Chapter 135

A year later, the Urban Garden residential complex built by Mingzhen Real Estate Company was finally completed. At the same time, the supporting facilities in the neighborhood were also finished: slides of various heights and shapes, cartoon-themed seesaws and rocking horses, a climbing frame about a meter high, and a sandpit filled with fine sand. These were essential features in future residential areas, but at this time, they were unique in the entire empire and even nationwide. In addition, the indoor swimming pool and shared fitness equipment within the community also became major selling points for the Urban Garden complex.

The landscaping of the complex was even more impressive. All the trees transplanted were mature, flowerbeds were filled with colorful blossoms, and winding stone paths on the dense, soft lawns added much charm to the area. Zhenzhen positioned the Urban Garden as a high-end community, so it also came with its own property management company under Mingzhen Real Estate. After undergoing systematic training in Hong Kong and Shenzhen, these property staff had all obtained professional certification.

There were too many highlights in the complex to cover at once, so Zhenzhen opened it for a one-month public viewing. The focus was on showcasing the facilities, explaining the management and fees of the property company, and, most importantly, inviting prospective buyers to tour the model homes.

Zhenzhen had already reserved two 180-square-meter apartments in the complex and had them fully renovated. Mingbei bought a 140-square-meter unit, and several other designers chose 90-square-meter ones. For Mingbei and the designers, Zhenzhen offered them at cost price, and the company covered the full renovation based on each unit’s layout. The only condition was that the homes would be used as model units for a month. The company used the best available materials and high-end furniture from Tengda Furniture Factory, which alone accounted for nearly half the value of the homes. When the renovation was completed, the designers were embarrassed that Zhenzhen had paid so much and wanted to reimburse her for the renovation and furniture, but she waved them off: “Consider it a bonus for your hard work this past year.” The gesture warmed everyone’s hearts.

Finally, the day of the open house arrived. The eagerly awaiting residents of Imperial Capital flocked to the complex, bringing along friends. At the entrance, they were awed by the uniformed security guards, many standing stunned by their formal salutes. Inside the complex, they were met with picturesque scenery every few steps, and the thoughtful design made it hard to leave. Children who spotted the colorful slides ahead immediately forgot their parents’ instructions and pulled them along to go play.

Those coming to view the apartments included wealthy families and young couples preparing for marriage. But when they heard from staff that the smallest unit was 98 square meters, many quickly lost interest in buying. Zhenzhen had anticipated this—since the complex included property services, she deliberately used size and price to filter potential buyers early on to avoid future disputes over fees.

Some hesitated upon hearing the size, while others were thrilled. Still, regardless of whether they intended to buy or not, everyone wanted to see the model homes—they had to know what kind of homes these were.

At the time, the concept of interior design was still new. Most homes were simply painted and filled with new furniture—identical decor, familiar in every house. Zhenzhen’s model homes adopted modern design principles: maximizing space while emphasizing stylistic consistency and layering, highlighting a sense of home.

Upon entering, guests were greeted by warm lighting in the foyer. On the north side was a row of cabinet doors—staff opened them to reveal a shoe cabinet below and a coat closet above, enough to store a family’s outerwear and footwear. To the south was the dining and living area. The solid wood dining table was set with elegant tableware, and the chandelier above it could only be described as exquisite. There was no obvious partition between the dining and living areas, allowing an open view that made the space feel expansive and bright.

The sunroom connected seamlessly to the living room and extended to the master bedroom through a glass door. Visitors, looking at the bright rooms filled with natural light, couldn’t help but compare them to their own homes lit only by bulbs—they didn’t want to leave.

Many who were initially undecided about buying had their minds changed after seeing the fully furnished units. Some even asked directly, “Are these furnished units for sale? I’ll pay double for the largest one.”

Zhenzhen smiled and shook her head. “I bought this one for my child. But if you’re interested in similar renovations, our real estate company also owns a renovation firm and can provide related services.”

“Alright,” the person muttered regretfully. “So when do these homes go on sale?”

Zhenzhen replied with a smile, “Official sales begin next Monday at 9 a.m., and selection will be based on queue order.” At that, the crowd began eyeing one another, estimating how many competitors they’d be up against.

On the official sales day, Zhenzhen anticipated a large turnout and instructed staff to arrive by 7 a.m. for preparations. She thought this was early enough, but upon arrival, she was shocked to see a massive crowd already lined up. She estimated the number of people and was relieved—it looked like all the units would sell out today.

Staff quickly distributed number tags based on the queue, then invited people inside to rest. They handed out pre-prepared bread, sausages, and bottled water. Many had arrived at 4 or 5 in the morning and were starving after a long wait. Though the food wasn’t filling, it helped ease their anxious moods.

