Courtyard House: My Wife is Xu Huizhen

Page 237

In other words, while Russia has the capacity to produce such luxury goods, it doesn't have a lot of foreign exchange reserves and therefore doesn't import them in large quantities.

At that time, a transistor radio cost tens of dollars, which was indeed a luxury for ordinary people.

This was goods obtained by bartering silk; it was a business partnership among four people.

He Yuzhu obtained a large amount of rubles in cash and gold from Andrei, which he gave to Chairman Qi and then exchanged for rice milling machines, noodle pressing machines, printing equipment, glass manufacturing equipment, and so on.

Elena asked, "Isn't the idea of ​​public-private partnerships being implemented again? Why are you still so keen on getting your hands on these kinds of equipment?"

"Public-private partnership does not mean the confiscation of all means of production, but rather that you can still get 25% of the profits, as well as regular interest on equipment quotations."

For example, if the equipment is worth 100 million, you can receive 5% interest every year for 66 years.

Adding the 25% of daily operating profits, the capitalist ended up with far more than 100 million.

These capitalists didn't lose out; after all, this was a class revolution, and it was already very merciful that they were spared their lives and allowed to keep their property.

He Yuzhu said, "I'll take it back first, and if it doesn't work, I'll sell it to the neighborhood committee."

Elena nodded and said, "That's a good idea too. You shouldn't do it yourself."

He Yuzhu sent Elena to get the wagon first, and then he put away all the machinery.

Although meat is cheaper here, He Yuzhu has no plans to stock it; he wants to make money first.

Elena didn't want to stay there for even a moment longer after the goods were returned. After all, the world of Andrei's death made her very anxious, and she was afraid that something might happen again and she would find He Yuzhu again.

They quickly obtained a freight car through connections, loaded the goods onto the train, and Elena didn't want to stay even a day longer, so she immediately boarded the train with He Yuzhu.

She breathed a sigh of relief once the train started moving, finally feeling like she had escaped the city.

"That was really scary; I didn't expect there to be any twists and turns."

"Yes, I never expected to lose my first shot here." He Yuzhu was referring, of course, to his first time firing a gun.

Elena misunderstood and muttered, "You've given me my first time, that's more like it. Your wife is pregnant and about to give birth, and you still call it your first time? You're kidding me."

He Yuzhu chuckled. Although he was usually very calm, he was still quite stubborn. It was a relief that he was able to get out of the city smoothly.

After more than ten days, He Yuzhu finally arrived at the border crossing and queued for two days before finally boarding a domestic bus.

I'm finally back. Only after crossing the border can I be completely safe. I miss my wife and wonder how she's doing.

Then she sighed. Why use the word "them"?

After that, he stopped thinking about it. Right now, he was living a life comparable to that of a wealthy landlord, and he was enjoying an incredibly comfortable life.

When the train returned to Beijing and He Yuzhu stepped onto the platform, he couldn't help but feel homesick and wanted to go back as soon as possible.

"You stay here and handle the paperwork, I'm going home first," He Yuzhu instructed Elena.

Elena was about to speak when He Yuzhu turned and walked out without looking back, making Elena stomp her feet in anger.

"You stinky pillar, you talked so nicely before, but now that you've just arrived in the capital, you're already thinking about going home."

After saying that, he sighed and resigned himself to the task of completing the formalities. Thinking about the substantial profits involved, he couldn't help but feel excited again.

The goods have already arrived in the capital, and there won't be any other problems. As long as they can be sold, that's all that matters.

He Yuzhu urged the rickshaw to go faster, eager to see his wife as soon as possible. Since she became pregnant last year, she is about to give birth, and He Yuzhu certainly doesn't want to miss her delivery. He wants to be the first to see his child.

Back in Qianmen Hutong, before I could even put my luggage down, a waiter ran over to take it, greeting me with a smile.

He Yuzhu asked, "Has it not been born yet?"

"No, you're back just in time. The doctor said she should be able to give birth in the next few days."

The waiter then said, "But the boss's wife isn't home today. That cadre Fan from the street office keeps urging us to make the public-private partnership happen, and he's here again today."

"Where are they?" He Yuzhu asked, somewhat angry. This was only 55; this year was a pilot program, and the policy of joint public-private ownership would not be implemented on a large scale until 56.

The shop assistant said, "It's my fault for not explaining clearly. Cadre Fan wants the braised meat business to be a joint public-private enterprise first. Right now, the shop on Qianmen Street has been there, and the boss's wife and the second boss have both gone."

The proprietress was referring to Xu Huizhen, and the so-called second boss was Xu Huizhi—a nickname given jokingly by the staff.

However, it does make sense, as Xu Huizhi is indeed the second wife, so it's not wrong to call her the second boss.

He Yuzhu was anxious, so he stuffed all his luggage into the waiter's hands and then walked out, soon arriving at Qianmen Street.

A crowd had already gathered outside the shop to watch the commotion. As they approached, they could hear Fan Jinyou and Xu Huizhi arguing. He Yuzhu, getting impatient, shouted for them to make way and then pushed through the crowd to come inside.

"Brother-in-law, you're back!"

Xu Huizhi was arguing with Fan Jinyou when she glanced at He Yuzhu walking in and exclaimed in surprise.

He Yuzhu nodded and said, "I'm back."

His gaze, however, was fixed on Xu Huizhen, who was sitting next to him. She was frowning, one hand supporting her large belly, and sighing.

