"By the way, Mike, are you sure you want to take over the family inheritance now?" After finishing their casual chat, Dennis asked about his biggest concern.
That was over a million dollars in assets, a huge sum considering the average monthly salary was only two to three thousand dollars at the time.
Dennis was a bit worried whether a child who had just turned sixteen could manage such a large sum of money.
After all, it was not uncommon for "poor people who suddenly become rich" to squander their money and then become paupers.
Moreover, the suggestion to do Mr. Mike a favor and let him take over the assets early was the idea of the leadership above the orphanage.
If it were up to Dennis, as his guardian, he would rather wait two more years until Mike was more mature before taking over those assets.
"I really need that money now as a starting capital…" Mike replied affirmatively.
Dennis, on his end, heard from Mike's answer that he had greater ambitions.
This was precisely the most worrying situation…
Mike was now like a "second-generation rich kid"; as long as he didn't mess around, he could live comfortably as a wealthy person.
Conversely, if Mike used this money for venture capital or something similar, he could very likely lose the principal.
Considering this situation, Dennis frowned, about to speak and persuade him.
"Alright, Dennis. Mike's family also has a manor. And with us watching over him, nothing will happen…" Kelly prompted her husband.
This gentle wife also understood Mike's intention.
However, she thought more long-term; Mike, owning a fixed asset, had the capital to take risks.
At worst, Mike would just squander his inheritance and then return to live peacefully as a farm owner.
"Alright, since you want to, I'll take you to the notary office tomorrow to help you retrieve your inheritance." Dennis was not foolish; he looked at Mike and said seriously, "But I still have to remind you, you're still too young, it's best not to spend that money carelessly."
"I understand," Mike nodded, accepting his concern.
After discussing the inheritance, the warm atmosphere at the dinner table returned.
Subsequently, Mike's praise for the delicious food also brought a happy smile to Kelly's face, as a housewife.
The next morning, Dennis, as promised, took Mike and the orphanage staff to the local capital notary office.
After identity verification and a series of procedures such as tax payment, Mike successfully received a huge inheritance of over 1.2 million dollars.
In America today, assets of over a million dollars are enough to put anyone into the wealthy class.
And for Mike, with this initial capital of over a million dollars, he was confident that he could quickly become a multi-millionaire, or even more, in this era, thereby joining the ranks of capital.
"Mr. Mike, if you need, the orphanage can always provide you with an economic team to help you look after this money." An orphanage staff member approached Mike, who had just received his inheritance.
A professional economic consulting team managing wealth for the rich is very common in America.
This is also a common method to protect the interests of the wealthy.
And the orphanage, intending to win Mike over, would naturally consider everything comprehensively for him.
"Thank you, but no need. I have my own plans for this money." Mike politely declined the orphanage's kind offer.
"Alright, if you need anything, you can always contact us through Dennis." The orphanage staff did not press further.
After expressing their good intentions, they left the notary office first.
"Millionaire, how do you feel now?" Dennis, who was walking out of the notary office with Mike, asked jokingly.
"Feel? I feel like I'm covered in the scent of money…" Mike exaggeratedly spread his arms, making a blissful expression.
"Alright, I know you're rich now." Looking at Mike's childish appearance, Dennis smiled and shook his head, then asked, "So, Mr. Big Shot, where do you want to go next?"
Because of Mike's matter, Dennis had taken two days off from the orphanage.
Now they still had plenty of time to go for a stroll in town.
"Accompany me to the farm, please." Mike suggested.
As far as he knew, his family's farm was not small; excluding the corners unsuitable for cultivation, there were about ten hectares of good land.
Soon, a pickup truck drove into a small farm in the countryside.
What met their eyes was a neat vineyard.
It was the season for grapes to bear fruit, and clusters of green grapes on the vines looked very pleasing.
"Young Master Quinn, Mr. Dennis, you've arrived." A man in his fifties, looking like a butler, came forward to greet them.
"Uncle Kenya, you still look so energetic," Mike smiled and greeted the newcomer.
Kenya was an old-timer on the farm, having worked for the Quinn family since Mike's father's generation.
Moreover, this old man's son and daughter-in-law were also helping on the Quinn family farm now.
It could be said that this family was part of the Quinn family, absolutely trustworthy.
"Thanks to Young Master, this old bone of mine is still quite strong…" Kenya, with his neatly trimmed beard, had a hearty laugh.
Afterward, the old man led Mike on a tour of the farm, introducing the recent situation on the farm.
And seeing his own farm in person, Mike had many ideas.
The grapes on this farm were mainly used as raw material for winemaking.
They were harvested once a year.
In Mike's view, this operating model could be improved by changing the crops to create more profit.
For example, converting low-economic-efficiency vineyards into more valuable cotton fields.
During this time, other crops like fennel and corn could also be intercropped.
Even if they continued to grow grapes, they could refine the quality of the wine during the winemaking process.
By focusing on quality and brand storytelling, they could create their own unique wine brand.
With brand effect, they could also acquire surrounding land.
Developing according to this model, if successful, could completely create a large farm owner.
It was just a pity that Mike did not intend to stay on the farm and make it bigger and stronger.
After all, the development prospects in the stock market were better than the farm economy currently.
As for Mike's ideas for farm development, he could mention them to Kenya later.
Kenya, on his end, had received news of Mike's return earlier.
Therefore, after leading Mike on a tour of the vineyard, he took him to the manor on the farm and brought out last year's account book.
"Uncle Kenya, you can go busy yourself, I'll call you if I need anything." Mike, having received the account book, said with a smile.
After Kenya left, Mike briefly flipped through the account book. After confirming there were no major issues, he didn't look at it anymore.
"Dennis, I want to give you some shares in the farm. How about two percent?" Mike, putting down the account book, expressed his idea.
This was also his way of giving back to Dennis's family for taking care of him.
In fact, Dennis and Kelly's work at the orphanage was more charitable in nature, so their salaries were not very high.
Comparatively, Dennis and Kelly's income was much lower than the Cooper family's family.
The only difference was that Dennis's family had no children, so their financial pressure wasn't as great.
But no children now doesn't mean no children in the future.
Instead of waiting for Dennis's family to struggle financially after having children, it would be better to tie him to the farm.
Giving him a legitimate reason to look after the farm, while also increasing his family income.
"No, this farm is something your parents left you, I can't interfere." Upon hearing Mike's suggestion, Dennis refused without thinking.
"To be honest, Uncle Dennis. I probably won't come back here much in the future. The farm needs someone I trust to help manage it…" Mike explained his reasons, then continued, "Two percent of the shares is my compensation to you. If you feel uneasy about taking it, you can also donate a portion to the orphanage to help improve the lives of the children there."
Two percent of the shares would be at most 20,000 dollars a year. Mike felt it was very worthwhile to use this money to maintain his relationship with Dennis and the orphanage.