Chapter 69

  Cost 30 points per chapter

  Fang Mo Nan sat in the car, thinking that he should make a trip and solve some things. Originally, it was not his father's choice of road, but now that his father had entered the system, although he couldn't mix to what extent, he still had to take precautions ahead of time and not let others grasp his handle.

  The central government's policy of prohibiting the children of leading cadres from engaging in business only includes immediate family members, and does not include nephews. Although she is now worth a lot of money, none of her real estate is actually registered under her name. Of course, overseas assets are not included, and perhaps there will be unexpected situations in the future where some funds may be lost, but these are all minor matters compared to her father's official career prospects - what does money matter?

  "It wasn't for the 200,000 yuan you invested as start-up capital earlier, we would have had a hard time developing. Plus, the feed formula was also provided by you." Da Chengzi paused and continued, "When Zhengping's brother-in-law went to the countryside that time, our technical staff even personally went to the front line to understand how to improve the feed for better results. However, in accordance with your instructions, we did not add any chemical additives, nor animal entrails or bones, all purely natural. Of course, in order to increase protein, we increased the breeding of earthworms and added them to the feed after processing, with very good results."

  "We must strictly control the quality, and cannot damage our hard-won reputation for short-term gains." Fang Mo Nan said. If you want to eat safe meat, start from the source, and this will be a good selling point in the future, especially when food safety is becoming increasingly serious.

  As they were talking, their car stopped, "Big Uncle, our home has changed a lot." Fang Mengnan looked at the spacious two-story small building, but from inside came the sound of chickens and ducks, it seemed that he still didn't forget his family's breeding.

  "This was newly built this year," said Da Chengzi. "When the county repaired the road, they only repaired it to the village entrance. We spent money to pave the road to our doorstep, and it didn't cost much. It's considered a contribution to the villagers."

  Hearing the car's horn, the gate opened and out came Shi Tou.

  "Wow, Shi Tou has grown so tall! He's become a big boy now!" Fang Mo Nan looked at Shi Tou, who was over 1.7 meters tall, and couldn't help but feel a little intimidated. Wearing a white vest, black pants, and slippers, he was dressed in casual home attire. The change was really great, it seemed that the living conditions at home had improved, and his height had also shot up rapidly.

  Fang Mo Nan took another look at this little figure, and it was really incomparable. Her height just didn't seem to increase, and even Mo Bei was taller than her now.

  "Yes, fourteen years old, already in the second year of junior high school, with the first place result to get into the county middle school. I hope he will be like his aunt in the future and take the entrance exam for Peking University. As long as he is willing to study, going abroad is also affordable for me now." Da Chengzi said, unable to hide his pride and self-satisfaction.

  "What did Father say?" Shi Tou said with a blush, "Hurry in, it's scorching hot outside."

  "This kid is getting more and more refined as he grows up, just like my own child." Da Chengzi shook his head.

  "Come on in, kids have grown up, can't still be like a wild monkey like when you were young." Li Mei said as she came out of the house. "Quickly come in, it's hot outside."

  Fang Mo entered, the old tile house of that year was gone, replaced by a brand new spacious and bright small villa. In front of the building, there was still a self-cultivated land, where cucumbers, eggplants, and beans were planted, all of which had matured.

  As I walked into the house, I saw a brand new set of combination cabinets. The moment I saw the combination cabinet, Fang Mengnan came to mind. At that time, combination cabinets were extremely fashionable and popular, especially during the era when housing was in short supply. Such furniture was very tall, some could even be used as partitions. Home appliances such as color TVs, refrigerators, sofas, and ceiling fans were all complete! "Big cousin, this is a leap into small prosperity!"

  "Hehe... I'm quite capable, I learned all this from city folks." Li Mei said with a smile, but her face was full of pride, especially when she saw the envious eyes of her relatives, she held her head even higher.

  "Don't show off in front of Nan Nan, she has more experience than us." Da Chengzi glanced at her and poured cold water on her, saying "Don't spend the whole day gossiping like an old woman, talking about other people's business."

  "I know! You didn't let my relatives from my mother's side enter the feed factory, and I didn't say anything. Even if we have it at home, I just want to enjoy it myself." Li Mei said with a smile. "Nan Nan, you're not an outsider, I have boundaries. I also understand the principle of not showing off one's wealth."

  "Go, you can go." Da Chengzi said with a smile. He and his son were similar, not well-read, low cultural level, but at least they could recognize characters, better than being illiterate. They understood the general principles and had ambition. When the children were on holiday, he also asked his daughter to teach them.

