When Xia Xiaolan mentioned opening the branch store early, Shao Guangrong needed to hurry to Pengcheng.

Strangely, he and Kang Wei didn’t travel together – Kang Wei first made a trip to Min Province before arriving.

Meeting Xia Xiaolan, Shao Guangrong felt deeply embarrassed.

He had firmly promised to take the college entrance exam this year, but ultimately hesitated and didn’t participate. This stemmed from both Shao Guangrong’s personality and his family’s opposition. He could have pursued further education while working, but giving up his job to take the entrance exam and spend years in university would mean losing all his current advantages.

No one could guarantee what the Shao family’s situation would be in a few years.

Now they could help Shao Guangrong achieve success in his work, but in a few years, if they couldn’t help, would Shao Guangrong start over after graduating from university?

In four or five years, look at what he could accomplish!

Xia Xiaolan was unfazed: “Didn’t I tell you? Huaqing is starting a continuing education college this year – adult education. The program is shorter, you won’t have to quit your job, and regardless of the program length, it doesn’t conflict with your desire to study.”

Some people attend school just for work, following the crowd, and not necessarily understanding everything their teachers teach.

Others study for themselves, learning extra topics that interest them beyond what teachers cover.

Moreover, learning has no limits. Even those with elementary education have their areas of interest and expertise. In Shao Guangrong’s case, his desire for self-improvement didn’t necessarily require the standard entrance exam.

Even at the continuing education college, once he entered Huaqing’s gates, would the professors refuse to answer his questions just because he entered through adult education?

Shao Guangrong had quarreled with his family over this matter.

He felt ashamed facing Xia Xiaolan because he had made grand promises initially but ultimately didn’t take the exam – it was embarrassing.

Not only did the Shao family oppose it, but Shao Guangrong himself lacked confidence.

He had worked after completing technical school, away from books for several years. Even with Xia Xiaolan’s notes, he wasn’t confident about passing the regular entrance exam in one year to enter universities like Huaqing or Jing University.

“Sister-in-law, I’ll follow your advice and prepare for October’s adult entrance exam.”

After reviewing the building materials store’s accounts for these few months, Shao Guangrong was pleased. If dividends were distributed, his 12% stake would be worth around 50,000 yuan. Of course, this money wasn’t distributed but invested in the new store. By year-end, with both stores’ half-year profits, another 50,000 yuan wouldn’t be difficult for Shao Guangrong.

The old store alone could generate that much, as the Nanhai Hotel project’s 3 million yuan in materials had already created nearly 1 million in revenue before July. The remaining 2 million in materials was guaranteed business for the old store.

Even at 15% profit, that meant another 300,000 yuan.

Moreover, in six months, the building materials store wouldn’t just handle the Nanhai Hotel project!

As for the new store, everyone was still uncertain about its potential.

Shao Guangrong felt embarrassed, “I haven’t been much help, especially with the new store. Is it appropriate for me to still hold 12% shares?”

He and Kang Wei hadn’t contributed as much as Bai Zhenzhu to the building materials store.

And the store’s biggest achievements came from Xia Xiaolan and Liu Yong.

Shao Guangrong felt that taking 12% of the dividends was taking advantage.

Shao Guangrong’s role had been overvalued, while Liu Yong’s was undervalued… Now that Shao Guangrong had brought it up himself, Xia Xiaolan also worried about Bai Zhenzhu’s opinion.

“Sister Bai, should we reconsider the shareholding structure?”

Bai Zhenzhu and Xia Xiaolan each held 25% shares.

She wanted to keep things as they were, but since Shao Guangrong raised the issue himself, Bai Zhenzhu had a thought:

“Currently, Uncle Liu only has 18% shares. If Little Shao is willing to transfer some shares, let’s give them to Uncle Liu. Everyone has witnessed Uncle Liu’s renovation company’s contribution to the store.”

Liu Yong had brought more than just the 3 million yuan materials order.

For other small orders too, Yuan Hui would source from ‘Anjia Building Materials’ rather than elsewhere.

Though Liu Yong didn’t manage store affairs, as his renovation company grew, his value increased.

Comrade Shao Guangrong had evolved.

The store’s dividends had exceeded his expectations of earning pocket money.

His ambitions didn’t lie in business, and he wouldn’t have much time to manage store affairs in the future. The capital was borrowed from Kang Wei, yet he held 12% shares – it seemed disproportionate.

When Bai Zhenzhu suggested increasing Liu Yong’s shares, Xia Xiaolan asked Shao Guangrong:

“How much do you want to transfer?”

“4% should be about right, or more if needed—”

Xia Xiaolan interrupted, “Then 4%. You’ll transfer 8%, and those interested in more shares can buy them at the store’s current valuation!”

Shao Guangrong was dumbfounded.

He had meant to simply transfer the shares for redistribution, so his 8% could be evenly split among the other four people.

He hadn’t expected Xia Xiaolan to suggest buying them!

The question was, how much was the store worth now?

“Since opening, the store has earned about 600,000 yuan, plus 200,000 in costs. I value the store at 800,000 yuan – any objections?”

No one objected to Xia Xiaolan’s calculation.

She continued: “8% shares equal 64,000 yuan, so 1% is 8,000 yuan. Whoever wants shares can buy them from Shao Guangrong at this price.”

Now Shao Guangrong’s share transfer is valued at 1% at 8,000 yuan.

By year-end, 1% would be worth at least double.

Unable to fully participate in the business, transferring most of his shares now preserved everyone’s friendship.

If he didn’t contribute while holding 12% shares, though Kang Wei might not mind given their childhood friendship, what about Bai Zhenzhu? Even Xia Xiaolan wasn’t a saint – over time, she would feel uncomfortable too.

This showed Shao Guangrong’s intelligence. Apart from being loose-tongued when drunk, he handled matters very steadily.

No wonder the Shao family strongly opposed his resignation – Shao Guangrong’s sense of propriety made him very suitable for working within the system!

Of the 8% shares transferred, Bai Zhenzhu wanted Liu Yong to buy them all.

Liu Yong smiled and waved his hand:

“I don’t need that much, and the money isn’t readily available.”

“Uncle Liu, we’re not worried about you owing the store money. Take the shares first, you can pay later.”

Despite Bai Zhenzhu’s insistence, Liu Yong refused to buy all the shares. Finally, the 8% was split equally between Liu Yong and Bai Zhenzhu. Liu Yong now held 22%, while Bai Zhenzhu became the largest shareholder with 29%.

Kang Wei didn’t understand.

He privately asked Xia Xiaolan: “Sister-in-law, why didn’t you take any shares? If money’s tight, I still have some.”

Xia Xiaolan smiled, “You think I’m worried about Bai Zhenzhu surpassing my 25% shares and losing influence over the store?”

While Kang Wei was concerned for her, Xia Xiaolan thought to herself that she and her uncle together held 47% shares. Unless she fell out with Liu Yong, Bai Zhenzhu couldn’t dominate the store.

If she and Liu Yong were to fall out over a building materials store, what would be the point of fighting over a few shares?