Siheyuan, Shazhu: I have both parents in this life

Chapter 366: Importation of a Newborn
The call was answered quickly.

Gong Xue and Chung Chuh-hung each spoke with their families, their voices filled with undisguised joy.

A few days later, the mothers of both families were brought to Beijing. They were originally offered to stay in courtyard number 66, but they refused. In the end, they were temporarily settled in a small, well-prepared courtyard not far from courtyard number 95.

Chen Lanxiang breathed a sigh of relief. With two more capable helpers at home, the days became much more lively amidst their laughter and chatter.

After the people arrived, He Yuzhu and Xiaoman went back to Hong Kong first, saying they would come back for the Lunar New Year.

Although the old lady and Chen Lanxiang were reluctant to let them go, they did not say anything to ask them to stay.

One evening in November, the aroma of food wafted from courtyard number 95.

He Daqing was busy in the kitchen, while Chen Lanxiang and her two mothers-in-law helped out.

Gong Xue and Cherie Chung sat on the kang (a heated brick bed) in the inner room, covered with a thin blanket, watching television.

"Chu Hong, is the 'Journey to the West' series you starred in premiering today?" Gong Xue asked.

"Yes, after promoting it for almost half a year, it's finally going to air. Director Yang and his team have suffered a lot for this film," said Cherie Chung.

“This TV series has been filmed for quite a long time,” Gong Xue said.

"The filming took place in various locations across the country and lasted for several years. The actors were also transferred from different places. I was able to participate thanks to my third brother."

"Oh! I heard you weren't the only one back then!"

"Third sister-in-law, that matter is all in the past. Third brother is now wholeheartedly devoted to you."

"I know, I'm just curious about what it looks like."

"this."

"Prettier than me, right?" Gong Xue said.

"What are you two sisters-in-law chatting about? Dinner is ready!" Chen Lanxiang said as she entered the room.

"Mom, it's nothing, we were just talking about TV."

"Oh, dinner's ready."

"it is good."

This was just a minor incident, and Gong Xue didn't bother to ask who He Yuxin was. Asking that extra question was simply a woman's nature.

By the end of 1985, the Journey to the West production team had completed the main filming work and entered post-production.

Director Yang Jie was deeply grateful for the help provided by the Yellow River Group during the difficult filming period. Upon learning that He Yuxin was in Beijing, she specially took time to have Li Chengru bring her over to thank He Yuxin.

That afternoon, He Yuxin had just arrived home and entered her own room when Gong Xue told her that Director Yang Jie had arrived and was talking to her mother and Cherie Chung in the main room.

"Why don't you go?"

“I want to too, look at my belly,” Gong Xue said.

"Then you should rest well. I'll go and see if I can get you a role in Director Yang's next TV series."

"I can get it myself, you go ahead." Gong Xue rolled her eyes at him.

"Haha, I'm going now." He Yuxin said as she went to the main room.

"Director Yang, didn't you say you didn't need to come? Why did you still come?" He Yuxin smiled and stepped forward to shake hands.

"Why wouldn't you welcome me?"

"No, no, I was just worried you'd be too busy. The TV series is about to be released, right?"

"Yes, the premiere is scheduled for New Year's Day."

"Then I'll have to take a good look."

"President He wants to take a look and give us some feedback, to see where the gap lies compared to foreign counterparts," Director Yang said with a smile.

"I don't have that kind of ability; I'm just an amateur."

Director Yang didn't continue on that topic and changed the subject, naturally avoiding the part about Rosamund Kwan.

Li Chengru came along, but they didn't talk much. Chen Lanxiang wanted to stay for dinner, but Yang Jie refused and tried to take Li Chengru away.

After seeing He Yuxin to the door, I stepped back and said to He Yuxin, "Mr. He, now that the TV series is finished filming, I'm free. Could I ask you for a job?"

"You really want to work for me? Your current company is one of the best in the country."