  "Where's everyone at home?" Da Chengzi looked around and asked, "Let me go and meet our parents."

  "They've arrived, they're going to the vegetable garden to pick some fresh fruits and vegetables." said Li Mei.

  Aunt and uncle came from outside, Shi Tou took over their basket, washed the picked yellow cucumber clean, and brought it up.

  "Nan Nan is here, hurry up and sit down." Auntie saw Fang Mo Nan's joyful face.

  "Auntie, Grandfather is well!" Fang Mo Nan said politely.

  "Alright, alright! Come and eat, hurry up and eat, it's still fresh!" said Grandma.

  Fang Mo Nan took a bite, "Still, the ones we grew ourselves are the most delicious, both sour and sweet."

  "Is America good?" Grandma asked.

  "Look at what you're saying, America is definitely better than here," said Li Mei with a pout.

  "A golden nest, a silver nest, is not as good as a dog's nest. No matter how good it is, it's still not home." Auntie's grandfather said, puffing on the dry tobacco in his hand. Even though the family had become wealthy, Grandfather still liked to smoke his homemade dry tobacco.

  "Auntie's father is right." Fang Mo Nan nodded.

  "I heard that American food is not as good as ours, are you used to it? Auntie asked, seemingly Chinese people always ask about eating, as the saying goes 'food is heaven for the common people'."

  "We're eating," said Fang Mernan.

  "That's good, I heard they still drink blood and eat raw meat." Yima asked with a curious and puzzled face.

  "No, what can you do! Different eating habits, just see if you can get used to it." Fang Mo Nan said.

  "I'm home today, Auntie made you authentic egg noodles with scallions and cucumbers. Don't mention how delicious it is." Auntie said, patting Fang Mengnan's hand.

  "Mother, who would want me..." Li Mei said with some embarrassment, pouting her mouth.

  "Good, Auntie's cooking is the most authentic and delicious." Fang Mo Nan said, "Aunt, this is delicious. Let's have it for lunch today."

  Fang Mo Nan chatted with the two old men, Shi Tou, about what they had seen and heard after lunch. Auntie packed some of their family's old antiques, handmade cloth shoes, cotton shoes, and coarse woven fabric into a woven bag for her.

  "Thank you, I like it just the way it is." Fang Mo Nan said sincerely.

  Next, Fang Mo Nan and Da Cheng Zi went to the feed factory in the east of the village. The gate was very grand, with a row of ten red-brick tile-roofed offices, while the workshop was spacious, bright and modern.

  Daxinzi took her on a tour. Fang Mo'nan nodded in satisfaction, and finally led her to his office. The outer room was elegant, while the inner room was simple and unadorned.

  "Hehe... dressing up for show, can't help it. This is called respecting the clothes before respecting the person. Nowadays people are fond of this, so I also got a set." - Da Chengzi said

  "I understand. Otherwise people will think we are unsophisticated." Fang Mo Nan said with feeling that it should be so.

  "What did you think after watching it?" Da Chengzi looked at her with some anxiety.

  "Great Uncle, don't say that, it's done very well." Fang Mengnan looked at him with a nervous expression, waiting for her evaluation.

  "What about the contract we signed in the first place!" Fang Mo Nan sat on the wooden sofa, taking a sip of the cold soda he handed him.

  "Contract. You want to see the contract." Da Chengzi saw her nodding, got up and unlocked it, pulled out a layer from the bottom of the office desk.

  Fang Mo Nan took over the contract, picked up the matches on the table, and with a "hiss" lit them on fire, burning the contract.

  Dai Chengzi didn't understand at first, but now he did. He reached out to grab it. Fang Mo Nan dodged to one side, and the contract had already started burning.

  "Nan Nan, what are you doing? You're burning the contract, but it's already memorized in my head." Da Chengzi said somewhat incoherently, "What do you want to do?"

  "Uncle wants me to withdraw shares." Fang Mo Nan thought for a moment and said bluntly.

  "What!" Da Chengzi hastily stood up, and the chair fell to the ground. He paced back and forth, "Nan Nan, this factory is making money now, and it's expected to be very profitable in the future, why do you want to withdraw your shares at this time?" If it wasn't making money, withdrawing funds would make sense, but this is clearly a golden egg-laying hen! He couldn't understand.

  "It's not because of you. Although my dad is not a high-ranking official, the central government has regulations that children are not allowed to engage in business. So it's better to withdraw early." Fang Mo Nan continued, "I will also withdraw my shares from your brother-in-law's place."