More people continued to arrive. Seeing the packed lobby, many felt discouraged, but having come all the way, they figured it was worth a try—maybe their favorite unit hadn’t been chosen yet.

At 9:15, staff began calling numbers and signing contracts. The average price was set at 2,500 yuan per square meter. Buyers had to pay a 10,000 yuan deposit on-site and settle the full amount within five days. Mingbei and others had worried that the price might be too high for most, but the results proved otherwise—there’s never a shortage of wealthy people. Within half a day, all units were sold out. Industry peers, who had assumed Li Mingzhen would lose money on this project, were dumbfounded. That such high prices sparked a buying frenzy—when had the real estate market gotten this hot?

Just as everyone thought Zhenzhen would continue building high-end communities, Mingzhen Real Estate surprised them by launching a second project centered on basic residential needs, with units mainly around 60–70 square meters. Though the new complex lacked the upscale facilities of Urban Garden, its lush greenery still made it stand out among its peers.

Both developments were selected as model communities in Imperial Capital. As officials from other cities came to visit and learn, the projects left a deep impression on the city’s residents. As for Mingbei, ever since his own apartment began receiving lucrative offers, it was like a new world had opened to him. From then on, whenever the company launched a new project, he stuck closely to Zhenzhen’s lead. If she kept a unit, he bought one too, converting all spare cash into real estate, keeping only enough for daily expenses.
—

Three years flew by. The companies under Zhenzhen’s name had all become renowned in Imperial Capital and even across the country—especially Mingzhen Real Estate, which had grown rapidly in just a few years. From a small team of ten with two construction crews, it now occupied a luxurious office building, with business expanding from Imperial Capital to surrounding cities.

Despite their busy schedules, Zhenzhen and Xi Junjie cherished time with family. Before leaving France, Zhenzhen had asked Xi Junjie to keep an eye out for a small island suitable for family vacations. He never forgot and, earlier this year, finally found one being auctioned off by a wealthy owner. The private island, ten kilometers from shore, featured soft beaches, clear water, and diverse marine life—and came with full inheritance rights. The previous owner had built a luxurious estate on it for his vacations. After purchasing it, Xi Junjie sent a professional team to refurbish and inspect the estate, reviewing all natural and man-made features to ensure safety. Once everything was confirmed, he began planning the trip.

At this time, it was already a cold winter in Beijing. Although the heating indoors was scorching, being unable to go outside still made Grandma Li feel a bit stifled. Grandma Li was nearly ninety years old, but thanks to Mr. Zhang’s years of care and Zhenzhen’s regular use of her special abilities to give her massages, she remained in excellent health. Still, given her age, her energy and spirit were clearly not what they used to be. If it weren’t for the twin grandchildren always by her side, she might have felt even more listless.

Xi Junjie drove to Mingzhen Real Estate. The front desk staff were already quite familiar with the boss’s man—after all, a young and handsome diplomat like him was enough to make hearts flutter just by appearance alone.

Taking the elevator to the general manager’s office on the eighth floor, Xi Junjie had just arrived when Zhenzhen opened the office door, putting on a surprised expression in front of her secretary and assistant. “I was just wondering when you’d arrive, and here you are the moment I open the door.”

Xi Junjie knew she had sensed his arrival with her abilities but still played along, saying, “That means we’re perfectly in sync.”

Zhenzhen smiled and wrapped her arm around his as they walked into the office. The luxurious wooden door closed behind them, under the gossiping eyes of the assistant and secretary. Zhenzhen’s secretary, Changqing, rested her chin in her fists, sighing dreamily, “President Li and Mr. Xi are such a perfect match. Whenever they’re together, you can just feel the love. Sister Xie, how is President Li so lucky to marry such a young and handsome diplomat? Why haven’t I ever met such an amazing man?”

Assistant Xie Hua glanced at her and replied calmly, “President Li and her husband are both top graduates from Imperial Capital University. If you want to find someone that outstanding, I think you’d have to get into Imperial Capital University first.”

Changqing sighed in defeat. “There are lots of girls at Imperial Capital University, but there’s only one Mr. Xi. With my looks, even if I got in, it wouldn’t matter. I’d better focus on my job and stop daydreaming.”

Xie Hua smiled faintly. “It’s the first time I’ve seen you show such self-awareness.”

Changqing wiped her face and went to the break room. A few minutes later, she came out with a tray of freshly washed apples. Zhenzhen had always been generous with her staff—wages and benefits aside, every office she managed was always stocked with fruit, delivered daily. The fruit came from a mountain she had contracted, grown specifically for her businesses.

