In 1999, Madaokou was the seat of the Sanjiashan Township government. A few years later, after the township was merged, it became the seat of a village government.

Although this is the location of a township government, it is not as prosperous as Liangshuiwan Village.

The main road in Liangshuiwan Village is now lined with buildings, while the entire street in Madaokou only has two buildings at this time.

The township government building and the industrial and commercial bureau building are both old-fashioned, dilapidated buildings.

There weren't many shops or businesses on either side of the road; most of them were grocery stores.

This is incomparable to the restaurants, hotels, grocery stores, arcades, and game bars lining both sides of Liangshuiwan Avenue.

Xu Hebin's girlfriend, Xue Jing, lived in a four-room brick house with a thatched roof, behind the three-story building that was the township government.

Xu Hebin had never been to the woman's house, and Liang Liang knew even less about it. They found the woman's house by looking behind the Madaokou Township government building and by recognizing the woman's name.

In front of the Madaokou Township government building, there was a tall woman wearing a red ski jacket.

"This is my girlfriend, Xue Jing. She is in charge of quality management in audio-visual products."

Liang Liang stopped the car in front of the girl.

The girl is very beautiful; she would be just as stunning even in the city.

Liang Liang naturally didn't know them. He now has thousands of employees, and he only goes to the audio-visual products store once a year. How could he possibly know everyone?

Liang Liang didn't recognize the other person, but the other person recognized him.

"President Liang! I didn't expect you to come too, this is so pleasing to the eye!"

As soon as the young woman got into the car, she noticed the driver and her boss exclaimed in surprise.

Liang Liang smiled and nodded at the other person.

“I never dreamed you would come. Your arrival will definitely turn our family upside down… Turn left, go into this alley, then turn right and walk about 50 meters.”

Guided by the girl, Liang Liang drove the car onto the street leading to her house.

The street was narrow, and both sides were piled with corn stalks.

Liang Liang parked his car in front of the girl's house, and before he could even get out, the girl's family came out to greet him.

The woman's family is quite large, including her parents, sister, brother, and brother-in-law.

The woman's older sister got married last winter, and today, the fourth day of the Lunar New Year, is her first time returning to her parents' home for the holiday. She is wearing a red dress, which looks very festive.

"Mr. Liang! We're in a remote mountain village, so the conditions are what they are. Please don't mind."

Having lived in the city for two years, Xue Jing was still quite poised and confident in her interactions with others.

"Don't be so polite. We're both from rural families. A few years ago, my family was even worse off than yours. Saying you're looking down on us is just going too far."

Xue Jing's younger brother and brother-in-law ran out to help carry the gifts.

Liang Liang followed Xu Hebin into the courtyard.

In this situation, Xu Hebin is the main character, so he certainly can't steal the spotlight from others.

"Happy New Year, Uncle and Auntie!" After greeting Xu Hebin, Liang Liang then greeted Xue Jing's parents.

Although the Xue family's house was a bit old, it was still very clean inside.

Xu Hebin, being a new son-in-law visiting his daughter's home, was still a little awkward.

Liang Liang, no longer acting like an outsider, took off his shoes and climbed onto the kang (heated brick bed), chatting enthusiastically with Xu Hebin's future father-in-law and his future brother-in-law.

Xue Jing, her mother, and her sister are cooking in the kitchen.

Her younger brother was watching the car from outside, because a group of children had surrounded Liang Liang's car, gesturing and chattering excitedly.

Xue Jing's brother-in-law looked like an honest, somewhat shy farmer.

It could also be the nervousness of bringing his wife to his father-in-law's house for the first time during the Chinese New Year.

Liang Liang then asked him what he did for a living.

"Mr. Liang! Can't you arrange jobs for my sister and brother-in-law? They only farm a few acres of land at home, and they'd probably starve to death on that."

Xue Jing happened to enter the room and overheard Liang Liang's question, so she asked back with a smile.

"Aren't you going to open your own factory next year? Why don't you have your sister and brother-in-law work at your own factory?"

"Ah! You've borrowed enough money to start the factory?" Xue Jing obviously knew about Xu Hebin's plan to start a factory.

“Money is no problem. After the New Year, I will go to rent land and then build a factory and buy equipment.”

Xu Mei agreed to lend him 500,000 yuan, and Xu Hebin himself had 200,000 yuan, which was enough to start a small factory.

“My sister and brother-in-law can go to Liangshui Bay this year. I will rent a house for you there to stay in first.”

Xu Hebin had already planned out a path for his sister-in-law and brother-in-law.

"I'm afraid your factory won't be operational until autumn. If all else fails, you can work at my brother's factory for now and earn some hard-earned money," Liang Liang suggested.

“No need! Once I get the land approved and start building the factory, I'll need someone to supervise it. My brother-in-law can do that. I'll give you seven thousand yuan a year for your wages.”

A monthly salary of 600 yuan was not high in 1999, but it was not low either.

“President Liang! He Bin said he wants to start his own business, but I don’t really approve of him doing it. I’m doing just fine working steadily in your company for a year now, but he just wants to mess around.” Xue Jing began to criticize her future husband.

"You should support him."

"Mr. Liang! You think he's right?"

"It's good for young people to venture out on their own. Although my current job is stable, it's just working for me at best. It's not as exciting as being your own boss."

"Being your own boss can be exciting, but only if you can do it well. If you can't do it well and lose money, it's better to work for someone else."

Women are more or less prone to jinxing; before even doing anything, they're already thinking about losing money.

"You can't say that. How do you know you can't do it? Five years ago, when I came from that small mountain village of Liangshuiwan, I was just a peasant. I got to where I am today by daring to think and act. How do you know you can't do it if you don't try?"

"How can he compare to you? Ten of them wouldn't be as good as one of you."

Xu Hebin was looked down upon.

"However, Mr. Liang, since you are optimistic about the Riverside business, I am confident."

With Liang Liang's approval, Xue Jing had no further objections.

Although Liang Liang is not very old, he is a legendary figure in the eyes of Haiyun employees.

After lunch, Xue Jing packed up, said goodbye to her parents, got into the car, and went with Xu Hebin to the Xu family home for the New Year.

Throughout the journey, they talked mostly about setting up a factory.

Around 2:30, Liang Liang, Xu Hebin, and Xue Jing arrived at the Xu family home.

Xu Mei skipped and hopped out to greet her future sister-in-law.

Although they worked at the same company, Xu Mei did not know Xue Jing.

However, Xue Jing knew Xu Mei.

Xu Mei is a big star now, so she naturally knows her.

"When will you invite me to your house for the Chinese New Year?"

Xu Hebin said goodbye to Xue Jing and Liang Liang and entered the courtyard, while Xu Mei quietly uttered this sentence.

"I'll make you go about ten times a day, you can go whenever you want."

"That's different, that doesn't count!"

"Why don't you get in the car now and come to my house?"

"Okay, okay!" Xu Mei opened the car door and got into the car.

"You're really not being polite. What kind of makeup do you use to make your skin so thick?"

Xu Mei burst into laughter.