Will be away for two months

Dear readers,

I know many of you are following the progress of the story and are waiting patiently for the translations. Thank you very much for your support! You have been a great motivation for me to keep working on chapter after chapter.

But sorry to disappoint you, I will have to stop for two months now, as I will be traveling during the next two months and will have no access to this blog space at all. But I will try to find time for the translation work during my time away. And hopefully when I come back, I will be able to post several chapters all at once to make up for the two-month gap.

Again, thank you for your love of Ding Mo's novels and thank you for reading my translations. Hope to see you again in two months!

--Palmtree H

Summer #37

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

Chapter 37

The second lot is Lot B.

This time, Rong Yue shows a plan called Home―Rong Yue. Namely, creating an atmosphere of home in the whole community. So it is very different from other commercially developed residential communities. When you enter the community, there’s a home manager who greets you. On the way home, you will pass the garden, the athletic field, the senior center, the children’s playground, and finally the entrance to your home unit.

How’s the relationship between neighbors? Each building has its own homeowner association subgroup. Doctors, police officers, lawyers, and other public services professionals in the community will be courteously registered, so that whenever there’s some urgent need, they will be contacted to provide voluntary help.

The units are mostly three bedroom designs, aiming at the middle class who have steady income and are ready to start families. Also, in addition to the quality restaurants outside the community, there’s even a dining hall within the community, with an A Level of Sanitation, managed directly by the community management company...

When the manager from Rong Yue finishes presenting the plan, the officials are all smiles. This plan is not like that of Lot C, everything of which is of top quality, but it still is an attractive choice.

After the presentation, Rao Wei comes out from the room, when he sees Lin Mochen, followed by Antony, walking over. Feng Chen is the next bidder for Lot B. This time Rao Wei doesn’t smile. Instead, he gazes at them quietly. Whereas Lin Mochen, with a hint of smile lingering at the corner of his month, walks right by him without even looking his way.

 The officials all look at this newcomer with some curiosity. After all, they have more or less heard about the recent sudden rise of Feng Chen and their open and secret battles with Rong Yue.

With smiles, Lin Mochen concisely introduces the officials to the strengths and background of Feng Chen. Of course, he hasn’t forgot to mention that they have a globally renowned designer Antony, their international influence. Then the presentation begins.

The lights are dimmer, as if the thin mist in the mountains are covering the ancient looking buildings. The video starts to play, with Antony and Lin Mochen’s deep and slow voices describing and explaining in English and Chinese.

...

When the video is over, it is very quiet in the room. With smiles, Lin Mochen and Antony rise to say thank you.

--------

It’s almost noon, but the officials are not leaving for lunch yet. They all stay in the conference room, excitedly discussing.

“Rao Wei’s plan is not bad. Feng Cheng’s is also very good. This makes us hard to decide.” Deputy mayor Mr. Fan says smilingly.

The Director of Design Institute is a straightforward person. He says earnestly, “I think Feng Chen’s plan is better, more touching. Rong Yue’s is fine, but the concept of harmony is not a new one in the country. Whereas Feng Chen’s design is disruptive, brand-new. If such as community appears in Lin City, it will really become a trend leader of architecture. Aren’t we trying to encourage real estate companies to bring forth more creative and valuable plans so as to reverse and rescue the market? I think we should encourage the innovation of companies like Feng Chen!”

Mr. Fan just smiles.

Another official says, “Mr. Zhou, you are right. But Rong Yue is after all the most powerful company in the grand southwestern area and the biggest tax payer in our Lin City, while Feng Chen is just a new company from somewhere else. I agree that their plan is really stunning and a little bit better than that of Rong Yue, but it’s really uncertain whether they can build it the way they designed. Leaving it to them is not as reassuring as leaving it to Rong Yue. After all, Rong Yue has done a lot of real estate projects in Lin City. Their quality can be guaranteed.”

Mr. Zhou replies, “But I think we should be enterprising rather than conservative.” The remark leaves that official speechless.

Mr. Fan then smiles, “I agree with Mr. Zhou. We should be enterprising, not conservative. Feng Chen’s plan is really a good piece of work and makes us hard to give up. However, this lot is quite large and the risk is relatively high. We can let Feng Chen try when we have other opportunities later. Mr. Fang, you haven’t given any opinions yet. What do you say?”

