Chapter Eighty: Marvelous Dreams and Tumultuous Clouds

The two people sent out by He Zhixing finally called, with Jiang Chunmei on the line. As soon as He Zhixing answered, he asked, "How’s it going, Chunmei? How’s your inspection in the provincial capital?"

Jiang Chunmei replied, "It’s basically settled. Both locations are in the outskirts; we couldn’t find anything in the city center. One is in the new district on West Ring Road, and the other is in the Scenic District on South Second Road. Both have excellent positions, right at the intersections in the heart of the city. Only some older merchants are here, wholesaling clothes and vegetables and such. The second and third floors are large office spaces for lease, which should be easy to renovate. We’ve spent days investigating the foot traffic and market development potential. The conclusion looks promising."

"We’ve also made contact and negotiated with the property owners. They’re willing to rent us all the floors—three stories for fifty thousand. We told them we’d decide once you arrived, so we’re calling you now."

"Alright, I’ll come join you in the provincial capital this afternoon."

He Zhixing started the car and left home directly, bringing Yufang with him this time. The youngest son was left at home with Aunt Zhang. Yufang had many new designs for trendy clothes to deliver to Nuofeng Company, so she came along. The twin sisters didn’t go—they had their own tasks at home, managing the planting of wild vegetables and fruits.

Driving all the way from Five Towns through the city and on to another city, it took four or five hours to reach the provincial capital. He Zhixing arrived at the new district on West Ring Road, where he met Jiang Chunmei and Lian Yaqiang. Both were delighted to see He Zhixing and Yufang, greeting He Zhixing as "Boss" and Yufang as "Sister-in-law," which Yufang accepted graciously.

He Zhixing said, "Come, get in the car. Let’s head to Nuofeng Fashion first. Yufang has business there." He opened the back door and invited them in. Lian Yaqiang took the front seat; the two women sat in the back.

Upon arriving at Nuofeng, Yufang went straight to the design department, while He Zhixing led them to his office. He immediately summoned the workshop general manager of Nuofeng Fashion. Truth be told, He Zhixing felt a little unworthy of his title as president—the general manager’s contributions were significant, as were those of his two women, Sister Hu Li and Hou Juan, who helped manage the company. Not long after, Hu Li heard He Zhixing had arrived and came out of the general manager’s office to the president’s office. Hou Juan wasn’t there; she was busy at the chain store.

Hu Li, heavily pregnant, nearly rushed into He Zhixing’s arms, but seeing guests present, she restrained her longing and greeted him, "President He!"

She found a seat nearby and sat down. He Zhixing listened to the workshop general manager Liu Shan’s report on the company’s recent developments, paying attention to all the issues. There were no major problems, just minor ones, mainly concerning adjustments to employee benefits and welfare.

He Zhixing acknowledged, looking at Hu Li. Hu Li explained, "The urban economy has grown, and minimum guarantees have been adjusted in many cities. We already offer the highest benefits, not the minimum, but some staff noticed other companies have raised theirs slightly, so we should increase ours a bit too."

He Zhixing replied, "This is no big issue. We should respect and value talent. Our company may not be among the Fortune 500, but we treat our staff with top-tier benefits. Social security, contribution bonuses, attendance awards, excellence prizes—all can be adjusted upwards. Our rapid growth is thanks to every employee’s contribution."

Liu Shan responded, "Alright, President He, I’ll follow your instructions and have the adjustment documents ready for you or the general manager as soon as possible."

"Good, go ahead."

He Zhixing arranged for Jiang Chunmei and Lian Yaqiang to stay at a hotel, then drove to the villa where Hu Li and the others lived. Hou Juan had just returned as well. Seeing He Zhixing arrive with Sister Li, she was overjoyed and exclaimed, "Brother He, you’re here!"

The two embraced tightly, kissing for a long while until Hu Li interrupted their fervor with a few coughs. They finally broke apart, and Hu Li laughed, "Girl, the moment you see your brother, you forget everything else. Look, the smell of burnt food is already wafting from the kitchen. I haven’t even had my turn to be close to Zhixing, and you’re already ahead."

Hou Juan cried "Ah..." and dashed to the kitchen, muttering, "Burnt! My greens are burnt..."

He Zhixing chuckled and shook his head, then gently embraced Hu Li, gazing at her tenderly. All his gratitude condensed into a single phrase: "Lili, you’ve worked so hard these past weeks. I’m truly grateful for your help managing the company and the stores."

Hu Li tapped his forehead and smiled, "Silly!"

He Zhixing slowly kissed her lips, and just as they were lost in each other and breathless, an uninvited guest arrived. Hou Juan came out of the kitchen and said, "Well, the moment I go into the kitchen, you two start clinging together. I won’t stand for this..." She demanded a hug and affection from He Zhixing as well.