2003: Starting with Foreign Trade

Chapter 59 Returning Home
In 2005, although Beicang District had already begun planning for development, it was still relatively dilapidated in Tan Jincheng's eyes.

The urban area is full of wasteland. Taking Xingan Street as an example, the population is mainly concentrated in the area around Changjiang Road, Mingzhou Road and Songshan Road.

Another is the Tianrunfa supermarket commercial area, which has been open for two years.

To be honest, there weren't many good restaurants in Beicang at that time. Perhaps it was because of the booming foreign trade that there were Western restaurants of all sizes everywhere on the streets. Whether they were authentic or not, I don't know, but they were definitely expensive.

Besides some local seafood restaurants, the two sisters just don't like seafood, so finding a Chinese restaurant that suits everyone's taste is really not easy.

This restaurant is most famous for its lamb, which is freshly slaughtered daily and supplied in limited quantities. Even though there are fewer customers near the Chinese New Year, reservations are still required.

Tan Jincheng opened the trunk and took out a box of cakes. Zhang Xupeng's eyes flickered, as if he had guessed something.

"Boss, why are you bringing cake with you to dinner?" Li Jinglan asked.

Tan Jincheng smiled and said, "Today is your boss Zhang's birthday, so let's celebrate for him."

Last year, the two celebrated their 19th birthdays together on a boat. In his previous life, Zhang Xupeng would have been celebrating his 20th birthday with his family at this time, but things have changed in this life.

"How about that? Aren't you touched? This is the first time in my life I've ever bought a cake for someone," Tan Jincheng winked at Zhang Xupeng.

"Get lost, what's a grown man like you doing celebrating his birthday?"

Zhang Xupeng grimaced, but his face was full of smiles. His good brother remembered his birthday. He had wanted to mention it a few days ago, but he was a little embarrassed.

"Let's go. There's no longevity noodles made by Mom. I'll make you a bowl of mutton noodles later, that'll have to do."

Actually, Tan Jincheng didn't have much experience celebrating his own birthday. In his previous life, when he was at home, his mother would cook a bowl of noodles, add two eggs, and give him some pocket money, and that would be it.

Once I entered the workforce and became busy with work, I paid even less attention to these things. The first time I ate a cake that belonged to me in my previous life was when I was dating my ex-wife, and she prepared it for me.

Since we had made a reservation in advance, the food was served very quickly, and the dishes were plentiful and luxurious!
Li Jinglan, her mouth greasy with food, exclaimed that she was lucky to have such a good meal because it was Boss Zhang's birthday celebration; otherwise, she wouldn't have been able to eat such delicious food.

"Come on, let's wish our boss Zhang a happy birthday, and also wish Sister Li and Jinglan a happy new year in advance," Tan Jincheng said, raising his glass.

"Happy birthday, Mr. Zhang, and happy new year to both of you."

"Wishing Mr. Zhang many happy returns of the day; and wishing both of you great fortune."

"I wish our company great success next year, and that we can all make money together."

There was no wine in the glasses, and only four people, but the atmosphere was very lively.

After months of busy work, they finally relaxed and enjoyed a hearty lunch, which left the four of them feeling quite full.

After the meal, Zhang Xupeng offered to pay the bill, saying that he would treat everyone. Tan Jincheng didn't stop him, saying, "Go ahead and pay. It only costs a few hundred yuan, which Zhang Xupeng can afford."

"Boss, you're not even 20 yet? You seem older than all of us." While Zhang Xupeng was paying the bill, Li Jinglan asked Tan Jincheng curiously.

She knew beforehand that the two bosses were young, a little younger than her sister, but she didn't expect them to be this young, especially Boss Tan, who was still several months away from turning 20.

"When doing business, you have to act mature. You get used to it after a while."

"That's right, it seems that doing business is not easy. Boss Tan has to deal with a group of people older than himself every day." "It is quite difficult. Some of them say very rude things, and you can't get angry. Money is not so easy to earn."

Li Yanning listened quietly to her sister's conversation with Boss Tan. Boss Tan's tone was like he was teasing a child, but her sister didn't realize it.

Like her younger sister, Li Yanning felt that Boss Tan was very mature. If you didn't look at his face or know his age, you would even think that Boss Tan was much older than you.

Boss Tan can arrange company decisions and even small matters in an orderly manner. As an employee, you only need to follow instructions, which makes you feel particularly at ease.

After spending more than three months together, Li Yanning had come to trust Tan Jincheng completely. With such a capable boss, she had no worries about the company's success.

In just over three months, including the year-end bonus, I've earned more than 2 yuan. At this rate, I'll be able to save 10 yuan by the end of next year!
At this moment, Zhang Xupeng returned after paying the bill.

"Let's go, you've eaten and rested enough. I'll take you back to your accommodation. Also, please be careful on your way home."

There are trains from Ningbo to their hometown. I don't know when these two sisters managed to buy tickets; they're quite resourceful.

Every time Tan Jincheng passed by a train ticket agency, he saw long queues.

In 2005, there was no high-speed rail, nor was there a 12306 website; airplanes were expensive.

Every Spring Festival travel rush, long queues stretch for miles at train ticket agencies, much like certain scenes during certain periods of the past three years.

The two sisters rented a bungalow in an urban village and lived with the landlord. The environment was a little better than that of a typical rental house, but the surrounding area was a mixed bag.

“Your income is higher now than before, so you should consider moving to a new house next year. This area doesn’t seem very safe,” Tan Jincheng advised.

Tan Jincheng has met a lot of people in the past six months and is relatively well-informed. He has heard them talk about how this group helps that group, and fights break out all the time. He feels that social order is far from peaceful on the surface.

"We'll talk about it next year," Li Jinglan said nonchalantly.

This house is cheap, only 600 yuan, and the rent is only 300 yuan per person per month. It also has a private bathroom and a place to cook. Where else can you find such a convenient and cheap place?

"There are also gift packages in the trunk for you two to take home for the New Year, two boxes each, please take them."

"Oh? There's this too? Thank you, boss."

It's all just some dry goods, like a nut gift pack or something similar. It's not worth much money, but it's the thought that counts.

Actually, there were quite a few rice, flour, oil and other supplies from suppliers, but considering that the two of them were going home for the Chinese New Year, Tan Jincheng didn't bring them over.

During holidays and festivals, it's customary to give gifts, and Jinpeng Trading has given out quite a few. Previously, Tan Jincheng even specially ordered a batch of calendars to give to suppliers and customers.

After the two sisters unloaded their things, Tan Jincheng smiled and said to Zhang Xupeng, "Let's go, birthday boy; let's go back and pack up too."

"Let's go, let's go! I've been so eager to get home, finally I can go home, haha!" Zhang Xupeng laughed heartily.

Tan Jincheng remained silent, feeling a little sentimental; after many years, he was returning home for the Spring Festival once again.

The idea that one should not travel far while one's parents are alive is merely wishful thinking.

(End of this chapter)