I'm back in 1990

Chapter 557: The Torrent of Bicycles

Shortly after the start of the semester, Huang Xiaochuan was distributing his reading lists to the newly recruited graduate students.

Huang Xiaochuan's approach to guiding students is based on both systematic and personalized methods, combined with academic training and career development needs.

In Huang Xiaochuan's view, postgraduate education is differentiated. He formulates their research directions based on each student's different strengths. However, the first thing to do is to train them in in-depth reading of literature. For example, when he asked Qiao Hongbo and others to read a large number of economic documents and theories, this was the kind of training.

"This is the book list I've compiled for you. Some of these publications might not be available in the school library, so you can borrow them from the Pudong Public Library. Here's your library card; please keep it safe."

As he spoke, Huang Xiaochuan handed the four people four card-style library cards along with the catalog.

Sheng Lei was quite surprised when she received the library cards. She knew that the cards her teacher had given them were Class B cards from the Pudong Public Library. With this card, she could borrow books and materials except for famous classics, rare books, and valuable materials. The highest-level Class A cards were said to be limited to only a dozen or so, and Class B cards were said to be less than a thousand. This was the first time Sheng Lei had ever seen a Class B card, and she had been given four at once. She couldn't believe her teacher was so capable! These were Class B library cards from the Pudong Public Library!

This Pudong Public Library is Huang Xiaochuan's private library. Thanks to the efforts of the librarian Yan Bin and Huang Xiaochuan's investment of no expense, it has been built over several years at a cost of more than 100 million US dollars. Today, the collection has reached 5.5 million items, covering books, periodicals, manuscripts, maps, and video materials.

In particular, the Pudong Public Library boasts the most comprehensive collection of academic journals in East China and even the entire country. The latest publications are always sent to the library as soon as possible, making it a frequent destination for students from major universities across the country and academics.

This library, currently the largest private library in China, boasts 10000 reading seats and features facilities such as an auditorium, exhibition hall, indoor garden, and open-plan tiered reading area. Its fire safety system is also the most advanced automatic gas extinguishing system in the country, a requirement put forward by Huang Xiaochuan during the initial design and construction phase, which increased the building's cost by one-tenth.

Huang Xiaochuan believes that this money cannot be saved, because the library's collection will continue to grow in the future, including many precious ancient books, documents, and paintings. These paper-based collections have strict requirements for preservation conditions, and fire protection is only one of the preservation requirements.

In addition, it is necessary to prevent insects, mold, dust, and mechanical damage. There are also requirements for temperature, humidity, and light. Of course, these measures are only for ancient books and important documents. Ordinary books do not need them.

Huang Xiaochuan was worried that the group wouldn't be able to find the place, so he specifically asked, "Do you know where it is?"

Pu Shouzhong, Fei Song, and Qiu Zihuai shook their heads. They had come from universities in other provinces and were not yet familiar with Shanghai.

Sheng Lei is a local of Shanghai, so she naturally knows about the Pudong Public Library located in the Guangda Real Estate Building in Pudong. She volunteered, "Teacher, I know where it is. I'll take the students there together."

Huang Xiaochuan nodded: "Then Sheng Lei, please go through the trouble. You can take a taxi. Remember to ask the driver for a receipt. You can get these expenses reimbursed by me later."

When Pu Shouzhong and the others heard this, their jaws nearly dropped to the floor. They were getting their taxi fare reimbursed just for borrowing a book from the library? Good heavens! What kind of amazing professor is this?

After leaving Huang Xiaochuan's office, Sheng Lei suggested to Pu Shouzhong and the others, "Gentlemen, let's go to the Pudong Public Library first and borrow those publications and materials that our school doesn't have. We don't need to rush to get what our school library has. What do you think?"

Pu Shouzhong, Fei Song, and Qiu Zihuai naturally agreed with Sheng Lei's suggestion.

"Okay, we'll do as you say."

The four of them hailed a taxi at the school gate and headed straight for the Pudong Public Library.

After getting off the bus, Pu Shouzhong and the others stared wide-eyed.

Sheng Lei watched the expressions of the group from the side. She liked seeing people look so naive. When she first came to this library, Pu Shouzhong and the others looked just like that, mainly because the library's design was so stunning.

