Chapter 61

Chapter 61

Yuan Ting's declaration of making a fortune wasn't just talk; he really had an idea.

It was watching his grandma collecting scrap that sparked the idea.

A scrap collection station can be a silently lucrative business; many people underestimate it, not realizing that those who run these stations can make hundreds of thousands or even millions annually.

People think collecting scrap is just about picking up old cardboard, plastic bottles, and recycling glass bottles, but it's not that simple.

Buy low, sell high. With enough volume, it's a lucrative business.

Yuan Ting made a business card out of cardboard:

Golden Flower Scrap Collection Station

Yuan Ting

Position: General Manager

Phone: xxxxxxxxxx

"What's this?" Early in the morning, as the family was having breakfast, Yuan Ting slapped the card on the table, "Just letting everyone know, the Golden Flower Scrap Collection Station, co-owned by me and Comrade Xu Jinhua (my grandma), is officially open."

"Hahaha..." Yuan Qingguang laughed, "Just focus on your studies, don't mess around."

"Who's messing around?" Yuan Ting wrinkled his nose. "My grandma is the chairwoman, I'm the general manager, and you..."

Yuan Ting pointed at Yuan Xiao, "Chief Financial Officer."

"What about me?" Yuan Qingguang joined in the fun.

"Worker."

Yuan Qingguang ruffled Yuan Ting's hair vigorously, "Alright, I'll be a worker for my son."

Yuan Ting dodged his hand; he was almost taller than Yuan Qingguang now, yet still getting his head patted.

Grandma also chuckled, "Good, let Xiao Ting be the chairperson. I'll step down."

No one in the family took it seriously, but Yuan Ting didn't mind. He took the card to school and tossed the cardboard card to Duan Wenzhe: "Here, say hello to your uncle for me."

"What's this?" Duan Wenzhe looked shocked.

"Your dad will understand," Yuan Ting said, nodding at him. "Tell him, he still owes me a favor."

Duan Wenzhe: "..." Damn, he could never keep up with Yuan Ting's shenanigans.

He had to start his own company too; he couldn't fall behind him.

Thus, Duan Wenzhe also made a business card: "Wenze Agency Co., Ltd."

“I can’t just work for nothing, can I? Like before, I should get a cut.”

“I give up,” Yuan Ting admitted defeat. “Bro, you really know how to pluck feathers from a passing goose. It's impossible to be friends with someone like you.”

“Pfft, clear accounts make for good brothers. That’s how we’ll last longer, you know nothing.”

Yuan Ting clicked his tongue. Was this really the same guy who almost got electrocuted climbing a wall?

Having handed out his business card, Yuan Ting received a call on Saturday.

“Hello, is this Manager Yuan? This is Duan Zhen Shan. Interested in discussing a business deal worth hundreds of millions?”

Yuan Qing Guang happened to be off that day and got dragged by his son to talk about this massive deal.

The two rode a small electric scooter to a construction site in the suburbs. Seeing Yuan Ting, Duan Zhen Shan greeted, “Ah, Manager Yuan is here.”

“Ah, President Duan, long time no see. You look even more radiant.”

The two greeted each other with such camaraderie that anyone unaware would think they were both high-level executives.

After greetings, Yuan Ting introduced Yuan Qing Guang and Duan Zhen Shan to each other. Yuan Qing Guang knew of Duan Zhen Shan; after all, he used to work as a contractor, and Duan Zhen Shan was in construction – they were in the same circle.

After the introduction, Duan Zhen Shan pointed towards the construction site and said to Yuan Ting, “At a fair price, just haul everything away.”

Yuan Ting glanced over and touched his nose, “How much is there?”

“At least two to three tons, I’d say.”

“How much can I make if I sell it?” Yuan Ting asked.

“Hey, you rascal,” Duan Zhen Shan playfully smacked his head. “Aren’t you the owner of a scrap collection station? You don’t know how much you can make and you're asking me?”

Yuan Ting gave a dry laugh, “I’ve just started the business, don’t even have a business license yet.”

Duan Zhen Shan looked at him skeptically, “Young master, are you pulling my leg? Our company needs to account for everything, I can't just let you haul it away.”

Yuan Qing Guang finally understood – his son had casually set up a scrap collection business and now a deal had come his way, involving two to three tons of construction waste.

While Yuan Ting wasn't sure how much he could earn, Yuan Qing Guang knew; as a former contractor, he was familiar with the value of construction site waste. Different metals, including scrap copper and iron, could easily net him ten to twenty thousand if resold.

“Well, uncle, give me a month. I’ll get my dad to register a company, and we can store it at your place for now. Could you save some for me?”

