Living in a county town, starting as a stock market maker...

interesting.

He dialed Su Qingying's number.

"Qingying, tell the people in the capital that I will arrive on time next Wednesday."

"in addition."

"Cancel my trip for the next three days. Book a flight back to Hegang."

Su Qingying on the other end of the phone was taken aback: "Back to Hegang? Why now?"

"It's nothing," Gu Ming said softly. "Before going to the capital, I want to go home first."

……

Gu Ming walked up the familiar stairs, took out his key, and opened the peeling paint on the door.

The aroma of food wafted over.

Meng Xiaoyan, wearing an apron, was busy in the kitchen. Hearing the door open, she turned around, saw Gu Ming, and smiled.

"You're back? Come on, wash your hands and eat! I knew you were coming back today, so Mom made your favorite sauerkraut and pork rib soup!"

She didn't ask him about business or money, she only said "let's eat."

Gu Ming sat at the small dining table, and Meng Xiaoyan kept putting food on his plate while muttering to herself.

"Look at you, you've gotten even thinner. Did you not eat properly while you were out?"

"Where's that girl named Qingying? The one you video chatted with last time, she's really pretty. When are you going to bring her home to meet Mom?"

Gu Ming mumbled a reply while shoveling food into his mouth.

After finishing her meal, Meng Xiaoyan went to clear the dishes.

Everything remains the same as before.

The blankets were folded, the table was clean, and there was an old wooden box locked in the corner.

He remembered that this was his father's treasure, and no one was allowed to touch it.

"Want to see?" Meng Xiaoyan appeared at the door at some point, holding a bunch of keys in her hand. "Your father told me before he left that when you want to see it, I should give you the keys."

Gu Ming took the rusty key, squatted down, and opened the wooden box.

There was no treasure in the box, only a pile of yellowed medals, a few photos of him and Chen Mo when they were children, and a thick photo album.

Underneath the photo album was a manila envelope.

The envelope had no recipient's name or stamp, only a line of familiar handwriting.

—To my son, Gu Ming.

He opened the envelope; inside was only a single sheet of paper. The content was very simple.

Tomorrow:

By the time you read this letter, Dad may no longer be here.

My dad didn't get much education in his life, and he doesn't know any profound principles.

All I know is that you are an eagle in the sky, destined to fly sooner or later.

Dad doesn't ask you to bring glory to our ancestors, nor does he ask you to be rich and powerful.

I just hope that if one day you fly too high or too far, you'll remember to look back.

Look at those who followed you from this small place called Hegang. Are they still by your side?

You can never earn all the money in the world.

But people's hearts can grow cold.

The letter ends here.

There was no signature or date.

Gu Ming held the letter.

Dad... are you blaming me?

People's hearts... can grow cold...

He recalled some scenes.

The three Wang sisters had bewildered and fearful eyes.

I recall how I used a strong statement to suppress their weakness, leaving them with no way out.

I recalled the probing message Wang Min sent me when she was being poached in Jakarta.

If I don't handle this well, she might leave.

I realized that Liu Liu and Zhang Hong hadn't shared any little things with me in a long time.

They became polite and silent, and the way they looked at me changed from affection to awe.

I feel like I've become a lonely figure issuing orders from behind a screen.

I gave them wealth, status, and everything they never dared to dream of before.

But how long has it been since I ate with them?

He took out his phone and sent a message to the long-dormant "Star Startup" WeChat group.

A message that baffled everyone.

"Everyone, no matter where you are or what you are doing, put down what you are doing and return to Hegang within 24 hours."

"I'll treat you to barbecue."

……

The night market in the old town of Hegang. The aroma of cumin and chili mingles with the smoke from the barbecue stalls.

Gu Ming booked a secluded corner.

Su Qingying stepped out of the Mercedes-Benz, dressed in a Chanel suit. She looked at the greasy plastic tables and chairs and the bamboo skewers scattered on the floor, somewhat bewildered.

Next, Wang Min, Liu Liu, and Zhang Hong arrived.

