Courtyard House: Time Traveler Not Yet a Ghost

Spring has turned to summer, and the last trace of chill in the air of Beijing has faded, replaced by a warm and sweet scent of locust blossoms. Three months have passed since the lively wedding in Nanluoguxiang.

In the northwestern suburbs, that once barren and empty field, enclosed by walls in the cold winter winds, has now been transformed, standing in the early summer sun with a brand-new look that seems to have "traveled through" time.

A vast and imposing architectural complex rose from the ground. The main buildings were two connected, clean-lined two-story structures with bright light gray exteriors. Large windows reflected the sunlight, creating a striking contrast with the still somewhat desolate surroundings. Above the main entrance hung a huge plaque with gold lettering on a black background—"Red Star Vehicle Repair and Sales Service Center"—the characters powerful and vigorous, gleaming in the sunlight. This was the prototype of the "4S store" that He Damin had personally planned and built based on his memories and ideas from later generations. Although the concept of "4S" had not yet been born at this time, its comprehensive functional positioning, integrating display, sales, repair, parts supply, and even information feedback, was already taking shape.

To one side of the main building is a larger repair workshop, its tall roller shutter doors wide open, revealing glimpses of a clean floor, neatly arranged tool racks, and several lifts yet to be installed. Further away, a three-story red brick building stands quietly—the employee dormitory specially built by He Damin. Bright and clean, though not luxurious, it provides a stable place for employees far from the city to live. The entire park has smooth roads, ample parking and test drive areas, and even a small green belt with transplanted hardy pines and cypresses that stand resiliently against the summer heat.

Today is the eighth day of the fifth lunar month, an auspicious day according to the Chinese almanac for "opening markets, trading, issuing contracts, and hanging plaques." It is also the joyous occasion of the official opening of the "Red Star Vehicle Repair and Sales Service Center."

Early in the morning, the park and its surroundings were already festively decorated. Two rows of tall red inflatable arches (novelties that He Damin had unearthed from his storage space) stood on either side of the main gate, adorned with banners proclaiming "Warmly Celebrate the Grand Opening of the Hongxing Vehicle Service Center." Colorful flags lined the road, fluttering in the wind. A brand-new red carpet was laid out in the open space at the main entrance, extending all the way to the exhibition hall entrance of the main building. A drum and gong troupe invited from the city, dressed in matching red and yellow costumes, energetically played their instruments; the resounding drumbeats and high-pitched suona horns carried far, attracting curious villagers from nearby villages and passersby to stop and watch.

Just after nine o'clock in the morning, guests began to arrive one after another. Some came by bus or bicycle, while a few slightly old jeeps and cars drove in. The most eye-catching was a black Volga sedan with government license plates, which slowly stopped in front of the red carpet, accompanied by District Mayor Yang Chengdong (who had been promoted from street office director to district leader).

The car door opened, and Yang Chengdong stepped out first. He now exuded a more composed demeanor, a warm smile on his face. Immediately afterward, He Damin approached from the other side. Today, he wore a well-fitting dark gray Zhongshan suit, his figure upright, his short hair neatly styled. After months of newlywed life and the natural manifestation of his Nascent Soul cultivation, his brows had lost some of their former deep and aloofness, gaining a more gentle and bright air, making him even more imposing.

"District Chief Yang, welcome, welcome! Your presence is an honor to our humble shop!" He Damin stepped forward to shake hands, speaking politely.

"Haha, Comrade He, this isn't a 'small shop'!" Yang Chengdong shook He Damin's hand firmly, looking around at the massive complex of buildings, his eyes filled with amazement. "In just three months, you've managed to build such a... such a modern factory on this barren land! Amazing! This is a benchmark for the development of the private economy in our district, how could I not come and see it?"

After exchanging pleasantries, Yang Chengdong introduced several officials from the district's industry and commerce bureau, transportation bureau, and other departments who had accompanied him. He Damin greeted them one by one and led them onto the red carpet.

Chen Xueru, who was in charge of greeting guests at the entrance of the exhibition hall, was also particularly radiant today. She wore a fitted cheongsam in a light purple color embroidered with silver orchids, which perfectly accentuated her slender figure. Her black hair was elegantly styled in a bun, adorned with a pearl hairpin, and she wore matching pearl earrings. Her face was covered in delicate makeup, and her smile was bright and her demeanor graceful. Upon seeing District Chief Yang and his entourage, she immediately stepped forward and greeted them politely, "District Chief Yang, distinguished leaders, welcome! Please come in!"

