Shao Guang Rong’s transfer of shares turned out to be a win-win situation for everyone.

He had maintained his principles and received 64,000 yuan. He still owed Kang Wei over 10,000 yuan, which he could now repay in full, leaving him with 50,000 yuan.

Thinking about his salary, Shao Guang Rong reflected deeply: “If private businesses are this profitable, people will give up their iron rice bowls voluntarily.”

Shao Guang Rong knew well that not all private businesses were profitable – some barely made ends meet, while others failed miserably due to a lack of business acumen. He had earned this much money so easily only because Xia Xiao Lan had brought him into the deal!

Shao Guang Rong’s words hit home – Kang Wei was now thinking about giving up his iron rice bowl.

He told Xia Xiao Lan: “Sister-in-law, I want to resign and focus on developing my career in Peng Cheng.”

Xia Xiao Lan was shocked, “This is a major decision. Have you discussed it with your family?”

Kang Wei’s job was highly enviable to outsiders – relaxed and flexible with excellent benefits and prestige. With his educational background, if not for his Second Uncle, he wouldn’t have qualified for such a position.

He enjoyed considerable freedom at work and never faced difficulties taking leave, so there wasn’t an urgent need to resign.

Xia Xiao Lan knew Xie Yun probably couldn’t influence Kang Wei’s decision; when she mentioned discussing it with family, she meant Kang Lian Ming.

Kang Wei understood her meaning, “I’ve talked with Second Uncle about wanting to do business. That job isn’t interesting anymore, and I shouldn’t occupy a position without contributing. I might as well resign and free up the position, but Second Uncle suggested I apply for leave without pay instead.”

Leave without pay?

That wasn’t a bad idea.

Leave without pay was a product of the early 1980s, during the transition from a planned to market economy. The work unit would retain the position while allowing individuals to engage in private business. During this period, there would be no promotions or welfare benefits, but the position remained secure, though all salary and benefits would be suspended.

The individual would need to pay monthly labor insurance to the work unit, no less than 20% of their original salary.

For Kang Wei, the monthly labor insurance payment was insignificant, and the suspension of allowances and benefits wouldn’t greatly impact his finances.

If Kang Wei changed his mind and wanted to return to his original position, he could do so as long as the leave without pay period hadn’t expired.

In principle, leave without pay couldn’t exceed two years, but in practice, some work units weren’t strict about this. Some people who went into business remained in this status indefinitely, staying affiliated with their original unit for social insurance purposes.

This was a product of special times, a privilege only available in state-owned units.

Foreign and private enterprises operated on a one-position-per-person basis and wouldn’t hold positions for anyone – leave without pay wasn’t possible there, only resignation.

Xia Xiao Lan mentally processed all the benefits of leave without pay and had to admit the old way was indeed wise: “Follow Second Uncle Kang’s advice, it’s the best choice.”

This wasn’t just Kang Lian Ming’s opinion, but likely the consensus of the entire Kang family, with Kang Lian Ming chosen to convey it. The family remained uncertain about Kang Wei’s choice to go into business. For the Kang family, children’s advancement typically followed three paths: Zhou Cheng’s path, Shao Guang Rong’s path, or entering an enterprise.

Kang Wei had abandoned all three paths to start his own business. After six years of Reform and Opening Up, no one, let alone the Kang family, could predict China’s future direction.

Xia Xiao Lan could make predictions.

But she could only predict the overall economic environment.

How could she guarantee Kang Wei’s success?

However, remembering that Kang Wei had bought several houses in Beijing, Xia Xiao Lan felt that even if he struggled later, he had a safety net. Whether he chose to leave without pay or resignation would work, but the former would reassure his family, so that was the better choice.

Having sought Xia Xiao Lan’s opinion, Kang Wei no longer insisted on resigning: “When I return to Beijing this time, I’ll process the leave without pay paperwork. After that, I’ll be permanently based in Peng Cheng.”

Xia Xiao Lan sighed: “That’s quite a sacrifice, leaving your familiar circle.”

Kang Wei chuckled: “Sister-in-law, you think we don’t compare ourselves within our circle? People like Brother Cheng naturally occupy core positions, followed by those showing promise like Shao Guang Rong. Aimless ones like me are naturally marginalized – it’s only because Brother Cheng keeps pulling me in that others don’t completely exclude me. It’s not about where you are, but what you’re capable of.”

Kang Wei had stripped away the pretense.

Among high-ranking cadres’ children, comparisons went beyond fathers and family background – personal capability mattered too.

Without capability, one had no voice even at home. Good family background only impressed outsiders who didn’t know the truth.

What did it matter that Zhou Cheng was rarely in Beijing?

As long as the Zhou family remained standing and he was successful, he would be the center of attention whenever he appeared!

If Kang Wei continued his old ways of just hanging around eating and playing all day, he would have no say in important matters, couldn’t help others, and no one would truly value him!

Kang Wei understood clearly that a comfortable, prestigious job meant nothing unless one was content with a mediocre life.

To earn others’ respect, one needs capability.

For him, if he didn’t want to stay within the system, business was his only path.

If anyone mocked him for being a private businessman, they could compare bank accounts. He had bought cars and houses while some people were still struggling to make ends meet – who was embarrassed?

Seeing Kang Wei’s clear understanding, Xia Xiao Lan didn’t say more.

When Kang Wei mentioned Zhou Cheng, he took the opportunity to ask about him, secretly worried: “Sister-in-law, are you not talking to Brother Cheng anymore? After we went to Shi Jia Zhuang, Brother Cheng was reflecting on his actions. He hasn’t transferred the courtyard house to Wei Juan Hong, and the Shi family has moved to the worker housing assigned by the cigarette factory.”

Kang Wei briefly explained the Shi family’s current situation.

Although Wei Juan Hong had changed jobs as she wanted, Zhou Cheng didn’t want to get involved even if she couldn’t manage.

Kang Wei figured it would be awkward for him to be caught in the middle if Xia Xiao Lan and Zhou Cheng continued their cold war.

Xia Xiao Lan wasn’t completely unmoved.

She thought for a moment: “I’m attending an architecture symposium in Jiang Cheng on the 20th of this month. After it ends, I’ll take the initiative to talk with Zhou Cheng.”

That was all Kang Wei could do to help.

Then he started worrying about his own problems. Coming to Peng Cheng on leave without pay, he had just become friends with Shan Yu Jun… they weren’t even dating yet, what should he do now? Would they have to become pen pals?!

Liu Yong came in and interrupted their conversation: “Xiao Lan, you have a phone call from Secretary Peng.”