Duan Zhen Shan took a couple of puffs of his cigarette and exhaled, “Young master, that's not how business is done.”

“Who said anything about doing business? I’m just pulling strings,” Yuan Ting clicked his tongue. “We have a revolutionary friendship. Remember when I knocked out your son’s tooth... Right, uncle?”

Duan Zhen Shan: “…”

It was better left unmentioned; recalling it made him feel like he had been brainwashed by Cheng Nan Yi.

Duan Zhen Shan turned to Yuan Qing Guang, “Mr. Yuan, is one month okay? I need to clear the site quickly, so that’s the most time I can give you.”

“Sure,” Yuan Qing Guang immediately nodded. Who would say no to easy money?

“Uncle,” Yuan Ting patted Duan Zhen Shan’s shoulder, “Don’t worry, my dad understands how things work. He’ll give you a kickback.”

Duan Zhen Shan: “...Nephew, thanks, but it’s my company. I’d be taking my own kickback.”

“It’s not like that,” Yuan Ting spoke earnestly, “We still need to follow the proper procedures. Otherwise, it makes me look clueless, like Duan Wen Ze.”

Duan Zhen Shan: “...” Dragging his son into this too.

Yuan Qing Guang, in a daze, drove Yuan Ting back home. It wasn’t until they arrived that he grasped Yuan Ting’s shoulder: “Son, do you think we can pull this off?”

“Of course we can,” Yuan Ting walked into the house. “Let's give it a try. We can’t lose much, and if it doesn't work out, we’ll stop.”

The reason Yuan Ting hadn't discussed it with Yuan Qing Guang beforehand was to avoid wasting words; he wanted his father to see the profit first. His dad wasn't a fool; who wouldn't want to earn money?

“Starting a company requires capital, at least fifty thousand, plus a storefront, renting a space, buying a small vehicle…” Yuan Ting looked at his dad, “Do you have the money?”

“I do, I do. Just leave it to me,” Yuan Qing Guang assured.

“If you don’t have money, I can’t help,” Yuan Ting shrugged. “Your son doesn’t have money either; I’m counting on you to make some.”

Yuan Qing Guang ruffled Yuan Ting’s hair with vigor, “Dad will make sure to do well, so you can have a good life.”

Yuan Ting: “…” That phrase sounded a bit awkward.

Yuan Ting had already shown Yuan Qing Guang the way. If his dad couldn’t handle it, then it was no big deal; he could turn to his uncle. If the uncle wasn’t up to it, then he’d have to rely on his brother.

Yuan Ting didn't bother Yuan Qing Guang further, letting him figure things out on his own. On another Saturday, Yuan Ting took his grandfather’s card to meet Ning Wan. Before going, he checked the bank balance and found there was two hundred thousand in it.

Yuan Ting genuinely didn't expect his grandfather to give him so much.

He asked Ning Wan to tally up the accounts, and she told him, “Your brother has already cleared your debts.”

“What? Which brother?” Yuan Ting was taken aback.

“Cheng Nan Yi,” Ning Wan said, “Zhang Shi Ge brought him.”

Yuan Ting was speechless; Little Zhang must have spilled everything, that traitor.

“Then... did he take all my stuff too?”

“No, that didn't happen,” Ning Wan shook her head. “He only paid the money, didn't say anything about taking the items. Besides, our deal was between you and me. He can pay, which I accept, but I can't let him take the items without your consent.”

Yuan Ting was momentarily speechless. The figurines were gifts from Cheng Nan Yi, and he didn't want to return them. However, they were valuable, and since Cheng Nan Yi had paid for them, Yuan Ting had no reason to keep them.

Moreover, he now had his grandfather's card. Originally, he had accepted the card to pay Ning Wan back, but now... the debt was only growing, which was troubling.

“Then, can you return my things for me? Also, here’s something for you,” Yuan Ting handed her his business card.

Ning Wan looked at the cardboard business card in her hand, her expression bewildered: “What does this mean?”

“I'm bringing you business, and if you have any, you can refer them to me.”

Ning Wan: “…”

How many more tricks does this kid have up his sleeve?

Ning Wan drove Yuan Ting back home, helping him move all his figurines into the house.

With no shelves available, Yuan Ting had to use chairs and wooden cabinets, even constructing two levels with planks to ensure all the figurines were properly displayed.

“My sons, sorry for making you suffer with dad,” he said to the figurines, kissing each one. “Mwah! Now that you’re a gift to me, I can’t return you.” He was determined to buy them a big house once he made money.

