Start a Business What Kind of Business

Xu Mo's face darkened slightly, the corners of his mouth twitching as he forced a smile onto his face.

"Mom, you're still awake? That's not good—staying up late affects your skin, especially for women your age. You should really maintain the habit of sleeping early."

Xu Mo was a master at talking nonsense with a straight face.

In reality, Su Ting had always taken excellent care of herself.

Even though she was in her fifties,

her skin remained radiant, smooth, and delicate—so flawless it looked like it could be pierced with a single touch.

No one would guess she was a woman in her fifties.

Instead, she resembled a beautiful young matron in her thirties.

This wasn’t some exaggerated boast.

Just look at real-life celebrities or wealthy socialites for reference.

First, they had vast wealth—financial backing to support their lifestyle.

Second, they didn’t have to labor under the sun or endure harsh conditions.

Nor did they need to worry about mundane struggles like making ends meet.

Finally, there were the skincare and beauty products they used—all the best money could buy.

With all these factors combined (and more),

how could their skin possibly be anything less than perfect?

Su Ting wore a troubled expression, her smile not quite reaching her eyes. "My son is already a married man, yet he still spends his days fooling around outside. How could I possibly sleep soundly?"

Xu Shi nodded obediently, standing up and moving behind her mother to massage her shoulders before chiming in, "Mom, you don’t understand. This is what they call ‘a leopard can’t change its spots.’ What kind of person Big Brother is now is exactly what he’ll always be. That’s something that’ll never change."

Her tone was faintly melancholic.

Was the flower at home not fragrant enough?

Why seek out distant blossoms?

The big radish was angry.

And the consequences would be severe.

Xu Mo’s lips twitched violently.

At this point, not even the Great Radish Immortal could save him.

Before the situation escalated further,

Xu Mo quickly explained to his dear mother, "Mom, these past few days, I’ve reflected deeply on my mistakes, repented earnestly, and felt genuine remorse. I’ve decided I can’t keep being a freeloader anymore—I’m starting my own business to earn my keep!"

In the past, Su Ting had always lectured Xu Mo about

working hard and taking things seriously

so he could eventually take over the family business.

Xu Fuqiang’s training plan had been to toss Xu Mo into a subsidiary company in another city,

starting from the bottom—well, sort of.

Technically, the "bottom" still meant beginning as a department manager.

Once he proved himself with some achievements,

he’d eventually return to the parent company

and be ceremoniously crowned as the head of Xu Corporation.

It was a slow, steady grind—like leveling up in a brutal RPG.

One step at a time.

Sure, it was tedious,

but at least the foundation would be solid.

But a mother’s love knows no bounds.

Su Ting outright rejected the idea—how could she let her only son suffer like that?

No!!!

Absolutely not.

In the end, Xu Mo was directly placed in the top position.

As for competence?

That wasn’t an issue at all.

A good boss could be utterly useless, completely lacking in skill—

as long as he had capable people working under him, that was enough.

Emperor Gaozu of Han, Liu Bang, was the same—he had talented people serving him.

Throughout history, the principle hasn’t changed much.

In today’s society, recruiting talent is even simpler and more straightforward.

Offer generous terms, salaries several times higher than competitors—

and talented individuals from all over will come knocking.

The only problem would be having too many applicants.

Xu Corporation’s wealth and connections were so vast they could crush competitors several times over.

Even if Xu Mo was a complete amateur,

the company would still run smoothly.

And now, with Zhou Qiaoqiao—the new-generation business queen—assisting him, it was smooth sailing all the way.

When Xu Mo mentioned starting his own business,

both Su Ting and Xu Shi were stunned.

Then they burst into disbelieving laughter.

"Start a business? What kind of business?!"

"Of course, one that’ll let me support myself," Xu Mo explained, pausing before adding, "All my bank cards have been frozen. If I don’t start a business today, I might starve on the streets tomorrow."

It was the truth.

With no money left in his accounts,

starvation was a real possibility.

Su Ting snorted. "This time, I’m siding with your dad—and you know why. If you’d just stop fooling around and stirring up trouble, your father and I would give you as much allowance as you wanted."

"But as for starting a business… let’s just drop it."

Su Ting didn’t want to crush her son’s self-esteem.

She had raised Xu Mo from childhood, watched him grow up.

How capable was he? As his mother, she knew better than anyone.

In elementary school, his grades were decent—top of his class.

But by middle school, he’d started slacking off.

In high school,

his focus was completely elsewhere.

He went from being a top student to an average one.

Still, he managed to get into a prestigious university in Magic City without relying on connections.

Though Su Ting and Xu Fuqiang suspected luck played a big role.

