He Zinian frowned upon hearing his words. "Nonsense. Everyone can see the strength of our Dong Sheng company. Does Zhang Zhihui's casual few words negate that?"
Director Wu sighed, "Of course, I know your company's strength. But they won't listen to our detailed explanations up there. You have at least three projects worth over a million each on hand, and there are bank loans. They're worried that if they approve the land for you, and your subsequent development capital falls short… you need to consider their perspective too."
He Zinian looked up. "Uncle Wu, you know how long I've had my eye on that piece of land. To be honest, I got inside information that they plan to build a large integrated shopping mall nearby. Once I get the land and develop it, the prospects will be limitless. Why wouldn't I develop it?"
Director Wu sighed helplessly again. "Zinian, I understand what you're saying, but I've truly done my best on this matter. They've already signed a lease agreement with Tian Cheng."
Feeling somewhat embarrassed that he couldn't help, Director Wu hesitated and said, "Why don't you let it go this time? If you fancy that piece of land again in the future, just let me know."
Since things had come to this, there was no point in continuing the discussion.
After thanking Director Wu, He Zinian left the office.
"Mr. He, where should we go next?" the driver asked as he got into the car.
He Zinian rubbed his temples, thought for a moment, and said, "Take me back to Old Master's place first."
He arrived at his home, told the driver to go ahead, and then walked straight into the house.
At the He residence, Mother He and Chen Lishu had already prepared dinner. Not being sure if He Zinian would be back, Old Master He hadn't called about the media incident.
When he walked in, he saw the family of four eating and was taken aback, feeling a little displeased.
Since they had called him back, they hadn't waited for him to eat.
"Zinian is back, come sit and eat with us. Mom will get you a bowl of rice," Mother He said, getting up and heading to the kitchen.
"Why are you only getting back now?" Old Master He's attitude softened considerably, as he thought his son was at least showing some consideration for Rui Rui by coming back, though he had expected him not to return at all.
Thinking about the issue with the land, He Zinian was still bothered and proceeded to explain the situation to Old Master He.
Old Master He paused his hand, which was serving food. "You went to see Wu Shan?"
Just then, Mother He came out of the kitchen. Having spent a lifetime together, she knew her husband's emotional shifts like the back of her hand. Sensing their son might have displeased him again, she quickly said with a smile, "You're home now, relax. We'll talk about work matters after dinner."
However, He Zinian didn't catch on that Mother He was trying to shift the topic. Instead, he nodded and continued, "They plan to build a large integrated shopping mall, and I've had my eye on that land for a long time. If I had known that some Zhang would interfere, I wouldn't have gone to Wu Shan; I would have gone straight to the Construction Committee."
As He Zinian was still complaining, Old Master He on the side slammed his chopsticks down with a "pa."
"Preposterous!" Old Master He reprimanded loudly. "How many times have I told you, if you're going to do business, do it properly. But you, you're always scheming and thinking about how to use connections and backdoor channels. Don't you know that relationships wear thin the more you use them?"
No one expected him to suddenly change his demeanor, and they were all stunned.
Chen Lishu and Rui Rui also stopped eating.
Mother He frowned, "I told you to eat your meal properly, can't you say whatever you need to say after we're done?"
"Listen to the idiotic things this brat is saying. What does he mean, if he had known earlier, he would have gone directly to the Construction Committee? What does he think he is? Does he really think he's the emperor, that everyone has to show him some respect!"
Old Master He, who had worked cautiously his entire life and finally retired peacefully, couldn't stand his son's behavior.
Being reprimanded in front of outsiders and his own son, He Zinian felt extremely uncomfortable.
"If I have connections, why shouldn't I use them? Am I supposed to be like those fools, hitting dead ends repeatedly without finding a way? Dad, you're too old-fashioned. I'm telling you, your era is over."
He Zinian retorted unceremoniously, "I know you've always looked down on me. Eldest Brother brought you a lot of honor by serving in the army, and the third brother is intelligent and has excelled academically, becoming the famous Dr. He. Only I, the disappointment, have disgraced the family, becoming a capitalist exploiter."
"But I also earn money by my own skills. Among the three brothers, I am the wealthiest now."
Hearing his outrageous words, Old Master He laughed in anger. "How can you have the nerve to say you're the best at making money? When you were studying, you were neither here nor there. You said you wanted to go into business, and the family gave you almost all their savings, and what was the result? If the He family hadn't helped, could you have gotten this far? And you still want to compare yourself to Zifeng and Ziyu? They at least are down-to-earth. Look at yourself. Not only are you overly ambitious, but when you encounter a setback, instead of thinking for yourself, you only think about how to use connections and beg favors."
He Zinian felt extremely ashamed and angry at being spoken to like this by Old Master He. Not wanting to lose face in front of outsiders, he argued, "Didn't the third son also use connections? After he returned from Hong Kong, didn't he bother many people?"
Hearing this, Old Master He knew his son was beyond saving.
"Ziyu sought help? Those are friends he made through his own capabilities. And you? You only use the connections your father left behind."
"In any case, you disapprove of everything I do. Since you look down on me, I'll leave then."
He Zinian dropped this sentence, turned around, and left without looking back.
Watching his son leave, Mother He said helplessly, "You, oh you. I already told you to just eat. You had to bring up all sorts of unnecessary things."
Old Master He's expression was not good. "He even gave me a dirty look. If he has the ability, he shouldn't come back ever again."
Looking at Chen Lishu and Rui Rui at the table, he picked up his chopsticks and bowl. "It's better he's gone. Let's eat our meal."
...
The next day, Chen Lishu, Li Qiang, and two designers went to the television station with the finished performance costumes.
After all the actors tried on the costumes, apart from a few minor details that needed further modification, such as the length of the trousers and sleeves, and the overall size, everyone, including the director and the actors, was very satisfied with the costumes.
After two more adjustments, everyone finally felt the costumes were satisfactory.
By this time, it was already mid-January.
As the Lunar New Year approached, the hospital saw a higher number of patients.
However, Xu Ning's department was neurology. Unless there were patients requiring surgery, it was relatively relaxed.
After finishing his rounds, Xu Ning was just walking towards the department entrance when he saw He Ziyu walking towards him from the end of the corridor.
"Professor He, why have you come here?"