Looking up the ninety-nine white marble steps that seem to float like a ladder to the clouds, the library's facade features nine massive vermilion pillars, each with a diameter of three meters.

The library's main entrance consists of two bronze doors weighing over forty tons each, adorned with reliefs depicting civilizational symbols ranging from knotted ropes for record-keeping to computers. The door knockers are bronze Pixiu (mythical creatures) carrying data fiber optic cables.

Seeing that the three of them hadn't moved for a long time, Sheng Lei urged them, "Hey, are you guys planning to stand guard here?"

Upon hearing Sheng Lei's words, the others realized what was happening and quickly followed her up the steps into the library.

Security checks are required before entering the lobby, and you can only enter empty-handed. Bags and other belongings can be stored in lockers at the lobby entrance. Free drinking water is provided in the library, and there are also two canteens that can accommodate 3,000 people at the same time for borrowers to eat, but this is chargeable.

Furthermore, security checks are conducted upon exiting the library to prevent unscrupulous borrowers from taking away books from the collection.

Once inside, the enormous building space was filled with breathtaking displays and arrangements. It's no exaggeration to say that this library was miles ahead of the library they used to have when they were in school.

Qiu Zihuai pointed with surprise to an indoor garden inside the library: "There's another garden inside here?"

Sheng Lei looked in the direction Qiu Zihuai was pointing and said to Qiu Zihuai, "That's a Ming and Qing dynasty furniture museum. It's said to be the private exhibition hall of a wealthy Singaporean businesswoman. The garden architecture is just used for displaying the furniture, but it's really beautiful and worth seeing."

Upon hearing this, Qiu Zihuai immediately wanted to go in and take a look.

She asked Sheng Lei for her opinion: "Shall we go inside and take a look? We can borrow the books later?"

Sheng Lei checked the time and said, "How about this? You guys go inside and look around. I'll go find the publications and materials in the catalog. You can find me in the lending area on the fourth floor later."

This was naturally the best possible outcome. The four of them temporarily separated in the lobby. Qiu Zihuai, Fei Song, and Pu Shouzhong headed towards the Ming and Qing furniture exhibition hall, while Sheng Lei took the escalator to the fourth-floor borrowing area.

This library has set up more than a dozen different borrowing areas according to the classification of its collection, located on various floors, to facilitate borrowing of books and materials by different people. However, most of the books can only be borrowed inside the library and cannot be taken away. In addition, to prevent anyone from damaging the books, the library has also installed numerous cameras to monitor all areas except the toilets without any blind spots.

In addition, many staff members are constantly patrolling. If anyone is found damaging pages or stealing, they will be handed over to the police station and blacklisted, and will never be allowed to enter the library again, because entering the library requires registering an ID card.

After Qiu Zihuai and the others finished visiting the Ming and Qing furniture exhibition hall, they went directly to the borrowing area on the fourth floor.

Sheng Lei pushed a handcart and, following the catalog Huang Xiaochuan had given her, had already gathered all the books and materials she needed to borrow.

Seeing Qiu Zihuai and the others searching for her in the distance, she waved and called out, "Qiu Zihuai!"

"Wow, Sheng Lei, you've found them all? Thank you so much! I'll treat you to dinner later." Qiu Zihuai glanced into the trolley and thanked Sheng Lei.

"You're here just in time. Let's go and get the library card checked. Show us your library cards in a bit."

When the four of them pushed the trolley to the fourth-floor book lending area, a man in his thirties was arguing agitatedly with the staff.

"What kind of library is this? Why can't I check books?"

The staff patiently explained to him, "Sir, your library card is a D-level card. According to our library's regulations, you can only borrow books from the regular reading area."

"Okay then! This is my ID card. Please help me get a library card that allows me to enter this area. I'll pay you the deposit."

The staff member replied politely but firmly, "I'm sorry, sir, according to regulations you can only use a D-level library card and cannot upgrade. Furthermore, your library card is not valid for reading books here. There are signs at the entrance to the lending area reminding you of this. Please cooperate, thank you!"

Upon hearing this, Fei Song asked Sheng Lei, "Sheng Lei, does this library have such a rule?"

Sheng Lei nodded: "Yes, the library's borrowing cards are divided into four levels. Level D is the most common level, which can only borrow books in the natural sciences, humanities, social sciences, and novels. Level C can borrow books with a higher level of specialization. However, Level D and Level C cards cannot borrow books outside the library. Only Level B and Level A cards can borrow books outside the library."

