Chapter 357: Second Uncle of the Lin Family

In 2003, Chen Yang spent New Year's Eve for the first time without eating the reunion dinner with Chen Chunmei's family; instead, he went with Lin Wei to Old Master Lin's villa.

What surprised Chen Yang was that Old Master Lin's villa was not far from the back gate of the Qingshui Municipal Committee. The house was a somewhat aged red-brick, gray-tile building, divided into two floors, and in front of it there was a meticulously tended small garden, covering a total area of over 400 square meters.

In Chen Yang's memory, this place was later redeveloped into an upscale residential community in Qingshui City, and the demolition compensation alone could amount to a considerable sum.

Lin Wei's grandmother passed away from illness five years ago, and now this large house is occupied solely by Old Master Lin living alone.

However, the villa was unusually lively today. Not only did Lin Jianguo's family and Lin Xiaomi come, but Lin Wei's uncle Lin Jianye also brought his wife and children back from several hundred li away in Xin'an County.

Lin Jianye is the magistrate of Xin'an County; according to Yexin, he is very likely to assume the position of Xin'an County Party Committee Secretary after the New Year.

As a county Party Committee Secretary under forty, his achievements surpass those of Lin Wei in her previous life.

There's also a little gossip: it is said that Lin Jianguo's family moved from Old Master Lin's villa to the current residential community because Hu Qingwan was dissatisfied with Old Master Lin's excessive favoritism toward his younger son, demoting Lin Jianguo to utter uselessness.

In fact, Lin Jianye has been working away from home since graduating from university, rarely returning to Qingshui; the responsibility of caring for Old Master Lin's daily life has always fallen to Lin Jianguo and his wife.

Of course, Old Master Lin also has a stubborn temperament. After Lin Jianguo's family moved out, he would rather live alone than move into Lin Jianguo's home.

After Chen Yang and Lin Wei obtained their marriage certificate, he had only met Old Master Lin a few times. Each visit was for a specific matter; after discussing it, he would leave immediately, never staying for a meal.

Lin Jianye is slightly shorter than Chen Yang by two centimeters; compared to the rugged-looking Lin Jianguo, his demeanor is more gentle and refined.

According to Lin Wei, Lin Jianye resembles her deceased grandmother more closely. No wonder Old Master Lin favors his younger son even more.

"Chen Yang, although this is our first meeting, your great reputation has often been mentioned by my old classmate's wife and sister-in-law. They describe you as almost divine—a stock market genius, a pioneering entrepreneur. It seems our Weiwei has found an excellent husband!"

Lin Jianye shook hands with Chen Yang while smiling. Beside him, Lin Wei, hearing Lin Jianye praise her husband, slightly lifted the corners of her mouth.

Chen Yang said modestly, 'Uncle, I'm just a bit luckier; I'm not nearly as extraordinary as they say.'

Lin Jianye was pleased with Chen Yang's unassuming yet confident attitude, smiling as he said, 'Chen Yang, you don't need to be overly modest in my presence. I've looked into your deeds, and they are indeed impressive. For an ordinary person to build one successful company is already an achievement, yet you have managed several at once. Even our Xin'an County now carries your company's sausage products. Truly remarkable!'

Chen Yang felt a pleasant surprise upon hearing that the common people's sausage had already been sold in Xin'an County.

"Uncle, is Xin'an County also interested in our company's products? If so, would you be interested in becoming a store agent?"

Lin Jianye furrowed his brow slightly. 'Chen Yang, I've heard that your company has already set up four direct-sales outlets in Xin'an City and plans to build a transfer cold storage worth over ten million yuan. Why, when it comes to Xin'an County, do you only offer store agency? Are you looking down on me?'

Chen Yang immediately explained, 'Uncle, you've misunderstood. Our company's direct-sales outlets are already sufficient in number. If we were to also set up direct-sales outlets in the county seat, the required investment in manpower and materials would far exceed the budget. To avoid losses, we would have to raise product prices, but that contradicts the original purpose of establishing our Commoner Company. Acting as agents, however, would at least save on labor costs.'

After hearing Chen Yang's analysis, Lin Jianye found it reasonable. He pondered a moment and then said, 'I heard from Old Master Lin that you've established a large-scale pig farm in Dongyang County and are cooperating with Qingshui County's farmers on animal husbandry. Are you interested in building a similarly scaled farm in Xin'an County as well?'

Chen Yang did not expect that Old Master Lin, who rarely appears in public, would be so well informed about his activities.

However, Xin'an County is several hundred kilometers from Qingshui City. Raising livestock there would entail much higher transportation costs. Before our Commoner Meat Industry Limited Company expands into Xin'an City, this would not be a good investment.

"Uncle, my first pig farm isn't even up and running yet; wouldn't starting another one be a bit rash?"

Lin Jianye certainly knew his idea was rather abrupt, but Xin'an County needs capable entrepreneurs to boost its economy. Letting such a valuable resource as Chen Yang go unused leaves him feeling unwilling.

"Then, regarding your company's introduction of agricultural products in Xin'an City, could you prioritize Xin'an County?"

Chen Yang nodded. 'As long as the product quality is fine, our company will certainly be eager to cooperate with Xin'an County's farmers and merchants.'

Lin Jianye smiled. 'That works out perfectly; our Xin'an County developed a vegetable greenhouse project covering several thousand mu last year, and a batch of products is expected to hit the market after the New Year. If you're willing, I can accompany you to finalize all the cooperation agreements.'

"Second brother, it's rare for the whole family to gather during the New Year—why are you always busy with work?" Hu Qingwan complained, dissatisfied that Lin Jianye, upon returning, immediately grabbed her son-in-law for labor.

Lin Jianye chuckled, saying to Hu Qingwan, 'Sister-in-law, don't be angry. It's just my professional habit; whenever I meet a businessman, I can't help discussing economic cooperation. Your family's Chen Yang is now so promising—can't I, as his uncle, hope to share in his blessings?'

"Okay!" Lin Wei, although dissatisfied with Old Master Lin's partiality, bore no grudge against this younger uncle who had always respected her. Her main worry was that the more Chen Yang invested, the less time he would spend beside her; if the young couple were to live apart for a long time, her dream of holding a grandchild would become even harder to achieve.

She said to Lin Jianye, 'Letting Chen Yang go invest in Xin'an County is fine, but don't keep pulling him over there. They've only been married half a year; frequent separation isn't appropriate, is it?'

Lin Jianye, of course, understood Hu Qingwan's meaning; he immediately assured, 'Sister-in-law, rest assured. Once Chen Yang goes over and signs the cooperation agreement, I guarantee I won't bother him anymore.'

Hu Qingwan then smiled with satisfaction. She told Chen Yang, 'Your uncle is the pride of our Lin family; wherever he can contribute, you, as the younger generation, must cooperate. One day, when your uncle rises in rank, he will certainly not treat you poorly.'

Chen Yang smiled and nodded.

Upon hearing this, Lin Jianye felt somewhat amused and exasperated.

"Sister-in-law, your words are too distant. Even if Chen Yang does not invest in Xin'an County, could I, as his uncle, possibly mistreat my niece's husband?"