Grandpa's concern, friends' invitations

There were indeed more opportunities, but honestly, at his fourth son's rank, any further promotion would largely come down to seniority, unless he earned major distinction and the higher-ups made an exception.

Otherwise, moving somewhere else and changing his surroundings would not make much difference.

But the old man glanced at his fourth and third sons' expressions.

When he saw that both seemed quite supportive of his eldest grandson's suggestion, he found it hard to say anything more. They were all family, after all. Wanting to advance was a good thing; having that ambition was what mattered.

He could not discourage their desire to move up.

So, after thinking it over, the old man said nothing further, tacitly approving his fourth son's transfer to a remote region.

Seeing his father agree, Lin Huguo felt both surprised and delighted.

He had expected an argument with his father and had even prepared what he would say, only to find that none of it was needed this time.

Under his eldest nephew's influence, his father seemed to have become more open-minded.

"By the way, how are things going for you in Xichuan City, son?"

Having checked on his fourth son, the old man turned his attention to his third.

The old man's former comrades and connections were mostly in the military.

When it came to politics, there really was little he could do, and he felt guilty toward his third son.

He could not offer him much help and could only leave him to make his own way.

"Pretty well. I became deputy governor at forty-five. As long as I can move up another step before fifty, I might have a chance to climb even higher in the future!"

Sharing only the good news, Lin Jianguo said nothing about his troubles at work. Instead, he painted a rosy picture for his father.

"These days, the emphasis is on younger officials..."

For someone who reached that level at sixty, connections might let them advance another step before moving into a less active role. Without connections, they would probably have to retire outright.

Someone who reached it at fifty-five was unquestionably a promising prospect. As long as they made no mistakes, another promotion would not be difficult, and they might even land a position in a department with real power.

For someone who reached it at fifty, another promotion was practically guaranteed. Whether they could climb yet another step after that would depend on fate.

Some things could not be obtained through effort or connections. Some things were simply destined.

After hearing his father's plans for the future, the old man felt thoroughly satisfied. His third son was more mature than his fourth, after all.

"And what about you, my eldest grandson? How's that Lin Group you started doing?"

Having checked on his two sons, the old man turned his attention to his eldest grandson.

Although he already knew how the Lin Group was doing, he still wanted to hear his eldest grandson report on it.

"The Lin Group was founded a month ago. Its main business areas are investment, clothing, cosmetics, luxury goods, intellectual property rights..."

Lin Chao Ci was not showing off. He simply wanted his grandfather's praise.

"Whoa! You sold the rights to one outfit for tens of millions? And a company you founded just a month ago is already worth over a hundred million? Nephew, you're incredible!"

"Of course he is. He's my son! He inherited my genes. How could he not be incredible?"

After hearing Lin Chao Ci's report, his fourth uncle's normally unruffled composure was swept away, and he could barely conceal his shock.

It was only the year 2000. Most people earned just one or two thousand a month, and companies that would one day be worth tens or hundreds of billions were currently worth only a few hundred million.

Yet his nephew's company had surpassed a hundred million in value after just one month.

How were those self-proclaimed financial and entrepreneurial geniuses supposed to live that down?

A simple comparison made the gap obvious. How could they still have the nerve to call themselves geniuses?

Even the old man was slightly surprised. Although he had read the report, hearing it described in person was far more striking.

The old man thought very highly of Lin Chao Ci and had long considered him the family's third-generation successor. Whether he entered the military or politics, he was absolutely supposed to take over the family...

Yet his eldest grandson had ideas of his own. He did not want to inherit the family mantle; he only wanted to be an ordinary richest man in the country.

The old man struggled to understand his eldest grandson's choice, but he was open-minded. After thinking about it, he soon came around.

His family was so powerful, and they were not short of successors. Since his eldest grandson wanted to have some fun, he might as well let him.

The wealthy of this era were on an entirely different scale from the wealthy of later years, so the old man held capitalists in very low regard.

Still, the major financial powers of the future would be quite formidable. They could not match those at the very top, but competing with somewhat weaker powers would be no problem.

"All right, my boy. Grandpa loves you, so do whatever you like. Our Lin Family isn't short of people or money... Once you've had enough fun, just tell Grandpa. I'll have someone arrange the best path for you."

The old man affectionately rubbed his eldest grandson's head.

Beside them, the brothers Lin Jianguo and Lin Huguo watched with envy.

Their father treated this son and nephew of theirs far too well. He agreed to every request.

If either of the brothers made a request, they would count themselves lucky not to get a whipping with his belt.

Afterward, they chatted a little more about recent developments in the country.

They only stopped talking when someone called them downstairs for lunch.

Once they went downstairs,

they found the whole family gathered around the dining table. Everyone smiled at the heartwarming sight.

They each found a seat.

"After lunch, let's go buy things for the New Year, and some fireworks..."

"After lunch, I need to visit an old comrade at the military district. He's finally managed to come back to the Imperial City for a visit..."

"I need to go out this afternoon, too!"

They finished a simple lunch.

The adults all had things to do, whether shopping, visiting old comrades, or meeting their buddies...

Even the old man received a call from a former comrade during lunch. He had planned to take an afternoon nap, but upon hearing his old comrade's invitation, he hurried out.

All at once, the only ones left at home were Lin Chao Ci, Lin Qingzhou, Lin Weiyi, and his fourth uncle's two little boys.

"Qingzhou, Weiyi, look after our two little cousins. Someone's invited me out, so I need to leave too..."

Lin Chao Ci's return to the Imperial City was no secret, and plenty of people naturally heard about it.

His close friends and classmates had not seen him in a long time, so they all eagerly sent him invitations.

Lin Chao Ci glanced at his friends list and recalled his previous life. As the son of an influential family, he had known plenty of other privileged heirs.

Some had genuinely wanted to be friends, while others had approached him for the Lin Family behind him.

When he was young, Lin Chao Ci had been a poor judge of character, reckless and arrogant. Flattery from certain heirs with ulterior motives had gone to his head, and he had made quite a few "friends" with hidden agendas.

And the ones inviting him out now were precisely those "good friends."

Honestly, Lin Chao Ci felt deeply disgusted by them. But thinking it over, in high society, there were no permanent enemies, only permanent interests.

The families behind those heirs were not as powerful as the Lin Family, but together they still wielded considerable influence.

There was no need to offend them all simply because he disliked them.

After some thought, Lin Chao Ci ultimately decided to go. He would see things through and bring it all to a close.