Chapter 106: One Must Drink to the Full When Life Is at Its Zenith

On September 1st, the number of registered users on EasyListen Network surpassed three million. The launch of the forums caused the registered users to more than double in just a few days. Daily traffic finally reached the million mark. The vice president in charge of all Baidu products, upon seeing EasyListen Network’s traffic report before leaving work, was utterly shocked. He personally experienced the site and, realizing the potential of the forums in the community sector, immediately instructed his secretary to arrange an emergency meeting for the next morning.

No company in the country was more vigilant about user trends than Baidu. Initially, they focused solely on building a search engine. But a search engine alone was merely a transit hub for internet users. Users, at this hub, chose their own routes according to their wishes, then boarded services operated by others. As Baidu gradually developed, they began to consider how to leverage their own transit hub to open routes they controlled.

This led to the gradual emergence of a series of products like MP3 downloads, forums, Zhidao, and Baike. Now, two of their future highlights—MP3 downloads and forums—had been snatched away by Li Mu. Though the vice president was unaware that he had been outmaneuvered, he recognized the future potential of these products. Although EasyListen Network was newly established, it already made him somewhat uneasy.

Meanwhile, Li Mu’s Metersbonwe franchise store held an August sales review on the evening of September 1st.

Having been open for just fourteen days in August, the total revenue reached 700,000 yuan—an astonishing figure that left Li Mu utterly stunned.

Excluding the first few days of opening, the daily stable revenue exceeded 20,000 yuan. Not only were Li Mu’s parents shocked, but Li Mu himself found it mind-boggling.

However, his sister-in-law presented an analysis of the product sales, explaining several reasons for the high sales figures.

First, the promotional efforts were indeed excellent. Metersbonwe’s brand awareness in Haizhou had reached its peak. Thanks to the connections between Song Liang and Zhang Wanjun, many local ruffians in Jiangcheng treated Metersbonwe as their personal wardrobe.

Second, Metersbonwe’s brand recognition was stronger than several other casual brands in Haizhou, which diverted a significant portion of customers from other franchise stores.

Third, the autumn season coincided with the back-to-school period, making it a peak season for clothing sales.

These three factors combined to create the miracle of 700,000 yuan in revenue within just over ten days. The headquarters was even alerted; the manager responsible for franchise relations at headquarters proactively called to offer congratulations.

After these intense days, Li Mu’s parents had fully committed to the franchise business, displaying an extraordinary enthusiasm. Seeing their passion and tireless dedication, Li Mu was both pleased and relieved. His insistence on opening this store had indeed been a brilliant move.

Li Mu’s father said, “With this kind of money, we should buy a new house in Haizhou. The prices are low now—less than a thousand yuan per square meter. A large three-bedroom apartment costs just over 100,000 yuan. Including renovations, it won’t even reach 200,000 yuan.”

Li Mu’s mother responded, “If we’re going to buy, don’t do it in Haizhou. Since Xiao Mu is about to attend university in Yanjing, we might as well buy a place there as preparation.”

Li Mu was taken aback and speechless. He had never realized before how financially savvy his mother was. At present, the real estate markets in Yanjing and Shanghai were the highest-yield “banks” worldwide. Money invested there could at least quintuple over ten years, and if the location was carefully chosen, it could increase more than tenfold.

Li Mu’s father was equally surprised and asked, “How much are the prices in Yanjing?”

His mother said, “I checked. The district where our son’s school is located is pricier—about 7,000 yuan per square meter.”

Li Mu’s father was stunned. “Seven thousand? Why not rush to buy? What’s an ordinary worker’s monthly wage?”

“It’s about location,” Li Mu’s mother explained. “Near our son’s school are many excellent primary, middle, and high schools. It’s also the precious land of Zhongguancun. If we avoid Zhongguancun, the price drops to around five or six thousand yuan per square meter.”

She then asked Li Mu, “Son, am I right? Have you paid attention?”

Li Mu chuckled, “I haven’t, but I think what you said makes a lot of sense.”

Li Mu’s father nodded, counting on his fingers. “If we get a 100-square-meter place, that’s 700,000 yuan. With the store’s current momentum, we can probably earn that by late October or early November, right?”

“About right,” Li Mu’s mother replied happily. “Once we have 700,000 yuan in idle funds, we’ll buy the house in Yanjing right away. That way, whenever we miss our son, we’ll have a place to stay in Yanjing!”

Li Mu smiled, “If you two want to buy a house, I won’t stop you. Just treat it as a trip to Yanjing, and buying the house is a bonus.”

His mother said, “We definitely will buy the house, but since you’re going away to study, you’ll need money everywhere. How about I transfer you 100,000 yuan as pocket money?”

