I'll wait for you amidst the romance of nature.

Just as Tie Nan and I were still basking in the unexpected good news, Bai Lu said to us, "This is just a good sign, don't get too excited. Currently, including Shuanglang, Wase, Caicun, and the seaside inns around Majiuyi and Longkan Wharf, there are about 300 inns with complete permits. So the chances of Huaxiang Yunduo being included in the first batch of inns to reopen are slim… Moreover, the first batch to reopen will definitely be those seaside inns with investments exceeding ten million yuan, because these inns are already very famous. Many high-end tourists come specifically for these top-tier seaside inns. The relevant departments suffered greatly from shutting them down before, so now that they are planned to gradually reopen, they will definitely be given priority."

This was already a pleasant surprise for me, so I wasn't too disappointed. I simply asked, "When will the list of the second batch of inns reopening be finalized?"

"There's no specific announcement yet, but I feel it won't be until at least next spring or summer..."

I replied with some emotion, "That means we have to wait another year, which isn't very optimistic!"

Tie Nan nodded, agreeing with my opinion. After all, if we can't be on the list of the first batch of open seaside inns, everyone will have to stay idle for another year, which I especially can't accept. I really hope to achieve something now and then save myself from this cage.

After a brief silence, Tie Nan asked Bai Lu again, "Who's in charge of this? Can you pull some strings?"

"Connections are certainly possible, but who wouldn't have some connections to invest tens of millions in opening a guesthouse in Dali? ... Besides, some guesthouse owners specifically bought water purification equipment worth hundreds of thousands of yuan from abroad to get their guesthouses back to business as soon as possible, and then drank the treated wastewater in front of their superiors. Could you go to that extent?"

"Is it really that exaggerated?"

Seeing my disbelief, Tie Nan nodded and replied, "That's true. Back then, the government had just started shutting down seaside inns. For those inn owners who had invested tens of millions, a day of closure meant a loss of tens of thousands. You tell me, what ruthless things won't a person do when they're desperate?... That was sewage flushed down the toilet!"

At this moment, I really wanted to call Yang Sisi over to listen. Those owners who can invest tens of millions to run inns are considered wealthy, but they still have to endure such hardships to protect their businesses. So she really shouldn't look at her parents' struggles in their careers with unfair eyes. In fact, they must have suffered a lot of similar hardships in the process of starting and maintaining their businesses, but they chose not to let Yang Sisi see them out of protection.

……

After another moment of silence, I said to Bailu, "Is there any way to increase our chances of winning? After all, we're one of the inns with all the necessary permits and licenses, so we meet the requirements. If it really drags on to the second or even third batch, I feel it will have a significant impact. Not only will the inn keep depreciating, but the rent alone will be unbearable!"

"Let's buy a water purification system first... the higher the water purification standard, the better."

"How much investment is needed?"

"The price can range from tens of thousands to hundreds of thousands of yuan."

I was a little worried, as this would undoubtedly increase our operating costs. Taking over this inn had already put us in a tight financial situation, and if we had to spend another 100,000 or so yuan on water purification equipment, wouldn't that be adding insult to injury? Moreover, this water purification equipment wasn't necessarily the key to unlocking the door to reopening; it just increased our chances of success.

At this moment, Tie Nan, unusually serious, said to Bai Lu, "I won't say anything more. You should also invest a share in the inn... I'm personally willing to give you an extra five percent of the shares."

At that moment, I saw a determined man who had gone all in, and I understood that, compared to the water purification equipment, Bailu was the real key that could unlock the lock.

Bai Lu looked troubled, and after a moment replied, "This is indeed a money-making opportunity, but it's really inconvenient for me to participate because it would have too bad an impact! After all, I only hold a nominal position in the Tourism Bureau."

Knowing he couldn't persuade Bai Lu, Tie Nan turned his gaze to Instructor Ma. Instructor Ma seemed somewhat conflicted as well. He lit a cigarette and remained silent for a long time before finally saying to Bai Lu, "I'm also planning to invest some money in this inn. I've always wanted to open a bar, and it would be perfect to do it here..."