Everyone looks toward the high official who arrived in the city not long ago. It’s not yet clear which side he takes.

Fang Chengzhou picks up the cup of tea and takes a sip. Then he says with a smile, “I think both are very good. Feng Chen’s plan is really a little better. It would be a pity if it is not implemented in Lin City. But Rong Yue has greater strength overall and it’s a major tax payer. It’s only right to give them some extra favor. So, it’s all up to you.”

This means the decision making authority of this round is given to Mr. Fan.

--------

After taking a very hasty lunch with his men, Rao Wei got the news.

Lot B is theirs.

They can’t help but beam at the news. Out of the three lots, they’ve obtained two. They’ve almost fulfilled their mission. Besides, these two lots are the most suitable for Feng Chen. Rao Wei believes that today he is bound to win everything. Then he imagines that when he goes to report to Zhang Yifang next time and they mention Lin Mochen, Chief Zhang may want to praise him more.

But he still needs to be cautious. Because the remaining Lot A is what they definitely need to obtain. The several lots surrounding Lot A has been obtained by Rong Yue during the past few years. According to Chief Zhang, they will be used together for a whole set of development plans, building a super sized commercial and refined residential area. Therefore, this lot can’t be lost to others.

But when Rao Wei enters the conference room for the third time today, he somewhat has a feeling of uneasiness, as if he has missed a step or two somewhere. Everything has gone on smoothly today, but there seems to have some undercurrents developing in the smoothness. Lin Mochen First gave up Lot C. His plan for Lot B was very astounding as he heard, which caused heated discussion among the officials. Rong Yue only had a narrow victory over him. Where on earth got wrong?

...

For Lot A, Rong Yue prepared a plan of commercial and residential dual use. Undoubtedly, this matches the overall construction plan to the commercial center of which this is only a part. Quality and delicate small apartments and neatly laid small landscapes typical of downtown area, no problems can be picked. And everything used on this lot is naturally the best resources.

When Rao Wei exits the room, Lin Mochen and Antony come in for the second time. What plan will they bring? Even Deputy Mayor Mr. Fan is looking on expectantly. After being seated, however, Lin Mochen just smiles a little and says, “Respectful judges, we don’t have any new plans. What we have is still the plan we showed just now. The difference is, Lot A is smaller than Lot B. It will be easier for Feng Chen to manipulate. We will also be able to build it in a more adequate and refined manner. Furthermore, we really hope that we can implement our fist real estate project in Lin City.”

The lights are turned off and the video starts again. But compared to the first time, there are more people scenes this time. For example, in the community, the elderly people are strolling, the children are playing and laughing, the young people are gazing at the starry night sky in their balconies...If the first video brought amazement and enchantment, then the second time, there’s only quiet appreciation and enjoyment.

--------

Rao Wei sits in the waiting room. The expression of the several subordinates nearby are rather relaxed, but his face is heavily overcast. Putting all the clues together, he feels a chill rising from his heart.

He has never thought about what to do if what Lin Mochen wanted was Lot A. It’s not because he wasn’t considerate enough. For one thing, Lot A was small in size and high in price. There’s little profit in developing the lot alone. It’s only profitable when developed as part of the whole plan of Rong Yue. So, regular people won’t ever want it, not to mention someone who emphasizes profit so much as Lin Mochen. Everybody would think that as a new player in real estate business, Lin Mochen would grab the most profitable merchandise, just as what he has done in the apparel industry, and stand his feet steadily in the industry with one successful strike. Secondly, according to the news he got from some secret sources, Lin Mochen has been focusing on Lot C and then Lot B. It’s said that he stayed up night after night just to keep a close eye on the plan for Lot C. Damn who could have guessed that he directly gave up on Lot C first thing today, leaving him totally bewildered? Thirdly, even without lot B or C, it won’t be easy to take Lot A from Rong Yue. After all, Rong Yue has a whole set of development plans for the area and has a good relationship with the government. Besides, their design and operation capacities are really strong. If they just compete for this lot, Rong Yue is still very likely to win.

