At the Tianjiazhuang Cattle Farm, 438 kilometers away from the capital.
This afternoon, more than a dozen cattle traders arrived all at once.
In the open space at the entrance of the cattle farm, over ten fenced trucks for transporting cattle were parked.
A group of cattle traders were noisily discussing the recent bull market trends, the scene resembling a bustling market fair.
Looking at these traders who had come to buy cattle on their own initiative, Tian Xiaoguang felt an overwhelming sense of pride and excitement!
For some time now, under Jiang Tao's instructions, Tian Xiaoguang, Liu Zhiyuan, and Shan Yifei had been going out daily to acquire cattle.
It took them over twenty days to gather a total of 300 head.
After that, they no longer needed to go out to collect cattle. Their daily routine at the farm consisted of feeding the cattle and chatting.
They anxiously awaited the market upturn that Jiang Tao had predicted, their hearts filled with unease.
Although they had great confidence in Jiang Tao, the days spent waiting for the market to shift were always torturous and long.
In recent days, as trade frictions between China and the U.S. continued to escalate, prices for everyday goods in the U.S.—including clothing, footwear, electronics, cars, food, furniture, and alcohol—had risen across the board.
After domestic contracts for imported beef were canceled, the supply of beef in the market drastically decreased, and prices began to soar.
In the past couple of days, beef prices had been changing daily.
The beef cattle market, which had been at rock bottom for two or three years, finally saw a glimmer of hope, with prices starting to climb steadily!
The bull market Jiang Tao had predicted had finally arrived!
Tian Xiaoguang and the others could finally breathe a sigh of relief!
Next came the joyful time of selling cattle and raking in profits!
Over the course of yesterday and this morning, the farm had sold more than 30 head of cattle, bringing in over 500,000 yuan.
This afternoon, even more people showed up, and they could easily sell dozens more!
In just a day and a half, nearly a quarter of the 2 million yuan investment had been recouped.
The speed of capital recovery was remarkably fast!
It was a busy afternoon.
Some cattle traders bought two or three head, while others purchased more than a dozen at once.
By the time the sun set and night fell, the last trader drove out of the Tianjiazhuang Cattle Farm with six head of cattle.
"Uncle Guang! In just one day today, we sold 68 head! This speed is insane!"
"It feels like a dream. Including the 30-plus head sold yesterday, we've already sold almost a third of the 300 head we stocked?"
"Crazy, absolutely crazy! Should we hold off a bit and see if prices go even higher?"
Liu Zhiyuan and Shan Yifei, caught up in the traders' enthusiasm for buying cattle, grew even more optimistic about the rising beef prices.
"I checked with Xiao Tao, and he said to sell them off quickly at the current price of 25 yuan per jin to avoid any unexpected issues."
At this moment, Tian Xiaoguang's trust in Jiang Tao was absolute.
Whatever Jiang Tao told him to do, he did. If Jiang Tao said to go east, he wouldn't dare go west.
Since Jiang Tao instructed him to sell the cattle quickly, he followed through without a shred of doubt.
"Since Brother Jiang says so, there must be a reason. Let's listen to him!"
"Yeah, the only reason we caught this wave of the market is because of Brother Jiang. His foresight and judgment are beyond what we can compare to."
"Exactly, let's just stick with Brother Jiang and make money. Fewer personal opinions!"
"It's getting late. Come on, I'll treat you two to drinks in Li Town."
"Uncle Guang, you treated us just the day before yesterday. It's my turn this time."
"Tonight's on me! It's gotta be me! I'll make sure you, Aunt, and Yifei are well taken care of!"
Liu Zhiyuan patted his chest, confidently taking on the responsibility of hosting tonight.
The three of them had been spending every day together recently, often going out for drinks at night, as close as brothers.
"Alright, it's on you then! I'll go settle today's accounts and send them to Xiao Tao."
"Got it! Uncle Guang, you handle the accounts. Zhiyuan and I will do another patrol around the farm."
"See you later, Uncle Guang!"
After exchanging farewells with Tian Xiaoguang, Shan Yifei and Liu Zhiyuan headed off to patrol the farm and check for any issues.
Ever since Jiang Tao had called them in the middle of the night to warn them about a potential problem, they had installed over a dozen surveillance cameras along the farm's perimeter walls.
While security had been greatly improved, the three of them didn't let their guard down. They hired two night-shift security guards and, when they had free time, would patrol the farm's walls themselves to check for any safety hazards.
After watching Liu Zhiyuan and Shan Yifei walk off into the distance, Tian Xiaoguang returned to his office at the farm.
Though he only had a junior high education, keeping accounts wasn't a challenge for him.