She knocked on the door and, hearing President Li call out “Come in,” she immediately put on her sweetest smile and gently pushed the door open. Zhenzhen looked up at her, and Changqing quickly placed the apples on the table. “These apples were delivered fresh today.”

Xi Junjie nodded at her politely and asked, “Could you bring me a fruit knife? Zhenzhen won’t eat apples with the skin on.” Changqing handed him the knife and floated out in a daze, watching him peel the apple so seriously for Li Mingzhen, her eyes sparkling. “Mr. Xi is so gentle and treats President Li so well.” She suddenly slapped the table and whispered to Xie Hua, “Did you hear that? He calls our President Li ‘Zhenzhen’! Tsk tsk, I bet they were super sweet when they were dating.”

“They’re still super sweet now,” Xie Hua said, pressing Changqing’s head back down. “You really need to find yourself a boyfriend. You’re not that young anymore, and you keep drooling over other people’s relationships. What kind of look is that?”

“I just get more excited watching them than being in a relationship myself. It’s like a romance movie,” Changqing whispered.

“Ding!” The elevator doors opened and Mingbei walked out. He tapped on Changqing’s desk and pointed to Zhenzhen’s office door. “Is President Li in?”

“She is, but Mr. Xi is in there too. He just went in,” Changqing quickly replied.

“Junjie’s here too?” Mingbei smiled, knocked on the door, and walked in without waiting for a response.

Watching him, Changqing couldn’t help asking Xie Hua again, “Why knock if you’re just going to walk in anyway? Do you think he thought President Li and Mr. Xi were… you know…” She raised her eyebrows and made a kissing gesture.

Xie Hua was fed up with her gossip. “Changqing, you’re acting like you’re about to lose it. Want me to introduce you to someone? What’s your type?”

Changqing’s eyes lit up, and she cupped her face dreamily. “Someone as handsome, considerate, and romantic as Mr. Xi!”

Xie Hua’s smile vanished, and she shoved Changqing’s face away. “Better stay single.”
—

In the CEO’s office, Xi Junjie was showing Zhenzhen photos of a private island. “The scenery is stunning, and the island’s facilities are very complete. I hired a company to handle security, housekeeping, and domestic services.”

Zhenzhen was immediately tempted. “Perfect timing, now that it’s cold. Mom and Grandma don’t like going out in winter. This would be the perfect time to take them.” She figured she could go anytime, but she wasn’t sure how many days off Xi Junjie could take. “Junjie, when will you be free? Let’s go together.”

Xi Junjie smiled. “I’ve been saving my vacation for this. I’ve got three years’ worth, plus weekends. We can stay over a month. Just pick the date and let me know.”

Mingbei, listening nearby, couldn’t help saying, “That ocean looks amazing—Grandma’s definitely going to love it.”

Zhenzhen smiled at him. “The company isn’t busy in winter. If your wife has time, you should bring the kids too. I still need to call Big Brother, Second Brother, and Third Brother to see who can join.” She returned to her desk, called Xie Hua on the intercom, and pulled out a calendar. “Any major meetings or land auctions in the next month?”

Xie Hua replied immediately, “Just a few internal meetings, and there’s a banquet with President Jin of Jincheng Real Estate and President Zhang of Wanshi Group.”

Zhenzhen circled a few dates on the calendar. “Reschedule all important meetings within the next three days. Get all documents needing my signature handled within that time too. I’ll call President Jin and President Zhang to explain about the banquet. Cancel everything else that’s not essential.”

Watching the usually workaholic Zhenzhen in full vacation mode, Xie Hua couldn’t help asking, “President Li, do you have other plans?”

“Yep. I’m taking time off,” Zhenzhen said with a bright smile. “I won’t be back until after the Lantern Festival.”

Xie Hua did the math—over a month and a half—and looked at her with envy. “President Li, that’s a long holiday.”

“I think so too,” Zhenzhen laughed happily, and being considerate, gave her assistant some time off too. “You haven’t taken your annual leave either. Coordinate with Changqing—you two can take turns as long as one of you is here.”

“Got it.” Xie Hua smiled. “Wishing you a great trip in advance.”

Seeing that the trip was set, Mingbei couldn’t sit still. “I’m going home to ask my wife!” He jumped up and ran out. Zhenzhen called her brothers, and Xi Junjie asked Old Madam Xi and his parents. The family, hearing the island described as paradise, all wanted to go.

Mingnan and his wife, after graduating, had returned to Beicha—he worked in forestry and she at a hospital. Though they didn’t earn as much as the others, they loved the peace of their small hometown.

