In the Years When I Was a Father-Chapter 142: The Villain Boss’s Prodigal Father (6)

Ever since Qi Sheng sold his first batch of baijiu, his reputation had spread like wildfire throughout the entire circle of veteran liquor aficionados. It wasn’t long before not only countless people came to him to buy wine, but even some sought to partner with him to open a distillery.
“With your brewing skills, no matter how hard you work, you can only produce a limited number of jars. Why don’t we team up? I’ll provide the funds and facilities—you just contribute your expertise. We split the profits fifty-fifty. I guarantee that in just a few years, half of the entire domestic baijiu market will be ours!”
Qi Sheng lounged in his rocking chair, occasionally pushing off with his feet to keep it swaying. The man seated on the nearby stone bench didn’t seem to mind his laid-back demeanor. After laying out his grand vision, and seeing that Qi Sheng remained unmoved, he decided to go straight for the bait.
“Right now, making wine on your own might bring in, what, ten thousand yuan a year at best. But if you work with me, you could easily earn a hundred thousand a year! Think about it—our country is opening up to reform. Things are only going to get better. As the economy grows, more and more people will be willing to spend on alcohol. Our business has endless potential!”
The man took a small sip of the fine wine in front of him, and when he saw Qi Sheng still lying back in the chair, basking in the sun without a care, he couldn’t help frowning. But a moment later, he smiled—no one, he believed, could resist this kind of offer.
The man savored the wine slowly, seemingly lost in the grand future he envisioned. When Qi Sheng sat up and looked at him, all he saw was unchecked ambition.
The temptation was indeed great. The stylish Toyota parked outside said a lot about the man’s wealth. But none of it was enough to shake Qi Sheng’s resolve to keep living his lazy, carefree life.
“Mr. Shen, once you finish that cup, you should head back. Your business proposal does have great prospects, but I’m just not cut out for success. I just want to rely on this little bit of craftsmanship to earn my meals. I don’t really have any other ambitions.”
Shen Jun hadn’t expected someone to still be unmoved even after he’d laid everything out so plainly. He figured maybe Qi Sheng just didn’t believe him, so he lifted his chin and said meaningfully, “If you agree to partner with me right now, that car parked outside is yours.”
The Toyota outside still had a driver waiting in it. Its sleek design, polished paint job, and the luxurious interior revealed when the window was lowered—all of it screamed expensive. Shen Jun had done his homework before coming here, and he was certain this partnership would be a sure deal. Unfortunately, his timing was just bad—he’d run into a man with no ambition, and even more annoyingly, someone who wasn’t swayed by money at all.
Qi Sheng was touched by the grand gesture. He got up and brought out a bottle of freshly sealed three-year-aged baijiu, placing it in front of Shen Jun. “Mr. Shen, I appreciate your high regard for me. But I’m just too lazy for all that. Let’s not talk about partnering. Take this bottle as a thank-you for making the trip in person.”
After putting the wine in front of him, he reclined back into the rocking chair, closed his eyes, and settled in as if he were an old immortal resting. The look on his face almost made Shen Jun feel like he wasn’t talking to a peer, but rather to someone from his father’s generation.
Shen Jun had never met someone so hopeless. A golden road lay ahead, yet this guy wasn’t even tempted?!
Frustrated by the rejection, Shen Jun couldn’t help mentally replacing Qi Sheng’s name with you damned freeloader. Sure enough, his background check hadn’t lied—this guy was a spoiled good-for-nothing to the core.
He sat for a little longer, but seeing how completely he was being ignored, all interest in discussing business vanished. Fine, there was more than one man in this world who could make good liquor. With that kind of attitude, he started worrying that even if he handed over a distillery, Qi Sheng might not be able to brew anything decent.
Shen Jun left feeling disgruntled. But when he remembered the bottle of wine he’d left on the table, he couldn’t quite bear to part with it and turned back. He shot a glance at Qi Sheng and saw no sign of regret on the man’s face. He picked up the bottle without another word and left.
Hmph—if you ever regret this, don’t think I’ll still offer you such a generous cut!
And just like that, Qi Sheng drove away yet another would-be business partner. Though Shen Jun’s offer was by far the best he’d received so far, Qi Sheng’s decision remained unchanged. A peaceful, leisurely world like this was too rare—not enjoying it properly would be doing a disservice to his second chance at life.
These past few years, he and his son had been eating daily at the same little diner. Even though Qi Sheng tried all kinds of tactics to persuade the owner and his wife to create new dishes, it still couldn’t stop them from getting tired of eating the same thing every day.
