Spring Breeze Twenty Years

Chapter 437 Let's Change

Wang took the cigarette, lit it, and looked around, saying, "Rain inside won't affect anything. You've bought this plot? This space is big enough; you can build a small courtyard there, no worse than a park." He turned and pointed behind the school, saying, "It's just that this area is too messy and ugly."

Xiao Wei took out the land deed and said, "Let's ignore those for now. I feel that the land used by the neighborhood committee and the school's factory should both be ours. Can you check and confirm if that's the case? Once the land is confirmed, let's fence it off first, and then slowly figure out how to develop the surrounding area."

Engineer Wang took the land deed and examined it for a while in the outside light. Then he looked around and said, "I have a feeling it's there. No problem, we'll find out by measuring. Do you know where the foundation piles are?"

Xiao Wei said, "I know, they're right by the roadside, two of them." He led Engineer Wang and two workers over and found the square stones that had been buried in the ground and were now partially exposed.

Chen Hui held an umbrella for Engineer Wang, who looked at the blueprints for a while and said, "It's not this one, it's that one. You take the measuring tape, and I'll measure it with the other two. Oh dear, I need to go back and get some things. Once we've measured it, we can start driving the piles directly."

So Chen Hui drove over again and brought back some steel bars and a second hammer. Engineer Wang and two workers started measuring.

Zhang Huzi on the west side got it wrong. The building they built didn't encroach on this side; it's still two meters away. However, the area behind the school definitely encroached on the land, and the neighborhood committee's area extends all the way to the park wall—it's all within this plot of land.

After measuring and driving in the stakes, it was noon. Chen Hui treated everyone to lunch at a restaurant near the park.

Xiao Wei said, "Engineer Wang, please arrange for people to come and lay the cables this afternoon. We'll build the fence first, and then work on the inside."

Chen Hui said, "Then what do we do about this part? How did this road end up on our land?"

Xiao Wei said, "A road is formed when many people walk on it. Haven't you learned that? It's just a dirt road, not even paved with cement. What kind of road is that?"

Engineer Wang smiled and nodded, saying, "Yes, this is just a sidewalk made by people and vehicles; it's not really a road. Once the wall is built over there, the road is blocked off. It's this end that's difficult to deal with. What are your plans for this school-run factory and neighborhood committee area?"

Xiao Wei said, "After the wall is built over there, this whole area will be demolished. We need to get the school back. We'll keep this road, renovate it, pave it with cement, and move the gate inward. We'll turn this whole road into shops, and the wall on the opposite side will extend to the neighborhood committee building. After that, let's go talk to the neighborhood committee. We need to reach an agreement on whether it's for rent or just for rent, and sign a contract."

Looking at the map, Chen Hui said, "This road takes up a lot of land; it feels like a waste. Wouldn't it be better to just demolish the school-run factory and fence it off?"

Xiao Wei said, "The place is big enough, there's no need to be stingy about the short distance. The rent from the storefront will be a considerable income. However, even though the storefront is built on our own land, you'd better find someone to get the necessary permits. Also, the property certificate for the neighborhood committee building must be in our name. This is absolutely not something to be taken lightly."

Wang Gong said, "This building definitely doesn't have a permit. It was probably built directly by the neighborhood committee through some connections. Anyway, nobody cares about government-owned buildings. Back then, things were chaotic. Anyone could build whatever they wanted. Now there are too many unlicensed buildings. Even if someone is using them, nobody cares. Some are vacant and collapse, and the government just takes them back. When the central square was being built, some eight-story buildings in that area didn't have any permits. Then the housing management bureau issued a document and started looking for people to collect rent."

Xia Maosheng said, "That's not normal. All land resources in the city belong to the government, so it's reasonable and legal for him to collect rent."

Engineer Wang shook his head and said, "I don't know then. There are a lot of things that can't be clearly explained. I'll arrange for people to lay the cables this afternoon. Is there anything else?"

Xiao Wei said, "After the wall is built, the inside will definitely need to be demolished and rebuilt. That pond must be kept, it's good. Also, there's a well inside, so it needs to be protected. Besides, since there's a lot of space here, let's build a couple of buildings. And then I'll have to trouble you, Engineer Wang, with the planning of the yard. Make it look nice, and try to leave as much land as possible and avoid paving it up."

Engineer Wang nodded and said, "No problem, I'll definitely make it look good for you. You three enjoy your drinks, we've finished eating and are heading back."

Xiao Wei said, "Engineer Wang, could you expedite the work and try to finish both sides around the same time?"

After thinking for a moment, Engineer Wang said, "It should be about right. This place is big, so we can bring more people and equipment. And the weather is already warm, so it can be faster."

Wang Gong led the workers away, and Xiao Wei, Xia Maosheng, and Chen Hui opened a few bottles of beer and drank them slowly, looking at the light rain outside the window and the trees in the park in the distance, which was quite enjoyable.

After chatting for a while, Xiaowei asked Chen Hui, "What are your plans for the yard? Do you have a general idea yet? You need to think it through beforehand, so you don't end up clueless and mess things up when it's time to get started."

Chen Hui said, "What am I thinking? The land and the house are yours, and the property certificate is in my name. This is your job."

Xia Maosheng laughed and nodded, saying, "Yes, that's exactly what happened. I can vouch for it."

Xiao Wei looked at the two of them, stunned for several seconds, and said, "Damn it, you're trying to pin this on me again. Can't you two handle this?"

Chen Hui said, "Forget it, this yard is big. Your aunt and uncle always want to farm, so you can use this one. I'll live over there. My family doesn't farm, so a big yard is useless. Those two small buildings plus the small yard are enough for me. Besides, to be honest, I like the square, regular, and orderly kind of place. It's comfortable. This place just feels messy."

Xia Maosheng said, "If it were me, I'd want Xiaowei's too. It's neat and tidy, and that yard is enough. It's nice to plant some flowers and trees, and it's easy to maintain. This one, only you and your aunt and uncle can keep it in place. It's useless to leave it to us. In a year or two, it'll be overgrown with weeds. It's a complete waste. Unless we build apartments all over it, but if we build too many, it's useless. Should we sell it?"

Chen Hui said, "Yes, Lao Xia is absolutely right. You can use this side, I'll stay at the other side. I just looked, the buildings are almost finished, they're beautiful. Haha, you're making arrangements so early, I'll move in first, it'll be more comfortable."

Xiao Wei said, "I think you should discuss it with my uncle and aunt and ask Chen Xiao for their opinion."

Chen Hui shook his head and said, "No need. Buying a piece of land is just for living more comfortably. That place can completely meet my requirements. You don't need to worry about that place anymore. Think about what to do here. From today onwards, that place belongs to the Chen family."

Xiao Wei said, "You don't have to keep so much land. You can just build it all up and sell it."

Chen Hui shook his head and said, "Forget it, it's not worth much money. Instead of worrying about that, we should think about how to open a branch store as soon as possible. Stop arguing and just make it a deal. I'll talk to Xiao Hong when we get back, okay? I definitely won't let her complain."

Xiao Wei said, "Okay, let's change it then. To be honest, I really like it. It has a pond, enough land, and the well is already dug. If we set it up properly, it will be quite beautiful. We won't need to buy vegetables anymore, and we can raise some chickens, ducks, and geese."

(End of this chapter)