Having earned so much in just half a month, Li Mu’s mother suddenly became surprisingly generous with her beloved son, immediately offering 100,000 yuan as pocket money. This startled Li Mu: “Mom, you’re so generous…”

But she had her reasons. The entire franchise store was quietly managed by Li Mu alone, and all the money came from him. Logically, he was the true owner of the store, while she, his father, and sister-in-law were just working for him. Moreover, any money they earned was ultimately for him. Her generosity was really just his money.

Li Mu smiled faintly and said to his mother, “I still have some money myself. It’s enough for me.”

At present, Li Mu likely had around two to three hundred thousand yuan on hand, which was sufficient for him. The expenses at EasyListen Network were being handled by a simple team of four, and he had no plans to start any new projects. Internet ventures usually took years to mature and required continuous investment. His current funds were nowhere near enough for that; he still needed a way to make quick money to sustain long-term projects.

His mother said, “You’re leaving tomorrow night. Poor families have rich roads. Carry more money with you. In a big city like Yanjing, if something comes up, you won’t be in trouble.”

Li Mu smiled faintly, took his mother’s hand, and said, “I have tens of thousands left—enough to get through university. Don’t worry about me. You and Dad don’t need to be too concerned about the store. With my sister-in-law managing it, she’ll definitely keep it running. Don’t worry about my future with the money we earn. Spend it as needed. When it gets cold, you can take Grandpa, Grandma, and my maternal grandparents to Hainan for a month or two. When it’s warm, you can go to Inner Mongolia or the Northeast to escape the heat. Above all, learn to enjoy life.”

“Look at you,” Li Mu’s mother laughed. “Our family isn’t one to throw money around like water. Is that a life anyone can live?”

Li Mu replied, “Making money isn’t for hoarding in the bank, but for improving our quality of life. You shouldn’t always be so frugal.”

Then Li Mu turned to his father. “Dad, it’s easy to get a driver’s license now, and cars aren’t expensive. You should find time to get your license, and when winter comes, buy a car to drive.”

“My goodness, buy a car? What for?” Li Mu’s father exclaimed. The idea of buying a car seemed as distant as the moon to him. Others might manage it, but he certainly couldn’t.

Li Mu countered, “A car is a means of transportation and a way to improve quality of life. If you can afford it, why not? Now, a decent sedan costs only around 200,000 yuan. With a car, you won’t have to suffer in rain, wind, scorching heat, or freezing cold. Grandpa and Grandma live in the countryside—not far, but taking the bus only gets you to the town. You have to transfer and still walk a long way to the village entrance. It’s so inconvenient. With a car, you could get from home to their door in just over an hour. They’re older now; they need your frequent visits.”

Li Mu’s words caused a faint crack in his father’s stubborn heart. After over twenty years as an ordinary worker, his bicycle was the best transportation he knew. He hadn’t even considered a motorcycle, let alone a car. But Li Mu’s reasoning made sense. The store had earned enough for a car in half a month. Buying a car wouldn’t be a problem for this family anymore. Having a car would be so convenient.

Li Mu’s father felt a pang of guilt for his parents living in the countryside. When he was busy working, he hadn’t gone home for three or five months at a stretch. Now, with more free time and drastically improved finances, buying a car was no longer a far-off dream.

Li Mu’s mother calculated quietly and agreed a car wasn’t a big problem. “We just started earning money, so buying a car now is impossible. But if the store stabilizes with a monthly revenue above 500,000 yuan, then we’ll buy a car come December.”

Li Mu’s father didn’t dwell on buying a car. “We’ll talk about it when it’s time. I’ll focus on getting my driver’s license first.”

Li Mu’s efforts to create this small business for his parents were not only to help them find a place in this rapidly changing modern society but also to encourage them to shift away from their thrifty ways. He didn’t expect them to squander money, but at least to learn to enjoy life. Life is meant for joy. He was still young, but his parents were already in their forties.

Seeing the seed planted in their minds, Li Mu didn’t push further but changed the subject. “If you ever run into problems or get troubled, Song Liang gave you his contact last time. Just call him. Right now, everyone in Haizhou knows our family has a good relationship with Song Liang, so likely no one will dare cause trouble.”

With this burgeoning business in their hands, Li Mu was somewhat worried. He was leaving for Yanjing the next day. Many things would have to be handled by his parents, and he didn’t know if they might attract trouble. But knowing Song Liang was there gave him peace of mind.

That evening, Li Mu invited Song Liang to dinner. Song Liang gladly accepted and said at the table, “Little brother, you just focus on making your way in Yanjing. I might not be able to help much there, but don’t worry about things at home. I’ve got it covered.”

Hearing this, Li Mu was deeply grateful and kept raising his glass in thanks.

For someone as accomplished as Song Liang, Li Mu knew he could never repay this favor quickly. But he treasured the bond deeply, confident that one day, when he soared on the winds like a great roc, he would return the kindness manifold.