"Xiao You, get up. We're going to your grandma's house today." Zhou You was roused by his mother early in the morning. In the few days he'd been home, this was the first time he hadn't slept in.
"Mom, why go so early? Can't we just make it for lunch?" Zhou You said, still groggy with sleep.
"You ungrateful kid, no wonder they say a grandson is like a dog at grandma's—eats his fill and runs off." Zhou You's mother glared at him, pretending to strike.
"Alright, alright, I'm getting up right now." Even though he was grown up, he was still a child in front of his mother and the elders. He'd been taken care of his whole life, and suddenly having to switch roles was a bit tough.
"Mom, think about what grandma's house needs. I'll buy some stuff. Now that I'm working and earning money, I can show her some filial respect." Zhou You quickly tried to make amends.
"That's more like it, but no need. In the countryside, we don't lack much, and it won't cost much. Just grab a few things casually, we'll buy them on the street." Li Fengying finally smiled.
"Alright then, I'll bring two bottles of wine for Uncle, and grab a few random things for the rest."
Zhou You's mother, Li Fengying, was the third child in her family, with two older sisters and a younger brother.
"Dad, are you driving today or am I? You might as well drive a few more times—once I'm gone, you won't get the chance." Zhou You laughed heartily.
"Sure, I'll drive while I can. Who says my son isn't capable?" Zhou Bencheng didn't bother with false modesty.
If a father lacks skill, having a capable son is still a skill in itself.
When he was little, going to grandma's house felt like a long journey, always by bike. Now he realized how close the two homes were—just a ten-minute drive. In the city, commuting to work took at least half an hour for most people.
Grandma and Grandpa lived with Uncle, who was a primary school teacher, and it happened to be summer break.
"Grandma, Grandpa, I'm here to see you!" Zhou You shouted before even stepping through the door.
"Oh my, Xiao You's here! How long has it been since you came home?" Grandma was still in good health, in her sixties, short but sturdy and lively.
Grandpa wasn't as well; he'd been sick before and had a minor surgery. Once a person's vitality is damaged, recovery is slow.
Zhou You unloaded the gifts from the car: a bag of watermelons, two bottles of wine, and some snacks and bread bought from the street for them to nibble on occasionally.
"Xiao You, is this your new car? What is it, a Wrangler?" Uncle Li Yucheng asked, full of curiosity.
"Yeah, impressive, Uncle. You know your cars."
Though the saying goes "mother's brother is the greatest," Uncle had a gentle temper and rarely lost his cool. So Zhou You and his cousins weren't afraid of him.
"Of course I recognize it. I like this car too, but I can't afford it. Let me take it for a spin later." Uncle didn't stand on ceremony.
"Sure, no problem. Come on, you drive now, let's take it out for a ride." Zhou You was eager to get away, hoping to avoid his mother's nagging.
Uncle circled the car a few times. For men, a car was a big toy, especially one as fun as a Wrangler.
"Xiao You, you've struck it rich. You can afford a Wrangler—that's at least 500,000 yuan." Uncle's tone was full of envy.
Zhou You spun another story to brush him off, but Uncle wasn't easily fooled, being a primary school teacher.
"What project made you so much money? I've been thinking of doing something on the side, but I can't find anything profitable." Uncle looked troubled.
"Being a primary school teacher like me, I can't go anywhere. This fixed salary is barely enough to live in the countryside. What if your cousin needs to study elsewhere or buy a house in the future? I can't have your aunt go out to work either."
Zhou You remembered that his cousin hadn't done well in school and hadn't gotten into a school far away. He'd just attended a local average school and ended up settling in the county town. Uncle had been spared the headache of buying a house.
"My advisor pulled me into a project, and I split some money with him. Then I dabbled in a few stocks with a friend and made a good chunk." Zhou You figured he'd be making money from stocks later, so he could casually mention it.
"You know, I've traded stocks too, but I didn't invest much. Always lost money. There's too much to it, too deep. I really can't figure it out." Uncle's face was grim, the classic look of a retail investor getting fleeced.
"Don't rush with stocks. I just caught a good opportunity, and luck played a part. If you trust me, I'll recommend a few stocks. Just hold them long-term and don't touch them. Treat it like money in the bank."
Zhou You thought he'd recommend Moutai stock for Uncle to hold long-term, sell some in 2015, and buy back after the 2016 crash.
"Uncle, based on my classmate's analysis and my own, Moutai stock is good for long-term holding. Things like tobacco, alcohol, and tea—if they're cheap or performing well, they're solid bets for the long haul."
In China, tobacco companies aren't listed, and tea companies aren't either. These are products tested by centuries, somewhat addictive, and indispensable to people. State-owned enterprises are the safest bet.
Plus, as the economy improves, demand for such consumption will only grow. It's not just Moutai—others like Fenjiu and Wuliangye will rise too. You can buy based on your funds. I bought Moutai."
"Alright, you wouldn't cheat your own uncle. I'll buy a little to start. I don't have much cash now, and Moutai stock is way too expensive."
Ordinary life has its joys and frustrations. When money's needed, frustration takes over. Uncle had always been good to him, giving big red envelopes during holidays despite not being wealthy. He was also filial to Grandma and Grandpa, and Aunt was a decent person too.
"How's my cousin doing in school?" Zhou You asked about his cousin.
"Definitely not as good as you back then, but he's doing okay. Getting into a key high school shouldn't be a problem." Uncle looked pleased.
Who knew his cousin's grades would suddenly plummet in high school?
You can't force academics. He'd just have to offer some advice later.
They chatted as they drove.
A good car was something else—unlike his beat-up one that cost a few thousand. The view, the power. Up ahead was a dirt road. Zhou You and Uncle excitedly charged through it.
After playing for a bit, they headed back. The food was probably ready.
They exchanged a knowing grin.
At lunch, Zhou You said, "Dad, you and Uncle have a drink. I'll pass, since I'm driving this afternoon."
They both chimed in, "Have a little too. A small amount's fine. You're working now, an independent adult—you can drink."
With the lessons of future drunk-driving crackdowns, he knew: if you drink, don't drive; if you drive, don't drink.
Cherish life, stay away from drunk driving.