Chapter Four

Chapter Four

I always say, don’t judge others; no matter what happens, you must control yourself. I truly admire her—not because she’s extraordinary, but because she harbors doubts.

The little girl’s thoughts were neither naive nor simple; she clung stubbornly to one belief and then moved on.

She walked, pondering as she went.

I am a poor wretch with nothing to my name, yet I think this way—it’s wrong, it shouldn’t be. So what am I to do? Influenced by my family, I always harbor doubts about life and the future. What exactly should I do?

Perhaps I am still just a small, insignificant person.

Should I just die? Truly, death frightens me—not death itself, but the fear of not being able to die. I want to avoid pessimism, but I cannot control myself.

Enough.

After I leave, please forget me quickly. Is it mainly because of my illness? No, that’s not it. It’s because I truly cannot refuse, cannot refuse myself from giving up.

Then let me be blunt: I still look down on others arrogantly. I am not someone who compromises or smooths things over. I think being slick is bad; and compromise—that’s not me. I represent a spirit: persistence.

What’s wrong with persistence? Brother, you’ve been so good to me, yet I don’t appreciate it—that’s all on me.

It’s alright. Let me think carefully. I want to become a truly great person—starting now.

I’ll say it again: give up.

But for me, giving up isn’t the right choice. I’ve thought a lot, mainly about that beautiful future.

I hope to become beautiful inside and out. Is that too much to ask?

But I’ve already tried my best—I’m not very realistic.

Is it enough just to be realistic? Realism is really just a choice.

I’ll come back to the present. Reality tells me I should tell the truth. Yes, if I say it, I’ll feel at ease. But still, no—I won’t say it.

If I say it, then I’m gone. There are many things that cannot be spoken.

I like my brother. You’re a good person, even among the railway workers. I like that.

But my choice must be clear: to choose!

The little girl sat down by the street.

“Please, give me something. I haven’t eaten for a long time, truly, kind souls.”

It was true—she had decided to save money to cure her venereal disease, despite her limited means.

So begging became her life, along with stubbornness. This was Cold Sweet.

It was really hard, everyone knew that.

Through countless days and nights, the little girl persisted and managed to save a bit. She had her own plan.

Today she saved fifty yuan and was very happy. She bought steamed buns, and on the way back to her rented room, she found a little boy collapsed from hunger at her doorstep. What was going on? She became serious, looking at the barely breathing child, probably about seven years old and seemingly healthy. There was a letter!

This child had cancer. She didn’t want him.

It was that simple. At that moment, the little girl realized the situation was serious and immediately decided to take him in.

What kind of parents are these, to neglect their own child?

“Yes, sister, I’m hungry. Please let them stay like that.”

“Here, have some buns. From now on, you can come with me. I don’t believe a beggar can’t survive.”

“Sister, you’re truly kind. I’ll stay with you.”

“Alright, it’s settled.”

“I accept you as my real sister. We’ll live and strive together.”

“Good, you’re very obedient.”

So the little boy joined the little girl’s begging troupe. Truly, he understood the trade well, mainly focusing on asking.

At dinner, she asked her little brother, “Do you like eating leftover steamed buns?”

“Very tasty. I feel that with you, good days are ahead.”

“Just remember to ask first, that’s the main thing. I think you’re the best. Hey, you said good days are ahead—what do you mean by that?”

“Everyone thinks that way. What about you?”

“I think I still have many shortcomings, and I need to fix them.”

“So you beg to pay for your venereal disease treatment?”

“Yes. I believe I can succeed. The road to success will be full of hardships—I’m not afraid. What I fear is losing myself. I think I must never lose myself. I am my greatest challenge. I must conquer myself and trust myself. I must believe I am the best.”

Considering her illness, the little girl analyzed her situation and realized she needed a special medicine—a virus injection. On the black market, it cost ten thousand yuan. Money was no longer the problem; the main worry was what if she relapsed.

Relapse? Isn’t it just becoming a prostitute again? That job was very tempting—besides comfort and high income, it came with the risk of disease.

She took the injection and slept beside her little brother.

“Sis! How do you feel?”

“I feel pretty good. I’m really happy to have you.”

“Sis, we have to find good jobs in the future.”