But, what if Lin Mochen’s target has always been Lot A, from the very beginning?

What if giving up at the first bidding and losing closely at the second bidding are both the preludes of the bidding for Lot A? What if everything is done to get around the hard obstacles and move the judges so that they can attack Rong Yue at its base? Lin Mochen won’t earn much with this lot, but it would become very difficult Rong Yue.

Rao Wei has always known that Lin Mochen is someone who starts his real estate business with great ambition. So he has implemented the defenses. But he definitely wasn’t able to imagine that Lin Mochen could be so crazy as to bring trouble to Rong Yue at the price of his own profit...

Cold sweat finally roll down from Rao Wei’s forehead. If he really loses Lot A, he will be in big trouble, in really big trouble. 

Summer #36

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

Chapter 36

The location for bidding is a hotel that is contracted to some government sectors. When Lin Mochen and Antony arrive, there is only 10 minutes left before the bidding starts.

The lobby is brightly lit and neatly decorated. Many people, also formally dressed, are going in and out. The atmosphere is solemn. Quickly some staff members come to usher them into the a big conference room. Lin Mochen has gone back to his smiling way, chatting casually with a few familiar government employees and the executives from other companies. At the same time he notices that Rao Wei, general manager from the Real Estates Business Division of Rong Yue Incorporate, is sitting in the front row, who at the moment turns around and notices him.

Rao Wei doesn’t act aloof, instead he gets up and walks over. Others nearby immediately call out with smiles, “Hi, Chief Rao.” Lin Mochen also smiles a little.

After saying hi to the few others, Rao Wei fixes his eyes on Lin Mochen. Many eyes around are also on the two of them.

“Chielf Lin, you have been very famous lately and has inspired awe throughout the city.” Rao Wei says smilingly “I finally meet you in person today. Surely we have a promising young man here!”

Everybody smiles. Lin Mochen also smiles and says, “Thanks for the compliment. But Chief Rao is truly the pillar of the real estate industry in the grand southwestern area. We are just a younger generation. It’s so nice to meet you.”

The two of them shake hands with seemingly great enthusiasm.

Right then, several higher rank government officials enter the room. Everybody turns to greet them with smiles. The staff member introduces, “This is Deputy Mayor Mr. Fan Long, who’s in charge of planning, tourism, industry and commerce and so on. This is Deputy Mayor Mr. Fang Chengzhou, who’s in charge of construction, industry, economics and so on. This is the Director of City Bureau of Land Resources Planning...They are all the judges for today’s bidding, and they are here to meet everybody before the bidding starts.”

Rao Wei is naturally the first one who shakes hands with the officials. The officials ask questions amiably and the others reply warmly. Lin Mochen stands nearby and rests his eyes on the deputy mayor Fang Chengzhou. Wearing a Chinese tunic suit, he is a little over 50, with a energetic spirit and a cool and graceful manner. Compared to Mu Hanxia’s description, he looks even more sharp-minded.

At the moment, Fang Chengzhou’s eyes also sweep over to his face. Lin Mochen nods politely. Fang Chengzhould smiles faintly and moves his eyes elsewhere.

--------

Mu Hanxia stands at the roadside, waiting for the police to wrap up the accident. Those few bastards instantly behave compliantly as soon as the police arrive. Some even smile at her. After all, they are paid only to keep them as long as possible, not to really make fatal damages.

But now the accident site is cleaned up and these guys have to go to the police station, not knowing when they can get out of this.

Mu Hanxia stares at the stream of cars a little absentmindedly. It’s time for the bidding to start. She wonders how it is going with Lin Mochen right now, but she knows he can’t contact her right now.

She raises her hand and touches her cheek again. In her heart, there seems to be some silent flames rolling by, burning but withholding, not thorough, not complete.

Is it time for the bidding of the first lot, Lot C? The most suitable lot for them according to their earlier analysis. Lao Fang must have made the arrangement. Yes, she thinks of Lao Fang, Fang Chengzhou again.

