Summer #34

Don't Turn from Summer (莫负寒夏) by Ding Mo (丁墨)

Chapter 34

The cool breeze picks up and the night gets chilly. Mu Hanxia gets out of the car. In front of her and surrounded by trees is a lake glittering in the dark. A club house stands in the center of the view. This is a tranquil suburban area.

She walks into the club house and moments later arrives at the suite reserved by Lin Mochen. Gently pushing the door open, there she finds Lin Mochen lean in the coach under the quiet light, with two foreign young men beside him.

He notices her and speaks smilingly to them in a low voice, “...that is Summer...” The two foreigners, both wearing well-ironed shirts, instantly show understanding and excitement. Their glances feel weird to Mu Hanxia, and she seems to hear them saying things like “...your girl?””...she’s beautiful...” and Lin Mochen’s answer with a gentle “hmm”.

Mu Hanxia: “...”

At last, she walks over as if she has heard nothing and greets the two foreigners smilingly. Lin Mochen also acts innocent and introduces them to one another. The taller one is the chief designer Antony and the shorter one his assistant. Since they came to China, Lin Mochen has kept them in the club house. The design plans are also made here. The whole thing is strictly confidential. It is by his request that Mu Hanxia comes today to learn about their final design.

The three of them talk on in very fluent English, mixed with slang now and then. Mu Hanxia sits right beside Lin Mochen. She understands some but is at a loss with other parts. Suddenly Lin Mochen turns to look at her, “Can you follow us?”

Mu Hanxia shakes her head.

“Didn’t you do very well in high school. We will have plenty of interactions like this in the future. Don’t leave English behind.” He says.

This remark of his touches the thought that has long been on Mu Hanxia’s mind. She says, “I actually thought about going abroad.”

Lin Mochen shows a little surprise in his eyes and asks, “Where do you want to go?”

“The United States.”

He immediately smiles, “America isn’t a bad idea. What do you want to do there?”

Mu Hanxia replies, “If possible, I want to go study there.”

They gaze into each other and, under the light, he says gently, “You can go wherever you want.”

The woman I love, wherever she wants to go, she surely can go.

Mu Hanxia’s heart skips a beat. His eyes are like an abyss, One would get trapped deeply in it if not very cautious. She lowers her head and avoids his eyes.

If there were not those two big shining light bulbs present, Lin Mochen wants to hold her hands in his. The probing and tempting is quite enough, he doesn’t want to let her shun him any more.

The four of them settle in the conference room and Antony starts to introduce their design. Although she can’t totally understand what he says, helped by text and illustrations, Mu Hanxia grasps the most part.

Antony has a rather positive opinion about the current building construction situation in Lin City. The projects of Rong Yue, in particular, have paid a lot of attention to the usability of unit layout. Their building quality and landscaping are both quite good. Although the building volume rate is a little too high, it is much better than “what he saw in many other cities where the buildings were all identical.”

“However, those architecture designs all miss the soul.” Antony says, “Jason, you have always been a fighter who turns the industry over. The plan I design for you has to be very unique, so unique that people feel it has echoes in their souls. No matter which lot is your target, I hope it will help you beat the more powerful rivals!”

He plays a 3D simulation video.

First there is the mist. In the mist, the forest gradually appears. Birds are chirping, streams are flowing, and the sun beams are penetrating―people feel as if they are in a real forest.

The sun gets brighter and the morning mist dissipates. But the forest is not a real forest, it’s just a grove of trees with different heights. Amid them are a few tall pseudo - classic architectures of dark grey color.

“Those are our buildings.” Antony whispers.

Tranquility fills Mu Hanxia’s heart. Such a quiet and ancient-looking beginning appeals to her very much. Looking closely, one can see that the whole area is not even and flat like a regular community. Instead, it’s constructed in accordance to the slightly undulating ground. And those trees―apple trees, pomegranate trees, powder puff trees, ginkgo trees, and so many more―are dotting in between. If you walk on the path in the woods, you are unable to tell this is cultivated at all. Instead, you would think this is an extremely quiet and beautiful natural grove.

