A week before Zhou Xinya's graduation, Grandma Sun called Sun Lifang and asked her to "pick someone up at the train station."

It wasn't just anyone; it was a relative from my hometown, "the one who added incense for your wedding before."

Which relative comes to Shanghai and I need to personally receive them?

"Adding incense" means giving money as a gift.

Sun Lifang used to find this annoying: all those distant and irrelevant relatives, she felt she had to give them money as a gift.

Hearing Grandma Sun say this now, she was naturally unhappy. "Your generation can manage this relationship, but the next generation won't have anyone to do it anymore."

Just like giving a gift at a friend's wedding—

If they are true friends, both the giver and the receiver will be very happy.

It was a relationship that started out of mutual consent, but when it came to the elderly, it became a matter of necessity.

Sun Lifang certainly didn't mind being paid.

But, “I’m not familiar with them. Am I supposed to greet every single one of them who has ever added incense for me when they come to Shanghai?”

Just thinking about it gave me a headache. And Grandma Sun was stammering and looking embarrassed, which made Sun Lifang unable to say anything to criticize her.

Old people are all like that. After a long pause, they said in a low voice, "When we didn't have enough to eat, we all relied on each other to help each other out. You give me a little, and I give you a little back. We helped each other through it all."

Relatives help each other out. The older generation has good relationships and naturally hopes that their children can also get along well and help each other.

“We can’t help. We’re not a family business.” Sun Lifang wanted to explain the relationship between them to her grandmother. “All good things must come to an end. We’re not a family business like those in Chaoshan, Guangdong.”

The world is bustling with activity, all driven by self-interest. "Only with the exchange of benefits can our relationships continue."

We used to farm. If you gave me two pounds of sweet potatoes, I would return a bag of corn. That's true friendship in times of trouble.

But now, "he's carrying several pounds of sweet potatoes, coming to me asking for other things. How can I help him?"

"No, they said they just wanted to come and visit for a couple of days before leaving." Grandma Sun hadn't expected her granddaughter to think so deeply, and said frankly, "Grandma won't cause you any trouble. You little girl, don't you trust Grandma?"

She believed it, she believed it; of course, Sun Lifang believed that Old Lady Sun wouldn't cause her any trouble.

She simply didn't trust the people who came to visit.

"You're the only one who believes they're just here for fun." She muttered, but Old Mrs. Sun, who was hard of hearing, couldn't hear her clearly and asked, "What? What did you just say? Grandma didn't hear you—"

Stuttering, Sun Lifang didn't want to argue any further, so she changed the subject and said, "It's nothing, what time is my train? I'll come pick you up."

Face must be maintained. Although Sun Lifang is socially awkward, she still needs to maintain good interpersonal relationships.

With a sigh, Grandma Sun suddenly asked, "Isn't this the phone number you left?"

Strange, Sun Lifang was confused. "When did I leave my phone number? Who told you I left it?"

As people get older, their memory deteriorates.

Grandma Sun stammered for a long time but couldn't come up with a clear answer.

Sun Lifang didn't plan to wait any longer. She drove her car and told Grandma Sun, "I'll go pick up Yaya first, and then we'll go to the station together. The timing will be just right."

With Zhao Chengguang overseeing the company and thanks to Liu Qing, Sun Lifang's workload has become much lighter.

In terms of qualifications, Liu Qing told Sun Lifang which documents to prepare, to standardize the company, and once it was on track, to find a way to enter the public eye and make a name for itself.

Of course, you won't make money in the early stages.

The first step to getting into the public eye is to hold some small events.

These days, very few families can afford a camera. Apart from a small number of families, most people don't really have the concept of taking photos together.

So how do we cultivate the public's awareness of taking group photos?

Thanks to Zhou Xinya's graduation exhibition, Sun Lifang came up with an idea for a "family style showcase" event.

Just like buying something, you need to have a sample.

A photo, of course, needs a story to tell—

Rather than letting Sun Lifang market the photos herself, it's better to let the customers tell the stories behind them.

I can always find something that resonates with me, extract the information, transform it into text, and make it into a company brochure.

Everyone who comes to the company to take photos will see this kind of picture and text story.

"It's much better to let customers feel that their money is well spent than to try to sell to them."

The key to closing a sale lies in whether or not the customer can convince themselves.

This inspiration came from Zhou Xinya's graduation exhibition.

The teacher first returned their past works to them and compiled them into a booklet.

Then, the students were asked to choose their favorite picture, name it "My Most Unforgettable Day," and give a speech on stage.

When Zhou Xinya went on stage and talked about the birth of her younger brother and sister, it was as if she had opened the door to a new world.

"From now on, I will have two more relatives in this world."

"We are connected by blood; we are the closest people in the world."

Du Yuheng then went on stage and talked about the day his mother fell down—

"My mother stayed up all night to take care of me when I had a fever.

"Whenever I feel bad, I hear my mother's voice. She seems to never get tired."

"But when I recovered, my mother fell ill."

To take care of her sick son, Lin Meiling stayed up all night, keeping watch by his side and taking his temperature every half hour. She was so tired that she could barely stand.

Lin Meiling, who was in the audience, was moved to tears as she listened to the story of raising a grateful son.

Nothing is more heartwarming than hearing your son express his gratitude.

Without a script, the children's pure and simple language deeply moved Sun Lifang.

My dear reader, there's more to this chapter! Please click the next page to continue reading—even more exciting content awaits!