After lunch, Yang Guangming took a short nap.

Around 2 p.m., he went to the alley entrance to answer a phone call.

The call was from Director Chen of the Housing Management Bureau. He was very polite and asked if it was convenient for me to view the property now.

Sunshine naturally agreed.

Soon, Mr. Li drove his car, carrying Yang Guangming, to the agreed location to pick up Director Chen.

Director Chen was in his forties, wore glasses, and had a capable appearance.

After boarding the bus, he warmly shook hands and exchanged pleasantries with Yang Guangming, expressing his admiration for Yang Guangming's contributions to the country's foreign exchange earnings.

The car first drove to a quiet neighborhood in the XH district.

The area is shaded by green trees and has an elegant environment. Rows of old houses with different styles, red tiles and yellow walls, line both sides of the street, exuding a strong historical atmosphere.

The car stopped in front of one of the villas, which had a sizable garden.

"Comrade Yang Guangming, let's look at this set first."

Director Chen explained, "This villa used to be the office of a cultural unit in the district. Last year, they moved to a new office building, so this place has been temporarily vacant, with only some office supplies and documents remaining."

The building has a floor area of ​​approximately 420 square meters, with three floors above ground, including a small attic, and a fairly spacious basement. The garden is approximately 150 square meters.

Everyone got out of the car, and Director Chen took out his key and opened the heavy, carved wooden door.

As he entered the room, Yang Guangming carefully examined everything.

The interior of the house was indeed very spacious with a high ceiling. Although some of the original exquisite carved moldings and fireplace had been covered up by later painting, the overall structure was intact and there was no major damage.

The floor is a wide solid wood floor that makes a solid sound when you step on it.

The windows are large and provide excellent natural light.

Because it used to be an office, the interior was divided into several small rooms, making it look somewhat messy, but the original layout was still vaguely discernible.

“These partitions were added later. If we buy them, we can remove them and restore them to their original state,” Director Chen explained from the side.

They went up to the second and third floors and took a look around.

Each room is large and has a wide view.

Especially the large balcony on the third floor, overlooking the entire garden and neighborhood, is a breathtaking sight.

Although the garden is somewhat overgrown with weeds, the trees are lush, and the outlines of the rockery and fishpond are still there. With a little care, it can be restored to its former vitality.

"Based on our assessment, taking into account the building area, location, and condition of preservation, the preliminary price for this house is one hundred and twenty US dollars per square meter," Director Chen announced.

Yang Guangming quickly calculated in his mind that the total price of the 420 square meter apartment was approximately US$50,400.

He didn't immediately respond, but simply nodded: "Director Chen, let's go take a look at another set."

“Okay, the other one is in Jing’an, not far from here,” Director Chen said.

Another garden villa is located in a quiet area of ​​the JA district.

This villa has a more modern style with simple lines, but it is equally impressive.

The building area is larger, about 500 square meters, and the garden area is also close to 200 square meters.

It used to be an office of a foreign trade company, and it has just been vacated.

The interior decoration is more "modern" than the first one, but this also means that more changes have been made to the original structure.

However, it is well maintained overall, and the water and electricity facilities are relatively complete.

"The assessed price for this unit is $140 per square meter," Director Chen explained. "Mainly because it is better preserved and located in a better location."

Five hundred square meters, at $140 per square meter, the total price is $70,000.

Yang Guangming carefully compared the two houses.

The first set has a more traditional Shanghai style, a classic layout, an exquisite garden, and a slightly lower price per unit.

The second set is larger and more practical. Although it may lack some style, it is likely to be more convenient for daily life.

He preferred the first set, as its historical weight and artistic flair were more appealing to him.

But he is not short of money. This is not a matter of choosing one or the other. Since he has enough funds, why not buy both properties?
One unit will be used for personal residence, and the other can be used as an investment or as a future liaison office for the company in China.

Moreover, purchasing two properties at once not only exceeded the foreign exchange earnings target for the housing management bureau, but also made He Zhenzhong look more prestigious.

If he wants to spend the $800,000 as quickly as possible, he certainly can't be too picky; if the items are similar, he should just buy them.

With this in mind, Yang Guangming made a decision.

He looked at Director Chen and said calmly, "Director Chen, I am very satisfied with both of these houses. If conditions permit, I would like to buy both."

Director Chen was clearly taken aback, and a look of surprise appeared on his face.

He hadn't expected Yang Guangming to be so extravagant, wanting to buy two valuable garden villas in one go.

"Buy...buy both sets?" Director Chen confirmed.

