"No wonder you didn't want to go with Director Jiang. You have no ambition," Pi Xiaoqian muttered as he got into the car and started the engine.
"Being an ordinary citizen is also very good. Society is developing rapidly, and everything is harmonious from top to bottom. As long as one has enough to eat, wear, and a place to live, there's no need to worry about unnecessary things," Guo Xuyang said.
"You are different from us. People say that with great ability comes great responsibility. You should move up."
"I didn't want to join the Fourteenth Bureau precisely because I didn't want to get involved in those things. Asking me to move up is not my true desire. Of course, I've handled all the matters Director Jiang assigned to me perfectly."
"I saw that. You're not the type to worry about things. You're a hands-off boss even in business. What could possibly keep you grounded?"
"The happiness and well-being of my wife, children, and family are my greatest wishes. Everything else truly doesn't matter."
"That's all the ambition you have."
The two bickered and chatted as they arrived at the restaurant.
"Directors Guo and Pi, why are you here so early?" Liu He asked, hurrying over to greet them.
"We were kicked out. Is there food? Get us something to eat first," Pi Xiaoqian said without any pretense.
"What are you talking about? How can a restaurant not have food? What would you like to eat?" Liu He asked.
"Just a bowl of noodles and two small side dishes," Guo Xuyang replied.
"What a coincidence, Old Master Xia just finished preparing the dough and is about to start working. How about a couple of bowls?"
"That would be great. It's been a while since I've had the Old Master's noodles," Pi Xiaoqian said.
"What are you saying? If you can't speak properly, don't speak," Guo Xuyang said dismissively.
"No, I'm not. Am I wrong?" Pi Xiaoqian asked, looking confused.
"No, you're absolutely right," Liu He said with a chuckle.
"Exactly, you're being difficult. You've been picking on me since this morning. You get scolded at home and then take it out on me. What kind of behavior is that?" Pi Xiaoqian complained.
"Who told you to be Director Guo's brother? If you don't take the blame, who will?"
"That's true. I'll let you off the hook today."
"You two find a place to sit for a while. I'll go and speak to the Old Master," Liu He said, turning to go inside.
"I thought I was early, but it turns out you guys are even earlier," Cheng Xiuping said, walking in with a smile.
"Director Cheng, we just arrived. Have you eaten?" Guo Xuyang asked.
"What time is it? I haven't had lunch," Cheng Xiuping replied with a smile.
"Then we won't order for you. I just asked Liu He to arrange two bowls of noodles."
"Are you not planning to eat lunch today?"
"Even the emperor doesn't starve his soldiers. How can we work without eating?" Pi Xiaoqian said.
"Are Xiaohong's parents here today?" Cheng Xiuping asked.
"Yes. We're celebrating the full moon banquet together, and I've gained a brother-in-law," Guo Xuyang said.
"Father and son on the same day? What a coincidence."
"Isn't it? To avoid awkwardness, I've arranged for them to sit with my parents and a few caregivers. You guys don't need to go over there."
"How can that be? If you do that, when you visit her family, they'll probably throw you out. You must treat everyone equally and not look at people with prejudice. Then there won't be any problems."
"I was just worried about her parents feeling awkward."
"They won't. As long as you offer your blessings generously, no one will say anything. Since they've had the child, they should be psychologically prepared. They're not as fragile as you think."
"I suppose I was overthinking it. If you hadn't reminded me, I might have made a mistake without even realizing it."
"It's normal. You were just trying to do what's best for them. But sometimes good intentions can lead to bad outcomes."
"I wanted to talk to you about something. I haven't called you."
"What is it? Go ahead and say it," Cheng Xiuping said.
"I want to find a piece of land in the provincial capital to build a manor."
"A manor? In the provincial capital? That's not going to be easy."
"I know, that's why I wanted to talk to you in person," Guo Xuyang said.
"Tell me your ideas."
"Do you have any plots of land available?"
"Two. They haven't been developed at all. However, the areas are too small, and the locations are not ideal, so I haven't started any work on them yet," Cheng Xiuping replied.
"These two plots of land wouldn't be suitable for building a manor."
"I have found a place, though. It's the village below King's Villa."
"You want to relocate the villagers? Moving an entire village is even more difficult than demolishing buildings in the city."
"Why?"
"Because these people have lived in this place for generations. To get them to move, you need a very good reason. Otherwise, it will be very difficult."
"What would be a suitable reason?"
"You could say it's to improve their living environment; you could say it's for urban development; or you could say that treasure has been discovered underneath and needs protective development," Cheng Xiuping suggested.
"I think the first reason you mentioned is the most suitable."
"In that case, you'll have to prepare houses for them. And there will be people who will demand the moon, and it won't be settled with just two or three extra units. If you have that much money, you might as well just buy another piece of land to build your manor."
"I don't want to build the manor too far from the provincial capital, otherwise, it will be a problem for the children's schooling later on."
"Then tell me the purpose of building this manor. What do you want to do?"
"I want to build a comprehensive manor that includes a kindergarten, primary school, middle school, high school, and childcare facilities. My main goal is to nurture my next generation, ensuring they receive excellent education and upbringing from before they are even born."
"That's a good idea, but it will come at a considerable cost."
"Director Cheng, what do you think I earn so much money for? Isn't it all to ensure a better life for the next generation?"
"Your thinking is a bit narrow. You shouldn't confine yourself to your small circle. If, and I mean if, you can integrate more resources to participate in this manor you're talking about, I think this project wouldn't be too complicated."
"What do you mean?"
"Exactly, it's about strong alliances. The resources you have are limited, but your idea is very good. You're right, we earn money to give the next generation a better life. Not only do you want your next generation to have a better life, but powerful officials and wealthy individuals also want their next generation to have a better life. If you communicate this idea to those people and then invite them to live in your manor, I think the chances of building this manor are quite high."
"What about the location?"
"Location? You can choose any place, as long as you can come up with enough money. There are several factories in the provincial capital that occupy vast areas. You could build seven or eight manors on them, let alone one. The prerequisite is that you can acquire these factories."
"Isn't it just about money? I have that," Guo Xuyang said proudly.
"It's not just about money, it's about how to revitalize this capital," Cheng Xiuping said.
"How do we start?"
"Social development begins with education. It takes ten years to grow trees, and a hundred years to cultivate people. As long as you promote education with this slogan and establish schools, no one will pay attention to your other motives."
"You mean I should start by developing education, acquire the land first, and then build the manor?" Guo Xuyang suddenly understood.