Qin Chuan was about to recount the fire that had befallen his family.
The blood and tears of that event were etched into his bones, deep within his soul. Every time he recalled it, Qin Chuan’s voice would tremble.
He believed everyone understood, to some extent, how terrifying fires could be. People often said water and fire were merciless; if either raged out of control, the consequences were almost fatal, and the losses immeasurable.
The fire that Qin Chuan’s family experienced was, in fact, considered a minor one. Yet, even so, it was enough to alter the course of their lives.
In his previous life, the shadow cast by that fire had affected Qin Chuan for his entire existence.
Because they lacked money, his father’s burns could not be treated properly or promptly. The condition worsened over time, leaving Qin Shuren to suffer from illness well into his fifties.
To earn money for his father’s medical expenses, his second brother, Qin Gang, took on every hardship imaginable. He worked as a cement worker, a stevedore, a painter, and even at a chemical plant. A few years later, he tragically contracted lung cancer and passed away at the prime age of thirty-three.
Upon hearing this devastating news, his mother, Jiang Cuihua, fell ill and never recovered.
Two years later, consumed by grief and weakened by constant labor, she too, passed away.
Lying in his sickbed, Qin Shuren wailed uncontrollably, blaming himself for everything. On the seventh day after his wife's passing, he quietly slit his wrists.
His suicide note clearly stated that he no longer wished to burden his family.
The entire old Qin family, once a happy and loving unit of five, was reduced to just Qin Chuan and his elder brother, Qin Yang.
Qin Yang, unable to bear the sorrow of the place, left for distant lands, leaving Qin Chuan all alone.
Every recollection of the blood and tears from his previous life caused Qin Chuan immense pain. It was a shadow that would forever haunt him, from which he could not escape.
As Qin Chuan slowly recounted the devastating fire that had so profoundly impacted the old Qin family, the private room fell into a profound silence. Even Yang Zimo listened intently.
This was the first time she had heard Qin Chuan speak of this event.
Yang Zimo was aware of the fire at the old Qin family's home. At the time, she was still a volunteer teacher in the village. However, she and Qin Chuan were not yet close, nor did she have much interaction with the old Qin family. Beyond feeling pity for the family, she hadn't done anything else.
Little did she know that their paths would eventually cross, and fate would play such a cruel trick…
“You could say that it was that fire that completely changed me.”
Qin Chuan’s voice was heavy, his expression sorrowful.
“Uncle, Aunt, and also Long Ge and Xiao Mo, your families have likely never experienced the desperation of being unable to achieve something even with a single coin, have you?”
“I have, and I will never forget it as long as I live!”
Qin Chuan said, clenching his fists tightly.
“During my father’s hospitalization, my entire family’s savings combined amounted to a meager thirty-six yuan and seventy cents. You heard correctly, thirty-six yuan and seventy cents. I will remember that figure for the rest of my life!”
“These thirty-odd yuan had to cover not only the living expenses for myself, my parents, and my second brother, but also the exorbitant daily medical fees at the hospital.”
“It was like a dark, hellish nightmare. My second brother and I squatted by the hospital wall outside, weeping into each other’s arms.”
As he spoke, tears streamed down Qin Chuan’s face. This was the first time he had cried since his rebirth, the first time he had shed tears.
Seeing the tears on Qin Chuan’s face, the entire Yang family felt a pang of unease. The elder uncle thoughtfully offered him two tissues, and Yang Zimo’s eyes also welled up.
It was the first time she had heard such a comprehensive account of Qin Chuan’s past suffering.
“It was then that I vowed I could never continue living like this. I needed to earn money, a lot of money, not just to change my own life, but to improve my entire family’s circumstances, to let them live good lives and never have to worry about money again.”
Qin Chuan continued.
“That very day, I parted ways with my second brother, and we each went to find work.”
“Heaven seemed to have taken notice at that moment. The owner of a clothing factory in the county town took a liking to me and hired me as a salesperson, paying me daily commissions.”
As he said this, Qin Chuan subconsciously glanced at Yang Zimo, who was sitting opposite him. After a brief moment of surprise at his gaze, Yang Zimo’s expression turned complex.
She already knew who the clothing factory owner was. Her fists slowly clenched.
“People truly don’t know their own potential until they are pushed to the brink.”
“I had never worked in sales before, yet I earned over twenty to thirty thousand yuan in commissions that time. This money became a lifeline for my entire family.”
Yang Conglong couldn’t help but exclaim, “According to you, that clothing factory owner was practically a lifesaver for your entire family!”
“Yes, I feel the same way.”
Yang Jingye also chimed in.
Qin Chuan nodded. “Yes, in my heart, that clothing factory owner is the savior of my entire family. I have always been deeply grateful to her.”
Qin Chuan’s gaze was fixed on Teacher Yang. These words, though seemingly addressed to the entire Yang family, were also a confession to Teacher Yang.
That night in Nanyang Village, Teacher Yang had left so abruptly that Qin Chuan hadn’t had the chance to confess to her.
Yang Zimo lowered her head, remaining silent, but the slightly protruding veins on the back of her hand indicated that her inner turmoil was far from calm.
“Later on, I started a business together with that owner. We did whatever was profitable and legal – opening convenience stores, interior design companies, investing in real estate, clothing factories, electronics factories, and so on.”
“Qin Chuan, what is the scale of your assets now?”
Chu Xiuying asked, while others also looked on intently.
Qin Chuan shook his head. “I’m not exactly sure of the precise amount, as I manage many companies myself and also have partnerships in various factories. I’ve never calculated it.”
“My shareholdings in each factory also vary.”
“Currently, Fang Rumei and I have also launched a Xiaomi factory, and there’s a laboratory in Beijing. It’s truly impossible to estimate.”
Chu Xiuying frowned slightly, clearly not satisfied with this answer.
Her elder son, Yang Conglong, noticing his mother’s reaction, directly stated, “Qin Chuan, how about this, if, I mean, *if*, you were to sell all your company shares right now, how much could you get?”
“Would it be ten million?”
Qin Chuan laughed. “Of course! In my mind, if I were to sell my shares now, they would fetch at least fifteen million.”
“If you give me another three years… no, two years, and I expand all my industries, it would be well over a hundred million!”
Now was not the time for modesty. Qin Chuan understood this clearly. His future mother-in-law, elder uncle, and father-in-law were inquiring about his financial standing.
After all, the Yang family’s influence was considerable, and anything too low might not even qualify him for consideration.
“Xiao Qin, how long have you been in business since you started?”
Yang Jingye asked.
“Two years! To be precise, it’s still three months short of two years.”
Qin Chuan replied.
This answer caused Yang Jingye to glance instinctively at his wife. After a brief exchange of looks, their elder son, Yang Conglong, found himself in hot water.
Suddenly, the couple directed fierce, contemptuous glances at their son.
Yang Conglong, startled, quickly lowered his head to avoid their gaze.
“Ahem~~”
Chu Xiuying cleared her throat. “Qin Chuan, to be frank, regarding your relationship with my Xiao Mo, I have always been opposed to it.”
“It doesn’t matter to me how capable you are in business, my Yang family doesn’t care about that.”
“You have some understanding of what kind of family my family is. We are never short of money.”
“In my heart, the most suitable husband for my daughter would be someone in politics, someone who pursues a career in officialdom.”
“Mom!!”
The moment Chu Xiuying finished speaking, an angry voice erupted. Yang Zimo suddenly slammed her chopsticks down, her face frosty.
“How many times have I told you not to impose your ideas on me?”
“Why are you always like this?”