The Birth of Shanghai's First Conglomerate

The Bund in Shanghai, Nanjing Street.

The bustling streets are filled with people coming and going, a vibrant street brimming with Republican-era architectural styles.

The air was filled with the scent of perfume; the sophistication of Shanghai is no joke.

People who are even slightly particular like to wear perfume when they go out.

Some perfumes are pungent, while others have a light and refreshing scent, all blending together on this elegant Nanjing street.

Chen An'an stood with her hands on her hips, while Chen Xinyi, wearing tiny overalls, held a bowl in her hand.

Then, a huge pair of black sunglasses covered her small face.

He was holding a small stick in his hand; he was fully equipped.

Just when I was thinking of finding a place to settle down, start my own business, and become my own boss, the city management officers arrived.

What are you doing?
This is a place where you can beg! Don't you know it's affecting the appearance of the city?

The emperor passed away before the end of his career was even halfway through.

Chen An'an was furious and immediately found another slightly secluded corner.

She thought the urban management officers couldn't find her, but then a female urban management officer in a smart uniform came.

"Little girl, this is not a place to beg."

Chen An'an was indignant. It hadn't been long at all; she had just squatted down when the city management officers arrived.

Is it really that fast?

"Big sister, just tell me where this is supposed to be placed, draw a line!"

"It can't be placed anywhere."

The female urban management officer remained expressionless. She was not a temporary worker, but a genuine graduate of a top-tier university (211).

This hard-won position as a city management officer was earned through overcoming numerous obstacles.

Chen An'an carried the bowl to her front door, and this time no one bothered her.

Her family owns quite a few shops on Nanjing Street, including Bobo Milk Tea, Deer Horn Coffee, Tenghui Department Store, and Shuiyunjian.

They all have businesses here.

She's currently positioned right in front of Teng Hui Department Store.

The little girl spreads out a small cloth and sets out a small bowl; she is the little boss.

It's a pity that if you dress too elegantly, you won't earn a single penny after ten minutes.

Chen An'an stroked her chin, a sudden inspiration striking her.

Before long, her three essential tools for starting a business arrived.

She played a small erhu, Xiao Zi played a suona, and Xiao Mi performed breaking a large stone on her chest.

Ever since these two got involved with Chen An'an, their grades have steadily declined.

His hobbies and interests are becoming increasingly unbalanced.

She's a socialite by birth, yet she's developed a fondness for all sorts of odds and ends.

The three of them working together was absolutely astounding; anyone who didn't know better would think they were sending someone off to their funeral.

However, it did have an effect; some small, scattered banknotes did indeed appear in the bowl.

The female urban management officer is here to enforce the law again, and this time she's not holding back by notifying the parents.

result…

They were all rich people.

How can these rich kids be so mischievous?

She couldn't understand it, she really couldn't understand it. She just went back to her patrol duties obediently.

Back home, Chen An'an sighed, lamenting how difficult it was to be a beggar these days.

It's far less convenient than begging online.

Chen Pingsheng glared at her helplessly, "Chen An'an, it's one thing that you liked to beg with a golden bowl when you were little, but you also want to teach this family technique to your sister. Can't you learn to be a proper older sister!"

"Dad, I just wanted her to experience the difficulty of making money."

"Forget it. After your brother is born, your dad might find a village in the city to raise him. You absolutely must not reveal the truth to your brother."

Chen An'an's eyes lit up. "Dad, is it really necessary for you to keep the truth about our family being rich from your brother?"

"necessary."

Chen Pingsheng said, "This is also your mother's idea. She doesn't want the mistress to grow up to be a rich second-generation who doesn't know what's good for him. Your sister is now completely out of touch with ordinary people. You're the only one who's better off, at least you've lived in a rented apartment for a few years. Your sister was born into a big villa. Only she would believe your nonsense and spend a million to buy the lollipop you ate halfway through."

Chen An'an scratched her head, suddenly feeling a little embarrassed.

"Dad, my little sister is only three years old. She'll be able to learn these things quickly once she's a bit older."

"Different."

Chen Pingsheng shook his head. "Of China's 1.3 billion people, the most people who can come up with 100 million in cash are less than 15,000, while those with a monthly income of less than 5,000 account for 90% of the total population."

"A monthly income of over 10,000 yuan is already considered a high salary, and it only accounts for less than 6%. Our family's businesses, whether it's the current Boiling Sheep, Bobo Milk Tea, or Tenghui Department Store, all follow the extreme cost-effectiveness model."

"In other words, you're doing business with ordinary people. Your mother is afraid that when San'er grows up, he will become detached from ordinary people. In that case, no matter how much business theory he learns or how many books he reads, it will be meaningless because he has no idea how tired ordinary people can be just to make a living."

"You should also be wary of becoming detached from the general public."

"Dad, I understand."

Chen An'an said seriously, "When I go to high school, can I go to a regular one? I don't want to go to an international school anymore."

"But you need to have good grades first."

Chen Pingsheng said, "Your sister is very smart. Her IQ is higher than both yours and mine. She can go to a regular school, but you can't because your grades can't keep up."

"Your mom probably hopes you'll go to Harvard when you grow up, but I prefer you go to a more ordinary university, at least not one of those rich kids' schools. As for junior and senior high school, you can only go to the best schools, because these schools usually don't focus on grades. You can fully express yourself there, and no one will dare to criticize your grades."

"Dad, have I caused you a lot of trouble?"

"No."

Chen Pingsheng sat on the large sofa in the living room, as if recalling, "You used to be very sensible. When your parents didn't have money, you could always take care of yourself in the rented room without crying or making a fuss. Then you would open the door for us happily when it got dark, and call out 'Dad' with a joyful expression."

"Back then, all I ever wanted was to give you and your daughter a happy life. I left early and came home late every day, and all the hard work would disappear when I saw you waiting for me at the door every day."

"Dad, so many years have passed, do you still remember?"

"Of course I remember."

Chen Pingsheng said, "It seems like many years ago to you, but it feels like it happened just yesterday to your parents. I'm afraid we're not ready yet, and you've all grown up together."

Being a parent is always challenging, but watching your child grow up day by day is wonderful.

It will bring endless fun.

Time flies so fast that when you turn around, you realize that so many years have passed since your carefree adolescence.

"Dad, don't say that. My sister is only three years old and my brother hasn't even been born yet. How could you possibly be old?"

"Everyone gets old, just like those old people you see on the street. They all grew up to be your age. Take your sister shopping, stop with all that fancy stuff."

Chen Pingsheng chased her away.

So as not to chatter on and on like a little chatterbox.

(End of this chapter)