Jiang Zhida was open with Chu Xia and shared his previous failed attempts at entrepreneurship.

“The first time I went to Yangcheng, I bought electronic watches, but I didn’t understand the market and got scammed. The batch of goods ended up being a failure. The second time, I bought clothes, but they didn’t sell well for some reason. The third time, I tried to do a good deed and ended up getting scammed.”

Jiang Zhida admitted his embarrassment. “Cousin-in-law, do I really lack a talent for business?”

Chu Xia shook her head. “Not necessarily. You might just not have found the right business. First of all, if you don’t understand electronics, don’t deal with them. As for clothes…”

Chu Xia looked at Jiang Zhida’s outfit and shook her head. “Your choice of products might not be good either.”

As for the scam, Chu Xia rubbed her head and said, “Helping people is good, but next time, be more cautious. It’s better to call the police for help rather than dealing with it alone. What if it wasn’t a scam but a human trafficking situation?”

Jiang Zhida was stunned.

He had never thought of this possibility because he was a grown man; who would want to traffic him?

“Even if it’s not human trafficking, what if it’s a deranged killer who tricks people into getting kidnapped and robbed? Don’t say it’s unlikely; it happens a lot.”

Chu Xia had seen similar news reports in her previous life, with some cases remaining unsolved for over twenty years.

Jiang Zhida was now sweating coldly.

“If you really want to start a business, I will lend you the money. However, I suggest you consult your older brother about how to do business. Don’t act rashly; rash actions lead to failure. It’s best if you write a feasible business plan.”

“What’s a business plan?”

Chu Xia explained how to write a business plan: “First, you need to know what business you’re going into and its prospects. For example, Yangcheng might have many things, but if there’s something lacking in Beijing, it will sell. Then you need to figure out how to source your goods, anticipate any unexpected issues, and find solutions. Also, ensure you get quality products at reasonable prices…”

Chu Xia listed the points one by one.

As she explained the first point, Jiang Zhida’s expression became serious.

He found a notebook and a pen and started taking notes.

He listened and asked questions.

Chu Xia was also somewhat knowledgeable about business due to her past experiences, but she wasn’t an expert.

After finishing, she told Jiang Zhida, “This is just a reference. Your older brother has more experience. Ask him for advice.”

Jiang Zhida looked energized and said, “I understand, Cousin-in-law!”

Neither of them noticed that An An was listening intently, occasionally frowning and pondering as if he understood.

“I don’t have that much money with me right now. If you need it urgently, come with me to the research institute today. Also, I need to inform your cousin.”

Chu Xia almost forgot that she needed to discuss borrowing money with Cen Zhengnian since they were married.

Even though the money was in her hands, she still needed to consult him.

Jiang Zhida nodded eagerly. “Cousin-in-law, I’m not in a hurry. Just bring the money when you come to Grandpa’s house next Sunday.”

“Alright.”

Jiang Zhida continued writing and drawing at the table, his brows furrowed.

Chu Xia and An An found a book to read in the study and kept to themselves.

After Uncle Jiang and Jiang Zhida left, Chu Xia and An An also left.

In the evening, Chu Xia mentioned Jiang Zhida’s request to borrow money to Cen Zhengnian.

Cen Zhengnian was unconcerned. “Just make the decision.”

He had entrusted all the money management to Chu Xia and didn’t know the exact amount they had.

Cen Zhengnian was always indifferent to such matters.

He could live without money, and even with money, he wouldn’t know how to spend it.

“Dazi wants to borrow 1,500,” Chu Xia said with a smile. “You want me to make the decision?”

1,500 was not a small amount.

Cen Zhengnian thought for a moment, removed his shirt, and said slowly, “1,500 is quite a lot. Since Dazi has failed in business so many times, let’s start by lending him 1,000.”

Chu Xia nodded with a smile. “Alright, I’ll follow your decision. You’re the head of the family, after all.”

Cen Zhengnian looked at her with a helpless smile in his eyes. “Stop teasing me.”

On Sunday, when Chuxia visited Grandfather Jiang’s house again, she was surprised to run into Uncle Jiang’s younger brother, his wife, and Zhiyi.

They were still troubled by Zhiyi’s college entrance exam results, and arguments had even erupted.

Uncle Jiang and his wife wanted Zhiyi to attend a better university, but Grandfather Jiang said, “She overestimated her score. There’s nothing anyone can do now. We’ll have to wait for the admission letters to see which school will accept her.”

“Dad, is there really no way?”

Grandfather Jiang was firm on this. “No. If she doesn’t make the cut, just like Zhida, she’ll have to repeat the year.”

Zhida had taken the exam three times.

Aside from helping him study, Grandfather Jiang had never done anything else to help.

Uncle Jiang’s younger brother knew it was pointless but couldn’t give up.

Zhiyi, feeling resigned, said, “The exam is over, and the application is done. It’s useless to talk about it now. Dad, Mom, stop dragging me around asking different people. I’ll go to whichever university accepts me!”