"Today, we sold 68 head of cattle. The first one weighed 659 jin, sold for 16,475 yuan."
"The second one was 663 jin, sold for 16,575 yuan…"
"The third one was 701 jin, sold for 17,525 yuan…"
With a ledger and calculator in front of him, Tian Xiaoguang's fingers tapped away rapidly.
It took him over half an hour to finish calculating the day's accounts.
68 head of cattle, with a total weight of 45,492 jin.
Today's selling price was 25 yuan per jin.
Total revenue: 1,137,300 yuan!
Daily revenue had broken through the million-yuan mark!
At this sales pace, the cattle at the farm would be sold out in just a few days!
Taking a deep breath to calm his excitement, Tian Xiaoguang pulled out his phone and dialed his nephew's number.
Beep, beep, beep—
The call connected quickly, and Jiang Tao's voice came through.
"Xiao Tao, today at the farm…"
Tian Xiaoguang meticulously reported the sales situation to Jiang Tao, including the total revenue, and sent a text file with the details.
"Not bad, not bad. You guys did an excellent job. You've all worked hard."
"Once this project is done, in addition to the regular dividends, I'll give each of you a big red envelope."
On the other end of the line, Jiang Tao chuckled, praising his uncle after hearing about the day's sales.
"By the way, Uncle, once the cattle at the farm are sold out, you and Aunt should come to the capital."
"I'll arrange new jobs for both of you—room and board included, with salaries that'll definitely satisfy you."
"To the capital? A new job?"
Tian Xiaoguang's heart skipped a beat at Jiang Tao's words.
Having lived over fifty years, he had rarely left Ping County.
The thought of moving hundreds of kilometers away to the capital made him a bit uneasy.
"Yes, the new jobs I'm arranging for you two aren't too difficult. You and Aunt can definitely handle them."
"And this task requires people I can completely trust."
"After thinking it over, you and Aunt are the most suitable."
"Plus, my parents will also be staying in the capital long-term."
"If you come, our whole family can look out for each other…"
"Uncle, think it over in the next few days and discuss it with Aunt. I really hope you both can come to the capital to help me."
"As for the compensation…"
Jiang Tao spoke at length over the phone, his sincerity evident.
The terms he offered were beyond anything Tian Xiaoguang could have dreamed of!
Room and board provided, social insurance and housing fund contributions in the capital, and a monthly take-home salary of 10,000 yuan!
"Xiao Tao, I'm personally fine with it. You know I trust you're looking out for me."
"I'll talk it over with your Aunt Mingrong tonight."
"I don't think she'll have any objections."
Tian Xiaoguang had recently gone from being a bachelor to having a partner.
If he were to move to the capital for work and life, he'd need to discuss it with Tian Mingrong first.
"Alright, I'll wait for your good news, Uncle. There's no rush. Finish selling the cattle at the farm first."
"Don't worry, Xiao Tao. I'll make sure this gets done right, no problems."
"I have complete confidence in you, Uncle. Oh, by the way, I'll transfer 3,000 yuan to you later."
"Get in touch with my father-in-law, Liu Zhiyuan, and the others, and find a nice restaurant to celebrate tonight."
"I can't make it back to the capital, so you organize it."
"No need to send money. I've got enough to cover it."
"Don't worry about it, Uncle. Save your money for marrying Aunt. If you're short, just let me know, and I'll help you out."
Jiang Tao's words were heartfelt.
During the New Year, his uncle had triggered a special task related to "continuing the family line," earning him 1 million yuan.
He was more than willing to share some of that to help his uncle get married.
"No, no need. Your Aunt Mingrong loves me for who I am, nothing else, haha…"
"Haha, nice one, Uncle! You've got quite the charm!"
"But you still need to hold a proper wedding. Pick a good date, and I'll take care of it for you!"
"Don't worry about the money—I'll cover it."
"You little…"
Hearing his nephew's words, Tian Xiaoguang's eyes welled up, deeply moved by Jiang Tao's gesture.
The call lasted over ten minutes, covering business and casual chat, before they hung up.
Less than ten seconds after hanging up, Tian Xiaoguang received a 3,000-yuan transfer from Jiang Tao.
He didn't stand on ceremony with his nephew and accepted it directly.
Ring, ring, ring—
Just after ending the call with Jiang Tao, his phone rang again.
The caller ID showed a single word: "Rong."
"Hey, Xiao Rong."
Tian Xiaoguang answered with a warm smile.
"You're at the farm entrance? Alright, I'm done here. I'll head out now."
"By the way, Xiao Rong, tonight I'm planning to treat Xiao Liu, Xiao Shan, and Xiao Tao's father-in-law to dinner…"
As he spoke with Tian Mingrong, Tian Xiaoguang walked out of the office, locked the door, and hurried toward the main gate.
