The Sea Queen of 1985

Chapter 294: Chapter 294: A Bet Between Nephew and Uncle

For a moment, Xu Mike was almost swayed by Ye Feng.

”Alright, we’re at home, not your old workplace. Is there any need to be so serious?” Xu Mike shook his head and chuckled. ”In my opinion, it’s impossible for Hua Country to catch up to the United States.”

”Do you have any idea how much the United States spends annually on domestic education? On scientific research? On its military?”

”The United States is like a giant magnet, pulling in top talent from all over the world to build and develop the nation. That’s something other countries can never compete with.”

”Do you think Hua Country’s paltry two-billion-plus in foreign exchange reserves can do much? From what I understand, the country is more than thirty years behind the United States, maybe even fifty. It’ll be too hard to catch up.”

”Especially during those ten years, the West was already undergoing its third technological revolution. And here? It’s almost a joke. Anyway, I’m pessimistic.”

Ye Feng wasn’t angry when he heard his uncle’s words. He knew there were many people, both in Hua Country and abroad, who felt the same way.

Ye Feng felt the United States had plenty of its own problems, but he couldn’t be bothered to say more.

No matter what he said, his uncle wouldn’t believe him. He would just have to let time be the judge.

”Uncle, let’s make a bet, with a thirty-year time limit. We’ll see who wins then, how about it?”

Xu Mike smiled, thinking his nephew was a bit naive. ”Alright! But why are you so confident? Can you tell me?”

Ye Feng nodded. ”Of course. If we could pull ourselves out of the abyss back then, we can certainly learn advanced technologies, build our nation, and become strong now.”

”Besides, while the birth of a genius is a random occurrence and Hua Country might not be able to attract as many foreign experts, our own national college entrance exam is selecting a growing pool of talent to develop every industry.”

Xu Mike pondered for a moment. ”But many people go to Europe and America and never come back. Don’t you think that’s a poor return on investment?”

Ye Feng shook his head. ”It’s just as one of our great leaders once said: if a thousand go out and one comes back, we’ve still come out ahead. Besides, the return rate is much higher than that.”

”If it were me, I wouldn’t stay abroad. I know that with their skills, these talented people can live in big houses and have a good life overseas, but it’s rare for them to reach high-level positions. Even mid-level management is often their glass ceiling.”

”But what happens when they return to Hua Country? They’re treated as leading experts in their fields. With ten, twenty, or even more years of development, these returnees become highly respected scientists.”

”In short, it’s not about whether it’s a good deal or not. As long as we’re doing it, it’s the start of a victory. A single spark can start a prairie fire. Conditions are much better now than before, so what’s there to be afraid of? We just have to do it.”

Xu Mike was shocked. ”Ye Feng, is this the attitude and philosophy of Hua Country’s mid-to-high-level officials now?”

Ye Feng nodded. ”Yes. Some are even more aggressive than I am.”

Xu Mike pondered for a moment. ”If you can all maintain such a humble attitude, then perhaps it’s possible.”

Han Xiaorui poured tea for Xu Mike and Ye Feng. ”Uncle, if there’s one thing we in Hua Country don’t lack, it’s the drive to strive and advance. I believe our thousands of years of cultural heritage are constantly inspiring us.”

Xu Mike shook his head. ”Xiao Rui, but so many people now love Western culture. It’s sweeping across the globe, including here in the country, and people are fascinated by it.”

Han Xiaorui shook her head. ”That’s because the West is advanced, stronger than us. It’s natural to admire the strong. Once we endure the hardships and keep pushing forward, once we become strong, everything else will naturally become strong as well.”

Xu Mike couldn’t win the argument against his nephew and his nephew’s wife. ”Alright, I hope your wishes come true.”

”They will.” Han Xiaorui took Pingping and An’an back to their room to rest.

Ye Zheng was chatting with his brother-in-law. ”Jizu, how long are you staying in the country this time?”

”Brother-in-law, please call me Mike,” Xu Mike corrected.

Ye Zheng didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. ”Jizu sounds so much better. It’s much more grand than Mike.”

