Chapter 22: You Are Truly Kind!

Chapter 22: You Are So Kind!

The shopkeeper quickly brought over the cigarettes and pocketed the money.

“Boss, I want to ask you something.”

Chen Jianghai unwrapped a cigarette and handed one to the shopkeeper.

The shopkeeper took it with a cheerful smile. “What’s up?”

Chen Jianghai pointed to the neighboring storefront. “This place is in such a great location. Why is it just sitting empty like this?”

“Oh, you mean that one!” The shopkeeper exhaled a puff of smoke. “It was open just last month, but they closed up because business was losing money.”

“Is it still for rent then?” Chen Jianghai inquired.

“That, I’m not sure. I haven’t even met the landlord yet,” the shopkeeper replied.

Chen Jianghai nodded. In an era without phones or internet, things really weren’t convenient. Even though there was a perfectly suitable shop right before him, he had no idea where to start.

In the end, he asked the shopkeeper to keep an eye out and to ask the landlord if the place ever became available for rent.

The shopkeeper hesitated at first, but after Chen Jianghai offered another cigarette, he gladly agreed.

After wandering around all afternoon and buying groceries, Chen Jianghai arrived home only to find someone squatting in front of his door.

The figure had his back turned, and the fading evening light made it difficult to recognize who it was.

Chen Jianghai took a step back, placed his groceries on the ground, and asked, “Who’s there?”

The person suddenly turned around at the sound of his voice. “Jianghai, it’s you! I’ve been waiting for you forever!”

Chen Jianghai focused and realized it was his neighbor, Fu Qiang, who had come over earlier that afternoon to watch TV.

“What are you doing in front of my house?” Chen Jianghai raised an eyebrow.

Fu Qiang grinned. “I just wanted to ask, if I bought a broken TV, could you fix it?”

“For minor issues, yes. But for major problems, I’d advise you not to buy it. Even if I could fix it, the cost wouldn’t be cheap. You might as well buy a new one,” Chen Jianghai answered honestly.

Fu Qiang looked disappointed and sighed, “How come I never come across a forty-yuan TV?”

“If there’s nothing else, I’m going inside to cook,” Chen Jianghai said without much interest.

He hadn’t interacted much with Fu Qiang in his previous life and had no desire to engage further now.

Fu Qiang left, disappointed, and Chen Jianghai felt no stir of emotion as he hurried to prepare dinner.

Halfway through cooking, Lin Wanqiu returned.

“Whoa, Wanqiu, what’s with all these bags?” Chen Jianghai asked as he came out with the vegetables and saw the bags she had set down.

Lin Wanqiu brushed back her hair and smiled. “I bought some clothes for you. You haven’t bought anything for yourself in ages.”

Chen Jianghai waved his hand. “Hey, what do I need clothes for? You should be buying more for yourself.”

“You already bought me clothes last time. So I have to buy some for you too. Come try them on,” Lin Wanqiu called him over.

Chen Jianghai hesitated for a moment before stepping forward. As he tried on the clothes, he couldn’t help but say, “Darling, you’re so good to me!”

Hearing this, Lin Wanqiu’s cheeks flushed bright red.

For some reason, every time Chen Jianghai spoke sweetly to her, she couldn’t help but blush.

In this era, married couples were more reserved with their affections, nothing as direct as Chen Jianghai’s words.

Compared to the lovers of the future, couples now were like blank slates when it came to expressing feelings.

“By the way, is the TV all set up?” Lin Wanqiu’s heart fluttered, and she quickly changed the subject.

Chen Jianghai pointed to the TV on the cabinet. “It’s all done. You can turn it on and watch.”

“Let me see!” Lin Wanqiu eagerly approached and switched on the television.

“Who laughs foolishly at burying you today, who will know who buries you years from now...”

The classic theme song “Funeral Lament” from the TV adaptation of Dream of the Red Chamber played.

Lin Wanqiu’s eyes were instantly captivated, staring dreamily at the screen.

Seeing this, Chen Jianghai smiled faintly and turned to the kitchen to serve the meal.

During dinner, Lin Wanqiu was so engrossed in the TV that she nearly forgot to eat.

Chen Jianghai had no choice but to stand and turn off the television.

“What are you doing? I was just getting into it!” Lin Wanqiu frowned.

Chen Jianghai pointed to the food. “You’re still watching? The food’s gone cold. Eat first, then watch.”

Lin Wanqiu rolled her eyes but quickly ate her meal.

When dinner was finished, she tossed her dishes aside and rushed to turn the TV back on.

Chen Jianghai laughed. “So, no dishwashing tonight?”

“You do it!” she said, then resumed watching the screen, completely ignoring him.

Chen Jianghai could only laugh helplessly and obediently cleaned up the dishes in the kitchen.

Well, with the TV here, it seemed he was no longer needed!

...

Three days later, Chen Jianghai finally finished refurbishing all the old radios he had on hand.

Looking at the dozen or so radios on the table, he felt a surge of accomplishment.

Once sold, these would bring a handsome profit.

Soon, he would have enough startup capital to open a repair shop over on Pozi Street.

Just as he was thinking about the shop, a voice called from outside: “Brother Hai, you home?”

“Yes,” Chen Jianghai replied.

He went out to find Fang Aiguo sweating profusely, riding a tricycle. Chen Jianghai chuckled and invited him in.

“Brother Hai, are the radios ready?” Fang Aiguo wiped his brow eagerly.

“They’re all here. You can take them,” Chen Jianghai said, pointing to the radios on the table.

Fang Aiguo’s eyes lit up. “So many! No problem. I already have the gear. Haha!”

Looking at the radios, he seemed to see stacks of bills scented with ink.

Chen Jianghai casually asked, “By the way, Aiguo, your parents don’t mind you doing this, do they?”

“No way!” Fang Aiguo shook his head. “They’re just happy I’m earning money for myself.”

Chen Jianghai nodded and then advised, “Actually, you could keep your stuff at your parents’ shop. That way, you’d have time to find buyers outside.”

Fang Aiguo’s eyes brightened at the suggestion. “Right, right! You’re right! That’s like free advertising! Man, how did I not think of that before?” He tapped his head as he spoke.

Indeed, when it came to sales, Fang Aiguo had clearly inherited his parents’ knack for business. Chen Jianghai only had to point it out slightly, and Fang Aiguo grasped the idea immediately.

Chen Jianghai teased with a smile, “Don’t underestimate yourself, Aiguo. Whether you sell well or not depends entirely on you!”

Fang Aiguo laughed heartily at the joke.

(End of Chapter)