“As architects, we need to have a broad perspective—not just spatially, but also temporally. We must stay at the forefront of the times, not limiting our thoughts to the current year or decade, and not letting superficial things blind us.”

…

“Quality is the life of architecture. Without quality, everything else is meaningless. If you sacrifice quality for other things, it’s like giving up the life of your own building.”

“As our cities expand and the population explodes, and as people’s hearts become more unsettled, I hope we architects can be as grounded as our buildings, as solid as a rock.”

…

Jiang Lin’s speech analyzed past and present urban development and made bold “predictions” about the future.

Of course, she didn’t just copy the developments from her past life, since urban development trends in her past life were increasingly distorted.

She hoped to incorporate the beautiful ideals and wishes of her teachers and classmates.

Even if it only influenced people a little, it would have a great impact in daily learning and development.

With students influencing one another, it could make a significant difference in the future.

They are the main force of today’s designers and engineers.

Future students will be deeply influenced by them.

If they act correctly and focus on people, then future students will follow their example, contributing to a better tomorrow.

As her speech progressed, the initially empty auditorium became packed, with people even standing in the aisles.

There were not only teachers and students from the school but also workers who had come to listen after finishing their shifts.

They were very curious about what the city would become—a city where shabby dirt roads and old, rundown buildings would be replaced by skyscrapers?

Rather than focusing on the city’s future, they were more concerned about their own future.

They looked at the architectural designs presented on stage and found them incredible.

Jiang Lin had also showcased an ideal living area, including residential areas, workplaces, banks, hospitals, department stores, markets, schools, and entertainment zones—all perfectly integrated.

The thought of living in such a place seemed unimaginably comfortable.

Jiang Lin said, “This conclusion comes from our research on the most developed cities around the world. After the reform and opening-up, global connections will gradually strengthen, and we will also move towards the world stage. In the future, whether it’s food, architecture, work, entertainment, clothing, schools, or even customs and cultures, everything will become increasingly international. This is a forward-thinking topic, but it is inevitable. As long as we continue reform and opening-up, the pace of internationalization will only accelerate. Let’s remember this today, and in five or ten years, look back and see if the surroundings confirm this statement.”

Cheng Rushan sat below, watching Jiang Lin on stage with a focused and admiring expression.

They often talked about future aspirations. Cheng Rushan rarely spoke out his thoughts because, since they hadn’t happened yet, it seemed pointless to share them if others wouldn’t believe him or couldn’t immediately verify them.

But Jiang Lin liked to hear him speak and often asked him how he thought things would turn out in the future. She was sincere, so he would share his views openly.

Each time, she fully agreed with him.

In her speech, Jiang Lin often quoted Cheng Rushan’s views directly.

Each time she mentioned “Our Cheng Rushan says,” the students would respond with excitement, making the atmosphere even more lively.

Cheng Rushan was very happy.

Jiang Lin genuinely agreed with him, not just in a perfunctory way.

It gave him a sense that not only were their bodies and minds in harmony, but their souls resonated together as well.

With a wife like this, what more could he ask for?

Jiang Ling, standing at the door, was feeling frustrated. She initially thought that combining the art exhibition with Jiang Lin’s speech would make people more interested in her exhibition rather than the speech.

However, more and more people were flocking in to listen to the speech.

Even she couldn’t help but come in and listen, becoming deeply engrossed.

Although Meng Yiyi had also described the future to her, Jiang Lin’s vision, though different from Meng Yiyi’s, was even more beautiful.

It’s natural for younger people to dream about the future while older people reminisce about the past.

Jiang Lin’s vision of the future was so appealing that it captivated people, especially when she said, “A city is just a vessel; the people living in it are its soul. Whether the future city becomes a rigid, mechanical tool for development or remains vibrant, full of human care, and passionate depends on us, on you and me, on everyone’s efforts.”

This made people feel they were a crucial part of the city, with their actions and efforts affecting the city’s dignity and image.

