Siheyuan, Shazhu: I have both parents in this life

Chapter 357 Agricultural and sideline products also have great potential.

The helicopter flight permit was only approved on the fifth day of the exhibition, and the roar of helicopters could be heard every day after that.

Many people weren't buying it; they just wanted to experience something new. He Yuxin and Xu Damao didn't care. Selling just one of these planes would cover all the expenses of the exhibition, especially since they already had orders on the very first day the plane took to the skies.

The Canton Fair usually lasts for fifteen days. Color TVs, motorcycles, and three-wheeled vehicles only arrived in Guangzhou on the seventh day. Foreigners aren't very interested in these things; they might compare prices at most.

However, the supply and marketing cooperatives and department stores in various provinces were very interested.

Liao Wei brought not only labor, but also a considerable order to Huang He – an order for a car fleet, including trucks and jeeps.

They had wanted to switch vehicles for a long time, but they couldn't get a spot. Several car factories in the north didn't have enough production capacity. When the purchasing agent from the automotive group came over and asked about the price of Yellow River cars, he immediately submitted an application and signed a purchase contract the next day.

As for performance, is there even a question? So many soldiers have tested it in practice, and they almost made a mess of it.

Before the Canton Fair ended, the Yellow River Group received orders totaling nearly 200 million yuan.

Helicopters made up the majority of the sales, while other products combined exceeded 50 million. This figure alone is enough to keep the production lines of several joint ventures in China booked until the end of the year.

After the exhibition ended, Xu Damao and He Yuxin did not rush to leave Huacheng.

They and their team began visiting the manufacturers of Chinese medicinal herbs, leather, and agricultural products who had left their contact information.

The first stop was a leather company in a county in the grasslands.

"The quality of our leather is truly excellent, it's just that, alas, the foreign buyers are driving down the price too hard," the person in charge said, holding up several good pieces of leather.

Xu Damao picked up a piece of leather, which felt supple and had an even color: "This is good stuff! It's a real shame to sell it like this. Brother, have you ever thought about doing some further processing yourself? You could make leather shoes or bags, and the price could be several times higher."

The factory manager smiled bitterly: "How could I not have thought of it? But we have no equipment, no technology, and no design. We can't even get a decent leather sewing machine, let alone any foreign exchange quota."

He Yuxin and Xu Damao exchanged a glance.

He Yuxin said, "We can figure out a way to handle the equipment and technology. What do you think about it if Huanghe invests in us, or we provide the equipment, and you repay us with a share of the profits from our products?"

The factory manager's eyes lit up instantly, but then dimmed again: "This, this is a big deal, I have to report it to the county."

"Of course." Xu Damao patted him on the shoulder. "This is my business card. We'll wait for your news."

Over the next few days, they visited several more herbal medicine stations and agricultural product companies, and the situations were largely the same.

Good products don't sell for good prices because they lack the capacity and channels for further processing.

That evening, in his hotel room, Xu Damao was looking through the notes he had taken during the day when he suddenly said to He Yuxin, "Yuxin, I've discovered something."

"What?"

"Actually, we were focusing on the big picture before, and we overlooked the fact that we are an agricultural country."

"Yes, I've heard my brother mention this before. He said he doesn't want to expand too much, or we won't be able to manage it all."

"That's true! But the cooperation model we're discussing now should be fine. After the investment, we'll get the goods at cost price to offset the debt."

"They should be fine in the short term, but I think they'll be able to leave us behind in eight to ten years."

"So you mean that we should screen out the companies that are worth long-term investment and definitely take shares in them, such as high-end medicines like ginseng and deer antler?"

"Tell me more about it."

"Brother Da Mao, have you been so busy lately that you've lost your mind? What did my brother ask you to do in Hong Kong before?"

Xu Damao thought for a long time, then slapped his forehead: "Traditional Chinese medicine factory."

"Yeah, why would the Koreans buy so much medicine during those days? Could they even use it all up themselves?"

"I do know a little about this. There are many 'Hanfang' medicines in Hong Kong pharmacies. They are actually our traditional Chinese medicine preparations. The prescriptions were all taken by the scoundrels."

"So, who is the biggest customer of traditional Chinese medicine?"

"Of course they're Chinese, you mean these bastards."

"They make all the money in one trip, while the people in China end up not being able to afford the medicine they grow themselves."

“I’ll make a run for it this year and definitely get this factory on board. I remember my brother said he has quite a few formulas.”

