Chapter 346: What stood up was not a target, but a father

In the market street of the small rural town, both sides were lined with cluttered storefronts.

They were of varying heights and didn't look particularly clean or tidy, but they were filled with a rich sense of everyday life.

Although every household owned a car nowadays, most were ordinary Grade A cars worth tens of thousands or a little over a hundred thousand.

The elegant and luxurious silver Mercedes-Benz S-Class appeared so abruptly on the small town street that it naturally attracted a great deal of attention and gazes.

Soon, several familiar neighbors and shopkeepers from the surrounding area gathered around, looking over with surprise and envy.

A township is a relatively traditional social environment, and people's perception of wealth and success is quite direct.

Of course, this is also one of the imprints of the era; after all, the "Tiger-Head Benz" had a profound influence in that generation.

In the eyes of many of them, a big Benz was the standard equipment for the wealthy and also a significant symbol of status and prestige.

For instance, on important occasions like weddings, the lead car is generally chosen to be a Mercedes-Benz as well.

"Is this... Tang Song? I haven't seen you in over a year, I almost didn't recognize you. My, you've grown up to look so handsome and sturdy!"

"Good morning, Auntie."

"Little Song, I heard you're developing your career in Yancheng. What kind of work are you doing now?"

"I'm starting a business. I opened a live-streaming e-commerce company."

"Sister-in-law, is this your son's car? Good heavens, he's already driving a big Benz! That's incredible!"

"Oh, Tang Song is a smart and capable child; I've watched him grow up!"

…

Xu Feng held her son's arm, standing beside the Mercedes-Benz and chatting loudly with them, her face crinkling into lines of happiness.

During their video chats before, she had heard her son say that the company he partnered in was doing exceptionally well, that they now had dozens of employees, and that he had even bought a car.

Although they knew nothing about live-streaming sales or women's clothing, they had looked it up online and even asked around, knowing that this industry was indeed very hot right now.

They had no real skills and had been a burden to their son, which had always made them feel guilty.

Now, seeing their son's high-spirited, tall, and handsome appearance, their hearts were filled with emotion and gratification.

After all, most people came to the market because they had things to do, and they couldn't just stand there chatting forever.

Li Ranran had already turned off her live stream and was standing obediently outside the shop door, her eyes fixed straight on Tang Song's direction.

"Slap—"

Guo Jie beside her slapped her on the buttocks and said indignantly, "Didn't you look down on him? Didn't you say you weren't a match? Regretting it now?"

Li Ranran shrank her neck and whispered, "Mom, keep your voice down!"

"Heh, know how to be ashamed now?" Guo Jie said, frustrated by her lack of ambition, "You just said in front of his mother that you weren't a match and that it was a bad match—you've offended them!"

Li Ranran's face flushed red, and she stammered, unable to speak.

Who knew that after not seeing him for over half a year, Tang Song would turn out like this?

A tall, rich, and handsome god, a boss starting his own business, driving a Mercedes-Benz S-Class.

"You girl! I was originally thinking of asking Tang Song to introduce a job for you."

"That... how about I go apologize? After all, I'm also doing live streaming now; maybe Brother Tang Song needs talent like me?"

Guo Jie gritted her teeth, "I don't see what talent you have!"

She really had no way to deal with this daughter of hers, who had been squatting at home for over two months, living aimlessly every day.

Although the family didn't lack the little money she earned, a college graduate who had been out for a while being so unmotivated made them lose a lot of face in the village.

Many people behind their backs had started spreading rumors.

It was a perfect opportunity to take advantage of this to properly educate her.

Li Ranran said dissatisfiedly in a low voice, "Mom, I'm a beauty, aren't I? I'm not as bad as you say!"

Guo Jie tapped her on the head, "If you have those little thoughts, you'd be better off asking him for live-streaming experience."

She had often heard people say who had become an internet celebrity and how much money they had made online, but because they weren't people around her, she didn't have much of a feeling for it.

At this moment, seeing Tang Song driving a big Benz, she couldn't help but feel shocked.

If her own daughter could also get rich through live streaming, that would naturally be great.

Looking at Tang Song, who was composed, confident, and talented not far away, Guo Jie secretly sighed, "What a pity."

If she had such a son-in-law, she would wake up laughing even in her dreams.

It's just a pity that her daughter really wasn't a match for him.