  "So that's how it is!" Da Chengzi said, "Withdrawing shares is okay, but you can't just abandon us and not care about us! For any major decisions, I still need to find you." Da Chengzi paused for a moment and said, "I don't have that much cash on hand."

  "In this way, we can cut off 500,000 every month, and after two years, it will be settled." Fang Mo Nan said.

  "This is Southern South, how much is your monthly net profit now? Don't skip words." Da Chengzi said. Fang Mo Nan shook his head, she really didn't know.

  "Over a million." Da Chengzi said, "I can't take advantage of this opportunity."

  "Wow! So many." Fang Mo Nan also exclaimed.

  "Really! At first I didn't think that a small feed would make so much money." Da Chengzi said. "If you really want to quit, then I'll give you five years."

  "This won't affect your funding, will it? I wouldn't want your funding to be cut off." Fang Mo Nan said with a smile. "Hehe... otherwise, extending it for a few more years is also fine." She didn't care about this money at all; the contract was already burned, as long as there were no handles to grasp, that was enough.

  "It's nothing, just going through the motions, been running it for many years."

  What's wrong with you?

  "Great uncle, you can take bigger strides, then consider the formula for fish, cattle and sheep feed, this is popular in both southern and northwestern regions."

  "I've taken note of it, I'll have our technician work on the ingredients later." Da Chengzi nodded and said.

  After finishing their conversation, Dashengzi drove Fang Mennai back home. "I didn't see Uncle Xin," Fang Mennai said from the passenger seat.

  "Really? Now they all go out to sell." said Da Chengzi.

  "Ah! That silly honest fellow, sometimes even blushes." Fang Mo Nan opened his eyes wide and didn't dare to speak.

  "Didn't expect that, did you? People now believe in his honest appearance, but you've been fake and deceitful for too long. With a sincere look, customers still trust him." Da Chengzi shook his head and smiled, "However, Youxin is indeed capable, some of the feed formulas are based on the information he provided. Although he doesn't use sweet talk when selling, what's important is that he's genuine and often visits those clients to help them solve their problems."

  "Haha…… fools have good fortune, that kid even married a beautiful girl from the city, his father-in-law is a university professor. Didn't expect that!" Da Chengzi said. "At that time you were abroad and didn't notify you, Big Aunt sent a pair of jade bangles, which stunned their family."

  "I really didn't expect it," Fang Mo Nan said, holding the jade bangle. It should be the one Han Zhiqian brought last time, she gave it to her aunts for Chinese New Year, and this aunt is really generous, probably because they don't know its value!

  They had already entered the county town, and the car soon arrived at the door. The restaurant has started business.

  "Grandma saw them and immediately scolded: 'Dazhengzi is really something! If you want to take someone away, you should at least tell me.'"

  "What's the big rush? It's burning with anxiety."

  "Hehe..." Daxinzi scratched his head, foolishly smiling as he accepted Grandma's scolding. "It's nothing, I've already sent you off safely and taken care of everything. Mainly it's just that my dad and mom miss Nannan."

  "Alright, alright. I won't bother you anymore. You're a busy person, go ahead and attend to your business!" Grandma said with a wave of her hand.

  "Ah! Auntie, I'm leaving!" Da Chengzi turned the car around and sped away.

  "Nannan, is everything all right?" Grandma asked.

  "It's nothing, I had lunch at Auntie's house this afternoon and then went to Big Brother-in-law's feed factory for a visit." Fang Mo Nan briefly said what happened.

  "Hmm! Tired or not?"

  "Grandma, I'm fine, let's go in! It was strangely hot at noon," Fang Mengnan said.

  Zhong Teng Industry and others, when her uncle came from the United States, also used the same method to withdraw shares. At present, she has put all her main business overseas, so no one can grasp any evidence against her. The farm was originally under her mother's name, but later changed to her grandmother's name.

  Fatso Fang took her to the west of the railway station to see the newly built food factory. Fang looked at the completed building painted with white paint, on which were pasted motivational slogans one by one.

  The factory has started installing equipment. The employees are recruited from villages and mountains, mostly young girls. Training has also begun. Fang Mennai secretly stood outside watching the training teacher teach the girls lively and practical lessons.

  The one on the stage was invited from Zhiqian to help train employees and turn these 'scattered soldiers' into 'regular troops'. The fat man said, standing outside with her.

