Chapter 293 Trivia
The second bowl of wontons was eaten much slower than the first, and the two chatted while eating.
When asked where Luo Yang had gone today, Luo Yang told him with a smile that he had been to Chenghuang Temple and the Bund, and then walked from the Bund to the First Department Store.
Compared with Yanjing, the commercial atmosphere in Shanghai is even more intense, especially the Chenghuang Temple, which is similar to the Dashilan in Yanjing, but more popular and with more merchandise.
It is a pity that Luo Yang no longer does these businesses. He just strolled around with great interest, feeling the hustle and bustle of the city and taking a good look at some of the characteristics of Shanghai, which is known as the Pearl of the Orient.
"What about tomorrow? Where did you and Xiaoyun agree to go tomorrow?"
"Xiao Yun said she would take me to Xia Fei Road tomorrow. Oh, and what is that other road..." Luo Yang thought for a moment and asked tentatively, "Shaomai Road?"
"Shaomai Road? You mean Maiyang Road, right?" Song Yuanchao had lived in Shanghai for so many years and had never heard of such a road as Shaomai Road in Shanghai. After changing his mind, he asked back.
"Yes, yes, yes! Maiyang Road. Haha, I misremembered it. I had xiaolongbao and siomai at Chenghuang Temple at noon today. I got the two mais mixed up."
"Hahaha, you kid..." Song Yuanchao immediately laughed. This guy Luo Yang ate steamed buns and called Maiyang Road Shaomai Road. Fortunately, he didn't eat anything else, otherwise, God knows what he would remember it as.
After laughing a few times, Song Yuanchao was suddenly stunned. Isn't Maiyang Road Zhang Yong's territory? What's wrong with this girl Li Xiaoyun? Why did she take Luo Yang there?
Whether it was Luo Yang or Zhang Yong, Li Xiaoyun's relationship with them was very delicate. To put it bluntly, these two people could be considered "rivals in love." Li Xiaoyun was so careless that she didn't even think of this? Or was she so careless that she didn't even think about it? What would happen when these two people met tomorrow? Song Yuanchao didn't know what to say for a moment.
"Will there be a fight at that time?" Song Yuanchao thought to himself, but after careful consideration, he felt that the possibility was very small.
He knew Luo Yang and Zhang Yong, and was very clear about their personalities. Although there was a possibility of a tit-for-tat situation, a fight would not occur. However, Song Yuanchao was not sure what the outcome would be.
"Old Song, why are you looking at me like that? Your eyes look weird." When Song Yuanchao was thinking and looking at Luo Yang, Luo Yang couldn't help but ask when he felt his gaze.
"Haha, nothing, I'm probably too tired today and a little distracted." Song Yuanchao smiled and found an excuse to explain, then said: "Lao Luo, the customs in Shanghai and Beijing are different. Compared with Beijing people, Shanghai people pay more attention to the sense of social distance between people. This is somewhat similar to Western customs. After all, this is caused by Shanghai's history."
"I have something to do these days and don't have time to go shopping with you, so don't be as carefree as you were in Beijing when you and Xiaoyun are out there. Otherwise, it's easy for people to misunderstand you, understand?"
"I know!" Luo Yang replied in Shanghainese with an awkward accent, and then rolled his eyes at him: "Do you think I'm a fool? I understand the principle of keeping a low profile when you are out, don't worry."
"Hehe..." Song Yuanchao smiled and nodded. There were some things he couldn't say directly, so he could only use this method to kindly remind Luo Yang. As for how much Luo Yang could listen to, it was unknown, but it was better than saying nothing.
After eating the wontons, I paid the bill and went home.
After a good night's sleep, Song Yuanchao had breakfast the next day and drove to Tongji University.
It is summer vacation now. Tongji University and Imperial University have both had their holidays. However, the Department of Architecture at Tongji University is nationally renowned. Due to the special nature of the Department of Architecture, some teachers at Tongji University are still working in the school.
After arriving at Tongji University, Song Yuanchao asked someone about Professor Pan’s office and quickly found the place.
I knocked on Professor Pan’s office door with the gift I brought back, and it was Professor Pan who opened the door.
Compared with Professor Yao, Professor Pan looks younger and his attire is much more trendy. To use Shanghainese to describe it, he is dressed in “green mountains and clear waters”. Coupled with his elegant face, he has the temperament of a handsome uncle.
The meeting with Professor Pan went very smoothly. Before Song Yuanchao came, Professor Yao helped to call Professor Pan. With the relationship with Professor Yao, Professor Pan warmly welcomed Song Yuanchao.
After chatting for a while about Professor Yao in Yenching, Song Yuanchao then told him the purpose of his visit. Professor Pan already knew the purpose of Song Yuanchao's visit, and immediately asked Song Yuanchao where the house was located. When Song Yuanchao told him the street name and house number of the house, Professor Pan looked a little surprised.
Like Professor Yao, Professor Yao in Yenching is familiar with all the old buildings in the city. Professor Pan in Shanghai is also familiar with the century-old villas in Shanghai because of his expertise.
