Chapter 22

Tian Yuxi found it hard to believe what the other party was saying. In just one month, a sixteen-year-old had achieved such great things: buying a house, starting a business, and making a lot of money. However, when she visited the other’s house and saw the busy Wang Li and Qian Youlai, she was shocked and momentarily speechless.

Song Haowen invited Tian Yuxi to the octagonal pavilion in the courtyard for a chat and introduced her to Wang Li and Qian Youlai. In the middle of the pavilion was a stone table with four stone drum stools, left by the previous homeowner. Wang Li diligently served them tea.

Tian Yuxi stared firmly at Song Haowen with her big eyes, feeling a bit unfamiliar with him.

Song Haowen earnestly said, “Sister Tian, don’t doubt me. I have a good business mindset. All of this is the result of our hard work. I’ve told you about my family. We were poor farmers for three generations, once so poor that we could hear the clinking sound of poverty. But through a summer of hunting, I not only built a new house for my family but also could afford such a large house in Beijing. If you’re willing, we can work together, and I guarantee you’ll get rich quickly.”

“Let’s talk about it later.” Although Tian Yuxi was amazed by the other’s wealth-building ability, she wasn’t interested in making money at the moment. Worried, she asked, “Isn’t what you’re doing illegal?”

“After the Third Plenary Session at the end of last year, with the establishment of the socialist market economy system as the basic national policy, the private economy will flourish. Have you noticed that there are more and more individual stalls on the streets now? Our electronic repair shop is actually like a stall, just indoors, slightly more formal. It’s not considered illegal,” Song Haowen explained.

“But doing it so openly, in the long run, you need a business license. If you get sealed off, the consequences will be severe,” Tian Yuxi still expressed her concerns.

Song Haowen nodded, “We also want a business license and want to do things properly. But we don’t have any connections in the local business bureau. After we applied, it has been pending on approval.”

Tian Yuxi breathed a sigh of relief and said, “If you have such intentions, it’s good. About your license issue, let me inquire when I go back home. If the policy allows, I think there shouldn’t be a big problem.”

Song Haowen was overjoyed, stood up, and shook the other’s hand, saying, “That’s great! If we can get a business license, it will solve my biggest worry. Before, I even thought about joining some established store, paying them a fixed amount each year, but because I’m too young and not a genuine local of Beijing, nobody would pay attention to me.”

“It feels right you are an old man inside young man’s body,” Tian Yuxi laughed. “If you have something to do go but first hurry up and bring me over a repaired radio, I want to listen to some programs.”

Song Haowen immediately went inside and brought out a red-lit radio, a Panasonic recorder, and several boxes of Sony tapes. “Here, we have Cantonese and Taiwanese pop songs, Western music, and foreign songs. Unfortunately, the TV has been taken by a customer; otherwise, you could watch TV programs. Take a break here for now, and when I finish a few urgent tasks, we can all go out for dinner.”

Tian Yuxi happily agreed, took the recorder, and listened to the tapes, enjoying herself.

Normally, they didn’t require Wang Li and Qian Youlai to work on Sundays, but they volunteered to come because they felt bored at home, and the salary was good. This way, Song Haowen wouldn’t feel lonely with just one person at home.

In the afternoon, Song Haowen took some time to accompany Tian Yuxi for shopping. After they finished exploring the Wangfujing shopping mall, Tian Yuxi suggested that they go to her home nearby.

This sudden invitation surprised Song Haowen. Although he felt a bit nervous, he agreed readily. After a few months of acquaintance, he only knew that she was the only child in her family, and her parents worked in government officials. However, he didn’t know their names, occupations, or where their home was.

Originally, Song Haowen intended to buy some fruits, not wanting to visit empty-handed for the first time. However, Tian Yuxi insisted that it wasn’t necessary, so he gave up the idea. The two walked into a hutong called Hehua behind Beihai. When they arrived at a doorway named Ruyi, Tian Yuxi opened the door with a key and led the way inside.

Upon entering, Song Haowen saw that it was an elegant little courtyard. The courtyard faced north and had a layout of an inverted room, main room, side rooms, and ear rooms surrounding it. The buildings were all single-story, connected by eave corridors and colonnades. Inside the courtyard, there was even a grape arbor, jujube trees, and pomegranate trees. Flower beds were planted with lilacs, crabapples, magnolias, and peonies. There was a large goldfish tank with lotus flowers. A dignified and beautiful middle-aged woman, wearing an apron, was cleaning the courtyard.