Courtyard House: Time Traveler Not Yet a Ghost

The meeting then moved into the technical details phase over the next two hours.

Chen Xueru reported item by item on "Red Star's" current asset details, staffing, salary system, customer structure, and supplier channels. She spoke slowly but clearly, and every number was accurate, as if those accounts were not recorded in ledgers but engraved in her mind.

Yan Bugui sat at the record desk, his fingers silently sliding across the abacus beads. When Chen Xueru reported the types and quantities of the stocked parts, he subconsciously dialed a few times, and after confirming that the accounts matched the actual inventory, he breathed a sigh of relief and neatly recorded the numbers in the ledger.

Old Li, an officer from the Industry and Commerce Bureau, asked several questions about details, which Chen Xueru answered one by one. Section Chief Zhou from the Industry Bureau inquired about the operation mode of the training base and the source of its teachers, which He Damin answered personally, concisely and to the point.

Regarding personnel arrangements, He Damin offered several specific suggestions:

First, the existing deputy positions in the management team will, in principle, be retained. Those familiar with the business can help the new team make a smooth transition.

Second, of the nearly 300 employees at "Red Star," it is recommended that all, except for a very few who have committed serious misconduct, be retained. Their length of service will be calculated continuously.

Third, the high-wage portion of the original salary system can be gradually merged into the eight-level work system over three years, with the difference subsidized by the company's profits.

Fourth, Yan Bugui has been appointed as the deputy head of the finance department, and Liu Haizhong has been appointed as the deputy director of the maintenance workshop. It is recommended that they continue to be employed after the joint venture.

Yang Chengdong wrote them down one by one.

"These suggestions are very pragmatic," he said. "Especially the transitional plan for wage unification, which Mayor Li of the city specifically instructed on. During the three-year transition period, the difference will be subsidized by corporate profits—this plan takes into account the workers' feelings and does not violate national policies; it's very comprehensive."

He paused, then looked at Yan Bugui.

"Section Chief Yan, you are the deputy section chief of the finance department. Do you have anything to add regarding what we discussed today?"

Yan Bugui was taken aback when he was called out. He subconsciously adjusted his glasses, rubbed his fingers on the abacus beads, and then cleared his throat.

"District Chief Yang, distinguished leaders, I... I'd like to add a small suggestion."

His voice was a little strained, but still steady.

"Regarding the accounting management of spare parts inventory, I suggest implementing a 'two-person, two-lock' system in the future. The warehouse keeper should have one key, and the finance department should have another key. Both parties must be present and sign to confirm the receipt of spare parts. This way... this can greatly reduce the problem of discrepancies between the accounts and the actual inventory."

After he finished speaking, he looked at Yang Chengdong nervously.

Yang Chengdong paused for a moment, then smiled.

"Section Chief Yan's suggestion is excellent and very professional. Old Li, write it down and include it in the management system list after the joint venture."

Yan Bugui's tense shoulders relaxed, and his eyes behind his glasses brightened for a moment. He lowered his head and carefully wrote down what he had just said in the ledger, his fingers lightly moving the beads on the abacus.

Crackling sound.

The crisp sound was like a reassuring pill.

3 PM.

After discussing all the technical details, Yang Chengdong closed his notebook.

"Mr. He, today's negotiations went much more smoothly than expected." He rarely smiled. "I will report your vision and sincerity to Mayor Li. Next, the district will send an asset verification team to the site, which will take about a week. After the verification is completed, the joint venture agreement will be formally signed."

He Damin nodded.

"There's one last question," Yang Chengdong said, looking at him. "After the agreement is signed, the joint venture will need a new name. Do you want to keep the 'Red Star' brand, or...?"

"Keep it." He Damin said almost without hesitation. "The name is what the employees are used to calling it, and the customers only recognize this brand. Changing it back and forth won't benefit the business."

He paused.

"The name 'Hongxing Vehicle Repair, Sales and Service Center' is too long. After the public-private partnership, it can be simplified. It can be called 'Hongxing Automobile Repair Shop' or 'Hongxing Automobile Service Shop,' either way is fine."

Yang Chengdong nodded.

"Let's tentatively call it 'Hongxing Auto Repair Shop'. We can solicit the employees' opinions when it's officially opened."

He Damin did not speak, but simply nodded slightly.

It was already evening when Yang Chengdong and his party left.

The setting sun bathed the white walls of the "Red Star" office building in a warm gold. The roller shutters of the maintenance workshop gradually closed, and workers made their way to the canteen in twos and threes. On the training base's playground, the last group of trainees were packing up their equipment; their young voices rang out loudly in the twilight.

He Damin did not return to his office immediately. He slowly walked along the main road of the park.

As Liu Haizhong walked past the repair workshop entrance, he saw Liu standing in front of the roller shutter, giving instructions to the night shift foreman. Upon seeing He Damin, he immediately straightened up and called out in a strong voice, "Manager He!"

He Damin nodded without stopping.

Walking past the training base's training ground, I saw instructors checking the vehicles, preparing to put them away. The gleaming jeeps lined up in the twilight, like soldiers awaiting inspection.

