Chapter 50 Revitalizing Our Radish Clan

Chapter 50: Revitalizing Our Radish Family

After the New Year, Chi Luoxi’s drive to improve himself kicked back in.

Most of the surveillance cameras He Angxiao had installed—covering almost every corner—had already been removed, leaving only the living room and front door, maintaining the most basic security conditions.

Watching He Angxiao spend money on the best tutors, expensive hourly fees, textbooks, and supplementary materials, Chi Luoxi felt that his own meager foundation—his understanding as slow as a snail’s crawl—was simply not worthy of such a high investment.

Especially the pitiful scores he got on that recent test.

It was just too demoralizing.

It wasn’t just about the money; Chi Luoxi felt a lot of pressure, like he was a bottomless pit devouring He Angxiao’s efforts and wealth.

He didn’t want to keep spending He Angxiao’s money like this.

Chi Luoxi suddenly thought that maybe he should find a job first, even if it paid poorly. He could save up tuition bit by bit on his own. Maybe spending money he earned himself would give him peace of mind and more motivation.

When He Angxiao heard his idea, it was like he’d been hit by a lightning bolt. The apple he’d just peeled for Chi Luoxi still in his hand, the peel trailing in pieces, about to fall off.

He looked at Chi Luoxi in disbelief. “...You don’t wanna spend my money?”

He Angxiao looked hurt. “Are you still upset about what I said before?”

Seeing his strong reaction, Chi Luoxi said, “No, babe. I just feel like it’s not right to spend all your money. Let me cover the tuition myself – maybe then I’ll actually feel motivated.”

“Besides, I’m really too behind. Maybe I just don’t have what it takes. I was always the last in class back in school. This isn’t something cramming for a year or two can fix to get me into a good school or land a job. Instead of blowing all that money on top tutors and getting nothing out of it, maybe I should work and learn on the side.”

“Learning doesn’t have to come from books alone, right? I can learn from life too.”

“And to be honest, studying like that every day makes me miserable. Sitting at a desk staring at letters and formulas makes my head spin. If I were as smart as you and could pick things up easily, I would’ve already...”

Gotten into college by now.

He Angxiao just looked at him, saying nothing.

Chi Luoxi’s voice got even softer, about to cry but trying to act tough. “Plus, people online say if you stay cooped up studying all day, you lose touch with society. I can’t compare to you—you’re good at everything, and I’m not good at anything. I’m scared I’ll end up not learning anything and going stupid, forgetting how to even talk to people.”

He Angxiao had mixed feelings.

This was already pretty foolish.

Chi Luoxi was essentially running away.

Running away from the pressure of high-intensity, high-investment study with no visible returns, the deep frustration and self-doubt from being so far behind despite all his effort.

Kids just have a playful nature – it’s normal that they can’t sit still.

And Chi Luoxi had really put in the effort, which was why he felt this way.

If he didn’t care, he wouldn’t worry about his test scores.

He Angxiao’s heart went out to him.

With studying, you can barely keep your mood up during lessons and reading, but once you face tests and see the scores, the blow can be devastating.

Hadn’t it been just a few days ago that Chi Luoxi got crushed by a simple placement test, withered for days like a dehydrated radish, totally out of it?

He Angxiao figured Chi Luoxi was now clamoring for a job just to get away from this suffocating study grind and get some fresh air.

After a couple of days of novelty outside, he’d probably want to study again.

He Angxiao felt like a helpless parent whose kid hated school and wanted to drop out to work.

Frustrated, anxious, pained, and helpless.

He wanted to get angry, but looking at Chi Luoxi’s pitiful look of having tried so hard, he couldn’t bring himself to scold him. The kid had pride and was genuinely trying.

Couldn’t spank him, couldn’t even yell at him.

He Angxiao wrapped his arms around Chi Luoxi and coaxed him. “So what do you want to do? Where do you want to work? What kind of job?”

Chi Luoxi hadn’t expected He Angxiao to agree so quickly. “Brother Chunsheng said he could help find me a job. He knows his old coworkers. I can do it.”

Chun Sheng was now fully committed to the tea plantation in the Chi family village and didn’t plan to go out for work anymore, but he still had connections with the construction workers and foremen he knew before.

He Angxiao: “......”

He felt his temples start to throb. How could he let Chi Luoxi work in a place like that, out in the sun and wind?

“Chi Luoxi,” He Angxiao said, “don’t test me. Choose something else.”

Chi Luoxi felt wronged and pouted, his voice dropping with a self-defeating tone: “Then what can I do? I can’t be like you and do everything well. What else can I even do?”

His voice got quieter until it was almost a mumble: “Anyway, I’m just a useless radish...”