After the speech, Jiang Lin planned to leave, but the audience was eager to ask questions and interact.

The event, originally scheduled to end at 4:30 PM, continued until 6:30 PM, with the audience still reluctant to leave.

Eventually, the school had to step in to end the event, indicating they would invite Jiang Lin for another talk in the future.

Standing for over four hours, Jiang Lin was exhausted, her throat dry and hoarse.

The school leaders wanted to continue the discussion over dinner to talk about potential projects, but Cheng Rushan stepped in to say there would be plenty of opportunities for that in the future.

So, the event concluded.

Dean Wu said to Jiang Lin, “Enhance and enrich the content, and let’s publish a book.”

Jiang Lin was surprised, “Professor, we can actually publish a book?”

She hadn’t considered that her graduation thesis could become a book, as publishing was very challenging and had high requirements.

She glanced at Da Bao and Xiao Bao, then reconsidered.

The two young writers were now well-established, with their stories being serialized and collected into popular volumes.

Dean Wu advised her to prepare well and come to him with any issues, “Even after graduation, you are still part of our university. For lectures, book publishing, or technical support, feel free to ask.”

“Thank you, Professor!” Jiang Lin shook hands with Dean Wu, “I will work hard and not let our university down.”

“You seniors who have ventured out are role models for later generations and a source of pride for everyone. If you have a good reputation, their job assignments will also be better. On their behalf, I want to thank you.”

After bidding farewell to them, Jiang Lin chatted with Su Xingyun, Zhang Shaopeng, and others, all of whom worked at the Provincial Construction Group, which was the best job placement from their school in the province.

Cheng Rushan: “Let’s have a meal together. My treat.”

Su Xingyun was surprised: “Director Cheng, that’s too much.”

Cheng Rushan smiled, “I’m your classmate’s husband. It’s nothing for me to treat everyone to a meal.”

Su Xingyun immediately responded, “Then we should treat you.”

Cheng Rushan: “We’re a large family, so it wouldn’t be right to take advantage of you.”

Dabao and others came over, and he handed a bottle of honey hawthorn water to Jiang Lin to soothe her throat, which had become hoarse.

Jiang Lin drank half the bottle and said to Xiaobao and Baosheng, “Only by speaking can you understand how hard it is to give lectures. Your teacher stands there every day, eating chalk dust and getting a hoarse voice. So you must respect your teachers.”

Baosheng, snuggling on Xiaobao’s back, said softly, “Mom, we know. We listen to our teachers. Just ask us.”

…

After graduation, Jiang Lin threw herself into work.

With Yan Runzhi and Cheng Yunzhi taking care of the family, and Wen Sheng, Dabao, and Xiaobao being sensible and able to take care of themselves and help with their younger sister, the household was well-managed.

Although Baosheng was clever and a bit mischievous, she was sweet and well-liked by teachers and classmates.

Without family worries, Jiang Lin and Cheng Rushan could fully devote themselves to work and achieved excellent results.

In early 1987, Jiang Lin became the technical head of the Provincial Construction Group, leading a team of fifty technical experts.

She was also appointed as the deputy director of the Architecture Technology Research Institute, jointly established by the Provincial Construction Group and the provincial university.

She was invited back to the university two to three times a year to give lectures on the current state of the architecture industry.

Since 1979, the provincial capital had begun to show rapid changes.

To become wealthy, roads must be built. To build roads, suitable conditions are needed.

Due to its unique geographical position, the provincial capital could develop water, rail, and road transportation comprehensively.

Now, both inside and outside the city were busy with road construction.

Jiang Lin was directly involved in the planning of roads within the city, attending meetings, conducting research, and inspections.

She was hands-on, as the construction industry required practical experience rather than just imagination.

It was essential to visit construction sites, study road conditions, environment, and materials to find the most suitable solutions.

Recently, Jiang Lin had been attending various exchange meetings in cities like Shanghai, the capital, and the provincial capital.