When did she start to get suspicious about his identity? At the very beginning, she had heard the owner of the coffee house Xue Shao’an, as well as the waiter at the coffee bar, mentioning that besides investors, government officials may come visit in disguise. When she first saw Fang Chengzhou, she immediately sensed his unusual air which is gentleness with sharpness hidden underneath. That didn’t give him a feel of a dejected professor. Of course, other young people in the coffee house eagerly looking for investment didn’t seem to notice this elderly person, except her.

Additionally, there were other details that didn’t seem important. But to Mu Hanxia, they were the proofs of her instinct.

For example, he used HP laptop. Everybody knows that HP is the brand for government office supplies. And he used one with a top configuration. HP is strong for office use and is relatively expensive. A regular college professor uses a laptop more for research. With the same ten-thousand-yuan cost, won’t they prefer Thinkpad or Apple brands?

Also, his oral English is very good and his interest is the environment protection project. A few days after Mu Hanxia described it to Lin Mochen, he made some discovery. Lin City did have a new deputy mayor recently, whose last name was Fang. He’s in his 50s, had education in Germany, and had a very prominent administration history. He is an enterprising person who at the same time cares a lot about the common citizens. His children are all living abroad, and wife passed away. There’s only he who remains in the country.

Does Lao Fang know that she has already learned about his identity? At first Mu Hanxia was a little worried, but later as she has interacted with him longer, she comes to realize that it’s not important.

It’s not important when you interact with such a wise person who has seen a lot of years and humanity. More importantly, don’t try to disguise yourself or pretend. Make acquaintance by chance, treat each other candidly, and let everything happen naturally. That will be good enough. And that’s what they value most.

--------

At the bidding.

The bidders are all waiting in the big room next door. This small conference is the real battlefield. The lights are clear, the aroma of the tea fill the room. It is very quiet. The government officials are all sitting at the judging area. Deputy Mayor Mr. Fan tells the staff member in a low voice, “Let’s start.”

In the past years, the land bidding took the form of mailing documents in sealed boxes, the results of which were then announced on a different date. However, the real estates market is so bad this year. To encourage the real estate companies to build communities with quality and maintainable value, as well as to ensure the effective use of land, this year a step of bid presentation is added based on an agreement among the government leaders. That is, each bidder of the lot needs to briefly describe their plan to the judging committee. The one that gets the highest comprehensive scores and move the judges the most is the most likely to get the land.

There are not many lots for bidding today. The first one is Lot C.

Before Rong Yue, a small real estate company did a presentation. But Rao Wei has no concerns about them at all. Followed by two managers, he enters the bidding room. Seeing that the officials are not showing any excitement or particular sentiment, he is certain that the company before them failed.

His competitor is someone after him. But this lot, he will definitely take over.

Thanks to the reputation and strength of Rong Yue, the officials all brighten up and show interest at seeing him. The experienced manager who comes in with Rao Wei starts right away with the beautiful PPT presentation.

Their goal is to build a delicate idyllic community in the off-downtown area on Lot C. The design team of Rong Yue is one of the best in China, and in the pictures, there appear the compact and elegant small high-rise buildings with American rustic styles, lush vegetation and good layouts. In the past, this design was seldom used on such a small lot due to the high cost.

“All units are two bedrooms of about 80 to 90 square meters, good for young people.” The manager introduces, “This happens to echo the City’s idea of encouraging young people to start their own businesses and to support real estate business. These homes are very suitable for young people.”

The officials all constantly nod at their presentation.

But the strength of Rong Yue is more than this. Their strongest part is the comprehensive capacity. Next, the manager announces that the best elementary school will build a division in the community, the shopping center will be introduced to the community... All the construction materials are high quality and Rong Yue will use their very own first-class real estate management team...

Rao Wei is very clear that such a complete set of plan is something Lin Mochen absolutely unable to match. Among the three lots, he put almost all the best resources on this one which Lin Mochen wants the most. The information he received earlier also verified that Lin Mochen had repeatedly told his trusted subordinates that he wanted this lot.

Rao Wei put all the Level A design and materials on a lot that only requires Level B investment. It’s unlikely Lin Mochen’s design will reach this level. Even if it does, does he have elementary school? Does he have shopping centers? Or quality real estate management? And price. Can Lin Mochen reach the low price that Rao Wei reaches? If he does, he will lose money.