"Hey, that's only two and a half dollars a month, what's there to count? You know how hard it is to work in the sun and wind."

"With your abilities, will Director Yang release you?"

"What can we do if we don't release them? There's no work left." Li Chengru curled his lip.

"Okay, come find me when you're done with your business. I happen to be short-handed."

"Okay, thank you, Mr. He!" Li Chengru bowed repeatedly.

They were driven back by He Yuxin's driver. On the way, Yang Jie asked Li Chengru, "Xiao Li, what were you saying to President He as you walked behind?"

"Well, Director Yang, I'd like to go to the Yellow River and work under General Manager He."

"What? I was thinking you'd still be with me for the next movie?"

"Director Yang, you don't even know where the next film is coming from. The station's budget is so tight, and we only managed to finish filming this one with great difficulty."

"Alright, you're still young and want to explore, so go ahead and explore. Do you need me to help you with something like a leave of absence?"

"No need, let's just leave decisively, otherwise I'll always be thinking about it and won't feel at ease doing anything else."

"When do you plan to leave?"

"Let's get it done in the next few days."

"You...have you been thinking this way for a while now?"

"Yes, I already had this idea when I first went to the special economic zone."

"You must have had a tough time, running around with me through wind and rain for several years."

"One should finish what one starts, otherwise Mr. He and the others will look down on me."

"Okay, I support you. If you don't do well later, you can come back to me." Director Yang patted his hand.

"Thank you, Director Yang! Actually, this opportunity was given to me by you!"

"What are you talking about? If you don't go looking for sponsors yourself, how will you meet them? Opportunities are something you have to earn yourself."

After the premiere of "Journey to the West" on New Year's Day, the whole nation eagerly awaited its release. The first 11 episodes aired on February 1st, causing a nationwide sensation and achieving a record-breaking 89.4% viewership rating, becoming the most popular TV series at the time.

Viewers kept urging for more episodes because they hadn't seen the complete series, causing CCTV's mailboxes and phone lines to be overwhelmed.

After Gong Xue watched the episode about the Four Sages Testing the Mind of Zen, He Yuxin's ears suffered.

Li Chengru came to see He Yuxin right after New Year's Day.

"Mr. He, all the formalities on my end have been completed."

"Okay, then I'll arrange a job for you. The starting salary isn't high, only three hundred. Do you want to do it?"

"Damn, I quit my job just to come here."

"Alright, go and investigate the market in Beijing, see what the people need, and check the business situation of department stores and supply and marketing cooperatives. Can you do that?"

"can."

Do you need me to get you a car?

"Let's forget about it, it's too eye-catching."

Do you want a motorcycle?

"Motorcycles are fine."

"Aren't you cold, kid?"

"Just wear something thicker."

Three days later, He Yuxin brought Li Chengru a 250cc motorcycle from Jidong. Li Chengru was immediately captivated by it.

"like?"

"I love it so much."

"It's yours now." He Yuxin tossed the keys to him.

"Thank you, Mr. He. If I had to save up the money myself, it's hard to say whether I could afford it."

"Keep being stingy. With your current salary, you could definitely buy it in a year."

"hey-hey."

Two weeks later, Li Chengru came to report to He Yuxin on the findings of his investigation. Upon seeing He Yuxin, he took out a notebook from his bag. "Mr. He, these past few days I've visited the department store, Friendship Store, and many supply and marketing cooperatives. I also went to Xiushui Street, Dongdan, and Xidan. Now that people have some disposable income, they actually lack many things. You need coupons to buy a TV or a washing machine, but individual vendors selling clothing and snacks are doing very well."

He Yuxin nodded: "What do you think about us opening a home appliance specialty store?"

"Home appliances? What kind do you sell?"

"Televisions, tape recorders, video recorders, washing machines, refrigerators, motorcycles, and even cars are all acceptable."

"Ah!" Li Chengru's mouth gaped open.

"how?"