  "We've prepared uniforms for the staff, with our logo printed on them. These are all borrowed from Zhiqian's experience." The fat man said with a smile "Following your instructions, we must ensure safety and hygiene, can't damage Mo Shu's signboard."

  After walking around and taking a look, Fang Menger said, "We still need to continue requisitioning land, the place is still too small."

  "Ah! This is still small! Can fit in fifteen production lines." Fat mouth that can swallow eggs said.

  "It's still a bit small... it needs to be at least this big." Fang Mo Nan said. "Money is no problem, just find Ah Gui and it'll be fine."

  "That's great!" Fatso licked his tongue and said, this is still small, how big can it be? The old man's appetite is really not small.

  Fang Mo Nan looked at him with a head full of sweat and said "Go to the office, you're all sweaty!"

  Fat boy rushed into the office, turned on the electric fan and poured a glass of cold boiled water. "Wow! It's really hot today."

  Fang Mo Nan sat on a wooden sofa, looking at him sweating, "Fatty, it's time to lose weight." He was a circle fatter than before.

  "Hehe... I just can't move my feet when I see delicious food." The fat guy said with a silly smile. When he was young, he often went hungry, so... Besides, being able to eat is already a blessing."

  "If you can't keep your mouth shut, then open your legs and exercise more to burn off the extra fat, otherwise your body will have problems." Fang Mo Nan said with good intentions.

  "Yes, I'll exercise more, find a sparring partner, and accompany you to fight often." The fatty replied. "There's no one to fight now, my hands are itching all over."

  Fang Mo Nan nodded and raised an eyebrow, neither approving nor disapproving.

  The rest of the time, Fang Mo Nan accompanied his family as much as possible. Occasionally, he would run to the farm to release some extra livestock or bring his grandparents there to avoid the heat. He would take advantage of the evening hours to go fishing in the reservoir. The mountain breeze was refreshing and cool. Incidentally, they would make some fresh food on the farm, have a good meal, and this life was truly leisurely!

  Looking at the farm thriving under the care of Uncle and Auntie, Auntie now often comes to accompany her old companion. With Xiaomei and Paozi gone, only the old man is left on the farm, and Auntie is worried. Mainly because the scenery here is good. After several years of planting and cultivation, the farm has become a great place to escape the heat in summer. Everywhere is lush and green, and looking at this verdant scene makes one feel refreshed. Even the neighboring farms feel much cooler.

  During this time, Fang Mo Nan also put the chicken, duck and fish meat in the space into Grandma's restaurant, which was a bit too much to consume. He even discussed the menu with the head chef of the restaurant, making the dishes more diverse and delicious. As a result, the queue outside the restaurant became longer, and business naturally became more booming.

  "What about us after you leave?" Grandma looked at Fang Mo Nan with doting eyes.

  "This has nothing to do with me." Fang Mo Nan said very irresponsibly.

  Two months passed quickly. In the blink of an eye, it was over. When Fang Mo Nan left, he took out all the honey, beauty products and other things that could be stored from the space. His mother sent Fang Mo Nan to take the train to Beijing, and after getting off the train without rest, he was pulled by Liangzi to a newly renovated private house restaurant in a traditional courtyard.

  The old color is fragrant, the ancient rhyme has a flavor, Fang Mo Nan walked in, compared to last time, added a few more classical rhymes.

  He stepped into the room. Four palace lanterns hung high, famous calligraphers' and painters' works were mounted on the walls, ancient artifacts and potted plants were placed on the long table, a censer was burning sandalwood incense, and eight immortals' tables were set with celadon covered bowls. Ebony chopsticks, an atmosphere of ancient charm surrounded everything. Eight elegant rooms, one small hall, at most twelve guests per table. Fang Mònán nodded in satisfaction, "Yes, this is the style."

  "All these were done after consulting with Ye Laosi." said Liang Zi. "You also know that he has a wide range of connections in the capital, and has made acquaintances from all walks of life. There's even someone whose family business is antique trading, who helped us measure and create these decorations, and they also guided us on how to arrange them. After all, they are experts in this field. I was dazzled by it all. It really looks beautiful and luxurious."

  Eight rooms were named after the eight elegant things in life - qin (zither), qi (chess), shu (calligraphy), hua (painting), shi (poetry), jiu (wine), hua (flowers) and cha (tea).

  A good musician is thorough and composed. A good chess player is strategic and wise, a good calligrapher is sincere and natural. A good painter is extremely skilled and beautiful.

  Good poetry reaches the heart's voice, good wine meets a kindred spirit, good tea cultivates one's temperament, and good flowers bring a pleasant disposition.

