The total area of the Tian Family Village cattle farm spans 20 mu (approximately 3.3 acres).
It houses 108 head of yellow beef cattle.
In the past couple of years, when the beef cattle market was booming, the farm's owner could net five or six hundred thousand yuan a year.
But in the last two years, the beef market has been sluggish, with cattle prices stuck at rock bottom.
Forget about making a profit—breaking even was already a blessing, as the saying goes, "Amitabha."
During the New Year, the price of a single yearling pig was almost catching up to the price of a young calf.
It was also during these two years that, unprecedentedly, the price of beef fell below that of mutton.
Cattle farmers across the country were struggling bitterly.
They were caught in a dilemma, torn between continuing to raise their livestock in hopes of a price rebound or decisively selling off their entire herd.
Early in the morning, Tian Xiaoguang got up and fed the cattle.
The farm usually had three workers, but during the New Year holiday, everyone else went home to celebrate.
Only he, a lonely old bachelor, stayed behind to keep watch.
For Tian Xiaoguang, celebrating the New Year or not didn't mean much.
He didn't even bother changing his clothes, still wearing the same old jacket that had developed a bit of a "patina" from constant use.
His beard was scruffy, and he didn't bother shaving or even washing his face.
As he put it, the grease on his face could keep him warm, saving him the cost of buying moisturizer.
After feeding the cattle, Tian Xiaoguang planned to head back to his room to scroll through short videos.
On the video platform, there was a woman around his age, also single, who was livestreaming even during the New Year.
Tian Xiaoguang would visit her livestream room every day, send a few small gifts, and chat for a while.
Over time, it became a habit. Missing a day felt as uncomfortable as going a day without smoking.
*Beep beep!*
Just as Tian Xiaoguang turned to head back, he suddenly heard a few honks from a car at the farm's main gate.
"During the New Year, who could that be?"
Tian Xiaoguang grumbled under his breath, somewhat annoyed, before reluctantly turning to open the gate.
As soon as he opened it, he saw a sleek, jet-black Mercedes parked at the entrance, and his eyes widened in surprise.
The three-pointed star emblem of the Mercedes was quite eye-catching.
When he saw Jiang Tao and Jiang Bing step out of the car, Tian Xiaoguang's jaw dropped even further, thinking his old eyes must be playing tricks on him.
"Uncle! Happy New Year! We're here to wish you well!"
"Happy New Year, Uncle! Geez, it's the New Year, and you didn't even change your clothes?"
The siblings greeted Tian Xiaoguang cheerfully, with Jiang Bing playfully teasing her uncle.
"I'm just an old cattle-feeding geezer. What's the point of changing into new clothes? It's not like I'd look any better. Where's your older brother?"
Tian Xiaoguang laughed heartily, brushing off his niece's teasing without a care as he greeted them.
"Big brother's busy covering shifts to make some money. Are you saying you're not happy to see me and my second brother?"
"No way! You're more than welcome! Come on, come on, get inside!"
The group chatted and laughed as Jiang Tao and Jiang Bing followed their uncle into the farm and were ushered into his dorm.
As soon as they stepped inside, they saw two bunk beds.
The beds were covered with dark, grimy blankets and dirty clothes strewn about carelessly.
The floor was littered with cigarette butts and scattered ash.
The dorm's hygiene perfectly embodied the standard of "dirty, messy, and bad."
The moment Jiang Bing stepped in, she grabbed a broom and started sweeping.
Jiang Tao set down a box of milk and instant noodles he was carrying.
Then, from a shopping bag, he pulled out a bottle of Maotai liquor and a pack of Zhonghua cigarettes.
"Maotai, Zhonghua—Jiang Tao, you must've struck it big in the capital!"
"And that car at the gate—don't tell me you bought it!"
Tian Xiaoguang was astonished again when he saw what Jiang Tao had brought.
Jiang Tao grinned. "Not exactly striking it big, just made a little money. The cigarettes and liquor were gifts from one of my mentors. I brought them for you to try."
"Well, I'll be damned! To think I'd live to taste Maotai! My dear nephew, your uncle didn't dote on you for nothing when you were a kid!"
Tian Xiaoguang looked at the Maotai and Zhonghua that Jiang Tao brought, feeling deeply gratified.
For his two nephews to come visit an old geezer like him every year was already rare enough.
This year, they even brought Maotai and Zhonghua.
This kind of treatment was enough for Tian Xiaoguang to brag about to his colleagues for a whole year!
His second nephew was truly doing him proud!
Naturally, Tian Xiaoguang couldn't bear to drink the liquor. He planned to treasure it and use it to show off!
After Jiang Bing finished sweeping, she joined her second brother and uncle in their chat.
The conversation covered everything from work to life, from the cattle farm to the capital.
They talked from 10 in the morning until 11:30, when Jiang Tao and Jiang Bing finally said their goodbyes to their uncle.
