The feeling of summer vacation is wonderful, and a summer with a vacation is even more so. A summer with a vacation is what truly counts as summer; a summer without one doesn't deserve the name.
On cool summer evenings, lying back in a lounge chair, listening to the cicadas chirping, waving a hand fan, and grabbing a slice of watermelon or an ice pop—how could life be any more delightful? This kind of life, close to nature, is also the most down-to-earth, making Zhou You feel increasingly at ease.
His parents would occasionally go to the fields to check on things, pull weeds, or spray pesticides. They no longer asked Zhou You to go, and he would urge them to rest at home when they had nothing to do. But rural folks who've worked their whole lives can't seem to slow down.
Luckily, his father wasn't a gambler. Otherwise, with money and free time, if someone tricked him into gambling, that would be a real tragedy.
"Mom, once this busy spell is over and the weather cools down, why don't you and Dad go on a trip?" Rural folks rarely traveled their whole lives, let alone went on vacations. For them, any time spent wandering was just killing time between jobs.
Don't be fooled—migrant workers travel all over the country, which might seem like they're broadening their horizons or touring around, but that's not the case at all. Working on construction sites, they rarely go out, and even when they do, it's only around the site. Going too far isn't an option.
They seldom enter big shopping malls. Wearing work clothes into a fancy mall makes you feel out of place. Besides, when working away from home, wages are only paid after the project ends; usually, they just get a little pocket money for meals. If the boss is ruthless, they might not even pay at all—why else are so many migrant workers demanding their wages?
"Why bother with all that? What's the point of traveling? It's better to rest at home when you have free time," Li Fengying said, shooting him a sideways glance. "Got a bit of spare cash and don't know what to do with it, huh? Traveling's fine, but having money doesn't mean you can get cocky. Life doesn't come with foresight. Save more, just in case something comes up someday. No one's life goes smoothly forever."
Old folks have their own wisdom. Young people, who haven't tasted hardship, have limited perspective. They often think money comes too easily and assume the future will be the same. But history has never moved in a straight line.
A couple of days ago, Zhou You went with his parents to his grandmother's house. His uncle dragged him into a long chat.
Since last year, when Li Yucheng followed Zhou You's advice and kept buying Moutai stock in batches, his investment had nearly doubled. He wasn't sure whether to sell or keep buying. Though he occasionally called Zhou You, nothing beat talking face-to-face.
"You, nephew, I've put in most of my savings, and now I'm getting nervous. Should I hold on or sell in batches?" Li Yucheng asked, a bit anxious.
Zhou You thought it over. The alcohol ban hadn't been enacted yet; there was still about a year to go. "Uncle, look, I think it's still okay to hold for now. I'm still holding some myself. Stocks won't keep rising forever—there's always a cycle. But we're not at that cycle's stage yet. If you're uneasy, you can sell a portion first, get your principal back, and leave the profits in. When there's real risk and you need to sell, I'll let you know. What do you think?"
"That's a good idea. I might earn a bit less, but at least I won't lose money. In a couple of days, I'll recover my principal first," Li Yucheng said, his face gradually lighting up with a smile.
That's how it is for many in the stock market: they hold onto losing stocks and can't keep winning ones. Human nature is simple yet complex—small sums are manageable, but few can hold onto big money.
The method Zhou You suggested to his uncle was standard practice: aim not to make a lot, but to avoid losses. This was also one of Zhou You's golden rules for stock trading: first, protect the principal; second, protect the principal; third, still protect the principal!
Through this stock trading experience, Li Yucheng grew even more respectful of his nephew. In the stock market, roughly 70% lose, 20% break even, and 10% profit. He never expected to be among the winners—it was way faster than working a job. Still, he knew he'd dabbled before, with a small amount, and ended up confused and losing everything.
Living in a new house versus an old one was a world of difference. Now it felt like a rural villa, with all the amenities making life incredibly comfortable. It was like staying at a bed-and-breakfast for a few days, letting his mind settle.
Zhou You had planned to stay longer, but Zhao Yun called him away.
"Have you heard of Director Chen Weijun? He's coming to Shanghai in a couple of days. I've arranged to have dinner with him. Can you make it?"
"I've heard of him, of course. I've seen a few of his documentaries. Sure, I'll come," Zhou You said.
Zhou You really liked Chen Weijun. His documentary *Better to Live Than to Die* had been almost too hard for Zhou You to watch. It was a sheer tragedy—watching someone die, powerless to help, through no fault of their own, with no one to turn to for help. Back in those days, Chen Weijun dared to go alone into an AIDS-affected family to film that documentary, showing incredible self-sacrifice. Forget those times—even today, how many people would dare? But it was that spirit that preserved precious historical records for the people and the country, revealing how a single thought could determine rise or fall.
Later, the very famous *The Door of Life* was also his work, the documentary that spread the most widely. He was one of Zhou You's favorite documentary directors, having made many classics. His works, which Zhou You loved, focused on humanity, the grassroots, and individual lives. Such pieces deliver a deeper shock, leaving viewers unsettled for a long time, prompting deeper reflection on human nature, life, and living.
Before leaving, Zhou You left 100,000 yuan at home as emergency money, since most of their savings had gone into building the house.
Actually, Zhao Yun and Chen Weijun were quite alike—both worked as cameramen at major TV stations and loved documentaries. They probably exchanged ideas often. Too bad Zhou You had never heard of any famous works from Brother Yun. Then again, maybe he was a late bloomer and would produce something brilliant later.
As usual, Zhou You drove back to Luzhou and set off from there.
Wang Fangfang had been busy lately, very busy. Summer vacation meant peak season at the swimming pool. Every day, the pool was packed—fewer adults than before, but more kids. Many parents brought their children there to cool off, since those who came to swim and exercise were mostly middle-class or above, seeking better service and environment.
Luckily, the swimming team had retirees every year, and some couldn't find jobs right away. Wang Ping and Wang Fangfang's place gave them a temporary stopgap. Whether they could stay depended on the profits—after all, everyone had families to support.
The busier the swimming pool, the happier the restaurant. It boosted a lot of surrounding businesses. Tired from swimming, people needed to eat, and the buffet business had at least doubled. And as customers grew more satisfied with the pool, the hotel also gained more recognition. The owner of the guesthouse was all smiles.