The crowd stayed at the shop entrance for a lively while, said a bunch of nice things, and after probing about Tang Song's current company and income, they dispersed somewhat reluctantly.

However, the news about Tang Jianying and Xu Feng's son succeeding in his business and driving a Mercedes-Benz spread quietly within a small circle.

He became a topic of conversation and an object of envy for many people after their meals.

…

The small hardware store was laid out compactly and orderly.

In Tang Song's view, this place looked more like a warehouse.

The shelves were densely packed with all kinds of hardware tools.

From screws, nuts, and washers to pipes and plumbing materials, and then to some common daily necessities.

It could be said that everything was available, and the shelves had also expanded from the original 4 sets to 6 sets.

It was clear that his parents were running it with great care.

Tang Song withdrew his gaze, looked at his mother who had a smile in her eyes, and asked, "Mom, where's Dad? Did he go out to work?"

Hardware stores often provided door-to-door service.

For example, changing a faucet or a lock.

His father had previous experience working in a renovation team and was quite skilled in this area, which was why he could support such a shop.

"Sigh, he went to collect a debt from someone; I reckon he'll be back before noon."

Tang Song asked in surprise, "What debt?"

Xu Feng sighed helplessly, "It's because you sent over a hundred thousand yuan home before, and your father got ambitious again. To get more work, he agreed to let the renovation team take goods from our shop and settle the bill once a month. As it turns out, the biggest client didn't keep their word and just kept dragging out the payment..."

The biggest cost for a hardware store is tied-up inventory; if the client drags out the payment, it's even more difficult.

Their small business wouldn't have been able to hold on if Tang Song hadn't sent a lot of money home; they wouldn't even have been able to restock.

However, using their son's money to plug the hole made the couple feel very guilty.

Tang Jianying, as a father, was also afraid of losing face in front of his son, which was why he specifically went over to block the door to collect the debt.

Generally speaking, once things reached this point, it was basically considered a falling out.

The renovation team definitely wouldn't come to their shop to stock up in the future.

Just then, the smiling Guo Jie walked in with her daughter.

Li Ranran held her phone, her expression shy as she said, "Brother Tang Song, I heard Auntie Xu say before that you were doing live-streaming e-commerce; I didn't expect you to be so successful now. I've also been doing this recently. What is your company's account? I'll follow it and learn seriously. If there's anything I don't understand, I hope you can guide me."

Tang Song said readily, "Sure, our company currently has 4 live-streaming accounts; the main operating account is 【He Yiyi】, you can search for it."

Having Li Ranran, who knew the industry, there would make it easier for his mother to know his current achievements, saving him from having to explain it himself.

Hearing the three words "He Yiyi," Li Ranran's pupils shook, and her voice became somewhat sharp, "He Yiyi? Is it that He Yiyi who sells women's clothing?"

"It should be the one you're talking about." Tang Song had a faint smile on his lips.

Guo Jie paused, surprised, "What's wrong, Ranran? Is this account of Little Song's company very famous?"

Xu Feng also revealed a look of astonishment.

Her son had only been starting his business for 4 months; had he already become so famous?

Li Ranran's chest heaved violently, her face excited, "Of course... you don't know, a while ago He Yiyi was on the top of the Douyin hot list! The live-streaming room was super popular!

The main reason was that during her outdoor live stream, she ran into the top celebrity Bei Yuwei..."

Then, Li Ranran quickly recounted the situation she knew.

Guo Jie and Xu Feng listened in a daze.

Although they didn't understand live-streaming sales, they watched TV dramas!

They had also seen the recently popular "Leisurely Listening to the Falling Rain" on TV.

Hearing that the anchor of Tang Song's company had actually run into "Chu Ruolin" during a live stream, they were all stunned.

The hardware store was lively for a long while.

Li Ranran looked at Tang Song with sparkling eyes, worshipfully, "Brother Tang Song, I didn't expect you to be so awesome now! I followed He Yiyi a while ago; the live-streaming effect and the clothing reviews are all very good, definitely having the potential to be a big hit."

She had been studying this recently and knew too well what having such an internet celebrity IP meant.

"Then I'll take your kind words, Ranran." Tang Song smiled, raised his wrist to check the time, "Mom, why isn't Dad back yet?"

"I'll call your dad and urge him to come back quickly." Xu Feng took out her phone with an excited face and dialed directly.

The couple had never expected that their son would quietly build such a big operation.