As I walked past the staff dormitory building, someone was taking in laundry on their balcony. Upon seeing He Damin, they paused for a moment, then waved and said, "Hello, Mr. He!"

He Damin looked up and nodded at the young face.

As He Damin walked past the cafeteria entrance, the aroma of food wafted out: scrambled eggs with tomatoes, stir-fried shredded potatoes with vinegar, and a pot of steaming white rice. He stood at the entrance for a moment, then didn't go in.

Finally, he stood at the entrance of the exhibition hall he had designed himself.

The exhibition hall was empty; the few jeeps and trucks used as prototypes had been moved to the workshop for use as teaching equipment. The gleaming terrazzo floor reflected the afterglow of the setting sun—it was spacious and tranquil.

He Damin stood here for a long time.

Chen Xueru came out of the office building, walked to his side, and didn't say a word.

"Xue Ru," He Damin suddenly spoke.

"Um."

"Are you upset about what happened today?"

Chen Xueru remained silent for a few seconds.

"What's it to you?"

"30% of the shares, withdraw from operation, dividends only, no more." He Damin's voice was very soft, "You've been with me for three years, just when everything was sorted out, you have to hand it all over again."

Chen Xueru did not answer immediately.

She looked at the floor-to-ceiling window at the far end of the exhibition hall, outside which the sky was darkening with twilight. Three years ago, when she first came here, this land was still a wasteland. He Damin stood in the wilderness, pointed to the empty space ahead, and told her, "This will be the exhibition hall in the future, and that will be the maintenance workshop."

At the time, she didn't quite believe it. But she chose to gamble with him.

Three years later, he said he was going to hand everything over. She didn't ask why, she just nodded.

"Brother Damin." She finally spoke, her voice soft but deliberate and deliberate.

"I married you not for these reasons."

He Damin turned around and looked at her.

In the twilight, her silhouette was incredibly soft. The white magnolia brooch gleamed with a warm glow in the evening light, exactly as it had been three years ago when he had taken it from his spatial storage and pinned it to her lapel.

"Home is wherever you are," she said.

"These houses, cars, factories, you can hand them over. As long as you still take me with you, you can go anywhere."

He Damin looked at her.

a long time.

He reached out and gently tucked her hair, which had been ruffled by the evening breeze, behind her ear.

"Okay," he said.

night.

Under the pomegranate tree in the east courtyard, He Yuzhu and He Yushui sat side by side peeling garlic. Chen Xueru was busy preparing dinner in the kitchen, while Qin Huairu assisted her, and ribs were simmering in a pot.

He Damin stood by the window, gazing at the pomegranate tree in the yard.

The moonlight is beautiful tonight; its silvery light shines through the branches and leaves, like a thin layer of frost.

He recalled Yan Bugui's expression when he mentioned "double lock" in the conference room that afternoon. He was both nervous and serious, like a primary school student raising his hand to speak in class for the first time, afraid of saying something wrong and also afraid of missing the opportunity.

The pomegranate tree swayed gently in the wind, the aroma of food wafted from the kitchen, rain and pillars fought over the last clove of garlic, and Qin Huairu laughed and scolded pillars for being so ignorant by the stove.

Chen Xueru came out of the kitchen with two plates of cold dishes in her hands. She saw He Damin standing by the window, walked over, and gently rested her head on his shoulder.

"Dinner's ready," she said.

"Um."

He turned around and walked side by side with his wife into the brightly lit main room.

Behind me, the shadow of the pomegranate tree spread out on the ground in a gentle, dark hue. The night breeze rustled through it, as if whispering some unspoken promise.

three days later.

Yang Chengdong returned to "Red Star" with a formal asset verification team.

One week later, the asset valuation was completed. Both parties confirmed that the total assets of "Red Star" were RMB 1,184,600. He Damin held 30% of the shares, corresponding to a private share amount of RMB 355,380.

October 1, 1954, marked the fifth anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China.

The "Hongxing Vehicle Repair and Sales Service Center" has been officially renamed "Yanbei State-owned Hongxing Automobile Repair Factory".

The signing ceremony for the public-private partnership agreement was held in the conference room on the second floor of the "Red Star" office building. There was no red carpet, no drums, only a congratulatory letter personally written by Mayor Li, and the rustling sound of Yang Chengdong and He Damin writing on the agreement.

When He Damin signed his name, the pen tip paused slightly at the last stroke of the three characters "He Damin" before stopping steadily.

He pushed the agreement in front of Yang Chengdong and stood up.

"District Chief Yang, I'm entrusting 'Red Star' to you from now on."

Yang Chengdong grasped his hand and shook it vigorously.

"Boss He, the country will not forget you."

He Damin smiled but didn't reply.

He turned and walked out of the conference room.

Chen Xueru was waiting for him outside the door. Today she was wearing a light purple cheongsam, and still the same white magnolia brooch.

"Let's go," He Damin said.

"Where to?"

"go home."

They walked out of the office building side by side.