“Yes, there were no conditions in Hong Kong before, but I think all the conditions are met in China.”

"Okay, I'll go talk to them first, and then I'll talk to our brother when things are more or less settled."

“Then I’ll take charge of the rest. But it can’t be done by just the two of us. Let’s not slack off. Let’s each take a few people with us. It would be best if we could train them.”

"Ok."

Shortly after the Canton Fair concluded, good news kept coming from the Ho family residence in Hong Kong.

First, He Yushui successfully gave birth to a baby girl, and a few days later, Wang Siyu also gave birth to a big, healthy baby boy.

The He family suddenly gained two grandchildren, and He Daqing and Chen Lanxiang were overjoyed upon hearing the news.

On the phone, Xiaoman said to Chen Lanxiang, "Mom, you didn't see them, but the two little ones are so chubby and cute! Yushui's daughter is just like her mother, delicate and pretty; Siyu's son is chubby and looks just like his father when he was little!"

Chen Lanxiang said, "Xiaoman, ask them if they can take the baby back to Beijing after they come here for postpartum confinement. We old folks are getting quite bored here!"

"Let me ask. Even if they want to go, it will have to be after the baby is 100 days old."

"Okay, come and wait for the New Year. It would be even better if you could come back together."

"Hmm, I'll ask them. I don't think Siyu's side is a good fit, but the rain shouldn't be a big problem."

“Why can’t Siyu do it? Cuiping and Xiaoyu simply don’t have time. What help can they possibly offer?”

“Mom, they are the child’s maternal grandparents after all.”

"Hey, it would be better to let Cuiping and Xiaoyu retire, they're not young anymore."

"You'll have to say that. I wouldn't dare say that. You know them, too."

"Okay, I'll bring it up another day."

Xiaoman actually asked. In fact, He Yushui didn't really want to go either. It wasn't that she didn't want the child to go, but that she didn't want to go.

If she goes back by herself, she'll be bossed around by her mother.

As Xiaoman said, Wang Siyu's situation is indeed the same. There is another problem: because it is a boy, Wang Siyu's husband's side also values ​​it very much, and it is impossible for them to send him to another place to be raised.

When Chen Lanxiang found out, she didn't say anything, just said, "Let them be!"

"Mom, Yaozu and the others will go back during summer vacation, then you won't be lonely."

"That's great."

"Really, Zhu Zi and I will see how things go."

“Okay, you all go about your business, as long as the children are back,” Chen Lanxiang said.

"it is good."

He Yuxin was a little depressed because his two older sisters had given birth, and he was being pressured to have children again.

One day, after being scolded again, he drank a couple more glasses of wine and then watched TV in his room.

A mainland Chinese movie was playing on TV, and in a flash, a familiar figure appeared on the screen—it was the girl he had met in Shanghai and had been corresponding with for a long time.

The movie credits indicated that she won a Golden Rooster Award for this film.

He Yuxin sobered up instantly and sat up straight.

"An award? She's an actress, no, she's a movie star now? Such a big thing, how come she's never mentioned it once in her letters or on the phone?"

He was a little dazed. He picked up the phone and dialed that familiar number.

The phone rang for a long time before being answered, and a gentle yet somewhat tired voice came through: "Hello?"

"It's me, He Yuxin." He paused, trying to make his voice sound calm.

"I saw you on TV. Congratulations on winning the award."

There was a few seconds of silence on the other end of the phone, followed by a slightly resentful voice: "You're only looking now? I thought you already knew."

"Would you believe me if I said I rarely watch TV and almost never watch movies?"

"Are you really that busy? You've never even asked me what I do!"

He Yuxin was speechless for a long time before finally saying, "You didn't say that either."

"Idiot, can't you just ask where you are right now?"

"I'm in the Special Economic Zone."

How long has it been since we last met?

"I'll come find you tomorrow," He Yuxin blurted out in a moment of impulsiveness.

"Don't you have to go to work?" The girl was a little embarrassed after she finished speaking. In fact, she had never asked He Yuxin what he did.

They met by chance when He Yuxin was conducting research in Shanghai. He Yuxin caught a thief, and the girl treated him to a meal. After that, the two became pen pals.

He left his phone number and would call from time to time, but he wrote letters more often, since the girl was rarely at home.

"No need, I happen to have business to attend to in Shanghai."

