Ye Qijia had been feeling a bit smug because she had earned a lot of money selling clothes and working as an agent, but now she had come back down to earth.
Her son’s wedding was held in Baishi County, inviting close friends and relatives they had known since childhood. They also held another celebration in Yangcheng, mainly for the bride’s family. The bride’s side didn’t have as many relatives, so the scale wasn’t as grand as in their hometown, but it was held in a high-end restaurant, which was still quite impressive. She had also furnished their new home with a full set of appliances—TV, refrigerator, electric fan, washing machine, tape recorder, and more—without any financial strain. Who wouldn’t feel stressed during such major life events?
But she didn’t.
However, a new commercial housing development had recently opened in Yangcheng, and her brother-in-law Lin Chuanbai bought a unit there. It was a two-story space with plenty of rooms, ample space, and even a small garden—fully renovated at 1,800 yuan per square meter, totaling over 200,000 yuan!
Ye Qijia, who had been feeling quite pleased with herself, suddenly felt grounded again, realizing she was just an ordinary person. She visited the 130-square-meter apartment and was genuinely impressed—she was tempted. The location was close to several prestigious schools and not far from hospitals, making it highly desirable. She imagined how convenient it would be for her future grandchildren when they needed to attend school.
Lin Chuanbai moved in shortly after purchasing the place. Their current home was still livable, but it felt cramped when guests visited. Now, with the new place, they finally had enough space.
Yu Xianghai noticed Ye Qijia’s interest in buying a unit there, but when he asked about the price, he fell silent. It was no small sum. Back in Baishi County, they had bought land and built their own house for much less. But the schools in Yangcheng… they were undeniably attractive.
During winter break, Mingfeng and Mingyao attended interest classes at their aunt’s place. When they returned, their parents could barely understand some of the things they talked about—things rarely seen in their small county. The broader horizons cultivated in more developed areas were simply different from what their hometown offered.
After some thought, Yu Xianghai gritted his teeth and agreed to buy a place there. But they’d have to wait until after this round of treasury bonds were cashed out. He was currently collecting bonds at the factory to resell at higher prices elsewhere. Only after this batch was sold would they have enough liquid cash.
Once the treasury bonds were cashed, Yu Xianghai and Ye Qijia bought two adjacent units—one for each of their two sons.
Meng Yuhong was shocked when she saw the property.
Was her in-law’s family this wealthy? They could afford such exorbitantly priced homes—and bought two at once!
Her and her husband’s combined monthly salary was less than 200 yuan. At 1,800 yuan per square meter, it would take them who knows how many years to afford even one.
Meanwhile, Yu Xiangqing and her husband, under pressure, borrowed money from friends and relatives to flip treasury bonds for profit.
They did this secretly, telling people they were just helping out with errands.
Yu Xiangqing didn’t borrow from her siblings, and Yan Peng didn’t borrow from his parents or brothers. If they had borrowed from everyone, any mishap would have left them unable to cope.
Even though they had borrowed a considerable amount, they could still manage.
The more they earned, the larger their capital grew, and the greater their profits became.
Yan Peng, enticed by the lucrative returns, forced himself to stay focused at work and even volunteered for business trips whenever others hesitated.
Yu Xiang’an, who had tipped them off about the opportunity, also bought treasury bonds at low prices. With ample cash on hand, her transactions were so large that bank managers had to personally handle them—even after splitting the amounts into tens of thousands of smaller transactions, they still stood out in the current economic climate.
The profits came from timing the market. Once prices stabilized, the opportunity would vanish. But if they acted quickly, the gains were substantial.
Yu Xiang’an’s cash flow was strong. She didn’t rely solely on sales revenue—she also had the steadily expanding Wuwei Restaurant chain, which brought in tens of thousands of yuan daily.
*
After Lin Yining was allowed to manage her own red envelope money, she gradually started spending more freely, happily buying things she liked—celebrity posters, merchandise, pretty clothes, and accessories. Individually, none of these items were particularly expensive, but she bought so many that, within months, she had spent everything.
Lin Yihong, on the other hand, was the opposite. He had little desire to spend and simply saved his money, maintaining his usual frugal habits.