Tian Xiaoguang hadn't prepared any food or drinks to entertain guests for the New Year.
So, he didn't make any insincere attempts to keep them, instead seeing them off to the farm's gate.
As he watched the imposing, luxurious Mercedes disappear down the road, Tian Xiaoguang felt genuinely happy for his nephew's achievements.
"He's made it, he's really made it~"
"Our nephew's driving a Mercedes now."
"Great, just great. I always knew this second kid had potential. When has my judgment ever been wrong?"
"Oh, damn it! I forgot to take a few pictures! Without photos, people will think I'm just bragging!"
Realizing this, Tian Xiaoguang slapped his thigh in frustration, feeling he'd been careless.
At noon, Jiang Tao's family of three ate at his mother's house.
This time, his sister-in-law, Zhang Xiaoyan, also came with his second nephew, Jiang Shaojie, to their in-laws' home.
"Sister-in-law, Happy New Year!"
Jiang Tao greeted Zhang Xiaoyan enthusiastically when he saw her.
"Hey, Happy New Year, A-Tao."
Zhang Xiaoyan smiled and returned the greeting.
She knew exactly how good Jiang Tao was to her two sons.
Big red envelopes, movie tickets, taking them out to eat and drink, and even giving them pocket money—Jiang Tao was an impeccable second uncle, with not a single fault to pick.
"Xuexue, your auntie's giving you a big red envelope too. Wishing our Xuexue health, happiness, and to grow prettier every day~"
As she spoke, Zhang Xiaoyan pulled a red envelope from her pocket and handed it to Jiang Xue.
Looking at Jiang Xue's pretty and adorable appearance, Zhang Xiaoyan's eyes were filled with envy.
As she spoke, she instinctively touched her own belly.
In her heart, she thought, *If only I could have a daughter too, my dream would come true!*
"Thank you, Auntie~ Wishing you a Happy New Year and lots of money~"
Jiang Xue's little face lit up with excitement as she accepted her aunt's red envelope after saying her New Year's blessings.
Though Jiang Tao knew his sister-in-law didn't make money easily, he didn't stop her from giving his daughter New Year's money.
During the Spring Festival, the money given by elders to the younger generation was originally called "yasui" (money to ward off evil).
It symbolized protecting children from evil spirits and ensuring their safety and health in the new year.
The red envelope carried the elders' blessings and hopes for the younger generation. When it's given, you accept it, no matter how much.
After a brief chat with Jiang Tao, Zhang Xiaoyan went to the kitchen to help her mother-in-law prepare lunch.
Old Jiang and Old Sun went out in the morning and didn't return until just past noon, right before the meal was served.
For Old Sun's sake, Jiang Tao's mother didn't nag his father this time, giving him enough face.
Old Sun had spent the previous evening and this morning with the Jiang family.
The initial unfamiliarity had faded, replaced by a growing sense of familiarity.
The meal was lively and joyful, lasting from just past noon until around 2 p.m.
After eating and drinking their fill, the women in the family started washing dishes, while Old Jiang dragged Old Sun off to play chess.
Jiang Tao went home alone to take a nap.
During the New Year at home, every day was about eating, drinking, and sleeping—a perfect sense of relaxation.
He slept until past 4 p.m., when Xu Li woke him up.
Under Xu Li's persistent coaxing, Jiang Tao reluctantly agreed to drive her, Jiang Xue, and the tagalong Jiang Bing to the movie theater in Ping County.
"Second brother, second brother! When are our popcorn buckets going on sale? I saw online they're already up to 55 yuan each! An empty bucket for 55 yuan!"
While waiting for the 5 p.m. movie to start, Jiang Bing excitedly grabbed Jiang Tao's arm, barely able to contain her eagerness to dive into the venture.
"Calm down, calm down. We're not there yet. Just wait a bit longer."
With the information provided by his "system bro," Jiang Tao wasn't the least bit anxious.
"The Flying Pig popcorn buckets he'd bought for 20 yuan each had already been hyped up to 55 yuan.
Selling one would net a 35-yuan profit. With 10,000 popcorn buckets in stock, he could make 350,000 yuan just by flipping them!
No wonder Jiang Bing couldn't stay calm.
That's a 175% gross profit margin, with about 64% net profit after subtracting the cost."
These Flying Pig popcorn buckets were even more lucrative than the Ultraman hair clips from before!
In just two or three days, goods worth 200,000 yuan had ballooned to 550,000 yuan—an absolutely staggering increase!
To put it bluntly, if this Flying Pig popcorn bucket project succeeded, Jiang Bing's 20% cut, as promised by Jiang Tao, would already surpass her entire profit from the previous year!
At this moment, Jiang Bing had practically enshrined her second brother as the Warren Buffett of e-commerce retail!
Xu Li, listening to the siblings' conversation, never stopped smiling brightly.
