A widower's entertainment

Chapter 331 [A Far-Reaching Plan] (Please Subscribe)
Decheng.

Lin Youcheng bought 12 houses in the Asian Games Village, which is an absolutely astonishing number. Although Lin Youcheng himself did not pay much attention to it, he knew very well that this investment was a sure thing, but it seemed quite unbelievable to outsiders.

Lin Youcai was particularly shocked to hear that Lin Youcheng had bought twelve more houses in Beijing, and that they were located in the Asian Games Village area.

"what happened?"

Seeing Lin Youcai's shocked expression, Fang Mei couldn't help but ask, "Did something happen to Youcheng?"

Lin Youcai shook his head and said, "Youcheng told me that he bought twelve houses in the Asian Games Village area of ​​Beijing."

"How many?"

Fang Mei was stunned, not understanding why Lin Youcheng would spend money to buy so many houses. He had already bought several courtyard houses before, so why did he need to buy more houses now? She said with great confusion, "Youcheng, what is he going to do with so many houses? We can't live in them all."

"The houses in the Asian Games Village must be expensive!"

Clearly, Fang Mei also knew that the name "Asian Games Village" was closely related to the Asian Games, and that houses in such an important place would certainly not be cheap.

"Yeah, even if he has money, he shouldn't spend it like that!"

Lin Youcai knew that Lin Youcheng had made a lot of money from selling the copyrights of his novels, but even if he was rich, he shouldn't spend money like that. What was the point of having so many houses? No one could live in two rooms at the same time. He shook his head and said, "I don't know what he was thinking."

Although Lin Youcai felt that Lin Youcheng didn't really need to buy so many houses, as they were too many to live in, and that one house would be enough, he knew that Lin Youcheng was preparing for the children. However, he still felt that it was unnecessary to buy so many houses, since Lin Youcheng had already bought several courtyard houses before.

"He said if we go to Beijing, we can stay in the Asian Games Village area, and he has a house for me."

Lin Youcai looked at Fang Mei and told her that Lin Youcheng had asked them to go to Beijing, and that there was a house in the Asian Games Village that he could give to them directly.

Fang Mei was stunned. She hadn't expected Lin Youcheng to give them a house so directly. She was very touched. She knew that Lin Youcheng was only doing this because of his older brother, Lin Youcai. Looking at Lin Youcai, she asked, "What are you thinking?"

Lin Youcai hesitated for a moment and said, "The factory's performance is getting worse and worse, and it's about to shut down. Many people are already preparing to go into business, while others are waiting to see if things will improve. I was also thinking of waiting for the factory to improve, but judging from the situation, I'm afraid it will be difficult."

Although Lin Youcai had been working at the steel plant in Decheng, he knew that the employees had secure jobs and lived a stable life. However, judging from the current situation, he was afraid that these jobs would become increasingly unsustainable. The atmosphere in the factory was too good, and there were rumors that some factories outside were going out of business and that employees would be laid off. Naturally, these rumors made the employees feel very uncertain.

Fang Mei was naturally aware of this situation. She had previously thought that things might improve later, but in reality, no one knew whether the factory's situation would improve.

"Then what do you think?"

This matter naturally needs to be decided by Lin Youcai, the person in charge.

Lin Youcai lowered his head, as if he was thinking about something. After a moment of silence, he said, "I didn't really want to go to the capital before. After all, Decheng is an old place and I'm familiar with everything. But if this factory really goes bankrupt, I have to think carefully about my future plans."

“Zhaoping and Zhaoan still need to go to school, and it might be better for them to go to school in the capital.”

Fang Mei was aware of this as well; sending the two children to school in Beijing would undoubtedly provide them with a better education.

Actually, there's another point that Lin Youcai is unwilling to mention: as the eldest brother, he doesn't want to go to the capital to rely on his younger brother for a living. In his view, it's the eldest brother's duty to take care of his younger siblings, but he himself is not a good eldest brother, and going to find his younger brother just doesn't feel right.

Although Lin Youcheng might not care, he still felt somewhat uncomfortable about it.

