Summer #38

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

Chapter 38

Coming out from the police station, Mu Hanxia immediately calls a taxi and heads toward the bidding location, without even finding time for lunch.

The taxi is running through the city and her heart is heavy and wrung. She looks down at her watch. Maybe the bidding is almost over.

Can they get the lot? Get Lin Mochen’s target, Lot A?

“Yes, we can.” That is what he said to her in a clear and slow voice in that reclusive club house in a breezy evening.

At that time, she asked, “You are so sure of it?”

Lin Mochen just gazed at her smilingly, “Summer, there’s an ancient idiom in Chinese―Tian Ji’s Horse Racing Strategy[1].”

[Note from the translator: This idiom refers to a fable: There was a horse race where the competitors had to race their horses three times with a different horse each time, conventionally the best one first, followed by the middle one, and the worst one last. The one who won the most times was the winner. Tian Ji’s master didn’t have very good horses. But he helped his master win by using their worst horse to compete against the best ones from others, the best one against the middle ones, and then the middle one against the worst ones.]

Mu Hanxia paused and said, “The worst horse versus the best horse, the best versus the middle one, and the middle versus the worst?”

Lin Mochen replies, “Of course, there’s the need for some adjustment. Since Lot C is most profitable for us, Rong Yue will certainly invest their best resources to guard against us. I have done some setup to convince Rao Wei about this. This will be their focus point of the competition. Besides, they have a better relationship with the government. It’s impossible that we can win Lot C from them. So for the first round, we will give up, let them have a futile attack.”

Mu Hanxia listened thoughtfully and nodded, “Hmm, since we know we won’t be able to win the first round, why bother to spend any energy on it? Why even be their backdrop? Without contrast, their victory is just a victory. It won’t give the judges too much afterthoughts.”

“Exactly.”

At that time, the two of them were sitting in the couch, with a half-meter distance in between. But then, Lin Mochen got slowly closer and put his hand on the back of couch behind her. Mu Hanxia remained calm and pretended that she didn’t notice.

“The second round, Lot B. This round is the key. We will show our full strength, the fabulous design from Antony.” He said, “If we win, that’s good. We will develop Lot B conservatively, even though it might be a little hard for us. But we are not very likely to win because this is also a lot that Rao Wei will fight hard against us. Besides, the first round they win easily without involving any relations, at the second round his relations will be at work even if we are better. There will be people who speak for them.”

At hearing this, Mu Hanxia said with uncertainty, “To Lao Fang, don’t we also have some sense of existence?”

But Lin Mochen shakes his head, “Lao Fang is a smart person. If we don’t have any obvious advantage at this round, he won’t try to help us. There are rules in the political field and they have their ways among themselves. I let you take the lead for a round and next round shouldn’t you let me take the lead?”

Mu Hanxia was slightly taken back by his words, but she thought she somewhat understands.

“Our plan definitely will move them and deeply impress them. Not giving the land to us at the second round will actually make them feel that they owe us somehow. The government in Lin City has a high interest in doing real jobs, so they will feel regretful about the result. The third round, still don’t give us the lot? At the same time, Antony and I will stress that our plan suits Lot A better. Many times, one makes decisions based on both sense and sensibility. Sensibly, they know that our plan is better. Sentimentally, they will also want to give the lot to us.”

Mu Hanxia wa quiet for a long time and then asked, “What will you do after getting this lot?”

Lin Mochen’s eyes were clear and dark, “Offense or defense, either way is OK. If Rong Yue doesn’t intervene and we get to develop according to Antony’s plan, at least we can make some small profit and at the same time establish Feng Chen Real Estate’s first name card in Lin City. If they do―they have to if they don’t want the overall development plan to be affected―then...”

“Then, you can ask for whatever price you like.” Mu Hanxia continued for him quickly.

Lin Mochen was a little surprised. Although the meaning was right, the words said from her mouth had some unpleasant feelings in it. He glanced evenly at her.

But Mu Hanxia looked at him and said, “Jason, in this way, you are forcing Rong Yue to confront you. After all, they are extraordinarily powerful. I’m afraid that even though we win at this round, our future in Lin City will still be very difficult.”

