The Birth of Shanghai's First Conglomerate

Song Yanxi had something to do with Chen Pingsheng that evening.

The two went to Nanjing Street on the Bund. Their family owned many shops there, most of which were handed over to relatives of the Chen family.

Or perhaps they were from the Song family. The Chen and Song families had many collateral branches, most of whom were of mediocre talent.

Having a prime storefront in Shanghai and running a small business on a daily basis is their ultimate destiny.

They may not become extremely wealthy, but they are still better off than the average middle class.

At least they won't have the worries of mortgages and car loans. While setting up a family business fund, Chen Pingsheng also ensured their living benefits.

There's a shop on Nanjing Street that specializes in children's toys; it's owned by Chen Fan's son.

Chen Fan's life has been worthwhile, as he was born with intellectual disabilities and will forever only have the intelligence of a ten-year-old child.

But he married nine wives.

He was also divorced nine times, and his last wife gave birth to a son when he was in his forties.

Chen Fan is lucky that his son's intelligence is normal, as he is only in his early twenties.

He did not inherit his father's intellectual disability.

Opening a toy store in a place like Nanjing Street would only result in so-so business. Luckily, he bought the storefront, otherwise he wouldn't even be able to earn rent.

Besides this toy store, there are also coffee shops and dessert shops next door, many of which are owned by Chen's relatives.

Chen Pingsheng hadn't been here for a long time. He still remembered the days when his eldest sister Chen Yao and younger sister Chen Qi ran a shop in this area.

The eldest sister is now over seventy, and the youngest sister is already sixty. Their generation has truly grown old.

"Old Chen, do you think we look like an elderly couple on vacation in Shanghai as we stroll around like this?"

"It's quite similar. Nanjing Street is mostly populated by young people. People like us are only suitable for square dancing in the square."

Song Yan's eyes lit up. "That's a great idea. How about we go for a jump tonight?"

"You really want to go?"

"Just tell me if you're going to stay with me or not."

"I must accompany you... I must accompany you."

"That's pretty much it!"

Amidst the bustling crowds, the fragrant streets and corner cafes, two elderly people with white hair stroll hand in hand.

Just then, a young girl who specializes in street interviews appeared ahead of us; she was also a minor internet celebrity.

It has only recently risen to prominence.

The pace of modern life has accelerated, and those beautiful loves that were once both regrettable and longed for have faded away.

She appears less and less in people's lives, and what she does is specifically seek out these elderly couples to tell their love stories in order to attract traffic.

It also serves to awaken everyone's longing for the beautiful love of that bygone era.

"Hello, sirs. I'm Yu Qianqian, a popular online streamer. May I ask you two a couple of questions?"

The increasingly amiable Song Yanxi rarely refuses people now. She took Chen Pingsheng's arm and said, "Of course you can, go ahead and ask?"

"Excuse me, are you two a married couple?"

Isn't it obvious?

Yu Qianqian asked, "Those two must be a very loving couple. Could you tell me how long you've been married and how many years you've known each other?"

Song Yanxi said, "We've known each other since we were little. He was always there to protect me back then. When I turned eighteen, it was only natural that I married him. Now it's been almost fifty years."

"I never imagined that the two of them were childhood sweethearts. What an enviable love story."

Yu Qianqian then asked, "So what do you think is the happiest thing in marriage?"

Song Yanxi said, "Of course, it's about accompanying him as he rises from the mortal world, retires at his peak, and finally experiences old age in the ordinary."

Yu Qianqian smiled and said, "You two are people with many stories to tell. Could you tell me your stories?"

"Our story is just about the choices that an ordinary couple should make. She didn't mind that I had nothing when I was young, and I will never betray her for her companionship after I became rich." Seeing that the number of viewers in the live stream had reached tens of thousands, Chen Pingsheng immediately chose to end the topic.

They're both getting old; it's best if they don't expose themselves to the public.

To avoid causing unnecessary trouble.

"Could you two say a few more words...?"

"There's no need for that. Let the young people explore their own time!"

Chen Pingsheng left with Song Yanxi, and the two took a photo together on the banks of the Huangpu River.

They commemorate their marriage every ten years.

Before, it was when we were young; now, it's our golden wedding anniversary.

Song Yanxi also wants to hold a grand golden wedding anniversary ceremony for herself on her 50th wedding anniversary.

This is to honor her happy marriage throughout her life.

Who says older people don't deserve love? When you get old, the person by your side should still be someone who has been with you through thick and thin for decades.

Such a relationship is incredibly blissful.

The bond between the two was deeper than anyone else's, and the cruise ships on the Huangpu River still carried countless people to and fro.

They yearn for the city of Shanghai and also long to find the most beautiful love.

Tens of thousands of drones suddenly took to the sky, forming a line of subtitles.

That is "Shen Xi, I love you".

The moment the name Shen Xi appeared, countless people were thrilled, because she is the famous national music goddess.

Who is confessing their love to her, and who is making such a grand declaration of their love?

The lights of the surrounding skyscrapers displayed these five characters almost simultaneously.

After looking up and gazing at her, Song Yanxi sighed, "I've always hoped that Shen Xi could be my daughter-in-law, but unfortunately that brat Chen Lu didn't appreciate it."

"Don't bring that up. Su Xiaoxi is pretty good too, and even if Chen Lu found Shen Xi, he's still the same now."

Chen Pingsheng said, "Let's wish her happiness and hope she finds it. After all, you've wasted so many years of her life."

"Yes, I also delayed Shen Xi for many years, and now I sincerely hope that she can have her own happiness."

Shen Xi remained perfectly clear-headed throughout. She listened to her family's arrangements and never gave up staying by Chen Lu's side, even during her university years.
Like a personal accessory to him, she left after Chen Lu got married.

Later, she pursued her dreams and followed the path she loved, gradually rising in the music industry.

She eventually became a goddess of an era.

When Chen Lu came to find her again, Shen Xi realized something was wrong and immediately kept her distance.

I will never be the bad guy who breaks up someone else's marriage.

A girl like her deserves to have her own happy life.

Previously, she was labeled as the Chen family's prospective daughter-in-law, and very few people dared to make a move on her.

Now, ten years later, she has finally shed that label and is living the life she wants.

Song Yanxi has always admired her, which proves that her judgment was correct.

Indeed, they chose the best prospective daughter-in-law for Chen Lu, to accompany him as he grows up.

The two of them were just not meant to be!

However, Su Xiaoxi is quite good; she only blames her son for being a bit too outrageous these days.

He completely failed to inherit his father's wisdom and principles of self-discipline.

(End of this chapter)