Chapter 108:

Lin Duzhong returned cheerfully with a piece of beef, which he had encountered on the road. Someone’s cow had broken its leg and couldn’t survive, so it was slaughtered and sold as meat.

Beef wasn’t something they came across often, so when he saw fresh meat, he didn’t hesitate to buy over two pounds of it.

When he got back, Lin Houpu was already there. Seeing his father in such high spirits, Lin Houpu couldn’t help but feel frustrated. “Dad, how can you be so unaffected by all this?”

Lin Duzhong let out a surprised “Huh?” and took the meat into the kitchen, handing it to the housekeeper. “What’s the matter?”

Lin Houpu sighed. “What’s the matter? How could that boy Chuanbai be so reckless? He was a perfectly good researcher, and now he’s resigned again. Wasn’t he making enough money? Now he’s gone off to start a pharmaceutical factory.”

Lin Duzhong didn’t see the big deal. “It’s just a change of workplace. Essentially, he’s still a researcher.”

Lin Houpu: “Right, he’s still a researcher, and his wife manages everything else.” Lin Houpu felt his heart sink even further. “How can he be so carefree? Handing everything over to his wife—doesn’t he want to try stepping up himself?” Once someone tasted power, it was hard to step back. The way things were now, it looked like the woman was the strong one while the man was weak. How could that be respectable?

Lin Duzhong shrugged. “They’re the ones living their lives. They know what works for them. You can’t deny that your son just doesn’t like managing these things.”

That might be true, but Lin Houpu still felt like he was on the verge of a heart attack. This son of his had never once followed his wishes.

Back then, he had wanted him to join the machinery factory. With his influence, even without pulling strings, he could have ensured a smooth career path. But no—his son chose to work as a lowly pharmacy clerk in a hospital. At least he eventually got into university, and even better, both he and his wife got in together, earning the envy of many. That had given Lin Houpu some relief.

With a university degree, his future wouldn’t be too bad. Even though his son hadn’t taken his advice and studied medicine instead, Lin Houpu had still considered it acceptable.

Later, his son pursued a master’s degree, becoming a proper intellectual. For a while, even Lin Houpu, who was usually stern-faced, couldn’t help but smile whenever someone mentioned his second son. But that joy didn’t last long—his daughter-in-law resigned from her prestigious job to open a restaurant and become a self-employed business owner.

It was unbelievable!

If he had known in advance, he would have tried to stop it. But the young couple had acted first and asked for permission later, leaving him no choice but to grudgingly accept it.

At the time, he had worried that his second son would quit his job and join his wife in running the restaurant. Thankfully, that didn’t happen. And as it turned out, his daughter-in-law was quite capable. Without any help from him, she had built a thriving business.

Though he pretended not to care, he still heard bits and pieces from friends—how much tax she paid, what new ventures she was involved in, which industries she had expanded into, how much foreign exchange she had earned for the country…

She had become something of a figure in the special economic zone, which left him with mixed feelings.

A woman with such boldness had actually succeeded. No matter which family she belonged to, no one could deny that she was a capable person. But when he looked back at his own son—refined, yes, but a refined researcher meant he wasn’t making much money. While his social status was technically higher than his wife’s (a small consolation), now he had even thrown that advantage away.

Lin Houpu worried about their future. If things continued like this, how could their marriage remain harmonious?

In marriages where the woman was more capable than the man, few couples stayed happy.

Very few.

Just then, Li Yujiao returned, carrying several shopping bags. She had gone out to buy clothes—some for herself, some for their son, and some for Lin Houpu.

Now that they had a housekeeper, she was freed from household chores. Seeing Lin Houpu’s dark expression, she knew exactly what was bothering him. The only recent family drama was Lin Chuanbai’s resignation.

Li Yujiao cleared her throat. “I heard today that their health supplements are selling really well. Things like the ginseng tonic wine and ginseng nourishing pills are already sold out.”

Lin Duzhong: “I’ve heard the same. Business is indeed booming.”

Li Yujiao: “They must be making a fortune. I heard they spent hundreds of thousands on advertising. I wonder how long it’ll take to recoup that cost.” The idea of spending that much on ads was beyond her comprehension.

“Dad, if they’re that wealthy, couldn’t they help Tiandong? He’s busy with investment projects right now. If they were willing to go, he could offer them the best policies.”

Lin Duzhong stayed silent, eyes downcast. Lin Houpu coughed. “Their eldest brother is also in a development zone, working on investments. They didn’t invest there either. They’re picky about location. They’re in the south—it’s too far, beyond their reach.” If they hadn’t invested in their own brother’s project, why would they consider a place with worse conditions?

Li Yujiao’s expression soured. “You won’t know unless you try. Maybe they’ll find something useful there.”

