Chapter 52
New Year’s Eve is a happy festival for the whole family.
Everyone woke up early and cleaned themselves. They went to Tao Zhi's apartment. In the center of the living room sat an eight-person table, set with ancestral tablets, incense burners, and offerings. Breakfast was served in the morning, a small amount of each item, respectfully arranged. Two pairs of new chopsticks were then placed neatly on the bowls of food.
Cheng Xiangqian first burned incense and lit candles, then said, "We are honoring our ancestors by coming back to celebrate the New Year. We cannot go back this year, so we are here to express our gratitude and earnestly invite our ancestors to come home for the New Year."
Then each person in the family came forward in turn and poured tea and wine for the ancestors three times.
Next, everyone bowed deeply three times before returning to Cheng Xing for breakfast.
In the afternoon, they began with the same ritual. This time, they kowtowed, then burned paper money on the balcony. For safety reasons, Tao Zhi had only bought a small amount of gold and silver ingots. As Cheng Xiangqian burned them, he called upon his ancestors to receive them, praying for prosperity and well-being in the afterlife.
After the paper money is burned, bow again to bid farewell to the ancestors.
After the ceremony, the offerings are removed, the table is cleared, and the tablet is returned to its high place. The food that was offered is used to prepare the New Year's Eve dinner, where the whole family can share the blessings of the ancestors.
After dinner, except Xiao Jin and Ming Ming, everyone sat on the sofa and watched the Spring Festival Gala.
At this time, Cheng Jun dropped a bomb: "Brother, I will transfer the brick factory to you?"
In an instant, everyone's eyes were locked on the two of them.
Cheng Hui was startled: "What are you doing to me?"
"I see that you manage things very well and control the quality of the sand bricks very well. It's much less stressful for me than managing it myself."
"Your construction site is currently in peak brick season. Bricks are leaving the factory over here and entering the site over there. Both sides are your territory. Why are you doing this?"
"Every time I use bricks, just processing the bills is a hassle."
"That's finance's job. It's not a problem for me."
"Brother, I'm too busy right now, you can see. If the brick factory were in my hands, I'm afraid it would be difficult to develop."
"It's okay, I'll keep an eye on it for you. Just tell me if you have any ideas, and I'll help you with whatever I can."
"But the business world is so volatile. By the time I get wind of it, I don't even know how many times it's been passed around. By the time I get back to you, the news is already so cold it can't get any colder."
Cheng Hui was silent for a moment.
"Besides, helping me like this is no different from just doing a job. It actually limits your development. To put it bluntly, if we have a conflict one day, what do you think will happen to the brick factory?"
"That's it. If it's really as you said, I'll just return the brick factory to you. I'm not short of money. It's okay as long as I can live a decent life." Cheng Hui said nonchalantly.
"Brother, let me be frank. I want you to keep the brick factory going, and I also want to find someone to share the risk. Do you understand what I'm saying?"
"Hey, why didn't you tell me earlier, what do you want me to do?"
"First, change the name of the brick factory. It can't be under my name anymore."
"Then you will use bricks later?" Cheng Hui asked suspiciously.
"Let's sign a long-term contract and buy it with real money when the time comes."
Cheng Hui often checked the accounts, so he understood what he heard.
"Can your funding chain keep up?"
"Let's not talk about this for now. Now you understand why I want to divide the industry, right?"
Cheng Hui nodded seriously.
From beginning to end, Tao Zhi and the others remained silent, just quietly cracking melon seeds and watching the show. After hearing this, they understood what was going on. It had nothing to do with them, so they just turned around and watched the Spring Festival Gala.
Cheng Jun continued, "Brother, let's be clear about the accounts. Let's hire an accountant to take stock of the brick factory's assets and calculate the total price. I won't ask for much, I'll give you a discount on the cost price. You don't have to pay me all at once, you can pay in installments, or use the purchase price to offset it. What do you think, brother?"
Cheng Hui rarely joked: "You've already planned it all out, is it my turn to refuse?"
Cheng Jun laughed heartily: "Brother, if you work hard, the brick factory will have at least another twenty years of prosperity."
For Cheng Hui, this was no less than the best New Year's gift. Although he hadn't previously had great ambitions, if the brick factory transfer went through, it would become his first truly proprietary business. The thought of it made him happy, and so during the New Year, he felt a sense of euphoria.
On the sixth day of the first lunar month, a working day, the two brothers hired an accountant to quickly liquidate the assets, including fixed assets, current assets, intangible assets, accounts receivable, and liabilities.
Cheng Jun explained to Cheng Hui, "Brother, the factory will be 100% yours from now on. To avoid any bad debts, we have to settle the accounts clearly. This is the most fair way and will also avoid confusion in the future."
Cheng Hui gave him a sidelong glance: "I have more experience than you."
After calculating the assets and liabilities, the two hired a lawyer to draft the "Asset Transfer Agreement" in person.
Cheng Hui chose a "debt-acquisition," meaning he would assume the brick factory's liabilities, and accordingly, the net assets paid to Cheng Jun would be reduced. The brick factory's accounts receivable also included unpaid brick payments from Cheng Jun, which were also offset against each other.
If this were to happen, Cheng Hui would not have much to pay. Cheng Hui realized that his brother was doing his best to help him alleviate the financial pressure.
The two brothers were quite humorous and invited their parents to be witnesses.
Tao Zhi and the old man read through the book word by word, not even missing the small print in the notes or the punctuation marks.