Now he was driving a Mercedes-Benz, and the company was developing so well.

Her heart was filled with pride and excitement; she just wanted to call her husband back quickly so the whole family could celebrate properly and have a good chat.

"Beep, beep, beep—" The phone rang for a while, but no one answered.

"This old Tang, it's useless even if I bought him such a good new phone; he's nowhere to be found at critical moments!"

"Mom, don't worry." Tang Song stood up, "Do you know where Dad is collecting the debt? I'll go pick him up and give him a surprise while I'm at it."

"In the big courtyard opposite the agricultural machinery factory; the renovation team people usually stay there. He drove the electric tricycle there, no need to pick him up."

"It's fine, the tricycle can be parked there first. I'm leaving, Mom, I'll be back in a while. Auntie Guo, Ranran, bye."

Tang Song waved his hand and turned to walk outside.

Having not seen each other for so long, he actually missed his father quite a bit.

Accompanied by the roar of the engine, the Mercedes-Benz S-Class flexibly reversed, started, and drove toward the agricultural machinery factory in the east.

Li Ranran, standing at the door, gripped her phone tightly, unable to help but sigh again at the earth-shaking changes in this neighbor brother of hers.

At the same time, she couldn't help but feel a bit lost.

……

The courtyard built of red bricks was originally the office of a cardboard box factory.

Three sides of single-story houses wrapped around a factory building.

However, with the factory closing down a few years ago, this place became a large, cluttered courtyard, rented out in pieces.

There were those doing renovations, those selling stainless steel, as well as small restaurants and small shops.

In a room on the west side, smoke swirled, and the noise was endless.

The doors and windows were wide open, and two floor fans were blowing "whoosh, whoosh."

Several burly men were sitting around a mottled brown desk playing cards.

The sound of playing cards hitting the desktop was particularly harsh.

Another round ended, and Tang Jianying stood up from the stool, shaking his head, "I won't play anymore; my son is coming back from Yancheng today, he should be home soon."

After speaking, he took a piece of paper out of his pocket and pressed it onto the desk, "This is the list of goods you took from me before; check it and see if there's any problem."

Hu Zi, who was white, fat, and tall, stood up and patted Tang Jianying's arm.

He laughed heartily, "Jianying, it's really not that I'm deliberately not paying you; recently, the two renovation companies we cooperate with are dragging out the final payments, and I really can't turn it around. Let's wait until next month; we'll settle it all then."

Tang Jianying shook his head, "Hu Zi, you know the situation of my small shop. If everyone does this, it won't be possible to keep going."

He knew Li Zhaohu's situation; he had made a lot of money running a renovation team a few years ago, buying an Audi and buying an apartment in the county town.

Even if the renovation company was dragging out his final payment, it wasn't as if he couldn't come up with twenty thousand yuan.

In the end, it was because he didn't take him seriously from the bottom of his heart.

He felt that it didn't matter even if he offended him, and he could still use this money for capital turnover.

With this delay, it would likely drag on until the end of the year.

Hu Zi took a puff of his cigarette and said, "We've known each other for so many years, and we're from the same village; I wouldn't default on a debt, so just rest assured."

Tang Jianying took a deep breath, his emotions somewhat agitated, "Hu Zi, when you first came out to work, you were my assistant; I also treated you as a friend, which is why I let you drag it out for two months. You have to have a conscience when doing things."

"Clatter—" Hu Zi threw the playing cards onto the table, his tone also turning cold, "Jianying, I'm taking hardware parts from you, isn't that taking care of your business? Shouldn't you be thanking me? Just because my capital turnover is having problems, you're being sarcastic and calling me heartless?"

"Taking care of business isn't done like this."

Seeing the somewhat sharp attitude between the two, several people around them quickly stood up to persuade them.

"Hu Zi, Jianying, don't argue, don't argue; we're all our own people, speak properly."

"Yeah, no need for this."

…

Although they worked for Hu Zi, they were also from the surrounding villages and were acquaintances of Tang Jianying.

Among them was a cousin from the same clan, Tang Xianli.

He also learned through Tang Xianli that Hu Zi had no social engagements today and was staying here.

Tang Xianli persuaded Tang Jianying a few words and said to Li Zhaohu, "How about this, Hu Zi, you take some money for Jianying first to put his mind at ease. Jianying's family is also quite difficult; his wife spent a lot of money on medical treatment before, and they just finished paying off the debt."

