"Do we have to use the money from the No. 2 Garment Factory in the first year? It's not impossible. As long as the cooperation targets in the performance-based agreement are met, we can use it in the second half of the year." After careful consideration, Chen Xihua decided, "Okay, one million a year, three million in total, invested once a year!"

"Okay, Miss Wu is so straightforward. When can you give me your 200,000 before the New Year?" Boss Lei also noticed the change in Chen Xihua's expression. He had to admire this Miss Wu for being so decisive!

"The earliest we can do it is the 24th of the twelfth lunar month. I need to register an investment company first, and then cooperate with you, Mr. Lei, through the investment company." Chen Xihua explained his arrangements.

“That’s alright, it can be done before the 26th of the twelfth lunar month. Lunar New Year’s Eve is on New Year’s Eve, so we can talk again after you’ve registered your company.” Boss Lei felt that he could wait that long. He had already made it clear to the construction workers at noon today that he would pay them their wages no later than the 26th of the twelfth lunar month.

Chen Xihua likes to explain things clearly at once. "In the first year, I will invest 200,000, 300,000 in the middle of the year, and 500,000 at the end of the year. Starting from the second year, I will invest 1 million in one lump sum every year. Is that alright?"

“Okay.” Boss Lei readily agreed. In less than an hour of communication, he had already treated Chen Xihua as a true business partner. The fact that she was an investment company, not her Fanghua Workshop, showed his caution.

"By the way, Guodong, you've thought it through, right?" Boss Lei asked Manager Lin one more time. After all, he was the first person he approached, and now that he had agreed, he couldn't very well refuse.

"Yes, Lao Lei, but it seems like my investment of 100,000 won't make much of a difference." Manager Lin looked a little hesitant. Boss Lei's cooperation with Miss Wu involved millions of dollars. Should he still invest his 100,000?

"I won't think your money is too little. We've known each other for so long, don't you know who I am? I'll give you 1% of the profits. You have to believe me, real estate can make money. It's only because of you that I agreed. Originally, I wanted to go it alone, but I didn't have enough funds." Boss Lei also saw through his meaning, afraid of putting him in a difficult position.

"Then I'll invest 100,000?" Lin Guodong knew that it was possible to make money, but it would take a long time. However, seeing the confidence and certainty in Xiao Wu's eyes, he decided to take a gamble.

An hour later, the group parted ways; Chen Xihua and her sister left to go home. Wang Jun and his sister, Manager Lin, and Boss Lei remained at the Yangqing Hotel, where they were staying for the night.

It was already 6:30 when I got home. Sure enough, the Chen family had already finished eating, and my fourth sister, Chen Xiuhua, was already preparing to clear the dishes. Luckily, Chen Xihua and my second sister had eaten outside before coming back.

"I knew it! Chen Jinhua, Chen Xihua, have you two been having a blast outside? You're never home, don't you ever eat?" Li Yumei's face darkened as she saw the Chen sisters slowly stroll into the house.

She was completely at her wits' end with her two daughters. The eldest, third, and fourth were a bit better; they wouldn't talk back if she lectured them and could listen. But these two either ignored her or argued back directly—they were real troublemakers.

"Little Five, where did you go? Have you eaten? I asked Little Four to save some food for you two sisters."

Today, Chen Lao Er was acting very strangely, more amiable than usual. He looked at Chen Xihua with a smile and said...

Some time ago, he heard voices coming from his daughters' rooms. Although he couldn't hear them clearly, he could vaguely make out a few words, and he was sure he hadn't misheard.

Xiao Wu said she works hard to earn money so that her sisters can have financial security. She must have a way to make money, and she's already earned quite a bit. He's not like his wife, who only watches the pastry shop for a couple hundred yuan a day!

Xiao Wu has been home from Shanghe Village for five or six years now. Although he hasn't seen through everything, he's certain of one thing: Xiao Wu is smart and good at making money. He must have learned a lot about business from his mother-in-law.

Xiao Wu usually looks fierce and doesn't give her husband and sister a friendly look. She's indifferent, but as long as they don't do anything too outrageous to each other, Xiao Wu won't bother with them.

So, Chen Lao Er had already thought it through. He would always protect Xiao Wu and her sisters. If he became the father of a rich daughter in the future, wouldn't that be a lot of face?

The main thing is that Xiao Wu treats her younger brother Xiao Bao very well and won't mistreat him. So, he'll let her be; he no longer intends to interfere with or investigate what Xiao Wu does.