Getting Zhenzhen’s call inviting them abroad for vacation, Mingnan was tempted too. After all, Beicha in winter made going outside nearly impossible. Taking the kids out to see the world sounded like a great idea.

Zhenzhen kept persuading him over the phone: “Grandma, Dad, Mom, and our brothers are all going. It’d be such a pity if you didn’t come. We haven’t had a proper family gathering in years. Grandma’s getting up there in age—how many more chances will we have to all be together?”

Hearing that, Mingnan immediately replied, “Alright, I’ll go get train tickets right away and bring them to the capital. So, how much are round-trip plane tickets? I’ll transfer you the money—you can buy them for me.”

Just as Zhenzhen said, “That’s not necessary…,” Mingnan immediately interrupted her: “That’s a separate matter. It’s already quite embarrassing that you’re covering food and lodging on the island—how could we let you pay for the round-trip airfare too?” The Li family had always raised their children to be self-reliant, never advocating for wealth redistribution. Back when Roubao wanted to start a business but lacked funds, he borrowed from Zhenzhen—he didn’t ask for a handout. Even though Zhenzhen had grown wealthy over the years, none of her brothers ever thought, “You have more money, so you should pay more.” On the contrary, since their parents and grandmother lived with Zhenzhen, the brothers not only regularly contributed to their care but also frequently sent gifts to the courtyard home, worried Zhenzhen might be unfairly burdened.

Zhenzhen understood her brothers well. After all, Mingdong, Mingxi, and Mingbei all insisted on giving her money for plane tickets. Smiling helplessly, she said, “This time I’m hosting. That island is basically my new home—I’m inviting you all to be my guests and help warm the house. Besides, the house is ours and all the food comes fresh from the sea—it really won’t cost much. So don’t mention the plane tickets again.” In Beicha, it’s customary to invite friends and family over to celebrate moving into a new home, to bring prosperity and joy. Zhenzhen added with a laugh, “This time I’m chartering the flight. All you have to do is relax and come have fun. Alright, enough talking—you go buy your train tickets. The sooner you get here, the sooner we can head out.”

After wrapping up company matters, Mingbei handed off his work to others; Ling Xiulan’s cosmetics and chain beauty salons were already established and wouldn’t be affected by her absence. Xi Changbo had retired from his position last year and now spent his days at home playing with the grandkids, playing chess and bantering with Li Muwu—living leisurely. Other than the minor hassle of Junjie having to formally request time off, the whole family was ready to leave on a whim—totally carefree.

Although both families lived well, the transportation system still wasn’t very developed, and few among them had actually seen the sea. As for the scenes of sunshine, beaches, and islands that Zhenzhen described—none of them could even picture it.

As the plane climbed into the clouds, Li Muwu wore a resigned look, but Grandma Li was positively ecstatic. Reclining by the window, gazing down at the ocean of clouds and the endless blue sky above, she felt like she was dreaming.

“Life really changes day by day,” Grandma Li said, patting Wang Sufen’s hand. “Do you remember the year Zhenzhen was born? Back then we were still worrying about how to fill our stomachs every day. We thought having enough to eat every day was already a good life. Look at us now—not just well-fed, we’ve even taken to the skies! Amazing, isn’t it?”

“Forget the sky—if you wanted to go to the moon, Zhenzhen could probably arrange that too,” Wang Sufen said with a smile. “Ma, if there’s anywhere else you want to go, just let Zhenzhen know—I’ll go have some fun with you too.”

“I’m not going to the moon,” Grandma Li replied. She’d seen plenty of shows in recent years—she wasn’t some clueless old lady. “There’s nothing good up there, nothing to see. You have to dress up like a bear and bounce around like an idiot. Count me out.” She leaned back contentedly in her seat and sighed. “I just want to go on a boat ride. Since we’re headed to an island, we should be able to ride one, right?”

Zhenzhen popped her head out from behind and said with a grin, “We have several kinds of boats—yachts, speedboats, jet skis. You can ride whichever you like. Oh, and you can even go into the sea on our island, but you’re getting on in years, so it might be a bit risky.”

Grandma Li waved her hand dismissively. “I’ll just stay on the surface. Let your silly brothers try going underwater and tell me all about it later.” Everyone burst into laughter. Grandma Li looked out at the vast cloudscape and quickly waved to Zhenzhen, “Dabao, come take more photos of me. When we get back, I’ll get them printed and send them to Beicha—make everyone jealous!”

Zhenzhen stood up with her camera, aimed the lens at Grandma Li, and said with a smile, “Ready—one, two, three!”

“Cheese!” Grandma Li beamed, showing off her perfect set of eight dentures.