Song Yuanchao's house is located at the north end of Qiqi Road in the French Concession. This road is very famous. There is a building in Shanghai that is famous both at home and abroad, that is Mahler Villa. But few people know that there are actually two Mahler Villas, one is the one that everyone knows, and the other is hidden in the high walls and trees of Qiqi Road.
In addition to this other little-known Mahler villa, the 947-meter-long Qiqi Road is also home to famous institutions such as the Shanghai Senior Citizens University, the Conservatory of Music, and the School of Life Sciences. The former residences of many celebrities in Shanghai are also there. The old villa purchased by Song Yuanchao is close to the Senior Citizens University. It was once the private residence of the vice president of the French Concession Board of Directors and is only separated by a wall from the famous Baigongguan.
A look of surprise flashed across his face. Although he was surprised that Song Yuanchao was able to buy this house, Professor Pan did not ask too many questions in this regard.
As Song Yuanchao and Luo Yang said, the social habits of Shanghai people are more similar to those of the West. This is caused by Shanghai’s history. Senior intellectuals like Professor Pan are particularly able to reflect this characteristic and rarely inquire directly about personal privacy.
After learning about the situation, Professor Pan had a clear idea in his mind. The blueprints of many old buildings in Shanghai were still preserved. With Professor Pan's status and connections, it would not be difficult to obtain the blueprints from the housing authority in the jurisdiction.
So Professor Pan mainly asked Song Yuanchao how he planned to renovate the house and asked some questions about the interior decoration. Song Yuanchao had already considered this. Unlike the Siheyuan in Yanjing, these old houses in Shanghai are all Western buildings. The earliest owners were not Chinese, so both the architecture and layout have distinct Western characteristics.
Song Yuanchao proposed that all the specific work would be led by Professor Pan. He only hoped to carry out the overall renovation according to the original requirements and add the necessary facilities and layout to adapt to modern life. In addition, for the decoration including furniture and soft furnishings, Song Yuanchao hoped to restore it according to the original historical style. In other words, after the renovation and decoration are completed, Song Yuanchao hopes to see its original appearance, both inside and outside.
Professor Pan recognized this and was also very interested in the project. However, he told Song Yuanchao that it would cost a lot to do this. Song Yuanchao, who had been prepared for this, told Professor Pan that the cost was not a problem. He also offered the same conditions as Professor Yao for renovating the courtyard house and invited Professor Pan to help.
Since there was no problem with Song Yuanchao's side, there would be no problem with Professor Pan's side either. Professor Pan readily agreed immediately. The two agreed to find time to look at the house together first, and then come up with a plan. Once the plan came out and Song Yuanchao approved it, they would start construction.
After finishing the discussion, Song Yuanchao left a gift and stood up to say goodbye. Professor Pan, who was in a good mood, personally saw Song Yuanchao downstairs and shook hands with him and said goodbye.
After driving away from Tongji University, Song Yuanchao went straight to Tengfei Factory. When he arrived at Tengfei Factory, it was lunch time.
When he arrived at the factory, he happened to meet Xiaoqi first. Seeing Song Yuanchao coming, Xiaoqi was very enthusiastic. He chatted with Xiaoqi downstairs for a few words. Song Yuanchao gave him the car keys and asked him to help find someone to clean the car.
Because of the car accident and the rescue yesterday, the interior of the car was already dirty, and after the trip to Suzhou, the body of the car was also covered with dust. Now is different from the future. If you want to wash the car, you can only rely on yourself, but there is no such condition in the alley, so you can only do it in the factory.
"Brother Yuanchao, don't worry. Leave the car to me. When you come down, I promise to make sure it is clean and as good as new." Xiao Qi said with a smile as he took the car keys.
"Okay, I'll go up first." Song Yuanchao patted his shoulder and nodded.
"By the way, Brother Yuan Chao, you haven't had lunch yet, right? How about I go to the cafeteria and prepare some for you?"
"It's not a bother, is it?"
"It's not a big deal . You go ahead and I'll bring it up later. The cafeteria is grilling pork ribs today. Our grilled pork ribs with green onions taste great. I guess you haven't tried them yet. I'll give you a piece later."
"Okay! Then I'll wait." Song Yuanchao said with a smile.
Xiao Qi happily went to the cafeteria to help Song Yuanchao get his meal, and Song Yuanchao went straight upstairs to Li Daqi's office.
I knocked on the office door and saw Li Daqi was also eating. There was a lunch box on the desk and he was halfway done.
"Daqi!"
"Yuanchao, you're here? Have you eaten? If not, I'll get it for you." Seeing Song Yuanchao arriving, Li Daqi quickly raised his hand to wipe his mouth and stood up.
"I met Xiaoqi downstairs. He went to get food for me. You eat first. My meal will be here soon." Song Yuanchao said with a smile and sat down on the chair opposite Li Daqi.
"Okay, I'll eat first, you sit down for a while." Li Daqi nodded and continued to sit down and eat.
After a while, Xiao Qi came up with two lunch boxes. Song Yuanchao took the boxes and opened them. One box contained rice and the other contained vegetables. The food in the cafeteria was good and rich, and the grilled pork chops with green onions were also well-made. The color made him hungry. Song Yuanchao thanked Xiao Qi without hesitation, picked up his chopsticks and started eating.