Whenever Qi Sheng had free time, he loved to seek out good food. As a result, he and his son often wandered through various streets and alleys to explore local food hotspots. Over time, not only did Qi Sheng become increasingly picky about taste, but little An’an also grew more and more selective with food.
Qi Sheng hadn’t expected that raising his son would turn him into a picky eater. Watching his son frown in frustration after school, unsure of where to eat, he suggested, “There’s a new Western restaurant that just opened in the south part of the city—how about we try it today?”
An’an thought about the distance and frowned. “Dad, isn’t the south side kind of far?”
Qi Sheng shook his head, unconcerned. “It’s fine, we’ll take a cab.”
At first, An’an used to feel bad about wasting money and would try to stop his father from spending recklessly. But eventually, he grew numb to it. In his heart, he had only one thought: Dad is way too extravagant—I need to grow up fast and start making money!
So, before they even realized it, even though Qi Sheng provided his son with a very comfortable life, the little guy still made earning money and working hard his top priority. He wasn’t the least bit swayed by his father’s carefree lifestyle.
In the blink of an eye, another class of ninth graders had just finished their high school entrance exams. In recent years, father and son rarely went back to the countryside to collect goods anymore. With nearly three months of summer vacation ahead after graduating from middle school, An’an was troubled, trying to figure out what to do with all that time.
He was still debating whether to head south to get a feel for modern markets or to explore nearby areas for hidden treasures, when his good friend Zhang Jinghui’s voice called from outside.
“Ming’an, I’m here! Aren’t you going to come out and greet me?”
An’an—full name Qi Ming’an—rolled his eyes when he heard his friend’s voice. This guy just won’t let me have peace, even on vacation.
“What are you doing here?” Qi Ming’an greeted his friend bluntly.
“Of course I missed you,” Zhang Jinghui replied perfunctorily. As he spoke, he peeked through the window at the open door to the west wing, eyes lighting up as he counted the wine jars inside.
“Ming’an, when is Uncle Qi coming out of the wine cellar?”
Ming’an shot him a sideways glance and squinted. “You’re here to sneak some wine again, aren’t you?”
Zhang Jinghui grinned sheepishly. “Come on, we’re such close friends—how can you call it sneaking? Every time I come here, it’s with a mission!”
“Then you could just not come.”
“An’an, how can you be so heartless? Boohoo…”
Qi Ming’an was already used to this kind of drama. He ignored it out of habit and once again regretted making friends with this guy. But when Zhang Jinghui continued with his performance, Ming’an couldn’t resist any longer and kicked out with his free foot. “Will you shut up already!”
Zhang Jinghui quickly dodged and, seeing the dangerous look in his friend’s eyes, immediately surrendered. “Okay, okay! I actually came for something serious this time!”
Qi Ming’an raised an eyebrow in disbelief. “You? Serious business?”
“Of course! And it’s something big!” Zhang Jinghui protested. He wanted to keep up the suspense, but the look in his friend’s eyes was so menacing he had to give in. “My older brother’s heading south in a few days to buy goods. Want to come with us?”
“Buying goods? What kind of goods?”
Zhang Jinghui scratched his head awkwardly. “I’m not sure. My brother graduated from college but doesn’t want to work at the government job my dad lined up for him. He wants to do business. I think he’s heading south to test the waters.”
Ming’an nodded in understanding. He gave it some thought. He had already been planning a trip south, but was worried his dad would be too lazy to go with him. He wasn’t afraid to go alone, but being only fifteen, there was a chance people wouldn’t take him seriously or sell to him. With Zhang’s older brother around, that problem was solved.
“When are you leaving?”
“Tomorrow. My brother’s been itching to go for a while. He only waited this long because I kept pestering him to take me.”
Qi Ming’an thought for a moment. The timing was tight, but still doable. So he said, “Alright, I’ll tell my dad in a bit. But how’s your brother planning to get there?”
Zhang Jinghui pulled a face. “Looks like we’re taking the train.”
Qi Ming’an’s eyes widened. “Seriously? I heard the train ride down there takes forever.”
Zhang Jinghui sighed. “I’m not thrilled about it either, but my brother says money’s tight right now and he doesn’t want to waste it on plane tickets. Don’t worry though—we pulled some strings with someone in the railway bureau and got four sleeper tickets. It won’t be that bad.”
