Chen Yang didn't even know how he got back. The *di gua shao* was too potent; even the next morning, his head was pounding.
Chen Yang found it strange, why would anyone enjoy this? Were they all tough as nails, not fearing headaches?
He woke up, as usual, splashed cold water on his face, and practiced a set of punches taught by Lei Baoguo in the yard.
Since returning home, he had slacked off for quite a few days. If you didn't practice your martial skills often, they would become rusty.
After a set of military-style exercises, he broke out in a sweat, and Chen Yang felt refreshed and invigorated.
With this sweat, the discomfort of the hangover subsided. Shen Xue promptly boiled some water for him to take a hot bath.
These past few days, he had either been at his hometown or entertaining relatives. Chen Yang hadn't bathed in nearly a week, and he scrubbed off a thick layer of grime.
Bathing in the dead of winter was like this; after the bath, the bottom of the tub was covered in mud, and his body felt several pounds lighter.
It was incredibly comfortable!
"Are you going out again today?"
Shen Xue looked at Chen Yang, who was tidying up and getting dressed after his bath. Ever since he came back drunk yesterday, she knew her man must have something important to do.
However, Shen Xue wouldn't ask. If her husband was out drinking, it was for a reason.
Whatever needed to be said, Chen Yang would naturally tell her, so she didn't need to pry.
"The matter isn't settled yet."
"Yesterday, I asked Li Jing to introduce me to a friend of hers, who is the son of a leader in the Industry and Commerce Bureau here in Jinling. They've arranged for us to be introduced to that leader today."
"Our business in An Province is fully established. If we can also expand our business in Su Province and then radiate to Shanghai and Zhejiang Province, the eastern commercial circle I planned will be basically established."
An Province, Su Province, Shanghai, Zhejiang Province – a complete Yangtze River Delta commercial hub, which would become one of the most developed economic circles in the entire country in the future.
One the Pearl River Delta, the other the Yangtze River Delta, their combined GDP could account for half of China's total.
Chen Yang couldn't afford to neglect such a large piece of the pie.
Even if all the markets in the other provinces surrounding An Province were combined, they were not as important to Chen Yang as the Yangtze River Delta economic circle.
"The money we earn is already enough for us. Don't work yourself too hard."
Shen Xue beckoned, and Chen Yang lowered his head. She gently massaged his temples with her finger.
Chen Yang leaned his ear against his wife's slightly bulging belly.
"Why is there no movement?"
Chen Yang listened carefully but heard nothing.
"It's still too early. How could there be any movement?"
"If you want to feel it kick, you'll have to wait a few more months."
Shen Xue covered her mouth and chuckled. Her silly husband wasn't a first-time father, so why did he lack such basic knowledge?
"Then I'll wait a few more months."
"I still want to see this little one jump out. You need to be good and obedient, and don't make your mother suffer too much, or Daddy will spank your bottom later."
Hearing Chen Yang's words, Shen Xue's face darkened.
"Go, go, go. What kind of father are you? You'll scare the baby and make it afraid to come out."
"Baby, be good. Mommy and Daddy would never hit you. Daddy was just joking."
Shen Xue stroked her belly, her expression incredibly tender.
Chen Yang was helpless. This was what it meant to be a father. Before the pregnancy, she called him 'dear,' but after getting pregnant, it became 'What kind of father are you?'
Indeed, a mother's eyes were only for the child.
"Go on, go on. Remember to come back early tonight. Don't drink too much; it's bad for your health."
Shen Xue nagged him a few times. Instead of feeling annoyed, Chen Yang's heart warmed.
When a man worked tirelessly outside, wasn't it all for someone at home who cared about his well-being?
"Got it. I'm leaving. Please tell Mom and Dad for me that I won't be back for lunch."
He gave the two little ones a big hug. Under their slightly resentful gazes, he promised to bring back delicious treats when he returned.
Riding his father's old "Er Ba Da Gang" bicycle, he once again set off for the hospital.
Zhang Weiyang's father had passed the most dangerous stage of rejection and was now slowly recovering.
Therefore, Zhang Weiyang now had the opportunity to go out with him to discuss business matters.
After arriving at the hospital and greeting Zhang Weiyang's father and Lin Erdi, they called Lei Baoguo and immediately rushed to the office building of the Industry and Commerce Bureau.
The Jinling City Industry and Commerce Bureau had also been established not long ago and didn't even have its own office space, still operating out of a two-story building belonging to the Municipal Management Committee.
However, most local Industry and Commerce Bureaus drew their staff from the Municipal Management Committee, so it wasn't too bad. In a few more years, the Industry and Commerce Bureau and the Municipal Management Committee would essentially be completely separated.
Later, for administrative integration and to facilitate public services, many local Industry and Commerce Bureaus, Quality Supervision Bureaus, and Food and Drug Administration Bureaus were merged to form new Municipal Market Supervision Bureaus.
Therefore, after all the shuffling and stumbling, they returned to the starting point.
However, the primary purpose of establishing the Municipal Management Committee was to crack down on speculation, illegal trading, and private sales.
The functions of the later Municipal Market Supervision Bureaus were much more extensive, as with the development of the social economy, various issues requiring government department management inevitably arose.
But the core remained the same: the leaders of these two departments were valuable figures for many business people, the kind they tried their best to curry favor with.
Chen Yang's radio shop becoming the first registered individual business nationwide was inseparable from the support of Zou Chenguang, a leader who came from the Municipal Management Committee and also held the position of head of the Industry and Commerce Bureau.
One could say that without Zou Chenguang, if it had been another timid leader, Chen Yang would probably still be in jail right now.
Engaging in illegal trading right under their noses, it was no wonder he would be caught.
Therefore, Chen Yang deeply understood how important the attitude of the local Industry and Commerce Bureau leaders was to people like them who were in business.
"Hello, comrade. I was introduced by Comrade Zhao Dehan and have an appointment to meet Director Zhao Weimin."
Although it was a newly established unit, the Industry and Commerce Bureau still had security personnel at the entrance. These were from the Municipal Management Committee and doubled as guards for both units.
Zhang Weiyang politely offered cigarettes to the two guards. He had learned this from Chen Yang.
When doing business outside, one must have a sweet tongue and be observant. Even with the guards, being polite was never wrong; after all, people don't hit a smiling face.
"Introduced by Brother Zhao, ah? You guys follow me, I'll take you straight in."
"However, I don't know if Director Zhao is in a meeting. I'll take you to the Industry and Commerce Bureau's office first, and they can have Little Li, who is responsible for reception, attend to you."
After accepting Zhang Weiyang's cigarettes and hearing that he was introduced by Zhao Dehan, the gatekeeper was very enthusiastic. He signaled the other person to continue on duty and led Chen Yang and the others inside.