Siheyuan: Relieve stress and relieve worries

Chapter 172 The First Pot of Gold
With the help of Lou Xiao'e and Richard, Yan Jiekuang applied for a Hong Kong identity certificate, still using the name Yan Jiekuang. Yan Jiekuang did not think too much about it, as he believed that being upright in his conduct and work was more suitable for him.

Under Richard's expectant eyes, Yan Jiekuang opened his broken box in his office. Richard was surprised to find that the gold had been in his office all along.

There was a whole box of gold bricks, each weighing one kilogram. Richard tried to move it, but he couldn't do it at all. He was full of admiration for Yan Jiekuang's physical fitness.

He called in appraisal experts and professional financial personnel. The entire appraisal and measurement work lasted for two hours. The final result was more than 3,950 ounces. Richard looked at so much gold and asked Yan Jiekuang whether he wanted to deposit it or exchange it directly.

Yan Jiekuang looked at Lou Xiao'e, and Lou Xiao'e said, "Compared to last year, the price of gold has increased, and it has increased a lot. Now it should be about 44 US dollars per ounce. I suggest you change it directly into US dollars, or part of US dollars and part of Hong Kong dollars."

Yan Jiekuang nodded and said to Richard, "Let's do as Miss Lou said, half in US dollars and half in Hong Kong dollars. By the way, in addition to the check, withdraw 10,000 Hong Kong dollars for me, and keep the rest in your bank."

Richard was so happy that he couldn't stop smiling. He quickly told the staff to handle it. Soon, the documents were delivered to the office. In addition to the checkbook and related documents, there was also 10,000 Hong Kong dollars in cash.

Yan Jiekuang looked at the document and sighed in his heart. In such a short period of time, he had so much money, US$88,000 and more than HK$7.2 million.

Lou Xiao'e was not surprised. Her family had more gold, and Yan Jiekuang's money was just a drop in the bucket for her family.

After the two of them finished the formalities, Yan Jiekuang took his things and said goodbye to Lou Xiaoe. Richard accompanied them to the parking lot.

Lou Xiao'e drove straight home. Yan Jiekuang said, "I have to go back early today. By the way, why are you still alone? Why haven't you met the right person?"

Lou Xiao'e said as she drove: "I met one, but after graduating from college, he was going to the United States. You know my dad, he wouldn't allow me to leave his side, so we broke up."

Lou Xiao'e talked about her college life in a relaxed and carefree manner, and Yan Jiekuang listened quietly. After a while, the car drove straight into the villa.

Lou Tan was cooking at home. She knew Yan Jiekuang would come, so she specially made Tan's dishes today. Yan Jiekuang suddenly felt very happy. His godmother was really nice to him.

Father Lou did not come back today, so the three of them had dinner. Yan Jiekuang did not let Lou Xiao'e send him off. They had been shopping all day and both of them were a little tired, so Lou Tan arranged for a driver to take Yan Jiekuang back to the hotel.

As soon as Yan Jiekuang returned to the hotel, Wang Qing met him in the lobby. Wang Qing had time to go out today and had obtained permission from the group. When he saw Yan Jiekuang, he invited Yan Jiekuang to join him. Yan Jiekuang said that he was a little tired today and politely declined Wang Qing's invitation.

Yan Jiekuang returned to the hotel and planned to take a shower and rest early, but there was a knock on the door. When he opened the door, he saw Liu Zheng coming. When Liu Zheng saw Yan Jiekuang, he said, "Are you tired after going out all day?"

Yan Jiekuang replied: "It's OK, I just walked around Central."

Liu Zheng said, "Do you have time? Let's have a drink together. It's at the small bar on the first floor."

Yan Jiekuang did not refuse and followed Liu Zheng to the bar on the first floor. There were very few people in the bar as people from the hotel rarely came here. If people wanted to go to a bar, Lan Kwai Fong would be their first choice.

The two men sat opposite each other and ordered beer and some dried fruits. Yan Jiekuang knew that Captain Liu had something to ask him.

