Liu Jun’s brow furrowed in knots. For the first time in his life, he encountered the major problem of “choice.” “What should I do, Hongming? What would you do if you were in my position?”

“I’m sorry, Liu Jun, I can’t give you neutral advice. I’m very sorry.”

Liu Jun had been waiting for a heart-to-heart answer, and hearing this, he was stunned for a moment, then understood: “Look, I beat you up indiscriminately without distinguishing right from wrong, and now there are lingering effects. Hongming, I promise you, it won’t happen again—that was all childhood stuff. Let’s not be so cautious when we talk.”

“I don’t blame you—it wasn’t your fault.” But still, Qian Hongming didn’t give Liu Jun any advice, only adding: “I’m only meticulous with true friends.”

Liu Jun rolled his eyes at him and resignedly shut up. He had learned since childhood that if Qian Hongming didn’t want to speak, no one could extract words from his mouth. He could only consider things himself, his eyes casually watching the somewhat unfamiliar, half-new, half-old city outside the car window.

Seeing this, Qian Hongming unconsciously raised his hand to his mouth, looking thoughtful. But from beginning to end, he still didn’t open his mouth to give even a single word of advice.

Qian Hongming’s home was on the sixth floor of a seven-story building. The three-bedroom, one-living room apartment was decorated elegantly with white walls, beige granite, and natural wood-colored clear paint. The staggered arrangement of furniture looked quite refined. Liu Jun didn’t know what level this decoration represented or what kind of income it reflected—he had no domestic reference points. Compared to his place, Qian Hongming’s furniture lacked texture—for instance, the furniture used less environmentally friendly plywood, the furniture’s hardware was crude and exaggerated, and the leather sofa was hard and stiff when sat upon. But because it was matched with appropriate soft decorations, the entire room had a pleasant atmosphere.

As soon as Qian Hongming entered, he turned on the air conditioning, took off his down jacket, and wearing a navy cashmere sweater, busily arranged for Liu Jun to wash up and sleep. Only after settling Liu Jun did he hurriedly make phone calls and rush off to work. Qian Hongming’s only regret was that Liu Jun hadn’t lavishly praised the luxurious little home he had spent big money and great effort to arrange. At work, looking at the orders in hand, Qian Hongming thought that if Liu Jun returned to take over the operation of Qianjin Factory, he could confidently hand over the high-quality orders he handled to Liu Jun. This engineer from Germany would probably treat all products with the same attitude. But… that would mean having to deal with the unbearable Liu Shitang, which he was unwilling to do.

He didn’t understand why his sister Qian Hongying, who was doing quite well at a real estate company with considerable income, continued to maintain ordinary, friendly relations with Liu Shitang in a perfunctory manner. Such an unbearable person, such unbearable matters—the farther one could avoid them, the better. Why didn’t his sister leave? Hadn’t she suffered enough humiliation? But his sister wouldn’t listen to him, and he couldn’t force her. His sister supported a family of four, still alone with a nanny caring for a bedridden mother and a completely bedridden father. He had no right to make demands of his sister—he could only turn away and grit his teeth, then turn back and consciously cover all their parents’ medical and living expenses each month. He only hoped to lighten his sister’s burden so she wouldn’t have to continue placating that man.

But he really couldn’t fathom his sister’s thoughts. Why, when Liu Jun returned, was his sister not only the first to know but also diligently making arrangements? Although he was willing to pick up Liu Jun, he was extremely dissatisfied with his sister. For this reason, he was even more unwilling to have any contact with Liu Shitang.

After sleeping enough, Liu Jun jumped up the seven flights of stairs full of energy to visit his father. What made him extremely guilty was that his father still beamed with joy upon seeing him, forcibly propping up his eyelids and spirits, smiling at him somewhat ingratiatingly, without any complaints whatsoever. Instantly, a surge of passion flooded Liu Jun’s chest—he couldn’t hesitate anymore.

“Dad, I went to see the factory. Business is very difficult?”

Liu Shitang smiled embarrassedly: “It’s okay, nothing serious, sorry to worry you.” Liu Shitang’s speech was noticeably slow: “Did you go see the old foundry workshop?”