Fang Mei was naturally aware of Lin Youcai's thoughts. She glanced at Lin Zhaoping and Lin Zhaoan in the next room and said, "If Zhaoping and Zhaoan go to the capital, things will definitely be better for them in the future."

Hearing Fang Mei's words, Lin Youcai naturally understood this as well. Looking at his two children, he knew very well that going to the capital would be a better future for them. After all, it was the capital, and there were many things that Decheng would not have. After a moment of silence, he said, "If the factory really can't go on, let's go to the capital."

Upon hearing Lin Youcai's words, Fang Mei couldn't help but smile and nod.

She did want to go to the capital, not for any other reason than for the future of Lin Zhaoping and Lin Zhaoan.

After all, such an opportunity to go to the capital is quite rare, and Lin Youcheng has even prepared a house for them in the capital, so they don't have to worry about not having a place to live when they go there. She felt that even if she and Lin Youcai were laid off and unemployed, they would definitely find work in the capital and make sure that their two children could live well in the capital with their own hands.

Fang Mei didn't intend to rely on Lin Youcheng for everything in the future; she knew that she had to rely on herself for many things.

"Then we need to think carefully about how we'll make a living once we get to the capital."

"By the way, when you go to the capital, you must make sure to take good care of Youcheng's affairs. We can't just keep putting it off like this."

Upon hearing Fang Mei's words, Lin Youcai seemed to have found another important reason to go to the capital: Lin Youcheng's matter had not yet been resolved. He nodded repeatedly and said, "You're right, his matter really can't be delayed any longer."

Being the eldest brother is like this; you not only have to worry about your own children, but also about your younger siblings.

Lin Youcai, as the eldest brother, was concerned about Lin Youcheng's situation and didn't want Lin Youcheng to continue being single.

...Lin Youcheng didn't know the final outcome of Lin Youcai's factory, but he knew that it was not doing well. This was not just Lin Youcai's factory that was in trouble, but many state-owned enterprises across the country were going to be reformed, which would result in a large number of workers being laid off.

The subsequent reform of state-owned enterprises was a nationwide undertaking of immense significance. The central government didn't just pay lip service; it clearly explained the rationale. Propaganda emphasized that this wasn't about pushing workers to their deaths, but about making the national economy more competitive. Slogans plastered factories, and newspapers were filled with articles proclaiming that the reform was for "national strength" and "better opportunities for the next generation." Clearly, collectivist ideology was still strong at this time; people felt that personal hardship was insignificant as long as the country could stand up. This sense of trust was key to the successful implementation of state-owned enterprise reform.

Furthermore, the government didn't just talk the talk; knowing the large number of laid-off workers and the immense social pressure, they made considerable preparations in advance. More than 3,000 re-employment service centers were established nationwide, providing training and job-seeking services for laid-off workers. These centers offered specialized training courses in areas like welding, electrical work, and repair, with hands-on instruction. After completing the courses, laid-off workers could receive a certificate, providing them with a foothold in the job market. There were also living allowances and severance pay, which, although not large sums, at least ensured that workers wouldn't starve. This tangible support made workers feel that the government hadn't abandoned them, giving them some peace of mind.

At the same time, these reforms are not implemented all at once, but rather gradually. For example, layoffs were carried out in several waves, without immediately firing everyone. When the factory was restructured, new equipment was brought in first, and workers were trained to use it, gradually phasing out older positions. This slower pace allowed for a buffer period, preventing chaos.

In reality, the whole process was far from smooth. There were many issues involved, but protests couldn't stop it. The wave of layoffs truly swept in like a tide of the times, and no one could escape its influence. This wave was filled with blood and tears. Among the laid-off workers, some were simply unlucky, especially the older ones, around fifty years old. Being older and lacking skills, their lives after being laid off were predictably difficult.

Although it's said that there wasn't much opposition to the reform of state-owned enterprises back then, in reality, most of the opposition was ineffective. After all, a speck of dust from the times can become a mountain on a person, and this is no exaggeration.

Although he didn't know how his older brother's factory would fare under the wave of state-owned enterprise reforms, Lin Youcheng believed that since it was not doing well now, it probably wouldn't improve much later, and he might even face layoffs.