Plus, Rong Yue has always had a good relationship with the government. All things considered, Lin Mochen definitely won’t be able to get this lot.

The presentation is over. Rao Wei looks smilingly at the judging officials, who are all nodding approvingly and making exchanges in low voices between themselves. They look highly satisfied. Deputy mayor Mr. Fan even says smilingly, “Xiao Rao, you certainly have put in a lot of efforts here.” Rao Wei replies with smiles, “Thank you but that’s nothing much. We just want to shoulder some responsibility in reviving the real estate industry in our Lin City.”

Followed by the two managers, he is ready to exit the room. He is mostly certain about the result so his eyes are somewhat indifferent when he glances toward the entrance of the room. Just wait until Lin Mochen comes in and tries to exercise all his skills.

But right at this moment, a secretary comes running in and reports in a low voice, “Mr. Fan, Mr. Fang, and Mr. Cui, Feng Chen says that they relinquishes the bidding for Lot C and will directly bid for Lot B.”

All the officials are stunned. Rao Wei, who has reached the door is also shocked.

Relinquish?

He doesn’t want Lot C, which is the best choice for Feng Chen? What does he want then?

What does he dare to want?

Rao Wei looks up. In the big conference room, Lin Mochen, who is seated in the crowd, also looks up. Their gazes meet.

A smile slowly appears on Lin Mochen’s face.

Summer #35

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

Chapter 35

For such a small company as Feng Chen, there is art in the number of people to bring for the bidding. Too many―as many as ten who fuss around―will give an impression of over emphasis due to inadequate company strength. Too few is definitely unacceptable either, as it means you are not giving it enough attention.

Therefore, Lin Mochen brings three with him. Sun Zhi, manager of the real estate sub-company, is for doing the work. Antony is for doing the job as well as touching up the image. And Mu Hanxia? He certainly will bring his woman.

It’s a little past eight in the morning, the traffic is still a little congested. Time is a little more than sufficient to the appointed 9:30.

Mu Hanxia and Lin Mochen are sitting in the back seats.

“Do you think Lao Fang will adjust the bidding order?” She asks.

“He will.” He replies.

He speaks with such confidence，and Mu Hanxia’s mind is settled.

Suddenly he speaks again, “After the bidding, go with me to take another look at the lot.”

Mu Hanxia smiles and says with a voice that only the two of them can hear, “You are so sure that we will get that lot?”

“Yes, I’m so sure.” Looking at her, Lin Mochen’s eyes are deep.

Mu Hanxia says nothing.

“Remember, stay with me after it is over. Don’t run around.” He whispers.

“Oh.” Mu Hanxia answers vaguely, suddenly getting a little absentminded.

Right at the time, Sun Zhi, who is driving, suddenly says, “Jason, there’s something wrong with that car beside us. It has been trying to push us aside.” They all look up and see the black sadden driving very closely to them in the next lane. Like he says, the car is neither faster nor slower, following them all the time and pushing against them from time to time, forcing them to get closer to the left to avoid collision.

Antony is very imaginative and says in shock, “Jason, are they trying to murder us?”

Lin Mochen ignores him. How can it be possible? The business competition in mainland China can’t be so bad as allowing law violating behaviors. But they indeed come deliberately. He asks Sun Zhi in a low voice, “Be careful. Can we get rid of it?”

Real estate manager Sun Zhi is not a professional race car driver after all. He says rather nervously, “I’ll try.” But after he speeds up for a while, that car is still following closely. The traffic is not light at the time, so it’s impossible for them to accelerate too much.

Mu Hanxia also gets nervous and keeps staring at the black car from the window. Her hand that has been pressing on the seat is suddenly held gently by Lin Mochen. He whispers, “Don’t be afraid.”

At an intersection, the traffic becomes lighter. The black car beside them seems to slow down a little to a steady speed.

Suddenly Lin Mochen yells a warning in a low voice, “Watch out!”

Right then, the black car suddenly accelerates and presses against them as if with all its might. The driver hastily turns the steering wheel and barely escapes the front of that car.

At the same time.

