The funeral passed in a haze. Chen Xiang stood silently by his father's casket, barely registering the condolences from family and friends. Faces blurred together, voices mingled into a low hum, but none of it mattered. He was rooted in place, the weight of his promise to his father pressing heavily on his shoulders. He had promised to take care of the family, to step into a role he wasn't sure he was ready for. Now there was no turning back.
As the last guest left and the house emptied, the silence was deafening. His siblings sat quietly at the dining table, their usual chatter replaced by uneasy glances and occasional sniffles. Their mother, Xin Di, moved mechanically through the kitchen, her hands trembling as she washed dishes that didn't need cleaning. Chen Xiang watched her for a moment before stepping forward, his voice soft but firm.
"Mom," he said, and she turned to face him. Her eyes, red-rimmed from tears, searched his face as though trying to decipher his thoughts. "You don't have to do this anymore. I'll handle everything from now on."
She shook her head, her voice barely above a whisper. "You've already done enough. You're still so young, Chen Xiang."
"I made a promise to Dad," he said, his tone steady but filled with emotion. "And to you. You've carried this family for so long. Let me take it from here."
Her lips trembled, and for a moment, she looked as though she might argue. Instead, she reached out, placing a hand on his arm. "Your father was proud of you. Even if he didn't always say it, he was."
Her words hit harder than he expected, a lump forming in his throat as he nodded. That night, after everyone had gone to bed, he sat alone at the dining table. His notebook lay open in front of him, filled with old goals and plans he had written months ago. Most of them felt distant now, overshadowed by the reality of supporting his family. But one word stood out among the rest, underlined twice: invest.
The next morning, Chen Xiang dove headfirst into research. His father's passing had left them with little savings, but Chen Xiang had a small amount set aside—money he had earned from odd jobs and his time in the army. It wasn't much, but it was something. Determined not to repeat his father's mistakes, he scoured forums, devoured articles, and spent hours watching videos about the stock market. Numbers and charts filled his mind, the jargon overwhelming at first, but he refused to let it deter him.
Day by day, his confidence grew. He began analyzing trends, studying companies, and jotting down notes with the meticulousness of someone who had everything to lose. It wasn't just about money—it was about securing a future for his family, ensuring they would never have to struggle again.
A week later, Chen Xiang placed his first order. His hands trembled as he clicked "confirm," the weight of the decision pressing down on him. It was a calculated risk, a small investment in a promising tech company that had shown steady growth. Yet even with all his research, doubt gnawed at the edges of his mind.
Days passed, and he checked the stock obsessively. The first drop came quickly, the sharp red line on the graph wiping out most of his gains. His stomach twisted as he stared at the numbers, the temptation to sell growing with each passing hour. But then he remembered his father's words: "Sometimes, you have to trust your instincts and ride out the storm."
He decided to hold. No matter how anxious he felt, he refused to let fear dictate his actions.
Two weeks later, the company announced a major partnership. The stock price surged overnight, doubling, then tripling. Chen Xiang sat frozen in front of his laptop, his eyes wide as he calculated the gains. He had never seen so many zeroes next to his name.
"Xiang, what's going on?" Wenwu's voice broke through his thoughts. His younger brother leaned over his shoulder, his expression a mix of curiosity and disbelief.
Chen Xiang turned the screen toward him, a rare grin spreading across his face. "I think I just made us some money."
Wenwu's eyes widened. "How much?"
"Enough to make a difference," Chen Xiang replied. For the first time in weeks, he felt a flicker of hope. This was only the beginning.