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If Tang Yuxin knew his thoughts, she could perhaps tell him exactly why. He was great at his job, but his social skills fell short in comparison to others. So, it was no surprise he was laid off.

Chen’s father wasn’t the sort of person who could sit idle. Not long after, he visited Tang Zhinian’s home.

“You’re going to start a business in the south?”

When Tang Zhinian heard Chen’s father’s plan, he was shocked, “Are you really going?”

“Yes,” Chen’s father gave a bitter smile, “I’ve been laid off. It’s not like I can just sit here and be supported by Qin Xue, and Lidong is going to high school soon. College costs money, and so does marriage. Once I have grandkids, don’t they need pocket money?”

Tang Yuxin sat on the side, feeling herself disorderly tossed about by the wind once more.

Chen Lidong was still a child. He hadn’t even grown up himself and Chen’s father was already thinking about grandchildren.

Oh well, a thought flashed across Tang Yuxin’s eyes. At this point, going into business required courage and timing. These pioneers would eventually become the first batch of tycoons in the country.

Hence, Tang Yuxin supported Chen’s father in starting a business. In the late ’80s, it seemed like there was gold everywhere. There’s truth to the saying that the courageous prosper, while the timid starve.

Once one dares to take the first step, the expected return may far exceed one’s imagination.

One evening, while Tang Yuxin was revising her lessons for the next day, Tang Zhinian was still mulling over what Chen’s father said earlier.

“Yuxin, your Uncle Chen’s being laid off.”

He sighed. Their conditions at home were alright, they were farmers and although it meant hard work all year round, their living conditions had significantly improved in recent years due to a few successful crop cultivations. Money was not abundant but they had enough for spending. In the worst scenario, they still had their farmland to support the family, but it was different for Chen’s father. He relied on his job and without it, he would be without provisions.

“Isn’t Uncle Chen heading into business?”

At this time, going into business (下海) and being laid off (下岗) were both newly coined phrases.

“Well, you’re aware of all this,” Tang Zhinian reached out and tousled Tang Yuxin’s hair, “But it’s not that easy to start a business, you know. Uncle Chen is not like others who are already experienced in roaming north and south. He has never left this small town of Qing’an. I’m worried he might not even know his way around out there.”

“Why not go with Uncle Chen then? My dad’s the best. He’s traveled north and south before. If dad goes with Uncle Chen, then we won’t have to worry about Uncle Chen being cheated and not being able to return home.”

That made sense. Tang Zhinian pondered. In his younger days, he had indeed journeyed far and wide. He had worked odd jobs for others. At that time, conditions at home were poor. His uncle had taken him to work in the city. While he didn’t earn much, he managed to gain a lot of life experience. However, when he returned, his parents passed away. He had to take care of his younger brother, and later also Yuxin. That was why he had settled down in Li Tang Village and became a farmer.

But the thought of going out again did stir some yearning within him.

“Dad, please help Uncle Chen,” fearing that Tang Zhinian might hesitate, Tang Yuxin immediately pulled at her father’s sleeve. She put on her cutest expression, not wanting her father to be stuck as a farmer tilling the fields for the rest of his life, forever burdened by the toils of farming. If there was an opportunity that could potentially alter their destiny, why not seize it?

Tang Zhinian pondered momentarily, then patted Tang Yuxin’s head, “Alright, I’ll listen to you, Yuxin. I’ll accompany your Uncle Chen. The fields are not very busy right now. Your second uncle and aunt can take care of you. I’ll go once with him so that he won’t be cheated of his money.”

True to his word, Tang Zhinian sought Chen’s father the next day to discuss their plans. The two of them decided on the timings and planned for the journey ahead.

“This is for treating colds, this is for diarrhea, and this is for fever,” Tang Yuxin made the medicines into little pills, labeled and packed them separately into small tins. The weight was negligible. She then wrapped them in paper and put them in a small bottle in case of emergencies.

“If you’re not sure, dad, ask Uncle Chen. He’s literate,” Tang Yuxin placed the bottles into Tang Zhinian’s bag while advising him to keep his cash separately. She seemed just like a little housekeeper, having anticipated every possible scenario. She was afraid her simple-minded, first-time traveling father might be taken advantage of.

Tang Zhinian couldn’t help but smile bitterly. This wasn’t his first time leaving home. He already knew all these. Besides, despite his lack of education, he was familiar with the words “cold,” “fever,” and “stomachache.” They were taught to him by his daughter Yuxin and Sisi when they were younger. Although he had only attended school briefly, he had still learned a number of words from his daughter and Sisi over these years. If his heart had been in it, he might have learned even more with his advancing age.

On the day of departure, Tang Zhinian got up early. His train was scheduled at six in the morning. Just as he was about to leave, Tang Yuxin ran out from the kitchen carrying a bag in her hand.

“Dad, I packed you some food for the journey.”

Tang Yuxin placed the food in front of Tang Zhinian. He opened the bag and found freshly baked pancakes, still warm. These pancakes were topped with condiments and oil so they would remain soft even after a period of time. A small tin contained stir-fried ground meat with chili that could be eaten with the pancakes, as well as dozens of hard-boiled eggs.

All these would certainly suffice for his two-day train journey.

Tang Zhinian’s nose tingled oddly, “My daughter has grown up.” He blinked back his tears. His little girl was grown-up now. She used to be the small child that needed his constant attention. In the blink of an eye, she had grown this big, and she was so thoughtful and obedient.

“No matter how big I get, I’ll always be dad’s little girl,” Tang Yuxin hugged Tang Zhinian’s arm, “As long as dad’s here, I’ll always be your child.”

Yes, as long as her father was around, she would always have someone to depend on when she was bullied, she would have someone who would cry for her. She decided she would never let her father shed tears for her again in the future.