"Secretary Lu, let me toast you!" Chen Yang said with a smile, holding his wine glass.
Lu Mingjun also chuckled and filled his glass, clinking glasses with Chen Yang before drinking it down in one gulp. After finishing his drink, Chen Yang casually asked:
"Secretary Lu, you just mentioned channel 89.6, if I remember correctly, it's the frequency of the city radio station, right?"
Lu Mingjun nodded and said:
"Yes! Of all the channels Old Zhou is in charge of, 89.6 just can't seem to get off the ground, he's worried sick! Now they're using the profitable channels to cover 89.6's losses, and I heard the propaganda department leaders are very unhappy!"
"Oh? Is that so?" Chen Yang asked tentatively, "Has the city station done anything about it?" "Are you planning to contract out this channel? Or to put it in a trendy way, a market-based partnership?"
"I don't know about that." Lu Mingjun was a smart man and immediately understood that Chen Yang was interested in the channel. After a moment's thought, he said, "Xiao Fang, how about I invite Lao Zhou out another day, and you two can have a good chat?"
"That would be wonderful! Come on! Secretary Lu, let me toast you again! I'll drink this first as a sign of respect." Chen Yang happily took the bottle, poured himself another glass of wine, and downed it in one gulp.
The meal ended happily. As everyone got up to leave, Chen Yang walked over to Kan Xufeng and whispered, "Director Kan, there's a small favor I'd like to ask you. I recently got a car, but I haven't had time to take the driving test. Could you do me a favor and let me skip the driving school registration and go directly to the test? Don't worry, I'm absolutely fine driving!"
Kan Xufeng replied without hesitation, "If you can drive, then why bother taking the test? Don't bother! Xiao Fang, I'll give you a driver's license..." "I'll give Director Zeng's number later. When you have time, go see him, bring all your documents, and ask him to help you get a car registration certificate!"
After saying this, Kan Xufeng took out his phone, scrolled through his contacts, found the number, copied it, and sent it to Chen Yang via text message. He then said, "Tomorrow or the day after! Just go see Director Zeng!"
"Okay! Director Kan is really generous! Thanks!" Chen Yang said with a grin, saving the number Kan Xufeng sent.
...
The two of them took a taxi home. Chen Yang knew he couldn't avoid drinking today, so he hadn't driven. On the way, Song Yi asked, puzzled, "Brother Yang, it seems you're interested in that 89.6 radio station? Didn't you want to start an animation company? Why are you suddenly thinking about a radio station? Can this thing make money?"
Chen Yang smiled mysteriously and said, "Xiao Yi, you'll understand later. This radio station has been losing money year after year under the government's control, but in our hands, it's a golden goose! Let's not talk about that now, it's still in its early stages! After I talk to their Deputy Director Zhou next time, if things make progress, I'll tell you all about it."
Actually, although Chen Yang's idea was impromptu, he had a complete plan in mind. If he could secure the operating rights to this channel, he was confident that it would generate excellent economic benefits in a very short time. Moreover, owning a radio station would be a huge boost to his other business development, so Chen Yang was determined to get it. Of course, there's another crucial reason: a little over a million yuan is practically a drop in the ocean when it comes to animation. A large-scale animated film production requires far more than that. Therefore, Chen Yang hopes to accumulate more capital through other industries.
If all goes well, the profits from these four houses will exceed five million yuan. Then, a project Chen Yang had his eye on long ago will likely be secured. He just doesn't know if it will be ready in six months. Chen Yang feels a sliver of anticipation, because he knows that once that project is secured, it will be incredibly lucrative.
Thoughts racing, the taxi returned to the entrance of the Luhang residential complex. Chen Yang and his companion got out and walked back to the villa. Chen Yang chatted for a while with Su He, who was watching TV with his grandmother in the living room. The director from the People's Hospital was still abroad on a research trip, so the consultation for his grandmother had been delayed. Fortunately, his grandmother's illness wasn't acute and didn't require immediate attention. After chatting for a while, Chen Yang went upstairs first.
Chen Yang had drunk some wine that evening and felt a bit tired, so he planned to take a shower and get some rest.
Just as Chen Yang took off his clothes and was about to go into the bathroom, his phone, which he had tossed on the bed, suddenly rang. Chen Yang turned back, picked up the phone, and saw it was a landline number from Beijing. Somewhat puzzled, Chen Yang unlocked the screen and answered:
"Hello! Who is this?"
"Hello Chen Yang! This is Xu Qingya!" Xu Qingya's familiar voice came through the receiver, as soft and soothing as ever. Chen Yang felt a slight surprise, but even more so, a surge of excitement. Xu Qingya had actually called him!
Chen Yang suppressed his emotions and forced a calm smile:
"Hello, Sister Qingya!"