Water is brought in from the lake afar to form the long and narrow lagoon, flowing around the buildings. The water body is named “Night View,” and the video shows exactly the night view of it. A bright moon is hanging high on the sky, while another one below the buildings. The view makes you feel as if you were in Xanadu.

Next, it’s the interior of the building. The first floor lobby comes first. It’s not the magnificently decorated lobby that’s popular these days. Instead, it’s just a serene doorway. On the pure walls with quiet colors, hang the chandeliers of a middle-age style. The warm yellow light shines on the lawns and trails in front of the door.

The units are mostly two-bedroom suites between 80 and 90 square meters, squarely shaped with plenty of natural light. Also, as the buildings are designed with different elevation and the landscape has an encircling design, the green fields and clear streams can be seen from the windows of every unit. Plus, in the thin mists, the buildings outside the community look so faraway as if they are in a different world.

The highlight is the patio of each unit. The vegetation on each patio will be planted before the residents move in, which is designed by one of the best landscape designers in the US, who’s also a friend of Antony’s. When you look out from the patio, you will have the illusion that the green colors nearby is part of the view outside the window, as if the flowing lavish green has also flown into your home.

Because most of the area is used for landscape, the community doesn’t have a shared club house, or stores, or restaurants. The parking lots are all tucked underground. Only strict security has been placed at the east, west, south, and north sides. Additionally, a key elementary school will build a campus at the northwest corner of the community, a project that will cost a lot of money.

The unit price is one third higher than other units in similar city zones, but due to the limit area of each unit, the overall price per unit won’t be too high.

......

“Jason, upon finishing this project, you may not make a great deal of money. But everyone in the city will definitely want to buy homes from you.” Antony says.

Lin Mochen replies, “This is exactly what I want. Right now the real estate market is in a large scale recession. The product I’m going to create is something that will counter the market.”

He turns to look at Mu Hanxia, “How do you like it?”

Mu Hanxia is still staring at the screen, reflecting on what she just saw. She says, “You know what is my favorite part?”

“What?”

“My favorite part is the light at the door. When one returns in the snowy night, the home-bound path is lighted. It gives me a warm sense of home.”

Lin Mochen smiles.

“Anyway, the whole community is really well designed, very well designed.” Mu Hanxia says earnestly, “It’s so remarkable, so unique. It will definitely touch those bidding officers from the government. For the entire city, it will be a very special landmark. The customers will definitely want to buy when they see this. I personally want to buy a unit myself.”

“You will have better ones in the future.” He says.

Mu Hanxia turns away from him and says, “Hmm, I will save money and buy myself a home.”

Lin Mochen is silent.

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Inspired by Antony’s design, Mu Hanxia decides to make big changes on the plan she made at the Qing Yu Coffee House. She stays up for several nights and tries very hard to show the uniqueness and potential of Feng Chen. She is confident that it will eventually move some investors into actions.

Today, she sees Lao Fang again at the coffee house. They are now quite familiar with each other. Lao Fang waves her over and, to her surprise, hands her two jars of honey.

Mu Hanxia asks, “Why give me this?”

Lao Fang says, “Someone gave them to me, but I don’t eat sweets. You girls should love it, right?”

Mu Hanxia seldom interacts with the older generation like this. His words bring warmth to her heart. She says, “Thank you. Next time I will bring you some special products from Jiang Cheng.”

Lao Fang just smiles.

Grasping the opportunity, Mu Hanxia says, “By the way, I revised my business plan. Could you take a look and give me some advice?”

Lao Fang is quite interested, “Sure.”

They go to the small conference room in the back of the coffee house―this is also a special feature of the entrepreneur’s coffee house. Here, Mu Hanxia presents the plan to Lao Fang in a highly concentrated manner with vivid language.

When it’s finished, Lao Fang does not disguise his appreciation and amazement. “Well done. I didn’t know Feng Chen is such a visionary company with an emphasis on quality. Your boss is a good person. It’s no wonder you can have some accomplishments in such a short time.”

Mu Hanxia grins and says, “He is very very outstanding.”