Upon returning, she participated in a conference on expanding and developing new areas of the city.

She attended for two days and discussed some issues with the attendees.

She raised a novel question—emphasizing environmental protection and preserving ancient trees within the city to prevent their destruction.

She wanted to avoid the situation where, many years later, there would be a need to address environmental concerns by buying and relocating ancient trees from rural areas due to their widespread destruction.

She preferred to invest more time and resources now to make steady progress rather than rush and end up with regrets or having to redo projects within a decade, which would result in greater waste.

Regarding this issue, there was a discussion.

Some agreed, and some disagreed, especially those who focused only on immediate results and didn’t value the environment.

They thought that her emphasis on environmental issues was a result of emotionalism and vanity, lacking rationality.

The discussion at the meeting was intense.

Some men, unable to argue their points, resorted to gender discrimination. “A beautiful woman is just for show; she can’t do the job! Women should stay at home and raise children!”

Jiang Lin was so offended that she left, unable to continue with such differing views.

In the end, the leaders from the Provincial Construction Department intervened.

They arranged a dinner to calm everyone down, encouraging them to eat, chat, and build relationships, and to conduct the meeting in a more respectful manner.

At the dinner, the atmosphere seemed friendly on the surface, with laughter and conversation.

“Jiang Lin, you speak so sharply. You seem like a quiet beauty, but when you get angry…” Someone stopped short of saying “like a tigress,” but just laughed, “To the beautiful Jiang Lin, a toast!”

Although they were of similar rank, they took advantage of Jiang Lin’s youth and beauty to undermine her.

Some had ulterior motives, wanting to push her aside and flatter her, hoping to win her favor as a potential mistress.

For some men, having attractive female colleagues or subordinates seemed like a chance to find a lover.

Jiang Lin stood up, holding milk since everyone knew she didn’t drink alcohol. Her professional abilities were well recognized, so no one criticized her for that.

But today, several men acted as if they were shocked, “Oh, the beautiful woman doesn’t want to drink!”

Jiang Lin responded calmly, “Dean Chen, Director Zhao, my respect for you is not shown through drinking. It’s better for us to understand and communicate with each other more in our work and make progress together.

Specialization exists in skills, and differences between genders are evident in some areas like childbearing and drinking capacity.

However, in other areas, everyone should be on equal footing. Whether past, present, or future, women should stand alongside men at the forefront of social development.

Anyone who tries to push women backward is dragging history back! It shows a lack of ability and insecurity!”

Just because she’s a woman, does she deserve to be stepped on and taken advantage of? No way!

The slogan that “women hold up half the sky” has been shouted for years. Are you so eager to exclude women from high-level positions now?

Dream on!

The men felt slapped in the face and quickly started laughing, denying any attempts to exclude women.

“Ha ha, let’s work together to create a bright future,” the leader said, trying to ease the tension.

In the room, there were indeed more men than women, and they were all heavy smokers.

The smoke made Jiang Lin feel dizzy, her eyes dry and watering. She excused herself to the bathroom to get some fresh air.

As she strolled through a quiet flower corridor, she passed by a large private room. The door was slightly ajar, and she could hear lively conversation and clinking glasses inside.

“This beautiful artist is not just for show; she’s truly talented. Beautiful and an art expert!”

“Indeed impressive. We went to her exhibition, and it was worth every penny!”

“We’re decorating a new restaurant and want to buy a batch of high-value artworks to enhance the venue. We hope the great artist can grace us with her presence.”

Jiang Lin thought of Jiang Ling, realizing she was doing very well.

She glanced at her watch.

It had been ten minutes, and it would be impolite to stay out too long, so she turned to head back.

Just then, someone came out of the private room, saw her, and said with surprise and delight, “Jiang Lin?”

Jiang Lin was surprised to run into Bian Haitao here.

Over the years, she had had no involvement with him and didn’t think much of him.

She gave a slight nod and was about to leave.

“Jiang Lin, can we talk for a moment?”