"Whoosh—" Hu Zi exhaled a puff of smoke and stubbed out the cigarette butt.

He curled his lips, took his handbag out of the cabinet, took out a stack of cash from it, and threw it onto the table.

"Fine, this is ten thousand yuan, consider it an advance payment for the previous cycle; you write me a receipt."

Tang Jianying's lips moved, just about to say something.

Tang Xianli beside him quickly tugged at him and gave him a look.

Hesitating for a moment, Tang Jianying sighed and came to the table.

First, he counted the money, then picked up paper and pen to write a receipt.

Putting the ten thousand yuan into his pocket, Tang Jianying whispered, "Then I'll go first."

After speaking, he turned and walked outside.

Hu Zi also followed him out, leaning against the door frame of the office, looking down from above, "Jianying, we've worked together for so many years, and you're still like this.

I have two renovation teams under me, and every month I can take nearly ten thousand yuan of hardware parts from you.

With this stunt, I definitely won't take goods from your shop in the future.

If you ask me, you're just too small-minded and don't know how to do business, which is why you haven't made it yet."

Tang Jianying's footsteps paused, only feeling a surge of frustration pent up in his chest.

In his earlier years, he was a master worker in the construction team, and Li Zhaohu was his assistant.

So hearing him say such things now was particularly harsh and stifling.

Just at this moment.

"Beep, beep—" A deep, short honk sounded from the side.

Immediately after, the shiny silver Mercedes-Benz stopped beside Tang Jianying.

The smooth body lines still exuded a unique metallic texture under the cloudy light.

The streamlined body still shimmered with a low-key and luxurious luster in the dim light.

The space-silver paint was shiny and bright, like a mirror, reflecting the somewhat dilapidated factory environment around it.

"Click—" The car door was pushed open casually.

Tang Song looked at his father in front of him and shouted forcefully, "Dad."

His father, not yet 50 years old, already had quite a few white hairs on his head.

Wearing a set of not-so-clean work clothes, years of labor had caused his spine to bend slightly, and the wrinkles on his face crisscrossed.

However, from his dignified and three-dimensional facial features, one could still see that he was a handsome young man in the surrounding villages when he was young.

Following his shout, Hu Zi and the others who were looking over here were all somewhat stunned.

"Little Song!? You..." Tang Jianying looked at his son in front of him, his face revealing a look of surprise and astonishment.

He looked at the silver big Benz beside him, then at his sturdy and tall son.

Tang Song's face revealed a big smile, "What's wrong, Dad, don't recognize me?"

"Good boy, you're really spirited." Tang Jianying, who had come back to his senses, stepped forward and patted his son's shoulder, laughing, "Really sturdy, almost catching up to when I was young; this is what it should look like, finally not as sloppy as before!"

"I told you all, I've been working out recently."

Immediately, Tang Jianying pointed to the Mercedes-Benz beside him, somewhat hesitantly, "This car is..."

He had heard his son say before that he was going to drive a new car back.

He had even been mysterious and didn't tell them what car it was.

But seeing this silver big Benz appear suddenly made him dare not be sure.

Tang Song said with a smile, "Just bought the car, Mercedes-Benz S450L, beautiful, right?"

The expression on Tang Jianying's face froze, his eyelids twitching wildly.

It was actually a car his son bought!

Looking at the atmospheric chrome grille, Tang Jianying paced to the front of the car.

The atmospheric and luxurious Mercedes-Benz S-Class sedan, the bright chrome grille shimmered with metallic light, and the unique three-pointed star emblem shone brilliantly.

Tang Jianying couldn't help but reach out and touch the exquisite Mercedes-Benz standing emblem on the front of the car.

The clear and solid metallic texture made his heart surge.

Before he was unemployed, he was a freight driver in a flour mill and knew a lot about cars.

At that time, the big boss of the factory drove a Tiger-Head Benz.

Seeing Tang Song's million-dollar luxury car at this moment, the touch in his heart was indescribable.

Hu Zi, leaning against the door, twitched his mouth, his expression changing for a while.

The few people in the office looked at each other.

In their senses, this young man driving the silver Benz not only had an outstanding appearance but also had a special aura.

He had a composed temperament, which was fundamentally different from people like them.

It's just that they didn't expect it to be Tang Jianying's son.

