Spring Breeze Twenty Years

Chapter 418 The Innocent Child

Chen Hui slept until midnight before waking up because he needed to pee.

After waking up, he got up and stood there, bewildered for a long time before he realized where he was.

the next day.

After having a Mongolian breakfast, the group took a stroll around the yurts, where they could ride horses—a real horse race—and even shoot arrows.

There aren't many guests here; most are government officials. These days, ordinary people don't come here, nor can they afford to.

Horseback riding and archery—the morning flew by in a blur of laughter and fun. Actually, even without any activities, just standing here admiring the scenery for a whole morning wouldn't be boring.

At noon, Zhang Jun's girlfriend arrived.

A genuine Mongolian girl, with bright eyes, a gentle temperament, and a beautiful face with a sweet smile.

After getting to know each other and chatting for a while, they had lunch in the yurt before riding back to camp and returning to Xingcheng City.

Back at the guesthouse, Chen Hui collapsed onto the bed groaning as soon as he entered his room. Xiao Wei opened his suitcase and started packing, asking, "What's wrong with you?"

Chen Hui, with his eyes closed, said, "It's a trick, isn't it? I knew you were smart enough, but I never expected your brother's tricks to be so deep. These three big bowls, my brain is still spinning. Their wine is like a soft knife, it tastes good, but it really hits you in the head."

Xiao Wei laughed and said, "Whose fault is that? You were the only one in the room who ordered drinks, and my brother didn't know how much you could drink. Okay, get up and go back to your room to pack your things."

Chen Hui said, "No, I have to get revenge on you two brothers. Xiao Hong, go to that room and stay by yourself. I'll sleep in this room and keep you company."

Xiao Hong giggled and said, "Okay, you two can sleep."

Xia Maosheng, carrying his and Geng Hui's luggage, said to Geng Hui, "Wife, let's hurry up, someone's going crazy." Geng Hui covered her mouth and chuckled as she followed Xia Maosheng back to her room.

Chen Hui said, "What a loss! It's not good to eat less meat. But I must say, their mutton is really authentic, with no gamey smell at all, tender, refreshing, and not greasy at all. Hey Xiaowei," he turned over to look at Xiaowei and said, "Do you think we can learn how to make it?"

Xiaowei took out his and Xiaohong's clothes and hung them up on a hanger, saying, "It's hard to say. There are definitely differences in the seasonings, but I feel the biggest difference is in the lamb itself. Where are we going to get it? It's not realistic to buy it here."

Chen Hui lay back down and said, "That's true, it's too far. But it's a unique local specialty, what a pity. Do you think we could bring some sheep from here back to raise?"

Xiao Hong said, "It's fine at first, but it won't work after a while. I know that. Water plants will change the taste of the mutton."

Xiao Wei said, "The saying 'one's environment shapes one's character' applies to animals as well. This place, this water, this grass—it can't be replicated, so don't even think about it."

Chen Hui said, "I remember often seeing news reports about introducing certain varieties or specialties from different places. Why were they able to succeed?"

Xiao Wei laughed and said, "It's just publicity. If you raise them properly, they're not much different from the local ones. But they're famous. Like pigs, can you still see those old black pigs from our rural areas? No, right? Are the pigs sold in the market now as tasty as black pigs? They're famous. Sometimes, psychological factors are quite important."

Xiao Hong said, "It's different. The black pigs were culled because our local pigs are too slow to reach market weight, and the cost of raising them is too high compared to other breeds."

Xiao Wei said, "That's all nonsense. Why not just divide the farm into several sections and stagger the harvest times? That would ensure there's stock every month, so what's the problem?"

Xiaohong said, "It's different. These foreign breeds can be slaughtered after six months or even four or five months, while our local pigs take twice as long. In terms of economic benefits, the difference is huge. What do pig farmers do? If you could earn three times more money after raising them for the same amount of time, which would you choose?"

Chen Hui said, "People are going crazy these days. They'll do anything to make money. Have you seen the news? Someone used a tracheotomy tube to inject water into pork. I swear, whoever came up with that idea must be incredibly malicious."

Xiao Wei said, "What's the use of saying all that? We can't control it anyway. We just need to make sure we do our own thing well. Now get out of here and go pack your things."

Chen Hui sat up to calm himself down, then got up, grabbed his suitcase, and went outside. Xiao Hong pointed to the table and said, "The keys."

Xiao Wei took the keys and went out, only to see Chen Hui standing at the door, smiling and waiting for him. He was doing it on purpose.

The next morning, Zhang Jun arrived at 6:30 and woke everyone up. Geng Hui was exempted because she was pregnant. Zhang Jun invited them downstairs to eat something, then drove them to see the place.

After circling the station area three times, the three of them discussed it and decided that the place Zhang Jun had mentioned was more suitable. It was less than 500 meters from the camp management office, located on the main road directly opposite the train station. It consisted of three buildings, one tall and two short, with a large courtyard behind it that extended to another street side by side, forming a large rectangular plot of land.

The courtyard wasn't divided up; it used to belong to one work unit, so the courtyard was intact. There's also a row of bungalows on this side of the street behind it.

Zhang Jun drove the car into the yard, and several people got out to look at it.

The tallest building is seven stories high, the shortest is five and a half stories and the shortest is five stories. The three buildings occupy roughly the same area, each with seven or eight hundred square meters. I don't know what they were originally used for. The whole yard covers a full twenty acres.

Xiao Wei took a special look and found that these buildings were the tallest among the several streets in this area.

Zhang Jun said, "Most of the property is still in use—rented, bought, borrowed, and some with unclear ownership issues. The only clear and unambiguous issue right now is this place, where the third floors are adjacent to each other. Although the plots over there look similar in shape, they're not the entire compound. These square plots are basically ours or originally ours. Future urban planning will follow this pattern; doesn't it look neat and tidy?"

Chen Hui said, "Qi, it would be beautiful if we demolished all of this and rebuilt it. Right now, it looks messy and old, with all these different heights."

Zhang Jun said, "The military doesn't have time to clean up. Reconstruction is a matter for the future. I estimate that in the future, they will choose a place to build a tall building. Most of them will just be disposed of. There are places with average terrain that can't be disposed of and will eventually be used by the local government. Whether or not to build them then will be a matter for the local government."

Xiao Wei asked, "Who's using this building now? I saw people upstairs."

Zhang Jun said, "This is none of your business. If it's settled, we'll clear it out for you. I'm telling you, you've really caught a lucky break." He lowered his voice and said, "Right now, the higher-ups, including some of the leaders in our institute, all have connections to get housing, so prices have come down recently, even cheaper than last year. But they don't dare buy such a large plot; it's too conspicuous. That's why it's your turn, understand?"

Xiao Wei said, "Is there any difference between them buying a house and outsiders buying one because of their relationship? What's so special about it?"

Xia Maosheng patted Xiao Wei on the shoulder and said, "A simple-minded kid."

Zhang Jun laughed and said, "Who knows who actually bought it, or who the final ownership will be? It's all hard to say. Anyway, that's how it is. Everyone knows the truth."

(End of this chapter)