After dinner, Yang Jian first went to Gaojiazhuang. His father was there, and his sister had also been discharged from the hospital to recuperate at home.
Li Jin and others intended to escort Yang Jian to Yangli Village, aiming to give him face and show the local people that even after serving time in prison, he would return with prestige.
Yang Jian couldn't refuse and could only let them have their way.
A rather luxurious motorcade for the county town drove through the urban area to Chunfeng Lou. Many people stopped to watch along the way, mainly because the Mercedes-Benz was too conspicuous; there wasn't another one in the entire Xinhe District.
Yang Shuanglin had already brought Yang Hui and Gao Daqiang to wait at the entrance. Upon seeing Yang Jian get out of the car, they specifically set off a string of firecrackers to ward off bad luck.
Yang Shuanglin didn't blame his son for being arrested this time; going to jail to save someone was not shameful.
"Biao Biao, who was that police officer who brought Yang Jian out just now?"
While Yang Jian was chatting with his sister and brother-in-law, Song Jianhao pulled Biao Biao aside to ask.
"That's Lin Nan, Wei Xia's boyfriend. He's the deputy captain of the Criminal Investigation Brigade and has a very good relationship with Brother Jian. He likely played a significant role in Brother Jian getting out so quickly this time."
"Wow, when did Yang Jian latch onto such a powerful connection?"
Song Jianhao was surprised and, more so, envious. Those who operated in the underworld like them hoped to have a backer in the police force.
"I heard Brother Jian say that Lin Nan is a student of Lu Yao's mother, so he introduced Wei Xia to him. They, like you, are also holding their wedding on October 1st. Brother Jian said he might be a groomsman, so he might not be able to attend your wedding."
While Biao Biao was talking with Song Jianhao, Lu Hao was observing the area in front of Chunfeng Lou and even went to the security guard at the construction site across the road to inquire.
Li Jin had been observing Lu Hao and found his actions very strange.
After Yang Jian introduced Ma Ming to his father, sister, and brother-in-law, he prepared to go home. Yang Shuanglin wanted to accompany him.
"Xiao Yang, is this building yours?"
Lu Hao saw many people coming out of Chunfeng Lou to greet Yang Jian and called him over before he got into the car.
Yang Jian, not understanding, replied, "This land belongs to my sister's family. I paid to build this building, and it's considered half mine and half my brother-in-law's."
"Then your capabilities are quite significant. This location is excellent, and the appreciation potential of this building is huge."
"What capabilities do I have? All the materials for this building were bought on credit. I plan to leave it as a shell for now and renovate it when I have money later."
"Xiao Yang, allow me to introduce myself. I am the president of Hanhua Commercial Group and also the second-largest shareholder. Our company primarily deals in department store retail, currently operating three large warehouse-style supermarkets and dozens of smaller ones in Hancheng.
We have warehouse-style supermarkets in prefecture-level cities throughout the province, and our outlets are present in sixty percent of the counties.
We plan to have a large supermarket in every district and county in the province within two years, and then expand into neighboring provinces.
Therefore, Xinhe District is also one of our expansion targets."
Lu Hao said this, took out a business card, and handed it over.
Yang Jian glanced at it. "Wow, President Lu, you're amazing! To be the president and a major shareholder of a listed company at such a young age. No wonder you drive such a nice car."
Lu Hao smiled. "Xiao Yang, don't call me President Lu. I'm a few years older than you, so call me Brother Hao. From now on, we'll be brothers."
"Okay, having such a wealthy elder brother, it would be hard for me not to get rich,"
Yang Jian joked. Lu Hao's identity indeed surprised him.
Lu Hao patted his shoulder. "Of course. My brothers cannot be poor. How about this, I have a preliminary idea. See if it's feasible?"
"Brother Hao, tell me. As long as you lead me to make money, I'll do anything."
"Haha, that's the spirit. Didn't I just say that our company plans to open outlets in all counties, including Xinhe? I want to lease the first two floors of your Chunfeng Lou to open a Hanhua Warehouse Chain Supermarket. What do you think?"
"Really? But it's still a bit remote here now. Will opening a supermarket work?"
Lu Hao laughed heartily. "What's there to fear about being remote? I observed this location just now. It will become prosperous before long. Moreover, wherever our Hanhua Warehouse opens, that place will become a city center, and the housing prices upstairs will also skyrocket."
Yang Jian thought this was a windfall and quickly said, "I'll rent it. Tell me when we can complete the procedures."
"Why are you in such a hurry? I said this is a preliminary idea. I still need to discuss the specifics with the company and have a professional team come over for an assessment."
"Oh, then you're just talking for nothing, making me happy for nothing."
"It's not for nothing. The decisions I make generally won't change, it's just that we have to follow company procedures."
Yang Jian became happy again. "When will the professional team come for the assessment? Can it be finalized before the end of the year? How much rent can you offer?"
"Look how anxious you are. Let me ask you first, what's the total area of the first and second floors of this Chunfeng Lou?"
"Chunfeng Lou occupies a land area of eight hundred square meters. The first and second floors total sixteen hundred square meters, which is enough for a large supermarket. Moreover, my father-in-law designed it with a supermarket in mind."
Lu Hao calculated silently before saying, "The rent for this supermarket will not be less than two million per year, and it will increase by five percent of the base price annually, meaning an increase of about one hundred thousand in rent each year. Can you accept this condition?"
"I can accept the rent. Do you need me to do the renovation?"
"You don't need to renovate the interior. As long as the exterior shell is completed, and water and electricity are connected. Once an agreement is reached, we will pay one year's rent in advance, but you will need to give us three months for renovation. That is, the rent calculation period will start from the fourth month after the agreement is reached."
"No problem, no problem. Four months is fine."
Lu Hao nodded. "Okay, when can you deliver the completed project here?"
"Since you're in a hurry to renovate, I'll strive to complete it within two months."
Yang Jian knew this timeline was a bit tight, but now that he had money, and with Lu Hao paying the rent in advance, his funds were ample, allowing for faster progress. He would simply have the contractor for the secondary structure hire more workers and carry out interior and exterior renovations simultaneously.
"Alright, I'll arrange for people to come and assess it after I return and provide a quote as soon as possible. Six months from now, the first Hanhua Warehouse in Xinhe District will officially open.
In a year, this place will become the commercial center of the county town. Don't rush to rent out the units upstairs; once our supermarket opens, the rents upstairs will also rise."
Yang Jian felt he had met a benefactor. "Brother Hao, I don't understand commercial matters. I'll have to ask you about how to operate the upper floors then."
"Don't worry, I will definitely maximize the profit of this Chunfeng Lou. You and your sister's family will just lie back and earn money, living a life of ease and comfort forever."
Rather than giving a fish, it's better to teach someone to fish. Lu Hao had originally planned to give Yang Jian a bank card with one million yuan after arriving at his home as a thank you. Now, he felt that this kind of supportive model was more easily accepted by Yang Jian than direct cash.