mesbooks Chapter 558 Modern Life (Part 2)
Chapter 558 Modern Life (Part 2)
The lunch was very sumptuous. Hansen contributed his beer, the Rogers prepared roast chicken, salad and mashed potatoes, and the Nanyang pastries brought by Lin Zhenhua and his wife were also very popular.
The atmosphere at the dinner table was harmonious, and everyone was talking about interesting things at work, their experiences and their views on the future in Angsa mixed with Chinese.
Several children were chasing and playing in the living room and yard, laughing constantly.
After dinner, the adults sat in the rattan chairs in the living room, drinking coffee or tea.
Su Wanting's eyes involuntarily followed the blond and blue-eyed children in the yard. Watching them running and playing with the ball carefree, her eyes revealed an envy and tenderness that was difficult to conceal.
She subconsciously touched her flat belly.
Lin Zhenhua keenly captured his wife's emotions.
He gently held her hand, leaned close to her ear, and whispered in Chinese that only the two of them could hear: "Wanting, do you like children?"
Su Wanting blushed slightly and gave him a reproachful look, but the longing in her eyes could not be hidden.
Lin Zhenhua smiled, his voice gentle and firm:
"Don't worry. Remember the President's signed article in the Nanyang Daily last week? 'The future of Nanyang lies in the happiness and well-being of every family. Our goal is to ensure that every Nanyang citizen, whether in the city or the countryside, can enjoy modern living with 'upstairs and downstairs, electricity and telephones.'
Flush toilets will be available, clean drinking water will be available, and air conditioning will bring coolness to every household!'"
He paused, his eyes sweeping across the bright and clean house with all the necessary facilities, his tone becoming more resolute:
"I believe this isn't empty talk. I heard Deputy Director Chen mention privately that the Nanhua Group is already planning a larger 'model living area' right across the bay. Priority will be given to experts and technical backbones who have made outstanding contributions to national development. With my rank and position, applying for one of these apartments shouldn't be a problem."
Su Wanting's eyes lit up with a hint of anticipation: "Really? Then...will the house be very big?"
Lin Zhenhua looked at the glint in his wife's eyes, his heart filled with tenderness and a sense of responsibility. He deliberately teased her:
"Of course it has to be big. The President said we want to improve the quality of life for our people. So we need at least three bedrooms to start with, right? One for Mom and Dad to come over occasionally, one for us to sleep in... and the rest..." He winked mischievously, leaning closer, his breath brushing against her earlobe, "Since you like children, let's have a few more and fill up the rooms. Three rooms, two in each, how about that?"
"Oh! Disgusting!" Su Wanting blushed instantly, like a cat whose tail was stepped on. She couldn't help but raise her hand and gently hit her husband, her voice full of coquettishness, "Do you think I'm an old sow? I gave birth to so many children."
She was harsh in her words, but her blushing cheeks and the smile in her eyes had already betrayed the sweetness and longing in her heart.
"Hahaha." Lin Zhenhua laughed heartily and hugged his wife tighter.
The hearty laughter attracted the curious looks of Hansen and Rogers in the living room.
Hansen looked at the young couple's intimacy, a rare smile breaking through his stern face as he muttered, "Young people..."
At this moment, a familiar and penetrating voice came from the elegant radio in the corner of the living room.
It was the weekly radio address given by President Zhang Chi:
“… Citizens of Nanyang, we are in an era of unprecedented change. War has destroyed the old world, but it has also given us the opportunity to build a brand new home. This home means more than factory chimneys and fertile farmland. It means that every Nanyang citizen can enjoy a life of dignity, comfort, and hope.
"Electricity, lights, and telephones upstairs and downstairs" should not be a privilege reserved for a select few, but a future within the reach of all Nanyang residents. The government will fully promote universal access to electricity, running water, and telephone networks, and support the construction of housing that meets modern sanitation standards. Nanhua Group is planning and constructing large-scale model communities that will serve as a model for future urban living.
I want to tell every hardworking Nanyang citizen: your sweat will surely bring a better life. Flush toilets will become commonplace, air conditioning will be in every home, children will learn in bright and safe classrooms, the elderly will have adequate care, the sick will have access to medical care... All of this will be achieved step by step through our joint efforts!
......"
Zhang Chi's voice on the radio was sonorous and powerful. He was determined to use words to engrave his vision of a beautiful future world into the hearts of every listener.
Then, work together with everyone to make it happen!
Lin Zhenhua and Su Wanting listened to the radio, smiled at each other, and held hands tightly.
Outside the window, the sun was shining brightly, shining on the green lawn, on the running figures of the children, and into the hopeful hearts of the young couple.
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At the same time, in a private room of a teahouse on the bank of the Jialing River, the river breeze brought in water vapor from the open windows, the room was filled with the aroma of tea, and in the exquisite celadon teacup, the buds and leaves of Biluochun rose and fell, but no one had the heart to taste the tea.
Lu Zuofu sat in the main seat with a gaunt face. The world-famous "Shipping King of Great Xia" who saved the lifeline of the national industry with the "Yichang Retreat" was now facing a decision that would determine his future.
"Mr. Lu, think twice." Sitting opposite him was an industrialist wearing a silk shirt and gold-rimmed glasses. It was none other than the match king Liu Hongsheng.
Liu Hongsheng frowned and said earnestly:
"Nanyang? What kind of person is Zhang Chi? Young yet ruthless. In just a few years, he built a pacification army from scratch, expelled Japanese pirates, and established a new nation. Now, he holds immense power. His 'Nanhua Group' encompasses Nanyang's mining, shipping, military industry, and pharmaceuticals... his reach is truly pervasive."
"You're taking Minsheng Company south. Isn't that like a sheep walking into a tiger's mouth? How could they allow a great Buddha like you to have a piece of the pie? By then, I'm afraid that the foundation you've worked so hard to build will be swallowed up by that 'Nanhua' in one gulp."
Wang Chongnian, another boss who started out as a flour producer, also nodded repeatedly:
"Brother Liu is absolutely right. Rumors have spread throughout Shancheng that Zhang Chi is petty and intolerant, and that he's most wary of the 'big sharks' coming from China. His 'South Seas United States' is just the 'Zhang Dynasty' in a different name. Lord Lu, you've earned a lifetime of renown, so why bother getting involved in this mess?"
Lu Zuofu listened quietly, his fingers unconsciously stroking the warm wall of the teacup.
Outside the window, on the turbid Jialing River, several small steamers of his Minsheng Company were struggling upstream, their whistles wailing.
This mountain city, this Republic of China, has accumulated deep-rooted problems, bureaucratic infighting, and inflation that is like a runaway horse. These are obstacles at every turn, making it difficult for him to realize his ideals of "saving the country through industry" and "saving the country through education."
Historically, in 38, he operated the Minsheng Company and organized the Yichang evacuation. In 40 days, he transported nearly 10 tons of materials and equipment and 3 personnel to the rear.
When it comes to determination and action, he is definitely not lacking.