Chapter 4: Persuasion

"Father, I want to quit my job!" As soon as his father returned, Lin Feng's words shocked him.

"What did you say?" Father was stunned.

"I want to quit my job." Lin Feng's tone was calm but firm.

"Quit? What do you plan to do?" Lin Qixiong recovered and frowned.

Looking at his father's familiar yet unfamiliar face, Lin Feng felt a wave of emotion. From childhood to adulthood, his father had been the pillar of the family, not only supporting the entire household alone but also tolerating his repeated misdeeds. No matter what he did, his father rarely scolded him.

Father, I will never let you fall ill again in this life. — Lin Feng made a silent vow.

"I want to start a business. That job only pays 400 yuan a month, which is too little." Lin Feng prepared to start with his job to persuade his father. He knew his father also thought his job was too poor; for a young man to work as a bookbinder was a waste of his potential.

"What do you want to do?" Lin Qixiong nodded and asked.

"I want to open an internet cafe!" Lin Feng said firmly. In Chushi City, internet cafes were still a new industry. Most owners ran arcade halls or video game stores, and there were very few internet cafes. Before his rebirth, Lin Feng had witnessed a small internet cafe with only two computers gradually expand to have over 200 computers.

"An internet cafe?" Lin Qixiong clearly hadn't heard of this new term.

"Yes, that's right. It's a few computers connected to a local network for playing games." The few so-called internet cafes in Chushi City, limited by the city's bandwidth (only dial-up internet was available), didn't actually provide internet access. They were essentially computer game rooms. Lin Feng planned to start with a single-player game room and then transition to an internet cafe when "Legend" became popular.

"How much money will you need?" Lin Qixiong thought for a moment and asked.

Lin Feng naturally hoped for as much startup capital as possible. At the time, internet cafes were always full, and they were definitely the most popular and affordable entertainment venues of the future. However, Lin Feng also knew their family's financial situation wasn't good, and they didn't have much savings.

"30,000 yuan will be enough." Lin Feng calculated silently. Buying four computers would cost about 20,000 yuan, and with the expenses for permits and rent, the money would be about right.

"Do you have confidence in making money?" Lin Qixiong asked, pacing silently.

"Yes, don't worry, Father. I'm sure I can make money." Lin Feng was absolutely confident about this. No one knew better than he did how prosperous internet cafes would become in China.

Lin Qixiong frowned and thought for a while, then nodded silently. — Lin Feng felt a weight lift from his heart, knowing his father had agreed to his plan.

"However, we only have 15,000 yuan at home, and 5,000 yuan in the stock market. That's all I have." Lin Qixiong looked troubled. It was his first time supporting his son's entrepreneurial endeavor, and he felt ashamed that he couldn't fully support him.

"That's enough, Father. I'll find the rest." Lin Feng knew the family's situation. Being able to come up with 20,000 yuan was already more than he expected.

Hmm, the stock market! Lin Feng's heart skipped a beat as a piece of information flashed through his mind — Yian Technology. Although he didn't trade stocks before his rebirth, he remembered Yian Technology vividly as the first stock in China to break the 100-yuan mark. It had risen for 70 consecutive trading days and then plummeted, making it one of the most talked-about news stories of the time.

It should be around this time. — Lin Feng couldn't remember the exact date when Yian Technology started its crazy rise, but it was likely around the end of 1999 or the beginning of 2000.

"Uh, Father, don't withdraw the money from the stock market. Just give me 15,000 yuan. Use all the stock market money to buy Yian Technology." Lin Feng wasn't sure when Yian Technology would skyrocket, but buying early was always good, treating it as a long-term investment.

"Yian Technology?" Lin Qixiong frowned and checked the stock price on the computer: 25.8 yuan.

"Yes, buy it." Lin Feng was secretly delighted; the stock hadn't started rising yet.

"That's quite expensive!" Lin Qixiong hesitated. He usually only bought stocks priced around 6 to 7 yuan, which were less volatile and more stable for small gains.

"Don't worry, it will definitely rise. I found some insider information online; it's supposed to reach over 50 yuan." Lin Feng had to reveal a bit of information, but he attributed it to the internet.

Under Lin Feng's insistence, Lin Qixiong reluctantly bought all the stock market money in Yian Technology, which was enough for two lots (200 shares).

"Alright, I'll go withdraw the money later." After buying the stock, Lin Qixiong prepared to withdraw the money, as he always kept his promises to Lin Feng.

Father, I will definitely succeed! — Lin Feng silently vowed.

With half of the 30,000 yuan startup capital secured, Lin Feng still needed 15,000 yuan. He decided to seek help from his mother, who had divorced his father. Lin Feng knew his mother had saved money for his wedding, which should be around 10,000 yuan. However, convincing her to take the money out for his business would be a challenge.

Fortunately, Lin Feng was no longer the same person he was before his rebirth. His 29 years of experience gave him the confidence to persuade his mother to invest. Of course, it wouldn't be easy. His mother was a typical Chinese woman who valued stability.

Lin Feng went downstairs, preparing to borrow money from his mother.

"Huh, what's this?" As he left the neighborhood, he saw an old, abandoned warehouse being renovated right next to it.

"Be careful, be careful, that's the company's sign, don't damage it." A middle-aged man was directing the work.

Daya Chemical! — Lin Feng's face darkened as he read the sign.

Before his rebirth, Daya Chemical had built a factory next to the neighborhood, and the entire area had never opened a window again. The air was filled with a nauseating smell of rotten eggs, making it impossible to open windows.

The residents had collectively complained, but it seemed to have no effect. They had to endure the smell. Of course, those with money had moved away, while those like Lin Feng, who couldn't afford to, had to continue suffering.

Once I make money, the first thing I'll do is buy a spacious and bright house for my father. — Lin Feng glared at the Daya Chemical boss directing the work from a distance and quickly left.

His mother lived in the city, but she rented a place and couldn't afford to buy a house.

After divorcing his father, his mother's life wasn't good. The factory had gone bankrupt, and she made a living by selling goods on the street. Although street vending was more profitable than working in a factory, earning about 2,000 yuan a month with hard work, she still lived in a rented apartment with her new husband. Lin Feng knew why; she was saving money for his wedding.

In his memory, his mother