"Hehe, calling you so late at night, I hope I didn't disturb your rest?" Xu Qingya asked with a light laugh.
"Oh...no! I don't go to bed that early!" Chen Yang quickly replied, then asked, "Qingya, what can I do for you?"
"It's like this, Chen Yang, are you free to come to Beijing in three days? My parents heard about what happened on the highway the other day, and they've been wanting to thank you in person. It's my birthday in three days, so they'd like to invite you to my birthday party." Xu Qingya explained gently, her words sounding like heavenly music to Chen Yang. He'd been worried about not having a chance to get closer to her, and now the opportunity had presented itself. He could now legitimately go to her house! "I'm free! I'm free!" Chen Yang said hurriedly, then, almost as if possessed, asked, "Sister Qingya, is it just that my aunt and uncle want me to participate? What about you?"
"Of course! I want you to come too!" Xu Qingya replied with a smile, without giving it much thought. "You're my savior! And you even gave me medicine! If it weren't for your homemade ointment that day, my ankle wouldn't have healed so quickly!"
"That's more like it..." Chen Yang smiled smugly and said, "Alright! Sister Qingya, three days from now, right? I'll definitely be there on time." "I'll attend!"
After hanging up the phone, Chen Yang forgot to even shower, and his drowsiness vanished. He dressed and went to the study next door, where he found the raccoon plush toy he had just received that day. Holding it in his hands, he examined it and chuckled to himself:
"Looks like we only have three days together. After three days, you'll have a new owner. But don't worry, your new owner will treat you very, very well..."
Thinking of Xu Qingya's surprise and delight when she received this birthday gift in three days, a warm smile unconsciously appeared on Chen Yang's face.
Chen Yang decided to set off in two days, arriving in Beijing a day early so he would have time to visit Master Baiyan. Since being accepted as a disciple, Chen Yang had never received his teacher's teachings in person. It was only right and proper to visit Master Baiyan before going to Beijing.
With his departure for Beijing imminent, Chen Yang still had many things to prepare. First and foremost was the matter of those several secondhand apartments. The next day, Chen Yang transferred another million yuan to Song Yi's account, urging him to expedite negotiations for the remaining three properties and secure contracts before Chen Yang returned from Beijing. This left Chen Yang with only about 1.5 million yuan in his account.
Secondly, the matter with Channel 89.6 had to be postponed. Chen Yang and Lu Mingjun had exchanged contact information, so Chen Yang proactively called him to inform him that he would be traveling to Beijing on business and asked him to postpone the appointment with Deputy Director Zhou.
Furthermore, Chen Yang needed to prepare a decent gift. As it was his first visit to Master Baiyan's home, and as his last disciple, it wouldn't be appropriate for him to arrive empty-handed. After much deliberation, Chen Yang went to the flower and bird market and bought a nice piece of Shoushan stone, which cost him nearly 100,000 yuan.
Chen Yang had only bought a piece of uncarved Shoushan stone. Bai Yan himself possessed extremely exquisite carving skills; ordinary people's work wouldn't meet the master's standards. It was better to buy a superior piece of material for his teacher, so he could create freely according to his own preferences.
Finally, the departure day arrived. Chen Yang packed his change of clothes, carefully placed the Shoushan stone and the limited-edition Yabeah doll into his suitcase, said goodbye to Su He, Song Yi, and others, and dragged his suitcase to the entrance of his residential area to hail a taxi straight to Yongle Airport.
Since Chen Yang had a lifetime VIP card for Luzhou Airlines, all his flights with the airline were free. He didn't hesitate to choose Luzhou Airlines' flight. He called the airline's customer service a day in advance, providing his VIP card number and ID number, and Chen Yang obtained a free ticket.
Arriving at the airport departure hall, Chen Yang dragged his suitcase directly to the Luzhou Airlines VIP counter to check in. The ground staff of Egret Airlines warmly welcomed Chen Yang. While checking in, they found several empty first-class seats on his 9:00 AM flight and upgraded him to first class free of charge.
Afterwards, a dedicated staff member escorted Chen Yang through the VIP lane and security check to the Egret Airlines VIP lounge. Around 8:20 AM, Chen Yang was informed he could board early, so he dragged his suitcase through the VIP lane to the jet bridge.
Holding his suitcase in one hand and his boarding pass in the other, Chen Yang walked along the jet bridge. As he entered the cabin, a flight attendant bowed slightly and smiled, saying:
"Welcome aboard Egret Airlines! Have a pleasant journey!"
Chen Yang paused, slightly surprised, his mouth agape, and pointed at the flight attendant, asking:
"Sister Liu Yi! Didn't you say you were flying to Quanzhou today?"