"Have things been settled?"
"I paid a visit to my comrade. He said his director, along with some leaders, received an entrepreneur. You're quite something, making connections with such high-ranking officials and being called an entrepreneur. You haven't been up to no good, have you?"
Chen Yang finalized the framework for subsequent cooperation and confirmed the plan to build a three-story building on the foundation of a derelict house on a street across from the department store.
The specific details would have to wait until Li Yong reported back to the leaders. Once the leaders approved, any cooperation with the department store and supply and marketing cooperative, or Chen Yang's building project, would proceed smoothly. If the leaders disapproved, then there would be nothing more to discuss.
However, judging by Li Yong's assessment, the probability of the leaders agreeing was quite high. There might be some minor concessions in certain aspects, but overall, there shouldn't be any significant issues.
"Uncle, what are you saying? Do you think I've always been messing around when doing business?"
"The country is now committed to vigorous economic development, aiming to enrich the people. A portion of the population should be allowed to prosper first, and then they will lead the entire population to prosperity."
"It's like a flock of sheep; there needs to be a leader. Someone to guide everyone towards wealth is much better than everyone remaining poor together."
Chen Yang found his uncle's words both amusing and exasperating. In his elder's eyes, Chen Yang had always been just messing around.
"You're getting ahead of yourself. Scram, let's go to Donglaishun for hot pot!"
Chen Liqi didn't care about being an entrepreneur or not. To him, no matter how capable Chen Yang was, he was still his nephew. Since he was in Beijing, Chen Liqi would treat him.
"Alright, Uncle. I won't leave this table until I've eaten until my stomach bursts from this mutton today!"
Hearing Chen Yang's words, Chen Liqi felt both exasperated and pleased. Mutton wasn't cheap these days, costing over two yuan per jin. For three grown men, a few jin of mutton wouldn't be enough. But today was a happy occasion, and he didn't mind the expense.
"The mutton, cooked in a copper pot and dipped in sesame paste, is incredibly fragrant. Your uncle here, I've always admired the cuisine in Beijing the most. Only Donglaishun's hot pot, paired with a glass of wine, ah, it's superb."
It wasn't just Chen Liqi; even Chen Yang, just listening, felt his mouth water.
Beijing roast duck, Donglaishun's copper pot mutton, fried sauce noodles, old Beijing stewed offal, and fried liver – these were all delicacies.
However, some people couldn't get used to fried liver.
Chen Yang hadn't tried it yet and didn't know what it tasted like, but he had tasted Donglaishun's copper pot mutton, and it was truly fragrant.
As for Lei Baoguo, the moment he heard there would be meat and wine, his eyes practically lit up green.
Lei Baoguo and Chen Liqi were well-matched opponents when it came to drinking. Chen Yang's capacity of one jin of liquor was like a child's in comparison to theirs.
Upon arriving at Donglaishun, standard sesame paste and oil dipping sauces were prepared. Charcoal heated the copper pot, and freshly sliced mutton was dipped in, instantly changing color. After a few seconds, it was fished out, coated in sesame paste, and a bite was pure bliss.
"Uncle, a toast to you."
A bite of meat, a sip of wine. Chen Yang was almost lost in the flavor. It was truly delicious.
...
After a satisfying meal and all matters settled, awaiting Li Yong's reply, Chen Liqi accompanied Chen Yang back home to pick up the gifts for his little sister. The three of them then ambled towards Ren Da.
Fortunately, drunk driving wasn't a major concern in those days; otherwise, the three of them in their condition would have certainly been locked up.
Arriving at Renmin University of China, Chen Yang looked at the solemn and majestic school gate and couldn't help but feel a sense of awe. This was one of China's top universities, and most of its students were top scholars.
"Comrade, could you help us deliver a message to Li Yu, a student in Class 3 of the first year of the Chinese Department? Tell her that her uncle and elder brother are here to see her and to come to the entrance to pick up some things."
University management in those days was quite strict. Neither outsiders nor students could freely enter or leave the campus.
Universities were truly places of learning. Within the school, many things were not permitted besides studying. Particularly dating; being caught dating at this time could result in disciplinary action, even expulsion, and it would be recorded in one's file.
"Comrade, too many people need to be found. We might not be able to locate her. You can leave the items at the guardhouse, and we will give them to student Li Yu if we find her later."
It was common for family members to bring things for students, but sometimes students were in class, reading in the library, or resting in their dormitories. The guards were few in number and couldn't possibly help every visitor find the student.
At best, they could check the dormitory. If the student wasn't there, they wouldn't bother. At most, they would ask the dormitory supervisor to notify the student that their family had come to visit that evening.
This was the inconvenience of not having mobile phones in that era. Getting around required walking, and finding people often involved shouting. Chen Liqi and the others didn't mind; he had been to the school several times without ever seeing her.
Chen Yang, however, had traveled all the way from Shanghai. If he couldn't see Chen Yu, his trip would be in vain.
"Comrade, please, it's not easy for me to come all the way from Shanghai."
As Chen Yang explained his arduous journey, he discreetly slipped a pack of cigarettes to the guards.
Upon hearing that Chen Yang had come from Shanghai, the guards were surprised. Those days were different from the future; traveling from Shanghai to Beijing was almost crossing half the country, a difficult journey.
"Wait a moment. I'll check the dormitories and classrooms. If she's not there, I can't do anything. Students in the library need a quiet environment, and we can't disturb them."
Firstly, it seemed unreasonable for Chen Yang to travel so far and not see her. Secondly, Chen Yang was indeed tactful, giving each of them a pack of Daqianmen cigarettes, which cost seven mao each.
"Thank you very much. We'll wait here for a while then."
Seeing that they were willing to help, Chen Yang expressed his gratitude.
"It's a small matter. You wait here."
A young man, pocketing the cigarettes, jogged into the school. Just starting his career, he was already influenced by these older smokers. He didn't have much money, and this pack of cigarettes would last him several days.
Fortunately, Chen Yang and the others didn't wait long. The young man returned from the teaching building, having found Chen Yu, who had just finished her class.
"Uncle, brother, why are you here!"
Having not seen them for over half a year, Chen Yu was very excited to see Chen Yang. Although her uncle had brought her gifts, it so happened that the guards couldn't find her, so she hadn't seen him. Being able to see both her uncle and elder brother at the same time, how could Chen Yu not be excited?