Chapter 154
Wen Xiuwei stayed at the Chu family for three days and then went back to her own home.
During the twelfth lunar month, things are very busy. She now has several works on her resume and is no longer as free as before. Many organizations want to invite her to perform. Some of them pay the right amount and the right time, while some are not so satisfactory. Those who come to her are still asking for 2.58 million.
Agents are not popular nowadays, and Chang Fangyuan took action himself simply because he was afraid that his daughter would suffer.
Chang Fangyuan used the same attitude she used when negotiating with foreign guests in her youth. She kept those who could cooperate with her and drove away those who were clearly trying to take advantage of her.
Because she was so good, Guan Jinqiao even asked her to help her get work.
It was at this time that the advantage of them not being from a professional background was apparent. The professional members were all in drama troupes and art troupes, and they could not take jobs privately. If they did, it would be considered slacking off and they would be fired. However, Wen Xiuwei and Guan Jinqiao were only nominally employed by the studio, and no one could stop them if they wanted to take private jobs.
What's more, the moment she decided to take the private job, Wen Xiuwei resigned from her nominal position.
She originally didn't have such courage. After all, she had the same idea as most people at that time. She could pursue her dreams, but she also had to keep a stable job. Unexpected events happened in the world and people were subject to misfortunes at any time. Who knew the market would change one day?
But three days after she had a phone call with Chu Shao, she suddenly received a remittance from Chu Shao.
Compared with Chu Shao’s deposit, this remittance was not much, only 1,350.
But this was all Chu Shao's fortune. He didn't spend a penny. He had been saving it since the day he left, and he gave it all to Wen Xiuwei in one go.
By the way, I would like to add that having a stable job at home is enough.
Wen Xiuwei looked at the words on the remittance slip and burst out laughing. That afternoon, she went to the studio to resign.
Even the word "resignation" sounds unfamiliar. Many people have never heard of it. They have only heard of "selling a job" and "being laid off."
Although Wen Xiuwei's job was just a nominal one, if she wanted to sell it, she could get several hundred yuan. Inspired by Chu Shao, Wen Xiuwei impulsively resigned from her boss. It was not until the next day when she told Guan Jinqiao about it and saw Guan Jinqiao's heartbroken expression that Wen Xiuwei came to her senses.
Yes, her job can be sold.
After she realized what was happening, Wen Xiuwei didn't feel that much heartache.
He even smiled generously.
Guan Jinqiao remained silent, perhaps this was due to his immense wealth and power...
However, after Wen Xiuwei's incident, Guan Jinqiao soon left the studio. She was not that stupid. She sold her job to a middle-aged woman for 450 yuan, and then she and Wen Xiuwei went to take private jobs together.
Private jobs come in all sizes. If Wen Xiuwei and Guan Jinqiao were to follow their opinion, they would take any job, no matter how big or small, as long as they could afford it. However, Chang Fangyuan has more experience and she knows very well that scarcity makes things valuable. These two girls have both played the leading roles in movies and are well-known figures across the country. How could they take any job?
With Chang Fangyuan around, they don’t have to worry about external affairs, they just have to show up on time.
Broker and businessman are inseparable. Chang Fangyuan herself might not have expected that she would accidentally become the first professional broker in the inland.
…
Wen Xiuwei was very busy, and Chu Jiujiu was not much better off.
She still believed that she and Han Shengyi had not truly reconciled, but everyone felt that they were back to normal.
Since she didn't go to the Han family, Han Shengyi came to see her every day. He didn't stay for long, just half an hour or an hour, talked to her for a while, cleaned up the house, and then left. In the afternoon, he would do this again.
Chu Jiujiu didn't drive him out, but her attitude was not as warm as before. That day, Han Shengyi had just left, and she sat in the living room, wondering if she should do something.
The winter vacation is very long now, at least two months, and she doesn't want to stay at home every day.
Chu Jiujiu had no idea that she was also full of energy.
Although she never said it before, everyone could see that she was in a bad mood. Now that her mood has recovered, she has the energy to do other things.
Just as I was thinking about it, the phone at home suddenly rang.
Chu Jiujiu picked up the phone, and a familiar voice came from the other side: "Jiujiu, I heard that you and Xiao Han reconciled?"
Chu Jiujiu: “…”
How come even Director Ma knows about this?!
Things are different now. Reform and opening up have begun, and those who were once sent to sit on the bench by the state are now standing up straight.
Director Ma has been on a roll lately. Not only has the higher-ups approved a significant amount of funding for the institute, but they've also increased salaries for everyone in the institute. All of his old friends have returned, and several of them are now teaching at Chu Jiujiu's school. This means it's not going to be easy for Director Ma to find out how Chu Jiujiu is doing.
