Chapter 31#

From late November to early December, after bottoming out at 300 points, the Shanghai Composite Index experienced a retaliatory rebound. Within just half a month, it soared from 386 points to over 700 points. After a brief adjustment and hovering for a few days, it opened the prelude to another bull market. Capital frantically pouring into Shanghai became active again, and market policies remained loose, giving those investors who had rashly ventured into the stock market a glimmer of hope. The faces in the “millionaire rooms” had almost completely changed, but the funds rushing into the stock market had not decreased in the slightest, and the entire market burst with new vitality.

However, the few new stocks listed recently failed to achieve the brilliant performance of the first half of the year. They often opened high and went low. No matter how the market makers operated, they could not obtain sufficient profits, and instead caused some ambitious individual large investors to suffer catastrophic losses. In contrast, the “Old Eight Stocks” and the blue-chip stocks from the first half of the year were all in the red (rising). Due to the influence of the bull market some time ago, too many retail investors were still trapped at high positions. They all craved for these stocks to return to their highs so they could break even or even make a profit. This rigid demand unstoppably propped up the trend of the entire market, making those who tried to fish in troubled waters complain endlessly.

Chen Yuanming naturally did not let this market wave pass. Nowadays, it was no longer a time when pies would fall from the sky just by sitting idly. Facing the complex market situation, the foreknowledge he had always relied on was no longer useful. He could only use the experience mastered in later generations to analyze and judge. However, for this barbaric era of the Chinese stock market, his concepts and cognition were still advanced enough, and making money was really too easy. Operating multiple stocks simultaneously, buying or selling on a small scale, although the numbers on the account did not grow fast enough, it was stable enough.

On the contrary, Xiao Yun chose to conduct some operations himself this time. His principal was already sufficient, and he had accumulated some stock trading experience. He couldn’t always follow behind Chen Yuanming’s butt and pick up ready-made gains; it was time to learn to fly solo. Fortunately, the upward channel of the market had opened. Even if he couldn’t catch the hottest spots, it was still a sure-win business.

Back and forth like this, 1992 turned its last page in the blink of an eye. As the Spring Festival approached, the heat of the stock market did not diminish, but the Spring Festival market closure was right in front of them. Many large investors from other places also began to pack their bags, preparing to fight again in the coming year.

“So, it’s almost New Year, what are your plans?” After the market closed that day, Xiao Yun moved his slightly stiff shoulders and leaned back on the sofa. He was about to go home; phone calls urged him one after another. No matter how great the temptation of profit, it could not stop the call of family affection. It was time to go north back to Beijing, but what about this teenager? Did he… have a home to return to?

Facing Xiao Yun’s inquiring gaze, Chen Yuanming paused for a moment and casually put away the miscellaneous items in front of him.

“Going home, of course.”

To be rich and not return to one’s hometown is like walking at night in brocade clothes. Lowering his eyelids slightly, Chen Yuanming exhaled softly. It had been two years; it was time to go home and have a look.

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Since the Spring Festival of ‘93 came too early, it was only mid-January, and the streets were already full of people shopping. At this time, materials could not be considered abundant. The end of the year was like fighting a war. It was not easy to grab cheap and satisfactory things, not to mention the preparation of frying and cooking after returning home, which could really tire people out. If she hadn’t taken a leave for a while after work today, she didn’t know how long she would have been wandering around…

Wang Juan wiped the sweat oozing from her forehead and struggled to carry two large bags of New Year’s goods upstairs. Although her legs were tired and her waist was weary, she always felt that she had endless strength all over her body. Yes, how could their family buy so many New Year’s goods in previous years? Chicken, duck, fish, and meat were all available, as well as canned food and candies. This was something she didn’t even dare to think about! However, this year she could, she dared, and she could also straighten her back and not look at anyone’s face.

Thinking of the bank card at home, Wang Juan felt that the blood in her body was about to burn. There was still a whole 40,000 yuan in there! In the past two years, her family had paid off the debts accumulated over the years, and still had spare money to help her niece cure her leg disease. With so many expenses, there was still 40,000 yuan left! Wasn’t it all thanks to her own smart and capable son! Thinking that she had actually become a “ten-thousand-yuan household”, Wang Juan felt indescribably happy in her heart.