Cheng Jun smiled and said, "Mom, are you so serious?"
"Of course, I'm afraid you'll blame me." Tao Zhi reiterated, "I'm just being a witness. I don't need to pay, right?"
The lawyers beside him laughed.
After the three parties confirmed that everything was fine, they all signed the agreement. The next step was physical delivery and the change of ownership. Since they were at a law firm, they simply handled everything at once.
After completing the formalities, Cheng Hui held Cheng Jun's hand tightly, his eyes slightly red.
He said, "Xiaojun, don't worry. The factory will only get better under my control. I promise you that you won't have to worry about the quality and supply of bricks used on your construction site."
From then on, Cheng Hui devoted all his attention to the brick factory. He began to think like a boss: how to reduce costs, how to attract new customers, how to improve technology. His visits home began to decrease, and if Cheng Mingcheng wanted to see him, Tao Zhi or the old man would have to drive Mingming there.
Cheng Mingcheng rolled around in the sand, getting all dirty again. Tao Zhi couldn't stand it any longer, and clenched her fists and said to Cheng Hui, "If you don't go get your driver's license, I'm going to beat you up. Anyway, I don't plan to come again, or you can take the bus back every week. Choose one of the two, and don't say I didn't give you a chance."
Under pressure from Tao Zhi, Cheng Hui got his driver's license in just one month.
So don't say you can't do it, it's because you're not pushing hard enough. When the situation is stronger than you, you have to create opportunities even if you can't. Tao Zhi's anger towards Cheng Hui finally eased a little.
Cheng Xing often went out with her father. She was now the second-in-command at the machinery factory and enjoyed the busy life every day. So she lent the Alto to her eldest brother, so Cheng Hui could go home two or three times a week.
Seeing Cheng Mingcheng's bright smile, Tao Zhi regretted not dealing with him earlier.
Two months later, Cheng Jun announced at dinner, "Dad, Mom, when are you free? I'll bring my girlfriend over to meet you."
Tao Zhi first confirmed: "Cheng Hui and Cheng Xing, you will be at home on Sunday, right?"
They didn't dare to lag behind and nodded quickly: "At home, at home."
"Then can we go to the restaurant on Sunday?"
"no problem."
On Sunday, Tao Zhi dressed very smartly. She also got her hair done in advance and spent the entire afternoon in the beauty salon.
When we arrived at the restaurant, Cheng Jun was already waiting there, and there was a pretty young girl sitting at the same table with us.
As soon as they saw Tao Zhi, they both stood up, and Cheng Jun introduced Tao Zhi: "Dad, Mom, this is Wei Hongxia."
"Hello, uncle and aunt." Wei Hongxia greeted them generously.
"Hongxia, this is a great name. It sounds like a painting." Tao Zhi responded with a smile.
Cheng Jun had already ordered the dishes, and after everyone was seated, the food was served one after another.
Seeing that Wei Hongxia liked to eat spare ribs, Tao Zhi used the serving chopsticks to pick up two pieces for her: "Child, don't be polite. You are so thin, you should eat more."
She always picked up the bowl and took it: "Thank you, Auntie."
Tao Zhi nodded silently.
"Hongxia, where are you from?"
Wei Hongxia put down her chopsticks, swallowed the food in her mouth, and then answered her: "Auntie, I'm from the village next to yours."
Tao Zhi was surprised: "Then can you speak your hometown dialect?"
Wei Hongxia switched immediately and greeted again in dialect.
Tao Zhi glared at Cheng Jun. This poor kid was such a worry.
Cheng Jun caught his mother's gaze and laughed, "I was so busy I forgot."
Tao Zhi smiled and praised, "You two are so lucky to meet in S City."
Since Cheng Jun didn't introduce himself, Tao Zhi didn't ask too many questions, so the topic revolved around Cheng Jun, and everyone finished the meal in peace.
Before leaving, Tao Zhi took out a red envelope and said gently, "Good boy, this is our first meeting, and uncle and auntie didn't prepare anything. This is just a small token of our appreciation. Go buy something you like."
Wei Hongxia took it with both hands and smiled sweetly: "Thank you, uncle and aunt."
Tao Zhi also smiled and said, "I'm especially happy to see you today. Come to my house more often when you have time. Auntie will make you something delicious."
"I'll definitely come when I'm free."
"Cheng Jun, take Xiaoxia home. Be careful on the way."
Wei Hongxia kept shaking her hands: "Auntie, no need, I don't live far away, let Cheng Jun take you and uncle."
Tao Zhi patted her hands and said, "Child, you must remember, no matter how late it is or how tired your boyfriend is, you must ask him to take you home personally. This concerns the safety of young girls. This is a matter of principle."
Wei Hongxia blushed and nodded slightly.
When they went downstairs together, she saw Tao Zhi getting into the Santana, and then she realized what stupid things she had said.
She angrily questioned Cheng Jun: "Why didn't you tell me that uncle and aunt came by car?
Cheng Jun laughed heartily: "I didn't tell them that you are from our place."
Wei Hongxia hit him directly: "I am almost dying of embarrassment."
Cheng Jun held her hand: "No, no, my mother just thinks you are cute."
"really?"
Cheng Jun swore to the sky: "When have I ever lied to you?"
Only then did Wei Hongxia let him go.
Cheng Jun guessed correctly what Tao Zhi thought of Wei Hongxia, but he didn't guess what his mother thought of him.
After he sent his girlfriend off, he didn't know what was waiting for him at home.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
