Chapter 1002: A Surprise from Mother

The stock market is risky; invest with caution.

Although many people are aware of these ten words, without sufficient experience, one cannot understand what they truly mean.

Often, people like to measure things with their own thinking and logic, unaware that most people in this world are merely puppets of the clever ones.

"Son, do you know something?" Father Zhao asked, looking at Zhao Fusheng with surprise.

Clearly, he hadn't expected Zhao Fusheng to react so strongly to his stock trading, even extending it to the company.

If not for Zhao Fusheng's previous outstanding performance, Father Zhao might have thought his son had gone mad.

Zhao Fusheng shook his head: "Dad, it's not that I know something, but I've studied the stock market. Our domestic stock market is too immature and easily manipulated. If our family's company goes public, it will likely face the same situation."

He paused, then said: "If you're interested in stocks and want to invest, give me the money. I'll find someone to invest for you in US stocks."

"US stocks?"

Father Zhao was taken aback, and even Fan Baobao looked at Zhao Fusheng with a strange expression.

Clearly, even she found his statement puzzling.

Zhao Fusheng shrugged, meeting their gazes with a smile: "You both know my classmate, Tan Kaixuan. He likes to mess around. Last year, in the second half, he went to the US and set up an investment fund. It seems to be doing pretty well now."

In fact, Tan Kaixuan was not just doing well; he was doing exceptionally well.

Although he had limited funds, somehow, as if blessed by heaven, every stock he bought rose. With no price limits in the US market, at one point, a stock he bought surged fivefold within three trading days after news broke that Amazon was acquiring it.

Even in novels, things aren't that miraculous.

But it happened anyway.

The last time Zhao Fusheng called Tan Kaixuan, a month ago, he proudly told Zhao Fusheng that some domestic businessmen had approached him, wanting to entrust their funds to him.

Zhao Fusheng had nothing to say about that. In fact, he couldn't offer Tan Kaixuan any advice, as his development trajectory increasingly exceeded Zhao Fusheng's understanding. He could only give him some general guidance.

In Zhao Fusheng's memory, around 2006, the US would begin to experience the subprime mortgage crisis, which would fully erupt in 2007. Before that, the US financial market would remain relatively strong.

So, as long as Tan Kaixuan exited before then, he shouldn't be too affected. It was now 2004, so he still had at least two good years.

Thus, Zhao Fusheng decided not to interfere and let him do as he pleased.

Even so, he felt comfortable letting his father invest with Tan Kaixuan. At the very least, the guy wouldn't cheat his dad, which was safer than his father blindly following others in stock trading.

"Tan Kaixuan, that kid, actually went to the US," Father Zhao said. He naturally knew Tan Kaixuan; when Tan was in Ninghai, they had dealt with each other several times, and he had a deep impression of him.

He just hadn't expected Tan Kaixuan to be in finance.

"So, want to give it a try?" Zhao Fusheng asked his father.

Father Zhao thought for a moment, then shook his head: "Better not. Since I'm not suited for stock trading, I'll just liquidate my positions."

That was his nature—if something wasn't for him, he kept his distance.

Zhao Fusheng laughed and dropped the subject.

He had given his advice; the choice was his father's. Zhao Fusheng wouldn't overstep.

That evening, Fan Baobao naturally went home to stay with her mother and sister. After two days and one night on the train, she was exhausted. Zhao Fusheng had planned to talk about his own matters during dinner but decided against it.

The night passed without incident. The next morning, as soon as Zhao Fusheng opened his eyes, he found a small figure by his bed.

"Brother, you're awake."

The only one who would appear at this time was naturally Fan Beibei.

"Good morning, Beibei," Zhao Fusheng said with a gentle smile. No matter how hard he worked outside, coming home always lifted his spirits.

"Brother, your eyelashes move when you sleep!" the little girl said happily. To her, nothing in the world was more joyful than being with Zhao Fusheng.

They say children are the purest—this must be what they mean.

Because at this age, children have no ulterior motives. They like what they like and dislike what they dislike, without pretending to please or being two-faced.

Many adults love children's innocence simply because they themselves are too dark.

