Spring Breeze Twenty Years

Chapter 1217 I Want to Open a Bookstore

The next morning, Commander Hou arrived in Qianhai with about ten people.

Xiao Wei was already up and waiting in the front yard. Today they came to mark the lines, and the construction of the swimming pool is on the agenda.

The truck drove to the gate, two water pumps were carried into the yard, and a bunch of shovels and picks were brought in.

Since machinery can't get in here, we have to dig manually, making drainage a major issue.

With measuring tape, drawing lines, and setting up warning tape, the soldiers got to work like ping-pong players, first removing the paving bricks intact and stacking them to one side, then breaking up the subbase and excavating.

Digging in an old house like this isn't something you can just do randomly; you need to understand the construction techniques of old houses.

The underground structures of these large-scale old houses are quite complex, demonstrating that ancient people were no less skilled than modern people in terms of architecture, and perhaps even more so.

Waterways, wells, stonework, house foundations, and ground must all be found, and they must not be damaged or moved; their function and stability must be maintained.

The foundation of the main house of this large house extends more than one meter out, and the house foundation extends nearly three meters underground, locked together in a stepped shape.

There were gabions underground in the yard, but I don't know what their purpose was. These things are long gone now.

Commander Hou said, "This is just the front yard. If you want to work on the main house in the back, it's probably impossible. That side is even more complicated. People in ancient times were really capable. These houses have stood for hundreds of years. It's no joke."

Xiao Wei said, "I've come into contact with old houses before, but I've never seen one like this."

Commander Hou said, "How can they be the same? It depends on who it's built for, and it also depends on the terrain. This area has a lot of water, so we have to put in a lot of effort to prevent it from collapsing."

Chen Hui yawned and walked out from behind: "Ah~ Ah, Brother Hou, good morning." He walked up to the two of them.

The three people stood in the veranda looking down.

Chen Hui asked, "Brother Hou, have you guys had breakfast yet?"

Commander Hou said, "After we eat, we get up at six for morning exercises and have breakfast at seven, without fail. We don't have your freedom."

Xiao Wei said, "Let's ask the cafeteria to prepare more food at noon, so we can eat lunch and dinner here for the next few days."

Chen Hui asked, "What should we do tonight? Should we have Brother Liu and the others cook?" The company only provides one lunch.

Xiao Wei said, "There are so many restaurants out there, let's try a different one every day and sample all kinds of traditional Beijing cuisine."

Commander Hou said, "Okay, this will work. I think it's feasible."

"Dad, it's time for dinner! It's time for dinner! What are you doing?" Little Hui called out, peeking out from behind the wall. He remembered that he wasn't allowed to leave this door alone now.

We need to add a door here, and we've already found a craftsman to do it. It probably won't be finished for at least a month or two. For old-fashioned furniture, this is considered a quick replacement.

Chen Hui and Xiao Wei carried Xiao Xiao Hui back to the back for breakfast. Old Chen, Aunt Chen, Qin Xuemei, and Chen Xiao were already up and sitting in the dining room talking.

Plain rice porridge, boiled eggs, pickled vegetables, and egg pancakes—simple yet nutritious.

After finishing his meal, Old Chen looked around the front yard, shook hands with Commander Hou, said goodbye, and left for work. A little while later, the car to pick up Aunt Chen arrived. Aunt Chen said, "Xiao Xiao and Xiao Mei, come to my workplace at three o'clock this afternoon, let's go together."

The two agreed, and Aunt Chen and her eldest grandson, Bai Bai, exchanged a few sweet words before heading out to the car: "Don't forget to call Xiu'er and Xiao Wei."

Xiao Wei nodded: "We can't forget."

With the important figures gone, Xiao Wei and Chen Hui pulled Commander Hou to the backyard, brewed a pot of tea, and began to talk.

After chatting for a while, Commander Hou also left to go back to the construction site. He wouldn't be staying here for long; he also had to go and check things out in Fengtian. Now he's practically a frequent flyer.

Chen Hui stretched and asked, "What are we doing?"

Xiao Wei said, "Just watch them dig the hole, what for? What do you want to do?"

Chen Hui thought for a moment and said, "It's nothing. I've found that I have a lot of free time these days."

Xiao Wei said, "If you have free time, go to Harbin and see how things are there."

Chen Hui asked, "Aren't you going?"

Xiao Wei said, "I'm going back to attend Xia Qiu's wedding, spend a few days with Xiao Hong, and then I'll go to Hainan or somewhere."

Chen Hui said, "That's true. Okay, I'll go directly to Harbin tomorrow, and then we'll go to Hainan together after we return to Fengtian. Let Hou Qiang come with me."

Chen Xiao pulled Xiao Xiaohui and Qin Xuemei over together: "He said he wanted me to come work here, but I just stay home and play with the kids every day."

Xiao Wei said, "I didn't say you couldn't go. It's right here in the yard. You can hold him without it bothering you, right? I'm asking you to manage, not to do anything. It's just a matter of looking at documents and signing something."

Chen Hui said, "Sister Xuemei, come to work too. You two have nothing to do anyway, so come along and have some fun. Chen Xiao, you take care of general affairs, and Sister Xuemei will stay in the office."

Qin Xuemei said, "I can't do it, I don't know anything about it."

Xiao Wei said, "Forget it, don't force her. Let her do whatever she likes. Her personality is just a worry."

Chen Xiao said, "What else does Sister Xuemei need to do? Isn't it good enough for her to just take pictures of guys? Why does she have to be some kind of figure in the company?"

Xiao Wei nodded and said, "Okay, as long as you're happy."

Qin Xuemei said, "Actually, I really want to open a small shop, sell books, and people can sit here, have a cup of tea or coffee, and read a book."

Chen Hui said, "Actually, I think this is a great idea. Just think about it, how wonderful it is!"

Xiao Wei scratched his head and said, "Then, let's go? Where will we go? Sister Xuemei, where do you want to go?"

Qin Xuemei said, "It's fine to stay here. I'll be here for a year, so we can talk about going back next year." She smiled a little shyly, "Actually, I haven't really decided yet, but that's what I've thought about."

Chen Hui said, "Go ahead and open one. It won't cost much. Open one here, and if you want to open another one in Fengtian, you can stay wherever you want."

Chen Xiao said, "I think it's fine, it's not like I'm counting on making a lot of money from it. I doubt Sister Xuemei would make any money doing business like this."

Chen Hui and Xiao Wei both laughed, and Qin Xuemei reached out and pinched Chen Xiao's face.

"Ring..." Xiao Wei's phone rang.

Xiao Wei glanced at the number and answered, "Grandpa?" It was the number for the grandpa's convenience store.

"Wei? When are you coming back?"

"I'll be back tomorrow. Is something wrong?"

"Hey, come back home for a visit. I have something to discuss with you."

"What is it? Tell me."

"Zhang Fu. He saw a guy in a magazine, selling health products. He went to Shanghai without telling me or your aunt, just before the Lunar New Year. When he came back, your aunt didn't tell me or give him any money. We thought that was the end of it. But then Zhang Fu stole the family savings book."

They transferred 150,000 yuan to Shanghai, and I spent 40,000 to 50,000 yuan here, so I've thrown in about 200,000 yuan. I discovered yesterday that there's still about 10,000 yuan left in my savings account, and they say I'll earn it back soon.

I made some inquiries, and they've sold about ten bottles since they got them back. They've already paid out nearly 20,000 yuan in wages and spent over 20,000 yuan on entertaining clients. I'm out of ideas. Could you come back and see what you can do? I'm counting on you.

(End of this chapter)