One Yuan First Recharge: I'm Actually the Boss Behind a Fortune 500 Company

As we chatted, time slowly passed.

Around 4 p.m., a rich aroma began to waft from the kitchen.

The aroma of stewed chicken, the freshness of steamed fish, and the smoky fragrance of cured meat blend together, making one's mouth water.

"That's about it." Li Xiuying came out of the kitchen. "Haohao, get ready to set off the firecrackers. We'll eat after that."

According to custom, before the New Year's Eve dinner, people should first worship their ancestors, burn paper money, set off firecrackers, and tell their ancestors that it is almost New Year's and invite them to come back and eat together.

Wang Hao brought out the firecrackers—he chose the large red string of five thousand firecrackers, coiled up in a circle, heavy with weight.

Father Wang Jianguo lit incense and burned paper money in front of the incense table in the main room, muttering:

May our ancestors bless our family with peace and a prosperous New Year...

Wang Hao took the firecrackers to the center of the courtyard, spread them out, and found the fuse.

"Order," Wang Jianguo said.

Wang Hao squatted down and lit the fuse with a lighter.

"Hiss—" The fuse sparked and quickly burned towards the firecracker.

He took a few steps back.

"Crackling sound—cracking sound—"

The deafening sound of firecrackers exploded, red paper scraps flew everywhere, and the smell of gunpowder instantly filled the air.

The five thousand firecrackers went off for a full two or three minutes, and the courtyard was covered with bright red confetti, like a red carpet.

Amidst the crackling of firecrackers, Wang Hao stood watching the flickering flames and listening to the deafening noise, a surge of indescribable emotion welling up within him.

He thought of the past.

When I was a child, my family was poor, so we would buy a small string of firecrackers for the New Year. We would break them in half, setting off one half for the New Year's Eve dinner and the other half at midnight.

I was incredibly envious when I saw other people setting off long, loud firecrackers.

Later, I went out to work and earned some money, but I couldn't bear to buy too much.

I always feel that money should be saved, saved, and used to plan for the future.

Then, I encountered that game...

Everything has changed.

The money came in, the employees were hired, and the company was up and running.

Now, he can buy a truckload of firecrackers for his family, replace all the old appliances with new ones, and ensure his parents have a good New Year.

All of this feels like a dream, so unreal.

The firecrackers were all set off; the last one exploded, its echo reverberating in the courtyard.

As the smoke slowly dissipated, the courtyard was filled with red paper, and the air was thick with the festive atmosphere of the New Year.

"Dinner's ready!" Li Xiuying called out from the doorway of the main room.

A large table was set for the New Year's Eve dinner. Chicken, duck, fish, and meat were all served.

Yu Xinxin sent over a dish of stir-fried cured pork with garlic sprouts and steamed sausage slices, all authentic Hunan flavors. There was also stewed chicken soup, steamed fish, braised pork, four-happiness meatballs, eight-treasure rice... more than a dozen dishes, laid out to the brim.

The two families sat around a table, eight people in total, which was just enough.

"Come on, the first toast, wishing everyone a Happy New Year!" Wang Jianguo raised his glass.

"Happy New Year!" Everyone raised their glasses.

While we were eating and chatting, the Spring Festival Gala had already started on TV, with singing and dancing, and it was very lively.

Halfway through the meal, Wang Hao's phone rang; it was Wu Liang.

"Haozi, wanna hang out after dinner? Same old spot, let's play cards, we're one short."

Wang Hao glanced at his parents. His father was pouring wine for his second uncle, while his mother and second aunt were chatting about everyday things, both with smiles on their faces.

At this time of year, he would definitely be out, playing cards and drinking with Wu Liang and the others, not returning until midnight.

But this year, he doesn't want to go out.

"Liangzi, I won't go," Wang Hao said. "I'll stay home and keep my parents company."

"Oh, you've changed your mind?" Wu Liang laughed on the other end of the phone. "Alright then, you keep your aunt and uncle company. Happy New Year!"