At the farm entrance, he saw an old-fashioned canopy-covered mobility scooter parked.
Inside, Tian Mingrong waved at him with a beaming smile.
"Guang-ge."
"Xiao Rong."
The moment Tian Xiaoguang saw Tian Mingrong, his heart was filled with a sense of happiness.
Tian Mingrong was also from Tianjiazhuang, the same age as Tian Xiaoguang, and they had been childhood friends.
However, after junior high, their paths diverged. Tian Xiaoguang entered the workforce, while Tian Mingrong went on to attend high school in the county.
From then on, their lives took different trajectories.
For decades, Tian Xiaoguang struggled at the bottom, living a tough life as a lifelong bachelor.
Tian Mingrong had two marriages. Her first husband died in a car accident, and her second marriage ended in divorce due to her husband's infidelity.
After two failed marriages, Tian Mingrong thought she'd never believe in love again.
Running a lottery shop and earning three to four thousand yuan a month, she lived comfortably enough.
Then, by chance, she reconnected with Tian Xiaoguang.
It had been fifteen or twenty years since they last saw each other, but they recognized each other instantly.
Forgotten childhood memories came flooding back.
After that meeting, they reestablished contact, exchanging hundreds of voice messages daily.
Within just a few days, they were inseparable, falling in love.
This late-blooming romance rekindled their belief in love, despite being in their fifties.
Even more surprising and thrilling was that Tian Mingrong discovered she was pregnant!
Having never had children in her previous marriages, she thought she was infertile.
Yet, within just a month of being with Tian Xiaoguang, she conceived!
Sometimes, Tian Mingrong felt it was fate, as if everything had been predestined.
"Xiao Rong, I want to discuss something with you."
Tian Xiaoguang climbed into the passenger seat of the mobility scooter, looking at Tian Mingrong with excitement.
"What's up, Guang-ge? You look thrilled."
Tian Mingrong's gaze softened, almost melting him with her warmth.
To others, Tian Xiaoguang was a short, skinny, unremarkable old man.
He was even shorter than Tian Mingrong.
But in her eyes, he possessed a unique charm.
They say beauty is in the eye of the beholder, and that described Tian Xiaoguang and Tian Mingrong perfectly.
Tian Xiaoguang got straight to the point. "Just now, Xiao Tao called and said he wants us to go to the capital to help with his business."
"To the capital? The cost of living in a big city like that…"
Tian Mingrong frowned slightly, feeling it wasn't an ideal choice.
With their current income, they could live comfortably in a small county like Ping County.
Even with a child on the way, the financial pressure wouldn't be too great.
But in the capital, a super-tier-one city, the cost of living was far beyond that of a small place like Ping County.
"Hear me out. Xiao Tao said he'll arrange a two-bedroom apartment for us to live in for free."
"And the salary—after social insurance and housing fund contributions, we'll each take home at least 10,000 yuan."
"How much? At least 10,000? After insurance and housing fund?"
Tian Mingrong's face lit up with astonishment at the salary offer.
At over fifty, with only a high school education, she had worked in various industries but had never earned such a high salary!
And that 10,000 yuan was after deductions for insurance and housing!
Tian Xiaoguang, with just a junior high education, had previously earned a meager 3,000 yuan a month.
A monthly salary of over 10,000 was something he couldn't even dream of!
"What do you think, Xiao Rong…?"
Tian Xiaoguang looked at her, his eyes full of anticipation.
He had a gut feeling that this invitation from his nephew to the capital was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to change his fate.
If he didn't seize it, he might never get another chance.
"We're going, of course we're going!"
"Guang-ge, are you silly? It's obvious your nephew is trying to help us out with such great terms!"
Tian Mingrong saw through Jiang Tao's intentions instantly, her impression of this nephew, whom she'd only met a few times, soaring.
Tian Xiaoguang said excitedly, "Then it's settled. I'll call Xiao Tao back tomorrow."
"Why wait until tomorrow? Call him now. He's offering us such a great opportunity; we need to show some enthusiasm. Don't let him think we're putting on airs."
"No way, Xiao Tao's not like that."
As he spoke, Tian Xiaoguang pulled out his phone and dialed Jiang Tao's number.
Beep, beep, beep—
The call connected quickly, and Jiang Tao's voice came through.
Tian Xiaoguang and Tian Mingrong gave him a firm answer, expressing their gratitude.
The call lasted six or seven minutes before they hung up.
…
In the capital, at the Baigezhuang New Village neighborhood.
After hanging up with his uncle, Jiang Tao got out of the car and strode toward the building entrance.
