Boat of Desire

Author: Li Liang / Country: Mainland China
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2006-07-01
Features: This book depicts the complex and contradictory psychology of private entrepreneurs during the economic transition period, filled with hope and conflict. After graduating from university, Lin Ruocheng faced arbitrary strikes and exclusion in a state-owned enterprise due to his "too many ideas," feeling like a hero without a cause. In frustration, he quit and ventured into business. Driven by a desire to prove his foresight and correctness, he endured countless hardships and eventually achieved remarkable success in the business world. Due to nostalgia for his hometown, he returned to start a business. His former company, suffering from poor management, saw many talents turning to him. However, under the instigation of someone with ulterior motives, he became a major taxpayer in the local area. He was misunderstood by Mayor Liu Chen for refusing to "sponsor" government projects, framed by Tang Xiping, who grew rich through bribery and connections, and resented by laid-off workers who mistakenly believed he was poaching employees, leading to the decline of the state-owned enterprise. Lin Ruocheng was determined to build his company into a global brand but became a target of slander. Tang Xiping, though culturally unrefined, was adept at networking and thrived in all circles. Mayor Liu Chen, eager to advance his career and seek a higher platform of power, ultimately failed to achieve his ambitions. The newly appointed Secretary of the Municipal Party Committee, Bai Xiangwei, who should have moved to a more important leadership position in the provincial capital, was transferred to Linhe. How to face personal grievances and undeserved envy? Vice Mayor Sun Qing, hostile to anyone blocking his promotion, played political games and took risks, driven by the desires thus generated, dragging Linhe City, a small boat just set sail, into a fierce vortex. The author, against a grand backdrop, uses a sharp pen and incisive psychological portrayal to vividly depict a long scroll of "political economics" during the transition period, leaving readers shaken and deep in thought.
The people of Linhe City, when recounting, analyzing, and dramatizing this entanglement afterward, would first say with an undeniable tone, "There must be a reason for this." The expression on their faces would often be a mix of solemnity and slight impatience. The solemnity reflects depth, while the impatience, beyond reinforcing the emotional tone, gives off an air of a wise person who has seen it all. This expression made all newcomers to Linhe deeply respect the land's long and profound history, truly worthy of being a "big place," where people's quality was unmatched. Not to mention anything else, the local atmosphere was undeniable.
"The incident" referred to was the recent class reunion in the provincial capital. After graduation, Qian Mingjun, who was assigned to the National Environmental Protection Administration, was promoted to Deputy Division Chief and went to the south for a inspection. On his way back, passing through the northern province, he decided to stay for a day and reunite with old classmates, as his mood was high after his recent promotion.
Lin Ruocheng, Chairman of Ruixue Company, and Mayor Liu Chen, along with Liu Chen's wife, the Municipal Education Director Shen Na, formed a close-knit group, so much so that classmates jokingly called them the "Four Horsemen of Northern University." Qian Mingjun's enthusiasm was largely driven by these three. Since they were chess buddies in school, or perhaps because he believed he had the charisma to gather them, he called Lin Ruocheng.
Lin Ruocheng booked a table at the Friendship Hotel in the provincial capital and immediately notified Liu Chen. Liu Chen remained silent for a while, then said lightly, "That kid Mingjun has also been promoted to Division Chief." It was just a joke, but Lin Ruocheng retorted immediately, "So, it's fine for you to be mayor, but not for others to be Division Chief?" He didn't expect Liu Chen to react like that.
"Alright, I'll try my best to make it," Liu Chen said without asking further about Qian Mingjun's situation or explaining why he might be late. He hung up without waiting for Lin Ruocheng to respond. At this point, Lin Ruocheng realized something was off—Liu Chen was upset that Qian Mingjun hadn't notified him first as mayor.
Liu Chen was used to this; in the past, when similar situations arose with classmates, Qian Mingjun would call Liu Chen first, who would then arrange for arrangements. Liu Chen hosted the dinner, and Lin Ruocheng paid the bill—a habit that had become second nature. It was just among classmates, and with his current financial strength, he couldn't care less about a few meals. But seeing Liu Chen take it seriously, he felt a bit uncomfortable. Besides, it wasn't him who made Qian Mingjun do it this way.
On the spot, he decided to elevate the scale of the event beyond any previous similar gathering and canceled the reservation at the Friendship Hotel. Instead, he sent his deputy general manager, Zhao Xiaodong, to the newly opened five-star foreign-funded Tianlong Hotel in the provincial capital, arranging everything to the highest standards.
After completing this, he called Shen Na. She agreed readily, saying, "That Mingjun, such a talkative guy. It's been years since we last met. He's quite something." Lin Ruocheng wanted to ask Shen Na about Liu Chen, but she didn't mention him at all.
"Just pick me up later, and we'll go together."
Old classmates naturally had much to talk about, and time slipped by quickly in greetings and banter. Although everyone, except Qian Mingjun, was in Northern City, they were all busy with their own lives and couldn't meet often. After the meal, some gathered in groups to chat more intimately, while others wandered around, marveling at the hotel's splendor and Lin Ruocheng's generous spending.
At the table, only Qian Mingjun, Shen Na, and Lin Ruocheng remained. Lin Ruocheng raised his glass—without needing to say anything, Qian Mingjun and Shen Na did the same. Of course, Shen Na's glass was filled with orange juice. Lin Ruocheng and Qian Mingjun downed their drinks in one gulp, while Shen Na took a light sip before quietly refilling their glasses.
Qian Mingjun's "fault" resurfaced, saying, "What a warm scene—just like back in university." Lin Ruocheng glanced at Shen Na beside him and said, "Mingjun, you're drunk."
Qian Mingjun slapped the table, "Drunk? If you're drunk, you should call me a bastard."
"Did I do anything to you?" Lin Ruocheng's eyes flickered painfully before dimming, and he feigned taking a bite of food to. Qian Mingjun snatched the chopsticks and placed them on the table with a "" sound.
"You're not going to act dumb with me! How many times have you told me, 'In this life, having Shen Na pour drinks for you is all you need'? But now, you've lost our Shen Na—what else is there to call you but a bastard?"
A few classmates were laughing and watching the scene. Lin Ruocheng knew it wasn't just like the old campus days anymore, and the words would spread further. He forced a smile and said, "Shen Na was our school beauty, and who wouldn't have their own calculations? But she certainly has good taste. She's the mayor's wife now, not worse than any of us."
The classmates knew they were just joking and turned away to continue their conversations. Shen Na quietly poured herself a glass of baijiu and raised it.
"To our last round, together."
"Shen Na, when did you start drinking baijiu?" Qian Mingjun asked, looking proud.
"Tonight." Shen Na took a large gulp and then quietly coughed.
At that moment, Zhao Xiaodong walked over.
"General Lin, the group photo is ready—it's in the lobby downstairs." Lin Ruocheng glanced at Shen Na and stood up, shouting, "Come on, let's take a group photo together. We can take this to Beijing later and hold Mingjun to account for the meal."
Everyone chattered and gathered downstairs. Just as the photographer was about to take the photo, Liu Chen and his secretary, Han Hui, hurried in, apologizing and shaking hands with everyone one by one.
Qian Mingjun said, "Liu Chen, wait to greet everyone later—don't make the photographer wait." Liu Chen nodded while his eyes darted to the center of the group. Two classmates from Linhe noticed the implication and wanted to step aside.
Shen Na said, "Don't move. This is a class reunion—there's no need for this kind of formality." Liu Chen had no choice but to move to the side. When the photo was developed, the smile on his face was stiff—clearly forced.
P1-3