“Yes.” Yang Guangming nodded. “I’ve chosen both apartments. The price will be based on your assessment: $120 per square meter for the first apartment and $140 per square meter for the second. The payment can be deducted directly from the foreign exchange I’ve already received.”

After confirming that Yang Guangming was not joking, Director Chen's face instantly broke into a huge smile, and his tone became even more enthusiastic.

"No problem! Absolutely no problem! Comrade Yang Guangming, you truly have vision and courage!"

Director Chen wished he could use every word of praise he could muster at that moment, “These two houses are truly blessed to have an owner like you!”
Rest assured about the procedures; our housing authority will fully cooperate and ensure that the process is completed as quickly as possible!

I'll personally go and urge those two occupied units to vacate the premises. I guarantee they'll clear it out completely within a week, no, within five days!

"Then I'll have to trouble Director Chen." Yang Guangming then asked, "By the way, regarding the telephone installation, have you been in contact with anyone?"

"Don't worry about that!"

Director Chen patted his chest and said, "This issue has already been discussed at the joint meeting of multiple departments."

We've already informed the post office. They'll prioritize installing an international direct dial phone in the apartment you choose to live in!

You agreed to settle the initial installation fee and phone charges in US dollars, which they were more than happy to do. They guaranteed to prioritize the construction and ensure there would be no delays!

Things went unexpectedly smoothly.

Yang Guangming and Director Chen finalized their intention to buy the house on the spot, agreeing that Yang Guangming would bring the relevant documents to the housing management bureau the next day to sign the formal purchase agreement and complete the follow-up procedures.

After viewing the house, Director Chen took his leave in high spirits.

Mr. Li drove Yang Guangming home.

Sitting in the car, Yang Guangming looked at the city street scenes flashing by outside the window, planning for the future.

Buying two prime-located garden villas with clear property rights at such prices in this era is undoubtedly a huge bargain.

This not only completely solved the family's housing problem, but also created two high-quality assets with unlimited potential.

Although he certainly wouldn't be able to move into his new home or use international direct dial telephones before he left, he was already very content.

He knew that when he returned to China next time, he would be greeted by a spacious, comfortable new home full of historical charm, as well as an additional communication channel to maintain smooth contact with the outside world.

All of this was thanks to the mutual trust he built with He Zhenzhong, and the foreign exchange that timely relieved the country's urgent needs.

Back home, Yang Guangming told his family about his decision to buy two villas.

Zhang Xiuying and Yang Yongkang were stunned, almost unable to believe their ears.

"Two...two sets? Both are villas with large gardens?" Zhang Xiuying's voice trembled slightly. She had never dared to imagine in her life that her family could live in such houses, let alone own two at once.

"Yes, the location and the house are both very good. We'll live in one of them, and the other one might be used for other purposes." Yang Guangming said calmly, as if he were talking about something very ordinary.

Yang Yongkang remained silent for a moment, then took a deep drag of his cigarette, slowly exhaled, nodded, and said nothing more.

But the shock and a hint of barely perceptible pride in his eyes revealed his inner turmoil.

When Lin Jianyue returned home from get off work and learned of this news, she was equally surprised.

She pulled Yang Guangming aside and inquired carefully about the specific details of the house, her eyes sparkling with anticipation and excitement for her new life.

"It's a bit of a shame that we definitely won't have time to move in before you leave," Lin Jianyue said with a hint of regret.

"It's okay, you can move in next time you come back," Yang Guangming comforted him. "You can decide how to decorate and furnish it."

Thinking about future plans, Lin Jianyue's face was full of anticipation as she leaned happily on her husband's shoulder.

Accompanied by Director Chen, Yang Guangming successfully completed the signing of purchase agreements and related procedures for two garden villas.

The housing authority demonstrated high efficiency, clear agreement terms, and standardized procedures, reflecting its strong emphasis on this foreign exchange transaction.

The two payments for the house, totaling US$120,400, were quickly deducted from his special foreign exchange quota of US$800,000.

The remaining foreign exchange will be used to pay for the initial installation fee and call charges for international calls, as well as his planned purchase of art.

Meanwhile, good news also came from the post office.

After Yang Guangming decided to use the smaller first house as his permanent residence, the post office immediately dispatched a technical team to conduct a line survey and indicated that it would arrange the installation of international direct dial telephone as soon as possible.

Although it couldn't be completed before Yang Guangming left the country, once his family moved in, he would be able to contact them directly by phone from abroad.

The exorbitant international call charges were completely negligible to him. Even when he was abroad, he could call home every few days to stay in touch.

Compared to the past when communication was very difficult, this is a huge improvement.

Everything is progressing smoothly and efficiently, better than expected.

