Chapter 031: Looking Toward the Future

In truth, it was not entirely Dai Peng’s fault for lacking ambition; in his previous life, Lin Yu’s thoughts at this moment were no different. In the end, the few of them inevitably became a group of insignificant sparrows, unable to soar. But now, Lin Yu was a man from the future, with the soul of a twenty-eight-year-old and the experience of many trials. Naturally, he had no desire to waste precious time on mere amusements, nor to let the boundless opportunities before him slip away into the hands of others.

He knew that between 2002 and 2012, China would witness rapid development in the internet, telecommunications, electronics, automobiles, real estate, entertainment, tourism, education, and other industries. The business opportunities arising from these sectors were countless; simply seizing one or two could yield astonishing wealth. In summary, this decade would be an era of burgeoning fortunes, of merchants amassing riches at a frenzied pace.

By 2012, the year the Mayans predicted as the end of the world, China would boast an incredible sixty-three thousand five hundred billionaires, and the number of people with assets exceeding six million would reach a staggering two million seven hundred thousand.

Having lived through all this, how could Lin Yu resign himself to wasting another ten years in obscurity, and arrive at 2012 still empty-handed—still unable, by his own ability, to stand against those shadowy little gangs, ultimately perishing nameless at the hands of a few street thugs?

Though fate’s hand could turn clouds to rain in a heartbeat and change the world’s colors in an instant, Lin Yu, brimming with confidence, believed he could grasp that hand and steer his destiny.

After his previous question, Dai Peng waited a long while for Lin Yu’s reply. Finally, Lin Yu said, “Even if all you know is how to chase girls, you should extract some value from it. I don’t mean we must follow the ruthless principles of the old masters, just that we should mature early—when others are merely learning to walk, we ought to be running. Do you understand what I mean?”

“Third Brother, you’re right,” Dai Peng responded. “We’ve all thought about these things. But, a lot of things aren’t as easy as they seem. Are you suggesting I should try to win over girls from wealthy, influential families? But we don’t have any power ourselves—wouldn’t that just be humiliating? Even if we succeeded, their families wouldn’t approve when we’re older.”

He spoke softly, as the two tried their best to keep their conversation from reaching the ears of the adults.

“Once we seize our opportunities and become strong, no one will ever look down on us again!” Lin Yu smiled, the corners of his mouth lifting in quiet confidence.

“But that’s easier said than done. Right now, we’re just talking on paper,” Dai Peng retorted.

Lin Yu shook his head in disagreement. “Don’t worry, I know what I’m doing. I’m simply waiting for certain opportunities. Trust your Third Brother. One day, both in wealth and ability, we’ll be the envy of all.”

“Let’s hope so! Who wants to remain mediocre forever?” Dai Peng clenched his fist, then continued, “But first, we need to get through this current situation before we can think about anything else.”

“Don’t worry,” Lin Yu replied, “the only real problem here is Fourth Brother’s surgery fee. Just now, I heard Xiao Yue say she covered the forty thousand for Fourth Brother’s operation. We have to find a way to pay her back. After all, she may have money, but she’s just a young girl.”

He sighed softly.

Dai Peng laughed, “Third Brother, are you still being formal with your own girlfriend?”

“Xiao Yue doesn’t have unlimited funds. She told me last time she only has a few tens of thousands to her name. Once it’s spent, that’s it. Her father only gives her two thousand a month as allowance.”

“So that’s how it is!” Dai Peng immediately understood—although Qi Yue’s family was wealthy, it was her father’s money, not her own.

“So, how are we going to raise the money?” he asked.

“I’ll talk to my dad later. But I think as brothers, we should share both good times and hardship. We should split the cost evenly. Fourth Brother’s parents run a barbecue shop that doesn’t make much, so coming up with tens of thousands all at once would be tough. We can’t expect them to sell their shop and lose their livelihood, can we?” Lin Yu reasoned. He thought that if the five families each contributed ten thousand, the problem would be easily solved.

After all, there is no greater truth than the strength found in numbers.

“Third Brother, that’s a good idea. I support it. Watching one family bear the burden alone would be too heartless,” Dai Peng replied, echoing Lin Yu’s sentiment. He was always one to value brotherhood, and hearing Lin Yu suggest sharing the hospital costs, he immediately agreed.

Unlike some brothers who only paid lip service, the bond between these few had already transcended certain boundaries.

While the two chatted, Hu Rongqiang, Lin Tiancheng, and Han Kezhen walked ahead, discussing the case.

“Old Han, just now you said my nephew didn’t get involved at the scene, right?” Hu Rongqiang asked, taking a drag from his cigarette.

Han Kezhen nodded hurriedly. “That’s right. The others were covered in blood, but Lin Yu was clean. He definitely didn’t participate.”

“Good, that makes things easier. So if I bail him out, it wouldn’t be against the law, would it?” Hu Rongqiang said deliberately, as a warning to Han Kezhen not to spread rumors, lest it cause trouble.

This was only possible because Lin Tiancheng’s son was involved; he could make an exception. If it had been his own son, Hu Bin, the upright Hu Rongqiang would never have intervened.

Lin Tiancheng, knowing the situation well, slapped Hu Rongqiang’s shoulder with force. Their friendship stretched over twenty years—there was no need for words; a gesture said it all.

“It’s nothing, nothing—what are you getting so worked up for at your age?” Hu Rongqiang barked, seeing Lin Tiancheng’s deeply grateful expression.

Han Kezhen, witnessing this scene, understood that Lin Tiancheng and Hu Rongqiang shared a profound bond. He occasionally glanced back at Lin Yu.

Lin Yu, looking ahead, saw his father and Hu Rongqiang with their arms over each other’s shoulders. Smiling, he turned to Dai Peng and said, “Sixth Brother, do you think, after a few years—or even decades—we’ll be as close as my dad and Uncle Hu?”

“I can’t speak for others, but between you and me, even after hundreds of years, we’ll still be the best of brothers,” Dai Peng replied with a smile.

Lin Yu continued, “I just hope Fourth Brother makes it through this ordeal safely, without any lasting aftereffects. And as for the medical expenses, we need to resolve them quickly.”