"Nothing, nothing, we have all of these in stock."

"You can get anything you want, even computers."

"Computer, the kind used for arithmetic?"

"You've been working for nothing at CCTV, haven't you ever seen a computer before?"

"Oh, I didn't quite realize it at first. You can really get the goods?"

"Ah."

"That thing is quite expensive; most people can't afford it."

"It's not sold to individuals, but to schools and organizations."

"I'm not confident I can sell this."

"Then go ask. I also have something else for you: go to the Industry and Commerce Bureau and ask if a store like this can be opened."

"it is good."

Li Chengru wrote down what he could sell and He Yuxin's requirements in his notebook, then rode off on his motorcycle. In December, Gong Xuexian made her move.

That night, she suddenly felt a sharp pain. He Yuxin immediately got out of bed and hurriedly put on her clothes.

Chen Lanxiang and Gong's mother also rushed over upon hearing the noise, and the lights in the courtyard were quickly turned on.

He Daqing was awakened by the noise, put on his clothes and came out. Upon seeing the situation, he immediately told the driver to start the car.

Outside the hospital delivery room, He Yuxin paced back and forth, her brows furrowed in worry.

He Daqing patted him on the shoulder: "Take it easy, it's okay." As dawn approached, a loud cry of a newborn baby finally came from the delivery room.

The nurse came out carrying the swaddled baby: "Congratulations, it's a girl, weighing six pounds and three ounces. Mother and daughter are safe and sound."

He Yuxin went over to take a look and saw that the little girl's face was wrinkled and red, and she was crying hard with her eyes closed.

He grinned, but his eyes welled up with tears; he was pregnant.

When Gong Xue was wheeled out, her face was pale, but she was smiling.

He Yuxin held her hand and said, "You've worked hard."

The names were chosen long ago; it's just a matter of who has the baby and who has the baby.

The girl's name will be He Ningyu, and the boy's name will be He Yaochen.

The girl originally wanted to be named Ning Shuang, but Chen Lanxiang thought it was too cold, and that it wouldn't be good to have "snow" followed by "frost".

Chen Lanxiang held her granddaughter, adoring her. He Daqing looked at her again and again, muttering, "Her eyebrows and eyes look just like her mother's."

Less than half a month later, Cherie Chung was also hospitalized.

He Yuyao took leave this time and specially rushed back from Hong Kong to wait outside the delivery room.

The process went relatively smoothly. She went in at noon and gave birth around dusk. It was a boy, weighing seven pounds and one ounce, so she named him He Yaochen.

The He family suddenly welcomed two new lives, making the courtyard even more lively. The cries of the children and the coaxing voices of the adults mingled together, creating a vibrant atmosphere.

Chen Lanxiang has been exhausted lately, and last night she told He Daqing, "I can't deny that I'm getting old."

“It would have been so much better to have listened to the children’s arrangements earlier. Do you still think this is thirty years ago, when you could lead a whole group of children all by yourself?” He Daqing said.

"Yes, time really flies. Now it's all up to Yu Yan."

“Once they have children, you probably won’t need to take care of them anymore. I’m afraid it will be too tiring for you. Zhu Zi has already hired a nanny, so you old folks can have an easier time,” He Daqing said.

"Both of my mothers-in-law are younger than me."

"So, you were the only one who refused to admit you were getting old, and now look what happened."

"If you say that again, you can go sleep in the outer room."

"No, no, the outer room isn't as warm as the inner room," He Daqing said with a forced smile.

"Go to sleep, you're tired."

"it is good."

Before the 23rd day of the twelfth lunar month, He Yuzhu and Xiaoman brought their children back from Hong Kong to celebrate the New Year.

As soon as He Yaozu, He Yaozong, and He Ningxue entered the room, they surrounded the little brother and sister, looking at them with curiosity.

He Yushui also returned with her daughter Yang Sibei. The little girl could already take a few unsteady steps and was trying to communicate with the younger children by babbling.