It wasn’t until Lin Yining ran out of money that she realized her parents hadn’t been giving her an allowance. She went to Lin Chuanbai, who feigned surprise.
“Your allowance was already given to you.”
Lin Yining was confused. “When? I didn’t get anything.”
Lin Chuanbai: “Your New Year’s money was this year’s allowance—given to you all at once.”
Lin Yining was stunned. “Dad, you never told me that before!”
Lin Chuanbai played innocent. “Didn’t I? Maybe I forgot. But think about it—if we kept giving you more, how much would you end up spending?”
He had done this deliberately. They wanted to teach their children financial responsibility. In elementary school, they had been strict with allowances. Now that they were in middle school, it was time to learn budgeting—hence this lesson.
Their son remained unchanged, with no urge to splurge. Their daughter, however, had spent all her New Year’s money in just a few months—nearly 1,000 yuan, more than a year’s salary for an average worker.
Lin Chuanbai asked, “Where did all your money go?”
Lin Yining thought about the piles of new items in her room and fell silent. Then, with a pitiful frown, she asked, “What do I do now?”
Lin Chuanbai: “How did you manage before when you ran out of allowance?”
How?
By enduring until the next month’s allowance.
But now she’d have to wait nearly a year?
Lin Yining pouted. “Dad, I want to buy stickers—they’re cheap, just a few mao.”
Lin Chuanbai: “But you’ve already spent all your allowance.”
Lin Yining whined, “Daaad~”
Lin Chuanbai picked up a newspaper and ignored her. “You don’t need an allowance for daily life. If you really want something, figure it out yourself.”
They had already prepaid for school meals, and clothes and stationery were taken care of. Many families didn’t give allowances at all—life went on just fine.
No matter how much Lin Yining wheedled, Lin Chuanbai didn’t budge. Defeated, she turned to Lin Yihong.
He laughed mercilessly. “Serves you right for spending so recklessly!”
Lin Yining groaned. “I’ll save some next time.”
Being completely broke was an experience she never wanted to repeat.
Lin Yihong smirked. “Good. You’d better remember.”
Lin Yining: “Bro… I’m broke now. You still have some, right?”
Lin Yihong pulled out a five-yuan bill. “Being completely penniless isn’t good. I’ll lend you this—pay me back next year.”
Having no money at all was inconvenient. If someone treated her, it’d be awkward if she couldn’t even afford a small return favor. Five yuan could last a while.
He warned, “Don’t make a habit of borrowing from me. My money didn’t grow on trees.” He was saving for something.
Lin Yining quietly took the money.
Five yuan was a lot—enough to buy many ice pops. But compared to the freedom she had before, it felt restrictive. She clutched her chest, regret washing over her again.
Why hadn’t she thought ahead when she was spending?
Seeing his sister’s dejected expression, Lin Yihong didn’t press further. He went to Lin Chuanbai. “Dad, are you really not giving her any allowance?”
Lin Chuanbai: “You’ve seen how unrestrained her spending has been. She needs to reflect. Don’t enable her—you can’t bail her out forever.”
He had been keeping an eye on Lin Yining’s spending. While the amount seemed large to an average person, for their family, it wasn’t significant. If this taught her to budget, it was money well spent.
Lin Chuanbai turned to Lin Yihong. “Aren’t you planning to do anything with your savings?”
Lin Yihong shook his head. “I’ll keep saving for now.”
The sum was substantial for a student, but in reality, it wasn’t enough to buy anything truly expensive.
He had saved up nearly 1,000 yuan—a small fortune among his peers. But for adults, many families could easily spare that amount.
Lin Yihong pondered. “Dad, if I wanted to make money, what could I do with this amount?”
Lin Chuanbai straightened. “You want to earn money? Why?”
He set down his newspaper. “Have you thought about what you want to do in the future? I don’t oppose earning money—it’s a basic survival skill. But you’re still young. Studying should be your priority.”
Lin Yihong looked at him seriously. “Dad, can I do anything I want in the future?”
Lin Chuanbai: “As long as it’s ethical, I won’t interfere. Your mother and I have worked hard to give you both freedom. But remember—even if we amass a fortune, if you can’t sustain it, it might not last beyond your generation.”
