Chapter 425: I Want to Go Into Business

During the holiday, Lin Zhao and the children lived in the military compound.

Worried his wife and children would grow restless, Gu Chenghuai had the guard move the family’s television here.

This was one of only two televisions in the compound.

Gu Zhihang had always been outgoing, able to chat with anyone, and within days he made many friends.

The Gu family was generous.

Whether big or small, children who came to watch TV were never shooed away—as long as they stayed quiet and well-behaved.

Unlike the other family, where you had to constantly watch the mistress’s mood and beg her to be in a good humor just to get to watch.

That attitude made people uncomfortable, so many adults and children stopped going.

Lin Zhao didn’t mind the children coming over to watch TV—more people meant more liveliness. These kids had bright eyes, politely greeted everyone, left on time, swept the floor clean, and took their little stools with them, departing quietly.

With the television as a connection, Lin Zhao’s family integrated even faster.

One day, the children came again to watch TV. As they watched, two teenage boys in military uniforms appeared at the door.

Gu Zhiyu found the house, heard the noise from the living room outside, took off his cap, strode forward with his long legs, and leaned against the doorway.

The living room held about ten boys and girls.

“All watching TV?” Seeing his sister, he knew he hadn’t come to the wrong house and smiled.

Yaobao sat in the center, hands resting on her knees.

Hearing the voice, she turned her head, saw her brother’s face, leapt up, ran to him, and threw herself into Gu Zhiyu’s arms.

“Big brother!!” Yaobao’s voice was cheerful.

Gu Zhiyu lifted her up and tossed her gently.

“Missed me? I bought you coconut candy.”

“I did!” Yaobao’s voice was clear; she hugged her brother’s neck, rested her head on his shoulder, visibly delighted.

Lin Zhao heard Yaobao’s excited voice and sensed something—she came downstairs.

Her tall, straight-as-a-poplar eldest son entered her view.

“You’ve grown taller—you look… more and more like your father.”

Gu Chenghuai walked over too, a faint pride glinting in his eyes: “Of course my son looks like me.”

He meant his demeanor.

But the one who most resembled him in features was the third son.

Since entering the Youth Palace, this child had studied diligently, returning home rarely. Lin Zhao had visited him a few days ago—he’d lost a little weight, but his spirits were good. She didn’t scold him, only handed him the food she’d brought to nourish him, asked Nan Yi to keep an eye on him, and left reassured.

Looking at her eldest son, who hadn’t been home in two months, Lin Zhao smiled: “What do you want to eat? Give me a menu—I’ll ask Qiao Auntie to make it.”

Gu Zhiyu: “Anything’s fine. I like and miss all the food at home.”

“I know what my brother wants—I’ll go tell Qiao Auntie.” Gu Zhihang rushed to the kitchen—he and his brother were twins, raised together, shared everything, and understood each other without words.

The children in the living room had never seen Gu Zhiyu before; they stared curiously. Seeing the family talking, they reluctantly glanced at the TV screen, slid off their stools, and prepared to leave.

Seeing this, Gu Zhiyu laughed: “No need to go. Keep watching, it’s fine.”

He sat down on the sofa without ceremony: “You’re friends of Zhihang and Yaobao, right? Thanks to you, they adapted so quickly. Come anytime, don’t be shy.”

He took off his military coat, revealing a military-green shirt underneath. His hair was cut very short, revealing his superior skull shape and facial contours—Lin Zhao watched him with quiet pride.

Raising children is waiting for a flower to bloom.

That Zhiyu had grown into a humble, courteous, well-mannered young man filled his parents with joy.

The children had a very good impression of Yaobao’s big brother and gathered around him, asking questions.

“Big Brother Zhiyu, Yaobao says you’re a college student at the Aviation Academy? Will you fly planes?”

“Aviation Academy must mean flying planes, right? Big Brother Zhiyu, have you ever seen a plane?”

Gu Zhiyu had a gentle temperament and carefully answered the children’s questions.

“Will you fly planes someday? Yes. Have you seen a plane? Not yet…”

Gu Chenghuai saw his eldest son showed no sign of fatigue, full of energy—he knew his son could handle the training intensity.

He wrapped his arm around Lin Zhao and led her upstairs.

“Go rest upstairs. Come down for dinner. It’s too noisy down here—you’ll get a headache.”

Lin Zhao held the staircase railing as she climbed, smiling: “No, I won’t. My eldest son’s back—I’m happy. No headache could ever come.”

“That’s psychological,” Gu Chenghuai squeezed her shoulder.

“Doesn’t matter,” Lin Zhao just smiled.

Thinking of Qianbao, she sighed softly: “The children are growing up. It’s hard to get a proper family meal together now. I’m beginning to understand my parents better… this feeling is truly painful.”

After speaking, she smiled again at Gu Chenghuai: “It’s fine. I’m trying to adapt. I’ll get used to it.”

