2003: Starting with Foreign Trade

Chapter 210 Parents are the best support
Petrochemical company residential area.

"Holy crap! Did I see that right? Was that Old Tan who just walked by? Why did he get out of the BMW? And in the driver's seat?"

"You're not mistaken, it's Old Tan. His son must be back. That BMW probably belongs to his son."

"Is his son really that good at making money? I remember he was driving a Passat last year, how come he's gone to a BMW in just one year?"

"What's so strange about that? His son's company's electric vehicle ads have even been placed on CCTV, and they've hired big celebrities as spokespeople. Would they do that if they weren't making money?"

"Tsk tsk tsk, Old Tan has been cautious his whole life, but he has never become an official. Two years ago, everyone was laughing at his son. I never expected that in less than two years, he would change so much."

"If you ask me, there's nothing wrong with boys being a little mischievous. If his son hadn't done that thing the year before last, would Old Tan have had the chance to drive a BMW now?"

"Yes, we even bought a new house near Linghu Park. It's quite expensive. We're only doing this because of our son."

"If anyone's really benefiting, it's their youngest daughter. She was born into a very privileged family. Apparently, all her baby formula is imported, and her brother is the one who provides it."

"Why don't you say that this youngest daughter is the lucky star of the Tan family? Didn't you see how the Tan family changed drastically after she was born?"

"Haha, what you said makes sense. Why don't you go back and make one for your wife too?"

"Forget it, I know what kind of person my eldest son is. All he does is study. It would be a miracle if I didn't have to help him find a job in the future."

It's no secret in the petrochemical family compound that Tan Lihua's eldest son has made a fortune in business. After all, the compound is a small area, and everyone works for the same company, so the news spreads like wildfire.

Since their sudden disappearance during the summer of 03, Tan Jincheng and Zhang Xupeng have become frequent topics of discussion in the petrochemical family dormitory. When Tan Jincheng returned last year in a Passat, he was discussed again.

After 05, the changes in the Tan family became the subject of much discussion. First, it was said that they bought a large house near Linghu Park, and then their son drove back in a BMW in the middle of the year.

Later, I heard that Lao Tan had poached two colleagues from the sales department to his son's company. One piece of news after another was overwhelming. What was most shocking was that later, I don't know where it came from, it was said that his son's company made electric scooters and that the product advertisements had even been placed on CCTV!

It's hard to imagine how a 20-year-old kid could build such a big business while living alone in another city, and even sell the company's electric vehicles back to his hometown!

Tan Lihua returned mainly to tell the leaders that Tan Jincheng had returned, and to inquire about some of the issues that Tan Jincheng had been concerned about last night, so as to see if she could help in any way.

As an intermediary, the leader should know more than you do.

I don’t know when it started, but after word spread at the petrochemical plant that FlashTech was my son’s company, the leaders became much more polite to me, and even taking leave became much easier.

However, it was precisely this politeness that made the usually cautious Tan Lihua even more careful.

In today's case, a simple phone call would have sufficed, but Tan Lihua chose to notify them in advance, visit them in person, and even bring some gifts. Relationships are reciprocal; if you treat me politely, I will reciprocate.

Then in the future, if you have anything embarrassing to say, you won't be able to bring it up, and even if you do, I will be able to refuse.

In his middle age, Tan Lihua has basically given up on his career. He doesn't need to worry about his eldest son, but he also doesn't want to cause him trouble too often. His motivation for the rest of his life is to retire peacefully and raise his daughter with his wife.
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"Tomorrow? Nothing much happens tomorrow, so it should be fine."

"Okay, I'll be there on time. Did you notify Lao Zhang? Oh, he's going too. Then it's fine."

"I haven't gotten out of bed yet; I got home last night."

"Okay, that's settled then. We'll talk again when we get there tomorrow."

The call was from Chen Shuyi, who was asked by the class monitor to see if Tan Jincheng was free to attend the class reunion the day after tomorrow, which is the 27th of the twelfth lunar month. Tan Jincheng thought about it and realized he didn't seem to have anything planned before the new year, so he agreed.

What's more, Zhang Xupeng is also going, but why didn't he tell me he was going to a class reunion?

Looking at the time, it was already past nine o'clock. Tan Jincheng quickly got up, as he still needed to take his uncle and aunt back to their hometown later.

After Tan Jincheng got dressed and came out of the room, he saw his uncle, aunt, and mother sitting in the living room watching TV and chatting.

"Mom, why didn't you call me?" Tan Jincheng asked somewhat embarrassedly.

I promised to take my uncle and aunt home last night, but I slept until 9:30. They're getting home so late this year, they must be worried.

“I was planning to wake you, but your uncle said to let you sleep a little longer. You must be tired after driving for more than 10 hours yesterday. But if you don’t wake up soon, I’ll have to call you,” Zhang Suzhi said, glancing at her son.

"It's okay, I often drive like this when I'm on business trips. Uncle, wait a little longer, I'll wash my face and leave right away." "It won't make a difference, we'll leave after you finish breakfast."

