Old Zhou and his family returned home in fine attire, and indeed hosted several banquet tables at the Joy Soon Loy Restaurant. Cheng Su, being the owner of the restaurant and a family member of a fellow soldier, naturally had to be present. She generously waived many of the wine bills as a gesture of welcome and dust-clearing for Old Zhou and his family.
Back when Old Zhou was demobilized and changed careers, many people felt pity for them, but now seeing the way the couple carries themselves, it is no longer pity, but envy.
Frankly speaking, living in this world, whether it is joining the army or doing business, isnât it all for the sake of the future, for fame, for profit, and for future generations and family?
Now that heâs no longer in the army, the only real loss is the chance to participate in authority, but heâs earned money, isnât worried about food and drink, and doesnât have to worry about raising future generations, so diving into business isnât necessarily a bad thing after all.
These couple of years since Old Zhou and his spouse have ventured into business, many people have witnessed their success. After this meal, it was easy to discern some peopleâs dissatisfaction and jealousy, which in turn made Cheng Suâs worthiness even more appreciated.
When they fell into hard times, she didnât look down on them, nor did she sneer at them. Now that they are prosperous, she doesnât show jealousy or resentment, behaving just as she always does, with genuine character.
Both of them have lived in the Special Zone and have seen all sorts of odd and evil characters, so theyâre worldly-wise now, fully aware of who can be sincerely befriended and who should just be a mere acquaintance.
So they remain polite on the surface, but the way they treat others genuinely varies.
The primary intent of Old Zhou and his spouseâs return was to reunite with comrades before the festival, and then make a brief trip back to their hometown. Now that Qi Taiguo is not around, Old Zhou left a phone number. When Qi Taiguo returns, they can meet up for a drink, and if not, theyâll have to wait until next time!
Cheng Su said thereâs plenty of time and she plans to visit Guangcheng often in the future. With phones, keeping in touch is easy.
When the couple returned to their hometown, the people in the courtyard had a discussion about Old Zhouâs grand return. There were sighs, envy, praise, jealousy, and even harsh words, but Cheng Su just smiled and let it go.
In this world, there are always people who cannot bear to see others prosper, obvious differences in worldviews, why bother competing?
Even Chunhua and Guiying had a discussion.
"Back then, when they were demobilized, they seemed quite pitiable, but look at them now, adorned in gold and silver, using and eating fancy things, whereâs there a trace of pity?" Chunhua said, "Itâs their good luck."
"Exactly, the wealthy ladies on the street seem to dress just like Sister-in-law Zhou." Guiying said with a smile.
"Itâs all fate. Some people are destined to have such fortunes." Chunhuaâs words were full of envy.
Cheng Su carried a rice pot into the kitchen and said upon hearing their conversation, "Be it fate or luck, people look glamorous on the outside, but you donât know how much hardship and effort theyâve endured behind it! I heard that for half a year, they didnât even have a full meal!"
Chunhua was startled.
"So donât just look at how glamorous people appear, the more glamorous, the more effort is put in. Money doesnât just blow in with the wind. Can one prosper relying solely on good luck? Ultimately, it comes down to personal effort, relying on oneâs own hands and brain!" Cheng Su continued, "So, donât think about it, work hard yourself, and maybe youâll be the one flaunting gold and silver in the future!"
"I donât have that kind of fortune." Chunhua said in self-mockery.
"Whether you have fortune or not is uncertain, but just talking without action will surely bring none." Cheng Su said earnestly, "Doing it doesnât necessarily guarantee it, but not doing it guarantees none!"
Chunhua and Guiying exchanged a glance, as if gaining some insight.