Lin Yihong hadn’t decided on a career path yet and stayed silent.
Lin Chuanbai continued, “As long as your chosen path is legitimate and you don’t idle at home, anything is fine. If you’re unsure, there’s no rush. You’re still in middle school—you can decide by college. Of course, if you decide earlier, you can prepare and avoid detours.”
He had also wondered about his children’s futures. They had trained in the military during summer breaks—neither outstanding nor lacking. Both twins excelled in academics and physical fitness. As long as they stayed on the right path, he wasn’t too worried.
Lin Chuanbai asked, “Do you want to join the military?”
Lin Yihong took a deep breath. “I don’t dislike it, but I wouldn’t want to live in that environment every day.”
Lin Chuanbai: “Then what about following your grandfather and uncle into government work? Or like your mother in business? Or like me in academia? You have time to think.”
Lin Yihong nodded. “I’ll give it serious thought.”
Lin Chuanbai smiled. “Good.”
Of the twins, Lin Yining was more outgoing, but Lin Yihong was the more mature one.
After this lesson, Lin Yining spent her five yuan much more carefully. She exchanged it for smaller denominations and set a monthly limit, trying to make it last as long as possible.
Being broke felt stifling. When her classmates bought drinks or ice cream, she now had to budget.
After some thought, she found a solution—when her mother returned, she would beg her to make homemade ice cream.
Her mother’s version was even better than store-bought—and free.
That way, she could save money.
Yu Qingshan later learned about this but, following Yu Xiang’an’s advice, didn’t give Lin Yining an allowance. He agreed that she needed to learn financial discipline.
Her previous monthly allowances had been small, so overspending wasn’t a big deal. But this time, she had blown through a significant sum. At least she hadn’t wasted it on anything inappropriate.
Lin Houpu called Lin Chuanbai’s office, asking him to check on someone. An old subordinate had visited and mentioned a former soldier under Lin Houpu’s command who had fallen on hard times after retiring.
The man had returned to farming in his hometown but was now struggling with his son’s wedding expenses and housing needs, turning to the old subordinate for help. Lin Houpu remembered this soldier well—he had never asked for help before, even in difficulty. Annoyed, Lin Houpu told Lin Chuanbai to visit him when possible and offer assistance if needed.
After the call, Lin Chuanbai drove to the address provided—about two hours away. The twins tagged along.
Shangliu Village.
At the Tian household, Tian Er’s wife was wailing in the courtyard, slapping her second son’s back. “You’re sucking our blood dry! Using our flesh to marry a wife!”
Her son, Tian Mao, crouched silently, enduring the blows without a word, his eyes filled with confusion.
His newlywed sister-in-law leaned against the doorway, watching the drama unfold with amusement.
Tian Mao closed his eyes in pain. Had he done something wrong?
But he only wanted to marry Li Liujin and no one else.
Sun Guihua struck him hard: “Why aren’t you saying anything? Speak up! Are you trying to drive me to my death?”
Tian Mao couldn’t hold back anymore: “Why could Eldest Brother spend so much money to marry Eldest Sister-in-law, but I can’t?”
Sun Guihua froze for a moment before bursting into loud, heart-wrenching sobs.
His sister-in-law, standing nearby, sneered: “That’s simple. Your eldest brother is the firstborn. If the eldest son doesn’t marry first, how can the younger ones? Besides, the parents will live with us in the future. Given your brother’s condition, I’m the only one who didn’t pick and choose. My family is also better off—most of the dowry your Tian family gave was brought back with me. But this Li Liujin you’ve set your eyes on is different. The Li family had six daughters before finally getting a son. Those older sisters are practically trying to squeeze a gold mine out of their marriages. If you really spend all that money, you’ll never see it again.”
Sun Guihua pleaded earnestly: “Son, just give up on this idea. There are plenty of girls your age—why must you choose this one? The family truly can’t afford it. Besides you, there are still two younger brothers. Where would your father and I get so much money?”
The commotion had drawn the neighbors, who gathered at the courtyard gate to listen.
