Spring Breeze Twenty Years

Chapter 1000: For Rent Only, Not for Sale

Chen Hui said, "Transportation is a big problem. The venue is big enough, but the outside traffic can't keep up. Inside, people can enter and exit from one end, so it's manageable. But how do we deal with the outside? Those alleys are only so big, and there are buses too. If half the city's population floods in, the buses can't handle it all."

Manager Chen said, "We'll just spend money. We'll rent a batch of buses from the bus company, set up a few routes, and anyone who buys something can get on the bus for free. As long as it alleviates the congestion in the Zhongjie area, it won't matter if it goes to the outer ring."

As we walked and talked, we listened to the soft rustling of falling snowflakes and felt the coolness of the snow on our faces. The streetlights cast a warm yellow glow, and the shops along the road were all closed, their lights shining through the doors and windows. For a moment, it felt like we were walking in a fairy tale.

Huang Laowu took out some cigarettes to offer as a gift and asked, "Where are we staying?"

Zhang Jun said, "You're still staying at our guesthouse? You didn't even call ahead. There's nothing in the room."

Xiao Wei said, "We could open a hotel upstairs in the middle, so anyone who comes here will have a place to stay. Whether we make a profit or not doesn't matter. By the way, sister-in-law, are office buildings easy to rent?"

The sister-in-law said, "I did inquire, but they all asked how much it cost. I've been busy taking care of the baby lately, so I haven't had a chance to ask."

Xiao Wei said, "We'll only rent, not sell. You can figure out how to collect the rent. We'll keep a few floors upstairs for our own use, open a hotel in the middle, and rent out the bottom floors."

My sister-in-law said, "Okay, I'll arrange it. I've been busy with the mall's leasing efforts lately. Since you guys haven't come to the office, I don't know what your plans are. Actually, we don't need many floors here; three floors should be enough."

Chen Hui said, "That's not enough. I need to keep at least seven floors for myself, open three floors for the hotel, and rent out the rest."

Zhang Jun turned his head and asked, "Do we really need all of this? We can make do with what we have; renting is just another way to spend money."

Chen Hui said, "This whole area alone would need three floors. Your sister-in-law's side would need one floor, right? The security department, the shopping mall, that would need at least two floors, and maybe not. The hotel linen washing and ironing offices would need another floor, wouldn't they? You do the math."

Zhang Jun said, "The comprehensive plan needs to occupy three layers?"

Chen Hui said, "The top floor belongs to Xiaowei; he uses it himself. That's the rule. It's the same in all our buildings. The top floor belongs to him. The finance department and I each have one floor, the meeting room is on one floor, and then the other departments take up one floor."

Zhang Jun said, "Is it really necessary? How many times a year do they come? Taking up an entire floor?"

Chen Hui said, "This was arranged by the design institute's boss. It's just one floor. Usually, one of his assistants works upstairs."

Zhang Jun clicked his tongue a few times and said, "Okay, as long as you have arrangements. I'll take care of getting the hotel up and running for you in the next few days. Who's in charge?"

Chen Hui said, "Sister-in-law, you manage the property and hotel here. The shopping mall and other places pay rent on time, and they manage it themselves. We collect rent from both the retail and office spaces."

Huang Laowu suddenly asked, "Where are those two from the artillery division? Damn, I just remembered, we're missing two people."

Chen Hui said, "They've gone to investigate; they have a mission and will be back tomorrow."

Xiao Wei said, "My mom said that you should go back to Fengtian for the New Year. My fourth uncle and his whole family will come too. It will probably be like this every year from now on."

Zhang Jun said, "Okay, of course. I'll come back as soon as I've finished preparing the New Year's goods for your sister-in-law's family."

Xiao Wei said, "Then your wife can learn how to manage the property. I'll invite someone with experience to come back and give you a lecture. Lao Wu, you can walk around the building tomorrow. We basically operate on this model. Take a look and get a feel for it so you can arrange your work when you get back. That's why I called you over."

Manager Chen said, "Let's do it together. I need to see how it goes too. It's my first time doing this, so I need to learn."

Xiao Wei said, "Yes, the sizes are different, but the basic things are the same. Taking a look will give you a general idea. Xidu is going to open before next autumn, so we need to prepare in advance."

Manager Chen said, "No problem. The middle-level managers who will be coming from Fengtian will all have some experience."

Huang Laowu laughed and said, "Xidu Andong Dalian, you're going to have to pull a lot of people away from here. Can they keep up?"

Manager Chen smiled wryly and said, "We have to keep up, even if we can't. It's divided into four parts, which means we have to send four teams. It's a real headache; our HR department is too weak. We'll have to start recruiting and training people as soon as we get back. I'm planning to implement a two-person mentoring system, with experienced people guiding new ones, so that things won't get chaotic when people are pulled out. The pressure is immense."

Li Wen giggled and said, "I don't need anyone, I have plenty, pick and choose."

Xiao Wei said, "We'll get through this wave, and we'll make plans in advance in the future."

Huang Laowu patted Manager Chen on the shoulder and said, "Just take what he said with a grain of salt. Be prepared; the pressure won't be small for the next three to five years."

Manager Chen laughed and said, "I only manage my supermarket. You're saying the pressure is on Lao Zhang, haha."

Upon arriving at the guesthouse, Zhang Jun went to open a room and get the key. Everyone went back to their rooms to rest, while Zhang Jun, his family of three, and Chen Hui went to Xiao Wei's room to talk.

The little guy was probably a bit startled because we were out and there were so many strangers. He just stared at us with his big eyes without making a fuss, which Li Wen adored. She wanted to hold him all night, but Zhang Haitao wouldn't let her, so the two of them were locked in a little struggle. Now that we were in the room and on the bed, he got sleepy, yawned a few times, sprawled out on the bed, and fell asleep.

Chen Hui pinched Zhang Haitao's cheek a few times and said, "These houses here must cost a lot of money, right?"

Xiao Wei smiled and said, "Around 120 million. For now, the biggest expense is renovating the house. Once the house in Fengtian is sold, our loan will be almost paid off, and the rest will be net profit."

The sister-in-law said, "Seriously, I was shocked when I first calculated it. I couldn't sleep all night. It was terrifying. 127.43 million. This is practically robbery, and they even have such a huge building in their hands. I'm scared, but your brother said it's okay."

Chen Hui said, "We're making money through legitimate investments, so there's really nothing wrong with it. I just don't know what the military is thinking about buying houses back home."

A few people chuckled softly. Zhang Jun said, "Our director has been having insomnia. He's retiring soon, so he might have some thoughts about it, but it's none of our business. The house was bought by the military region; we don't know if there are any available spots in our department."

Zhang Jun said, "How about it, Xiao Hui? Wasn't I wise back then? Hurry up and get the paperwork done and register your household. Otherwise, wouldn't it be a hassle?"

Chen Hui gave a thumbs up.

Xiao Wei thought for a moment and asked Chen Hui, "Do you think we need to get a property ownership certificate for that piece of land belonging to the artillery division?"

Chen Hui shook his head and said, "No need, it's different. Setting up a school over there isn't like selling it."

Zhang Jun said, "Xiao Wei prepared some money for me before the New Year, about three or four million, because I might need it."

Chen Hui said, "Your director? Well, he'll have to give you some money if he wants to acquire the land. It's alright, three or four million is readily available, no need to prepare anything special."

Zhang Jun sighed and said, "Wow, you've really struck it rich! It's only been two years, it feels like a dream. Xiao Wei, have you thought about what the future holds? Your development is too fast."

(End of this chapter)