Yang Guangming knew that He Zhenzhong's power and influence were indispensable behind this.

He was concerned about the assistant selection, but there was still no news from He Zhenzhong, so he couldn't urge him.

He knew that, given He Zhenzhong's personality and work style, once he had agreed, he would definitely keep it in mind. The lack of a reply might mean that He was still considering it or needed time to communicate with the other party.

He could only wait patiently.

On the day before leaving Shanghai, Yang Guangming visited He Zhenzhong again, partly to thank him for his great help over the past few days, and partly to say goodbye before leaving.

In the He family study, He Zhenzhong was in a good mood and expressed his appreciation for Yang Guangming's efficiency and straightforwardness in handling matters.

"Two villas, bought on a whim, Guangming, your boldness is unlike that of a scholar doing research," He Zhenzhong joked with a smile.

"The main reason is that the house is really good, and the opportunity is rare. I also want to thank Uncle He for his coordination; otherwise, I wouldn't have had this connection on my own," Yang Guangming said sincerely.

“It’s mutually beneficial,” He Zhenzhong waved his hand. “You solve the country’s problems, and the country meets your reasonable needs; it’s a win-win situation. By the way, about the assistant…”

He paused for a moment and then said, "I've talked to my old boss and Qingyu himself."

The old man had no objections; it mainly depended on Qingyu's own opinion.

That kid... was quite excited when he first heard the news, and he almost agreed on the spot.

But after learning your age, he hesitated. It wasn't that he had any issues with you; he was just worried about whether he could get along with you.

After all, you're both in your twenties, and it's inevitable that you're young and impetuous. Wang Qingyu doesn't think he's someone who can tolerate being wronged. If you two don't get along well, having me as the middleman might put both of you in a difficult position.

However, after listening to my detailed introduction of you, he developed a strong interest in you and greatly admired you.

Furthermore, tempted by the high salary and the opportunity to go abroad, he relented, but insisted on meeting in person first.

At this point, He Zhenzhong's tone became more serious: "In order not to make you misunderstand, he specifically asked me to tell you that he has no negative opinions about you personally, but on the contrary, he admires you very much and is particularly interested in the work you will be doing in the future."

The reason he didn't agree immediately was to take responsibility for the future. He mainly lacked confidence in his own temperament and didn't want things to look bad on all three sides because of him, turning a good thing into a bad one.

Yang Guangming was secretly pleased; this was a positive sign. Moreover, it wasn't just Wang Qingyu who had these concerns; Yang Guangming himself shared them. Being able to meet and discuss it would be ideal.

"That's great. When is a convenient time for Comrade Wang Qingyu? My flight is tomorrow afternoon, so I have time in the morning."

“I’ll talk to him. If he doesn’t want to miss the opportunity, we have to meet tomorrow morning.”

He Zhenzhong pondered for a moment, "How about this, you come to my house again at nine o'clock tomorrow morning, and I'll have Qingyu come over too, so you can talk face to face. Whether it works or not depends on how well you two talk it out."

"Okay, I'll be there on time." Yang Guangming nodded in agreement.

Leaving the He family's house, Yang Guangming was filled with anticipation for tomorrow's meeting.

With $800,000 sitting in his account, waiting to be spent, he really needs a helper from back home.

Besides this matter, once the pharmaceutical company is established in Hong Kong, it will be impossible to only sell its inventory. It will definitely need to import some precious Chinese medicinal herbs from the mainland. On the mainland side, it will also need someone to assist in the process.

Whether Wang Qingyu can become his capable "eyes" and "arms" in China will be crucial in tomorrow's conversation.

In the evening, Yang Guangming and his family had a sumptuous dinner as a farewell meal.

Zhang Xiuying prepared a table full of his favorite dishes, kept putting food on his plate, and told him to take good care of himself and be careful while abroad.

Lin Jianyue quietly helped him pack his luggage, carefully placing the tea, some snacks, and photos of his family that she had prepared for him.

Jing Shu and Zhi Yuan seemed to sense that their father was about to leave again, and became extra clingy, clinging to him until they were finally coaxed to sleep very late.

Looking at his sleeping children and his gentle and virtuous wife beside him, Yang Guangming was filled with reluctance, but also became more determined to create a better future for them.

The next morning, Yang Ming got up early.

He first had breakfast with his family, and considering that his family still had to go to work or school, he firmly declined their suggestion to take time off to see him off.

After watching his family members go to work or school, Yang Guangming was soon left alone at home.

At 8:50, Mr. Li's car arrived at the alley entrance on time to take him to He Zhenzhong's house. (End of Chapter)