Once his academic chapter ended,

he became the worst student in his class in college.

Spending his days idly,

doing nothing but chasing girls.

He earned a reputation as Magic City’s number one playboy.

Ah, thinking about it now just brought tears to her eyes.

In stark contrast to Su Ting’s thoughts,

Xu Shi’s lips twitched, her beautiful eyes filled with skepticism.

Xu Mo’s abilities—

how could Xu Shi not know them?

When she heard about his plans to start a business,

Xu Shi's body jolted as she mustered every ounce of her focus.

This wasn’t just about starting a business!!

This was about stockpiling resources and biding his time.

Going out to raise more vixens!!!

Xu Shi frowned slightly, massaging Su Ting’s shoulders while leaning her head closer, speaking just loud enough for Xu Mo to overhear.

"Mom, we absolutely can’t let big bro go out to start his own business!"

"Why?" Both Su Ting and Xu Mo asked in unison.

Su Ting could somewhat understand.

After all, she knew Xu Mo would inevitably fail in his venture.

As for Xu Mo, he was both confused and heartbroken—his adorable little sister had backstabbed him at the most critical moment.

Was this really necessary?

Besides.

Wouldn’t it be better for you if I left?

Leave some room for reconciliation—you never know when you might need it.

Even if you’re a reincarnator, little sis, can’t you at least leave your big brother a way out?

"Shut your mouth!" Su Ting shot Xu Mo a sharp glare.

Xu Mo’s mood took another hit.

What the hell?

Mom always used to side with him.

Since when did that change?

Is she even my real mom anymore?

What Xu Mo didn’t know was this:

Ever since he stopped coming home to cook these past few days,

Su Ting’s cravings had gone unsatisfied, and naturally, she wasn’t too pleased with her son.

There was also another major point.

He’d been married for so long,

yet there wasn’t even a hint of movement in Zhou Qiaoqiao’s belly.

Ignoring the flower at home,

he was too busy watering the wild ones outside.

How could Su Ting not be furious?

"Fine." Xu Mo didn’t argue with Su Ting, casually plopping down on the sofa.

No more forced plotlines to follow.

Now, he was in a state of complete detachment.

Coming back to reality, being himself.

No need to play the role of that arrogant, brainless rich second-gen villain anymore.

This feeling was pretty good.

Sigh…

But who knew how long it would last?

If that damn system suddenly revived one day,

everything before him

might vanish in an instant.

"Xiao Shi, tell me—why shouldn’t we let your brother start his own business?" Su Ting asked her precious daughter seriously.

Xu Shi pondered for a moment before exaggerating, "Mom, think about it—if big bro goes out to start a business, no one can keep him in check. Whether he succeeds or not, he won’t be home for a while. Who knows how many little vixens might pop up around him? By the time he comes back, he might have a whole pack of them trailing behind him."

After saying this,

Xu Shi deliberately shot Xu Mo a challenging, indignant glare.

Was Zhou Qiaoqiao and her not enough?

Why chase after distant wildflowers

when what he wanted was right in front of him?

Was she, Xu Shi, not enticing enough?

Or were those women outside just too damn seductive?

As the saying goes:

It’s easier to deal with the King of Hell than his petty minions.

The emperor isn’t scary—it’s the eunuchs whispering in his ear that are terrifying.

Because no matter if the emperor is happy or angry,

if the eunuch wants to make trouble for someone,

then trouble will surely come.

Su Ting blinked, lost in thought for a moment before nodding in agreement.

"That makes sense!"

With Xu Mo’s personality,

he’d absolutely do something like that.

No—not just possibly.

He definitely would.

If Xu Shi hadn’t reminded her in time,

she might’ve fallen for Xu Mo’s act.

Xu Mo was utterly defeated. "Mom, you can’t just believe Xiao Shi’s one-sided words! I’m not some superhuman—who the hell would bring back a pack of vixens?"

Su Ting stared at him calmly and said, "No, you are a superhuman."

Back in college,

he changed girlfriends faster than most people changed clothes.

His fastest record? Five in a single day.

In the morning, paparazzi snapped him with one.

Before noon even hit,

he’d already switched to another.

By evening, while eating fried noodles at a street stall,

he’d swapped again.

The girl beside him? Yet another new face.

It wasn’t that Su Ting didn’t want to trust Xu Mo.

But the things he’d done were just too outrageous, too absurd.

It was hard to believe him even if she tried.

It was like the boy who cried wolf.

After so many lies, people stopped caring.

Even if the truth came once,

no one would believe it.

Xu Mo’s eyelid twitched violently.

Mom really wasn’t holding back at all!!!

Then he turned his gaze to the mastermind behind this—the big loli.