  The decorations also highlight the theme of this room. Fang Mo Nan and Lin Lao Yezi worked together to create a bamboo curtain, accompanied by small couplets. Of course, the paintings and couplets were all done personally by Lin Lao Yezi. After all, Fang Mo Nan couldn't reach the same level as the old master yet. These calligraphies and paintings need time to mature. The whole room is full of poetic charm, hanging on the walls with a rich ancient flavor that complements each other perfectly.

  Lute

  Gu Yuan's zither melody distinguishes between knowing and unknowing sounds, merely tuning her thoughts like a silk string.

  The high mountains and flowing water enter a beautiful realm, with good fortune, the seven strings also know one's heart.

  Chess

  The chess pieces are black and white, passing through a hundred paths, a hundred battles of life and death, Chu and Han contending.

  The spirit of unity and progress is forever strong, a nation's essence and tradition will last for ages.

  Book

  People respect and worship reading books highly, social progress depends on this way.

  Generations of young people have studied hard, and their names are listed in the imperial examination hall.

  Picture

  The ink is heavy and simple, the painting and the person are tied together by fate.

  Exquisitely refined and naturally elegant, cultivated with artistic charm like an immortal.

  Poem

  Poetic scenery and poetic objects, as well as poetic emotions, purify the mind with real and virtual symbols.

  The beautiful scenery is sung throughout the world, and the poetry garden spreads elegant winds everywhere.

  Alcohol

  Yue Fei and Du Kang, their names etched in history, fragrant wine wafts.

  Savoring wine and getting drunk are all true feelings, raising cups in celebration at banquets and festivities.

  Tea

  The fragrance of jasmine tea wafts and nourishes the heart, slowly savoring it after breakfast.

  Half of life is spent on people, half on tea; half on carefree wandering, and half on deep emotions.

  "The chef was found by Ye Laosi, private dishes were popular during the Republic of China period, and later, so did we. Now, naturally, the family has declined somewhat, and we are taking advantage of it." Liangzi said as he walked around here and nodded in agreement.

  "There are many rooms left over, pick a few to set up as leisure spaces - tea room, chess room, bridge room and so on." Fang Mennai anyway, there are many rooms, empty is also empty.

  "Good! Let's have some elegant food and fun!" said Liang Ziming.

  "We shouldn't make a big fanfare about the opening, that doesn't conform to our principles," said Fang Mennai. "Just hang up a sign and set off a string of firecrackers, that's enough."

  "Good! Now let's try the chef's dishes first." Liangzi suggested.

  "Good!"

  The place is decorated with a "qin" character sign, and the interior has a rich ancient flavor.

  On the north wall hung a landscape painting of green mountains and misty rain, with a tea table made of fragrant wood placed below it. On either side of the table stood a pair of yellow pear-wood chairs, polished to a high gloss. The purple clay teapot and cups on the table were elegant and refined, but all these things were fake.

  "There's no such thing as authentic private dishes, every family's dish is their own authentic version, because others can't replicate it, even if they replicate the appearance and color, they can't replicate the private flavor." Fang Mo Nan looked at the full table of exquisite private dishes, each one a work of art, with a perfect blend of colors, aromas, and flavors that made people's eyes widen with desire.

  Roasted tofu skewers, hometown salted porridge, stir-fried noodles, mixed cold starch noodles, crispy fried fish bones, sour vegetable old duck stew, pine nut drunken chicken rolls, plum and osmanthus lotus root, soybean Buddha's hand eggplant, honey peach shrimp.

  After tasting, Fang Mo Nan, Old Mother, Liang Zi, Liang Shu, and Hong Ye couldn't help but nod their heads. Even Fang Mo Nan, who was spoiled by his mother's cooking, found that someone else's cooking had a unique flavor.

  "Eating here is a real pleasure." The old mother looked around and sighed, "It's really amazing that you can find such a place in the capital city."

  "Heh heh…… Hongye's summer heat is even more severe after pregnancy, and it looks like she's about to give birth soon, so I can only wander around the city. Liang Zini smiled wryly, with Nannan's family members around, they have to be careful, one careless word could lead to trouble."

  "It's almost time for your due date!" As soon as the topic of Hongye's mother was brought up, the conversation turned around. "With Aunt Liang here, you don't have to worry."

  "Yes! At the beginning of October. But my mother-in-law came last month, so I'm not afraid." said Autumn Red Leaf. The old man took great care of her.

  Is it?