Due to Tan Jincheng's sudden apology, the three people at the dinner table fell into a momentary silence.
The most observant Zhang Suzhi, after suddenly feeling her son had matured, didn't know what to do.
Parents always hope for their children to grow up and mature, but when they truly realize this moment, their hearts are complex.
Fortunately, Tan Jincheng quickly reacted, returning to his former jovial self, and the dinner table became lively once again.
After a bustling meal, it was not yet six o'clock.
If it weren't for fear of their son being hungry, the couple would only just be starting to prepare dinner.
After clearing the dishes, Tan Lihua looked at Tan Jincheng, holding a teacup.
Then, he walked towards the study, and Tan Jincheng honestly followed behind.
Meanwhile, Zhang Suzhi had already sat on the sofa, turned on the TV, and tuned the channel to Anhui Satellite TV.
The weather forecast after the news was something the couple watched every day.
After that came Zhang Suzhi's favorite 8 PM drama slot.
In those days, Anhui Satellite TV was dominated by Thai dramas; their melodramatic plots were very popular among homemakers.
From the turn of the century, in the next few years, film, television dramas, and songs were in a highly explosive state, giving birth to a series of classic works.
In 2023, after the economic environment changed, what a group of people on the internet, somewhat dissatisfied with life, said most was:
"Only film, television dramas, and songs have not let down the post-80s and post-90s generations."
In the study, the conversation between father and son had already begun.
"What are your plans next? Do you want to continue retaking the exams?"
Tan Lihua asked first.
Tan Lihua came from humble beginnings; his hometown was a rural village in a county under Yicheng.
As the first vocational school graduate in his family, he deeply knew that only through education could one change their fate.
But in Tan Jincheng's view, the first college student (or vocational school graduate) in a family was actually the hardest, with no guide, stumbling into one pitfall after another.
His parents benefited from their era; ten years later, without a family background and without knowing how to navigate social intricacies, entering state-owned enterprises would be out of the question.
Tan Lihua was initially very angry that his son had missed college due to his willfulness, but after a year, his anger had mostly subsided.
Moreover, he had just given the boy a good beating today.
According to Tan Lihua's thinking, he wanted Tan Jincheng to continue retaking the exams, but after the recent meal, Tan Lihua could sense his son's maturity and wanted to hear his own opinion.
Although school had started nearly a month ago, pulling some strings and finding connections should still provide an opportunity to join a cram class as a transfer student.
"I don't plan to study anymore. I want to start my own business,"
Tan Jincheng said firmly.
This was something he had already decided.
Missing college was certainly a regret.
In an era where college students were still not numerous, Tan Jincheng was not unaware of the value of a college degree.
But these were not important to Tan Jincheng; he didn't plan to pursue an official career in the future, and working based on a diploma was even less likely.
Even if things went poorly, getting a diploma from some university after his career reached a certain scale wouldn't be difficult.
In this era of pioneering spirit, daring to fight and strive was most important.
Even if everything went smoothly, retaking exams plus graduating from university would take at least five years.
Wasting these five golden years was not worth it for Tan Jincheng.
What's more, for Tan Jincheng, who came from 20 years in the future, retaking the exams would be the dumbest thing to do, as he had long since forgotten all the high school knowledge.
Although the timing of his rebirth was not great, it was fortunate he wasn't reborn before the college entrance exam; otherwise, he would truly be clueless.
"If not studying, then what do you want to do? You're only 19 now, and with only a high school diploma, you won't find a good job if you go out to work,"
Tan Lihua mused.
"For over a year, Xupeng and I followed the cruise ship to many countries and saw a lot of scenery outside."
After a pause, Tan Jincheng continued,
"Dad, you also know about our country joining the WTO. In the past two years, there have been great changes both domestically and internationally, so we want to seize the opportunity of this change to do some small businesses."
The train of the times, once you board it, you won't be thrown off; but if you don't get on, no matter how hard you try, you won't catch up.
"Do business? Have you thought about what kind of business you want to do?"
Tan Lihua was a little disappointed that his son didn't want to continue studying; however, he still wanted to hear his son's future plans, as this was his own decision.
The Tan family didn't have a patriarchal style.
If there were any family matters, the couple would discuss them, and any topic involving Tan Jincheng would also include his opinion.
"Both domestic and international demand are expanding, but currently, the most profitable industries are still related to foreign trade. So I plan to start with foreign trade, as I also have some experience sailing overseas."
"Foreign trade? Is it exports? What do you plan to sell?"
"Yes, export business. As for what to sell, I plan to visit the coastal areas for an inspection after a while. Anything will do."
Tan Jincheng didn't specify what he would sell.
In fact, he already had a target, but it hadn't fully materialized yet, and he temporarily didn't know how to explain it.
In 2004, the European Union became China's largest foreign trade partner, followed by the United States and Japan.
The best performing foreign trade industries were apparel and electronic products.
Electronic products required certain technical investment, which Tan Jincheng's startup capital was currently insufficient to support.
Therefore, choosing the apparel industry with lower entry barriers was naturally the best choice.
As a consumer good, clothing had huge market demand, low costs, and relatively high initial profits.
Opening up the situation with the apparel industry, accumulating initial capital, and then gradually transitioning to other industries step by step was one of Tan Jincheng's goals.
Although he didn't make money from stock trading in his previous life, Tan Jincheng still knew of a company that transitioned from the apparel industry to the new energy industry.
"Doing foreign trade, that probably won't work from home, right?"
Tan Lihua looked at his son and said.
"That's right, the foundation here at home is still a bit lacking. To make money, we still need to go to the coastal areas,"
Tan Jincheng also sighed.
Tan Jincheng, with the soul of a middle-aged man, naturally knew the hardship of leaving his hometown, but he had no choice.
In his previous life, he had also lived in Yongcheng for a long time.
If possible, who would want to leave their hometown?
Speaking of Yicheng, from ancient to modern times, it has produced numerous famous figures, ranking among the "Five Tigers of the Yangtze River."
The Anhui province's name is half derived from it, and its abbreviation comes from a mountain in Yicheng.
But unfortunately, the once prosperous Yicheng, with the decline of its strategic importance and the relocation of the provincial capital, became increasingly marginalized.
Even in 2023, the year Tan Jincheng was reborn, its GDP was only the size of a third-tier city.
Therefore, to get rich, he had to, like in his previous life, go to the coastal areas again to seek opportunities, and Yongcheng, being the most familiar, was the best place to settle.
"So when are you planning to leave? And where are you going?"
(End of chapter)
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