Ning Wan looked around the room, sighed silently, and then left.

Yuan Ting was worried about how to pay back the money, when his grandmother handed him another card, “I found this while washing your backpack. It's a bank card, right? Check if it's damaged. Such valuable things should be kept safe, what if you lose it?”

Yuan Ting looked at the card – it was the one Cheng Nan Yi had set up for him, containing years of his New Year's money and allowance, always managed by Cheng Nan Yi.

But how did the card end up in his backpack?

Ahhhhh...

Yuan Ting collapsed onto his bed, wishing a lightning strike would just end it all.

Yuan Ting truly wanted to sever ties with the Cheng family. Despite wanting everyone to live peacefully, the regrets and guilt from his past life still lingered in his heart. Adding his fleeting, somewhat suppressed feelings for Cheng Nan Yi, feelings that might dissipate with distance, he believed cutting off contact was the best option for everyone.

But how could he possibly break it off?

Yuan Ting banged his head against the bed, overwhelmed with frustration. Ahhhhh...

Why must it be so tormenting...

Yuan Xiao walked in to find his brother furiously headbutting the bed, quickly pulling him up, “What’s wrong with you? Have you lost your mind?”

With his hair in disarray, Yuan Ting looked blankly at Yuan Xiao, “Bro, I must have committed murder in my past life and my mom witnessed it. That’s why I have to pay my dues this life and the last.”

Yuan Xiao pondered for a moment, “Your logic doesn’t make sense. Why does it have to be your past life?”

“You don’t understand,” Yuan Ting pulled out a letter from the drawer and handed it to Yuan Xiao, “Give this to Cheng Nan Yi.”

Yuan Xiao’s eyes lit up, “Oh, my brother’s come to his senses, even writing an apology letter.”

Yuan Ting lay back on the bed, resigned. Come on, Cheng Nan Yi, learn two new phrases: ingrate and heartless.

Sigh...

Yuan Ting turned to face the yellowing wall, smirking and clutching his chest, “Damn, has Yuan Xiao’s heart disease transferred to me?”

On Monday, Yuan Xiao entered the classroom cheerfully and placed the letter in front of Cheng Nan Yi, “My brother asked me to give you this.”

“Oh wow, Cheng Nan Yi's got another love letter?” A boy who had just entered the room, a familiar middle school classmate of Cheng Nan Yi's, saw the letter and reached for it, “Let me have a look…”

Cheng Nan Yi picked up the letter before the boy could.

The boy clicked his tongue and leaned on the desk, “Why so protective? Is this one special?”

Cheng Nan Yi lifted an eyelid to look at him, “Are you that idle?”

“Not really,” the boy shrugged and sat down on the other side of the aisle, “Just envious and curious…”

Cheng Nan Yi held the envelope, staring at it as Yuan Xiao urged him, “Hurry up and read it. My brother must be apologizing to you.”

The letter was a regular yellow envelope with no name on it. It felt heavier than a typical letter, suggesting there was something inside.

Under Yuan Xiao’s prodding, Cheng Nan Yi slowly opened the envelope. He felt inside with his fingers and found no paper, but instead two cards fell out.

“What’s this?” Yuan Xiao was stunned. “Where’s the apology letter?”

Among the two cards, one had always been with Cheng Nan Yi, bearing Yuan Ting’s Romanized name – a card he had personally arranged for Yuan Ting and placed in his backpack’s compartment when he left.

Now this card had returned.

The other card, presumably, was the one given by Yuan Ting’s grandfather.

Cheng Nan Yi stared at the two cards for a while, deep in thought.

Sensing something wasn’t right, Yuan Xiao didn’t dare ask. The next moment, Cheng Nan Yi emotionlessly put the cards back into the envelope and handed it to Yuan Xiao, “It doesn’t have my name on it. How can you prove it’s for me?”

Yuan Xiao: “…” Although the argument was unreasonable, it made some sense.

Yuan Xiao took the letter home at noon and relayed Cheng Nan Yi’s words to Yuan Ting.

Yuan Ting fell silent for a moment, overwhelmed by the complexity of the situation.

Seeing Yuan Ting actually writing a name on the envelope, Yuan Xiao was speechless: “Don’t you understand Cheng Nan Yi is angry? Is this really about writing a name?”

“It is about writing a name,” Yuan Ting replied, ignoring the implication and writing Cheng Nan Yi’s name on the envelope before handing it back to Yuan Xiao, “Give it to him.”

Yuan Xiao: “…” Do I look like a fool?