If it weren’t for her whispering in Su Ting’s ear,

this whole mess would’ve been resolved perfectly by now.

Feeling Xu Mo’s stare,

Xu Shi leisurely whistled, like some street punk teasing a pretty girl.

The big loli’s eyes drifted down to Xu Mo’s abdomen.

Earlier, Su Ting had called him a superhuman, right?

Well, that piqued her interest.

Xu Mo sighed in defeat, throwing his hands up. "If this is no good and that’s no good, are you all just going to watch me starve to death?"

"Nonsense! There’s plenty of food at home. Just tell me or Aunt Xue in advance what you want to eat, and we’ll prepare it for you. As long as you’re willing to lift a finger, how could you possibly starve?"

Su Ting rolled her eyes dramatically, spinning her words with practiced ease.

"I think so too." The big loli paused mid-motion, wiping a bit of drool from the corner of her mouth before sucking it back in.

Holy crap!!!

Xu Mo inwardly screamed.

So after all that nonsense,

this was their real goal?!

"Cooking? Absolutely not. I'll never cook again in this lifetime."

Xu Mo's attitude was resolute.

A true scholar would rather die than suffer humiliation.

"We can pay more. Your mother isn't an unreasonable woman," Su Ting said with a smile, spreading her five slender, jade-like fingers. "Cook properly for a month—breakfast and dinner every day—and you'll get 500,000 yuan at the end of the month. How about that?"

Xu Mo's face darkened.

Was this some kind of joke?

Working himself to the bone for just 50,000 a month?

He could casually collaborate with Lin An'an to write a song and easily make a small fortune.

Just as Xu Mo was about to speak,

Xu Shi raised three fingers and added, "More money—I'll chip in 300,000!"

Su Ting beamed. "Your dad will pitch in too, another 200,000. That’s a million in total! A month of eating well, drinking well, and pocketing a million in allowance. You’ve got nothing to say now, right?"

As a wealthy socialite,

Su Ting wasn’t oblivious to the struggles of ordinary people.

A million yuan in monthly allowance—

that was far more than her secretary earned in a year.

Her secretary was highly competent, efficient,

with a Ph.D. as the baseline qualification,

and a shelf full of international awards.

Her annual salary was only eight million!

Of course, that didn’t include year-end bonuses, housing subsidies, or car allowances.

Meanwhile, Xu Mo just had to cook, and he’d rake in twelve million a year.

Setting aside those benefits,

wasn’t his salary already much higher than others’?

Yet Xu Mo shook his head.

Su Ting and Xu Shi were stunned again.

Su Ting frowned, baffled. "What’s the matter?"

Xu Mo explained, "It’s too little. I don’t care about that kind of money."

Xu Shi’s lips twitched violently.

But considering Xu Mo’s capabilities...

it did make sense.

The globally popular volcanic mud skincare line? That was his handiwork.

And he hadn’t even gone to Yang Jingying for the profits yet.

Knowing Yang Jingying’s temperament,

if Xu Mo so much as hinted at it,

she wouldn’t hesitate to hand over billions—

whether it was a few hundred million or tens of billions.

Once Xu Shi pieced it together, her fragile psyche took a severe blow.

But Su Ting, oblivious to these complexities,

still saw her son as someone who’d never held a real job.

If they ever cut off all his connections

and threw him out to fend for himself,

he might genuinely starve.

"Are you joking?"

Su Ting sat up straight, waving a hand behind her to signal Xu Shi to stop.

Whenever she took this tone,

it meant she was dead serious.

She blamed herself for her past negligence,

which had led Xu Mo to develop this mindset—

thinking money was easy to come by.

Today, she had to make him face reality.

"No, I genuinely think it’s too little," Xu Mo replied, his playful expression fading into seriousness.

Su Ting laughed—brightly, almost manically. Oh, her foolish son!

He still didn’t grasp the gravity of the situation.

"Then how much do you think is appropriate?"

"Cooking takes time, just like working on a film set does. Over there, I can make three or four billion. Here, there’s a discount—call it the 'family rate.' Normally, it’d be a billion, but since you’re my mom, whatever. Just give me seven or eight hundred million."

Seeing Su Ting’s forehead darken,

Xu Mo realized she didn’t believe him.

He pulled out his phone, opened a bank transfer record,

and placed it on the coffee table in front of her.

"This is from my last collaboration with Lin An'an on that movie. It blew up globally—over ten billion domestically, even more overseas. Since Liu Yong signed me on for profit-sharing, as long as the movie makes money, I keep getting paid. This is my main card, but Dad froze it. Money can go in, but I can’t take any out. Annoying."

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Got things to do—more updates tomorrow.