Hearing Xu Huizhi's call, she quickly looked up and saw He Yuzhu, who looked travel-worn, and suddenly felt relieved, revealing a joyful smile.

He Yuzhu hurriedly walked over and reached out to help Xu Huizhen, who was trying to get up, saying, "You're heavily pregnant, so just sit down and rest. This trip went very smoothly and everything went well."

"Brother Zhu, it's good that you're back, otherwise our shop wouldn't be able to stay open."

"What's wrong? Is this still the Party's country? Forcing a pregnant woman, what are you trying to do, Fan Jinyou? Who gave you this right?"

"No, don't label me as soon as I get back," Fan Jinyou said awkwardly.

Originally, Xu Huizhen was planning to take advantage of He Yuzhu's absence to expedite the public-private partnership of the braised meat shop, but she refused to speak up and kept saying she would wait for He Yuzhu to return.

However, he had already made a promise to his superiors that he would turn the braised meat shop into a government business as soon as possible, as a political achievement, and make a good start.

Don't underestimate this small shop. In fact, the braised meat shop supplies braised meat to various hotels and restaurants, making the business extremely large, producing two to three thousand kilograms of cooked food every day.

Therefore, Fan Jinyou wanted to take over the braised meat shop first, and then move on to the hotel and restaurant, so as to get the job done as soon as possible.

Especially since He Yuzhu, the owner of the braised meat shop, was not at home, Xu Huizhen, who came from the countryside, was easy to fool. He thought that as long as he talked about some grand principles and put a big label on her, she would nod and agree.

Unfortunately, Xu Huizhen was stubborn and wanted to wait for her boss to return before discussing it. Fan Jinyou had no choice but to bring a lot of people over today to give her an ultimatum: she must agree within three days.

Xu Huizhi, who also had two pillars of support, shouted, "It was you, Fan Jinyou, who just said you were going to issue some kind of ultimatum!"

"What? Fan Jinyou, did you say that?"

He Yuzhu was furious. This was bullying! These people never end well.

Fan Jinyou was very embarrassed. Xu Huizhi had just cursed people with very foul language, using all sorts of swear words. But he was a cadre, and if he cursed people, he would be reported and complained about, and he would be reprimanded.

So Fan Jinyou intimidated Xu Huizhi and accused her of many things.

They were just taking advantage of her ignorance, but now that He Yuzhu is back, these words don't stand up to scrutiny.

"No, Mr. He, I was just saying that in anger. Since you just got here, it's more important for us to reunite first. I'll come back in a couple of days. We can talk about things later. I won't keep you any longer."

"Wait a minute, you can't leave." Xu Huizhen stood up and said, "You, Fan Jinyou, weren't you so happy about labeling me just now? Why are you trying to run away now?"

"Are you even a man, Fan Jinyou? You're a grown man, and you're going to deny what you just said?"

"This...you didn't listen to my explanation, and here I am..."

"What else is there to say? You, Fan Jinyou, are just taking advantage of my husband being away from home. Now that he's back, repeat what you just said."

Xu Huizhen was also the type to hold her ground when she was in the right. She had had enough of Fan Jinyou's tantrums these past few days, being forced to agree to a public-private partnership every day. Now that her man had finally returned, she was determined to make Fan Jinyou explain himself and have her man back her up.

"No, Mr. He, and Mrs. He, I was on a mission, it was all official business. I didn't force or bully anyone."

"You're just bullying me."

Xu Huizhen was making a fuss when suddenly she felt a sharp pain in her stomach. She then clutched her stomach with both hands and cried out in pain. She then felt a stream of water flowing down her thighs.

"What's wrong?" He Yuzhu asked quickly when he saw her in so much pain.

The sharp-eyed old ladies watching the commotion noticed that Xu Huizhen's trouser legs were wet, and the water was flowing onto the ground.

He shouted, "Mr. He, your wife's water broke, she's about to give birth, get her to the hospital right away!"

"What? She's going into labor?"

Chapter 177 Can you help me suck it out?

He Yuzhu was at a loss at first, then looked down and saw that his water had indeed broken, and realized that his wife was about to give birth.

Fan Jinyou panicked. If something happened to Xu Huizhen, wouldn't he be blamed for it all?

"I'll go flag down a rickshaw."

Then Fan Jinyou went out, and the old lady, who was experienced, comforted him, saying, "Don't panic, it's just that your water broke. It's not too late to get to the hospital."

He Yuzhu said, "Thank you, Auntie."

He reached out and picked up Xu Huizhen, carrying her outside. Huizhi also realized what was happening and stepped forward to support her as they walked out.

Fortunately, Qianmen Street was bustling, and a rickshaw came by when you waved. He Yuzhu carried Xu Huizhen onto the rickshaw.

Just as she was about to leave, Huizhen said to her younger sister, "Go back and bring the things you prepared, and then have the servant go and inform my mother."

"Okay, I'll go back now."

Xu Huizhi ran back in a panic, and He Yuzhu shouted, "Stop the car!"

Huizhi then realized what was happening and flagged down a rickshaw.

Fan Jinyou watched the rickshaw drive away, his mouth full of bitterness. If something went wrong, wouldn't Boss He tear him apart?

Urged on by He Yuzhu, he pedaled the tricycle very fast, but seeing Xu Huizhen's discomfort, he still complained that it was too slow.