Reaching the age of thirty, my income randomly doubled

Mid-August.

After visiting Tengnong Breeding across three provinces, Chen Pingsheng returned to Magic City.

If nothing unexpected happens going forward, most people will likely choose to build houses in the countryside.

After all, compared to spending over a million in the city, spending the same amount in the countryside can build quite a well-appointed house.

Living in one is essentially like living in a grand villa, especially as urban properties lose their appeal over time.

Young people opting to build homes in villages has inevitably become the trend.

Tengnong Breeding has invested three or four billion in total, maintaining its position as the leading agricultural company in the country.

With the increasing health awareness among the people, green vegetables from rural areas are becoming ever more sought after.

According to research from the Economic Research Institute, in a maximum of two more years, Tengnong Breeding will achieve complete profitability, becoming self-sufficient in domestic development.

He had poured an immense amount of time into this project and was finally beginning to see a glimmer of hope.

On August 17th, his eldest sister, Chen Yao, came to find him. She wanted to host her father-in-law Xiao Ping'an's 70th birthday in Magic City.

Xiao Ping'an has been steady and reliable throughout his many years of marriage with his eldest sister. This time, his father's health wasn't great—he likely didn't have much longer.

Planning a lively 70th birthday celebration for the old man was meant to make up for past regrets.

After all, elderly folks—they all wish to bask in some glory during their twilight years.

Especially those of their generation—the kind that grew up barely surviving hunger in hard times.

Now that their children have come into their own, it's only fitting to host a grand banquet as a moment of pride.

Chen Pingsheng said, "You're the one managing this. Why do you need to ask me?"

"Your brother-in-law wants to invite all the elder uncles from their village to come to Magic City for a bit of fun. And if possible, I'd also hope you could get a couple of celebrities to elevate the scene."

"That's simple, just call Bai Xin directly. Tell her who you want to invite."

After pausing briefly, Chen Pingsheng added, "His dad wouldn't happen to have some major illness, would he?"

"You figured it out. Late-stage cancer—the kind that's terminal. The old man doesn't want treatment anymore. He just wants to come to Magic City, see his son's accomplishments, and tie up the final chapter of his life with some honor."

Late-stage cancer... Chen Pingsheng murmured twice under his breath. Families with their kind of wealth usually place a tremendous emphasis on health.

Take Xiangjiang Li, for example—he gets his blood replaced with youthful blood every couple of years.

And many others undergo procedures to replace younger organs. To put it bluntly, it's all about spending money to buy time, to delay the inevitable.

"Then it's worth making the event big. Just ask Bai Xin and Tang Jing if you need anything. Don't let the old man carry any regrets."

Chen Yao went off to plan the celebration. Her two daughters, Xiao Ya and Xiao Le, naturally joined her.

After all, it was their biological grandfather.

As for Xiao Ping'an, well, needless to say—his father was born in the 1950s.

Born just after the establishment of the nation, during an era when walls were plastered with red posters.

The slogans of that time were "The East is Red, The Sun Rises."

An era of crossing rivers by feeling stones—a time that marked the beginning of a grand new age.

In just a few decades, people had gone from struggling to meet basic needs in a communal era to experiencing today's flourishing age.

Only those who lived through it all can truly understand the hardships of the times.

Chen Pingsheng didn't really feel like complaining—he simply thought that life was passing by so fast.

In a blink, he was nearly forty, and his wife was already thirty-two.

The younger ones in the family—Chen An'an was starting eighth grade in September.

Er Piya was about to enter third grade, while Little Third Chen Lu was still spinning around in kindergarten.

Perhaps, in another ten years, he too would reach the age where retirement was around the corner.

By then, the greatest joy in life would probably come from watching An'an and the others grow up, then marry and have children.

Witnessing the passing of the baton from one generation to the next.

Chen Yao took Xiao Ping'an's father sightseeing around Magic City. Also accompanying them were Xiao Ping'an's two sisters and one brother.

Over the years, his brother-in-law Xiao Ping'an has built a grand villa worth over three million in their rural hometown.

He also bought two Mercedes and BMWs for his two sisters and purchased a house and car for his brother near Sha City.

A classic example of a wealthy man who doesn't forget his roots.

The Xiao family, under his care, has lived comfortably.

Not too rich, but certainly better off than many—a typical middle-ground existence.

As for Chen Yao, being the helpful wife, she lent a hand where possible. It wasn't easy for the family to have someone strike it rich, and naturally, the wealthy tend to feel an obligation to assist their relatives.

Xiao's father came along with quite a large entourage this time.

They first dined at the renowned Peace Hotel in Magic City, soaking in the tale of Republican-era Green Gang boss Du Yuesheng.

Then, they took a ride on a private superyacht along the Huangpu River.

This happened to be the one owned by Chen Pingsheng, a modest investment at just under 200 million.

Compared to those billion-dollar superyachts in Xiangjiang, it's merely a fancy toy.

After wrapping up the first day's itinerary, the celebration for Xiao's father's 70th birthday arrived on August 21st.

The venue was none other than Chen Pingsheng's extravagant private manor. Relatives drank and toasted the night away, joined by several celebrities who came to sing and celebrate.

The event was undoubtedly lively.

On August 25th, Xiao's father passed away peacefully. A modest life elevated by the fortune of having Chen Yao as a daughter-in-law—enabling the Xiao family to escape poverty.

Upon his passing, Chen Pingsheng made a point of taking a private jet with his family to Sha City to attend his white funeral.

The funeral was grand, hosting around three to four hundred attendees. Though the elderly man led a humble life, his departure was ceremoniously impressive.

Not a bad way to go, all things considered.

Chen Pingsheng stayed for two days, waiting until the burial concluded before departing.

Though rural areas now officially prohibit burials, old traditions are hard to stop, and most people still opt for them.

Sha City's housing prices remain reasonable, averaging just over ten thousand, which is remarkably low for a provincial capital.

He stayed there for a day or two before hurrying back to Magic City due to the looming school term.

Er Piya's teacher planned to visit their home, while Chen An'an prepared a small apartment specially for the occasion.

Her parents had settled into a typical middle-class lifestyle.

The teacher's visit mainly concerned summer holiday activities and their family's education plans.

Chen An'an, not wanting too many people to know her identity at middle school, kept her explanations brief.

Her grades weren't bad but were far from exceptional.

Ranking among the top fifteen in her class, she'd likely need her father's connections to enter Magic City's best high school.

Otherwise, it seemed like a stretch.

As for Er Piya, academics were of least concern to her. After recruiting Shen Xiaoyu and An Xiaoxiao, no one else in the class stood out.

Little Third Chen Lu, on the other hand, was still scratching his head, pestering Su Xiaoxi—truly one of a kind.

After the teacher's visit, Chen An'an raised her hand energetically, declaring her resolve to work harder.

If she didn't, she claimed, she'd end up at Harvard.

With families like theirs, it was common for children to study abroad.

As for why, it wasn't something people cared to ask or even mention.

However, if Chen An'an failed to get into a top national university, her future would still lead her to Harvard.