dognovel Chapter 126 Chinese New Year
Chapter 126 Chinese New Year
It's 6 PM on Lunar New Year's Eve.
The old house at Grandpa's was warm and cozy. The living room table was laden with dishes, with a steamed carp in the center. A special program before the Spring Festival Gala was playing on the television, the volume low.
Lingyun's family of four and his uncle's family of three were all present.
Father Ling Min and eldest uncle Ling Jun sat on the sofa drinking tea. Mother and eldest aunt were busy in the kitchen. Eldest sister Ling Yujin was helping grandfather organize his old books.
Lingyun sat in a chair by the window, watching the children setting off firecrackers outside.
"Dinner's ready!" Mother brought out the last dish.
Everyone sat around a round table. Grandpa sat in the main seat, with Uncle's family to his left and Lingyun's family to his right.
Grandpa raised his glass: "Another year has passed. May everyone be safe and sound, that's good."
Everyone clinked glasses.
After eating a few bites of food, the uncle looked at Lingyun.
"Yun'er, I heard you've had quite a few adventures this year?"
Father Lingmin chimed in, "It's more than just big. This kid stole 270,000 yuan from me, and now he's started an electronics factory and even set up a company in the US. I have no idea what he's doing."
His tone contained both blame and barely concealed pride.
The eldest sister, Ling Yujin, laughed, "Dad, stop pretending to be angry. If you go out now, everyone will know you're President Ling's father."
Ling Min glared at her, then laughed at himself.
Ling Yun took a sip of tea and began to speak.
"In March, I took my dad's money and invested in the stock market. In April, I opened an internet cafe. In May, I acquired the city's electronics factory and renamed it Xinghuo Electronics. In June, I went to the United States, acquired a computer company, and assembled an operating system team."
He spoke simply, as if reciting a list.
"Spark Electronics currently has over 1,500 workers, and its profit this year is approximately four million. In the US, the Starry Sky operating system has just been released, putting it in direct competition with Microsoft."
The uncle listened intently. "What about the funds?"
"The electronics factory has over four million dollars in cash on its books, and the American company has raised several million dollars in financing. There's also a considerable amount in personal stock accounts."
"Are you confident in going head-to-head with Microsoft?"
"I'm not confident," Ling Yun said honestly. "The gap in strength is too big. But we have to build the operating system; otherwise, we'll be at the mercy of others in the future."
The uncle nodded and picked up a piece of fish.
"You've done a great job this year," he said. "You've shown courage, resourcefulness, and a strong sense of responsibility. The electronics factory saved the lives of over 1,500 families—that's a real thing."
Father Lingmin chimed in, "He's incredibly daring. If it weren't for good luck..."
"It's not luck," his uncle interrupted him. "I've seen his restructuring plan; the ideas are clear. The cooperation with Shandong University and the distribution of New Year's gifts to the workers—these aren't luck, they're skill."
Ling Yun lowered his head and ate.
The eldest sister, Ling Yujin, asked, "Will your American operating system really work?"
"It won't happen in the short term. But let's secure a position first, accumulate skills, and wait for the right opportunity."
"At what time?"
"With the widespread adoption of the internet and the rise of mobile devices," Ling Yun said, "the landscape of operating systems may change at that time."
The eldest sister seemed to be deep in thought.
After dinner, the men moved to the living room to drink tea.
My uncle brewed a pot of Pu'er tea.
"You travel a lot, so you need to be careful about your safety," my uncle said. "It's alright in China, but what about abroad? In the US, you've offended Microsoft. They're a big company, and they might use any means necessary."
Ling Yun didn't speak.
The uncle picked up the phone and dialed a number.
"Old Zhao, this is Ling Jun. Happy New Year... Yes, I need your help with something. My nephew runs a business and travels abroad frequently. He's looking for a skilled veteran to be his bodyguard and driver. Yes, someone reliable, preferably someone who's been in combat... Okay, I'll have him come to you after we go back to work on the seventh day of the New Year. Thanks."
After hanging up the phone, he looked at Ling Yun.
"Minister Zhao of the Armed Forces Department. All the retired soldiers under him are good soldiers. Go there on the seventh day of the month and pick one."