Of course, having money didn’t mean she could spend it recklessly. After all, it was her son’s hard-earned money, and she had to save it for his future wife. But the letter sent back a few days ago completely ignited Wang Juan’s shopping enthusiasm. Her son said he was coming back, in just these few days! Counting on her fingers, she could no longer hold back, her heart filled with the impulse to buy things and have a good New Year. Having not seen him for two years, she didn’t know if her son had gained or lost weight. It wasn’t easy for him to come home, and she absolutely couldn’t let his stomach suffer anymore. This time she must also prepare some good things for her son…

Stepping on the last step, Wang Juan froze on the spot. In the narrow corridor, a figure slowly turned his head and walked towards her. Still so young, about ten centimeters taller, shoulders broader, and flesh on his face, no longer that skinny strip. Look at those eyebrows and eyes, what a handsome young man. He, he had also grown up…

Her hands felt light, and Wang Juan realized that the two large bags in her hands had fallen to the ground at some point. The overflowing things inside were tilting outward and were about to roll down the steps in the blink of an eye. However, a large wheat-colored hand picked up the bags before she did and gathered those things back into the bags.

“Mom, I’m back.”

A voice much deeper than two years ago. Wang Juan raised her head slightly. Now she had to look up to see that face clearly. So much more mature than two years ago, so much better looking, no longer like the silly look of his childhood… Her son, her only precious darling… Her eyes felt hot, and something was about to surge out. Wang Juan sniffed vigorously, snatched a big bag from her son’s hand, and walked towards the door of the house. Her mouth kept chattering, “Why are you standing stupidly at the door? Don’t you have the house key? Go home and sit down and wait for Mom to come back…” and other nonsense. It seemed that as soon as she stopped talking, that heat would break through her eyelids and roll down to the ground in a loss of composure.

Looking at his mother’s bustling back, Chen Yuanming only felt a sourness in his heart. In that encounter just now, under the dim light of the corridor, he suddenly discovered the deep wrinkles at the corners of his mother’s eyes and the silver hair at her temples. In his previous life, how long was it before he noticed his mother aging and her body beginning to hunch? And how long was it before he understood what profound depression and unwillingness were hidden in her forbearing smile… But now, her back was so straight, and her words carried satisfied contentment. She was no longer that laid-off female worker crushed by life.

Taking a deep breath, Chen Yuanming carried the bags that even he felt were a bit heavy and walked towards home.

A humble room of about ten square meters, one could walk back and forth in a few steps. However, standing here, Chen Yuanming did not feel any discomfort. The distress and grievances of the past seemed to have turned into distant memories. The 15-watt light bulb was still flickering faintly. The newspapers pasted on the wall, the curtains hanging on the window, the somewhat uneven cement floor, everything was familiar and reassuring. And his mother was standing in the center of the room, busily moving out the mountain of New Year’s goods.

“Mom, let me do it.” Walking up quickly, Chen Yuanming put down the bag in his hand and wanted to take the things from his mother’s hand, but was pushed vigorously onto the bed by her.

“Don’t cause trouble! Sit properly. Mom will go cook noodles for you right now. Dumplings for departure and noodles for arrival. You haven’t had dinner yet, right? Wait a moment, Mom will have it ready for you!”

Saying that, she non-stop fished out the pork belly, dried tofu, and a fresh big radish she needed from the bag, and rushed out the door. This was the peak time for cooking dinner, and she had to grab the water tap before the neighbors did!

Watching his mother’s figure, Chen Yuanming smiled. He squatted down and roughly categorized the things scattered on the floor, then sat quietly on the bed board of his small bed. The bed surface was tidied up very cleanly, and even the quilt was soft. It seemed that someone had just fluffed the cotton this year, making full preparations for the owner’s return. He was anxious to return home, and weren’t his parents also eager for their son?