Tang Xianli walked out quickly, looking at Tang Song in disbelief.

"Uncle Xianli, you're here too." Tang Song greeted him with a smile.

This was a relative from the same clan, and also a neighbor, who could be considered an elder who watched him grow up.

His son was also his childhood playmate, and the two families had always had a very good relationship.

Tang Xianli swallowed his saliva and said in a muffled voice, "Little Song, you... came back from Yancheng?"

"Yeah, just came back not long ago, isn't this coming to find my dad."

"I heard before that you started a business and became a boss, really amazing, now you're driving a big Benz, this car isn't cheap, right?" Tang Xianli rubbed his hands, speaking somewhat cautiously.

"It's alright, less than 1.5 million on the road."

"Hiss~" A sound of gasping for air arose.

Tang Jianying was also startled.

Although he had roughly guessed the price, hearing Tang Song say it himself still made him feel somewhat dizzy.

A 1.5 million luxury car, placed in their small township, was absolutely shocking.

Only some bosses who ran factories could afford it.

And these bosses were undoubtedly the upper-class figures in the local area.

Tang Song smiled, came to the back of the car, opened the trunk, and took out a carton of cigarettes and a bottle of liquor.

He paced to Tang Xianli and said, "Uncle Xianli, just happened to run into you here, let me get you something."

Looking at the Zhonghua cigarettes and Moutai liquor in front of him, Tang Xianli swallowed heavily, "This... this... how embarrassing, thank you, Little Song."

As he spoke, he still took it over cautiously.

He simply couldn't refuse something worth nearly three thousand.

And having smoked cigarettes and drunk liquor for so many years, he had really never touched Zhonghua or Moutai.

Following Tang Xianli taking the items, the gazes of others around toward Tang Song and Tang Jianying changed again.

Through the open trunk, one could vaguely see boxes of cigarettes and liquor, all Moutai and Zhonghua.

Hu Zi's heart surged, and the expression on his face was very complicated.

Curling his lips, Hu Zi said in a dry voice, "Jianying, the ten thousand or so yuan that's missing, I'll transfer it to your WeChat later."

Hearing his words, Tang Jianying took a deep breath and said with full vigor, "Fine."

Tang Song took the car keys out of his pocket and handed them to his father, laughing, "Dad, don't you especially like Mercedes-Benz and Audi? Want to drive it and try it out, see if what I bought is worth it."

His father's previous job was a truck driver, and his driving skills were unquestionable.

And he loved cars very much; outside of work, he often chatted with colleagues about cars.

Hesitating for a moment, Tang Jianying still couldn't resist the temptation and reached out to take it, "Then let's try it."

Holding the car keys with outstanding texture, Tang Jianying stood up very straight, turned to nod at Hu Zi and the others, "We're leaving first."

"Yeah, yeah, drive slowly on the road."

"Alright, Brother Jianying."

Amidst a chorus of farewells, Tang Jianying stepped to the driver's seat.

Pulling open the car door, looking at the exquisite and luxurious interior inside, his face flushed red.

"Bang!" "Bang!"

The car doors were closed gently, the engine sound started, the Mercedes-Benz S made a turn in the open space and drove out of the rusty factory gate.

In the quiet car cabin.

Tang Song chatted softly with his father about the car's configuration and driving experience.

"This steering wheel is really precise, almost no virtual position! The chassis is also very solid!"

"2.5L displacement, 6-cylinder turbocharged engine, maximum 367 horsepower... chose the meteor shower headlights, especially cool when turned on at night, you can try it later."

…

Looking at his old father in the driver's seat who was glowing with health, Tang Song revealed a faint warmth and smile in his eyes.

In his memory, his father had always been a very great and strong person, using his own shoulders to support a piece of the sky for their small family.

And long-term running around and labor, as well as bending and fawning, had gradually crushed his father's waist.

Now that he had the ability, he naturally wanted to let his family live better and more comfortably.

With his current IQ and EQ, hearing his mother's narration, he immediately guessed the whole story.

A rural town is actually not as peaceful and calm as it appears on the surface.

Many times, it's even like a jungle.

If you are too low-key, you will be considered weak and easy to bully by some people with ulterior motives.

You never know when they will bare their fangs and claws at you, teasing and provoking you.

Necessary display of strength and showing off is telling the other party that I am not to be trifled with. ===== CHAPTER 347 =====