Chapter 42: Spreading the Wings of the Bronze Sparrow
Chapter 42: Spreading the Wings of the Bronze Sparrow
When the taxi driver heard that Xu Yiqing's destination was the new Citizen Park, he started talking about what he had seen and heard, praising the renovation of the park and also praising the financial backer behind it.
"I saw it yesterday after the iron sheet surrounding the park was removed. The lights of the sports cars passing by at night were on. It was very beautiful! You will see it when you turn the corner... We are here!"
From a distance, Xu Yiqing could see the exterior of the park while sitting in the car.
The green plants that were separated by iron sheets in the past are now in full bloom. Many towering fir trees are planted outside the park, and the shady paths are particularly quiet in the misty drizzle.
The artistic conception is beautiful but not deserted at all. Many people came to the park today, mostly elderly people and children, after all, it is a weekday. In addition, some self-media bloggers and media reporters came to interview.
After getting off the car, Xu Yiqing looked at the arch at the entrance of the park and really felt the grandeur.
He took out his cell phone and called Du Yu, who said he would send someone to pick him up right away.
While waiting, Xu Yiqing was still worried and didn't tell Du Yu what he was wearing. What if the person who came out was not him and he didn't know the other person?
He soon realized that his worries were unnecessary.
"Captain Du told me you would come over, and I thought it was a joke."
Zhou Shi was wearing a long windbreaker, showing off her royal sister style. She put her hands in her coat pockets, wore women's sunglasses on her face, and teased Xu Yiqing with a playful smile on her face: "When did you change your temper?"
Xu Yiqing said: "I didn't expect Du Yu to say that you were the one who would pick me up... I didn't want to come either, but Du Yu insisted on me coming, and I am also somewhat interested in this multinational group."
Zhou Shi pursed his lips, pretending to be disappointed, and sighed: "Alas, I thought you came because of me."
The two walked inside, Xu Yiqing remained silent.
Zhou Shi thought Xu Yiqing was avoiding the question, so she felt the annoyance that is unique to women, and her pace unconsciously quickened.
But as they walked, Xu Yiqing suddenly spoke.
"A little."
"Just a little?"
"Okay, a little more."
Zhou Shi showed a satisfied expression, stopped teasing Xu Yiqing, and his steps were not as fast as before.
Slowing down was not a subconscious move, but something she did on purpose.
Slow down, walk more, just the same speed as before.
They had visited this park before. Ten years ago, they were a loving model couple and dating was a normal thing for them.
There was nothing fun in the park at that time. You could walk to the end in a few steps. The water in the pond was very dirty, and the green plants were very wild. Not many people came to play, and the lounge chairs were covered with leaves.
But even so, Xu Yiqing and Zhou Shi were able to spend a whole day strolling around. Even the vendors in the park became familiar with them and repeatedly tried to lure them into shooting balloons with their inaccurate toy guns.
Now the park has been renovated and is better than before, but the two of them have parted ways for ten years because of their ideals and family reasons.
Xu Yiqing stopped thinking about it and looked around.
It can be seen that the Fumei Group has invested a huge amount of money. All the layouts have been reshuffled. The old statues and buildings have been demolished and rebuilt, the pond has been pumped out and expanded, the green plants have been dug up and replaced with new ones, and even the floor tiles have been removed and replaced with better ones.
The three-year project has brought many jobs and investments to Jiangcheng, and as expected, this achievement will be counted in the political achievements of the Jiangcheng leadership team.
Xu Yiqing has no interest in the game behind this. As long as it benefits the people, it is a good thing.
Judging from the taxi driver’s behavior just now and the lively atmosphere today, at least the people of Jiangcheng are happy.
The two walked very slowly, talking as they walked, and it took them about twenty minutes to reach the ribbon-cutting ceremony.
The ceremony was held in the square in the center of the park. There were a lot of people and it was very busy. A stage was even set up specially for the occasion.
The first thing Xu Yiqing saw when he came here was not the guests and city leaders, but the eye-catching building in the center of the square.