It’s good to be back…

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There were too many people buying flour today. Carrying a heavy bag of flour on his back and a pot of oil in his hand, Chen Jianhua strode up the stairs. His wife had been waiting at home almost crazily these past two days. Just for preparing New Year’s goods, she had bought who knows how many things, and didn’t know when their son would come home…

“Juanzi, the Standard No. 1 flour is sold out, I bought some Special No. 1…” Seeing the scene in the room clearly, Chen Jianhua froze at the door. He saw that his small room was piled high with New Year’s goods. The small round table for eating had been opened in the room, occupying a large amount of space. Sitting at that table were his wife and his son who had been away from home for almost two years…

He couldn’t say a word immediately; Chen Jianhua seemed to be frozen in place. Seeing her husband return, Wang Juan happily went over, “Special No. 1 is fine, anyway, we are not short of that money. Put down the flour bag quickly, I’ve made the noodles, just waiting for you to come back and eat!”

A crackling pile of words finally woke Chen Jianhua from his daze. Leaning the oil pot and flour bag against the door, he reached out and patted the flour on his body twice, and sat stiffly at the table.

“Dad.”

A bowl of noodles was pushed in front of Chen Jianhua, but the man didn’t look at the rice bowl in front of him at all. His eyes were wide open, looking straight at the boy in front of him. He really grew up, looking more and more like his mother. His complexion looked good, but… Suddenly coughing, Chen Jianhua finally spoke.

“How is your job? Didn’t you say you were driving for someone? You don’t drive during the New Year…”

“You really are something!” Wang Juan ran quickly to the table with another bowl of rice. “Our son just came back, can’t you wait until tomorrow to ask?! Doudou, don’t pay attention to him, eat first, hurry up and eat!”

Chen Yuanming smiled, “Dad, didn’t I say that I’m no longer running long distances with the boss? Now I’m concentrating on doing business in partnership with people in Shanghai, trading stocks and so on.”

“Trading stocks is not good. I heard that many people lost money. That thing is like a lottery, not a proper way…” Chen Jianhua did not relax at all and continued stiffly.

“Not a fart!” Wang Juan slapped her husband on the arm. “You have the ability to earn tens of thousands of yuan! Doudou knows what he’s doing. Didn’t you see the money sent home? With us saving it, what are you afraid of! Doudou, ignore your dad, hurry up and eat.”

Chen Yuanming smiled and didn’t explain further, burying his head to eat. In the past two years, he had sent more than 50,000 yuan home in total. At first, he said it was wages from driving in Zhuhai, and later he said he was doing business with friends. Even this amount of money had already kept his family in suspense. He didn’t want to take out the stock account with more than 100 million yuan and scare the two elders out of their wits. Take it slow, there will always be opportunities.

Watching his son bury his head in eating, Chen Jianhua’s lips moved, but he ultimately didn’t say anything. In his son, what he actually felt was not just pride, nor just worry, but a more complex and indescribable emotion. Of course, he was happy that his son was successful, but as the head of the family, as the most important labor force in this family, the money he earned in his lifetime was not as much as his son earned in two years of working outside. This gap and unwillingness were indescribable, making him unable to get over it.

But looking at his wife’s sweaty but smiling face, and then at his son’s tired but worry-free face, Chen Jianhua didn’t say anything more and began to eat in big mouthfuls.

After the meal, the family began to pack up the New Year’s goods. The weather temperature was suitable now, so even without a refrigerator, things wouldn’t go bad. But what should be boiled must be boiled, and what should be fried must be fried. Seeing that the New Year was 3 or 4 days away, they couldn’t just leave them piled up. So the three of them were busy until 11 o’clock before piling basins of New Year’s goods in the corner of the small room.

The room was too small. The smells of fried fish, fried meatballs, and boiled meat mixed together, fragrant but greasy. The wooden plank bed beneath him was hard and short, making it difficult to stretch out. However, amidst the room full of food smells and the rising and falling snoring sounds, Chen Yuanming pulled up the quilt and closed his eyes peacefully.