Liu Jun had just said “No” when his aunt, who was watching closely today and refused to leave, afraid Liu Jun would say the wrong thing again, quickly interjected: “Your father is so proud of the old foundry workshop. Ever since environmental protection regulations two years ago prohibited foundry work in the city, your father has completely renovated that workshop. There are several wire-cutting machines and such inside—it nearly exhausted your father’s capital.”

Seeing Liu Jun dumbfounded, Liu Shitang slowly continued: “See, Dad can manage, no difficulties, don’t worry. Don’t worry, after you go back, either. Dad has been in this business for decades…”

“No.” Liu Jun’s voice was hoarse as he interrupted his father, who was desperately thinking of him: “Dad, I’ve decided. I’m coming back for one year. In that year, I’ll help you develop new products, design new processes, and restore normal, stable production. I can do it.”

“What?” Liu Shitang suddenly sat upright but got so excited that he choked on his breath, coughing so violently he nearly fainted again.

Because Liu Jun had repeatedly stimulated his father’s currently fragile body, he was sternly given marching orders by his aunt. Liu Jun reluctantly left, and when he reached the door and looked back, he saw his father’s eyes, red from coughing, excitedly watching and tracking him, forcing himself to wave goodbye. Liu Jun felt a pang in his heart—at this moment, he decided to forgive his father.

Being driven by Qian Hongming again, Liu Jun finally met Qian Hongming’s wife, Cui Jiali. Cui Jiali was sweetly pretty—you could tell at a glance she was a gentle person. Apart from saying “Hello, Hongming often mentions you” when they met, she would only say “Yes” or “No” afterward. All other conversation was tacitly handled by Qian Hongming, and Cui Jiali only needed to smile sweetly at her husband. Liu Jun found this couple quite interesting. Besides, having promised his father in his heart, he had finally unloaded one burden of family affection and felt very relieved. After exchanging pleasantries, he said: “Hongming, I’m planning to return to China for one year.”

“I expected you would make this decision. Since you’ve made up your mind to come back, based on my years of experience dealing with overseas markets, I can tell you that domestic development is rapid now, opportunities are everywhere—it’s the best time for us young people to start businesses and compete for territory. Plus, you have classmates, relatives, and all kinds of connections here, so your development will be like adding wings to a tiger.”

“But I only plan to come back for one year.”

“I think once you come, you won’t want to go back. You might as well start preparing to persuade your girlfriend to come to China.”

“Ha, no way. One year—I won’t break my word.”

Qian Hongming smiled: “Alright, one year. Even if it’s just one year, you still need friends’ help. I’ve invited three high school classmates who work in government offices to welcome you tonight. You’ll need them later.”

Liu Jun laughed heartily: “Hongming, you’re so vulgar.”

“Heh, treating my good intentions like dog liver and lungs—ungrateful.” Qian Hongming cheerfully joked with his childhood friend as he drove to a brand-new “Luxury Garden” restaurant. When getting out of the car, he introduced it like he was reciting treasures: “This restaurant just opened before New Year’s. One of the owners is Yang Xun, one of the shareholders who bought Shi Yiji. Don’t look down on Yang Xun—he can walk sideways in this city, but supposedly he opened this restaurant to flatter Mr. Song of Donghai Group, giving Mr. Song’s brother-in-law a good source of income.”

Liu Jun laughed again: “Is there anything you don’t know? You human RAM.”

Cui Jiali giggled, and Qian Hongming automatically explained for his wife: “She’s called me ‘memory’ since she met me.” As Qian Hongming spoke, he handed Liu Jun a plastic bag: “Inside are three Valentino ties for you to give to them later. I figured you were anxious to rush home and didn’t bring gifts.”

Liu Jun didn’t refuse—he wasn’t born in a vacuum. Growing up with his shrewd father, he already knew that many gifts don’t burden people. But regarding Qian Hongming’s thoughtfulness, he still reached out and shook his good friend until the earth moved.

After happily finishing dinner, Qian Hongming took care of the entire bill. Then the three of them went to Qianjin Factory, entering the old foundry workshop. Facing a workshop full of new equipment, the two experts roughly confirmed Qianjin Factory’s product direction. Only Liu Jun was very unwilling—making such products was like going back to square one for someone like him, who pursued high precision and advanced technology.

On the way back, Liu Jun kept asking Qian Hongming to help him find overseas business, but Qian Hongming habitually placed his left hand by his mouth, smiling without speaking.