Seeing Sun Guihua so distressed, they chimed in: “Tian Mao, you’re not a child anymore. Be considerate of your parents. Who can afford a girl like that? Three hundred yuan in betrothal gifts, a bicycle, and a television—even city folks can’t manage that! And it’s obvious her family is just using this to prepare for her brother’s dowry. You’ll never get it back. What’s the point?” All that added up to a thousand yuan.
Who could afford that?
Tian Mao remained squatting on the ground, silent and stubborn, refusing to change his mind.
Some continued to persuade him: “Your family just married off your eldest brother and built houses for you brothers. Where would they get more money? With this new house, you shouldn’t have trouble finding a good girl. Don’t push your parents like this—you can’t be so unreasonable.”
When Tian Mao still refused to speak, someone suggested: “Tian Er’s family, why not give him the bicycle you prepared for the eldest son? Then you’d only need to get a television, and the dowry can be negotiated later.”
“Yeah, your family already has a bicycle.”
But the sister-in-law immediately objected, hands on her hips: “Hey, that’s mine! How could you take something from the sister-in-law to help the younger brother marry? Have you no shame?”
A neighbor retorted: “That bicycle was paid for by the Tian family.”
Tian Mao’s sister-in-law snorted: “Do you even know what a dowry is? It’s given to the bride’s family—you can’t just take it back.” She pointed at Sun Guihua: “Don’t think just because I married into this family, you can do whatever you want with my things. If you really do this, you’d better find another daughter-in-law!” With that, she stormed inside and slammed the door.
Sun Guihua wailed again: “Why is my life so bitter?”
Some murmured among themselves: “Isn’t Tian Er a soldier? Doesn’t he have comrades? The house and bicycle were helped by his comrades. Maybe he can ask them for help again.”
But someone else objected: “Again? There are still two younger sons. You can’t keep asking his comrades for help—their money doesn’t grow on trees.”
“Exactly. His comrades don’t owe Tian Er anything. You have to live within your means. The Li family’s golden flower isn’t so easy to marry.”
“The sixth golden flower is prettier than her sisters and closest in age to her brother. Do you think her father would let her go without squeezing everything he can?”
“Pretty and capable—just unlucky with her father.”
“What a shame.”
Amid the noise and arguments, a burly man sat motionless by the window like a stone statue.
He knew they wanted him to step in and find a solution. But what could he do? Ask his comrades for help again?
He didn’t have the face for that.
If his second son insisted on marrying her, then so be it. The Tian family couldn’t afford Li Liujin. If he wanted to stay single, let him.
Suddenly, he heard exclamations outside. The voices sounded unusual. He walked out to find a crowd gathering at the gate—adults, children, and more joining by the minute.
Because there, parked outside, was a four-wheeled car.
Who in their village knew someone important enough to drive such a vehicle?
Cars rarely passed through their area.
Now, this car had stopped here. Who was it looking for?
Tian Er?
The children were awestruck but didn’t dare touch it. Their parents had warned them—this was expensive, so expensive that selling them all wouldn’t cover the cost if they damaged it.
Then the car door opened. A young man stepped out from the driver’s seat, followed by two half-grown children—a boy and a girl.
The young man smiled at the crowd: “Uncles, aunties, is this Tian Er’s home?”
Sun Guihua wiped her face and nodded repeatedly: “Yes, yes! This is Tian Er’s home. You are…?”
At that moment, Tian Er stepped forward: “I’m Tian Er.”
Lin Chuanbai extended his hand: “Uncle Tian, hello. My father was also in the military. He heard about your situation. Since I’m not far from here, I took the liberty of visiting. I hope I’m not causing any trouble.”
Sun Guihua was at a loss for words: “N-no trouble at all!”
Tian Er gestured inside: “Come in, come in.”
Lin Chuanbai opened the trunk and took out some items, with Lin Yihong and Lin Yining helping.
Tian Er waved his hands: “You shouldn’t have brought these. Take them back.”
Lin Chuanbai smiled: “It’s impolite to visit empty-handed. These are just some fruits.”
Sun Guihua’s face brightened at the sight.
Many were curious about who these people were and their connection to Tian Er, but the car’s presence kept them from following inside. Tian Er closed the courtyard gate.