"This must be Comrade He's wife, right? They are indeed a perfect match!" District Chief Yang praised with a smile, and the accompanying officials echoed his sentiments.

Chen Xueru blushed slightly, but her eyes were full of pride and happiness as she led everyone into the spacious and bright exhibition hall.

Upon entering the exhibition hall, even the well-traveled District Chief Yang and several other officials were taken aback by the sight before them!

Inside the nearly 2,000-square-meter high-ceilinged showroom, brightly lit and with mirror-like terrazzo floors, dozens of brand-new cars were neatly parked! The majority were olive-green American Willys Jeeps, along with a dozen or so Dodge mid-size trucks and GMC 10-wheelers! They stood like soldiers awaiting inspection, their bodies gleaming, tires brand new, reflecting a cold yet alluring metallic sheen under the bright lights. Each car had a prominent label on the inside of its windshield, clearly displaying the model, brief specifications, and a staggering price—120 million yuan (old currency)!

In an era when the average worker's monthly salary was only a few hundred thousand old dollars, this price was undoubtedly an astronomical figure! But He Damin had his reasons for setting the price: firstly, scarcity drives up prices, and the channels for private purchase of cars were almost zero, so having cars in stock was his biggest advantage; secondly, these cars came from "special" sources with extremely low costs, and the high price ensured profits and screened customers; and thirdly, it was also to differentiate the price from vehicles that might be introduced through "special channels" in the future.

In addition to the vehicles, one side of the showroom features an elegant rest and negotiation area with leather sofas, coffee tables, and even a Snowflake brand refrigerator (containing soft drinks for guests), which would be considered a luxury in this era. On the other side, there are some car models, tires, engine oil and other accessory samples on display. Vehicle structure diagrams and maintenance instructions are displayed on the wall, exuding professionalism and cutting-edge technology.

"Good heavens! Comrade He, this is quite an eye-opener!" District Chief Yang walked around the jeeps for a while, then couldn't help but exclaim in admiration, "These cars... they're all in brand new condition! And the showroom setup is even more impressive than some of the foreign trading companies I've visited in Shanghai!"

"District Chief Yang, you flatter me. It's all about providing a better service environment for our customers," He Damin said modestly, then proceeded to introduce the service center's planning and philosophy. "We not only sell new cars here, but also provide comprehensive maintenance and repair services. We have a full range of parts and highly skilled technicians. There's also a dedicated repair workshop and technician training area in the back. In the future, we plan to offer extended services such as used car appraisal and trade-in, and vehicle insurance consultation. Our goal is to build the most professional and comprehensive vehicle service base in Beijing and even North China."

District Chief Yang nodded repeatedly, "That's a great idea! Visionary! Cars are essential tools for production and daily life, and their numbers will definitely increase in the future. If you do a good job here, it will be a strong support for our district's transportation and industrial production!" He turned to the accompanying industry and commerce officials, "Old Li, we must strongly support private entrepreneurs like Comrade He who have the resources, ideas, and are willing to invest heavily in construction, and provide them with excellent service and support!"

"Yes, District Chief, we will definitely cooperate fully!" the industry and commerce official replied quickly.

Inside the exhibition hall, besides officials and some potential clients invited by He Damin (mainly purchasing managers from some large factories and mines nearby), there were mostly newly recruited employees from the service center.

Three months ago, He Damin, through the Hongxing Subdistrict Office, publicly recruited nearly eighty high school and junior high school students. This recruitment caused quite a stir at the time, not only because of the large number of applicants, but also because the salaries He Damin offered were astonishingly high! Outside factories, an eighth-grade worker (the highest level) earns only about eight million old dollars a month, while He Damin's newly hired high school apprentices start at eight million! Junior technicians who pass training and assessment earn fifteen million, intermediate technicians twenty million, and the senior technician positions he set out for have a staggering thirty million old dollars! This doesn't include performance bonuses and benefits.