”Jizu is too old-fashioned. Besides, I haven’t inherited the family business. My dad says I’m not worthy of the name.” Xu Mike shrugged. He didn’t want to be tied down by his parents.

Anyway, he still had his older sister and his nephew, so there was no need for him to inherit the family business.

Ye Zheng smiled, thinking his brother-in-law had been completely led astray by the Western idea of freedom.

”You’re certainly direct. Even if you don’t come back to inherit the family business, having a child is better than being single! You’re young now, but you’ll be old someday.”

Xu Mike shook his head. ”No way. A child would only hinder my climb to the peak of scientific research. I have my own money. When I’m old, it’ll be enough if Ye Feng comes to visit me.”

Ye Zheng didn’t understand and couldn’t persuade him at all. ”What other plans do you have for this trip?”

Xu Mike replied, ”I’m also going to acquire some property in the country. Just like Ye Feng told me, you shouldn’t put all your money in one basket. I’ve been gradually acquiring a fair amount over the years, so I’m not worried at all about how I’ll manage in retirement. You don’t need to worry about me.”

”Since you’ve already thought it through, I won’t say any more. Life is just a few short decades. As long as you’re happy, that’s what matters.” Ye Zheng smiled. He didn’t approve of his brother-in-law’s actions, but he understood.

’He comes from a wealthy family and is exceptionally intelligent,’ he thought, ’able to see the true nature of many things. He can’t achieve that rare state of blissful ignorance, so he doesn’t want to get married and have children, to spare them from seeing the ugliness of society.’

But Ye Zheng didn’t see it that way. The world certainly had its ugliness, but it also had a lot of beauty.

One shouldn’t just focus on the bad, but also look for the good and stay positive.

Ye Feng listened from the side without interjecting.

After listening for a while, Mr. Xu just got up and left.

’If I keep listening, I’m going to want to beat my son.’

’Of the three unfilial acts, the worst is to have no heir. This unfilial son of mine is infuriating!’

Mr. Xu still felt that Hua Country’s traditional culture was better, with its endless cycle of life and continuous heritage, unlike the West’s carpe diem attitude of only caring about the present and not the future.

If everyone were like that, the Chinese Nation would have gone extinct long ago.

They chatted until ten o’clock before Ye Feng and Ye Zheng returned to the Western-style house next door to rest.

Ye Zheng stayed in a guest room on the first floor, while Ye Feng went up to the second floor.

Han Xiaorui had already fallen asleep, cuddling her two soft, sweet-smelling daughters. She had woken up early this morning and was exhausted.

Ye Feng stood at the door to the master bedroom. He wanted to go in but felt a bit shy.

Han Xiaorui sensed someone at the door and slowly stirred awake.

She opened the door and saw Ye Feng outside. ”Looks like you had a good chat?”

Ye Feng smiled. ”It was alright. Are you going to invite me in?”

Han Xiaorui stepped out and closed the door behind her. ”I can’t let you in. I’m afraid if you go in, you won’t want to come out.”

She leaned against the wall, a radiant smile on her face as she looked at Ye Feng across from her.

Han Xiaorui reached out, grabbed Ye Feng’s tie, and pulled him closer.

Ye Feng’s mind was already racing. How could he possibly resist this?

”Xiao Rui, I love you.” Ye Feng hugged Han Xiaorui tightly, unwilling to let go, and kissed the woman he loved.

From meeting, to knowing each other, to falling in love—it had all happened in less than a year. But to Ye Feng, it felt like a lifetime.

Han Xiaorui’s presence had made his life so much more vibrant, filling it with long, lasting memories that made everything feel complete and blissful.

The two of them were loath to part. Ye Feng had originally intended to just stop after a little taste and wait until they were married to take the final step.

However, with a soft, warm, fragrant beauty in his arms, Ye Feng couldn’t hold himself back.

But just as Ye Feng was holding Han Xiaorui, ready to head to the room across the hall, CLICK, the door behind them opened.

”Mommy, Mommy...”