nycdaug Chapter 480 Money is the foundation!
Chapter 480 Money is the foundation!
Qian Zhimin took a big gulp of wine, his face etched with lingering regret.
"Sometimes I think, if I had seized the opportunity back then and gone to university, or even just a vocational school or junior college, I wouldn't be in this mess now..."
Look at Zheng Tong, Jiang Biyun, Li Ping, and Wang Hong. After graduation, the government guaranteed them job placements—respectable jobs, stable lives. It's impossible not to envy them. Opportunities were right in front of us, but we didn't seize them. Sigh… I really regret it!”
These words struck a nerve with everyone present, and they fell silent for a moment, filled with bitterness and helplessness. Back when they were sent to the countryside in northern Shaanxi, all they wanted to do was find a job. Plus, the college entrance exam had been suspended for several years, so they never thought of picking up a book again. It can only be said that they were short-sighted and only focused on the small benefits in front of them.
Zhong Yuemin reached out and patted Qian Zhimin on the shoulder, his gaze sweeping over the others.
"Don't dwell on the past anymore; there's no use in regretting it."
His voice was steady, carrying the wisdom of someone who had been through it all.
"Life is never smooth sailing; nine times out of ten, things don't go as planned. Isn't it just like a heartbeat? If you want it to be smooth sailing all the way without any waves, then it would stop beating, and you'd be dead. Ups and downs, joys and sorrows, you experience them all. That's what living is all about; that's what life is really like."
Instead of wasting time being frustrated and complaining, we should think more about how to change our current situation.
Zhao Dayong sighed heavily, put down his wine glass, and his voice was somewhat somber.
"Yuemin, everyone here today is an old friend and brother of more than ten years. There are no outsiders, so I have nothing to hide."
A person only has a few chances in their lifetime to defy fate. Reincarnation counts as one chance. If you are born into a good family, that's considered good fortune.
For people like us, who don't have that kind of luck, the most important thing left is to study, get into university. For ordinary people like us, that's like a carp leaping over the dragon gate, jumping out of this lowest circle. But if you miss that chance, you miss it forever.
He wiped his face and continued:
"We're all approaching forty, and we're not just individuals anymore; we're carrying the weight of our entire families on our shoulders. Don't laugh at me, but every day when I open my eyes, my mind races to calculate how many trips I need to make to meet my quota. The money for the kids' exercise books needs to be paid, and my mother's medicine is almost finished."
Next month's food, drink, utilities, and other expenses... I have to budget every single penny, I wish I could stretch every penny in half..."
“There are even more frustrating things to come,”
Zhao Dayong's voice was filled with suppressed humiliation.
“When I was driving a tricycle to haul goods, I'd run into some hot-tempered, unreasonable customers who'd point their fingers at me and yell, ‘You stinking tricycle driver, what are you so arrogant about?’ and throw money in my face… If it were when we were young, we wouldn’t have said a word; we’d have punched them and beaten them up!”
"Now? Heh,"
Smiling bitterly,
"Bend down, pick up the money, and have to smile and act like a grandson. Work from morning till midnight, so tired that you're exhausted. You earn that little bit of money, then lie down and sleep. You don't even have the energy or time to cry or complain."
That's how my life will be for the rest of my days. I'll be stuck in this cycle, unable to escape. Dude, I've accepted my fate. I'm not going to try anymore. There's no point in jumping around; I can't break free.
These words were like a heavy stone, hitting everyone's heart. They felt it deeply, and every word pierced their hearts. Weren't they the same?
"Dayong, Caogang, Zhimin, Guangzhi... brothers."
Zhong Yuemin spoke again, his voice not loud, but clearly reaching everyone's ears.
"I've gathered everyone together today for two reasons. First, it's been a long time since we old brothers have gotten together, so we can catch up. Second, well..."
He paused, looking at them sincerely.
"As you all know, I used to run my own business outside, and it's been doing alright these past few years. If you're willing, you can all come and work in my factory. I can't promise you much, but a monthly salary of around a hundred yuan is definitely achievable."
Like Cao Gang's wife, and Dayong and Guangzhi's families, it's the same. As long as they're willing to work, they can come. That way, the two of them together can earn about two hundred yuan a month. I think that will make life much better."
"This……"
Everyone was stunned for a moment, then looked at each other, their eyes showing both disbelief and surprise, as well as hesitation for fear of causing trouble for Zhong Yuemin.
It would be a lie to say I didn't want to go.
Qian Zhimin steadied himself and said:
“Yuemin, we appreciate your kindness, but there are so many of us with families to support. It's not easy for you to run a business like this. You helped us out a lot back in northern Shaanxi, we even ate and drank off you… We were just venting, we really can't… we can't try to blackmail you like this, saying this and that…”
The others nodded in agreement. While they were touched, they didn't want to put Zhong Yuemin in a difficult position; after all, nobody's money comes from thin air.
"Don't feel burdened."
Zhong Yuemin waved his hand, his tone indifferent.
“I’m not trying to impress people by pretending to be rich. I don’t take on jobs I’m not qualified for. If I were really broke, I wouldn’t have asked for this. My business has been doing pretty well over the years. You’ve all heard of ‘Yuelong’ clothing and ‘Jianlibao’ beverage, right? Those are all my businesses.”
"Jianlibao?!"
Zhao Dayong's eyes widened, and he almost stood up from his chair. "Yuemin, Jianlibao... is your company?!"
He delivered this drink to many state-owned and private restaurants by tricycle, so he knew how sought-after and popular it was.
Seeing the complex expressions of shock, astonishment, and disbelief on everyone's faces, Zhong Yuemin didn't offer any further explanation, simply saying...
"After dinner, I'll drive you to Jianlibao's newly built factory in Beijing for a tour. You can familiarize yourselves with the route beforehand, so you'll know how to get there when you start working in a few days."
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By the afternoon, when Cao Gang, Qian Zhimin, Zhao Dayong, and the others returned to their cramped and dilapidated homes, their spirits were completely different from when they left in the morning.
Their backs seemed straighter, and the worry and humility between their brows were gone. Having a stable, high-income job and carrying real money in their pockets gave them a sense of security that was more uplifting than anything else.
It's like he's become a different person!
Cao Gang carried several canned drinks into the courtyard, humming a tune and wearing an undisguised smile.
"Cao Gang, did you find some money today? Why are you so happy?" A neighbor, who was squatting by the door picking vegetables, teased him.
"What good thing are you carrying in your hand?"
Cao Gang stopped, waved the drink in his hand, and his voice was louder than usual.
"Uncle Liu, I didn't find the money, but I found a job at the Jianlibao factory. I just got a few cans of drinks from the factory for the kids to try!"