Journey 1995:Non-Stop

Chapter 279 Vision
This year, Yan Hui wore her ethnic robe again for the Spring Festival.

Compared to last time, he was no longer excited; he became as calm as his grandfather.

"I really feel you've grown up since you came back this year." The father looked at Yan Hui, gently pulled him closer, and looked him over carefully. "You're much better than your father is now!"

"Dad, how could that be? I'm still young." Yan Hui shook his head.

"Let me calculate. Since you went out to work until now, there's..."

“It’s been seven years,” Yan Hui replied.

"It's been seven years," the father paused for a moment, "You've suffered so much."

“Dad, I know you’re tired and suffering. I told Grandma we were thinking of buying an apartment in Jinan, but she said there’s no rush. How about you and Mom come with me to Jinan sometime?” Yan Hui asked.

People from southern Fujian have a strong sense of family, so it's quite normal for them to live together.

“The two of us? Let’s wait a bit longer. There’s nothing we can do to help you right now. Do you remember what I said to you during the Spring Festival in 97?” the father asked.

“I remember. But from now on, when you come, it's to enjoy the good life with me, or rather, when I have a factory, you can come and keep an eye on things for me, so that no one steals our things,” Yan Hui explained.

“Alright, once you open a big factory, your mother and I will come over.” The father nodded.

In 97, Yan Hui returned home with over 20 yuan in cash, hoping his parents would come with him to Jianye. At that time, his father felt they would only cause trouble and refused. Now, four years later, Yan Hui feels it's time. Once he opens the factory, he'll bring his parents there, and his grandmother will definitely come with him too.

Grandma is 12 years younger than Grandpa. She is 75 years old this year and is still in good health. Once Qinglan graduates from high school, Grandma will be completely alone. Sooner or later, we will have to bring Grandma to live with us.

Yan Hui's trip to Jinan was actually a form of escapism. The disaster that struck at the beginning of 2000 had a fundamental impact on him.

Many bosses in society are like this; when faced with such a situation, they really do jump off buildings. Those who haven't experienced it can't understand the blow and the sense of loss.

The disparity in assets and lifestyle is only one aspect. Some bosses suffer huge losses, but if their foundation, reputation, and social resources remain, they can persevere and wait for a comeback. Yan Hui's experience, however, was a complete betrayal and a complete failure. It was a failure without process, without any warning, and without any trend of deterioration. It was a precipitous fall, even faster than jumping off a building.

He plummeted from the peak of his career to a state of debt, making a host of enemies. His former benefactors and sworn brothers all betrayed him, and Yan Hui was only 20 years old.

He had to distance himself, to leave all his previous circles, because he couldn't bear the drastic change, and nobody could. Outsiders might think it's no big deal, just start over, but... if Yan Hui were to return to Jianye, where would he find the courage to work as a wire worker?

call.
Yan Hui sat alone in the ancestral hall, lost in thought.

In any case, he dared to go home; he survived.

“Grandpa, I haven’t been afraid of anything these past two years.” Yan Hui looked at the ancestral tablet in the ancestral hall, lost in thought.

Yan Hui sat in the ancestral hall for a long time, his biggest worry being Qing Lan. Others might not know, but she knew very well that Yan Hui had been going in there for extended periods these past few days. Every time Yan Hui came out of the ancestral hall, he saw Qing Lan. He knew he couldn't go back there anymore, or his sister would worry.

"I'm fine, I just miss Grandpa a little." Yan Hui saw Qing Lan. "You've been staring at me outside the ancestral hall so often, it's making me a little embarrassed."

“Brother,” Qinglan took out her phone, “I haven’t spent much of the money you’ve sent me over the years. And this phone, I heard it’s a new model. Don’t buy me such an expensive phone, and I don’t need this money. You take it, go back and start your business, don’t put so much pressure on yourself. After I finish my college entrance exam this year, I can go out and work.”

"Huh?" Yan Hui immediately realized that Qing Lan must have misunderstood.

"Well, my sister and brother-in-law are coming back tomorrow. You can ask my brother-in-law. His monthly income isn't necessarily more than mine now." Yan Hui shook his head with a smile.

The project I'm working on has a very low profit margin, but a very high turnover. During the peak autumn season, it produced over 10,000 boards a month, with a monthly turnover exceeding one million yuan—something even my brother-in-law couldn't achieve.

Of course, my brother-in-law manufactures imported air conditioners, and his profit margin is several times that of his.
"Huh???" Qinglan was stunned when she heard this. "What? You're richer than my brother-in-law now?"

"It's not that bad, but now that it's really going well, you should spend this money and use this phone. What are you going to do after you finish the college entrance exam? Focus on getting into university! Don't try to find excuses not to study!" Yan Hui reached out and tapped Qing Lan on the head.

"No, no, I don't believe you. I'll ask my brother-in-law tomorrow!" Qinglan scratched her head. "Don't hit me on the head!"

After Qinglan's outburst, Yan Hui's mood improved considerably.

When Yan Hui returned home for the Chinese New Year this time, he only bought some gifts and didn't make any grand gestures. No one from his family came to visit him.

When Grandpa was alive, our house was always bustling with activity during Chinese New Year. Now only Grandma is here, and uncles and other relatives usually just come over for a chat, leave some gifts, and then leave.

Yan Hui made a special trip to visit his uncle and also met his second cousin to inquire about the chemical industry.

My second cousin knew about Yan Hui's comeback; he was in contact with my brother-in-law. Hearing that Yan Hui wanted to get into the chemical industry, my second cousin said he knew some people who could offer support if Yan Hui built a factory.

The second cousin greatly admired Yan Hui's abilities and said frankly that if a chemical plant were to be built, he would want to invest in it.

This wasn't just something my second cousin said; my brother-in-law and cousin also said it.

Yan Hui's experiences over the past two years are unknown to others, but his business relatives have all heard about them. Ordinary people might think it's just good luck, but these people know it's not.

Given this, they all believed that Yan Hui had even greater potential in running a factory, so why not invest in him?
“The chemical industry is different from other industries; you have to find the right expert in charge and the right engineer. Do you know any professors who have this idea?” my second cousin asked.

“I know a PhD from Beijing University of Technology, and his partner is also a PhD, working in chemical synthesis. He may not be the most capable person, but he’s reliable,” Yan Hui said, describing Chen Jian’s situation.

"Well, that's a basic level. A PhD is already pretty good; compared to a master's student, they do much more experiments. I suggest you apply for some subsidies later and set up your own postdoctoral research station. I don't know what the policies are like in Jinan, but anyway, here, with one postdoc and three PhDs, we can apply for a postdoctoral research station. With government support, it will be much easier." His cousin offered some advice; his vision was much broader than Yan Hui's.

(End of this chapter)