Yuan Xiao refused this task. It was clear that the issue wasn’t about writing the name, but those two cards. He remembered Cheng Nan Yi’s darkened expression and didn’t want to deliver the letter, fearing it wasn’t a wise move.

What, his life didn’t matter?

Yuan Ting threatened him repeatedly, but Yuan Xiao remained adamant, infuriating Yuan Ting. He was absolutely livid.

“Fine, give the letter to Mo Yi Kai and ask him to pass it on.”

Yuan Xiao, exasperated: “Do you think he’s stupid?”

“Just give it to him,” Yuan Ting insisted, forcefully placing the letter in Yuan Xiao’s hand.

Yuan Xiao was nearly driven to despair by his brother’s antics. How did Cheng Nan Yi manage such a troublesome kid before?

During the afternoon break, Yuan Xiao went to the senior second year and found Mo Yi Kai, handing him the letter: “My brother asked me to give this to you, and then you're to give it to Cheng Nan Yi.”

“Okay, got it,” Mo Yi Kai casually accepted it and tucked it into his pocket.

Yuan Xiao was stunned – didn’t Mo Yi Kai even wonder or question it?

Yuan Xiao left in a daze. As soon as he sat down, Mo Yi Kai entered the classroom, swaggered up to Cheng Nan Yi, and tossed the letter in front of him: “Here, this is from your little bunny.”

Cheng Nan Yi looked at the familiar envelope, now bearing “For Cheng Nan Yi” added on it, and couldn’t help but laugh, then asked Mo Yi Kai, “Do you know what’s inside?”

“I don’t know, I didn’t open it,” Mo Yi Kai said with a candid expression, portraying himself as too much of a gentleman to open someone else’s letter.

Cheng Nan Yi tossed the letter back to him, “It involves hundreds of thousands of yuan. Who will be responsible if there’s an issue?”

Mo Yi Kai felt the contents of the envelope and reacted quickly, “Money? Oh, that’s not good.”

After saying this, he tossed the letter in front of Yuan Xiao, “He doesn’t want it, take it back.”

Cheng Nan Yi turned to look at Yuan Xiao, his face expressionless.

“Heh, heh heh…”

Yuan Xiao stared at Mo Yi Kai with a deadpan expression, internally screaming. This guy must have a screw loose, right?

Right.

Mo Yi Kai, having completed his task, started to walk away, then turned back to look at Yuan Xiao, frowning as if he suddenly had a moment of clarity, “Hey, that’s not right. You two are desk mates, you could’ve just given it to him directly. Why make me run this errand? Are you messing with me?”

Yuan Xiao didn’t want to speak and just looked down at his book.

Back then, he had worked tirelessly to get into this prestigious school, only to find that even someone with a questionable intellect like this could be admitted. His faith and expectations shattered in that moment.

At night, Yuan Ting, looking at the letter that had returned to him yet again, felt numb.

“Forget it,” Yuan Ting lay on the bed, staring at the ceiling, “Fate has decreed I walk alone in this dark world, with no one to rely on.”

“…,” Yuan Xiao turned off the light, coaxing gently, “Xiao Ting, that money in the card is from the Cheng family, right? If you don’t want to owe them, you should return it in person. That’s more polite. Don’t blame Cheng Nan Yi for being angry and not accepting it. After all, they’ve taken care of you for years. How can you not even face them?”

Yuan Ting rolled over to face the wall, muttering softly, “Then just don’t return it.”

Yuan Xiao: “…” Resigned to the situation!

Yuan Ting gave up on returning the cards and put them away.

Even if he personally went to return them, his grandfather surely wouldn’t take them back. There was no need to complicate matters further; for now, he'd just keep them, especially since the Cheng family wouldn’t miss that amount of money.

The more the Cheng family cared for him, the more indebted Yuan Ting felt, causing him discomfort.

See, he’s always the one getting punished by fate.

So frustrating.

Others who get reborn live out thrilling stories, but he’s just mired in grievances.

Author’s note:

Thanks to the angels who cast their mighty votes or nourished me with nutrient solutions from 2023-09-02 21:03:32 to 2023-09-03 19:18:03~

Thanks to the angels for nourishing me: Mao Mao Yu 66 bottles; Zoey 60 bottles; Bùfán 20 bottles; ...Jelly Whale, Tang Ci Er, Sylvia 10 bottles; Adventures of Fat Crab, Melody, Tuan Zi 5 bottles; Sunken Ship, Man Mi, Cat Dong, Lucky, Let Me Sleep, Ahh I Want to Date, Jigu, Fugu Melon, 404 Ghost Heads 1 bottle each;

I am truly grateful for everyone's support and will continue to work hard!