Chen Xihua noticed Chen Lao Er's somewhat subtle expression and roughly guessed what he was thinking, but it didn't matter, and she wouldn't care.

Of course she knew that under one roof, the things the sisters did couldn't be kept completely secret. Chen Lao Er might know a little, but he certainly wouldn't tell anyone, because he was a smart man. Unlike Li Yumei, who only cared about the money from the pastry shop and spoiling Xiao Bao, she didn't pay much attention to anything else.

...

Five days later, the eldest sister, Chen Chunhua, also went home for the holidays.

Chen Xihua then had her eldest sister register the '5+1' Nanhua Investment Company. Great, her eldest sister didn't ask any further questions and went directly to register. The other sisters didn't show much curiosity or inquire about anything either.

Chen Xihua discovered that her older sisters were now completely under her control regarding company matters. She felt they had accepted her, or at least completely trusted her. She suspected that even if she ran off with all the money, her sisters wouldn't question what she would do with it.

This is a bit inappropriate, haha, how could it be inappropriate? It's great! Chen Xihua thought to herself, I can do whatever I want. There's no need to explain to them, and it also shows that they are growing up, broadening their horizons, and not just focusing on the present.

At this moment, Chen Xiuhua looked at her younger sister Xiao Wu laughing happily and looking so smug, and she had a bad feeling. Xiao Wu was definitely thinking of doing some business again, and she was completely letting herself go. However, since her eldest sister didn't care, she couldn't say anything. Besides, everything Xiao Wu did was for the good of the sisters, so she had even less reason to stop her, and she couldn't help her anyway.

However, Xiao Wu said that he would be very happy if he could become the top scorer in the college entrance examination.

On the 24th day of the twelfth lunar month, Chen Xihua signed an investment cooperation agreement with Boss Lei. He would invest three million over three years, with Chen Xihua holding a 20% stake. He would only receive dividends and not be involved in any affairs, but Boss Lei still listened to many of Chen Xihua's suggestions.

After signing the agreement, Chen Xihua asked her older sister to transfer 200,000 yuan to Boss Lei so that he could pay the workers' wages. She didn't need to worry about the rest. The next investment would be 300,000 yuan six months later.

Actually, Chen Xihua was a little uneasy when she left Yangqing Hotel; she had indeed acted rashly.

Because if the money isn't invested on time, all the previous investment will be wasted. Moreover, she was budgeting the money from the successful bet with the second garment factory.

In other words, if she fails to reach her target of four million by August, she will lose two collaborations and suffer a loss of two to three million.

Good heavens! Thinking about it again, I was so reckless. My older sister should really keep an eye on me from time to time. Chen Xihua only realized after signing that both collaborations carried certain risks, especially since they were based on a performance-based agreement with the No. 2 Garment Factory. She was unsure if they would succeed.

Previously, Chen Xihua hadn't given much thought to the risks, such as what if something unexpected happened. She realized she'd been blinded by the huge potential of the real estate market, and she needed to reflect on her actions.

She is here without her father, the chairman from her previous life, to back her up.

But opportunities and risks go hand in hand, don't they? The agreement's already signed; we can only move forward!

At worst, all that will be left is the Fanghua Workshop. We'll have to proceed cautiously then. But it's alright, we still have the workshop, and it's independent.

Half an hour later, Chen Xihua went to Old Man Qin's house; she wanted to talk to someone.

"Teacher, I was reckless!" came a listless voice.

"Xi'er, what's wrong?" Old Man Qin saw that the usually confident and carefree girl looked dejected and listless today, so he quickly asked.

"These past few days..." Chen Xihua had just wanted to talk to someone, so she told Old Man Qin everything she had done in the past few days.

"It's just two or three million," Old Qin said casually, trying to reassure Chen Xihua.

"Teacher, you have two or three million?" Chen Xihua's eyes lit up. "Could I borrow it?"

"I didn't." Old Man Qin spread his hands and looked at Xi Yatou innocently when he saw that she finally seemed a little more energetic.

Chen Xihua: "..." So you're saying it's only two or three million? Are you kidding me?

"Alright, stop pretending. You're not upset about two or three million; you're just upset about making that impulsive decision." Old Qin directly pointed out her little scheme: she just wanted someone to vent to.

...

Soon, it was the 28th day of the twelfth lunar month. The Chen family's pastry shop was closed. Today, we were going to Uncle Chen's house for dinner. My eldest cousin, Chen Penghua, was bringing his girlfriend home for the first time. They were already engaged and would get married at the end of next year.