Lao Fang gives her a glance.

Mu Hanxia says again, “Lao Fang, do you think this plan of mine can attract investment?”

“Yes, It can.” Lao Fang replies very affirmatively, “It’s just a matter of time.”

Mu Hanxia feels a surge of joy.

Then Lao Fang speaks smilingly, “Xiao Mu, I have a favor to ask. Could you help?”

Mu Hanxia feels a tingle in her heart and says, “Of course. What’s it?”

“Your plan is done so well. I’m working on the project about renewable environmental resources. Can you help compile the plan for me? I can pay you.”

Mu Hanxia immediately says, “No need to pay. As a retired professor, your financial circumstances can’t be too good. I will try my best. But I’m just not sure it will really help.”

Lao Fang looks into her eyes, as if he has penetrated everything, or maybe he is just looking at her with brightened eyes, and smiles faintly.

After that, Mu Hanxia stays up a few more nights and puts in all her efforts. She even goes to consult Lin Mochen at the risk of being taken advantage of by him. Finally she finishes the plan beautifully.

When she gives the plan to Lao Fang, he is very pleased and keeps nodding his head. He even pats her on the head, as if she’s a kid, and says, “Good, very good. If everybody is as diligent and intelligent as you at their work, what can’t be accomplished in this world?”

Mu Hanxia just grins proudly and doesn’t mention anything else.

Another two days pass. Lao Fang actually gives her a call, inviting her to dinner because the renewable resources project has been approved and is preparing to launch.

To Mu Hanxia, this is both unexpected and reasonable. She is somewhat envious in her heart. She has shown Feng Chen’s plan to quite a few people, but has yet received any investment.

At dusk, after careful selection, she changes into a pretty and tasteful outfit. She is just about to leave the office when she runs into Lin Mochen. He says evenly, “Dressed so pretty. Going to see someone?”

Mu Hanxia replies, “Wasn’t you who led me into the vanity fair?”

Lin Mochen is silent. Mu Hanxia gives him a weak smile and leaves.

Lao Fang is a simple person. He chooses a clean and inexpensive mid range restaurant for the dinner. Mu Hanxia doesn’t mind, instead it makes her feel comfortable. Without being over polite, she orders a few house specials and enjoys them enormously.

Lao Fang finds some casual topic, “You are from Jicang Cheng. Who else are there in your family?”

“None.” Mu Hanxia says.

Lao Fang is taken aback.

“My parents passed away a few years ago.” She says calmly.

There is some obvious pity in Lao Fang’s eyes. He nods, “You are fine. You are the more independent and stronger one among your peers.”

Mu Hanxia smiles.

They talk some more, about her plan of pursuing further studies, about the apparel industry in Lin City, and also about Feng Chen. In the end, Lao Fang says, “You did me a favor by compiling the plan for me. I will remember this favor of yours. If you need help from me some day, just let me know. Of course, it cannot violate my principles.”

Mu Hanxia stirs the food in her bowl with the chopsticks. She feels the timing is good, but is still not totally sure about Lao Fang’s attitude. So she tries, “Actually, I personally don’t have any favor to ask. It’s just that our whole company is working very hard on the upcoming real estate project. Next week, the government is opening lot bidding. You know our Feng Chen is a very outstanding and quality oriented company. But we are not as powerful as other companies. If we can get help in any way, it would be invaluable.”

Lao Fang’s face is very calm, not showing any delight or anger. He says, “the government’s bidding process is very just and fair. One has to rely on his or her own strength. Nobody could or should help any bidders.”

Mu Hanxia quickly looks up at him. “No, we absolutely won’t seek help that’s against any principles and unfair to other companies. We just need a small favor―can the order of the lots go like C, B, and then A?”

Lao Fang pauses.

Mu Hanxia goes on to say, following the instructions of Lin Mochen, “This is just an unimportant sequence arrangement. It won’t affect the interest and principle of anyone...”

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One morning a few days later, Lin Mochen, followed by Mu Hanxia, Antony, and manager of real estate department Sun Zhi , drives to the previously announced venue to bid for the lots.