The Story of Xiangcheng

After resigning from his university job to start a business, Xu Jiachen completed a real estate project in the provincial capital. Then, introduced by a classmate, he spotted a plot of land in Xiangcheng, shifted his focus there, and began a second venture. Along the way, he faced political upheaval, his wife's lack of understanding, misunderstandings with business partners, the crushing pressure of loan sharks, harassment by the underworld, the threat of a severed cash flow, and the dilemma of whether to proceed with his project. His encounter with Mei Yixin, and the feelings that grew between them, put his marriage and family under enormous strain. In the end, a new central leadership's vigorous anti-corruption campaign, the Eight-Point Regulation, and the institutionalization of inspections created an environment in which private businesses could thrive. Loan sharks were brought under control, criminal gangs were cracked down on, and corrupt officials were brought to justice. Xu Jiachen won the understanding and support of his business partners. Mei Yixin, giving up her obsession out of love, secretly helped Xu Jiachen weather the crisis, but was implicated in a corrupt official's case and lost her government job. After agonizing reflection, his wife, Xiao Hui, changed herself and firmly supported her husband. Xu Jiachen ultimately survived the crisis that threatened his very existence, and the project succeeded. The ancient yet modern city of Xiangcheng held so many stories, and left behind even more sighs of regret.