On New Year's Eve, the whole family enjoyed a lively New Year's Eve dinner as usual. The addition of a new member to the He family brought even more joy.

Two newborn babies lay side by side on the kang (a heated brick bed), while the older children set off the new fireworks that He Yuzhu had brought back in the yard, their dazzling colors illuminating the night sky from time to time.

The CCTV Spring Festival Gala was also better than last year. The whole family gathered around the TV to chat, drink tea, and eat snacks, creating a lively atmosphere.

He Yuyan was also pulled aside for a private talk by Chen Lanxiang this time, who urged him to have a child. When he returned, he told Zhou Baige about it, and Zhou Baige punched him a few times. That night, he got his wish.

Now that both of them have been transferred to the rear, it's time for them to have a child, especially since Zhou Baige, after seeing the two little ones, also hopes to have one.

After the fifteenth day of the first lunar month, the festive atmosphere gradually faded, and the He family members went back to their own business.

He Yuxin called Li Chengru to courtyard number 95 and asked him about his progress during this period.

"Tell me the specifics, what are the details?"

Li Chengru said, "Mr. He, I've inquired, and the policy allows opening a home appliance specialty store now. Individual businesses can operate, so there's even less of a problem for us operating under a company name. It's just that for in-demand items like TVs and washing machines, you still need invoices, but some factories in the south have already started to experiment with negotiating prices without invoices."

He Yuxin nodded: "The source of goods is not a problem; Huanghe Group has its own channels. The key is the store location and the way it is operated."

“I looked at a few places, but the good locations like Wangfujing and Xidan were all packed. There were a few street-front shops available for rent near Qianmen Street, which were large enough, but the location was a bit out of the way.”

"Qianmen is fine; there's a lot of foot traffic there. You should go and find out more about the rent and the surrounding environment."

“Okay.” Li Chengru noted it down, then rubbed his hands together and said, “President He, there’s something else. I haven’t figured out how to use that computer, mainly because I can’t get in.”

He Yuxin smiled and took out a piece of paper from the drawer. It had phone numbers and contact information on it: "I forgot about this. These are some contact information my brother gave me. Just go find them and say you are an employee of the Yellow River Group."

"Great!" Li Chengru took the paper, read it over, and nodded repeatedly.

In the days that followed, Li Chengru was extremely busy.

During the day, I would visit shops near the front gate, and at night, I would organize research data.

He Yuxin started preparing the supply of goods, and made arrangements in advance with Jidong, Hong Kong and the special economic zone. Now the goods are not hard to sell. The reason for opening such a store was actually at the request of He Yuzhu.

"Ordinary people may know about the Yellow River Group, but they can't actually see any of its products. It's just a name for them. The first step is set in Beijing. These home appliances are just the beginning. If the market is opened up later, they will become large shopping malls or even department stores. Of course, there is another possibility: chain home appliance companies."

After selecting the address, He Yuxin called He Yuzhu.

"In addition to retail, we also need to expand our wholesale business and equipment procurement services. Many units in the north also need imported equipment, but lack the channels. Remember not to limit yourself to large equipment in factories and mines."

"Yes, I've considered that too. I originally planned to do it as the next step."

“Let’s do it together. The trading company in the Special Economic Zone isn’t doing very well. Just think of it as opening another one in Beijing.”

"Okay, I'll see how to arrange it."

In early April, the sign for the electrical appliance store was hung up on Qianmen Street—"Yellow River Electrical Appliance Mall," the large golden characters standing out prominently in the sunlight.

The day before the opening, the crowd was beyond description; if He Yuxin hadn't prepared a lot of people to maintain order, the door would have been smashed.

This is a shop that doesn't require tickets or foreign exchange certificates.

On opening day, apart from computers and cars parked outside, all the various home appliances displayed in the store, such as televisions, washing machines, refrigerators, and tape recorders, were cleared out.