"Then I'll wait for you to come find me!"

"it is good."

He Yuxin flew to Shanghai early the next morning.

He found the dormitory of a certain theater troupe by following the address in the letter.

But she came up empty-handed. Her roommate told her that Gong Xue had gone home to rest after filming, and gave her a home phone number.

When I called, a middle-aged woman with a serious voice answered and questioned me several times before calling Gong Xue over.

Upon hearing that He Yuxin had arrived in Shanghai, Gong Xue paused for a moment on the phone before arranging to meet him at an old coffee shop near the Bund. In the afternoon, He Yuxin arrived first and chose a quiet spot by the window. Not long after, Gong Xue arrived, wearing a plain-colored polyester shirt and sunglasses, which she removed only after sitting down; she looked somewhat tired.

"I didn't expect you to actually come." She smiled, her tone revealing little emotion.

"I happen to have some business to take care of here," He Yuxin said, making up an excuse without mentioning that it was an impulsive act.

The two fell silent for a moment, and the atmosphere became somewhat awkward and subtly tense.

We seemed to have so much to say in our previous communications and phone calls, but now that we've met in person, we don't know where to begin.

The coffee was served, and He Yuxin stirred it with a small spoon before finally asking, "Why have you never mentioned making movies?"

Gong Xue looked up at him and said softly, "What difference does it make whether I mention it or not? In your letter you only said that you were very busy with work and traveling around. I am the same."

He Yuxin remained silent.

“I’m afraid that if I tell you, you won’t write back. Many people think that our line of work is not reliable.”

"I can't!" He Yuxin said immediately, her tone a little anxious.

He looked at Gong Xue and said, "I'm just a little surprised. I'm happy for you that you won the award, really."

Gong Xue looked at him, seemingly trying to find something else on his face, but in the end she just smiled faintly and said, "Thank you."

Just then, the door to the coffee shop was pushed open, and a tall, strong young man in a suit walked in. He glanced around and walked straight toward their table.

"Gong Xue, it really is you. I called your house, and your aunt said you were out." The man's tone was familiar, but his sharp gaze fell on He Yuxin. "And this is?"

Gong Xue's expression changed slightly, and she stood up: "Comrade Zhao, hello. This is my friend, He Yuxin."

She then turned to He Yuxin, "Yuxin, this is Zhao..."

"Zhao Weiguo." The man extended his hand, his expression scrutinizing. "Where does Comrade He work? He looks unfamiliar. You're not from Shanghai, are you?"

He Yuxin stood up and shook hands with him, feeling the other party's deliberate increase in pressure, but her expression remained unchanged: "I work in the special zone."

"Special Economic Zone? How did you two meet?"

“Zhao Weiguo, this has nothing to do with you, right?” Gong Xue said.

"It's not a problem. May I ask where Comrade He is working?"

"Yellow River Company".

"Yellow River? What kind of company is that? Does the Special Economic Zone have such a unit?"

"A trading company."

"Doing business? Self-employed?" Zhao Weiguo raised an eyebrow, his tone carrying a hint of barely perceptible contempt. He then turned to Gong Xue, "Gong Xue, there's an internal dance party at the Cultural Palace tonight. Several leaders are coming and specifically asked to meet you, this newly minted superstar. I came here specifically to pick you up."

Gong Xue frowned slightly: "Comrade Zhao, I'm sorry, I have something to do tonight, and I'm with a friend..."

"What could be more important than the leader's business?" Zhao Weiguo interrupted her, his face still smiling, but his tone was not very good.

"you"

“Since Comrade He is a businessman, he must understand what is important and what is not, right?” He looked at He Yuxin again, the meaning in his eyes was very clear.

He Yuxin didn't respond to his question, but instead looked at Gong Xue and calmly asked, "Are you busy tonight?"

Gong Xue looked into his clear eyes, then glanced at Zhao Weiguo, who seemed determined to succeed, took a deep breath, and said to Zhao Weiguo, "Comrade Zhao, thank you for informing me. But I do have personal matters to attend to tonight and it's inconvenient for me to go. Could you please explain this to the leaders for me?"

Zhao Weiguo's face instantly darkened. He stared at Gong Xue for a few seconds, then coldly glanced at He Yuxin and snorted, "Fine. Gong Xue, have you thought this through? Then I won't bother you and your 'friend' anymore." He deliberately emphasized the word "friend," then turned and left.