"Well, have some breakfast before you go. You two tell me again, is that girl really that pretty?" Zhang Suzhi hadn't gotten anything out of Tan Jincheng last night, so this morning she continued to ask Zhang Qingliang and his wife about Gu Qingqing.

"Yes, she's tall. I've seen her a few times. She even toasted with Jincheng at the company's annual party. She's beautiful and poised, a really nice girl," Wu Lamei said with a smile.

“Yes, this girl is quite sensible. Jincheng opened several online clothing stores, and I heard that she’s managing them now, which shows she’s very capable,” Zhang Qingliang chimed in.

"Oh? This girl manages those shops? I didn't know that. She's quite capable," Zhang Suzhi said excitedly.

She knows a lot about Taobao stores. She currently owns four Taobao stores, each of which earns at least 20,000 yuan a month. At its peak, the four stores together can earn over 100,000 yuan a month. Sales have increased significantly, especially in recent months.

To be honest, with an income of over 10 yuan a month and so much money in hand, Zhang Suzhi didn't know what to do with it.

I never expected that this girl would be in charge. It seems that she is not only beautiful, but also very capable.

Unconsciously, Zhang Suzhi developed a strong liking for Gu Qingqing, whom she had never met before. She was beautiful, well-educated, and capable. Such a girl would be perfect as a daughter-in-law!
"If you ask me, big sister, you're worrying a bit too early. Jincheng is good-looking and capable, why worry about him not finding a wife? You're really something," Wu Lamei teased while cracking sunflower seeds.

“When your Wenzuo graduates, you’ll be just like me,” Zhang Suzhi said, glancing at her sister-in-law.

“Wenzuo is still a long way off. With his grades, he won’t even get into high school. He’ll only be fifteen or sixteen when he graduates. Why am I in such a hurry?” Wu Lamei said, pursing her lips.

"It's alright. I'll figure out a way to get him to study in Beicang next year, and hire some tutors to help him. Even if he doesn't get into high school, I'll still find a way to get him a high school diploma. Don't worry."

Tan Jincheng came out of the restroom, overheard their conversation, and casually chimed in.

As soon as Zhang Suzhi saw her son finish brushing his teeth and come out, she quickly got up and went to the kitchen to bring out the breakfast she had prepared.

Breakfast was very simple: fried dough sticks, porridge, and some pickled vegetables.

The uncle avoided the tragedy of his previous life, and the little cousin, who did not experience any major changes, is still the same lively, mischievous, and academically challenged child he always was.

If things continue to develop at this pace, the uncle and aunt's concerns are not unfounded. Since they changed the tragedy of their uncle, they should naturally help them resolve this "side effect."

Fortunately, Zhang Wenzuo is only 11 years old. It's still possible to get him to study in Beicang, hire some tutors to give him extra lessons, and do some special training.

Upon hearing this, Wu Lamei happily replied, "Really? That's great! We'll be waiting for you to believe us!"

"Well, don't worry. I have some connections in the district now, so it won't be a problem to get a few kids into school. But you should listen to me, Auntie, and buy a house in Beicang. Then you can transfer Wenzuo's household registration there. That will make things much more convenient."

"If you don't have enough money, I can lend it to you. You can pay me back slowly with your wages."

Zhang Suzhi happened to come out of the kitchen and said, "No need. If your uncle needs money to buy a house, he can take it from me. In addition, there are several other uncles and your uncles. If they need help in the future, we will take care of everything we can."

Zhang Suzhi thought that her son had become successful, and it was impossible to keep it a secret from the relatives forever. At least he changed cars every year when he returned to his hometown, and this year he even drove back two new cars, which were said to be very expensive.

Zhang Suzhi knew the saying, "When you're poor, no one cares even in the bustling city; when you're rich, even distant relatives come calling from the deep mountains." She knew that many relatives would come looking for her son in the future, and it wouldn't be right to ignore them.

I discussed it with Lao Tan last night. Anyway, the income from the Taobao stores is quite good. If relatives come to us in the future, as long as the request is something we can handle and it's not too unreasonable, we'll help our son refuse it to avoid bothering him.

"Oh, then Uncle, you should buy a house when you go there next year. The sooner the better. Houses will definitely appreciate in value in the future, especially in big cities like Ningbo. Trust me, you won't go wrong. Maybe your future salary won't even be as much as the house has appreciated now."

Tan Jincheng understood what his mother meant; she was trying to protect him from trouble. His parents were indeed his best support.

"Houses in Beicang are much more expensive than in Yicheng. Why don't we buy in Yicheng? That way we can buy a bigger one."

“You don’t live in Yicheng, so why buy a house there? Listen to me, you won’t go wrong. If you want to go back to your hometown in the future, you can sell the house in Beicang and buy a house there.”

"Alright then, but we don't know anything about buying a house, so we'll have to trouble you later."

"No trouble at all. Just prepare the money, and I'll take care of the rest. Just prepare a down payment, around 10 should be enough. If you need more, you can borrow some from my mom."

(End of this chapter)