A minivan charges out from the left of the intersection. It’s too late to avoid it. Sun Zhi gasps and Antony is also stupefied. Mu Hanxia stares through the side window at the front of the gray van that seems to appear from nowhere dashing toward them crazily like a monster.

Lin Mochen is closer to it. He holds Mu Hanxia tightly in his arms and bend down. Mu Hanxia also clutches tightly to his waist out of instinct. The chilly wind blows by their ears and hearts. The banging sound is very close but at the same time seems very faraway. His hands almost cut into her flesh, but Mu Hanxia just feels a strange calmness in her heart.

The car screeches to a stop.

The four of them all look up. The glass on one side of the car is shattered. Needless to think, the body of the car must have been crashed severely. Lucky that no one is injured. Only Sun Zhi and Lin Mochen, who sit on the left, are covered with shattered glass pieces. Noticing the trace of blood from a scratch on Lin Mochen’s left cheek, without any thinking, Mu Hanxia raises her hand to gently wipe it off. He gazes at her at an extremely short distance, his eyes dark and tender.

A dozen ganster-like guys have come out of the van that collided with them. Whereas the culprit, the black car, has already left and disappeared.

Lin Mochen and Sun Zhi look at each other. Sun Zhi says, “Chief Lin, we don’t have time to tangle with them! There’s only 40 minutes left before the bidding starts!”

Antony is astonished, “You mean, they had the crash on purpose, to keep us from bidding? What shall we do now?”

Those guys outside are now tapping their window with enraged faces.

Lin Mochen tells Sun Zhi, “You stay.”

Sun Zhi stares at the small crowd outside the window and feels a little daunted. But he nods firmly. Then, Mu Hanxia speaks up, “I stay here with him. He may not be able to deal with so many people alone. Jason, you and Antony go.”

Lin Mochen gazes at her.

Mu Hanxia: “You go. Don’t worry, I can handle things like this. You’d better go to the bidding. Or else it will be too late. Go get that lot.”

Antony looks at the two of them and says nothing. Sun Zhi also urges, “Right, Chief Lin. You two go, Manager Mu and I definitely can handle this. We’re in bright daylight and this is a major road. The police will be here any minute. They won’t dare to do anything.”

“Hmm.” Lin Mochen answers in a low voice. He suddenly reaches out and pulls Mu Hanxia into his arms. Sun Zhi and Antony look on quietly. Lin Mochen turns and prints a kiss on her cheek, “Come to the bidding as soon as you’re done here. Protect yourself.”

Mu Hanxia is stunned. It instantly feels like burning where he placed his kiss.

He lets go of her.

Mu Hanxia and Sun Zhi get off the car. He is a local, who has worked in the real estate business for quite some years and has seen much of such devils. So he hollows to them unflinchingly, “Your damn eyes don’t watch when you drive? Don’t you damn know to yield to the straight going cars before you turn?” Mu Hanxia also walks over with a cold face.

The others are also cursing loudly and nastily, pushing and pulling at the same time.

Lin Mochen and Antony get out of the car right then. Without any pause, they walk over to the other side of the road and get a taxi. A couple of gangsters notice them and are about to go after them, when Mu Hanxia stretches her arms in front of them and stops them with glaring eyes. She’s a girl, and a pretty one. With her imposing air, the gangsters don’t dare to do any harm for a moment.

The entire chaos is left far behind by the taxi.

Lin Mochen sits there silent as a mountain, his eyes icy cold. Antony, however, anxiiously looks over his shoulder from time to time, very concerned. When they are almost out of sight, he suddenly mumbles, “Jason, your heart is really cruel. If I were you, I definitely won’t let my girl trapped in such a situation, even if I had to give up the bidding... What’s the use of a kiss? What’s the use?”

Lin Mochen glances up at him, his eyes freezing cold. Antony instantly stops his lecturing but continues to chide silently: capitalist, cold-blooded freak, favoring the business over the beauty...
Lin Mochen gazes at the building flashing past him outside the window. Most of the time, he is someone who never looks back. But when the taxi is making the turn, he can’t help but turn to look. At the far end of the road, there is the small crowd with her crammed in between, totally indiscernible.