Liu Zheng and Yan Jiekuang took a sip, and Liu Zheng said directly: "I am a little sorry that you withdraw from the competition, but everyone may think that you are insignificant because of your youth, so I can only agree."

Yan Jiekuang said, "Don't worry about it. I have actually considered it. You may not know that part of my cooking skills come from Mrs. Lou. So this time, I think I can't take over the show. When I knew that the Tan Family Restaurant was going to participate, I planned not to participate." Liu Zheng nodded and then asked, "You know, I also came here with a mission. The strength of the Lou family in Hong Kong Island cannot be underestimated. This time, the higher-ups are also trying to test us. After all, our economy is relatively backward. We hope that the Lou family can go back. What do you think of the Lou family's attitude?"

Yan Jiekuang was silent for a while, then said, "Captain Liu, I have always regarded you as my elder, and I cannot lie to you. In fact, the Lou family also misses Sijiu City, but do you think it is time to go back now?"

At this time, Liu Zheng was silent, thinking that now was not the right time, and asked: "What is your relationship with the Lou family?"

Yan Jiekuang said bluntly: "Mrs. Lou is my godmother, and Lou Xiao'e is my sister. I grew up under their care. You know, the Lou family helped our family a lot in those years, so we have a deep relationship."

Liu Zheng said a little depressed: "It seems that we will return empty-handed this time."

Yan Jiekuang consoled them, "I think this time we should be able to gain something. You should establish more long-term relationships with them, and they will be ready to go back. You should keep in touch with them frequently, which will strengthen their determination to return."

Liu Zheng nodded, looked at Yan Jiekuang with some confusion, and asked, "Aren't you a history major? How come you are also studying economics?"

Yan Jiekuang waved his hand and said, "No, history is a mirror. Sometimes we can learn from history and understand a little bit."

Liu Zheng smiled and said, "You, when they investigated you, they were shocked by your achievements. If it weren't for what happened at that time, you would have been well-known in the university."

Yan Jiekuang also smiled and said: "It's good to have experienced it all. At that time, I didn't want to become famous. I just wanted to live a simple and stable life. Maybe that's my personality. I just go with the flow."

The two chatted for a long time. When Yan Jiekuang returned to the room, Wang Qing had already returned. Wang Qing complained, "He said he was tired and came back later than me."

Yan Jiekuang explained: "Sit with Captain Liu on the first floor. Don't leave the hotel. Okay, you should go to bed early too."

The two men were lying on the bed. Wang Qing was talking about what he had seen and heard. He seemed still excited. Yan Jiekuang was chatting with him from time to time. After a while, Yan Jiekuang fell asleep.

The next day, today was the final of the chef competition. Although Yan Jiekuang decided not to participate, he still wanted to go and take a look.

The final of the chef competition was held at the convention and exhibition center. When the trade delegation's bus stopped at the convention and exhibition center, it was already packed with people. Only then did Yan Jiekuang realize that this competition was open to the public.

Yan Jiekuang was looking around, trying to find the team from Tan's Restaurant, while Chef Yu looked serious and walked quickly to his position with his two apprentices, perhaps wanting to prepare early. Head of the delegation Liu Zheng had already gone to meet with the members of the organizing committee of the conference under the leadership of the Hong Kong Island contact person, and Yan Jiekuang suddenly became a lonely man.

Yan Jiekuang was like a tourist, walking and looking around. He also sighed that Hong Kong Island is really taking off now. Everything here is much more developed than inland. Governor MacLehose is really capable.

It was ten o'clock in the morning. The president of the catering association, who had just arrived, stood on the judging panel and talked about the previous competition process of this competition. He also announced the official start of the final of the chef competition.

There are a total of ten open kitchens at the competition venue. Eight of them are contestants, and the other two are special guests. In fact, they were originally prepared for Chef Yu and Yan Jiekuang, but Yan Jiekuang did not participate, so one of them became vacant.

Yan Jiekuang was looking around. He really thought of himself as a tourist, just a tourist who could enter the inner area.

(End of this chapter)