At lunch, everything we ate was produced right here. The cook wasn’t a master chef, but everyone ate with relish, savoring every bite. In the livestock business, you can only observe from a distance, not get too close. First, the smell up close is strong—not exactly stinking to high heaven, but definitely pungent. Second, it’s to prevent infectious diseases; employees themselves have to do thorough disinfection work.
Li Baoyin saw Zhou You bringing so many people and didn’t know what for. He heard they were celebrities, but being old and out of touch with the times, he didn’t recognize any of them. The young students tagging along, however, recognized Wu Jing and Yu Qian. Zhou You noticed and called them over for a group photo.
At the table, everyone listened to Li Baoyin’s briefing: “Right now, our base covers 1,200 mu, with 600 mu in use and the remaining half as reserve land. We’re raising 30,000 chickens, 20,000 ducks, 5,000 geese, 300 sheep, and 10 cows.” “Fruit trees are being planted gradually, mainly common varieties like apples and pears.” “Currently, all chickens, ducks, and geese are hatched here, and the feed is self-produced, which greatly reduces costs and basically achieves a self-sustaining cycle.”
After hearing Li Baoyin’s introduction, Zhou You asked curiously, “Can we sell all this?” Li Baoyin shot him a sidelong glance: “Why can’t you hope for the best? Orders are already full. We need to scale up breeding, but we’re far from meeting demand. The brand is taking shape, and we’re going for the high-end market.” “Oh, what’s our brand?” Zhou You didn’t even know they had a brand.
The others were speechless at Zhou You’s question. This big boss didn’t even know his own brand and still hadn’t gone bankrupt. Li Baoyin didn’t know whether to laugh or cry: “You’re only clear about handing out money; everything else is a blur. Our brand is called ‘Anxin.’ Many hotels in the provincial capital are our clients. Quality is guaranteed. Do the math yourself—these big hotels need at least 20 a day. With over 50 of them, big and small, that’s 1,000 a day. And that’s not counting the high-end customers at the provincial capital’s swimming centers, which number in the thousands. In a month, we can’t even supply one chicken per person. The scale isn’t there yet, and the growth cycle is what it is.”
At that, Zhou You patted Li Houliang: “Brother Liang, when the time comes, promote it at the boxing gym too. If you’re unsure, ask Wang Ping. Look at how he does things—that’s what I call synergy, got it?” Li Houliang was busy devouring chicken, minding his own business, and got assigned a task out of nowhere. He could only nod and say, “Okay.”
Seeing how capable Professor Li was, Zhou You could only play to his strengths: “Need more investment?” Li Baoyin was quite pleased to hear that. No matter how many other flaws, this one trait was enough: “No need. Current profits are enough to reinvest.” “Have everyone’s wages been raised? Everyone’s working so hard; give them more money,” Zhou You couldn’t help but care. The nearby employees all chuckled. “We just gave a raise after the New Year. Can’t do another one. Ask everyone if they’re satisfied now,” Li Baoyin said, smiling at the crowd. “Satisfied, boss. Don’t raise it too fast, or I’ll feel uneasy.” “Yeah, I earn more than I would working away from home, it’s close by, and not as tiring.” “Boss, I’m in grad school now, and my salary is higher than my graduated seniors. I save even more.”
Hearing this, Zhou You felt a sense of fulfillment. Money should be shared; if you treat people well, they won’t envy you. People have hearts, and this kind of money feels right and lasts long. “Alright, but there aren’t enough recreational facilities. Later, set up a few ping-pong tables, a basketball court, and some pool tables for everyone. With such a big area, it’s a waste not to use it.”
Yu Qian, who had seen all kinds of people, had never met anyone like Zhou You. Not bad—someone worth knowing. Wu Jing, after years of struggling in the industry, initially approached with some ulterior motives. But after a few days of interaction, he gradually let them go. Where else could you find someone with money and loyalty? He treated employees and friends well, just had too many romantic entanglements. But look at each one—he was sincere, not someone who played with feelings. Seeing this, Wu Jing couldn’t help but say, “Brother You, I don’t want to work hard anymore.” Zhou You was startled, nearly jumping up: “If you were a beauty, I might consider it. But you’re still a pretty boy? Look at your wrinkled face now. What are you thinking? Say that to Xie Nan.” Xie Nan covered her forehead: Is it too late to call off the engagement now?
After the meal, Zhou You took them to see the empty grounds. Pointing at a large open space, he said, “Brother Qian, what do you think? If I get two horses and ride them across these fields, wouldn’t that be great?” “Hey, don’t mention it. You want to ride, and I want to ride here too. It’s so comfortable,” Yu Qian said, taking a deep drag of his cigarette. “Then I’ll get a few dogs, haha, and experience what it’s like to be a spoiled rich kid from ancient times,” Zhou You mused. Left hand leading a yellow hound, right hand holding a falcon, in brocade hats and sable coats, a thousand riders sweeping across the flat hills. What unrestrained joy that would be!
Yu Qian thought back to the last time he bought horses in the Western Regions. This time, maybe the grasslands—perfect to go with Zhou You. “Buddy, do you want to go to the grasslands with me to pick out horses ourselves?” Zhou You’s mind was suddenly opened to the idea. It seemed very feasible, and it would be a chance to see the grasslands: “Sure, as long as you’re with me, I won’t worry about getting cheated. I’ve never been to the grasslands; it’d be great to experience it.” “Alright, let me sort things out back home, and then we’ll go have some fun,” Yu Qian said, always up for a good time. Wu Jing’s lips moved a few times before he couldn’t help saying, “I want to go too, but I don’t have time. I’ve got a movie to shoot, and I’m joining the crew soon. Why can’t I be as carefree as you two?” Comparing people drives you crazy; comparing goods makes you want to toss them. Zhou You patted his shoulder: “You’re still young, chasing your career. It’s tough making a living.” “Come on, you’re younger than me. How come you’re not struggling?” Wu Jing said enviously. “You don’t understand my struggles. Do you think rich people are happy?” “I have so many businesses to worry about.” “And a few sweethearts to appease—people’s hearts are so fickle.” “I’m still a teacher, educating people.” “Every day, I’m busy until late at night, sometimes working for hours straight.” “And I have to exercise, or how else can I comfort others?” Zhou You rambled on. Wu Jing covered his ears: “Stop, stop. Pretend I didn’t ask. Rich people have it hard; we have it easiest, no worries. Want to switch?” “No way. I have to bear this suffering myself. The pain of the rich can’t be passed on to others. It’s to protect you, to give your lives purpose, so you don’t end up as bored as me, wasting your time and youth. Life is about striving, don’t you get it?!” Zhou You laid into him. The main thing is, you don’t have the stamina. I can keep going for hours straight. Can you?!