I Have 10 Trillion Dollars only Usable For Simping Chapter 2399 - 1518: Luck

"Brother Fang, here you go."

While the soup was slowly simmering, Jiang Huazi seized the moment to entertain their guest, discreetly slipping Fang Weiguo a pack of 1916 cigarettes, a luxury brand costing a hundred per pack on the open market.

"What is this for? I actually haven’t smoked in years."

Fang Weiguo immediately tried to refuse the gift.

"I know. However, it is simply the proper etiquette to offer."

Jiang Huazi insisted on him accepting, adding, "Brother Fang, if you don’t smoke yourself, you can always pass them along to someone else."

"You should just accept it."

Pan Hui chimed in with a smile.

Thus, Fang Weiguo pocketed the cigarettes.

"Xiao Chen, your aunt won’t be giving you any of these."

"Giving them to me would be a complete waste."

Jiang Huazi lightheartedly quipped, "You folks really aren’t contributing to the national defense fund. If nobody smokes, where will the money come from to build our aircraft carriers?"

"Huazi, your awareness certainly has grown significantly since becoming a business owner." Fang Weiguo teased back.

"Brother Fang, you are teasing me again. What kind of a boss am I? I am merely working for the landlord. Business is becoming progressively more difficult."

"Even your convenience store is feeling the impact?" Pan Hui inquired.

"Naturally. When the general economic climate is unfavorable, the repercussions are felt across the board. Take these cigarettes, for instance; individuals who once favored 1916 are now switching to Soft Chunghwa to save money, and those who previously smoked Soft Chunghwa are downgrading to Hero with a Soft Heart. How could we possibly remain unaffected?"

"That is not quite the correct analogy. For your store, the profit margins on expensive cigarettes are not necessarily higher than their cheaper counterparts. The crucial factor is the brand's overall popularity in the market."

"Brother Fang truly understands the business."

Jiang Huazi chuckled, "Let us set aside cigarettes for a moment. The most critical item is alcohol. With cigarettes, we distributors eke out a meager, hard-earned income, but when the economy falters, our alcohol sales plummet dramatically. And with the recent ban on alcohol consumption, the situation becomes even more dire, sigh, let us not dwell on it..."

"The state’s actions are not without reason. If civil servants are prohibited from drinking, it can serve as a measure to curb corruption to a certain extent and positively alter the internal atmosphere of the system. For us ordinary citizens, this is ultimately more beneficial than harmful."

Jiang Huazi nodded in agreement, "That is indeed true. What options do we common folk have? We certainly stand in full support of the state’s policies."

"Where is Hong Ou?"

Fang Weiguo inquired.

"He is currently watching over the store. I will call him up once the meal is prepared."

"If it is feasible, you should consider hiring some assistance. It would certainly alleviate your burden quite a bit. Running a convenience store might seem straightforward, but you are open all year round. Now that Xiao Yu has graduated, you two should think about lightening your workload." Pan Hui advised.

"Yes, Mom, you and Dad do not need to exert yourselves so much. Hiring someone to help out would not incur excessive costs."

"You child."

Jiang Huazi offered a smile to her son, "Even if it does not cost a great deal, you would still need to pay them at least three thousand a month, correct? Do you think earning three thousand is an easy task? You still need to get married, purchase a house, and afford a bride price; all of these financial obligations require money."

Fang Weiguo and his wife exchanged a knowing smile, shaking their heads gently.

As parents, they fully grasped Jiang Huazi’s sentiments. Despite their ordinary circumstances, they were committed to providing the best possible conditions for their children within their means.

This was precisely why they never harbored any complaints towards Aunt Jiang.

Following the passing of Old Jiang and his wife, this sister had tirelessly assisted, even providing financial aid to Jiang Chen. While the amounts might not have been substantial, she also had her own mortgage, shop rent, and son to look after, thus one should not expect too much.

A nephew is undeniably different from one's own son; it is simply human nature and beyond reproach.

Hong Xiaoyu hesitated, clearly wanting to voice something but ultimately holding back.

However, there was no need for worry, as Jiang Chen spoke on his behalf, "Aunt, Xiao Yu has grown into an adult now. The matters you mentioned, like the bride price and a house, he can handle them independently, can’t he?"

Meeting his cousin’s gaze, Hong Xiaoyu, quite shy by nature, quickly nodded, "That's right! Mom, I do not require your financial assistance."

"What preposterous talk is this?"

"I am not speaking nonsense. If Cousin is capable, then so am I!"

Jiang Huazi, momentarily surprised, looked at her nephew with a wry smile, "How can you possibly compare yourself to your cousin..."

"Huazi, you should not say that. Is Xiao Yu not currently interning at Jinhai Industry? That is a highly respected large corporation; the future looks exceedingly bright for this young man."

Upon hearing this, Jiang Huazi could not suppress a proud expression; if she were in the presence of others, she would undoubtedly boast, for when a son excels, why should parents refrain from showing pride?

But then, she considered the young visitors present today.

Not to mention the nephew.

In internet slang, he had truly begun from the very bottom, yet managed to overcome all obstacles to reach astonishing heights – a miracle that appeared impossible to replicate in his aunt’s view.

And then there was that reserved Fang girl, seated right beside him.

Truly remarkable.

While perhaps not quite as legendary, she, too, embodied the ultimate standard of practicality.

Excellence, much like wealth, is always relative.

When faced with these two young individuals, how could she possibly boast about Xiao Yu? She found herself unable to do so.

"Aunt Jiang, I don’t believe you need to fret over Xiao Yu. Property values are plummeting, and there’s no prospect of them rebounding. Furthermore, with decreasing down payments and ever-lowering mortgage interest rates, acquiring a home should pose no significant challenge. As for the bride price… perhaps the young lady might not even ask for one?"

Fang Qing chimed in, her words, though impartial, carried a touch of humor that promptly elicited laughter from everyone present.

Jiang Chen was no different, letting out a chuckle. As his gaze drifted casually, he noticed Xiao Yu suppressing a laugh and stealing glances at him, which earned him a stern look in return.

"Haha, if such a scenario were to actually unfold, I would be eternally grateful. But Qing Qing, you are a young woman yourself; would you not desire a bride price?"

"I have no need for one."

Fang Qing responded gently, her answer immediate and remarkably direct.