Gu Chenghuai knew more than his wife did.

The so-called Youth Class Qianbao entered was actually training national treasures for the state.

He was brilliant, remembered everything at a glance, thought quickly—in less than three months, he caught the attention of senior leaders.

His life was destined to be turbulent, extraordinary.

Gu Chenghuai’s voice soothed: “If you miss him, tell me. I’ll take you to see him.”

“Mm.” Lin Zhao agreed.

…

In Lin Zhao’s sophomore year, Lin Shi came to the capital for the first time—to the sihe courtyard her brother-in-law had bought.

Qiao Hui lived in the room near the gate, to easily welcome guests.

Hearing a knock, she opened the carved wooden gate.

“Yaobao’s second uncle?” Qiao Hui stepped aside, inviting Lin Shi inside: “Zhaozhao’s in the main hall.”

Lin Shi nodded: “You go ahead—I’ll find her.”

Before his words ended, he quickened his pace toward the sound.

Before he reached her, he saw Lin Zhao reclining in a rocking chair, a floral thin blanket over her knees, surrounded by pots of blooming flowers—Shiba Xueshi, Zha Po Meiren Lian, Wu Se Chi Dan, Hua He Ling… any one of them would make a flower lover envious.

“Tsk. No one in our family enjoys life like you,” Lin Shi muttered, a smile tugging at his tired face.

The familiar voice reached her ears. Lin Zhao opened her eyes and turned her head.

“Second brother?” She slid her legs off the rocker, stood, and took his arm, leading him into the living room.

“Why didn’t you call before coming to see me?”

Lin Zhao poured tea for Lin Shi, pressing the cup into his hands: “Drink some tea. Your lips are cracked—how long has it been since I saw you? You’ve gotten so rough. Doesn’t your wife mind?”

Hearing these piercing words, Lin Shi’s eyes flickered with helplessness.

“Zhaozhao,” he dragged out her name, “your tongue’s gotten sharper.”

Not daring to retort, Lin Shi pressed on: “What happened to your hair? Did you perm it?!”

“Yes.” Lin Zhao spun in place, her wavy long hair swirling like a movie starlet’s: “Pretty?”

“Beautiful. Perfect for you—you look like you’re in a film,” Lin Shi replied with sincere admiration.

He’d wanted to take his wife for a perm, but his little antique refused—she loved her long, straight black hair.

“Second brother, when was the last time you bathed? You smell like pickled meat. Go wash up first. We’ll talk after. I’m afraid you’ll give me a headache.” Lin Zhao’s patience was the size of a sesame seed.

Lin Shi: “…”

With a blank face, he took the clean clothes Lin Zhao had prepared and walked to the bathroom.

After bathing, he smelled clean, felt half a pound lighter.

Only then did he have the energy to stroll around the courtyard.

Lin Shi realized the house was absurdly large, with a small hill and a pond, where several plump koi swam.

Pure luxury.

“Is my courtyard great?!” Lin Zhao stood beside Lin Shi, watching the beautiful koi.

“Great!” Lin Shi said. “Everything you could want, spacious, comfortable—really excellent.”

Lin Zhao smiled: “Yes, I live here now. It’s very comfortable.”

Lin Shi smiled: “Is there food? I’m hungry.”

“Eat some snacks first—I’ll ask Qiao Jie to cook you something.” Lin Zhao returned to the living room, found snacks from the cabinet, gave them to her brother to tide him over, found Qiao Hui, asked her to prepare a few good dishes, then came back.

“Did you come here to deliver goods?”

Lin Shi paused mid-bite of a butterfly cookie, thinking of his troubles—suddenly lost his appetite.

“No. I came here specifically to see you.”

Lin Zhao, adjusting the TV channel, looked over.

She didn’t rush to ask why. She refilled Lin Shi’s tea, poured herself a cup, sat on the sofa, and settled into a long conversation.

“What’s going on?”

Lin Shi gritted his teeth: “Zhaozhao, I want to quit my job and go into business.”

Knowing the future’s trajectory, Lin Zhao thought this idea was brilliant.

“Quit if you want to. Start a business if you want to. What are you hesitating about?” Lin Zhao asked, puzzled.

“Your sister-in-law… isn’t happy about it,” Lin Shi sighed.

Over the years, his wife had been devoted to him and their two daughters—washing clothes, cooking meals, always putting them first.

Once, she accidentally met an acquaintance, and soon after, her unscrupulous parents showed up. Facing their extortion, Taotao stood unconditionally with her husband and daughters. That gentle woman grabbed a kitchen knife and chased them off, defending the family.

That scene moved Lin Shi deeply; Lin Xuan and Lin Zheng were profoundly shaken.

When Qiulian was alive, they had never been the ones chosen.

Now, they finally felt it… this feeling was truly wonderful!