He Yuxin and Li Chengru were dumbfounded. Was this free?

Customers who couldn't buy the goods were unwilling to accept this and insisted on paying a deposit to purchase the next batch.

There was no other way, so Li Chengru was responsible for leading the shop assistants in collecting deposits, registering them, and issuing invoices.

He Yuxin started busy restocking.

"Hey, Mao, double the quantity of the goods from last time, send another batch."

"Mr. Meng, send me another batch of color TVs."

"Director Zhou, do you have any more motorcycles?"

On the second day of opening, the store was packed with people, even though we were out of stock.

The second batch of goods arrived the same as the first batch, but the customers who came to buy them were quite different. They came from all over the country and had different accents. Some even wanted to buy a hundred color TVs at once.

He Yuxin thought he was a middleman, but when the man showed him his work ID and letter of introduction, He Yuxin still didn't agree. In the end, he only agreed to sell him ten units. These days, too many people take these things; you can get them if you have connections.

The store has also added a rule that each person is limited to purchasing two units.

As the saying goes, for every policy, there's a countermeasure; people just have to go and find someone to help them.

But another problem arose: the department store couldn't sell its products, and people complained to their superiors.

When He Yuxin received the call from the Municipal Bureau of Commerce to have a meeting, he was in the warehouse taking inventory of the video recorders that had just arrived.

He put down the receipt and smiled at Li Chengru: "What's meant to happen will happen."

The atmosphere in the meeting room was serious.

The comrade from the Commerce Bureau got straight to the point: "Mr. He, your mall has been doing very well since it opened. But the public has reported that your unlimited sales of in-demand goods are having a significant impact on the state-owned main distribution channels."

He Yuxin pushed over the materials he had prepared beforehand: "These are our purchase invoices and sales ledgers. All goods are purchased through legitimate channels and taxes are paid in accordance with the law. Now the country is encouraging economic revitalization, and we are operating within the scope permitted by policy."

The other party glanced at the receipts, his tone softening slightly: "That makes sense. But the department store is currently facing a serious backlog, and if they don't meet their sales targets, employee bonuses will be affected. Could you consider appropriately controlling sales volume? Or perhaps supplying goods to department stores and similar entities?"

"We can supply them with goods, but the problem is that people don't have ration coupons, so they still can't sell them unless you can solve the coupon problem. Besides, consumers have the right to choose freely. If there's a price difference, you won't come back to us, will you?"

"We'll have to look into this when we get back."

"Then can we still operate normally?"

"Sure, you haven't broken any rules."

"Okay, once you have the results, you can send someone to contact us. Of course, the goods won't arrive that quickly, as we still need to sell them in our own store."

"We understand that."

"If you have any questions in the future, please feel free to point them out. We can communicate at any time." He Yuxin stood up and extended her hand to shake hands with each of the visitors.

After seeing these people off, Li Chengru wiped the cold sweat from his forehead.

"Scared me."

"You'll get used to it eventually. It's nothing. Similar situations will happen again in the future."

"besides?"

"Do you think others aren't envious of our store? Just wait and see, a bunch of stores like ours will open soon, and then it'll be all about the supply of goods."

Is it really that hard to do business?

"Young man, you still have a lot to learn. Keep up the good work." He Yuxin patted him on the shoulder.

"Understood, Mr. He."

A few days later, the department store sent the head of the purchasing department.

Looking at the mountains of imported television sets piled up in the Yellow River Mall warehouse, he couldn't help but ask, "Where did you get so many of these?"

Li Chengru smiled and offered a cigarette: "Section Chief Wang, many factories in the south are now using negotiated pricing, you can try it out yourselves."

Section Chief Wang was speechless. It was a negotiated sale. They hadn't managed to secure any supply, and the other party wasn't worried about selling at all. The quantity allocated to them was simply not enough to meet demand.

Now that Yellow River Electric Appliances has emerged, they simply can't sell anymore.

(End of this chapter)