They had just gotten off the plane, looking travel-worn.

Wang Min, now Dean Wang, was stunned when she saw Gu Ming wearing an old T-shirt, sweating profusely as he personally grilled skewers.

"Gu...Brother Gu? What's wrong with you...?"

"Stop talking nonsense, sit down." Gu Ming didn't look up, and threw a large handful of grilled lamb skewers and chicken wings onto a plate on the table. "Help yourself, grill more if you need more."

Chen Mo arrived last, and still didn't say much, sitting down in the corner furthest from Gu Ming.

The atmosphere started to get a little awkward.

A group of billionaires sat around a greasy barbecue table, looking at each other without saying a word.

"What are you all standing there for? Drink up." Gu Ming used a toothpick to pry open a bottle of Harbin beer, filled his glass, and raised the bottle.

"I'll finish this first. Consider it my way of apologizing to everyone."

After saying that, he tilted his head back and gulped down a bottle of beer.

Everyone was stunned.

Is this still the same Gu Ming who was so skilled in strategizing?

"Brother Gu... what are you doing..." Wang Min's eyes immediately reddened.

"It's nothing." Gu Ming wiped his mouth. "I just suddenly realized that it seems like... it's been a long time since we've gotten together like this."

"Do you remember? Right here, a few of us chipped in and ordered a plate of grilled chives, dreaming that we could eat meat every day from now on."

The awkward atmosphere disappeared with the alcohol and the memories.

"I remember! Back then, Brother Gu was bragging that he was going to buy a private jet in the future!" Liu Liu shouted, his tongue thick with laughter.

"And then? I bought it! I really bought it! I still feel like I'm dreaming!" Zhang Hong smiled, but tears streamed down her face.

"Qingying, do you remember? The first time you came to Hegang, it was Hongjie and me who picked you up. We thought you were a big star from Beijing!"

Su Qingying looked at them, then at Gu Ming who was clinking bottles with Chen Mo, and smiled.

After a few rounds of drinks, everyone relaxed and let loose.

Wang Min hugged Liu Liu while crying, saying intermittently that the pressure in Jakarta was immense, being a dean was difficult, and she was afraid of letting Gu Ming down.

Liu Liu comforted her, then secretly glanced at Gu Ming.

While everyone was making a fuss, she leaned close to Gu Ming and whispered:

"Brother Gu, I...I've been secretly studying psychology lately."

Gu Ming looked at her with some surprise.

"I've noticed that it's not just Sister Wang Min; many people in the company are too tense. We're developing too fast, and many people... are struggling to keep up, and they're starting to feel... unwell."

"I'm thinking... could I... take charge of this part specifically? I want to help them, and I also want to help the company."

Gu Ming looked at Liu Liu's sincere face and remained silent for a long time.

He remembered that sentence in his father's letter.

Human hearts can grow cold.

He reached out and ruffled Liu Liu's hair roughly, just like when they were children.

"Okay. I support you."

……

The next day, at nine o'clock in the morning.

Star Holdings held a high-level online board meeting.

All the senior executives sat up straight, waiting for the chairman, who was about to go to Beijing, to give new instructions.

However, Gu Ming's first words had nothing to do with strategy.

"I am announcing a new personnel appointment."

"Starting today, Star Holdings has established the position of Chief Care Officer (CCO)."

"This position reports directly to me and has veto power, which can veto projects that put too much mental and physical stress on employees or creators."

"There is only one KPI: to ensure that everyone who works together can share in the fruits of victory in a healthy way."

On the other end of the video conference, everyone was speechless with astonishment at this unfamiliar position.

Ignoring their shock, Gu Ming continued to announce:

"I hereby announce that the first Chief Care Officer of Star Holdings is—"

"Liu Liu, take on the role."

In the video, Liu Liu, who was sitting next to Wang Min, suddenly looked up, her face full of surprise and joy.

Gu Ming looked at her, and at everyone in the scene, and a warm smile appeared on his face.

Dad, I understand.

Before going to the capital, lay a solid foundation at home.