Inside, Lin Chuanbai surveyed the large yard, which included a vegetable plot.
The house was a single-story building with four or five small rooms. It looked new—likely built with borrowed money for his sons’ marriages.
Originally, Tian Er wouldn’t have needed to borrow, but his parents fell seriously ill, and then his eldest son fell while gathering herbs, leaving him with a limp. The bride’s family agreed not to break the engagement but raised the dowry demands.
The house was new but sparsely furnished, with old, mismatched pieces.
The central room served as both a living and dining area. Hearing the commotion, the rest of the family emerged—the eldest son and his wife, the second son brushing dirt off his clothes, two younger sons peeking out, and the youngest daughter, all curious about these unfamiliar guests.
Sun Guihua served tea nervously: “This is flower tea we dried last year. It’s quite good. Please try it.” They couldn’t afford store-bought tea.
Lin Chuanbai and the children accepted the cups politely and took a sip.
Tian Er finally asked: “Your father is…?”
Lin Chuanbai: “My father is Lin Houpu.”
Tian Er nearly choked: “Old—*cough*!”
He swallowed hard: “How did your father know? Was it Old Qi?”
Lin Chuanbai nodded: “He was upset. If Uncle Qi hadn’t mentioned it, he wouldn’t have known. He asked me to ask you—did you forget what he said when you retired? He wants to know if you’ve forgotten him.”
Tian Er smiled bitterly: “How could I? How is he?”
Lin Chuanbai: “He’s well. Since Uncle Qi visited and I’m nearby, he sent me to check on you. He said if you need anything, don’t hesitate to ask.”
Tian Er laughed: “I’m fine. Everything’s good here.”
Sun Guihua tugged his sleeve. *Everything’s good?*
With debts and their second son unable to afford a wife?
Tian Er shot her a look, silencing her.
Lin Chuanbai noticed but didn’t comment: “Uncle Tian, are you farming the land you were allocated?”
Tian Er: “Yes.”
Lin Chuanbai: “My father said you were very brave in the military—always the first to face difficulties.”
Tian Er smiled sheepishly: “I just had some strength.”
As he reminisced about his army days, his eyes lit up.
Now, he looked like an ordinary farmer, but his upright posture betrayed his military past.
Lin Chuanbai sighed inwardly. Tian Er needed a way to earn money. Farming could feed and clothe them, but improving their lives was harder.
It wasn’t that nothing could be done with the land, but it required investment and time.
It was a shame. Someone Lin Houpu remembered must have been exceptional, yet after retiring, his skills went unused as he toiled in the fields.
“Uncle Tian, could we speak privately?”
Tian Er led him behind the house.
Lin Chuanbai: “My father remembers what you said when you retired—to reach out if you faced difficulties. You contacted Uncle Qi but not him. He wonders if he did something wrong.”
Tian Er lowered his head: “Not at all. I was ashamed to trouble the old captain. I couldn’t even handle my family’s problems—how could I bother him?”
Lin Chuanbai sighed: “Uncle Tian, would you be willing to help me with something?”
Tian Er perked up: “What is it?” If it was within his ability, he’d do it!
Lin Chuanbai: “I have goods to deliver to Hong Kong, but the route isn’t safe—there are often robbers. My father said you won second place in a combat competition. I’d like you to escort the shipment.”
Essentially, security. Lin Chuanbai and Yu Xiang’an had discussed forming a company staffed by retired soldiers. If they lacked startup funds, the couple could invest.
This would provide livelihoods for veterans and meet market demand. Their “Beauty” brand was doing well in Hong Kong, but the region was still under British rule—prosperous but with hidden dangers.
Tian Er relaxed, smiling confidently: “No problem. It’s been years since I fought, but my skills haven’t rusted much. I can handle petty thieves.”
Lin Chuanbai looked relieved: “That’s great. The people I hired before are overworked. If you’re willing to make the trip, it’d be a huge help. I’ll cover food, lodging, and travel expenses, plus standard pay. Please don’t refuse—this is standard. If you do, I’ll have to hire someone else, and they might not be trustworthy. Last time, the guards I hired colluded with local gangs and nearly cost me the shipment.”
Now, Tian Er couldn’t refuse.
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