Returning wealthy individuals develop their hometowns and become rich in the 1980s

"That's great!"

Fang Zhenfan chuckled and patted his thigh. "Qingsheng, that kid, we uncles and elders have watched him grow up since he was a child. He's an honest boy. Marrying your cousin is like strengthening family ties."

"When the wedding comes, I, as the head of the company, will definitely attend in person to drink the wedding wine."

Chen Yili listened with a smile, nodding repeatedly. Chen Dong seized the opportunity to say, "Uncle Fang, we'll have to trouble you to be our witness on the wedding day!"

"No problem," Fang Zhenfan readily agreed with a nod. "Even if you didn't invite this old man, I'd still shamelessly go and take the seat of honor, hahaha!"

"That won't do. If you, Uncle Fang, don't go, the wedding won't be grand enough," Chen Dong said, flattering Fang Zhenfan and Chen Yili, the two old men.

Chen Xiangui and Huang Lanzhi were riding in Lin Qingsheng's car, heading into downtown New York City. Chen Lianxiang, in the passenger seat, would occasionally turn around to introduce the scenery and buildings along the way to her parents in the back seat.

Looking at the wooden houses along the way, Chen Xiangui asked curious questions, "Qingsheng, is it because there aren't any typhoons here in America? Why do I see so many wooden houses, and hardly any cement ones?"

"Dad, America blows a lot here, and typhoons often pass through New York too," Lin Qingsheng replied while driving.

After hearing this, Chen Xiangui couldn't help but ask, "If there's a typhoon, why not build concrete buildings? And I see that the climate here isn't that dry. These wooden houses will all get moldy, and people living in them will get sick every few days. It's too torturous."

"Uh... Dad, you might not know much about America. Houses here have to pay property tax every year. The better the house is built, the higher the tax will be," Lin Qingsheng said with a light cough.

"What the hell?"

"You still have to pay property tax. Didn't they say that your land and houses are permanent property rights? Why do you still have to pay taxes every year? I've seen some experts and professors on TV, and they don't say that," Chen Xiangui was obviously watching too many TV programs and couldn't believe what Lin Qingsheng, this second-generation American Chinese, was saying.

"Dad, you might not understand. It's because America's land and house are freehold that the government has the right to levy taxes to make up for the government's public financial expenditures," Lin Qingsheng explained.

"I think it's better to live in China. At least our old houses aren't taxed," Chen Xiangui said with a hint of pride.

"That's because all the land in China is state-owned and doesn't belong to individuals. If America's land is also state-owned, then the government can't levy taxes," Lin Qingsheng said. "Because the government can't levy property tax on properties that don't have land ownership."

"I'm totally confused by your explanation," Chen Xiangui said, somewhat bewildered. Lin Qingsheng smiled and turned his head, saying, "It's very simple. Land like America's has been passed down through generations. Although they have to pay a tax every year, they can demolish and rebuild their houses at will, sell them, or inherit them."

"But it's not possible in China. The land belongs to the state and collectives. Public ownership does not allow land to be sold or inherited. I heard from Adong that the longest holding period for the residential properties sold by Huaxing Real Estate in Zaixing is only seventy years."

"That's not right. Seventy years? That means our old house has been inhabited by three generations," Chen Xiangui retorted.

"Uh... Rural homesteads are a special benefit provided by the Chinese government to farmers, but in essence, the land still belongs to the state; it's just that farmers can hold them indefinitely for a long period."

"I still think socialism is better. Capitalism requires money for everything. I've heard you and Ah Xiang talking about this and that all along," Chen Xiangui said, shaking his head. "Earning money here means you can't take a single penny home."

Hearing her husband say this, Huang Lanzhi rolled her eyes at him, "You're just coming to stay for ten days or half a month, why are you worrying about this? Qingsheng and Lianxiang don't lack this little bit of money."

After being told this by his wife Huang Lanzhi, Chen Xiangui had no choice but to change the subject. The car continued to drive forward and finally arrived at Lin Qingsheng's villa. As soon as Chen Xiangui got out of the car, he looked up at his in-laws' villa, then turned around and looked around. There were similar houses all around.

It seems that only the wealthy can afford to live in a concrete building. This was Chen Xiangui's first impression upon seeing his in-laws' house. Lin Qingsheng opened the door with his key, and as soon as the door opened, a white Samoyed rushed over and gave Lin Qingsheng and Chen Lianxiang a warm welcome.

It's quite a shock when a large dog like a Samoyed pounces on you. Huang Lanzhi was startled, and Chen Xiangui thought the big white dog was going to bite someone, so he quickly shielded his wife behind him.

"It's okay, Dad. Randy is a good boy, just a bit energetic and playful," Lin Qingsheng said, rubbing the dog's head angrily. He then commanded the Samoyed, "Randy, sit!"

The Samoyed obediently sat down as instructed, sticking out its tongue and wearing an angelic smile. Lin Qingsheng then said, "Randy, raise your hand and say hello!"

The Samoyed actually raised its right paw as if to greet Chen Xiangui and Huang Lanzhi, which made Huang Lanzhi laugh. "Oh my, Qingsheng, you've trained this dog to be so clever."

"Aunt Lianxiang!" Just as the group was playing with the Samoyed at the front door, a little girl with a ponytail ran quickly from the living room and rushed into Chen Lianxiang's arms, saying, "Aunt Lianxiang, I missed you so much!"

"Auntie misses Zhenzhen too," Chen Lianxiang said, squatting down and touching Lin Aizhen's little face as she introduced her parents to her. "Zhenzhen, these are Auntie's dad and mom. Quickly call them Uncle and Auntie."

"Hello, sir and madam," Lin Aizhen greeted Chen Xiangui and Huang Lanzhi in a soft, sweet voice. Chen Xiangui nodded with a smile, while Huang Lanzhi bent down and touched Lin Aizhen, praising, "This child is so well-behaved, and so clever and cute."

In the living room, Lin Qingsheng's father, Lin Chaoyang, and mother, Zhong Qiman, came out upon hearing the noise. Seeing Lin Qingsheng and Chen Lianxiang, and noticing the two elderly people with them, they immediately recognized Chen Lianxiang's parents and greeted them with smiles. "Oh! It's your in-laws! Come in, come in!"

Chen Xiangui walked into the living room with a smile, carrying the gifts. He placed the souvenirs on the coffee table and said, "Father-in-law and mother-in-law, these are some local specialties from Tuocheng that I brought for you."

"We are very happy that you could come, and you even brought gifts. This is really too kind of you," Zhong Qiman said warmly, pouring Chen Xiangui and Huang Lanzhi a cup of tea.

"It's just some local specialty, not worth much money."

"It's a small gift but a big sentiment! Besides, these are local specialties from my hometown. I haven't had these kinds of things for years. You two are so kind!"