Chapter 41

Dinner Gathering

After work on Friday, Xie Qing rushed to a newly opened hotpot restaurant in Fengshan District. Just as she parked her car, she saw Tan Yi’s car drive in.

They couldn’t pretend not to see each other.

Xie Qing waited for a moment.

Tan Yi got out of his car with a shoulder bag and asked, “Xiao Xie, meeting someone?”

Xie Qing replied, “Yes, Captain Tan, you too?”

Tan Yi opened the door and let Xie Qing go in first, then said, “I have an appointment with Chai Yu on the second floor. What about you?”

Xie Qing said, “I’m on the first floor.”

Tan Yi said, “If it’s convenient, let’s join together.”

Xie Qing wanted to have a quiet meal, so she said, “It’s not very convenient, thank you, Captain Tan.”

The young lady had her hair down today, with her eyebrows and eyeliner done, and her full lips painted a light pink. It wasn’t too heavy or light, just right and very attractive, making it hard to look away. It must be an important date since she rarely wore makeup.

Tan Yi didn’t insist.

They parted ways in the lobby, and Xie Qing followed the waiter to the first floor, sitting by a small table near the window. She ordered a cup of hot water and quietly waited for Xie Chen.

About seven or eight minutes later, Xie Chen arrived.

Xie Qing waved and glanced behind him, not seeing anyone else, feeling relieved—she was terrified Xie Chen would try to mediate between her and Xie Yun.

Xie Chen sat across from her, “How long have you been waiting?”

“I just sat down, too.” Xie Qing waved to the waiter, “Another cup of hot water, please.”

Xie Chen quickly stopped her, “No need for now.”

Xie Qing blinked.

Xie Chen said, “I originally planned for the two of us to have a good meal, but I just ran into Secretary Chai. He’s with Captain Tan upstairs, and since you two are colleagues, I agreed to join them.”

Xie Qing chuckled, “I just turned down Captain Tan.”

Xie Chen scratched his head, “Then I’ll call Secretary Chai and tell him we’re not going up?”

Xie Qing said, “No need. You guys can chat, and I’ll just eat.”

Xie Chen laughed and ruffled Xie Qing’s hair, “Alright, my treat. Order whatever you want.”

Xie Qing grabbed her coat and followed Xie Chen upstairs.

The siblings chatted as they walked.

Xie Chen said, “Qing Qing, I want to start my own business. What do you think I should do?”

Xie Qing was a bit surprised, “Aren’t you happy with your current job?” In the book, Xie Chen and Xie Xun worked together in real estate and never thought of starting their own business.

“Sigh!” Xie Chen sighed, “One sister made it to the newspaper, and the other started a clothing company. The pressure on me is huge.”

“Haha!” Xie Qing laughed, “Why not just make Dad’s company bigger and stronger?”

Xie Chen shook his head, “I don’t feel a sense of accomplishment. Besides, Dad is still young and far from retirement.”

Xie Qing asked, “Is the family financially stable? Do you have any direction?”

Xie Chen sighed again, “Not stable, and no direction.”

Xie Qing nodded. Xie Chen was only in his early twenties and had limited experience.

Although she knew little about business, she had seen a lot. According to the book’s logic, real estate was still the most profitable.

For Xie Chen, it would be hard to compete with Gu Ling and Guan Yangzhi in the local market, but he could invest in surrounding cities and counties, slowly accumulating experience. By 2000, with better connections, more capital, and technological advancements, there would be more opportunities.

After thinking for a moment, Xie Qing said, “Brother, I still think real estate is a good option. We don’t have to take on big projects, but we need to have vision.”

Xie Chen said, “Dad also wants to do it, but we don’t have enough funds right now, and the competition is tough.”

Xie Qing thought about the book’s content, “It’s definitely hard in the city. Why not look at the Donggang Town area?”

“Donggang Town?” Xie Chen shook his head, “No, it’s too remote, with no facilities.”

Xie Qing said, “The beaches and reefs there are nice, and Anhai is close to the capital, just a two-hour drive. Whether it’s for a resort or selling seaside houses, it’s a good option. Even if we don’t do anything, buying the land and holding onto it will yield a good price in the future.”

This was a project Xie Yun encountered after starting her clothing factory. Initially, no one was interested, and Xie Yun eventually bought it at a very low price. However, the surrounding facilities were indeed poor, and the land remained idle for several years. It wasn’t until Anhai City expanded and the facilities improved that the land’s value increased, and Xie Yun began developing it. Xie Yun didn’t dare to take the risk because her vision was limited, and she couldn’t foresee Anhai City’s development ten years later.

Xie Qing suggested it to Xie Chen, focusing on vacationers rather than local residents, so there was no need to worry too much about facilities.

Xie Chen looked at Xie Qing in surprise, “A resort is a great idea. If the surrounding facilities improve in the future, developing it into seaside houses would be excellent.”

He was a practical person, not aiming too high, and his ideas were more thorough.

Xie Qing nodded, “Go ahead, Brother. I have money. After the New Year, I can lend you five or six hundred thousand.” She originally had 400,000, and with the future share from Xie Yun, this amount was no problem.

Xie Chen was overjoyed, “Really?”

Xie Qing said, “Really!”

“Haha…” Xie Chen was thrilled, “With our combined efforts, we’ll succeed. I’ll repay you according to the investment ratio.”

Xie Qing mentioned lending, and he talked about repayment—this way, Xie Qing, as a public servant, wouldn’t be involved in investment and shares.

“Xie Chen, are you climbing the Himalayas or what?” Chai Yu leaned against the private room door and asked unexpectedly.

“Hahaha…” Xie Chen walked over, “I was chatting with my sister. Sorry to keep you waiting, Secretary Chai.”

Chai Yu said, “Come on, we’re off duty. Just call me Brother Chai.”

Xie Chen followed suit, “Brother Chai.”

Xie Qing also said, “Brother Chai, long time no see.”

Chai Yu laughed, “Finally, I get to meet our ‘hardworking, sharp-eyed, brave, and fearless’ female forensic doctor and police officer!”

Mentioning the words used in the evening news made Xie Qing get goosebumps. She awkwardly said, “Sorry to make you laugh, Brother Chai.”

Chai Yu said, “Not at all. Captain Tan told me about it. Brother Chai is sincere.”

The three of them chatted as they sat down. The hotpot was already bubbling, with several plates of beef and lamb, various seafood, prawns, oysters, mantis shrimp, and a table full of food.

Xie Chen humbly said, “It’s mainly thanks to Captain Tan’s leadership. Our Qing Qing is just a brick, moving wherever needed.”

Tan Yi smiled slightly, “In this case, Xiao Xie was more than a brick. She played a decisive role, handling almost everything from suspects to evidence.”

Xie Chen was surprised and apologized to Xie Qing, “Qing Qing, the newspaper exaggerated, and I thought…”

Xie Qing said, “Brother, let’s move on, or I’ll get goosebumps.”

Tan Yi raised his glass and said seriously, “Right, let’s move on. The first toast is to our hero, Xie Qingtian (*).”

(*) Just like Justice Bao’s name, Bao Qingtian.

“Hahaha…” Chai Yu and Xie Chen laughed.

Xie Qing: “…”

Such a serious person suddenly being playful was quite surprising.