With such a good daughter-in-law, how could Lin Shi Sheng settle down to do business if she didn’t agree?

So he was troubled, restless, seeking opportunities to visit his sister and casually ask for Zhao Zhao’s opinion.

Lin Shi Sheng had realized over the years that his sister had never made a wrong decision—her life had been smoother than a slide.

Following his sister’s advice would never lead to error.

Lin Zhao had no idea that in her second brother’s heart, she had become a little golden carp.

She looked surprised, “Aren’t you the one your sister-in-law listens to? If you speak up, how could she possibly disagree?!”

Lin Shi Sheng’s expression was complex, a half-happy, half-helpless smile appearing on his face. “Your sister-in-law pities me—she doesn’t want me to work too hard. She says staying in the transport team means a pension after retirement, state support, and an easy life.”

“...” Lin Zhao felt dog food slapping her face; her teeth ached.

“So what’s your thought?” She took a sip of tea to calm herself, ignoring the middle-aged man’s smug expression.

Lin Shi Sheng grew serious. “I think I’m still young, still in my prime to strive. I want to start a factory—produce hygiene and personal care products.”

When speaking of this, his eyes shone brightly.

“Zhao Zhao, I’ve researched it—our country’s market for this is nearly blank. It’s truly promising! Most importantly, you and Xiao Si have the formulas; the products are good, so there’s no worry about market demand. I think capturing the overseas market isn’t out of the question.” Lin Shi Sheng had big ambitions—he wanted to earn foreign exchange for the nation.

It sounded like a joke now, but he had genuinely thought of it, even made it his factory’s goal.

“I believe what my second brother says.” Lin Zhao had full confidence in her own products—if mass-produced, earning foreign exchange would be the bare minimum.

“Go ahead. I’ve always supported you. It’s promising, though the early stage will be tiring. Once production stabilizes, hire more people—it won’t be so hard then.”

Lin Shi Sheng waved his hand. “Whether it’s tiring or not doesn’t matter—as long as it succeeds, I’ll put in any amount of effort.”

“Your health matters too. If you neglect it, your sister-in-law will oppose even more.” Lin Zhao said.

“Your sister-in-law takes care of my meals and drinks—I’m paying attention.” Lin Shi Sheng’s tone softened.

Lin Zhao saw the upward curve of her brother’s lips and knew he was unconsciously showing off his affection. She ignored the urge to retort and changed the subject.

“How do you plan to do it?”

Lin Shi Sheng said, “First, I’ll try hard to get your sister-in-law’s approval, then lease a factory, quit my job, start recruiting workers, resume production, and after we have finished products, find sales channels...”

He had thought it through carefully—he already had a clear plan.

Lin Zhao now had a solid understanding.

“I’ll help you persuade your sister-in-law.”

Lin Shi Sheng beamed. “That’s wonderful—your sister-in-law listens to you. If you speak up, she’ll definitely agree.”

His wife thought Zhao Zhao had good fortune and told him to listen more to his sister.

“Do you have enough money? If not, I’ll invest some?” Lin Zhao said.

She had full confidence in the future of her brother’s factory—it would make a fortune.

Who wouldn’t want shampoo that turns white hair black?

Who wouldn’t want shampoo that relieves dry, damaged hair from dyeing and perming?

After shampoo, they could develop hair conditioners, body lotions… expand the product range—it’s even possible to become the nation’s number one.

“Do you have extra money lying idle? If so, invest some—I won’t take advantage of you. Once the factory runs smoothly, I’ll pay you back and give you half the profits.” Lin Shi Sheng was generous with his little sister.

He was the kind of brother who, if he had ten, would give her eight.

“No need to repay—consider it my equity. Just give me dividends when it turns a profit.” Lin Zhao smiled brightly.

“Even if you didn’t invest, I’d still give you dividends—what’s the big deal?” Lin Shi Sheng waved it off.

“What’s mine is yours—you can have as much as you want.”

Lin Zhao knew he meant every word now, but hearts change, and when money is involved, written contracts were better.

She didn’t want to grow distant from her brother over gold and silver.

“Second brother, one is one, two is two—let’s follow the rules. I don’t want problems later.”

Lin Shi Sheng frowned, as if about to say something.

Lin Zhao continued, “Our factory will grow big. If we’re sloppy at the start, by the time you, as factory manager, want to enforce rules, it’ll be too late. No need to leave a big bomb. A factory has factory rules—keep records for everything. It saves a lot of trouble.”

Lin Shi Sheng thought it over, then finally nodded. “Fine, I’ll follow your advice.”

He remembered this, and later avoided a major trouble.

In the evening, estimating the time, Lin Zhao called Gu Chenghuai.

She told him she wanted to use most of her savings to invest in a daily chemical factory.

Gu Chenghuai’s voice was low and rich as he chuckled softly, “You decide—I have no objections.”