"Happy New Year."

After hanging up the phone, Li Xiuying asked, "Wu Liang was looking for you?"

"Yeah, they asked me to go play cards, but I said I wasn't going."

"It's good to be at home, it's good to be at home." Li Xiuying's face lit up with a smile. "The New Year is when the whole family should be together."

After dinner, the women cleared the dishes, while the men moved to the sofa to watch the Spring Festival Gala.

The new sofa was so soft and comfortable that Wang Jianguo dozed off while sitting on it.

Wang Hao covered him with a blanket and continued watching TV.

Sketches, crosstalk, song and dance, acrobatics—the annual Spring Festival Gala, although some people say it's not good every year, is still habitually broadcast on New Year's Eve for the sake of liveliness.

Time slowly approached midnight.

At 11:30, Wang Jianguo woke up: "It's almost midnight, isn't it?"

"Almost there, Dad." Wang Hao glanced at his phone. "Twenty minutes left."

"Get ready, it's time to open the door."

According to custom, at midnight on New Year's Eve, the door is "opened" to welcome the New Year. Tea is offered to the Kitchen God, and "opening firecrackers" are set off, symbolizing a good start to the New Year.

At 11:50, Wang Hao brought out the largest string of 5,000-shot firecrackers, along with several large fireworks.

Li Xiuying placed three cups of hot tea and lit incense on the kitchen stove.

Eleven fifty-eight.

Firecrackers have been popping up in the village, one here, one there, near and far, like a prelude.

11:59.

Wang Hao stood in the courtyard, holding a lighter in his hand.

Father, mother, second uncle, and second aunt were all standing at the door of the main room, waiting.

Midnight.

"Release!" Wang Jianguo shouted.

Wang Hao lit the fuse and quickly retreated.

"Crackling and popping—boom—"

As his family's firecrackers exploded, millions of strings of firecrackers exploded simultaneously throughout the village, the town, and even the whole of China.

The sound was deafening, like a grand war. The sounds of firecrackers, fireworks, and cheers mingled together, engulfing the entire world.

Wang Hao looked up at the sky.

The dark night sky was illuminated by fireworks. Red, green, gold, silver, and other colors of fireworks bloomed in the air, some like chrysanthemums, some like waterfalls, and some like meteor showers.

A huge firework went off at a house on the east side, exploding with a "bang" and turning into a shower of golden rain.

A family on the west side set up a row of Gatling guns, which fired continuously, creating a string of colorful balls in the air.

Fireworks and lights were everywhere—south, north, far, near—turning the entire night sky into a magnificent spectacle.

Wang Hao lit his own fireworks.

"Whoosh—Bang!"

The first firework rose into the sky, exploded, and golden light poured down.

Then came the second flower, the third flower...

The parents watched from behind, their faces illuminated by the fireworks, smiling like children.

Looking at all this, Wang Hao suddenly felt a surge of emotions.

Such a lively night, such dazzling fireworks, such a warm reunion... but after tonight, everything will slowly return to calm.

Those who went out to work will be leaving again, and those who went to school will be returning to school. The village will become quiet again.

The parents will once again be left alone in the empty house, hoping for the next Spring Festival.

But this year is different.

he thinks.

This year, he has the ability to change some things.

The system also has a task to complete—recruiting 20 employees will earn you a house in the city.

That way, he could bring his parents over, or at least make their lives better.

The company needs to be managed well and grow bigger and stronger.

These employees—even though they're just in the game—are there to help him earn real money, so he'll take them seriously.

The future holds many uncertainties, but also many more possibilities.

Fireworks are still going off, and firecrackers are still going off.

The new year has truly arrived.

Wang Hao took a deep breath; the air was filled with the smell of gunpowder, but also with the scent of hope.

He turned to his parents, smiling, and said, "Happy New Year, Dad, Mom!"

"Happy New Year!" the family said in unison.

(That concludes our Chinese New Year celebrations. Now, a brand new chapter begins.)