Chapter 41: Each of Us Is Born for a Purpose

“Monkey,” whose real name is Sun Ning, was Zhao Guoyang’s deskmate in high school and his closest confidant. The fellow was short and rather thin, which was how he earned his nickname.

Sun Ning was an excellent student, remarkably intelligent, always among the top in their class during high school. After the college entrance exams, his score was enough for an associate degree, but his family was so poor that, after much hesitation, he gave up that precious opportunity.

At the time, Zhao Guoyang felt great regret for his friend, but there was nothing he could do. His own family wasn’t well-off either, with younger siblings still in school. He could only watch helplessly as his friend returned to the countryside carrying disappointment.

Four years had passed. Zhao Guoyang had graduated from university and secured a decent job, but his high school friend now looked somewhat down-and-out.

“Monkey, how have things been these past years? I remember you planned to start a chicken farm when you went back home—it must be going well, right?” After chatting for a bit, Zhao Guoyang couldn’t help but ask.

“Don’t even mention it!” Sun Ning let out a long sigh, a look of gloom settling on his face.

Seeing his friend’s troubled expression, Zhao Guoyang was puzzled.

Forcing a smile, Sun Ning replied, “There’s not much to say, really. I had planned to open that chicken farm, but the township had strict controls on private farms. I put in a huge effort, but in the end, I lost out to a wealthy villager…”

As Sun Ning continued, he gradually opened up about his life after high school.

Originally, with his diploma, he could have become a temporary worker at a legitimate factory in Jianghai County. If he did well, he could have secured a permanent position in two or three years. But, though he was a country boy, he had plenty of pride. He didn’t want to feel inferior working at a factory, so he returned to his hometown, Heima Township, to seek another path. He believed that, with his clever mind, whatever he set his hand to, he would achieve some success.

But Sun Ning had miscalculated. Though he had ambition and ability, he lacked connections and capital—hardly an environment to spread his wings.

After the chicken farm effort failed, he tried his hand at several small ventures, all of which ended in failure. Recently, his mother had fallen seriously ill and was admitted to the county hospital, with monthly medical expenses amounting to dozens of yuan.

Sun Ning’s father was an ordinary farmer, and the income from their land was a mere drop in the bucket. Desperate, Sun Ning decided to try his luck as a middleman, buying ginkgo nuts from farmers in the neighboring XL County to sell in Jianghai. But ginkgo nuts, though good, were something of a luxury item in those days. No one in the county town was interested. After a week, having invested all his thirty yuan, he’d only managed to sell a few pounds. Not realizing that Ninghai City had a night market, he carried a bag of ginkgo nuts over, hoping for better luck.

In the end, after wandering the whole day, he hadn’t sold a single pound.

After hearing Sun Ning’s account, Zhao Guoyang sighed deeply. He knew his friend well—Monkey was, in terms of talent and ability, among the best of their generation. And he wasn’t lazy either. For someone of his caliber to end up in such dire straits was truly lamentable.

“Monkey, after you finish your noodles, take me to see your mother… Oh, right, she’s probably resting now. Tomorrow, then—come find me at the factory around noon, and take me to see her,” Zhao Guoyang said, patting his shoulder.

“Guoyang, I appreciate the thought, but it’s better not to go. My mother has pneumonia—what used to be called consumption. It’s very contagious…” Sun Ning replied with a wry smile.

“Have you learned nothing? Pneumonia and consumption are completely different! Consumption is just the old term for tuberculosis, and pneumonia isn’t contagious at all!” Zhao Guoyang glared at him, leaving no room for argument.

“Enough talk, it’s settled! Tomorrow at noon, come to Hongda Machinery Factory in the west of the city. If you can’t find it, just ask anyone.”

Sun Ning had always respected Zhao Guoyang’s opinion. Hearing this, he fell silent, though a faint glimmer of moisture flickered in his eyes.

Zhao Guoyang didn’t notice Sun Ning’s reaction. He was already considering how to help his friend regain his confidence and passion.

Yes, Zhao Guoyang had seen it clearly—Monkey’s enthusiasm had been worn away by a hard life. All his youthful ambitions and fervor had long since been extinguished by reality.

It wasn’t his fault, but it was a fact that couldn’t be ignored.

Thinking of the incident with the hairpin in Yangcheng, Zhao Guoyang asked casually, “Monkey, if you had the chance to start a factory making little gadgets to sell, do you think you’d be up for it?”

“Huh? Start a factory? Me… me?” Monkey stared, incredulous.

Seeing his friend’s lack of spirit, Zhao Guoyang frowned. “Of course you! Back in school, you were so full of yourself—how come you’re all timid now that you’re in the real world?”

“It’s not that I’m timid, Guoyang. I just don’t dare dream about it!” Monkey replied with a bitter smile. “After graduating, I tried several businesses but failed each time. How could I even imagine starting a factory? Honestly, I really regret not joining the county factory back then.”

“Remember Chen Yan from our class? Her grades weren’t as good as mine, and she started as a temp, but she went permanent two years ago and is now the foreman of the assembly group!”

“If I’d joined her factory…” Monkey trailed off with a sigh.

“Alright, stop envying others,” Zhao Guoyang said, giving him a firm pat on the shoulder. “Everyone has their own path. Chen Yan may not be as smart as you, but she’s meticulous—perfect for her job. As for you…”

“Me? What about me?” Monkey waited nervously for Zhao Guoyang’s assessment.

Zhao Guoyang’s lips curved into a smile. “You’re quick-witted and hardworking—perfect material for a capitalist! Trust me, running a factory would suit you to a tee!”

“What! Really? Someone like me, a capitalist? Guoyang, you must be joking!” Monkey still couldn’t quite believe it, but the gloom on his face had mostly lifted, and a trace of his old confidence had returned.

Amused, Zhao Guoyang gave him a playful shove and pointed to the now-cold noodles. “Sit down and eat—your noodles are getting cold. You know me—I’ve never lied to you. Listen, sell off the rest of those ginkgo nuts, and be ready for my call at any time!”

“Alright, you’re the boss, Guoyang!” Monkey replied with delight.

He didn’t really know what status Zhao Guoyang held at Hongda Machinery Factory, or how starting a factory could be as easy as running a street stall. But with a university graduate leading the way, surely things couldn’t be worse than they were now. Following him had to be better than struggling alone.