Xu Nianhua was helping Ji Ying in the kitchen, with Pei Yining acting as an assistant, but to call her an assistant was a bit of a stretch since there wasn’t much she could do. She mostly sat by the stove, warming herself and cracking sunflower seeds.
Xu Nian’an, Xu Nianji, and Pei Yicheng sat together chatting—mostly about the Chili Sauce Factory and Xu Nian’an’s small stall selling hair clips.
Pei Yicheng had a sharp mind and was extremely talented in business.
"It’s good that you run a stall, Nian’an, but your schoolwork is only going to get heavier. I’m afraid you won’t be able to manage both," Pei Yicheng reminded him, noting that if Xu Nian’an didn’t need to attend college, running a stall could make him quite a bit of money in the future.
But Xu Nian’an was still a student. Operating a stall for a while was feasible, but doing it every day over the long term would definitely affect his studies.
Especially since Xu Nian’an was studying medicine, which would involve a lot of work later on.
"I know what you’re saying, Cheng Ge, but what else can I do if not running the stall?" Xu Nian’an had considered that it wasn’t a long-term solution to make money this way.
"Doesn’t your school have shops?" reminded Pei Yicheng: "You could open a store near the school, hire a couple of dependable people, and you can go to the shop every day. That way, you can make money without affecting your studies."
Xu Nian’an’s eyes lit up, but then he hesitated and said, "That sounds great, but hiring people costs money, and is it that easy to find good people?"
He was unfamiliar with life in Ningbei.
"Nian’an, I think Yicheng’s suggestion is very good. How about this: I’ll invest, and you open the store near the school, and we’ll split the profits?"
Xu Nianji saw great potential in this business.
Just by looking at the fact that Xu Nian’an had earned over a thousand yuan in a short period, it was clear that the business could be very profitable.
The corners of Xu Nian’an’s mouth twitched as he said, "Big brother, aren’t you worried you might invest your money and end up losing it all?"
"I believe in you," said Xu Nianji, patting him on the shoulder. "I’ve made a fair amount of money driving, and I think it’s enough to start a shop."
"I, as your father, also support you boys," suddenly interjected Xu Qinghe, who was playing chess.
Qingsong Furniture Factory had earned a good amount of money over the last six months, giving Xu Qinghe plenty of confidence.
"Dad, remember you said this," Xu Nian’an immediately responded, knowing the family wasn’t short on money and naturally wanting to use it to make even more.
"You’ve lost," Du Chang moved his cannon to the side with a finality, and said, "Checkmate."
"That doesn’t count."
Xu Qinghe was about to say something more to Xu Nian’an, but hearing Du Chang’s words, he glanced sharply at the board and, realizing he was indeed in checkmate, said with flushed face and neck, "I didn’t see that; it doesn’t count."
"Then I’ll move it back," Du Chang said with a smile, pulling his cannon back.
Xu Qinghe looked carefully at the board. There were only a few pieces left, and no matter where he moved, he was doomed to lose.
"No regrets in chess, I’ve lost," Xu Qinghe conceded graciously, resetting the pieces, "Let’s play again."
"Hahaha~" Du Chang laughed heartily.
In the warm and welcoming room, an atmosphere of joy prevailed.
"Qinghe, I really envy you," Du Chang exclaimed with feeling.
"I envy you for having such outstanding grandchildren," Xu Qinghe replied modestly, but he was inwardly very cheerful and proud. All three of his children were successful, and these days in the village, wherever he went, people praised him—his children and his daughter-in-law.
No longer was he unable to hold his head high as before.
He could now proudly provide for his family and give his wife and children a good life.
At that moment, Xu Qinghe was filled with regret, feeling that he had been foolish in the past, causing his wife and children to suffer, not to mention his own father looking down on him.