He Angxiao looked at his dejected appearance, feeling terrible for him.

“How about coming to my company as an intern?”

“I’ll give you a salary—a very high intern salary. Several times higher than what you’d get at a factory or construction site. That way you can save up for tuition quickly.”

He Angxiao continued: “And at my place, the environment is good, colleagues are great people, and no one dares to bully you. It’s great.”

Chi Luoxi blinked, seriously considering the feasibility of this proposal.

High salary, saving for tuition, good environment, right under He Angxiao’s nose—it did sound more reliable than going to a construction site recommended by Brother Chunsheng.

But—

Chi Luoxi shook his head. “No.”

He Angxiao was taken aback. “Why not? Isn’t it good?”

Chi Luoxi: “All your employees know me. If I go there, they’ll definitely know I got in through connections. They’ll laugh at me behind my back. I don’t want that.”

He Angxiao said fine, then mentally went through his friends one by one.

He eliminated the playboys, the troublemakers, those with loose lips or too wild personalities who might lead Chi Luoxi astray. Finally, his eyes settled on one person—Jiang Ran.

Jiang Ran had grown up with him, a childhood friend. That guy was gentle, reliable, never caused trouble

He Angxiao explained patiently, "How can this be called nepotism? It's called precise matching. Jiang Ran's wife also doesn't want to work at a company run by her own family, so she came to my company."

"This is what you call a 'radish slot'—a position tailor-made for you, perfect for transitioning and learning."

Chi Luoxi didn't understand what 'radish slot' meant, but nodded in acceptance. "I like that name."

He Angxiao and Jiang Ran each had their own agenda.

Jiang Ran had recently been worrying about his wife's career development, feeling she was capable but didn't have room to spread her wings in their traditional family business.

So the two old friends, each with their own agenda, had a frank conversation over the phone and reached an understanding: each would place the other's family member in their own company. This not only solved the employment and adaptation issues for their spouses but also effectively created a hostage situation, ensuring the other would take care of their spouse.

Jiang Ran's family was in manufacturing—a traditional and stable industry.

On the day He Angxiao took Chi Luoxi to start at Jiang Ran's company, he pulled Jiang Ran aside. "Jiang Ran, I'm putting him in your hands. Listen, don't treat my wife like a subordinate. Chi Luoxi is a bit slow and naive. He might not catch on right away sometimes. Don't give him anything too complicated, don't make him work overtime, and don't make him feel bad. If he doesn't understand something, be patient with him."

Jiang Ran looked at He Angxiao's overprotective demeanor, as if he were entrusting his own child, and felt both amused and annoyed. He couldn't help but retort, "I want to say the same to you. My wife is a genuine high-achiever with ideas and skills. Don't dumb it down for her. I want her to find something she enjoys and not waste her talent."

Both received the other's firm requirements and reached a gentleman's agreement.

But not long after He Angxiao left,

Jiang Ran looked at the long, dense list of notes and demands He Angxiao had sent—from Chi Luoxi's dietary restrictions to communication methods, even specifying that Chi Luoxi preferred warm or room-temperature water and what flavors he liked. Every detail was meticulously listed.

Jiang Ran was left speechless.

Staring at his phone screen, he sent a voice message and swore, "He Angxiao, are you insane? This is a company, not a kindergarten! You're even specifying lunch? Is your wife a kindergartener on a field trip?"

But for all his cursing, Jiang Ran only aimed that at that lunatic He Angxiao.

Looking at Chi Luoxi's timid yet earnest face, he thought He Angxiao might be a mess, but his wife was pretty cute. He assigned Chi Luoxi to a job that was low-pressure but not mind-numbing.

And so Chi Luoxi began his days working at Jiang Ran's company.

His title was assistant to the general manager, but Jiang Ran kept his work strictly simple.

On the first morning, Chi Luoxi's task was to organize a pile of reimbursement documents—sorting them by date and project type, one by one, and entering them into the system.

He did it quite diligently. There were a few mistakes at first, but he corrected them when told. Though slow, he was meticulous.

At noon, Jiang Ran specifically instructed his personal secretary to order a healthy, light business lunch for Chi Luoxi.

When Chi Luoxi received the meal box, he sincerely said to Jiang Ran, "Thank you, President Jiang."

Seeing his docile, well-behaved manner, Jiang Ran's annoyance at He Angxiao's fussing eased a bit. He nodded gently and said, "Good job, Xiao Chi. Take your time, no rush."