After a moment's hesitation, Bai Lu finally replied, "Okay, I'll invest too... But let me make this clear from the start: I consider everyone here a friend, so please don't tell anyone about this investment. It would really have a very bad impact on me. Although I hold a minor, insignificant position at the Tourism Bureau, it's still a respectable job that I can explain to my family."

We all nodded. Bai Lu continued, "Actually, even if I didn't invest, I would still try my best to help you get it, but you might think I'm not trying hard enough... Let me tell you the truth, even if I put money into the inn, it might not work out, because there are just too few spots available, and everyone will try every possible method!"

Tie Nan replied, "The main reason we brought you in is because we don't have enough funds. Don't worry too much about resuming business; we'll do our best. Whether it succeeds or not depends on luck."

……

After finishing our meal together, the four of us went to find Zhao Jing again and drafted a very formal transfer contract with her. In the end, Tie Nan invested 200,000 yuan, I invested 250,000 yuan, Coach Ma invested 50,000 yuan, and Bai Lu invested 200,000 yuan. We divided the shares according to our investment ratio, excluding Zhao Jing's 20% share, and I became the largest shareholder of the inn.

Of course I'm under pressure, because the money we invested was only enough to take over the guesthouse, and we didn't have the money for a second investment yet. We not only had to replace the original bedding, but also buy a decent sewage treatment system, which is quite an investment.

Fortunately, we still have some time.

……

As evening fell, I returned to the shore of Erhai Lake in "Majiuyi". I sat on the flattest rock again, but my mood was no longer as calm as before. Today, I spent the 19 yuan that Wang Lei left me, and I can say that I have fulfilled half of her dream... So, I really wanted to have a chat with her.

I believe that if we can still communicate, Erhai Lake will definitely be a bridge between us, because it is a place we both yearn for.

I lit a cigarette, my heart heavy with sorrow. Suddenly, I didn't know what to say. All I knew was that I missed her terribly, missed the memories of our time together, of her unwavering support and companionship. Until she sat down beside me…

Yes, because we live close by, Ye Zhi and I met here again. The time was similar to when we last bumped into each other. She probably has a habit of taking a walk around this time.

I stubbed out my cigarette and then politely asked her, "Aren't you busy today?"

"I'm still quite busy. I just got back from Shimonoseki."

I nodded, and after a moment I said to her, "Yang Sisi messed things up the other day, so I couldn't get your contact information. Is it convenient for us to add each other on WeChat now?"

"We run into each other here every day, so there doesn't seem to be any need to add each other."

I joked, "Are you implying that if I need to contact you urgently, I should just barge into your inn again?"

She glanced at me and said, "My friend has already installed a safety net on the courtyard wall. If you want to break in, go ahead and try."

I gave an awkward laugh and replied, "This friend of mine is pretty efficient!"

This time, Ye Zhi ignored me and turned her gaze to the distant middle of the sea, where the setting sun had painted it a golden hue. Seabirds were active there, a sense of loneliness mixed with a hint of life.

I also enjoyed this time, so I didn't intend to speak to her again. There seemed to be a strange aura between us; when our loneliness and solitude collided, an unprecedented tranquility arose, and we were able to enjoy this tranquility separately without disturbing each other.

Thinking about it, if you have this feeling, whether or not you have the other person's contact information is not so important.

But then she took out her phone from her handbag and said to me, "Add me on WeChat."

I was taken aback for a moment, then quickly took out my phone and scanned her QR code. After she accepted my friend request, she put her phone back in her handbag and continued to gaze silently into the shimmering distance...

But I couldn't resist and looked at her profile and social media posts.

She was different from other women. She was so beautiful, yet she didn't use her own photo as her profile picture; her profile picture was just a leaf falling from a tree. She also didn't share much on her social media.

I couldn't help but wonder, didn't she need to share her feelings and life? Then, just how heavy was her loneliness and solitude?