“Isn’t this round difficult already?” He replied, “What Rong Yue is trying to do is preventing us from getting what we want, Lot B or Lot C. They are basically trying to ban Feng Chen Real Estates from the city. They want us to die. Why should I be afraid of them and be soft-handed? Let’s just fight, what to be afraid of? They try to grab things from me, then I will certainly snatch from them.”

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After the presentation, the officials hold a discussion one more time.

But this time, everybody is spontaneously quiet. Nobody speaks up.

The Director Mr. Zhou is still the straightforward one. He offers his thoughts with great earnestness, “I think Feng Chen’s plan is excellent, either from the professional perspective or the economic perspective. Since Lot B is already given to Rong Yue, why not give this lot to them for a try?”

Deputy Mayor Mr. Fan remains quiet with a smile on his face. Another official says, “Mr. Fan and gentlemen, this lot is different from other lots. In the past few years, Rong Yue already obtained the surrounding lots and is planning on commercial development. If this lot is given to them, it can be included in the overall plan, which is also very meaningful for our municipal development. If the lots is given to someone else, Rong Yue will really suffer from the situation.”

Mr. Zhou pauses at the words and doesn’t know what else to say.

At the moment, Fang Chengzhou, who has always been quiet, speaks up, “Oh? If that’s the case, we really need to consider our decision carefully. Has their plan been submitted for approval?”

The official replies, “Not yet.”

Fang Chengzhou nods, “Having an overall plan, for an incorporate like Rong Yue, is certainly good. But, since we single this lot out for bidding, it means that we should consider other companies and be fair and square, right? We agreed on Lot B just now that Feng Chen’s plan is very good and we all hope to give them an opportunity to stay in Lin City. Lot A is smallest in size and is the one that suits them the best. Seems the opportunity is presenting itself.” At these words, he starts to laugh heartily. The others also start to laugh.

 Mr. Zhou’s eyes brighten up. He agrees, “Exactly, Lot B and Lot C are both Rong Yue’s. If this plan of Feng Chen’s doesn’t get implemented and is miscarried, it would be a great pity. Please consider carefully.”

The meeting falls into silence. Any one sensible can tell that the wind is starting to blow a different way.

Mr. Fan remains quiet.

The official who firmly stood for Rong Yue is also perplexed. He says, “But, Rong Yue is the more powerful one. Besides, if this lot is given to Feng Chen, their overall plan will be ruined...”

“They sure can collaborate with Feng Chen about the development.” Fang Chengzhou interrupts him smilingly, “That would be something between the companies, not something that we should interfere.” He looks up around him and speaks with a suddenly solemn tone, “I haven’t come to Lin City for a long time, but have been deeply impressed by the city. It’s tidy and elegant. The residents show excellent qualities, and the buildings are especially beautiful. The companies of all sizes are also full of vitality. Rong Yue is our leading company and we should strongly support them. However, competition is inevitable and should be welcomed by us. With appropriate competition between companies, we can avoid a single super power in our local economy and avoid our local economy being too dependent in certain areas. I think we should always keep these issues in mind. Only in that way, could the economic environment in Lin City be more flexible, more mature and even better in the future. That’s all I have to say.”

The meeting room is in complete silence.

Then the applause suddenly rises. Mr. Fan also looks at Fang smilingly and says, “Every word Mr. Fang said is exactly what I have in mind.”

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When Mu Hanxia arrives at the bidding hotel, the bidding is already over. People have mostly left and the staff members are cleaning up the tags, tables and chairs at the venue.

The afternoon sun is clear and bright, but she feels as if her heart was filled with cotton―soft and stuffed―and she is unable to discern the feelings. She races to the room where the company representatives were supposed to wait. There are just a few people lingering behind. People from Rong Yue seem to be ready to retreat as well.

She sees Lin Mochen sitting alone in one of the chairs, hands folded on the back of the chair before him. There’s air conditioner in the room. He is only wearing a pitch-black suit, the black overcoat and scarf resting aside. The solitary posture is cool and elite-looking as usual.

But the instinct manifests itself as the riding tide. She knows that he is waiting for her, waiting for her to come.

As if telepathic, Lin Mochen also slowly looks up and looks her way. He smiles at seeing her.

Mu Hanxia can’ help but beam back at him. She sees the sunlight rest quietly between them.

She knows that he has won the lot.