Originally, he had planned to take his parents out to a restaurant to celebrate.
But Xu Li called to say that Du Ennan was coming over, so they switched to having dinner at home.
By the time Jiang Tao took the elevator up to his apartment, it was 6:30 p.m.
As he walked in, he saw Jiang Bing slouched on the living room sofa, munching on sunflower seeds and watching short dramas.
The kitchen range hood was humming diligently.
The occasional sizzle of frying food filled the air.
His parents and Xu Li were in the kitchen, chatting and laughing as they prepared the meal.
"Hasn't our guest of honor arrived yet?"
Jiang Tao plopped down on the sofa across from Jiang Bing, grabbing a grape from the fruit platter and popping it into his mouth.
The sweet-tart Black Beauty grape was juicy and delicious.
"You mean your in-law? She's in Xiao Xue's room playing with her."
Jiang Bing didn't look up, pointing toward Jiang Xue's room.
Du Ennan, Jiang Xue's godmother, adored her goddaughter, always bringing piles of toys, clothes, and shoes whenever she visited.
She treated Jiang Xue like her own daughter.
Jiang Bing was delighted that her daughter had such a doting godmother.
Pausing the short drama on her phone, Jiang Bing asked curiously, "By the way, Second Bro! How's the situation at the cattle farm today?"
Jiang Tao, still eating grapes, said casually, "Not bad. Uncle called earlier and said we sold 68 head, totaling a little over 1.13 million yuan."
"How much?!"
Jiang Bing's jaw dropped, as if she could swallow her fist.
"1.13 million, is that a lot?"
Jiang Tao munched on grapes, his expression as if he were talking about 113 yuan.
After all, when he sold gold and received compensation from Mercedes-Benz, his highest daily revenue had been over 4.7 million, nearly 5 million.
1.13 million, as gross revenue with profits of at most 500,000 yuan, was pretty ordinary to him.
"Second Bro, you've got a real talent for showing off! I'm giving you full marks for this flex!"
"1.13 million! Selling 1.13 million in one day—that's insane, okay?!"
Jiang Bing's excitement was practically hyperthyroid-level.
Though she only held a 10% share in the cattle farm project, based on the current market, today's sales alone would net her at least 40,000 to 50,000 yuan!
Add to that the 40,000 to 50,000 yuan from her blueberry bonsai sales and other shop profits, and her daily income had likely broken through 100,000 yuan!
A daily income of 100,000!
For her, this was a major milestone in life!
Last year, her online shop had earned just over 80,000 yuan for the entire year!
Today's single-day income surpassed her entire earnings from last year!
The gap was enough to make anyone ecstatic!
"Third, we've got guests. Watch your image."
"You're not young anymore, always making a fuss. Where's the ladylike demeanor?"
Their mom emerged from the kitchen with a plate of cold dishes, quietly scolding Jiang Bing to mind her manners.
"Mom! Did you know? The cattle farm sold over a million today! Over a million! That's huge!"
"How much?!"
Sure enough, their mom was equally shocked, turning to Jiang Tao.
"Calm down, calm down~"
Jiang Tao, still eating grapes leisurely, said, "Uncle just called and said we sold 1.13 million today. I estimate the profit is probably around 400,000, maybe less than 500,000."
"Mom! Listen to him! What kind of outrageous talk is this? 'Just' 400,000 in profit?!"
"Is 'just' the right word for this?!"
Jiang Bing looked at her smug second brother, giving his flex a 99 out of 100!
She'd have given him a perfect score, but she docked a point to keep him from getting too cocky.
Their mom smiled proudly. "Not bad, not bad. Old Second, your investment sense is spot-on! The cattle farm should make a good profit this time!"
"Probably around 1 to 1.8 million."
Jiang Tao thought about how, once the cattle farm task was complete, his earnings would multiply.
And by five times, no less!
A 1-million-yuan profit would turn into 5 million!
Even with his calm exterior, he was thrilled inside.
He estimated he'd earn around 1.2 to 1.3 million this time.
Multiplied by five, that's about 6 million!
Earning over 6 million in just over a month—pretty satisfying!
"Dear…"
After the excitement, their mom rushed to the kitchen to tell her husband about the cattle farm's performance and profits.
Hearing that his son had "bet on the right horse" again, with the bull market soaring and prices rising daily, Jiang Wen felt immense pride in his son's keen business acumen.
As the saying goes, each generation produces new talent, and the new replaces the old.
His son had truly made something of himself—a big success!
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Dear readers,
If you happen to notice any errors, typos, or inconsistencies in the text, please don't hesitate to leave a comment. Your feedback is greatly appreciated and will help me improve the story. Together, we can make it as polished and enjoyable as possible!
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