Jiang Ran casually took a picture of Chi Luoxi sitting at his desk with the meal box in front of him, ready to eat, and sent it to He Angxiao with the caption: *Lunch is handled, all good. Now show me what my wife is eating.*

Within minutes, He Angxiao's voice messages bombarded Jiang Ran's phone. When Jiang Ran played them, he heard He Angxiao's irritated voice: "Jiang Ran, what do you mean? Why isn't there any drink in Chi Luoxi's meal? Not even a yogurt or juice? Does your company provide lunch but no drinks? That's so cheap."

Jiang Ran was speechless again.

He Angxiao really thought of his company as a free daycare!

After Chi Luoxi finished eating, Jiang Ran happened to walk by and started chatting: "By the way, Xiao Chi, did He Angxiao propose to you?"

Chi Luoxi looked a bit shy but pleased. "Yeah, he did."

He wasn't wearing the conspicuous radish diamond ring today, but as he spoke, there was still a sparkle in his eyes.

Jiang Ran sighed and said to Chi Luoxi, "His mouth is so sharp, always cutting people down. I never thought he'd actually fall for someone. When he told me he was 'done for,' I thought he'd done something illegal and was about to go to jail—his world was falling apart. Turns out, it was just him falling in love."

Chi Luoxi listened, recalling He Angxiao's past sharp words and his later transformation, and found himself at a loss for what to say.

Chi Luoxi said, "President Jiang, my husband has mellowed out a lot."

Hearing Chi Luoxi call him 'my husband', Jiang Ran felt a pang of envy. Casually, he shared all of He Angxiao's greatest hits from childhood to adulthood, spilling them all to Chi Luoxi.

He said He Angxiao had a sharp tongue since childhood—he would mock everyone mercilessly, never letting anyone off.

Even when he secretly studied until midnight to get first place, with dark circles like a panda, he'd still act like the test was a breeze, act like he aced it without trying, and then mock others for being stupid.

His ego was sky-high, and he was as stubborn as a mule. When he cared deeply about something, he'd pretend not to, especially hating to be seen working hard.

Chi Luoxi listened. That was He Angxiao, no question.

Chi Luoxi glanced at Jiang Ran, who was chatting away opposite him.

Jiang Ran was indeed handsome—warm and refined, very easy to be around. His vibe was clean and peaceful, without the sharp edges He Angxiao had.

Chi Luoxi had only met Jiang Ran's partner, Su Mu, once—downstairs at He Angxiao's company. Su Mu seemed like a very gentle and easygoing guy, with eyes that crinkled when he smiled, really warm.

Chi Luoxi thought it was pretty interesting that He Angxiao had a friend like Jiang Ran, whose personality was so different, yet they had grown up together. And President Jiang, for someone so gentle-looking, was actually really nosy.

Jiang Ran asked Chi Luoxi, "By the way, Xiao Chi, who made the first move between you and He Angxiao? Did he pursue you?"

Chi Luoxi's ears grew hot, but he answered honestly and quietly, "It was... me."

Although the process was complicated, and He Angxiao had deliberately guided things, he was the one who made the first move.

Having gotten the inside scoop, Jiang Ran didn't ask further, just gave a knowing smile.

Then Chi Luoxi watched him pick up his phone, call another number, and walk away, lowering his voice, but his excited tone still drifted back: "Hey, Meng Xuan? Let me tell you, that guy He Angxiao... Hahaha, you have no idea..."

Chi Luoxi was speechless.

He silently lowered his head and focused on reconciling the accounts.

He Angxiao's embarrassing stories were fully exposed by this childhood friend who had become Chi Luoxi's new boss.

That evening, when He Angxiao picked up Chi Luoxi from work,

he immediately asked eagerly, "How was it? Did Jiang Ran give you a hard time? Was the work tiring? Did he ask you to do anything too complicated?"

Chi Luoxi got into the passenger seat, buckled his seatbelt, thought about the day, and answered honestly, "It was okay. President Jiang is a nice person, just a bit gossipy."

He Angxiao nodded, his tone softening. "That's good. Take your time adjusting. Don't listen to his nonsense. But let me tell you, I know all about him and his wife. He actually..."

He Angxiao chuckled, "He actually pined after his wife for years, hahaha..."

Chi Luoxi thought to himself, *It's no wonder they've been friends for so long.*

Chi Luoxi felt that He Angxiao had really changed a lot—now he was patient and considerate.

A few days later, He Angxiao unexpectedly learned from Jiang Ran some quite surprising news: Jiang Ran's wife had given birth to a big healthy boy.

He Angxiao held his phone, looking at the baby photo and the boasting text Jiang Ran had sent him. Guess there really is nothing too strange in this world.

Chi Luoxi leaned in with a curious look on his face: "What an adorable baby, but isn't Jiang's partner a man?"

Wait, men can't have kids, right?

He Angxiao's tone was slightly mocking: "You're still just a turnip, huh? What's so surprising about a man giving birth? Tsk, how come Jiang Ran gets all the luck?"

