Spring Breeze Twenty Years

Chapter 1194 Truly Alive

Xiao Wei said, "I didn't really think that much about it at the time. I was just worried that getting involved directly might cause some trouble."

Old Chen said, "Yes, that's the right mindset. You should always leave yourself an escape route. Think things through and try to isolate yourself from the situation if possible."

This is good enough. I suggest that even if you invest there, it's best to go through a third-party company. It's less troublesome to go through a few detours, but it will protect you better.

Chen Hui said, "Let's set up a new company, then have that new company form a joint venture with someone like Du An'an, and use that joint venture to make investments. Would that work?"

Old Chen thought for a moment and said, "That's fine. You and Liang Gao can discuss this and hear his opinion. That kid is obsessed with the law; he's been born in the wrong place. He's quite capable and trustworthy. Now that I'm here, you can take him in. His personality isn't suited for government work; he won't get anywhere in it."

Xiuer pushed open the door and ran in: "Godfather, let's eat! You two lazybones, come out and eat!"

Old Chen laughed and stood up: "Come on, let's go get some dumplings. Xiao Hui, wanna have a drink with me? Xiao Wei, you should practice drinking too; what man doesn't drink?"

Xiao Wei and Chen Hui also stood up. Xiao Wei said with a wry smile, "It's not that I don't want to drink, it's just that I really can't. It's too much of a torment."

When the three of them came out, the dining room had already been cleaned up, and steaming dumplings were on the table, along with a few side dishes. Aunt Chen smiled and said, "I didn't expect Xiu'er to be such a good cook; she makes the dishes quite well."

Old Chen glanced at Aunt Chen, who rolled her eyes: "So what if I can't cook? As long as you look good, that's all that matters."

Little Hui sat on a specially raised chair by the table, his mouth watering as he looked at the dumplings on the table. He patted the table and shouted, "Grandpa, come quick, they're delicious!"

Everyone sat down and started eating. Chen Hui accompanied Old Chen for two liang (a unit of weight, approximately 100ml), Aunt Chen and Qin Xuemei and Xiuer drank champagne, and Xiao Wei and Xiao Xiao Hui drank dumpling soup. The original soup helped digest the original food, delicious.

After finishing their meal, Xiaowei and Qin Xuemei went back to Qianhai. Chen Hui and Chen Xiao would move there tomorrow afternoon, while Xiuer would have to wait until Monday.

The next day was Sunday, and the company staff had the day off.

Xiao Wei got up and moved around in the yard for a while. He felt that they should find a room in the front and convert it into a sports room, put some fitness equipment in it, so that the employees could exercise, and he and Chen Hui could also exercise every day.

Qin Xuemei also got up and sat in the courtyard reading a book.

Xiao Wei said, "Sis, let's go for a walk, get familiar with the area, and grab some breakfast."

Qin Xuemei nodded, folded the book and put it on a small table, then went back into the room to put on a shawl.

They called out to Wang Jiwei three times, and the five of them strolled out of the courtyard.

The commercialization of Qianhai is not as heavy as that of Houhai at this time. The small streets and alleys are swaying in the breeze, with the sound of authentic old Beijing dialect, the occasional bicycle bell, the aroma of braised tripe, and the traditional hawking of steamed buns carrying their fragrance.

The stalls selling douzhi (fermented mung bean juice) and jiaoquan (fried dough rings), donkey rolls, small wontons, guanchang (stuffed sausage), fried dough sticks, jianbing guozi (Chinese crepes), and youcha tang (a type of tea soup) make you feel truly alive.

To the north lies a haven for musicians, filled with bars of all sizes. Across the small bridge to the east is the completely commercialized Nanluoguxiang, while to the west are a string of former residences of celebrities and royal palaces. Surrounded by water on three sides and parks on all four, the area is filled with old houses, old buildings, and old traditions, which inexplicably bring a sense of peace and comfort.

After eating something at a roadside stall, Xiao Wei nudged Qin Xuemei to try some douzhi (fermented mung bean juice). Qin Xuemei shook her head and refused, but Zang Yuanwei, not believing him, got a bowl and took a sip, immediately accepting it. This stuff is something only seasoned Beijingers could truly stomach, eliciting good-natured laughter from a group of elderly men nearby.

To buy groceries, you have to cross the bridge and walk along the opposite side of Ya'er Hutong, past a row of bars, turn past Zhenjun Temple to Mao'er Hutong. After about 700 or 800 meters, you'll reach the bustling commercial district. Although it's the same old town, it feels different, and the people are much more diverse.

There are also street vendors selling vegetables in Qianhai, but they don't offer seasonal produce.

"Sister, you can't come this way by yourself. You have to have someone come with you. It's not enough for just you and Xiuer to come together," Xiaowei earnestly instructed Qin Xuemei.

There are too many bars around here. To be honest, these days most people who hang out in bars are young, and none of them are exactly good people. Even those so-called musicians, which one of them doesn't have a reputation for being promiscuous and unfaithful? This area is a disaster zone where hormones are rotting away.

Qin Xuemei gave Xiao Wei a reproachful look, but still nodded, though she pouted slightly.

After strolling around the market, I wandered over to Nanluoxi Lane.

The area became more crowded, with tourists from other places looking around with curiosity. Various small shops and restaurants sprang up.

A group of girls who looked like students walked towards them, chattering and laughing. Xiao Wei asked Wang Jiwei, "Are there schools around here?"

Wang Jiwei and the others had already thoroughly explored this area. Nodding and pointing, they said, "This is the Ministry of Culture's office, and over there is the Central Academy of Drama. There are also a few historical sites in this area, such as the Prince's Mansion and temples. In addition, there are two local government offices in Beijing, two companies, and the rest is all commercial, including hotels, inns, restaurants, and bars."

Qin Xuemei asked, "The Central Academy of Drama, is that where they teach film acting?"

Xiao Wei said, "How would I know?" He looked at Wang Jiwei, who said, "I guess so. Anyway, there are quite a few actors and directors. The place isn't big, maybe twenty acres."

Then Qin Xuemei became interested and dragged Xiaowei to take a look, but they were only allowed to walk around on the side and were not allowed to go in.

After walking around the main street of Luogu Lane, having some snacks, and buying a few trinkets, the five of them headed back.

At noon, Old Chen's family and Xiu'er came over and had lunch at Tongheju.

Aunt Chen particularly liked the courtyard and street scene here, and said to Old Chen, "Why don't we move here? This is a place where people can truly live. It's so cold and desolate over there."

Old Chen hesitated a bit, mainly because once he arrived, his driver, nanny, security personnel, and so on would all have to come, which was unavoidable.

Chen Hui said, "Dad, only a few of us live here, so this place is all empty. There's a dedicated kitchen and dining room in the back. We can let the staff and Jiwei and the others stay in the front yard, and our family can stay in the back yard. It's not like we don't have enough room. Isn't this more spacious than your place?"

Old Chen thought for a moment, looked at Aunt Chen, nodded and said, "Alright, then I'll stay for a few days."

Aunt Chen, beaming with joy, went to make arrangements, leading people back to Wanshou to retrieve their belongings; it seemed she was preparing to stay there for an extended period.

Xiao Wei said, "Uncle, could you please invite a few experienced chefs over, the qualified kind? We need to prepare food here, and we also need to make some preparations for the restaurant."

(End of this chapter)