Parents' Endeavor

Living under someone else's roof, especially when that person is a relative, is a bitter pill for anyone to swallow.

Now that he had the means, Zhang Yang supported his father stepping out on his own with both hands.

"If it really comes down to it, I'll give you some money to open a small restaurant. With your skills, Dad, isn't being your own boss better than working for someone else?"

"I have had that thought." Zhang Zhaohai smiled sheepishly.

Parents care about face; they are always eager to spend money on their children, but asking their children for money is something they only do as a last resort.

When the subject came up, Zhang Zhaohai couldn't help but tell Zhang Yang the whole story.

"Then we just stop associating with them." Zhang Yang felt unhappy hearing this.

A few years ago, when his uncle opened a restaurant, several relatives had pooled money to support him. That year, housing prices were at a low point, and the family had originally planned to use that money for a down payment on a house for him, but it was delayed because they had lent the money to his uncle instead.

Later, the money was paid back grudgingly, but by then, housing prices had already soared.

The house they could have bought back then by gritting their teeth and paying the down payment—a place they could have comfortably managed the mortgage for—was something they couldn't even look at anymore. After all, looking at decades of debt felt like staring up at a mountain.

Regret it? Yes! But what could they do? They had to endure it; after all, they were relatives, his own uncle.

Damn it, and now that they wanted to borrow a little money from that same uncle, there were all sorts of petty excuses!

"Stop associating? I don't really care, but what about your mother? That's her younger brother." Zhang Zhaohai shook his head helplessly.

Relationships naturally fade over several generations, but this wasn't just any relationship; it was his brother-in-law, Song Wenqin's own brother, and Zhang Yang's own uncle.

"My mom? She and my uncle are siblings, but she has no blood relation to my aunt." Zhang Yang dismissed it with a smile.

Once people have their own families, they naturally look out for their own interests.

The father and son chatted idly in the car all the way; it felt like it had been a long time since they had talked so deeply in the middle of the afternoon.

"Why buy so much expensive tobacco and alcohol? I'm just a mountain pig who can't appreciate fine fodder," Zhang Zhaohai joked self-deprecatingly.

"If others can enjoy it, my dad certainly can too." Zhang Yang turned to look at his father.

This old man—when had he started looking so old, his hair so thin?

"Wasting money." Zhang Zhaohai felt a warm sense of comfort and scolded him with a smile, feeling that raising this son had truly been worth it.

Past two in the afternoon, Zhang Yang drove back to his home.

A three-bedroom, two-living-room apartment of 120 square meters; it looked spacious, but the building was old.

After parking and returning home, he heard movement in the kitchen.

"Mom, what are you busy with?" Zhang Yang walked over and asked.

Song Wenqin turned around, her eyes widening instantly. "Are you my son?"

"No, what kind of talk is that?" Zhang Yang smiled, speechless. No matter how much he had changed, his own mother should still recognize him, right? Mom, you're being playful again.

"Oh my heavens." Song Wenqin couldn't stop smiling. "I never dreamed my son would one day be this thin and handsome."

In her eyes, the Zhang Yang before her was tall, well-proportioned, carried himself well, and was full of vitality. If this wasn't handsome, what was?

Zhang Yang stood there obediently, letting his mother turn him around to inspect him.

Zhang Zhaohai was full of energy as he carried the tobacco and alcohol into the house. These boxes of Wuliangye and Moutai were a gesture of his son's heart, and as an old father, his feelings were beyond words.

"Eh? Where did this wine come from?" Song Wenqin easily spotted the odd one out among the fine tobacco and alcohol.

"My aunt shoved it on me," Zhang Yang said.

"She gave this?" Song Wenqin said indignantly. "Throw it in the garage later. We'll take this when we go to their place for the New Year."

The father and son exchanged a glance, both seeing the laughter and unspoken agreement in each other's eyes.

"Mom, calm down. Look what I brought for you." Zhang Yang took out the bracelet he had brought for Song Wenqin. Although it wasn't a top-tier treasure, the price of over a hundred thousand was enough for Song Wenqin to gain plenty of face among her circle of friends.

Song Wenqin reached out to try it on, pleasantly surprised, her eyes full of satisfaction.

"It wasn't cheap, was it?" She turned her wrist, examining it over and over.

"Mom, let's not talk about that." Zhang Yang waved a hand. "I heard from Dad that you're planning to go out and open a small restaurant?"

"That's true, your father has already scouted a location." Song Wenqin glanced at Zhang Zhaohai and nodded in confirmation.

"Then let's get it done while I'm home these next few days," Zhang Yang smiled.

The family of three talked about this issue for a long time.

Song Wenqin naturally thought the money should be used to buy a house first; once the house was bought, she would feel secure.

But how could she know Zhang Yang's actual situation? Why rush to buy a house? Having finally obtained a sum of hot cash through gambling on stones, Zhang Yang naturally wanted to make the most of it. One portion would go to opening the shop for his parents, and the other would stay with him for emergencies.

Besides, keeping a sum of money on hand meant he wouldn't have to waste his breath the next time he showed his financial strength in front of his parents.

In this family, it might seem like Song Wenqin was the one in charge, but when it came to things like buying a house, if Zhang Yang, the person involved, didn't agree, it wouldn't happen.

In the end, Song Wenqin couldn't sway Zhang Yang and decided to open the shop.

It wasn't a large establishment, just a small restaurant where they could serve set meals and have a few private rooms with tables.

But small as the business was, it held profound significance for Zhang Zhaohai and his wife.

After drifting through half a lifetime, they had finally taken the path toward self-reliance and becoming their own bosses.

"Mom, Dad, I think you two can do it. Don't look at it as just a small restaurant now; who knows, it might grow into a grand establishment, a real restaurant. Look at Flavor Seek in Yinghai City—years ago, it was just a tiny shop. And now? It's a massive restaurant chain with seven or eight branches." Zhang Yang kept painting a grand picture for them.

"I wouldn't dare dream that big. If we can make it as successful as your uncle's place, your father and I would be more than satisfied." Song Wenqin couldn't stop smiling.

"Uncle's place?" Zhang Yang chuckled but didn't offer any further comment.

Today was the last day of the month, and tomorrow was May Day.

Most of the thirty days for Zhang Yang's fitness quest had already passed. Since it was the end of the month, based on his level of effort, his body fat percentage should be within the target range. He had to secure those five experience points first.

That evening, the family of three had a hearty meal at home.

Whenever his parents were willing to put in the effort to cook, Zhang Yang was guaranteed a feast. This was the benefit of having chefs in the family.

With Zhang Zhaohai showing off his skills and Song Wenqin assisting, dish after dish of various delicacies was served.

Tonight was not only to welcome their son, Zhang Yang, home for a rare visit, but also to celebrate the new beginning their family was embarking upon starting today.

"Cheers!" Zhang Zhaohai filled his glass with Wuliangye and drank with gusto.

Zhang Yang refrained from drinking, as he still had to head to the local gym later to continue his fitness quest.

He didn't dare miss a single session; missing even one day would mean multiplying his losses by sixty.

Thanks to Qinghuan 2233, Daydream Boy, and reader 1355729586669563904 for the tips.