At noon, in a luxurious private room at Yongnan Hotel, a large table was full of people.
Qin Chuan, Li Ya, Qin Yang, Zheng Chengdao, Bai Xiaoguang, Yao Dong, Chen Jinyu, Ye Meiyun, Ge Lan, Wang Ying, and several key members of the construction team were present, creating a lively atmosphere.
Looking at the familiar faces and the playful banter amongst them, Qin Chuan was deeply content. This was a feeling he couldn't experience while traveling and working in other cities. It was like a wanderer returning home after a long journey. It felt incredibly warm and familiar.
Beside him, Li Ya was close, their fingers intertwined beneath the table, a constant connection. In their shared glances, they could feel each other's deep longing and affection.
Steaming hot dishes were served one after another as everyone raised their glasses and chatted. The conversation naturally revolved around Qin Chuan, the boss. He didn't hide the fact that he and his friends had recently opened a laboratory to research the MP3 project.
In fact, many people already knew about this. Li Ya and Ye Meiyun were the first to learn, followed by his elder brother Qin Yang, Chen Jinyu, Zheng Chengdao, and others. After all, Qin Chuan had two notorious chatterboxes by his side, Bai Xiaoguang and Yao Dong, who had already leaked the news.
Upon learning that Qin Chuan had also visited the United States, those who had never traveled abroad were filled with curiosity, bombarding him with questions about everything there, their faces alight with a thirst for knowledge.
Before Qin Chuan could speak, Bai Xiaoguang and Yao Dong jumped in, boasting and gesturing wildly. The entire table, except for Li Ya, and even Ye Meiyun, had never been abroad. Although everyone knew there was a lot of exaggeration, they listened with rapt attention.
"Boss, you haven't abandoned us old, yellowed faces for some new sweetheart, have you?" Ge Lan suddenly asked after listening to Yao Dong and Bai Xiaoguang's bragging.
"How could that be?" Qin Chuan shook his head, his expression resolute. "Everything here is my root. How could I abandon it!"
"The reason I went to big cities for new project development was for all of you! With so many people here, we can't possibly stay in this small county town forever, living an ordinary life, can we?"
His words silenced everyone. Then, a bright spark ignited in the depths of their eyes – a yearning for the outside world. After all, who wouldn't want to strive and achieve in a bigger city if they had the capability? A small county town, compared to a big city, had too many limitations. Whether it was transportation, healthcare, education, or infrastructure and environment, it lagged far behind. Even if they didn't think of themselves, they had to think of their children.
Li Ya, sitting next to Qin Chuan, heard his words. A flicker of emotion passed through her beautiful eyes, as if an important decision was brewing.
"Once I'm stable in Longcheng, I will gradually relocate all our current industries there. Then, we can all be together again!" Qin Chuan added.
After the dinner, everyone dispersed. Qin Chuan and Li Ya drove to a supermarket, where they met his parents, whom he hadn't seen in days.
Qin Shuren and Jiang Cuihua were overjoyed to see their youngest son suddenly appear. Qin's mother tightly held Qin Chuan's hand, examining him, murmuring, "You've gotten darker and thinner! But my son is becoming more refined and handsome!"
Qin Chuan cherished this feeling of being loved by his mother. In his past life, his family was fragmented, and he suffered greatly. His parents passed away early, and he was deprived of maternal and paternal love. Now, he could finally re-experience it. The profound maternal love made his heart ache, and he suppressed the urge to cry, smiling and comforting her, "Of course, who do you think I am the son of!" His remark made the whole family laugh.
Qin Chuan held his mother's hand and sat down, mother and son chatting about everyday matters. Li Ya, sensing the moment, excused herself to buy something in the supermarket, leaving the space for the family of three.
Jiang Cuihua told her son that they had found a suitable location for the second supermarket and would begin renovations soon. She asked if the renovation companies were busy lately, and if not, if they could do the work for them.
"Of course, that's no problem. It's just two supermarkets. I'm worried you two might get tired. We're not short of money now. Having one supermarket gives you two a job, and that's enough!" Qin Chuan said.
"Silly child, I know we're not short of money now, but who would complain about having more?" Qin Shuren said. "Besides, your mother and I are opening this second supermarket not for ourselves, but for your elder brother and second brother."
Qin Shuren hesitated at this point, then gritted his teeth and continued. "Xiao Chuan, you've been so successful in your career, and we're certainly very happy. But everything has its pros and cons; nothing is perfect. Your second brother is a living example. Don't think we don't know that your second brother's sudden departure from home is largely due to you!"
Qin Chuan remained silent. His second brother's sudden departure was indeed largely his fault.
"Your second brother, though he may seem unserious and carefree, has a strong sense of self-esteem. He's not like your elder brother, who is honest, steady, and goes with the flow. Of course, this is also related to getting married and having children!" Qin Shuren's voice trailed off. "He watched his younger brother start from scratch and his business grow bigger and bigger, while he himself achieved nothing. This immense psychological gap was the main reason for him leaving home."
"Right now, we only know he's somewhere in the south, but we don't know which city. Every time he calls, he just tells us he's also starting a business. But we don't have much confidence in him; doing business requires talent, not everyone can do it."
Qin Shuren sighed again at this point. "Your mother and I are thinking that if your second brother fails in his venture, we'll give him one of these two supermarkets, and then he can settle down and find a wife."
"Xiao Chuan, what do you think?" After saying so much, Qin Shuren looked at Qin Chuan with a hint of nervousness. Jiang Cuihua beside him had a similar expression.
The answer was simple: these Meitehao franchise supermarkets also belonged to Qin Chuan. Although Qin Chuan had already said he would give the supermarkets to his parents. Qin Chuan saw it all and felt a pang in his heart. This was parenthood! When their children grow up, establish themselves, and spread their wings, surpassing them in capability, the protective role would reverse. Parents would cautiously observe their children's expressions, and an unintentional word or action from their children could hurt them. Because human nature often presents its best side to others, while directing all its frustration and impatience towards the closest people. Therefore, as children, we must often be cautious when facing our parents. Time spares no one; they are getting old, and we have grown up, needing to take on the responsibility of protecting them. Never wait until they are gone to realize your regret and lament...