"Because brother saw Beibei," Zhao Fusheng said, sitting up and lifting Fan Beibei onto his lap. "Hmm, Beibei seems heavier."

"Yeah, Mom says I've gained weight," Fan Beibei said with a worried look. "If I get any fatter, I won't be pretty."

Zhao Fusheng couldn't help but laugh. He clearly couldn't understand the little girl's distress.

"It doesn't matter. No matter what Beibei becomes, she'll always be brother's little princess," Zhao Fusheng comforted the unhappy princess.

Just then, Fan Baobao burst in, glared at Zhao Fusheng, then turned to Fan Beibei: "You little brat, the moment you open your eyes, you look for him. Whose sister are you?"

Fan Beibei snorted, clearly ignoring her sister.

"Come on, let's wash your face and let brother get up," Fan Baobao said, taking her sister's hand. At the door, she turned to Zhao Fusheng: "Today, Mom and I are going to buy New Year goods. Are you coming?"

Zhao Fusheng smiled: "Of course."

"Mm."

Her reply was the sight of her leaving with her sister.

Getting up, dressing, and washing up, Zhao Fusheng looked at himself in the mirror and smiled.

He loved this life—with a career, a lover, and family.

Heaven demands much from the good but little from the bad. Zhao Fusheng didn't want to be a bad person, but he also didn't want to be a doormat who only endured suffering.

A good person turning bad is condemned by all.

A bad person turning good is praised by all.

That's not a good thing.

It's better to be a bit selfish in life.

In the past, he was too considerate of others, and in the end, no one considered his feelings.

Now, Zhao Fusheng planned to live a lighter, freer life.

…

…

After breakfast, the family happily went out.

Then, to Zhao Fusheng's astonishment, his mother drove a minivan from not far below the building.

Yes, the legendary Wuling Hongguang.

"Mom, what's this?" Zhao Fusheng asked in surprise.

Last time he was back, his mother didn't have this car. Had she gotten a driver's license in just a month?

"Nothing much. I had nothing to do, so I learned to drive and bought this," Mother Zhao said proudly to her son and daughter-in-law.

Clearly, she had kept it a secret last time.

And she had succeeded.

Zhao Fusheng and Fan Baobao exchanged glances, their mouths twitching. After a moment, Fan Baobao said with a wry smile: "Um, Auntie, would you like to buy a new car? I've saved some money; let me buy you one."

At that moment, she forgot about being jealous.

Li Yuan didn't mind and laughed: "I agree. Baobao, it's settled. After the fifteenth, take your aunt to look at cars and buy her one."

She paused meaningfully: "Give this one to me. It'll be convenient for commuting to the shop."

Huh?

Zhao Fusheng and Fan Baobao felt their brain cells failing.

The daughter-in-law bought a car for her mother-in-law. What should the son-in-law do?

Waiting online…

If there were social media, Zhao Fusheng would have posted about it.

In the end, Zhao Fusheng and Fan Baobao both promised to buy cars for their mothers.

Yes, Mother Zhao and Mother Fan had gotten their licenses together.

But neither Mother Zhao nor Li Yuan cared much about the cars. The family wasn't short on money for cars. What mattered to them was the filial attitude of Zhao Fusheng and Fan Baobao.

Parents are truly the most forgiving people in the world. They don't care about the returns their children give them. Even an occasional phone call, a greeting, or a word of concern is seen as filial piety.

Some people always use work as an excuse, forgetting that making a call before a social engagement or on a weekend isn't a big deal.

Zhao Fusheng used to be like that—busy with work, busy making money. By the time he came to his senses and wanted to cherish those around him, he found that his parents no longer had the chance to enjoy his care.

So now, whenever he had time, Zhao Fusheng spent it with his elders.

Besides, driving a Wuling Hongguang to buy New Year goods was quite an interesting experience.

That was the thought in Zhao Fusheng's mind as he sat in the car holding Fan Beibei. Beside him, Fan Baobao looked resentfully at the cheerful Zhao Fusheng and Fan Beibei.

Yes, she wanted to hold Fan Beibei too, but unfortunately, Miss Fan the Second had made it clear: I prefer you to stay away.

Fan Baobao, resenting…