Reborn in 2012, building a new energy empire

"No." Jiang Haoran reached out and grasped his mother's rough hand, hardened by years of labor. The warmth from her palm was steady and strong. "It's all from legitimate market transactions. Mom, don't worry, I know what I'm doing."

He turned to his father, Jiang Jianguo: "Dad, the factory's orders are getting fewer and fewer this year, and I'm getting anxious. Luckily, I studied finance, and in my research, I discovered a great opportunity in the futures market."

"I researched a lot of information, read countless reports, and even asked my uncle to contact people in the industry to verify repeatedly. Only when I was sure there was an opportunity did I start building my position."

"I tried using the New Year's money my grandparents and uncles had given me in my account, and I guessed the direction right. I made this much money from one market move."

Jiang Haoran spoke of it casually.

But Chen Jingge knew that behind this lay countless sleepless nights of research, a profound understanding of complex market logic, and a calmness and courage far beyond his years.

"Sister, brother-in-law, Haoran is telling the truth," Chen Jingge said at the right moment, his voice deep and resonant.

"I watched him do it with my own eyes. This kid is talented; he can see opportunities that others can't. His operation is more stable, and every step is precise, hitting the key point with incredible accuracy..." He paused, "...it's breathtaking."

"The futures market is even more brutal than the stock market; it's an absolute zero-sum game where someone wins and someone else loses. This is not luck, but real skill: a complete grasp of fundamentals, technicals, and market psychology—a talent that's almost intuitive."

"To be honest, I also benefited from it and made several million."

Jiang Jianguo picked up his glass again and downed it in one gulp. The pungent liquor burned his throat, but his mind remained unusually clear.

"Okay...okay." He uttered two words, then fell into a long silence.

Chen Fang's hand was still being held by her son, the warmth of which was real. It wasn't a dream; her son had really earned tens of millions. She had never dared to dream of such a number in her entire life.

"You've made so much money," Jiang Jianguo spoke again, his voice a little hoarse, "what are you planning to do with it?"

Jiang Haoran did not answer immediately.

He got up and walked to the window, looking out at the factory his father had run for twenty years in the courtyard. Dusk was falling, and the outline of the old workshop was becoming blurred.

"Dad, Mom, this car was a gift from a friend, and he made money from it too. Actually, I don't earn money to buy luxury cars and live in mansions." He turned around, his eyes clear. "I studied finance and researched the market, but ultimately I want to go into real business."

He walked back to the table, his voice low but clear: "Our factory is still doing processing with supplied materials, and the profit margin is as thin as paper. No matter how good the old craftsmen's skills are, the equipment is old and the technology is outdated, so they will be eliminated sooner or later."

Jiang Jianguo listened silently without refuting.

"I see a future opportunity in photovoltaics," Jiang Haoran continued. "In the next few decades, new energy will explode. Photovoltaics is the core, but currently most of the core equipment is imported. If we can make it ourselves, we can not only make money, but also solve the bottleneck problem for the country."

Chen Fang didn't understand the technical terms, but she could see the light in her son's eyes—a light full of ambition and unwavering determination.

"I founded a company that researches and develops photovoltaic equipment, called Qilin Technology." Jiang Haoran looked at his father, "But research and development alone isn't enough; we also need high-level manufacturing capabilities. So..."

"I want to upgrade our factory and turn it into precision manufacturing."

"Buy the best equipment, hire the best technicians, and do the most advanced manufacturing. In the future, the core components that Kirin Technology needs will be produced in our own factory."

Jiang Jianguo held his wine glass, remaining silent for a long time. Only the ticking of the old-fashioned wall clock filled the living room.

Jiang Jianguo held his wine glass, remaining silent for a long time. The only sound in the living room was the ticking of the old wall clock.

"How much?" he finally asked.

"The equipment investment is about five million, and the factory renovation is two million, totaling seven million," Jiang Haoran said frankly. "But this is just the beginning. If it succeeds, more investment will be needed later. But Dad, you don't need to worry about the money; I'm confident."

Chen Jingge added, "Brother-in-law, I've personally witnessed Haoran's vision. If he said there was an opportunity in photovoltaics, then there definitely was. This is a bright path, a true business strategy."

Jiang Jianguo looked at his son, at this young man who had unknowingly grown taller than himself.

There was a kind of composure and confidence in his son's eyes that was unfamiliar to him; it was not superficial, but a firmness that came from deep thought.

"How confident are you?" he asked.

Jiang Haoran smiled and said, "Dad, nothing in this world is 100% certain. But I will make full preparations. The rest is up to us to work hard together."

He paused, then spoke with even greater sincerity: "I know what you're worried about. You're afraid your investment will go down the drain, afraid your life's work will be lost."

"But have you considered this: if things don't change, how long can the factory survive without orders? How many more years can these old machines be used? After the experienced workers retire, who among the young people will be willing to come?"

These words pierced Jiang Jianguo's heart like needles. It wasn't that he hadn't thought about these issues, but he dared not think about them deeply.

"I did this not to prove how great I am," Jiang Haoran said in a lower voice. "It's so that our family can have a better life, so that the veteran workers in the factory who have been with you for over a decade can have better career prospects, and also so that... I can do something truly valuable."

He raised his head, his gaze fixed: "Making a lot of money is just a number. But if we can develop leading technologies, break foreign monopolies, and contribute to the country's industries, that's real ability."

A brief silence fell over the living room. Chen Fang looked at her son, then at her husband, her eyes welling up with tears.

She didn't understand photovoltaics or precision manufacturing, but she knew that her son had grown up, had ambitions, and wanted to do something great.

Jiang Jianguo slowly got up and walked to the window. In the courtyard, the silver sports car was still eye-catching in the deepening night, but at this moment, in his eyes, it was no longer just a display, but more like some kind of proof of his son's ability.

"What do you want me to do?" he asked his son with his back to him.

Jiang Haoran walked to his father's side: "You're still the factory manager, in charge of production, quality control, and employee morale. I'll handle funding, technology, and marketing. Let's work together to make the factory bigger and stronger."

Jiang Jianguo turned around and patted his son's shoulder hard. The pat was heavy, carrying all the complex emotions a father had: worry, pride, expectation, and the weight of finally making a decision.

"Okay." He only said one word.

Chen Fang wiped her eyes and smiled, "Alright, alright, let's eat first, the food's getting cold. We can talk about it after we've eaten."

The family sat back down at the table. The atmosphere had completely changed. The previous tension and worry dissipated, replaced by a new, hopeful sense of security.

After dinner, Chen Jingge went home first. Jiang Haoran lay on the sofa, watching TV with his parents.

The news was reporting on the economic situation, with the anchor analyzing the prospects of emerging industries. Jiang Jianguo watched intently, occasionally asking his son questions about the photovoltaic industry.

Jiang Haoran answered each question one by one, explaining the complex economic logic in the simplest language.

Chen Fang sat knitting to the side, listening to the conversation between the father and son, and gradually felt more at ease. Her son had really grown up and knew much more than she had imagined.

At 10:30, Jiang Haoran finished washing up and returned to his room.

The old desk, the stickers from his childhood, the bookshelf crammed with textbooks—everything is still the same as when he left home.

He sat on the edge of the bed, his gaze sweeping over the small room that held memories of his childhood, finally settling on the outline of the factory buildings outside the window, now shrouded in night.

The journey has only just begun.