Such favorable conditions naturally attracted a large number of outstanding young people to apply. After rigorous screening, the eighty people who were finally selected were all full of energy, their eyes brimming with anticipation and drive for the future. Today, they all changed into the dark blue work uniforms with the "Red Star" logo, uniforms customized by He Damin. The men were tall and straight, and the women were smart and capable. They were each doing their own job inside and outside the exhibition hall. Some were guiding guests, some were wiping down vehicles, and some were doing final checks in the repair shop. Although they were a little inexperienced, their serious and focused spirit filled the entire service center with vibrant energy.

Looking at these young faces, He Damin felt quite satisfied. High salaries not only attract talent but also inspire loyalty and a passion for learning. His planned training programs in repair techniques, sales skills, and management processes had already quietly begun. These young people would be the first seeds of the automotive industry he had sown in this era.

As noon approached, the opening ceremony was officially held in the open space in front of the exhibition hall. District Chief Yang delivered a passionate speech, affirming the significance of the service center's construction and expressing support for the private sector. He Damin, as the owner, also gave a brief speech, thanking everyone for their support and looking forward to the service center's future. Then, amidst deafening firecrackers and drumbeats, District Chief Yang and He Damin jointly unveiled the red silk plaque for "Hongxing Vehicle Repair and Sales Service Center," officially announcing its opening!

After the ceremony, a luncheon was held in the spacious staff canteen. The canteen was also quite well-built, with bright and clean windows, neat tables and chairs, and could accommodate two hundred people at the same time.

And the chef in charge of cooking today is none other than He Yuzhu!

After months of diligent study at Hongbinlou and occasional guidance from He Damin (including some forward-thinking culinary concepts and the occasional provision of rare ingredients), He Yuzhu's culinary skills have improved rapidly, far surpassing his previous level. Although he is not yet on par with a master like Li Baoguo, he has already achieved considerable skill, especially in his expertise in Tan family cuisine and Sichuan cuisine, which he prepares with impressive flair. He Damin specially "borrowed" him from Hongbinlou for a day to be in charge of today's important opening banquet, both as a sign of trust in his skills and as an opportunity for him to showcase and hone his craft.

Dressed in a pristine white chef's uniform and a tall chef's hat, He Yuzhu was directing several kitchen helpers in the cafeteria's back kitchen. His movements were swift and focused. The stove roared, woks and ladles flew, and the rich aroma of food filled the air. The braised pork was a glossy red, tender and not greasy; the steamed fish was fresh and smooth, cooked to perfection; the Kung Pao chicken was spicy and delicious, with a glossy sauce... Although it was all cooked in large batches, under his hands, it was made to rival the quality of stir-fries from upscale restaurants.

District Chief Yang, along with other officials and important clients, were invited into a private room where the dishes were even more exquisite. As each dish, beautifully presented and deliciously presented, was served, everyone praised it. He Yuzhu, encouraged by He Damin's gaze, came out to offer a toast. Although the young man was a little nervous, his demeanor was still quite proper. He received a compliment from District Chief Yang: "A promising young man! The He family produces talented people!" He blushed with excitement, his gratitude and respect for his uncle growing even stronger.

The ordinary employees and the villagers who helped out ate in the canteen hall. They also had eight dishes and a soup, with both meat and vegetables, and the portions were generous. Everyone ate heartily, praising the food highly, and their goodwill towards the young and generous boss, Mr. He, increased even more.

After the banquet, District Chief Yang and his entourage toured the repair workshop and employee dormitories, once again praising He Damin's thoughtful approach and emphasis on employee welfare before departing. Some interested customers stayed behind, carefully examining the vehicles and inquiring about prices with the help of sales staff. Although the astronomical price of 12000 million yuan deterred most, representatives from well-established companies showed considerable interest and began detailed negotiations.

As the sun sets, the service center, bustling all day, gradually quiets down. The staff begin tidying up, their faces showing tired but satisfied smiles.

He Damin and Chen Xueru stood side by side in front of the floor-to-ceiling window on the second floor of the office building, looking down at the lights that were gradually coming on and the neatly parked cars.

"Brother He, today... feels like a dream," Chen Xueru whispered, nestled against him. From being the owner of a silk shop to becoming the mistress of such a vast enterprise, the changes in these three months had been so rapid that she sometimes felt it was unreal.

"This is just the beginning." He Damin held her hand, his gaze fixed on the city skyline gradually sinking into the twilight. "The road ahead is long."