Chapter 208: Chapter 201: Doing Business
Chen’s father doesn’t know what he did wrong. How did he get laid off so suddenly? There were others who didn’t perform as well as he did, yet, for some reason, he was the only one let go.
If Tang Yuxin knew his thoughts, she could perhaps tell him exactly why. He was great at his job, but his social skills fell short in comparison to others. So, it was no surprise he was laid off.
Chen’s father wasn’t the sort of person who could sit idle. Not long after, he visited Tang Zhinian’s home.
“You’re going to start a business in the south?”
When Tang Zhinian heard Chen’s father’s plan, he was shocked, “Are you really going?”
“Yes,” Chen’s father gave a bitter smile, “I’ve been laid off. It’s not like I can just sit here and be supported by Qin Xue, and Lidong is going to high school soon. College costs money, and so does marriage. Once I have grandkids, don’t they need pocket money?”
Tang Yuxin sat on the side, feeling herself disorderly tossed about by the wind once more.
Chen Lidong was still a child. He hadn’t even grown up himself and Chen’s father was already thinking about grandchildren.
Oh well, a thought flashed across Tang Yuxin’s eyes. At this point, going into business required courage and timing. These pioneers would eventually become the first batch of tycoons in the country.
Hence, Tang Yuxin supported Chen’s father in starting a business. In the late ’80s, it seemed like there was gold everywhere. There’s truth to the saying that the courageous prosper, while the timid starve.
True to his word, Tang Zhinian sought Chen’s father the next day to discuss their plans. The two of them decided on the timings and planned for the journey ahead.
“This is for treating colds, this is for diarrhea, and this is for fever,” Tang Yuxin made the medicines into little pills, labeled and packed them separately into small tins. The weight was negligible. She then wrapped them in paper and put them in a small bottle in case of emergencies.
“If you’re not sure, dad, ask Uncle Chen. He’s literate,” Tang Yuxin placed the bottles into Tang Zhinian’s bag while advising him to keep his cash separately. She seemed just like a little housekeeper, having anticipated every possible scenario. She was afraid her simple-minded, first-time traveling father might be taken advantage of.
Tang Zhinian couldn’t help but smile bitterly. This wasn’t his first time leaving home. He already knew all these. Besides, despite his lack of education, he was familiar with the words “cold,” “fever,” and “stomachache.” They were taught to him by his daughter Yuxin and Sisi when they were younger. Although he had only attended school briefly, he had still learned a number of words from his daughter and Sisi over these years. If his heart had been in it, he might have learned even more with his advancing age.
On the day of departure, Tang Zhinian got up early. His train was scheduled at six in the morning. Just as he was about to leave, Tang Yuxin ran out from the kitchen carrying a bag in her hand.
“Dad, I packed you some food for the journey.”
Tang Yuxin placed the food in front of Tang Zhinian. He opened the bag and found freshly baked pancakes, still warm. These pancakes were topped with condiments and oil so they would remain soft even after a period of time. A small tin contained stir-fried ground meat with chili that could be eaten with the pancakes, as well as dozens of hard-boiled eggs.
All these would certainly suffice for his two-day train journey.
Tang Zhinian’s nose tingled oddly, “My daughter has grown up.” He blinked back his tears. His little girl was grown-up now. She used to be the small child that needed his constant attention. In the blink of an eye, she had grown this big, and she was so thoughtful and obedient.
“No matter how big I get, I’ll always be dad’s little girl,” Tang Yuxin hugged Tang Zhinian’s arm, “As long as dad’s here, I’ll always be your child.”
Yes, as long as her father was around, she would always have someone to depend on when she was bullied, she would have someone who would cry for her. She decided she would never let her father shed tears for her again in the future.