"Um."
Yang Sisi responded and then hung up the phone.
Amidst the constant ringing of the phone, I could almost see her living a carefree life amidst the bright lights and revelry, while staying at the inn, there was really not much we could offer her.
I've always felt that sentimentality is a hollow concept, and I'm unwilling to flaunt it, much less use it to keep someone who could have a better life. To me, that's a shameless act. But ironically, all the inn and I could offer Yang Sisi was this intangible sentimentality, which is the real reason I didn't want to keep her at the airport.
...
At this point, everyone in the room who smoked lit a cigarette, creating a very somber atmosphere. No one was willing to express their opinion on the matter. Finally, a phone ring broke the silence.
Everyone whose phone rang took it out of their pockets to check, finally realizing it was mine. I looked at the number; it was Sun Jiwei calling. We weren't surprised he called, given it was a crucial time for him and his friends. But I felt a little uneasy, since we had ultimately broken our promise.
I turned on the speakerphone and answered the call. Sun Jiwei spoke to me first, saying, "Brother, have you eaten yet?"
"I just finished cooking and was about to eat... Brother Sun, would you like to come and have some?"
"I'm having dinner with some friends."
His words puzzled me. Logically speaking, even if he cared a lot about the inn, he wouldn't call me during a dinner with friends.
With this question in mind, I asked him, "Is something the matter, Brother Sun?"
"This is quite a big deal... Are you free to talk now?"
"convenient."
After a moment of silence, Sun Jiwei said, "I was just having dinner with some friends from the Urban Construction Bureau... This is absolutely inside information. There will be a new urban construction plan for Longkan. I heard that a super-large project is coming in, and the higher-ups have already made most of the arrangements."
What project?
“My friend didn’t dare to say it because the project is still in the confidential stage… As you know, these are special times. Any slight movement will trigger some people’s sensitive nerves. In order to avoid unfavorable public opinion, the higher-ups will not release it until it is finally confirmed.”
What does this mean?
I heard the sound of a lighter on the other end of the phone. Sun Jiwei seemed to be lighting a cigarette before replying to me, "Whenever there's a new urban development plan, it involves demolition... Do you understand what I mean?"
"You mean, our inn might be included in the demolition area?"
"It's very possible, but we can't be sure yet, because I've only heard a few scattered bits of information..."
I interrupted him and said, "Our inn was officially approved and reopened... how could it be demolished just like that?"
"Brother, don't get so worked up... After all, the government is divided into departments, and there will be internal disagreements. In the end, they will choose to prioritize the overall situation, and behind the prioritization of the overall situation, there will always be some people who have to be sacrificed."
I lit a cigarette and after a long while said to Sun Jiwei, "I understand... So, you won't be considering taking over the inn for the time being?"
"I'm really sorry, brother... This is a policy change, and there's nothing we can do about it. If this inn is really included in the demolition area, there will definitely be a lot of trouble after taking it over. Moreover, we are not sure what kind of contract you signed with the landlord, or how the demolition compensation will be distributed. If this is not clear, there will be a lot of economic disputes. Usually, in such economic disputes, the judgment is in favor of the landlord."
I feel a chill run down my spine.
Sun Jiwei continued, "You guys should review the contract first. I'll also keep in touch and see if we can confirm this news as soon as possible... I hope it's just a false alarm. After all, Longkan isn't a huge place, but it's not small either... so the project's location might not overlap with your inn... On the contrary, if this large-scale project is built near your inn, it would be a great thing, because it would bring sustained popularity to the inn!"
I responded, and Sun Jiwei hung up the phone... I looked at everyone and saw a thick layer of gloom on their faces.
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