However, some books and materials are not available for loan; only those with an A-level library card can access these rare books. This library regularly exhibits its valuable collection; if you'd like to see them, just wait for the exhibition.

Finally, Sheng Lei added, "You must keep this library card safe. As far as I know, only about a thousand of these cards have been issued to the public, and the application process is extremely complicated."

The three were very surprised when they heard this. They never expected that the small library card in their hands would be so difficult to apply for, let alone that their teacher could give each of them one so easily. Could it be that the library was run by the teacher?

After showing their library cards to the staff, the four successfully completed the borrowing process. The staff even provided each of them with a backpack with the library logo to put the books and materials they borrowed inside.

The thirty-year-old man witnessed this scene, which made him even more agitated.

Pointing at Pu Shouzhong and the other three, he said, "How could they just borrow books like that? And so many at once? You're blatantly using connections."

The staff patiently answered the man's question: "Those four people are using the library's Class B borrowing cards. They can borrow and take away all the books in this area. If you don't understand our regulations, please read our library's borrowing rules carefully."

She then handed the man a color brochure.

The man casually tossed the colorful brochure back: "I'm not reading it. That's strange. I already said I'm willing to pay a deposit. Why don't you just give me a library card like theirs? Stop nagging me here. Believe me or not, I'll complain about you."

Although the staff member was quite annoyed by the man's persistent pestering, he still said in a humble but not arrogant manner, "I'm sorry, sir, you do not meet the requirements for applying for a Class B library card. If you have any further questions, you can report them to the main service desk on the first floor. Of course, you can also file a complaint, that's your right."

After Pu Shouzhong and Sheng Lei completed the borrowing procedures, they left with their bags, while the man continued to argue with the staff in the fourth-floor borrowing area.

Just as Sheng Lei and the others were borrowing books from the library, Huang Xiaochuan received a phone call.

It turns out that Huang Shanqing has come to Shanghai.

Huang Xiaochuan met with Huang Shanqing at the Hilton Hotel.

After shaking hands, Huang Xiaochuan asked, "Uncle Shanqing, what brings you here this time?"

After receiving Huang Shanqing's call, Huang Xiaochuan guessed why Huang Shanqing had come. He must have come to invest in real estate in mainland China. The last time Huang Yanguang came, he not only returned to his hometown to pay respects to his ancestors, but also, accompanied by local leaders, conducted a survey of the mainland real estate market. Therefore, Huang Xiaochuan was certain that Huang Shanqing's visit this time was to finalize his investment plans in mainland China.

As expected, Huang Shanqing said, "Xiao Chuan! To be honest, I'm here to invest in the mainland. Your great-uncle told me to meet with you first after I arrive and ask for your opinion."

Huang Xiaochuan naturally welcomed Huang Yanguang's investment in the mainland.

After considering it for a moment, he said to Huang Shanqing, "Uncle Shanqing, now is a good time to invest in the mainland. Two years ago, in 98, the country completely abolished the welfare housing allocation system and began the market-oriented reform of commercial housing."

Moreover, starting this year, the government has allowed commercial banks to fully engage in mortgage lending, and personal housing loan policies have been officially liberalized.

Let me give you another set of data and you'll understand. Currently, China's urbanization rate is only 36%, which is almost half of the average urbanization rate of 63% in developed countries. You should know how much potential there is.

Moreover, the average living space per capita in Chinese cities is currently less than ten square meters, far below the standards of other developed countries. A low starting point means strong potential for future growth, which is also a phenomenon in economics.

Moreover, I believe that China's real estate market will have the characteristics of long-term structural dividends for a considerable period of time in the future. This stems from China's huge population. Once a large number of people move to cities, it will generate huge housing demand, which is in line with the laws of economic development.

Moreover, the mainland market is far larger than Singapore's small market; its real estate market has enormous potential.

Huang Shanqing touched his hair and sighed, "Yes! Only after coming here did I realize what it means to have a vast and abundant land. I saw it on my way to the hotel. I didn't expect there to be so many people riding bicycles in the mainland. They are so numerous and far-reaching that you can't see the beginning or the end of them."

Huang Xiaochuan laughed. "Don't you even know where you are? The future Shanghai!"