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Chapter 428: A Good Opportunity!
Chapter 428: A Good Opportunity!
Jiang Xia's question left Zhang Rong stumped, and he could only reply, "I know that the price of sandalwood has been rising these past two years, but I haven't paid much attention to the current market value. I'm planning to go to Hong Kong Island soon, so I can ask around then."
Jiang Xia was aware that the price of sandalwood had been skyrocketing since the 1980s, reaching its peak after the millennium.
However, it was unlikely that she had kept the wood for such a long time.
She had neither the means nor the intention to preserve it.
Jiang Xia laughed, "Then we'll trouble you, brother-in-law."
Zhang Rong waved his hand, "Don't mention it! What trouble? I'm going to Hong Kong Island anyway, so it's no trouble at all!"
Jiang Xia explained the situation with the sandalwood, "That piece of sandalwood was soaked in seawater, and we're not sure how long it was submerged."
Zhang Rong took a whiff and said, "I understand. The price will definitely be affected, and the buyer will certainly inspect it. But I don't think it was soaked for too long. The fragrance is clear, refreshing, and pleasant without any unpleasant odors. Judging by its color, the sandalwood's age should be quite good. Was it found on the beach? Make sure to clean off any sand."
Jiang Xia replied, "It's probably about a hundred years old. My father-in-law and mother-in-law cleaned it thoroughly and dried it in the sun."
"Alright, whenever you're free, send it over, and I'll take it with me to get it appraised."
Zhou Chenglei said, "The wood is a bit big, weighing around three hundred pounds."
Zhang Rong was speechless.
Time for a career change!
A career change was necessary!
With such valuable finds every few days, who could resist the temptation?
Each discovery meant ten fewer years of hard work, and with multiple finds, one could retire early.
Zhou Chenglei asked, "Take this small piece and help me inquire about its quality."
If the quality was good, the price might continue to rise, and it would be worthwhile to hold onto it for a year or two before selling.
If the quality was poor, there was no point in going through the trouble, and it would be better to sell it locally.
Transporting it would incur additional costs, and the back and forth would be pointless.
Zhang Rong understood this logic, "Alright, I'll ask an expert. If the quality is good, we'll hire a boat and send it through proper channels. I'll call you when it's ready, and you can ship it to the city dock. Otherwise, sending a boat to pick it up will incur additional transportation costs."
"Agreed."
Zhou Chenglei and Jiang Xia both expressed their gratitude. After chatting for a while longer, they learned that Zhang Rong was heading to Hong Kong Island to attend an auction. The jade bracelet, pendant, and necklace made from their high-quality emerald jade would be up for auction.
If the sandalwood was of good quality, Zhang Rong could take it with him to Hong Kong and find a buyer there directly.
After some more conversation, as noon approached, Zhou Chenglei invited Zhang Rong to join them for lunch.
Zhang Rong had other plans for the afternoon and, seeing that the couple had brought several children with them, declined the invitation.
Eating could wait; their friendship wasn't dependent on a single meal.
After the couple left, they took the children for a meal and then returned to the mall to buy some alcohol and gifts. Finally, they visited the employee housing at the shipyard to check out the suite they had purchased.
The keys were collected from the security guard as it was their first time visiting the property.
The apartment had basic renovations, including water and electricity installations, whitewashed walls, and a trendy rice-washed stone floor in green. The windows were iron-framed.
The shipyard had provided these simple renovations as a benefit to employees due to the improved business performance, but other companies didn't offer such perks.
Those who found the renovations too basic could redecorate before moving in, while those without the time or funds could simply move their furniture in and start living there.
Several families had already moved in, eager to enjoy their new homes.
Zhou Chenglei asked Jiang Xia, "Should we redecorate it?"
Jiang Xia shook her head, "Let's not bother. Buying some furniture will be enough. It already looks quite refreshing as it is."
"The best unit in terms of lighting was given to them. Factory Director Xu and Factory Director Zhou live right below them, which shows how good this unit is."
The only drawback is that it's a bit high up, on the sixth floor, which can be tiring to climb, and it's also the top floor.
Jiang Xia loves that the rooftop is divided into a shared and private area.
There's a common rooftop and a private rooftop exclusively for the residents of this unit, separated by a low wall, with a door leading to it from the stairwell.
So, they can use the rooftop as they please, whether for growing vegetables or flowers. The planters for vegetables and flowers are already built, and the trellises are set up.
This unit was originally intended for Factory Director Xu, but after his mother visited and found herself unable to climb the stairs, he changed his mind.
Before the housing allocation, they didn't realize how tiring it would be to climb to the sixth floor. It's only after climbing it that they understand.
He regrets it now!
The elderly lady has to go up and down the stairs every day for grocery shopping and cooking, and she needs to pick up and drop off the children from school, which means at least four trips up and down the stairs each day!
Understandably, the elderly lady is unhappy, feeling like climbing so high is meant to tire her out.
Left with no choice, Factory Director Xu swaps for a unit on the second floor for the convenience of the elderly lady.
Many families at the shipyard have elderly members at home doing housework and taking care of the children, so the lower-level units are highly sought after.
Jiang Xia's unit faces southeast, with three bedrooms, one kitchen, and one bathroom, and it has two balconies—one in the kitchen and one in the master bedroom.
On the sixth floor, you can see more distant scenery, and it's close to the city center. The residents in the community are all shipyard employees, so the overall quality should be better, after all, the factory's top leaders live here.
Just like Jiang Father and Jiang Mother's neighborhood, it's exceptionally clean.
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Bicycles are parked neatly, and even if you forget to lock them, no one steals them.
The stairs are spotless, and it's unclear who cleans them.
Zhou Chenglei isn't picky about housing; as long as it provides shelter from the wind and rain and is clean and tidy, he's content. However, he wants Jiang Xia and the children to be comfortable, "I'll measure the dimensions and see what size sofa to buy."
Jiang Xia will be staying in the city for childbirth, so the furniture must be purchased in advance.
The new home inauguration ceremony will be held on the eve of the New Year, and it's almost here, with just over ten days left.
"Okay," Jiang Xia said, surveying the living room and planning how to arrange it.
The living room here is much smaller than the one at home, so they can't buy a large sofa.
There's no separate dining room, so they'll have to use a coffee table as a dining table.
They'll also buy a foldable round table for when there are more people at home for meals.
The bedrooms are not as spacious as the ones in the village, so simple solid wood beds will suffice.
Zhou Chenglei roughly measured the dimensions of the entire unit and then called for the children to leave.
The children were thrilled and ran around the house.
Zhou Xie exclaimed, "Nephew, you're amazing! You bought a high-rise building in the city!"
This is the tallest building he's ever seen, and the view is incredible!
Jiang Xia smiled and said, "Study hard, and you can also buy a house in the city in the future."
Zhou Xie hasn't received his exam results yet, but according to Great-Grandmother, he ranked last in the class.
Zhou Wenzu said, "I'll definitely study hard so that I can buy a house next to Auntie's in the future!"
Otherwise, if Uncle and Auntie move to the city, we won't see them anymore! Zhou Xie thought Zhou Wenzu was silly, "When I grow up, even if I don't study or go fishing, I can still buy a high-rise building."
Zhou Wenzu curiously asked, "How will you buy it?"
Jiang Xia also looked at him curiously.
Zhou Xie replied, "I'll marry my niece's wife! Then I'll have everything! Just like my nephew!"
He already has a car, a big boat, and now a new house!
Grandma says his niece's wife will bring him good fortune!
Jiang Xia: "..."
Zhou Chenglei: "..."
Hmph, you're quite the joker.
(End of Chapter)
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