Director Ma chuckled twice, but didn't explain how he got the information. He first told his story: the leaders felt that these research institutes were too shabby and had no place to stay, so they decided to build a building for them and move them into a dedicated research institute. However, this would require a lot of time and money.
Time is not important, money is important.
Director Ma, together with two other directors, applied to the leaders and asked them not to build the building. Instead, they should approve the money to be used for research. The Chu family's courtyard house is very suitable for them to use. It is warm in winter and cool in summer, and the location is excellent, making it convenient for everyone to go to and from get off work.
He mentioned the achievements of the Chu family father and daughter: the father rented them a house at the lowest price, and the daughter came to the institute to help every now and then. She was also very active in writing papers and publishing articles, which made the director proud. The leader listened for a long time without much interest. Until he heard that the rent was five yuan a month and had not increased in four years, he was excited.
There is such a sucker?!
How big is that courtyard? Can it accommodate a few more research institutes?
…
Now is a state of disrepair and the country does not have so much spare money. In fact, when the leaders said they would build buildings for them, they did it with gritted teeth, and the buildings that were built were probably rather shabby. Now, researchers like to stay in the courtyard houses, and the rent of the courtyard houses is so low, let alone five yuan a month, even if it is fifty yuan a month, the leaders are willing to approve it!
Ahem, of course, five dollars a month is still the best.
…
Director Ma knew very well what his leader was thinking. On the one hand, he agreed to the leader's idea of lowering the price, and on the other hand, he told Chu Jiujiu, "Remember to notify your father and raise the price."
Chu Jiujiu had a complicated expression after hearing this and couldn't help but sigh that Director Ma was a truly honest person.
After returning, Chu Liqiang, who listened to Chu Jiujiu's retelling, had the same idea.
In fact, Director Ma is not as kind as they think.
He had his own selfish motives. In his opinion, a person's talent was worth more than a million. In order to gain Chu Jiujiu's favor and move her to the point of devoting herself to the study of world history, he risked everything.
Ever since he rented part of the courtyard house to Director Ma, Chu Liqiang has not taken care of it anymore. He only takes his children back during the holidays to clean the other places.
As long as no one lives in it, even the most luxurious house will quickly become deserted. In the past two years, Chu Liqiang even blocked off other places, shut all the doors, hung large iron locks weighing several kilograms on them, and posted seals on the doors prohibiting private opening. Those who didn't know would think this was a haunted house.
It is a good thing to have more income now, and it is like the country is renting a house from him, so he can feel proud when he tells others about it.
But Chu Liqiang was a little hesitant.
If one research institute stayed in their house, he could still consider himself the landlord, but several research institutes used their house as a unit, and seemed to be renting it out for a long time. Chu Liqiang was a little worried. He was afraid that after renting it for a while, this courtyard house would no longer be his home.
It is unlikely that there will be robbery, but it is hard to say whether there will be forced acquisition.
No matter how much money was offered, Chu Liqiang didn't want to sell the courtyard house. It was the root of their Chu family. After he died, he wanted to put his and Zhang Fengjuan's tablets back.
Unable to make a decision, he asked Chu Jiujiu, "Jiujiu, do you want to rent out all the courtyard houses?"
After Chu Jiujiu finished her role as a repeater, she thought that she was no longer in trouble. When she heard Chu Liqiang's question, she was stunned for a moment, "I...? I don't care."
She really doesn't care. It doesn't matter to her where the research institute is located, and it doesn't matter to her who the courtyard house is rented to.
She looked at Chu Liqiang innocently, and Chu Liqiang looked at her with complicated feelings.
After a long silence, he changed the question, "Jiujiu, are you sure you want to work in the research institute in the future?"
Chu Jiujiu nodded, then shook her head. "I want to pass the doctoral exam first, and then think about work. But I heard from Director Ma that if I really pass the exam, I won't have to go to class anymore. I can do research at the institute and get my doctorate certificate at the same time."
That means I will stay in the research institute forever.
With a long sigh, Chu Liqiang made a decision, but he did not tell Chu Jiujiu. Instead, he said worriedly: "Jiujiu, you must become the director in the future."
As the director, she would have the final say, so if the higher-ups wanted to buy his house, she could persuade them.
Although Chu Jiujiu didn't understand why he suddenly said this, his words touched her heart.
She clenched her fist firmly, "Yes! I will definitely become the director!"
…
After half a year in college, Chu Jiujiu didn't learn anything else, but she learned this little bit: she would never be able to become a deputy.
Since he had made the decision, Chu Liqiang went to discuss the rental of a house with the directors the next day. His courtyard house with three entrances and three exits was enough to rent to five research institutes, but the number of staff in the research institutes had not always been so small. Moreover, if five more people came in, it would be too full. With too many people, conflicts would easily arise.
Finally, in addition to the Institute of World History, two more came in, one is the Institute of Historical Theory and the other is the Institute of Ancient History.
