Chapter 3: A New Venture for Father and Son

At dusk, Xu Chen clutched a stack of newspapers under his arm as he arrived at the police station.

Xu Zhiquan sat on the edge of the flowerbed in front of the station, smoking with a troubled expression.

No need to ask; he was clearly fretting over the machinery factory’s contract orders.

For Xu Chen, reborn after so many years, seeing his father again stirred uncontainable excitement.

Xu Zhiquan looked just as he had years ago: a well-fed belly, slicked-back hair, exuding the air of a small-town entrepreneur.

“Dad!” Xu Chen called out.

Xu Zhiquan turned, spotted his son, stubbed out his cigarette, and stood up. Instantly, the worry melted from his face, replaced by a warm smile.

That was his nature: no matter the hardship, he’d never show it in front of his son.

He bore pressure and difficulty alone, always the reliable, warm, and strong patriarch.

Xu Chen couldn’t help stepping forward to hug his father.

Xu Zhiquan let out a hearty chuckle and ruffled his son’s hair.

“Come on! Let’s go grab some skewers!”

Xu Zhiquan was an open-minded dad.

His bond with Xu Chen felt more like friendship than mere father and son.

That was one of Xu Chen’s greatest blessings.

No preachy, overbearing father—life felt much easier and happier.

…

That evening at Panhe Night Market.

The street-side stalls blasted popular tunes through big speakers.

“Punishment for impulse, perfume is poison—when you’re lonely, who do you miss? Pray to Buddha…”

Xu Zhiquan led Xu Chen to a riverside barbecue stall under a tarp.

Fresh lamb skewers: three for one yuan.

Prices in the county back in ’06 felt nostalgic.

Sixty lamb skewers, four lamb kidney skewers, one grilled eggplant… plus two beers and a soda.

After downing a dozen skewers and some idle chatter, Xu Chen dove into the main topic.

“Dad, the contract today… didn’t go through?”

Xu Zhiquan said, “No harm done. That’s just how business goes.”

Xu Chen replied, “I actually think it’s a good thing. That machinery factory deal might not be so profitable.”

Xu Zhiquan smiled. “Oh? Explain.”

Xu Chen said, “State-run Bright Machinery Factory mainly makes agricultural tricycles. Our foundry supplies their parts.

But those tricycles aren’t selling anymore. The factory itself might even go under.”

Xu Zhiquan lit a cigarette, listening with genuine interest as his son continued.

Xu Chen went on:

“Look at our town—every farming household already owns a tricycle.

You can’t replace them every year. Who would buy the new ones?”

Xu Zhiquan paused, surprised his high-school son was analyzing business so keenly.

He’d intended just to humor him, but his expression grew serious.

Xu Chen pressed on:

“Plus, so many villagers have left for work elsewhere. How many are left farming? Nobody’s buying these tricycles now, and sales will only drop.”

“Dad, by skipping that contract, you dodged a bullet.”

Xu Zhiquan looked at his son, his gaze growing solemn.

He didn’t say a word. After finishing his cigarette, he spoke up:

“I was planning to find a way to make it work, but after your analysis, we really shouldn’t touch it.”

He turned to Xu Chen, speaking earnestly:

“All those years of schooling weren’t wasted. You’ve really come into your own.”

“You’ve taught your old man a lesson!”

Xu Chen smiled and clinked his soda can against his father’s beer glass.

Xu Zhiquan drained his drink, then admitted with a hint of worry:

“With fewer upstream parts orders, our small foundry’s business is getting tougher.”

Xu Chen said, “Perfect time to pivot into something new!”

Xu Zhiquan nodded. “I’ve been thinking the same… Son, got any ideas?”

Without hesitation, Xu Chen spread two newspapers before his father.

Xu Zhiquan leaned in to read:

【Seven Vertical, Eight Horizontal: Provincial Expressway Mid-to-Long-Term Plan Released…】

【Ring Road Expressway Project to Be Completed Within Ten Years…】

【Greenbelt Landscaping Seedling Bids…】

“What’s this?”

“Dad, check out these planning documents: They’ll build highways for the next decade. The South City and West City ring roads are already underway.

Along the expressways—especially near the city—there’ll be a huge demand for landscaping seedlings, but almost no one is growing them now.

Dad, let’s start a nursery business!”

Xu Chen spoke with absolute conviction.

In the county and towns, chances to strike it rich don’t come often.

As someone reborn, Xu Chen knew the surrounding towns would soon invest heavily in nurseries—and a few became very wealthy.

He’d assessed his father’s capabilities: funds, connections, resources. This nursery venture wasn’t just doable—it would thrive.

Xu Zhiquan, with a cigarette in hand, scanned the papers, brow furrowed.

Xu Chen added:

“Most farmers have gone to work elsewhere. Their fields are leased out—that’s our opening…”

“If I remember right, Beishan already has a few villages growing seedlings. Land’s cheap. We could lease fields or buy seedlings outright and hire experienced hands…”

“Look at these highway plans: in a month or two, they’ll put landscaping bids out…”

“My second maternal uncle’s third brother graduated from the Forestry Academy. We could hire him to help…”

“And my fourth aunt’s eldest cousin works in the transport bureau. Maybe he can pull some strings?”

“There are two models: lease land and plant ourselves, or a lighter option—just trade seedlings, buy from Beishan villages…”

“But at the start, you need land leases and manpower—that’s a rigid requirement for many bids…”

“The beginning might be tough, but land one or two sections, and you could win all the subsequent bids on these highway projects…”

“Highway development around neighboring counties will go on for over a decade. This business can last. Few have spotted the opportunity yet; once they do, competition will be fierce.

So we need to move fast…”

“The South City Highway landscaping bids are just around the corner. Starting now, we still have time and little competition…”

Xu Chen held his soda calmly, speaking in a steady, continuous flow.

His entire layout for the seedling business was already sketched out: production source, sales channels, bid strategy, operational model…

Now he was explaining it simply, step by step, so his father could understand.

Xu Zhiquan listened intently, smoking through half a pack.

At one moment, he picked up his beer bottle and poured a full glass for Xu Chen:

“Son, I drink this cup to you!”

Like many parents of that era, Xu Zhiquan wasn’t good at expressing emotions directly.

But after listening to his son’s detailed “lesson,” he couldn’t hide his surprise and delight.

He knew Xu Chen excelled in school, but never expected such comprehensive, practical guidance.

Today, his eighteen-year-old son truly earned his respect.

Xu Zhiquan’s eyes shone with pride and joy.

He paused a moment, then said:

“This is solid. I’ll start making calls tomorrow.

Besides your suggestions, I have a few contacts we can use.”

“Our foundry is struggling, but thanks to you, I see a bright path!”

Xu Chen said, “Dad, you’re capable and hardworking. The business will only grow bigger!

Don’t just aim to be the richest in the village—why not richest in the city, province, or even the nation?”

Xu Zhiquan laughed, “Then you’ll have to teach me even more lessons!”

Father and son both chuckled, raising their glasses and emptying them in one go.

Xu Zhiquan lit another cigarette and said,

“We can’t wait. Tomorrow I’ll head to Beishan to scout those seedling villages and reach out to contacts.

But we’ll also need to notify your uncles and aunts, get their input and agreement.”

Xu Chen fell silent, frowning slightly.

“What’s wrong?” Xu Zhiquan asked.

Xu Chen hesitated, then spoke candidly:

“Dad, if you want to grow this business big, you’ll need to clear out the relatives who leech off our family first.”