After graduating, Lin Tiandong had been assigned to a remote northwestern city. Li Yujiao had always hoped he could transfer back to the capital soon so the family could reunite.

She had also been trying to arrange a good marriage for him. But with him so far away and her busy with work, she could only occasionally nag him from afar—which he mostly ignored, leaving her frustrated.

She wanted to find him a well-matched wife who could support his career. Her son was handsome and accomplished—he could marry any fine young woman. Why couldn’t he see that? He was already falling behind. If he didn’t catch up soon, what would become of him?

He needed to climb the ranks quickly. Otherwise, how could he compete with his older brother? Their father’s connections hadn’t been assigned to anyone yet. If he married early, with his wife’s family backing him—or if they had a grandson she could raise—his father would naturally grow closer to this grandson than the others who weren’t around. Then, wouldn’t Lin Houpu favor his youngest son?

It wasn’t surprising that Li Yujiao was anxious. Her child had been born too late. Lin Guangbai’s children were a few years younger than Lin Tiandong, and one had already started working. In a few more years, Lin Chuanbai’s children would be taking college entrance exams. One after another, they were catching up. Li Yujiao needed an ally—someone who would naturally stand on her side.

Lin Houpu’s expression darkened. “Tell me, what does his second brother need from his place? Yellow mud?”

Li Yujiao was furious.

Why had her son been assigned to such a wretched place?

Meanwhile, Lin Guangbai received a large package containing several bottles of premium ginseng tonic wine and nourishing pills, along with other miscellaneous items.

The brothers had always maintained a good relationship, exchanging gifts by mail. In the past, Lin Guangbai had sent more things from Shanghai to his younger brother. But after Lin Chuanbai got married—especially after university—the flow reversed. Now, Lin Guangbai received more than he sent. And as his sister-in-law’s business grew, the gifts became increasingly valuable.

Occasionally, Lin Guangbai would also ask his brother to help procure certain items.

This time, the ginseng tonic wine was partly for personal use and partly for gifting—to friends and superiors.

In their line of work, the busy periods were truly exhausting. After prolonged stress, the body struggled to keep up. The tonic might not work instantly, but after a few days, the effects were noticeable.

The only downside was the price.

But at their level, buying a bottle wasn’t unaffordable, and it lasted a while.

Yun Jing was delighted when she saw the contents. Every time they received a package, it reminded her of the choices she had made.

Back then, she had gritted her teeth and emptied their savings to buy two shops with her sister-in-law. The stress had been overwhelming, even causing hair loss. But now, the rent had skyrocketed, covering their loan payments. At this rate, it wouldn’t be long before the rent exceeded their repayments.

Now, she was considering another venture. Watching Lin Guangbai examine the tonic wine bottle, she said, “Your brother mentioned lending us money to pay back gradually.” She looked at him. “Wouldn’t it be nice if your son had a new home when he gets married? This is his uncle—not some outsider. We can repay the family slowly. It won’t take long.”

Earlier, Lin Chuanbai had called to discuss this. Based on the rental increases, property prices were bound to rise. Their nephew Qianjing had just graduated and been assigned work in Shanghai. If he got married, having a home ready would be ideal.

This way, they’d own two properties in Shanghai.

If Yuejing also stayed, each sibling could have one.

As public servants, they weren’t struggling, but they weren’t wealthy either.

The two shops had already drained their savings, and they had even borrowed from Yun Jing’s family.

Buying another house was impossible without help.

This was clearly his younger brother’s way of supporting him. Lin Guangbai knew it, but his pride made it hard to accept.

Yun Jing understood his hesitation. “He’s your own brother. You’ve helped him plenty before—remember spending months’ salary on that watch for him? Now he’s earning well. For him, this might just be a month or two of income. We’ll sign an IOU and repay it. With a new home, finding a wife will be easier. Once your daughter-in-law moves in and you have grandchildren, our current place won’t be enough. What then? Have our daughter sleep in the living room? It’s not even spacious.”

Lin Guangbai remained silent, so Yun Jing pressed on. “Unlike before, graduates don’t automatically get assigned housing now. As a newcomer, who knows how long he’d have to wait?”

She kept circling back to the same points. “We won’t owe for too long. With the shops, the rent will keep rising. We’ll save and repay as much as we can. If you’re uncomfortable asking, I’ll do it. I’m not afraid of losing face.”

Finally, Lin Guangbai spoke. “Don’t be ridiculous. Of course I’ll ask.” They were brothers—it was more appropriate for him to bring it up.

“Let’s borrow it. We should buy the house. We’ll both sign the IOU and repay it over time.”

Hearing this, Yun Jing finally relaxed.

Lin Chuanbai had framed it as a loan out of consideration for his brother’s pride. Given how much Lin Guangbai had helped him in the past, he would have gladly given the money outright. But Lin Guangbai would never accept that.