When Qi Ming’an heard that, he let out a sigh of relief. Last summer, he had gone to Haishi with his dad, and out of a moment’s curiosity, decided to take the train. Having lived a pampered life with little hardship, that train ride had truly worn him down. After that, he swore he’d never take a train again.
His dad had teased him about it for a long time. Still traumatized by that experience, Qi Ming’an wasn’t thrilled that they were taking the train this time either—but since everyone else had chosen it, he had no choice but to go along. At least they managed to get sleeper berths.
After passing along the message, Zhang Jinghui left—but not without swiping a bottle of wine. On the way home, he was feeling smug. He could sell it to his dad for 50 yuan again! He was practically skipping with joy. But then he remembered how his older brother had stayed in the capital all this time just to wait for Ming’an. That didn’t sit right with him. No way—selling it for 50 is too cheap. It has to be 100!
Mayor Zhang, completely unaware that his youngest son was plotting to make money off him again, was sighing over his eldest son’s insistence on going into business. He had hoped this son would follow his carefully laid-out political path, but apparently, the boy had a mind of his own.
“I’ll give you three years,” Mayor Zhang said. “If you fail, come back right away—while I’m still young enough to help you for a few more years.”
Zhang Jingjun smiled helplessly at his stubborn father but didn’t say no. The two finally stopped arguing over the issue. Mayor Zhang was just beginning to feel comforted that his son was maturing, when his ever-carefree younger son came strolling in, wine bottle in hand.
Mayor Zhang didn’t even glance at him, but when he saw the familiar bottle, he couldn’t help but smile. At least the kid’s good for something.
“Dad, 100 yuan a bottle!” Zhang Jinghui announced.
The smile froze on Mayor Zhang’s face. He glared at the little extortionist. “Are you robbing me?! Do you know what my monthly salary is?!”
Zhang Jinghui grinned. “If you don’t want it, I’ll give it to Grandpa instead.”
Already annoyed by his older son, now infuriated by the younger, Mayor Zhang felt his blood pressure spike. He stared at his smug son, practically shaking with anger. “Just you wait! One day, you’ll come crawling to me!”
Still fuming, he reluctantly pulled 100 yuan from his wallet. As he stared at his now significantly lighter wallet and the precious wine in his son’s hands, he couldn’t help but feel heartache. That lazy bum Qi Sheng—why can’t he make more wine? Now I have to be blackmailed by my own son just to get a bottle!
Qi Sheng had no idea he was being silently cursed again over a bottle of wine. But if we’re being honest, over the years, there were probably quite a few people who resented Qi Sheng’s laid-back attitude.
Qi Sheng lived comfortably, and as for all those desperate old wine lovers? Qi Sheng’s stance was: Don’t know, don’t care, never heard of it!
He had been thinking about how to spend the summer with his son when Ming’an suddenly came and told him he was heading south. Qi Sheng wasn’t too thrilled about it at first.
“You’re still too young—why are you rushing into business? Am I not feeding you well enough?”
Seeing his dad’s dark expression, Qi Ming’an quickly put on a flattering smile. “I’m not saying I have to do business—I just want to look around.”
Qi Sheng wasn’t buying it. “You might be able to fool that kid Jinghui with that line, but I know exactly what’s going through your head. You’ve always been clever beyond your years.”
Exposed, Qi Ming’an didn’t bother to deny it. Instead, he kept trying to charm his dad. “Come on, Dad, don’t worry. I’ve followed you all over the place these past few years—I’ve seen all kinds of situations. Plus, we’ve got Jinghui’s brother and his friend with us. They’re both adults and grew up in the military. We won’t get taken advantage of.”
Qi Sheng did know the background of the people his son was traveling with. Still, seeing the once-soft and clingy child now eager to spread his wings before even fully growing up left him with a pang of reluctance. For a moment, he even regretted not starting a business himself—maybe then the kid would’ve stayed innocent for a few more years.
But his son’s personality was already well-formed. And as he’d said, following Qi Sheng around collecting antiques had helped him mature quickly over the years. Though Qi Sheng was a bit reluctant, he didn’t have it in him to stop him.
“How much money are you planning to bring?”
“All of it. If I come across a great opportunity but don’t have the cash, that’d be a real shame.”
Over the past few years, Qi Ming’an had saved up nearly ten thousand yuan. Becoming a “ten-thousandaire” before even turning eighteen gave him a quiet sense of pride. Even though a good chunk of that came from his dad’s New Year money, part of it had been earned through his own smarts!
With his goal set on making even more money, Qi Ming’an thought, One day, I’ll make sure Dad can throw money around without a second thought!