Ancient history and world history were familiar to them, so they chose them here. As for historical theory, they had no choice.
The entire institute was in a state of exile, and the director was so anxious to find a suitable place that he fell ill.
The three research institutes happened to occupy three sides of the house. They reserved a document room, a warehouse, and offices for new employees. Because they had sufficient funds, they also set up a mini canteen and planned to hire a few women to help them cook and clean.
After everything was discussed, the researchers began to move. Chu Liqiang went to sign the contract, and Director Ma was the full agent. This time they signed a three-year contract, and the rent would no longer be paid monthly, but in January of each year, a lump sum of 1,500 yuan would be paid.
If it were up to Director Ma, he could raise the price further to two thousand, but Chu Liqiang was unwilling to do so. Although his courtyard house was large, he would not charge such a high rent. Fifteen thousand was his ideal price, not more, not less, just right.
After receiving the money, Chu Liqiang also applied for heating installation for them. With Chu Liqiang's help and the efforts of several directors, the materials for installing the heating were delivered on the third day after they moved in.
The installation of heating in the tube-shaped buildings and family quarters is free, but for a courtyard house like this one, which covers an area as large as a football field, all costs have to be paid for by the tenants themselves. However, because of the institute's support, they don't have to pay a penny for the heating, and even save on future heating bills.
Someone will come to install the heating in a few days. For now, everyone is still using the stove. Although they are renting a house, the directors are not picky. They hung the signs of their respective institutes at the entrance of the courtyard and held a sign-hanging ceremony.
Chu Jiujiu has been busy here these days. She came here to volunteer to clean the house, so Han Shengyi came with her and volunteered to move.
Everything was ready. When setting off firecrackers, Chu Jiujiu stood at the door and looked out boldly. She was far away and felt that nothing would happen. She held on to the door frame with both hands and watched others light firecrackers. She also felt excited.
The fuse was lit, and the firecrackers were about to explode. Just as Chu Jiujiu was about to raise her hand, a pair of slightly cold big hands covered her ears.
The sound of the firecrackers was tightly covered outside, and Chu Jiujiu didn't hear any noise at all, but judging from the expressions of others who didn't cover their ears, the firecrackers were probably very heavy, and several people were rubbing their ears.
After the firecrackers stopped exploding, Chu Jiujiu turned her head in this position, and Han Shengyi lowered his eyes and smiled at her.
There were people around looking at them, but no one thought they were immoral. Everyone was smiling, and occasionally there were different glances, also teasing them.
Chu Liqiang stood among several directors. Seeing this scene, he felt both relieved and sad.
When he heard Wen Xiuwei say it before, he didn't quite believe it, but now that he saw it with his own eyes, he knew it was all true.
My son has a wife, and my daughter is about to get married.
He felt sad that his children were leaving him to start their own families, but when he thought about how these children had grown up together, how they had depended on each other in the past, and how they would support each other in the future.
While feeling relieved, he also felt that God was not fair.
How come the children have this kind of luck but he doesn't?
However, this thought only appeared for a moment and then drifted away with the wind. He had his own wonderful life, and now it was the turn of these younger generations.
After the firecrackers were set off, Director Ma invited everyone to come in for lunch. Today was the first day the cafeteria was open, and the three directors paid for half a pig out of their own pockets. Today's lunch was absolutely delicious.
Everyone else went in. Chu Jiujiu felt that this kind of thing was normal because she had just been seen by others. She would feel embarrassed when she was caught for the first time. She stood there without moving, and Han Shengyi did not move either.
Only after everyone had left did Han Shengyi ask her, "Go in?"
Chu Jiujiu nodded. Just as she was about to turn around, a man and a woman suddenly walked in from outside the door.
They were carrying things and looked like they were visiting relatives. The man kept looking around and saw the three signs hanging on the door. He stared at them for a long time. The woman walked to the door and asked Chu Jiujiu and Han Shengyi, "Comrade, is this... the old Chu family home?"
This woman is very beautiful. If she were a few years younger, she would probably be on par with Wen Xiuwei.
Chu Jiujiu was about to speak when the man on the other end suddenly became impatient, "Why are you asking them? It must be true! Could I have remembered it wrongly?"
The man's attitude was not good at all, but the woman seemed to be used to it. She took a few steps towards him and whispered to him, "I'm just asking to see what's going on here."
After being persuaded by her, the man's attitude softened a bit. He took the gift from the woman's hand and pointed at Chu Jiujiu and Han Shengyi with his chin. "Forget it, forget it. Then go ask."
Chu Jiujiu: “…”
Han Shengyi: “…”
This guy deserves a beating.