Now that their nephew Qianjing had graduated, found work, and even a sweetheart, securing a home would remove a major financial hurdle—as long as he didn’t develop expensive tastes.

And Shanghai property prices would only rise. Even if they dipped, it wouldn’t be by much.

Lin Qianjing soon learned the news.

The decision was his to make.

Lin Qianjing: “…”

Buying a house was a huge deal, and they were leaving it to him?

Where would they even get the money?

After his mother called to explain, he understood the source of the funds. He could choose the floor, but the final decision required their approval.

The house was meant for his future marriage. Thrilled, he went to check out properties. He currently lived in a two-person dormitory, returning home to stay with his sister when work allowed.

He had been seeing someone introduced by a superior, and things were going well. Marriage had crossed his mind before—he had assumed they’d apply for a couples’ dorm. But having their own place would be ideal.

As for the IOU to his uncle, he’d sign it too and help repay the debt.

Lin Qianjing didn’t take long to decide. The housing market wasn’t overwhelming yet, and with the location constrained by proximity to his workplace, options were limited.

Once the house was secured, news soon spread that he was preparing for an engagement.

After the purchase, Lin Guangbai made sure to report it officially. Their salaries were modest—buying a house outright was beyond most people’s means. He clarified that the money had been lent by his brother, not obtained through illicit means.

When this news eventually reached Li Yujiao’s ears, her heart was steeped in bitterness.

Their current home was comfortable, but it was tied to Lin Houpu’s position. Once he retired, it would go to his successor.

By that time, the couple could still go to the retirement home, but what about their son?

They still needed to find a way to secure a place of their own.

Lin Duzhong had long since planned for this. He bought a small courtyard in the capital for his youngest grandson, demolished it, and built a two-story house.

Back then, Lin Guangbai and Lin Chuanbai had also received similar two-story houses. However, the value of Lin Tiandong’s two-story house was now higher because Lin Guangbai and Lin Chuanbai’s houses were built in a small county town called Baishi. Currently, Lin Guangbai’s two-story house was rented out at a low price to his cousin’s family, while Lin Chuanbai’s house, which he had used for his wedding, now stood empty.

“It’s only fair,” Lin Duzhong thought. He would build one for this grandson too—it would be more than enough for marriage and starting a family.

The location wasn’t the best, but it was still better than a small county town.

Being in the capital, property values here were stable and rising, unless some extraordinary circumstances arose.

The two-story house was already completed. It had been built after demolishing the original rural courtyard, and the surrounding environment still retained the rural charm. Compared to the high-end residential complexes in Shanghai, Li Yujiao couldn’t help but feel a pang of envy. Lin Houpu wasn’t the type to engage in corruption or bribery, so they couldn’t possibly afford to buy a house like that.

As for the claim that the money was borrowed, Li Yujiao didn’t believe it at all. They could say it was borrowed, but who knew if they ever paid it back?

Lin Duzhong understood her thoughts and could only shake his head helplessly.

She really was… His own son had three sons. The first two were already established, but the youngest had only just started out a few years ago. Of course, he had to make plans for him.

There was still time before retirement, and even after stepping down, his influence wouldn’t vanish overnight.

Yet his daughter-in-law was still worried about whether their youngest grandson would have a place to live… Maybe she wasn’t entirely unaware, but seeing Lin Chuanbai give his elder brother a house for free had made her jealous.

After all, a house wasn’t just any ordinary asset—it was a huge sum of over two hundred thousand yuan.

Lin Chuanbai had intended to help his elder brother improve his financial situation. At his level, making money wasn’t difficult, but they adhered to their principles, so their earnings were limited.

Buying a house for their children was tough, but with his involvement, things were different.

His income was legitimate and clean.

Moreover, Lin Chuanbai had a “plan.”

He didn’t want Lin Guangbai to constantly worry about repaying the money. At this time, making money wasn’t hard—for example, through stocks.

There were two types of stock subscription certificates: registered and unregistered. The unregistered ones were easier to trade. Lin Chuanbai spent tens of thousands to help his elder brother buy some.

In a year or so, when the stock market surged and the daily limit of 0.05% was lifted, they could sell at a decent price—not necessarily at the peak. By then, Lin Guangbai could easily repay the money for the house and even afford another down payment.

This was the advantage of knowing future trends—like having a prophetic golden finger. If you knew a stock worth one yuan today would rise to a hundred in a year, investing a hundred now would yield ten thousand later. Getting rich was simple.

…

As word spread, some of Yu Xiang’an’s business partners also approached her for favors—people like Lei Ming, Liang Yuan, and even Klaite.

After completing a major deal, Lei Ming and his brothers retired from their previous line of work.

They bought trucks and started a freight business.