A bronze sparrow that wants to spread its wings and fly high!
Below the bronze sparrow is a concrete base in the shape of a thick branch. The bronze sparrow statue is placed on the branch with its head held high and wings flapping, which is very spectacular.
The entire bronze statue, including the concrete base below, is about eight meters high and can be seen from a distance.
"This statue alone probably cost a lot of money." Xu Yiqing didn't know much about statues, but he could feel that the shock was at least not too bad. Zhou Shi took off her sunglasses and put them away. She had a certain understanding of art. "The design of the statue is considered first-class in China, but the workmanship is a bit poor, so overall it can only be ranked second-class... Mainly because of the concrete base, it would be better if the whole thing was made of copper."
Xu Yiqing nodded: "That will probably be more expensive."
Zhou Shi smiled and said, "If you knew who designed this statue, you would probably be surprised and more interested."
Xu Yiqing was puzzled: "I know him?"
This question surprised Zhou Shi. She thought about it and sighed, "I tend to think that you don't know... it's He Yunke."
Xu Yiqing showed surprise, then looked up and carefully examined the majestic statue in front of him.
This was actually designed by He Yunke?
"He's an architect?"
"No, according to the investigation, He Yunke is a doctor of medicine, and Fumei Group is also a multinational pharmaceutical company."
"But you said he designed it, and you just said the statue's design was top-notch."
"Yes, but this is the result of the investigation. Du Yu was going to tell you this after the ribbon-cutting ceremony, so I just told you directly." Zhou Shi said, "Three years ago, after Fumei Group took over the park renovation project, the project was thrown to He Yunke, who is the director of the Jiangcheng area."
"The park renovation project attracted many engineering teams to bid, including the statue. At that time, He Yunke suddenly proposed to design a statue himself and submitted his proposal to the company."
"The design of the statue is very professional, just like the design of a house. Without a certain level of professionalism, it would be difficult to draw the drawing. Later, the senior management of Fumei Company invited a professional sculptor to look at He Yunke's proposal and gave it a high evaluation. They were even more shocked when they heard that He Yunke was not a professional sculptor."
After listening to Zhou Shi's statement, Xu Yiqing stroked his chin and asked, "How do you know all this?"
Zhou Shi raised his chin towards the distance: "The person in charge of their company said that before you came, Captain Du specifically asked about it, and made it seem like he was taking notes, and was even scolded by Director Fu."
Xu Yiqing looked into the distance and saw that next to the podium, Du Yu, who was dressed in a police uniform, was talking to another woman in a suit.
"After He Yunke disappeared, that woman took over his position and is now the director of Fumei Group in Jiangcheng."
At this moment, something suddenly happened.
A woman with two children rushed towards the female director from the crowd. Du Yu quickly stopped her, causing a commotion among the security guards and police officers on the scene.
Xu Yiqing and Zhou Shi looked at each other and hurried over.
Before they got close, they heard the woman crying to the director: "Please, help me find my husband!"
The female director couldn't bear it and signaled Du Yu to let him go: "Sister-in-law, we are also very sad about Director He's disappearance. We have done everything we can... The police are here, if you don't believe me, just ask them."
Du Yu also saw clearly that the visitor was He Yunke's family member, and said apologetically: "I'm really sorry, we will inform you as soon as we have any news... But please rest assured, I will do my best to find him."
Xu Yiqing and Zhou Shi come to meet Du Yu.
"Lao Xu, you are here."
"What's going on here?"
"Alas, it's hard to put it into words." Du Yu felt a little ashamed.
He has a strong sense of justice and responsibility, and what he fears most is facing the family members who reported the case before the case is over.
The woman was crying, but was stunned when she saw Xu Yiqing.
"you……"
When Xu Yiqing saw the woman's surprised look, he suddenly felt something strange.
He pointed at himself: "Do you know me?"
What the woman said next shocked Du Yu and Zhou Shi.
She sniffed her sobbing nose and asked Xu Yiqing curiously: "Are you the older brother or the younger brother?"
(End of this chapter)