Their thoughts synced. Chu Jiujiu, who had just opened her mouth, suddenly shut it. The woman came over again, and this time the smile on her face was a bit apologetic. "Young comrade, I'm sorry. We just came back from abroad and are not familiar with this place. My husband is very impatient. I hope you don't mind."
After apologizing, she returned to the point, "Do you know where the Chu family members who used to live here have gone?"
The Chu family member, Chu Jiujiu, also shook her head apologetically. "I don't know. I'm just an assistant at a research institute. I don't know anything about what you're talking about."
The woman was stunned and looked at Han Shengyi beside her.
Han Shengyi pointed at Chu Jiujiu beside him and said, "I'm not from the research institute. I'm her family member. If she doesn't know something, then I don't know it either."
woman:"……"
Chu Jiujiu: “…”
Unexpectedly, they were just small fry. The woman looked inside the courtyard. They came late, but they heard the bustling voices inside. The woman wanted to go in and ask the person in charge here, but the man behind her had run out of patience again.
"Zhang Nan! If you can't get the answer, just leave. Why waste time talking to them?"
The man was very angry today. After he said this, he left without caring about the woman behind him. The woman frowned and looked at his back. After hesitating for two seconds, she finally chased after him.
But before catching up, she took out a business card from her bag and handed it to Chu Jiujiu, "If you have any news, please let me know. I'm staying at the Fuhua Hotel. When you come, I'll treat you to a meal."
Finally, she smiled at them both and walked quickly towards the man.
Business card, I haven’t seen this thing in many years.
Chu Jiujiu turned it over and took a look, and found that it was all in traditional Chinese characters. This thing was definitely not printed in the country.
Zhang Nan, general manager of Feihuo Industrial Co., Ltd.
Wow, he’s still a domineering boss.
Han Shengyi was also looking at this and gave a puzzled sound. He pointed to the English words below the line of Chinese characters and asked, "What does this word mean? Jiujiu, have you seen it before?"
Chu Jiujiu had never seen it before, but she tried to read it and found out that it was Japanese.
She knows so many languages, but unfortunately, Japanese is not one of them.
Chu Jiujiu said softly, "Chinese people are opening Japanese companies in the United States..."
She laughed, thinking this guy was really interesting. "What a hodgepodge of nationalities."
Han Shengyi didn't find anything interesting. He had great respect for overseas Chinese, especially those who were willing to return to China, but he didn't like this couple. Not only their attitude, but also the business they ran was not something he liked.
It has only been a short time since China and Japan established diplomatic relations, but they have already opened companies in Europe and the United States.
Han Shengyi stopped looking at the business card and asked Chu Jiujiu, "Do you know who these two people are?"
Chu Jiujiu shook her head. "I've never seen him before, but I can probably guess who he is."
Looking for a member of the Chu family, and they came back from abroad. Isn't that the eldest son that Old Lady Gao has always been talking about who has been living away from home? Now that the policy has been opened up, he has come back and brought a wife with him. Judging from their appearance, they should not have met Old Lady Gao yet. I wonder what their reaction will be when they find out that the Chu family has changed a lot.
Too lazy to guess so much, Chu Jiujiu put the business card in her pocket and said, "Come on, let's go eat. I'll tell my dad about this when we get home tonight."
They didn't take the matter to heart, and Chu Lijun and Zhang Nan, who had left, didn't take it to heart either.
After returning to the hotel, Zhang Nan didn't go up immediately. She first renewed her room for three days. This hotel has always been a place for foreign guests. She paid in US dollars, and the waiter accepted it. After paying, she walked over to Chu Lijun, put away her wallet, and said, "Let's go up."
Chu Lijun still looked annoyed. "How could my dad have lost the courtyard? No, it definitely wasn't my dad who lost it. Someone stole it!"
Zhang Nan's eyes widened. She quickly looked around and noticed that someone had been drawn in by Chu Lijun's loud voice. Her voice suddenly became much stern. "Are you crazy? Have you forgotten who we are? When will you change your outspokenness?"
Chu Lijun felt ashamed when she blamed him, but he didn't dare to really get angry with Zhang Nan.
Zhang Nan has a company in the United States. She is a real rich woman and is very good at making money. As for him, he is almost unable to make a living in the United States. If Zhang Nan had not fallen in love with him, he would still be a homeless person in the United States.
He eats other people's food and lives in other people's houses, so even if he has a bad temper, he can only suppress himself.
He didn't dare to lose his temper, but it was okay to show his temper appropriately. Zhang Nan was very nice to him, and as long as he didn't touch her bottom line, she would tolerate him.
Chu Lijun snorted coldly, turned away, and walked into the elevator. Without waiting for Zhang Nan, he pressed the button to close the door.
Zhang Nan knew his temper, so she didn't chase after him.
However, after the elevator door closed, Zhang Nan's expression changed slightly.
Looking at the elevator door in silence, she thought to herself, what a useless loser.
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