His earlier talk about opening a supermarket wasn’t entirely wrong—they now operated both ends, earning less but with more stability. Though they still traveled extensively, the risks of encountering bandits were much lower than on the transnational train.

With a legitimate business, Lei Ming and his brothers brought their families to live with them—wives, children, and all.

Their business was diverse.

They still had dealings with Yu Xiang’an, and their orders were never small.

Given their relationship, reserving health products for him was natural.

Liang Yuan bought them for her elders as gifts.

Klaite, after trying them once, became fascinated: “My uncle needs this more than I do. If he tries it, he’ll love it. It’s amazing—and it’s not even medicine! Do you need investors?”

Yu Xiang’an declined. Klaite sighed, “What a shame.”

He saw the enormous profits in this industry but couldn’t participate this time.

“Yu, if you ever need a partner, please contact me.”

Yu Xiang’an had tasted the sweetness of the health product industry.

Beyond the premium ginseng series, she wanted to expand the product line—but it wasn’t that simple.

New products required formulas.

Researching them one by one was too slow, so Yu Xiang’an offered hefty rewards, hoping for breakthroughs.

…

While health products boomed, Chen Xiaoyang remained untouched by the craze. High-end supplements were beyond her reach.

Her daily life revolved around the Wuwei Factory, and she felt nothing but frustration—not because of work, which was smooth, but because she had to go home the next day. She didn’t want to.

But her mother had issued an ultimatum: return or face public humiliation at the factory.

To avoid that, Chen Xiaoyang had no choice but to comply. Hoping for mercy, she bought treats from the market.

Her nieces and nephews swarmed her, calling “Auntie!” excitedly.

She knew they wanted the snacks and didn’t disappoint, sharing some. Their gratitude made them even sweeter.

Her mother rolled her eyes. “Why are you so stubborn? Look how adorable they are! Why don’t you have your own? You’ve grown wings—won’t even listen to your parents!”

Chen Xiaoyang’s face fell. Since turning twenty, her mother had nagged her about marriage.

Initially, her mother had wanted her to marry late to support the family longer. But after her brothers and sisters-in-law found jobs, her income became less critical. Even without her high-paying job, ordinary work was manageable.

This only intensified her mother’s anxiety over her age.

“You’re past twenty—an old maid! So many coworkers around you—just pick one! I won’t arrange anything, as long as he’s decent. You need to take this seriously! Or do you want to marry a farmer and go back to the fields you worked so hard to leave?”

Chen Xiaoyang sighed. Same old lecture. “Mom, I’m looking.”

Her mother scoffed. “How many times have you said that? Have you ever brought a man home? No! Are you even trying? If you wait any longer, you’ll be an old maid!”

Chen Xiaoyang retorted, “A rich old maid—that’s different. Plenty at the factory are like me.”

Her mother snapped, “And plenty of young men too! Why can’t you bring one home?”

The cycle continued. Chen Xiaoyang feigned sudden recollection. “Oh! I just remembered—I saw an old classmate. Gotta go!” She bolted.

Marriage required too much effort. She was focused on a promotion.

Wasn’t a raise better?

With a higher position, she could attract a better match.

Wandering aimlessly, she greeted neighbors who called out:

“Xiaoyang, day off today?”

“Xiaoyang, take some eggplants—you like them, right?”

“Xiaoyang, if you’re back next week, could you bring something for me?”

…

She reached the bamboo hills, reminded of the factory’s new pickled bamboo shoots—a packaged snack, edible raw or as a side dish.

Another new product, spicy vermicelli, also featured bamboo shoots. She’d tried both—delicious.

Climbing the hill, she considered digging some shoots but realized she had no tools.

Then it hit her—the factory was buying bamboo shoots. Her village had plenty!

Accessible by road and close by, the bamboo-covered hills yielded shoots yearly.

If this deal went through, her promotion was guaranteed!

Excited, she sprinted home. Her mother yelled after her, “Ungrateful girl! Don’t come back!”

When subordinates recommended a sourcing location, Yu Xiang’an decided to inspect it personally.

She remembered Chen Xiaoyang—the worker who always gazed at her with bright, admiring eyes during factory rounds.

After Chen Xiaoyang relayed the news, the village head and secretary imposed a temporary ban on digging shoots. If sold, the profits would benefit everyone—far more than the shoots themselves.

No longer struggling for food, the villagers valued the potential income over the occasional treat.

Upon arrival, Yu Xiang’an was greeted by the village leaders. After brief introductions, they headed up the hills.

The endless bamboo sea swayed in the breeze, a breathtaking sight from the summit.

Seeing so much bamboo, Yu Xiang’an thought of another product. Turning to Chen Xiaoyang, she asked, “Do you have bamboo fungus here? If so, we’ll buy that too.”

It was a valuable commodity.