1994: From a young man from a small town to a second-generation resident of Shanghai

"The Li family in Hong Kong offered 6000 million to buy the batch of unfinished buildings I have."

"What? 60 million!" Chen Fang exclaimed in surprise. "You sold that unfinished building for 60 million?"

"You think I'm lying to you!" Chen Yong muttered. "If you don't even believe me, it means you don't know me at all."

Bai Susu was also somewhat surprised, but much more composed than Chen Fang. "Sixty million is a considerable sum of money. Now that you've earned so much, how do you plan to spend it?"

"Aunt Bai, you deserve some credit for this too. I'd like to buy you a big house."

"You actually have a conscience," Chen Fang said from the side.

Bai Susu refused, shaking her head and saying, "My three-bedroom apartment is enough. There's no need to live in an even bigger house. You're so young and you've already earned so much money, you mustn't get too cocky."

She didn't care how much money Chen Yong made; she was just worried that he would lose his way because of it.

Of course, making 60 million from those unfinished buildings was beyond her expectations.

It seems that the market economy is constantly challenging our old perceptions.

Money seems to be just a string of numbers.

"Don't worry, Aunt Bai. I plan to use this money to invest in things that are beneficial to our country and to support industrial development."

"Speaking of industrial development, you can pay attention to the electronics industry. It may be a major trend in the future, with many opportunities. Recently, the government's investment promotion efforts have attracted many Japanese companies to invest and build factories to produce circuit boards and semiconductors."

What Bai Susu told him was all hidden treasure, waiting for Chen Yong to discover it.

"You have so much money now, you're richer than your aunt. Your aunt will have to rely on you to support her from now on."

Chen Yong generously patted his chest and said, "No problem, I'll support my aunt when I have the money. I'll pay for her expenses when she goes abroad."

Bai Susu then brought up Chen Yong's parents, saying, "Now that you've made so much money, you can bring your parents from Yunnan Province to live in Shanghai. The conditions here should be much better than in Yunnan. I can even help your parents find jobs here."

After hearing Bai Susu's words, Chen Yong was indeed somewhat tempted.

Yunnan Province is really incomparable to Shanghai.

If he goes back, he will suffer a lot.

Chen Yong didn't even go home for the Chinese New Year.

"I'll ask them later."

Chen Fang fell silent at this moment. She knew that her older brother had also mentioned this matter to Chen Dagang and Wang Juan.

Chen Dagang responded that he would consider Shanghai after Chen Yong graduated from university.

I can teach one more class of high school students.

After finishing her meal, Bai Susu left first.

Back home, her husband, Jiang Xuetao, asked Chen Yong, "How was dinner today? Did you tell him you'd like to come over as a guest?"

"I told him he's going abroad soon and will come back later."

Jiang Xuetao put down his newspaper, a smile on his face. "Chen Yong is truly worthy of being your son. Coming from a small county, he managed to stand out from so many outstanding children and even successfully secured a spot for a study abroad program. With this experience, he will definitely be able to reach the top in any industry in the future."

"Keep praising him. As long as Chen Yong is happy in the future, that's all that matters. Why have so many expectations? How far he goes depends on his abilities."

Jiang Xuetao said, "Ability alone isn't enough. If no one protects him, he's just a fatter pig."

This statement is chilling, but it also reveals a cruel truth.

"He's not without connections in Shanghai; no one can bully him. Chen Yong never intentionally stirs up trouble."

During the conversation, Jiang Xuetao learned that Chen Yong had earned 6000 million yuan and exclaimed in surprise, "The gift you gave me is really expensive!"

"That's his skill. Even if Chen Yong didn't do it, someone else would. Anyway, the money is all made in China, so it doesn't matter who makes the money."

Jiang Xuetao thought it was normal. Who doesn't prioritize the people around them? As long as you stand firm on your position when it comes to matters of principle.

If everyone does their job well and helps to expand the pie, everyone will benefit.

…………

That evening, Chen Yong called his parents back home.

"Mom and Dad, I'll be going abroad for a three-month academic visit for the next few months."

"Are you going abroad for a three-month academic exchange?"

The couple were overjoyed to hear that their son was going abroad.

Their child is so impressive; he actually got a spot to study abroad from a top university like Fudan University.

"Is it just a three-month trip? You'll be back, right?"

Wang Juan asked worriedly, fearing that once her son went abroad, he would never come back.

Chen Dagang chimed in, "Didn't you understand? He's only been gone for three months, why isn't he coming back? Is the moon really brighter abroad than in China?"

"So, going abroad must cost money, right? How much will it cost?"

The first thing Chen Dagang thought of was that since his son had this opportunity, they must support him and give him whatever it takes.

"You don't need to pay for it; our expenses are all reimbursed by the government."

"The government reimbursement probably won't cover everything, right? You'll have to figure out how to eat and stay on your own, won't you?"

"Don't worry about that. I do part-time work in Shanghai and I can still save some pocket money."

Chen Yong managed to calm his parents down for the time being, and they had a pleasant chat that evening.

The happiest moment in Chen Dagang's life was hearing that his son could go abroad.

I'm even happier than if I had gotten into university.

Towards the end of their conversation, Wang Juan suddenly brought up Ye Huiling.

"You two study in the same city, do you keep in touch often?"

"I was too busy with school and never had time. She never came to see me either, so we probably just drifted apart."

"Is your school far away?"

"Our schools are right across from each other, quite close, but now that we're in college, everyone has their own things to do, so we naturally contact each other less."

Chen Dagang suddenly announced that he had been promoted and was now the school's vice principal.

In just six months, he went from being an ordinary teacher to the vice principal.

It would be absolutely impossible without someone's support.

It's obvious that Ye Huiling's father helped her.

The county magistrate is like a local tyrant; getting Chen Dagang a vice-principal position is a piece of cake for him.

"Dad, you're not going to sell your son to get an official position, are you?"

"What are you talking about!" Chen Dagang laughed and scolded. "My son is so capable, how could a father bear to sell him? He was promoted by others on his own initiative. I didn't do anything, not even give him a gift."

Did you have a boyfriend/girlfriend in college?

Chen Yong said with a smile, "I'm so popular in college. So many girls like me that I could change them every day without any problem."

Wang Juan immediately said, "Son, don't be too fickle! You should find a lady from a respectable family. I don't expect her to help you in your career, but at least she can provide for you in the family."

"Mom, you're right. I'll keep an eye out for girls like that."

Chen Dagang suddenly said, "Actually, Xiao Ye is quite a nice girl. Her father is the county magistrate of our county, which is neither too high nor too low for you. She's also pretty, well-educated, and we know each other."

In Chen Dagang's view, Ye Huiling was the most suitable match for his son. Those from too good a family were out of his reach, while those from too bad a family would only hold Chen Yong back.

"And you still say you're not selling yourself? I haven't had any contact with Ye Huiling anymore, how can we even date?"

"Why don't you go see her when you have time? The school is so close. If that's not possible, she can come to see you on her own."

It's unlikely that Ye Huiling would come to see him on her own initiative.

Ye Huiling is beautiful; she'll definitely have no shortage of suitors in college.

They may have already talked to one or two.

Chen Yong didn't bother to find out what was going on with the other person.

Why would he choose to date someone from so many outstanding and beautiful girls around him, instead of dating someone from so far away next door?

Losing the watermelon to pick up a sesame seed!