1994: Starting with unpaid leave

The following day, the weather was sunny, making it a good day for property transfer.

At 11:30 a.m., Dong Jianguo and his wife, along with Director Wan's wife, Mrs. Wang, walked out of the Hecheng City Real Estate Transaction Management Office.

The procedures went smoothly, but because the current workflow is different from that of the Internet era, the approval process is entirely manual, and the certificate can only be collected five working days later with the transferor's ID card.

The three of them came out together, with Dong Jianguo on the left, Xiuyun in the middle, and Mrs. Wang on the right.

As they reached the door, Mrs. Wang saw the couple still holding hands and couldn't help but praise them:

"I didn't realize you had such a high status in your family, Zhou! This house is so expensive, and Xiao Dong just put it in your name!"

"It's so wonderful to have such a caring partner!"

Seeing that his wife seemed unsure how to answer, Dong Jianguo smiled and helped her out:

"Sister Wang, you're joking. I'm just following Director Wan's example. Wasn't this house registered under your name before?"

"Forget it, he just wants to have it easy. Now I have to run around all the time selling the house, while he's happy to have some peace and quiet."

"Alright, you two get back to work. I wish you both a wonderful life together. I'm off now!"

After Mrs. Wang finished speaking, she tightened her handbag on her shoulder and prepared to leave.

"Sister Wang, let's have a meal together before you leave."

"No, my husband would criticize me again if he knew... He's so stubborn, he says I'm a leader's family member and can't just eat and drink outside."

Still unable to get the questions he needed to ask, Dong Jianguo was somewhat unwilling to give up, and then a brilliant idea struck him:

"Sister Wang, didn't you say you were going to bring Director Wan a few boxes of pickled chicken feet? After we finish eating, I'll take you to the factory to pick them up..."

Upon hearing him bring this up, Mrs. Wang slapped her forehead: "Look at my memory, I would have forgotten if you hadn't mentioned it."

"Then I'll treat you to a meal, so that Lao Wan won't nag me anymore when he gets back."

Regardless, at least they managed to keep the person, so Dong Jianguo didn't dwell on it anymore and nodded.

The three of them went into a spring pancake shop opposite the real estate transaction management office.

Spring pancakes are a specialty of Northeast China. The translucent and chewy pancakes are rolled with various side dishes and smeared with sweet bean sauce. Every bite is guaranteed to be delicious.

Since she had already agreed to treat them, Mrs. Wang handed the menu directly to the couple and let them order.

Dong Jianguo didn't stand on ceremony. He ordered ten thin pancakes, five spring pancakes, shredded pork with garlic sauce, shredded potatoes, cold dried tofu strips, plus some side vegetables. The total came to less than 25 yuan.

Using the excuse of needing to use the restroom, Dong Jianguo settled the bill.

When they returned, Mrs. Wang and Xiuyun were chatting and laughing.

Dong Jianguo, somewhat curious, pulled out a chair and sat down: "Xiuyun, what are you and Sister Wang talking about?"

"Sister Wang told me about how Director Wan ate pickled chicken feet at home. She said he watched the game while eating chicken feet with beer, and after the game, he took six digestive pills..."

"Really? Is Director Wan alright? Don't let him get sick from eating something bad."

Mrs. Wang pursed her lips: "I actually hope he gets sick from eating something bad, so he can stay home and spend more time with me under the pretense of not feeling well."

"Look at you two, it's been so long since my husband and I have been this affectionate..."

Mrs. Wang sat there, her smiling eyes fixed on Dong Jianguo and Zhou Xiuyun, her gaze reflecting the image of her passionate love affair with Director Wan when she was in her twenties.

Dong Jianguo nodded solemnly:

"Sister Wang, don't worry, after dinner I'll definitely go to the factory and bring you a few more boxes of pickled chicken feet! I'll try my best to make sure Director Wan is stuffed so he can spend more time with you at home!"

Xiuyun pulled Dong Jianguo aside: "Oh dear, Sister Wang was just saying, we can't let Director Wan get sick from it!"

"Silly girl, Jianguo's just joking. But I won't give it to you as a gift, I'll buy it myself!"

Dong Jianguo waved his hand: "No, sister, don't get me into this mess. Our pickled chicken feet are brand new, they don't even have certificates of conformity yet. Giving them away is fine, but buying and selling them is illegal. I, Dong Jianguo, am a law-abiding businessman!"

This time, Mrs. Wang was genuinely amused by him.

This is the first time I've heard gift-giving described in such a refined and elegant way.

She couldn't help but take a closer look at the young man that Lao Wan had been praising a lot lately at home.

Young, handsome, eloquent, and good at making money.

If he weren't married, he would be the envy of countless young women!

It's a pity that good men always settle down early...

"Sister Wang, everyone's talking about pickled chicken feet, I'd like to ask you something."

"I heard that the Harbin Passenger Transport Section is planning to buy my formula. Have you heard Director Wan mention it at home?"

"Of course, I won't force you, little brother. If you break the rules, then I'll pretend I didn't ask."

Mrs. Wang was visibly taken aback when Dong Jianguo suddenly asked about this.

"Oh dear, I don't usually get involved in their work. But I've never heard Lao Wan mention this at home. He just keeps saying how delicious your family's pickled chicken feet are..."

"What's wrong? Has someone threatened you? I'll go back and ask Lao Wan for you."

After all, her husband is a mid-level official within the system, so she is naturally sensitive to this.

She's also tried the pickled chicken feet, and the taste is absolutely amazing; it's a very promising snack.

The fact that Dong Jianguo asked this question at this time suggests that he was being watched.

Thinking of this, Mrs. Wang frowned slightly:

"Brother Jianguo, people's hearts are not what they used to be. As long as it's a profitable project, there are countless people eyeing it, both openly and secretly."

"Take our hometown of Hecheng for example. Are there no good things here? So many good things have ended up in the hands of those bastards, and anything worthwhile has vanished into thin air!"

"Many of these tricks are things you young people probably haven't even seen before. Let me tell you something from the bottom of my heart: your pickled chicken feet recipe is incredibly valuable. I wouldn't sell it for any amount of money!"

"If anyone dares to pressure you, just tell your sister and Lao Wan! My brother is a lawyer in Harbin. If they really push us too far, we'll sue them!"

Mrs. Wang spoke sincerely, and Dong Jianguo was deeply moved.

Her reaction was completely subconscious; she didn't flinch, clearly unaware of the situation.

The key point is that this reaction was much better than that of his father, who only wanted his older brother to get promoted!

"Sister, I'm relieved to hear you say that!"

"We don't have many connections in this field, and we've had to figure things out entirely on our own. Sometimes we really don't understand the ins and outs of it all. To be honest, you and Director Wan are truly my benefactors on my entrepreneurial journey!"

"Brother Jianguo, don't worry! As long as you do the right thing and walk the straight path, you have nothing to fear from those wicked people with crooked intentions."

"Sister, let me offer you a toast with tea instead of wine!"

Xiuyun followed along gratefully, saying, "Sister, let me toast you too!"

"Don't mention it, it's fate that we met. Besides, if you hadn't bought the house in time, we wouldn't have been able to raise the money to buy a house in Harbin anytime soon!"

Despite saying that, Mrs. Wang still raised the glass in her hand.

"Ding!"

Three glass cups gently collided in mid-air, producing a pleasant, crisp sound.

……