Therefore, Lin Youcheng would naturally suggest that Lin Youcai's family come to Beijing to work and live. In Lin Youcheng's view, even if Lin Youcai had difficulty finding a job, they could simply buy a storefront and do some business in Beijing. As for storefronts in shopping malls, Lin Youcheng also planned to buy a few, which could be considered another form of investment.

Lin Youcheng didn't feel anything was wrong when an apartment in the Asian Games Village was given to Lin Youcai. He knew very well how much his older brother Lin Youcai had taken care of him before.

Lin Youcheng still remembers when he first arrived at Chunfeng Lane in Decheng, facing a huge mess and the newborn Lin Zhaole. At that time, his older brother Lin Youcai gave him fifty-six yuan and helped his family more than once.

Lin Youcheng was well aware of all this; in his mind, giving Lin Youcai a house was nothing.

After all, he, as the younger brother, is now quite well-off.

"Dad, will Uncle and the others come to the capital?"

Lin Zhaole ran up to Lin Youcheng and, knowing that Lin Youcheng had called his uncle's family in Decheng to invite them to Beijing, asked with a smile and great curiosity, "Will Brother Zhaoping and Brother Zhaoan come?"

When Lin Zhaole asked this question, Lin Youcheng couldn't help but say, "I don't know yet, but I think your uncle will come."

In Lin Youcheng's view, if the factory in Decheng doesn't work out, his older brother will definitely come to Beijing again, since it would be better for the children in Beijing, a point his older brother is well aware of.

Parents plan far ahead for their children, and this is not only true for him as a father preparing an inheritance for his children, but also for his elder brother who considers the future of his two children, Lin Zhaoping and Lin Zhaoan.

Lin Zhaole looked at Lin Youcheng, nodded, and then asked, "Dad, when are you going to marry Teacher Xie?"

When will I marry Teacher Xie?

Lin Youcheng was taken aback, not expecting Lin Zhaole to ask him this question. He was quite surprised and asked, "Why are you asking this question?"

"Because you married Teacher Xie, I now have a mother."

Lin Youcheng understood Lin Zhaole's words. His eyes flashed, and he felt a pang of emotion. He patted Lin Zhaole's head and said, "You already have a mother. Your mother loves you very much."

Although it happened many years ago, Lin Youcheng knew very well that the mother of the child who left also loved these children. Of course, there was nothing that could be done. From birth, Lin Zhaole had no mother. In this respect, he was probably more concerned about the identity of his mother than Lin Zhaoxi and Lin Zhaoqing.

This was something he couldn't change. It wasn't just Lin Zhaole; ​​even two-year-old Lin Zhaohuan was the same, as were four- and six-year-old Lin Zhaoman and Lin Zhaomei.

Upon hearing Lin Youcheng's words, Lin Zhaole lowered his head and whispered, "I want to have a mother. I've always wanted one."

Hearing Lin Zhaole's words, Lin Youcheng didn't know what to say. Looking at the child in front of him, he realized that the child was already seven years old. When the child was born, he was still an infant. At that time, he was worried that he would not be able to raise the baby. But he really raised the baby little by little until now. No matter how well he did as a father, there were some things that could not be made up for.

Of course, Lin Youcheng was also very relieved that these children were all sensible. He patted Lin Zhaole's head, not knowing what to say for a moment, and said, "I know."

Lin Youcheng looked at Lin Zhaole in front of him, thinking about the question Lin Zhaole had asked. He didn't know what Lin Zhaoxi and the others were thinking, but he had told the children before that no matter what happened, including if he remarried, it would not change their relationship.

"If I were to remarry, it wouldn't be to find you a stepmother, but because I'm looking for my lover."

"Of course, she will also have another identity, which is your mother, or what you think of as your stepmother."

"No matter what time it is, I will always be your father, and that will never change."

……

Lin Youcheng thought about what he had said to the children before, and then he thought about the question Lin Zhaole had asked. Whether it was the person he loved or his stepmother, it was all related to him.

Now, Lin Youcheng feels that this old widower not only needs to plan far ahead for his children, but also for himself.

(End of this chapter)