The café quieted down, and Gong Xue seemed to breathe a sigh of relief, but then sat down with some unease.

“I’m sorry,” she whispered, “his father is our leader.”

He Yuxin shook her head: "It's nothing, this kind of trouble happens often?"

Gong Xue shook her head with a wry smile, not answering directly, but instead asked, "You just said you're in trade, what exactly do you mean? What business are you in Shanghai for this time?"

He Yuxin knew this was an exchange, and it was time to be honest: "We mainly have some dealings with Hong Kong, mainly in imports. This time, I'm here to check out the port and transportation situation here."

"Hong Kong?" Gong Xue was somewhat surprised, and looked at him carefully. "You've been there, what was it like?"

"Well, there are more buildings and more cars here, and people earn more money. That's about it."

"You're not being honest. I've heard that things are much better over there than here."

"What, do you want to go take a look first?" He Yuxin raised an eyebrow.

“How many young people these days don’t want to go out and see the world?” Gong Xue said.

"I'll take you to see it sometime."

"Is it really possible? I heard it costs a lot of money and the procedures are very complicated."

“It’s none of a problem for me, as long as you want to go,” He Yuxin said earnestly.

"You're still bragging. That guy and the others with him couldn't even get out of there."

"Um, my older brother is over there."

"Oh, yours isn't, it isn't."

"What is it?"

"It's nothing. So you have connections. No wonder." Gong Xue ultimately didn't utter the words 'escape to Hong Kong'.

“My dear brother!” He Yuxin said.

"So, where do you live, and what do your parents do?"

“My family is from Beijing. My dad is a chef, and my mom is a housewife.”

"Oh, so they're from the working class. Where's the cook?"

"Yes, yes, the working class."

How many siblings do you have?

"Five."

"So many! Who are you?"

"The third child."

"I only have one younger sister."

"Oh, I've known you for so long but I've never asked you what year you were born?" He Yuxin said.

"I, I was born in 1953," Gong Xue said somewhat embarrassedly.

"I was born in 1952."

"Really?" Gong Xue was pleasantly surprised; she had thought He Yuxin was younger than her.

He Yuxin looked at Gong Xue's slightly flushed cheeks and unconsciously traced circles on the rim of her coffee cup with her fingers.

Outside the window, the faint sound of ship horns could be heard from the Huangpu River.

"Really, I want you to be my girlfriend, will you?"

"Ah, but, but we've only met a few times, we don't know each other that well."

How do you want to know?

"I...I don't know either!" Gong Xue said.

So how do you feel about me?

"I... I can't really explain it either. You're different from everyone I know. You're more pragmatic than them, and you're more of a gentleman than them. Yes, a gentleman."

"Me, a gentleman?" He Yuxin laughed. If you were to say that his older brother was the one to admit it, his older brother wouldn't even bother with the title of Justice of the Peace, so he was still a bit lacking.

“Yes!” Gong Xue said.

"Okay, so how did you manage to wait until you're this old?"

"I've been dragging this out not because I'm picky, but because I've seen too much and I'm scared. I always have to repeatedly confirm whether the other person is looking at me as a person or something else. Besides, my job requires me to travel all over the country, and I rarely see people. There aren't many people who can truly accept that."

"I can understand that. How long have we known each other?"

“It’s been a few years, hasn’t it?” Gong Xue said.

"When I met you, 'Under the Bridge' hadn't been released yet, right?" he suddenly asked.

Gong Xue paused for a moment, then nodded: "Mm."

"Then the Gong Xue I knew back then was the one who would be happy to catch a thief stealing a wallet, who would insist on treating me to a meal to express her gratitude, and who would argue with me for several pages in a letter about whether a book was good or not, right?"

"Mmm." The girl's voice was even softer.

“You rarely mention the hardships of filming in your letters, but you complain that the food in the cafeteria is always too salty, you worry about your sister’s homework, and you tell me where to find the best wontons in Shanghai. Isn’t that just like you in real life?”

"Yes, but you rarely complain or say these things."

"So, in the coming period of time, I wonder if Miss Gong could give me a chance?"

"Oh, you're staying in Shanghai?"

"Yes, I can stay for a while."

"Can I...can I think about it?"

“Okay.” After saying that, He Yuxin took the notepad and pencil on the table and wrote down a phone number and an address. “This is where I live and my phone number. You can contact me anytime you’re ready.”

"it is good."

(End of this chapter)