Her eyes, gazing at her husband, were even softer than usual.
The Flying Pig popcorn bucket project was proposed and led by her man.
If it succeeded, at least 80% of the credit would go to him!
His foresight and strategic planning were incredibly charismatic!
The more Xu Li looked at him, the more she felt her husband was even more handsome now than when he was younger!
With the passage of time, his handsomeness remained, but he'd also gained a touch of maturity and confidence.
*"Hmph, once my husband pulls off this project and makes a million or two, let's see who dares say I have bad taste~"*
Imagining her husband's success, Xu Li's face lit up with a proud and happy smile.
Before this year, she'd never imagined her husband could achieve such great things.
She'd only hoped to live a simple, happy life with her husband and daughter.
Now, that modest wish had been fulfilled far beyond her expectations.
Xu Li was overjoyed, with a subtle sense of vindication in her heart.
*Life's only thirty years so far, and the game's not over—who says my husband can't be a dark horse?*
"Daddy, I want to buy a Fights the Heavens pack~"
Jiang Xue's eyes sparkled with anticipation as she looked at the colorful card packs on a nearby shelf.
Earlier, when Jiang Bing took her to see a movie, she'd bought 10 packs each for her and her two nephews.
The cards in the Fights the Heavens packs were divided into nine rarity levels: R, HR, QR, SR, SSR, UR, BP, SP, and SE.
The designs featured characters, movie scenes, and chibi-style characters.
At 10 yuan a pack for just five small cards, it was truly a "New Year's money harvester" for kids.
"Only if you give me a kiss."
Jiang Tao grinned, pointing at his cheek and starting to negotiate with his little darling.
*"Mwah, mwah, mwah, mwah, mwah~~~"*
Jiang Xue hugged her dad's neck and started kissing, giggling triumphantly:
"One kiss, one pack~"
"You little schemer, that's enough! If you keep kissing, you'll bankrupt me."
*"Hehe~ hehe~ Didn't you want kisses? I'll give you plenty—enough for 10 packs, mwah~~"*
Her bell-like laughter drew the attention of nearby moviegoers waiting for the show.
Those without daughters looked at Jiang Tao with palpable envy.
*Another day of being tricked into wanting a daughter!*
"Second brother, I want to buy some too~"
Jiang Bing also grabbed Jiang Tao's arm, launching into her "tough guy" version of acting cute.
"Buy them yourself."
"How about I kiss you twice, and you buy me one pack?"
"No way. Why does it feel like you're repaying kindness with betrayal?"
"Ugh, second brother, don't be like that~"
"Alright, Old Three, act normal. I give up—I'll buy them for you, just let me go!"
After the playful banter, Jiang Tao held his little darling's hand in one hand while Jiang Bing clung to his other arm.
At that moment, Old Jiang felt like he was being held hostage by his niece and daughter, making Xu Li giggle on the sidelines.
The product sales area had plenty of *Nezha 2* merchandise on display.
There were plush toys, dolls, juice cups—but no Flying Pig popcorn buckets in sight.
There were quite a few kids picking out cards in the sales area.
Some looked like high school or even college students, while the younger ones, like Jiang Xue, were kindergarten-aged.
It was clear the card packs were quite popular.
"I heard you can pull a globally limited Director Dumpling autograph card—only 10 in the world! If only I had that kind of luck!"
"Dream on! Only 10 in the world! No way it's that easy to pull."
"Even if you bought every Fights the Heavens pack in Ping County, your odds wouldn't even be 1%!"
"Tch, I'm just saying! Of course, I know these packs are sold nationwide—there's no way it'd be here!"
"If I were Director Dumpling, I wouldn't do anything but sit at home signing cards. I'd probably achieve financial freedom just from that!"
"Don't you know 'scarcity creates value'? It's expensive because there are so few. One Director Dumpling autograph card is already going for 100,000 yuan. If he signed them all day, they wouldn't even be worth 1,000."
While waiting for Jiang Bing and Jiang Xue, Jiang Tao overheard two middle school-aged kids chatting as they picked out items.
"A single card worth 100,000? That's ridiculous."
Even though *Nezha 2* had dominated the box office yesterday and showed signs of being a blockbuster, a director's autograph card shouldn't be *that* expensive, right?
"Daddy, I picked my cards. This time, I'm definitely getting the Six-Armed Nezha~"
While Jiang Tao was silently scoffing, his little darling came out with her chosen cards.
She'd promised 10 packs but sneakily grabbed 13.
Faced with his little darling's clever scheming, Old Jiang had no choice but to accept it and pay.
After settling the bill, Jiang Tao grabbed his daughter's hand and bolted, pulling off a swift escape!
"Stinky Jiang Tao!! Cheapskate!!"
Jiang Bing came out with her cards only to find them gone, stomping her foot in frustration at the entrance.