Zhiyi’s Mother frowned, looking at Zhiyi with anger in her eyes. “Which university? If she doesn’t make the cut, she might end up at a vocational college! Isn’t that embarrassing?”

Chuxia frowned at this.

Vocational colleges had significant value now, and many people were happy to attend them.

Attending a vocational school also didn’t hinder one’s development.

Zhida had also attended a vocational college.

If he joined a company, he would be assigned there smoothly, but he didn’t like the atmosphere and left despite his parents’ objections.

If attending a vocational college were embarrassing, then what about those who didn’t get into any college?

Wouldn’t they be utterly ashamed? Zhiyi’s Mother’s thinking was flawed.

Grandfather Jiang countered, “Huaying, you shouldn’t say that. How is attending a vocational college embarrassing?”

Zhiyi’s Mother didn’t dare argue with Grandfather Jiang due to his seniority and his status in the literary world.

“I think Zhiyi’s attitude is good. No matter which university she gets into, she should settle down and study there. If she doesn’t want to go to that school, then she can repeat the year.”

Chuxia, who had been silent, supported Grandfather Jiang’s opinion.

She knew that anything she said would be inappropriate given the current situation, but she agreed with Grandfather Jiang.

Just then, Zhida arrived at Grandfather Jiang’s house.

Uncle Jiang’s younger brother and his wife couldn’t continue scolding their child in front of so many people.

With the exam results and school matters set in stone, they stopped arguing.

Zhida, not wanting his Father’s younger brother to know about his plans, was eager to share his thoughts with Chuxia.

He had been restless, getting up to turn on the TV, fiddling with the radio, and even considering messing with the flowers in the yard.

Grandfather Jiang yanked him by the ear and pulled him inside. “Sit still! If you touch my flowers again, you’ll never be allowed in my house!”

“Okay.”

In this peculiar atmosphere, Chuxia and An’an had lunch.

Uncle Jiang’s younger brother and his family left.

As they were leaving, Zhiyi glanced back at Chuxia as if she wanted to say something, but with her Mother beside her, she hesitated and then walked away silently.

Once they were gone, Zhida eagerly began discussing his plan with Chuxia.

As Chuxia had suggested, he investigated the market and found that people were still interested in stylish clothes from Yangcheng, electronic gadgets, and various trendy cassette tapes…

Chuxia realized that Zhida had indeed thought things through and had even prepared a complete business plan.

After reviewing it, she said, “Although there are some flaws, it has a high feasibility.”

Zhida didn’t focus on the feasibility Chuxia mentioned but asked about the flaws.

After Chuxia pointed them out, Zhida looked at the marked areas and said, “Cousin-in-law, I’ll make some more changes. Your feedback is right. My elder brother has more experience than I do. Once this plan is flawless, I’ll go to Yangcheng.”

Zhida hurried off with his business plan, saying he was going to consult his brother further.

As for the loan, he would discuss it next time when he brought the revised plan.

Chuxia didn’t stop him.

Grandfather Jiang, overhearing their conversation, asked Chuxia, “Is Zhida starting a business again?”

“Yes.”

“That reckless kid. After squandering his brother’s money, now he’s going to squander yours and Zhengnian’s? Don’t lend him any money!”

“Grandfather, Zhida’s business might really succeed this time. He’s very serious about it. Haven’t you noticed? He’s more focused and dedicated to this than anything else he’s done before.”

Grandfather Jiang hesitated, a smile appearing on his face.

He took a sip of tea and said, “If he really succeeds, I’ll stop his parents from beating him in the future.”

Thanks to Zhida’s efforts, he finally came up with a feasible business plan that Chuxia couldn’t find fault with.

Of course, Chuxia wasn’t a business major, so there might be other flaws she didn’t spot.

However, Zhida had consulted his Elder Brother many times, so there shouldn’t be any major issues.

She lent him the money, and he took the train to Yangcheng with his good friend Qian Ran.

At this time, Chuxia finally received her admission notice.

When filling out the application form, the school had also sent an envelope with an address for the notice to be mailed to.

Chuxia wrote Zhengnian’s work address on it.

She felt it was safest to have the notice sent to Zhengnian’s workplace, ensuring its security.

It would be cumbersome to have it sent back to the Ninth Middle School and then forwarded to Beijing.

Before the notice arrived, Chuxia was worried about whether it might get lost, be mistaken, or someone might impersonate her.

She had seen such news before, and with the lack of information technology at the time, impersonation wasn’t impossible.

However, she thought that with her high score and the school knowing her results and the university she applied to, the likelihood of impersonation was very small.

When she received the letter, opened it, and saw the admission notice along with the instructions, she finally felt completely at ease.

None of her worries had come true.

She looked at the simple notice with her name on it, with just a few lines of text, and couldn’t help but feel delighted.