No shock at the man giving birth, just jealousy that his good buddy got to be a dad.

A few weeks into working at Jiang Ran's company, the novelty wore off, and that restless, bored, and meaningless fatigue slowly crept back in.

Every day it was just sorting out simple receipts and answering trivial phone calls. Chi Luoxi felt too embarrassed to share what was on his mind with He Angxiao; he felt He Angxiao had already been very kind to him, so he had to stick it out.

Just then, Su Mu was planning to make a documentary.

When He Angxiao found out, he immediately came up with an idea.

He went to Su Mu and proposed putting together a team for him and providing substantial funding, on the condition that Su Mu do him a small favor.

He Angxiao wanted Su Mu to film a short video or documentary that follows Chi Luoxi as he studies and prepares for the exam, with the goal of encouraging children in mountainous areas to work hard and change their destiny through learning.

Su Mu was hesitant after hearing He Angxiao's idea: "Can this work? Will Xiao Chi be willing? And won't it put too much pressure on him?"

He Angxiao knew Chi Luoxi too well: "Don't worry, it'll work."

"He just lacks motivation. Tell him it's to encourage kids like him in the mountains who want to change their fate through studying. If he can get into school through hard work, his story can inspire many people. Countless kids will look up to him as a role model. Then he'll be seen by many, praised by many, and become a motivational idol. He'll definitely be more serious and invested than anyone else."

Su Mu was a straightforward guy: "...Isn't that lying?"

When He Angxiao mentioned Chi Luoxi, his gaze softened and he said, "I'm not really trying to deceive him. He truly wants to learn, but he can't sit still. When he gets knocked down, he gets discouraged. It's not his fault—he never had systematic study or training growing up, and he's already trying very hard. So I just want to give him one final push."

"Once he works hard, he won't dwell on this anymore."

Su Mu didn't think that He Angxiao, who seemed so proud, could be this considerate.

Su Mu was convinced and found a chance to seriously talk it over with Chi Luoxi.

As soon as Chi Luoxi heard not only would he be on TV but also get a decent amount of money, and more importantly, that it could encourage many mountain kids as He Angxiao said, he felt it was meaningful and brought him face.

He agreed without hesitation and quit his job at Jiang Ran's company.

So Su Mu's team carried their cameras over to Chi Luoxi and He Angxiao's home.

As soon as the camera was aimed at him, Chi Luoxi felt a bit nervous, but remembering He Angxiao's words about being a motivational idol seen by many, he immediately sat up straight, his gaze becoming focused and determined.

Chi Luoxi really did get into a state—a state of working hard to be seen by others and become a role model.

Chi Luoxi actually had kind of a performing personality.

Whenever he felt the urge to give up after a setback, He Angxiao would lean in and whisper to him, his voice echoing in his ears like a mantra:

"Chi Luoxi, the camera's watching, you know? You can't give up. Think about it—when the show airs, what image will people see?"

"If people think kids from the mountains can only handle hard life, not hard study, that would be so embarrassing. But if you get in, it's an inspirational story. You'd be the first turnip from the mountains to go to university. How many people would praise you and take you as their idol? Your fans would line up from here to Jiangzhou City just to get your autograph. Could you really let them down?"

"Who knows, a hundred years from now, everyone might worship the Turnip God, and that would be you."

Hearing this, Chi Luoxi clenched his fists, his eyes reignited with fighting spirit, and nodded vigorously: "Yeah! I can't give up! I have to do well and bring glory to our turnip family."

Thus, with the camera and He Angxiao's encouragement working together, his determination to win honor for the mountain kids was fully ignited.

He no longer saw studying as a chore but as a sacred mission.

Time passed quickly, and after over a year, the results of the adult college entrance exam came out.

No one expected that Chi Luoxi, who had once struggled even with basic arithmetic, would amaze everyone. In the higher-level exam, he barely scraped past the line for a second-tier university.

When He Angxiao saw the score, he thought, "Holy crap! The power of creating a god is just too strong."

After seeing his results, Chi Luoxi immediately designed a few signature fonts online and practiced them every day.

He Angxiao asked him why he was practicing.

Chi Luoxi blushed: "Just in case someone asks for my autograph later, it'll look better."

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Author's note: That's the power of faith!

Little Luobei is in university now.

Most places have implemented the new college entrance exam reform. Since I used to help my students fill out their college application preferences, I'll stick with the old score line terminology from our era—it's more familiar. Funny how it feels a bit historical. Now they call it the "special control line."

Little Luobei studied science, as it offers better job prospects. His mother absolutely refuses to let her son follow in her footsteps—for three generations, no one is allowed to study liberal arts.