Chapter 202: Courtyard House in Hand, Children Guaranteed to Be Billionaires
After the Lantern Festival, students returned to school. This semester, there were no changes for the two younger ones, Deng Yunhua and Deng Yunheng. However, the two older ones, Deng Yunzhu and Deng Yunsong, would attend Double Prosperity Junior High School. With the education reform in Bobai County, Thatchfield Junior High School had officially disappeared into history.
After paying his children's tuition and living expenses and leaving enough money for his eldest daughter, Deng Shirong boarded a bus to the county town.
When Deng Shirong arrived in the county town, the second session of the Seventh National People's Congress had just ended. Unlike many rural people of that era who were hesitant to approach high-ranking officials, Deng Shirong had no such reservations. After eating a bowl of noodles and resting briefly, he went straight to the county government to discuss matters with the leaders.
In this era, it was relatively easy to meet with high-ranking officials. Deng Shirong told the guard that he was there to discuss investment opportunities with the leader. Within ten minutes, he was granted a meeting with the official in charge.
After nearly half an hour of conversation, Deng Shirong successfully convinced the leader. The leader approved a piece of land for him on Xicheng Road and granted him a three-year tax exemption, a gesture of great sincerity.
Over the next three days, Deng Shirong met with the relevant officials to finalize the promises made by the leader. Three days later, he visited the county architectural design institute and paid professionals to design a three-story building. His only requirement was that the building have as few supporting pillars as possible and offer the widest possible view.
While designing a building with more than ten floors might have been beyond the capabilities of the county design institute, a three-story building was well within their expertise. After all, they had designed the five-story department store that had opened the previous year.
After paying an advance on the design fee, Deng Shirong boarded a bus to Nanning, heading straight for Beijing.
A week later, Deng Shirong arrived in Beijing once again.
Despite dressing warmly in preparation for the cold, Deng Shirong still shivered in the freezing temperatures. As a southerner who had never experienced sub-zero weather, the sudden shift to temperatures more than ten degrees below zero was a shock.
Fortunately, the layers of clothing he wore like a dumpling were not just for show. After some time to adjust, he was able to move around normally.
Deng Shirong didn't immediately visit his second son at the university. He planned to finish his business first and then see his son before leaving.
Over the next half month, Deng Shirong could be seen visiting nearly all the well-located courtyard houses in Beijing. Thanks to his generous spending and lack of hesitation, he successfully purchased seven courtyard houses, each with three courtyards. In later years, each of these properties would be worth nine figures.
The seven courtyard houses cost a total of over 320,000 yuan, averaging less than 50,000 yuan per unit—much cheaper than expected. This made Deng Shirong very pleased.
Although he could have bought two or three more houses with the money he saved, Deng Shirong decided against it. One house for each of his seven children was enough. After all, the true value of these courtyard houses would only be realized decades later.
Keeping more money on hand to invest and grow his wealth might prove more profitable than buying additional properties.
After completing his business, Deng Shirong took a bus to Peking University to visit his second son before returning home.
...
Afternoon, Peking University Campus
While pondering a problem related to his coursework, Deng Yunheng walked toward the nearest cafeteria. Suddenly, a familiar voice called out, "Xiao Deng!"
Deng Yunheng turned to see Song Yu, a petite girl with short hair. She was a junior from Bobai, and the two had met through the Guangxi Hometown Association. The shared hometown connection had quickly made them good friends.
"Sister Song!" Deng Yunheng greeted her with a smile. "Have you eaten yet? If not, let's eat together?"
"I haven't eaten yet!" Song Yu replied, then sighed. "Xiao Deng, you were right not to go home for the Spring Festival. The trains are getting more crowded every year. If it weren't for Lao Peng and Lao Zhang helping me, I probably wouldn't have even been able to board the train. It was a nightmare. And those days and nights on the train were unbearable!"
Deng Yunheng smiled. "More and more people are working outside now, and everyone rushes home for the New Year. It's only natural that the trains are crowded."
Song Yu nodded. "Last year was already bad, but this year was even worse. If I had known, I would've stayed here like you."
As they chatted, they reached the cafeteria entrance. Just as Deng Yunheng was about to enter, he spotted someone he never expected to see. He rubbed his eyes, thinking he was mistaken.
Deng Shirong chuckled. "It's only been half a year since we last met, and you don't recognize me?"
Realizing it was indeed his father, Deng Yunheng exclaimed, "Dad! What are you doing here?"
Deng Shirong smiled. "I came to Beijing for business and thought I'd visit you. Is this your classmate?"
Deng Yunheng quickly introduced them. "Dad, this is Song Yu, a junior from Bobai. Sister Song, this is my dad."
Song Yu greeted him politely. "Hello, Uncle!"
Deng Shirong smiled warmly. "Hello, Song Yu. It's not easy to meet a fellow Bobai native so far from home. You two should look out for each other."
Song Yu nodded. "Don't worry, Uncle. We Guangxi folks stick together here!"
Deng Shirong then offered, "You haven't eaten yet, right? Let me treat you both to a good meal."
Song Yu hesitated. "Uncle, we can just eat in the cafeteria. Going out would be too expensive!"
Deng Shirong waved off her concern. "It's no trouble. I can afford a meal. You must be tired of the cafeteria food. It's good to change things up once in a while."
Deng Yunheng added, "Sister Song, don't be polite. My dad isn't a big tycoon, but he won't go broke from treating us to a meal."
Seeing their sincerity, Song Yu finally agreed. "Alright, thank you, Uncle!"
(End of this chapter)