Lingyun wanted to say no, but seeing her uncle's look, she changed her mind.
"Thank you, Uncle."
"We're family, no need to thank me." The eldest uncle took a sip of tea. "What you did was risky, but worthwhile. As your eldest uncle, I can't help with anything else, but I can manage this little thing."
Father Ling Min patted Ling Yun on the shoulder.
"Listen to your uncle."
The Spring Festival Gala started on TV. It featured skits, songs, dances, and crosstalk.
Lingyun walked onto the balcony. Outside, firecrackers were going off one after another, and the air smelled of gunpowder.
The eldest sister, Ling Yujin, followed her out.
"It's cold, put on your coat." She handed me a down jacket.
Lingyun put it on.
"When are you leaving?" the older sister asked.
"On the eighth day of the lunar new year, I'll first go to Hong Kong, and then maybe visit a few Southeast Asian countries."
"What are you looking at?"
"Look at the economic situation over there," Ling Yun said. "I have a feeling that something bad might happen in Southeast Asia this year."
The older sister looked at him: "You think so too?"
"also?"
"My workplace is also paying attention," the woman said. "We recently received some analysis reports that Southeast Asian countries have too high a foreign debt ratio, and their exchange rates may be unstable."
Ling Yun nodded. He knew the Asian financial crisis would erupt in July 1997. But it was only February, and his older sister's workplace was already paying attention, which meant there were savvy people there.
"I'm also going to Hong Kong on the eighth day of the Lunar New Year," the older sister said. "It's a business trip with my work unit."
"What are you going to do?"
"I'm attending a trade and economic negotiation meeting. I can't go into details about the specific tasks." The older woman paused. "How many days will you be staying in Hong Kong?"
"It depends. Maybe three to five days."
"Where are you staying?"
"It's not decided yet."
"Our company has booked the China Resources Hotel. If you haven't booked, you can stay nearby."
"it is good."
The two remained silent for a while.
Fireworks were set off in the distance, exploding and scattering.
"Lingyun," her older sister said, "I support what you've done. But be careful. Things abroad are different from those in China; some things can't be solved with money."
"I know."
"Especially in Southeast Asia, if something really happens, it will be very chaotic. You can go and take a look, but don't get too involved."
"Um."
The older sister patted him on the back.
"Come inside, Mom has cut some fruit."
Back in the living room, Grandpa was listening to Peking Opera, his eyes half-closed.
My uncle and father are playing chess.
"General!" said the eldest uncle.
"Wait, I'll take back one move." The father reached for the chess piece.
"Once a move is made, there's no going back!"
The two argued like children.
Ling Yun smiled.
This is what celebrating the New Year should be like.
At 11 p.m., the dumplings were put into the pot.
Everyone gathered around the television, waiting for midnight.
Mother brought out the dumplings, steaming hot.
"Eat, and you'll grow another year older."
Lingyun ate a dumpling with a coin inside.
"Good luck!" everyone laughed.
At twelve o'clock, the bell rang.
The sound of firecrackers outside was deafening.
Grandpa stood up and took out a red envelope from the drawer.
"Here's your New Year's money."
The eldest brother, Ling Guo, the eldest sister, Ling Yujin, and Ling Yun all received a share.
"How old am I?" the older brother laughed.
"In my eyes, you are all children," Grandpa said.
When the message was sent to Lingyun, his grandfather gave him a second glance.
"Yun'er, do your best. But remember, the greatest businessmen serve the country and its people."
Ling Yun's heart skipped a beat. "I'll remember that, Grandpa."
The red envelope was thin, but it was very heartwarming.
At one o'clock in the morning, everyone prepared to leave.
After seeing her uncle's family off, Lingyun helped with the tidying up.
After tidying up, Lingyun went downstairs.
It snowed again. The ground was already covered in a white layer.
He lit a cigarette, but didn't smoke it, watching the cigarette butt flicker in the snowy night.
Eight years have passed.
That year, he was reborn, started afresh, and laid out his plans.
1997 has arrived.
This year will bring financial storms, greater challenges, and more opportunities.
He stubbed out his cigarette and turned to go upstairs.
The snow is still falling.
Quietly, it covered up the hustle and bustle of the city.
A new year has begun.