Chapter 22

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In the midst of cherry blossoms dancing in the wind, Misaki opened the old diary and read the words of promise written there.

The dream was once again confirmed. Father confirmed that he was discussing a project worth over two million.

His son had made something of himself, a government official, serving as the deputy head of the security department and the captain of the police detachment at the silk factory. From the day his son officially started working, Han Baoguo, like most rural parents, placed all his hopes on his son, seeing him as the backbone of the family, even if he might never earn as much as his son.

His son had never asked about the renovation before, but now that he was asking, it showed that he had not only made something of himself but had also truly grown up. Han Baoguo felt deeply gratified and was ready to follow his son's advice.

"Xiao Bo, you're right. We can earn a little less, but we can't lose money. Good times have just begun. I'll work a few more years and then go back with your mother to enjoy our retirement, and help you and your sister with the children."

He had been working in Donghai City for seven or eight years. At the beginning, he would wait for jobs on the roadside, mainly doing home renovations.

He was skilled, honest, and innovative. Whatever he saw on TV, he could replicate. He was proficient in plumbing, electricity, carpentry, masonry, and painting. He charged reasonably and always tried to use leftover materials to make shoe cabinets or small stools for the homeowners.

He led a group of apprentices and over a dozen carpenters and painters from Sihetown, completing twenty to thirty homes a year. His reputation grew, and after he bought a pager a few years ago, he never had to wait on the roadside again. All his jobs came from referrals.

Now, money was easy to earn, and he was reluctant to return home.

Contracting renovation projects was risky. Not being scammed this time didn't mean he wouldn't be scammed next time.

In the fragmented dream, the economy would soon flourish in ways that were hard to imagine. There would be large steel-structured factories in the countryside and skyscrapers in small towns that were usually only found in big cities. If this was the case for small towns, it would be even more so for the largest city in the country, Donghai.

People with money would move into new houses, and once in new houses, they would think about renovations.

The market was huge, and the industry had a bright future.

Just because he couldn't do it himself didn't mean he couldn't offer advice. Just because he didn't know how to run a business didn't mean he hadn't seen others do it.

Han Bo looked out the window at the labor service company across the street and said with a smile, "Dad, you could actually start a company, turning from a guerrilla to a regular army. Rent a few offices near the decoration materials market, and make them look impressive. Take some photos of the homes you've renovated, make an album, or hang them on the wall.

Focus on home renovations, sign three-year maintenance contracts. If there's any peeling paint or leaks, be ready to fix them at any time. When you see a new residential building being constructed, talk to the developer, put our promotional materials in the residential area, and wait in the neighborhood to get jobs. Use the first home as a model, offer some discounts, and if you can do one, you can do ten or twenty..."

Years of university weren't wasted; he could think of so much. If he followed his advice, he would definitely get more jobs.

Han Baoguo was somewhat moved but sighed, "Xiao Bo, people aim high, and water flows low. Who doesn't want to start a company and be a big boss? Who doesn't want to earn more money? You're a government official, you know it's not that easy to start a company. Guerrillas get paid after they finish the job, but regular armies have to deal with the business administration and tax authorities.

I graduated from primary school, and your brother-in-law didn't even finish primary school. His handwriting is messy, and his Mandarin is poor. Your sister graduated from junior high school, but she's a woman and is about to have a baby. Starting a decoration company requires accounting and tax payments. Who can do these things? No one, it can't be done!"

Han Bo said half-jokingly, "I'll do it."

"Nonsense, don't even think about it! Why did I save and support you through university? Why did you work so hard to get into university? Wasn't it to become a government official? Now that you've finally made it, you should work hard and be diligent."

Afraid that his son would get bored, Han Baoguo said earnestly, "Xiao Bo, I had to apprentice as a carpenter, working for free for years before I could start my own business. I had to work for years to build a reputation before I could take on apprentices. Being an official is the same as being a carpenter; you need to be patient and focused.

You've met Uncle Xiaobing. He started as a labor recorder in the production team, then became a deputy team leader, team leader, team security chief, and team secretary. He worked for seven or eight years before he was promoted. Then he became the propaganda commissioner of Mulou Township and the deputy mayor of Yuhu Town, step by step, and now he's the party secretary of the town."

In his mind, a town party secretary was a very important leader.

They were from the same village, and he knew Uncle Xiaobing's resume well. Every year during the Spring Festival, he would invite him for dinner, not because he needed help, but for the sake of face, to show that they had a distant relative who was a town party secretary.

Han Bo found it quite amusing, but Han Baoguo continued his persuasion, "Your conditions are better than his. You're a college graduate with a high degree. You became a deputy department head right after starting work and were directly assigned to the county. Our family isn't short of money, so you don't need to be corrupt. Work hard and be diligent, and you'll naturally get promoted.

There's one more thing I almost forgot to tell you. Your sister is about to have a baby, and we need to prepare a 'washing the third' banquet. Use this opportunity to invite your unit's leaders. It's inconvenient to do it in the town, so we'll do it in the county. We won't accept gifts, just to get to know them. I've already talked to Uncle Xiaobing, and he said he'll help us entertain the guests..."

"Is it appropriate to invite my unit's leaders to my sister's baby banquet?"

"Of course, just to get to know them. If you were in the military, I would visit the base and meet the military leaders to ask them to take care of you."

Parents' love is boundless. Han Bo didn't know what to say, so he returned to the original topic, "I'll try my best to invite the leaders, Dad. For the company, you can hire an accountant. Buy a computer and hire someone who can use it to create design renderings. You can't catch a wolf without bait; only a big investment will bring big returns."

Again, his mind was all on this. It seemed he wouldn't be content to stay as a government official unless he started a company.

They earned about ten thousand yuan a year. A computer costs about ten thousand yuan, and renting and renovating an office costs about ten thousand yuan. An investment of forty or fifty thousand yuan, if it fails, it's just a loss for half a year. Han Baoguo gritted his teeth and made a decision, "I'll listen to you about starting the company, and you listen to me about being an official, okay?"

"Okay."

His father was a man of his word. If he said he would do it, he would. Han Bo finally felt relieved.

His son had some issues, and Han Baoguo was still not at ease, so he continued to reason with him, "Xiao Bo, you're young and have a bright future. You can't just think about money. You know how happy your mother and I were when you got into university and became a government official, and how envious our relatives and neighbors were.

This is what it means to hope your son will become a dragon!

Your grandparents died early. If they were still alive, they would be even happier to see the Han family produce a top scholar. With you, we have the motivation to work hard and the pride to walk with our heads held high. If you don't become an official, people will still look down on us. A carpenter, no matter how much money he earns, is still a carpenter, don't you think..."

...

PS: Sincere thanks to "Shucuocuoshu" for the generous tip. Having a second captain is a sign of good things to come, and I'm incredibly excited.

Also, thanks to "Beijing Shan Gou Li," "Jiatang de Baijiu," and "A~Mou" for their reviews and tips. Thanks to all the brothers and sisters who read quietly and vote. You are all part of my family O(∩_∩)O

PS: Fellow readers, do you still have free appreciation votes and Qidian coins? The 515 red envelope countdown is on. I'm here to ask for votes and appreciation. Let's give it one last push!

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