I'm back in 1990

Chapter 1108: Fault Tolerance Mechanism

Huang Xiaochuan nodded, then asked, "Let me tell you something. When I was your age, what was the most popular major? Do you know?"

All three children shook their heads.

"Foreign trade." When Huang Xiaochuan said these four words, it was as if he had returned to the summer of 1990: "At that time, the reform and opening up had only been going on for eleven years, and foreign trade was the most popular industry. Many people, including the newspapers at the time, were saying that you could get rich by doing foreign trade. At that time, many of my classmates applied for this major, and I also wanted to apply for this major."

Huang Ruiying asked curiously, "Dad, but didn't you ultimately study economics?"

"That's because your grandfather said something to me. Actually, he had talked to me many times before that, but I just wouldn't listen and stubbornly insisted on applying for foreign trade. But your grandfather just wouldn't give up and would talk to me whenever he had the chance. To be honest, I didn't want to see him at all during that time."

Later, I had a long talk with him. He told me: "Doing foreign trade is indeed profitable now, but you need to think clearly: are you doing this to make money or do you genuinely enjoy this industry? If it's the latter, then no matter what the industry is like, you can make a name for yourself. But if it's the former, then when the industry's golden age is over, you'll be nothing, abandoned by the times, and will have to start all over again."

After these words were spoken, the three children quieted down.

Huang Zeji lowered his head, silently digesting his father's words. Huang Ruiying also became serious, and Tang Ruixuan looked at her uncle, also deep in thought.

Huang Xiaochuan slowly drank another cup of tea before continuing, "I'm not saying you shouldn't chase trends. On the contrary, I encourage you to pay more attention to fields that will change human technology in the future. A professional field is very large and can be further subdivided into many smaller categories, so there are many opportunities. However, I want to relay what your grandfather told me: you need to figure out whether you are making choices out of passion or blindly following the trend. The difference between these two will determine how far you can go in the future."

At this point, he emphasized one more thing: "Although my family now has many businesses, you must understand that these businesses were created by me. I don't want you to lie on them and do nothing, and I won't let you do that."

So in the future, you will still have to rely on your own abilities to create your own world and prove to me that your abilities are no less than your father's. Don't feel too much pressure, just do it first. Even if you fail, it's okay, learn from your mistakes and try again.

Tang Ruixuan stared at her uncle in shock. This was the first time she had clearly heard her uncle mention the inheritance of the family business. She had always felt that her mother and father believed that her uncle's business would eventually be inherited by her cousin Huang Ze.

But today she learned that her uncle actually thought this way.

Compared to Tang Ruixuan, Huang Zeji and Huang Ruiying seemed quite indifferent, as if they were quite open-minded about inheriting the property.

Huang Ruiying also asked her father, "Dad, how can I tell if it's just following a trend or if I like it myself?"

Huang Xiaochuan looked at his daughter and said, "It's very simple. Ask yourself a question: If one day the major you want to pursue suddenly becomes unpopular, all the capital withdraws from this field, and 99% of people no longer pay attention to this major, would you still be willing to do it? If your answer is yes, then you really like this major. If the answer is no, then you are just following the trend."

Huang Ruiying nodded.

Huang Xiaochuan continued speaking to the three children: "Over the years, I've met many people. Some of them found the right direction at the beginning of their business and worked diligently to get to where they are now, eventually becoming the top in their industry. Others, however, just jump around aimlessly, chasing every opportunity that comes their way, and as a result, more than a decade has passed and they haven't accomplished anything."

At this moment, Huang Ze asked, "Dad, did you have more opportunities when you were young than you do now?"

"Who said that?" Huang Xiaochuan glared at his son. "Back in the early 1990s, information sources were very limited. Fortunately, I was in the Yangtze River Delta region, which was much better than other areas. But even so, it can't compare to now. Think about it, you've had access to all kinds of information and resources since you were young, and your horizons are much broader than ours were back then. Take Xuanxuan for example, she was able to get involved in the cutting-edge field of artificial intelligence research before she went to university, and she was even able to participate in the growth of a technology company as an investor. This was unimaginable twenty years ago."

Upon hearing this, Tang Ruixuan quickly replied, "If it weren't for you taking me to Singapore, Uncle, I wouldn't have come into contact with the field of artificial intelligence."

Huang Xiaochuan waved his hand: "Master leads you through the door, but cultivation depends on the individual. Many people have followed me to Singapore, so why are you the only one who made this decision? Moreover, you were able to pay attention to Tong Hua's research in your sophomore year and were even willing to invest your own pocket money in him. This shows that you have vision and courage, and these are things that others cannot teach."

At this point, Huang Xiaochuan paused for a moment, then added, "Of course, our family has also had some influence on you. Because of our family structure, you have room to make mistakes. In professional terms, it's called a 'fault-tolerance mechanism.' Let me emphasize, the mistakes here refer to failures in your career."

"Fault tolerance mechanism?" Huang Ruiying repeated the phrase.

"Hmm!" Huang Xiaochuan put the teacup back on the tea table and nodded. "You are still young, and you have plenty of time and opportunities to try, make mistakes, and adjust. Even if you misjudge once and lose money on an investment, it's nothing. Just consider it as accumulating experience. But remember not to try to do something big right away. There's a saying, 'A man's greed is like a snake trying to swallow an elephant,' which is exactly the point. I want you to know that making mistakes is not the problem. What's important is what lessons you learn from them."

"You now have these conditions and resources. The three of you can simply tell your grandparents or other elders in the family, including myself, that you want to do something, and that you might receive something in return for succeeding. I think you will definitely get their and my strong support. So you can boldly try and do what you truly want to do."

"Dad, I think I understand now."

Huang Xiaochuan asked, "What do you understand?"

Huang Zeji said, "I don't need to rush to decide what I want to do in the future. Instead, I want to try some things first, see what I'm interested in, and then make a choice."