“Mm! Find good jobs. Fist bump.”

“Sis, what kind of job do you think I can get?”

“Hmm, didn’t you hope for a good life?”

“I want to become a police officer.”

“Then I’ll help you become one.”

On a rainy night, Boss Yang drove to the rented room and shared his experiences.

“It’s been very tense lately. The situation isn’t good.”

“I’ll go back quickly.”

“Are you sure returning will guarantee success? I’m doubtful.”

“What’s there to doubt?”

“You’re only seventeen, how are you so capable? I want to know.”

“It’s just my stubbornness. I won’t turn back before reaching the Yellow River.”

“Alright. Can you tell me more?”

“No! No need. I’m going back.”

After Cold Sweet returned, the board meetings became livelier, all orderly focusing on future reforms.

“Board members, I have a request: start a comprehensive investigation immediately, from top to bottom. This is true renunciation—discarding the past entirely, everything unwanted.”

“General Manager Leng, what do you mean?”

“Everyone, since I took office, I have never sought glory or vanity. I practice humility and renewal. Our past development was shackled and restricted, that’s all.”

“You mean moving forward lightly, fighting a brilliant urban defense battle?”

“Page 2”

Economic housing will continue to expand fully, but this time it will be mature and steady. All subsidiaries must mobilize and enter the market. According to the ‘sliding scale theory’—which means, under the big market environment, corporate entities must modernize and carry out high-quality reforms, breaking down shortcomings from top to bottom, and eliminating past bureaucratic practices.

This is very innovative. After implementing the sliding scale theory, the Yang Group was transformed. All employees functioned like wound-up machines that could no longer stop. The great sales battle began.

Reportedly, Liu Qiang alone sold over twenty new units that month, earning 800,000 yuan. With such results, employees naturally became motivated.

Because everyone saw hope.

From finding housing sources to handling every detail, a complete production, supply, and sales chain was in place. Every employee was well versed in this. While mentoring others, they shifted from passively relying on the market to actively seizing market opportunities. Employee enthusiasm was fully mobilized.

But this was just the beginning for the little girl. Her reforms were comprehensive and effective. Innovation and new ideas had to be realized.

What’s new? Raising standards, improving quality.

Undoubtedly, this is every company’s dream and pursuit—a corporate utopia.

However, the market is ruthless. How can one remain constant amid endless change? To survive the battles ahead, every challenger must move forward lightly. This is crucial. But the road ahead is unknown and difficult. What to do is the key issue.

Investigation and reform are everything.

Finding the right problems is critical, combining with reality without doubt.

Finally, the Yang Group was renewed, giving a refreshing impression.

“General Manager Leng, you’ve worked hard. Our current profits are considerable, and everything has normalized.”

“It’s my duty. All problems have been tackled, and I feel extremely gratified over the past period.”

“Hold on, you’re really beautiful, like Jiang Qinqin—truly special.”

“I’ve always been a great beauty. Aren’t you afraid of a femme fatale?”

“Can I propose to you? It’s my dream. I’m thinking—we have a house abroad, surrounded by farms.”

“With chickens, ducks, and horses to ride.”

“Yes, horses to ride. We have a child—no, I want three. We hold and touch their little mouths.”

“Yes, and they all go to university.”

“Alright, I accept your proposal. But not now.”

“That’s fine—we can do it now.”

“Is that okay? I’m not of age yet, I think.”

“As long as I think it’s okay.”

The wedding was held. A grand wedding always inspires boundless admiration. Yes, the celebration was magnificent; flowers covered the whole world.

The little girl was so busy she almost forgot she had a little brother studying diligently in their rented room. He was seriously focused; no distractions affected him. Sometimes she sent him money and red envelopes, and he accepted them willingly.

“Mm, I think acceptance is enough. Sister, you’re so good. I must handle all this without slackening.”

“Acceptance is enough. Mm, sister—fist bump.”

Raising standards and improving quality became the declaration of change and development. It seemed like a new passion, yet the old ways had vanished completely.

Her little brother’s cancer remained, but he was focused on his studies.

“Mm, this is how to solve the problem.”

“Oh, so that’s how it’s done.”

End of Chapter Four.