Chapter 122: Chapter 19 The Doctoral Son Works for Others_2
Young people came and went along the country path, but regretfully, Sun Dasheng didn’t recognize a single one. It makes sense. Our family moved to the county town decades ago. We’ve had almost no contact with the younger generation from our old hometown, so it’s only natural not to know anyone.
"Isn’t that Youzhi? You’re here pretty late today. Have you already finished lighting the tomb lanterns?" a man about Sun Youzhi’s age asked, stopping the father and son. A younger man, who seemed to be about Sun Dasheng’s age, followed behind him. They had also arrived in a small car.
"Jian Guo, you old dog!" Sun Youzhi beamed when he recognized the man and greeted him happily. "Aren’t you always in the city? Living so far away, how did you find time to come back for the New Year?"
It seems he also came from the countryside and moved to the city, much like our family.
"Well, it’s because my boy just got his Ph.D. this year. We came to report the good news at the ancestral graves," Sun Jianguo said, pulling a pack of cigarettes from his pocket and offering it to Sun Youzhi and Sun Dasheng.
Sun Youzhi took one and tucked it behind his ear without lighting it. "Well, congratulations! With a Ph.D. in the family, you can just sit back and enjoy a good life now."
"He’s the first Ph.D. from our village, right? How impressive! When are you planning to throw a celebratory feast?" The envy in Sun Youzhi’s eyes was impossible to hide.
Sun Dasheng understood his father’s feelings. In our hometown, the entrepreneurial spirit isn’t very strong. A young person’s success is judged almost entirely by their academic achievements. Around here, a family with a child who excels in their studies is the object of everyone’s envy. Of course, back when I was accepted into Fudan University in Shanghai, my dad was the envy of the entire region. It is, after all, a nationally renowned university.
"Ah, what’s the point of a feast? My son criticized me, calling it an outdated custom. Besides, the government is also encouraging people to hold fewer banquets, so we decided to skip it. But we’ll definitely hand out some celebratory candies to everyone to share the joy, you know, share the joy."
Sun Jianguo was incredibly proud. The reason he told everyone he met about his son’s Ph.D. was simply to hear more flattery. A little vanity is only human.
"Is this your boy?" Sun Jianguo seemed to only just notice Sun Dasheng beside Comrade Lao Sun. "He’s a handsome young man. If I remember correctly, he got into Fudan University in Shanghai, right? That’s a prestigious school. It’s a shame he didn’t continue his studies. What a waste of academic potential." Sun Jianguo smacked his lips, as if he genuinely felt it was a pity for Sun Youzhi.
"He’s doing alright. Not the best, but not the worst. His job is stable, and starting work early has its own advantages," Sun Youzhi said.
"That’s where you’re mistaken. Studying more and getting a higher degree is always the best path," Sun Jianguo said, pointing out Comrade Lao Sun’s flawed thinking. "Look at my boy. He just graduated with his Ph.D. this year and got a job through campus recruitment with a starting annual salary of two hundred thousand. He thought the pay was too low, so after just half a year, he switched to another company. Now his annual salary is three hundred thousand!"
"Dad, please say a little less. We still need to go visit the grave," his son, the Ph.D. graduate, urged, his expression displeased. As he spoke, he pulled his collar up to cover half his face, as if he couldn’t stand the biting wind.
But Sun Jianguo was reluctant to leave; he hadn’t finished boasting yet. It wasn’t every day he ran into this old acquaintance. Back when Sun Youzhi’s son had aced his college entrance exams and gotten into a prestigious university, all he could do was listen to him boast and feel envious. But now, his own son was earning good money. He had gone from an ordinary university to becoming a doctoral student at a prestigious one, and after graduating, he had landed such a great job. If Sun Jianguo didn’t get to boast back now, he would feel unsettled.
"So, where is Dasheng working now? How’s the pay?" he asked.
"I’m not too clear on the details. He changed jobs recently and hasn’t told us about it yet," Sun Youzhi replied, then turned to his son. "Dasheng, why don’t you tell your Uncle Jian Guo about your current job."
Sun Dasheng felt that Comrade Lao Sun was being a bit sly. You might not know exactly what I’m doing, but you must know I have a lot more money now than before, right? Making me say it myself... are you just hoping I’ll give them a little shock?
However, for the sake of Comrade Lao Sun’s pride, he still spoke up. "Uncle Jian Guo, I’m not employed at the moment. I’m investing in and starting my own business over there."
"Oh?" Sun Jianguo sounded surprised. "Dasheng, don’t mind your uncle being blunt, but the market isn’t great right now. Starting a business is risky. It’s more stable to find a regular job and earn a steady salary."
"I was laid off, actually. That’s why I decided to start my own business," Sun Dasheng explained.
"I see!" Sun Jianguo’s tone was filled with pity. "My boy told me the same thing—that without a high level of education, it’s easy to get laid off after you turn thirty-five. I thought he was joking, but it turns out to be true. So many things are illusory these days; only a good education has real, lasting value."
Sun Dasheng actually agreed with that point. "You’re right, Uncle Jian Guo."
Seeing his point was accepted, Sun Jianguo smiled and nodded. "You were a promising kid, too. It’s a pity your parents didn’t push you to continue your studies, otherwise you’d surely be doing even better now."
This, Sun Dasheng could not agree with. "It was my own decision to start working right after graduation. My parents actually wanted me to continue studying, but I didn’t listen to them. Besides, the job market was excellent back then, and the companies at the campus recruitment events were offering great terms. That’s why I didn’t continue. I wanted to start working early to lighten my family’s burden."
Sun Jianguo wanted to say more, but his son pulled on his arm.
"Dad, stop talking. We have things we need to do."