Chapter 27: Thank You

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Chapter 27: Thank You

“Brother Hai, I’ve almost used up the five hundred yuan you gave me last time.”

As Fang Aiguo spoke, he took several dozen yuan from his pocket and handed it to Chen Jianghai. “This is all that’s left. Oh, right—I made a list, too. Have a look.”

With a smile, Chen Jianghai pushed the money back. “What are you doing? If anything, I should be paying you. You’ve gone to the trouble of collecting all this stuff for me—you ought to get something for your efforts.”

“Brother Hai, what are you talking about?” Fang Aiguo widened his eyes and pouted. “Collecting this stuff was just something I happened to be doing. How could I ask you for a fee? Besides, you’ve already given me plenty.”

Chen Jianghai shook his head and said earnestly, “Aiguo, I need to have a proper talk with you about this. One matter is one matter. Even brothers should keep clear accounts!”

Fang Aiguo had intended to refuse, but Chen Jianghai immediately put an end to the thought.

“If you regard me as your brother, then take the money,” Chen Jianghai said sternly.

“All right, Brother Hai. Since you put it that way, I’ll listen to you and take it.” Fang Aiguo grinned.

Who wouldn’t be happy to earn some money?

Fang Aiguo was delighted, but Chen Jianghai was feeling a little vexed.

Where was he supposed to put this mountain of appliances?

“Looks like I need to find somewhere to use as a warehouse first,” Chen Jianghai muttered after carrying down another black-and-white television.

Hearing him, Fang Aiguo hurriedly said, “Brother Hai, why look for a warehouse? There’s an empty room at my house. You can use it for now!”

“Where is it?” Chen Jianghai asked at once, making no attempt to be polite.

“It’s near my family’s grocery shop,” Fang Aiguo replied. “From now on, whenever I collect old appliances, I can put them there directly.”

Looking at him, Chen Jianghai suddenly felt that the young man had probably been planning this for some time.

He had merely waited until now to bring it up, perhaps because he was afraid Chen Jianghai might misunderstand.

Chen Jianghai naturally did not mind. On the contrary, he was rather pleased for Fang Aiguo.

All this time, Fang Aiguo had given people the impression of being careless and carefree.

But now it seemed that, after spending so much time going from street to street collecting things, this good brother of his had grown considerably.

Chen Jianghai still had more important tasks to entrust to him in the future, so he was naturally glad to see him mature.

“What about the rent?” Chen Jianghai asked.

Fang Aiguo was taken aback, then waved his hand dismissively. “Brother Hai, why talk about rent? Just use it as much as you like.”

“You rascal.” Chen Jianghai raised a hand and pointed at him. “Does that house belong to you? It belongs to your parents. What does it have to do with you?”

“Isn’t what belongs to my parents also mine?” Fang Aiguo said as though it were perfectly natural.

“Of course not.” Chen Jianghai turned serious. “The house belongs to your parents, so you need to ask their opinion. Besides, you won’t be using it for just a day or two.”

“Here’s what we’ll do. Go home and ask your parents how much rent would be appropriate for a month.”

Fang Aiguo looked reluctant. “Brother Hai, is that really necessary?”

“Listen to me. I know what I’m doing,” Chen Jianghai said firmly.

Seeing that Chen Jianghai had made up his mind, Fang Aiguo did not want to argue any further. “All right, then. I’ll go home and ask them now. I’ll definitely get you the best possible price.”

“Aiguo, just let your parents decide. Don’t say too much yourself.”

Chen Jianghai could not help reminding him once more.

“Got it!”

Fang Aiguo waved confidently, then hauled away the cart piled high with appliances.

…

“Brother Hai! Brother Hai!”

Chen Jianghai had just finished dismantling the television and sorting the useful parts into separate piles when Fang Aiguo’s shouting suddenly came from outside.

He had come back so quickly. Could something have happened?

Puzzled, Chen Jianghai followed the sound outside.

“What is it, Aiguo?”

The moment he stepped out, he saw Fang Aiguo hurrying toward him, with two people behind him. They were his father, Fang Jiafu, and his mother, Huang Shuifeng, and both were carrying things.

Fang Jiafu held a young rooster and two bottles of liquor, while Huang Shuifeng carried a bag of fruit.

When he saw Chen Jianghai, Fang Aiguo jerked his chin toward them and said somewhat sheepishly, “Brother Hai, my parents insisted on coming to see you. I couldn’t stop them.”

“Jianghai, this is just a small token of our appreciation. You must accept it.” Fang Jiafu put down the chicken and pressed the bottles of liquor directly into Chen Jianghai’s hands.

Chen Jianghai was still somewhat bewildered. He had been the one asking them for help, so how had he ended up receiving gifts from them?

He hurriedly tried to refuse. “Uncle, Auntie, what are you doing?”

Fang Jiafu continued, “Jianghai, we came here today specifically to thank you.”

Huang Shuifeng quickly added, “That’s right. Aiguo told us everything. It’s all thanks to you that our Aiguo has finally come to his senses.”

Only then did Chen Jianghai understand. He quickly smiled and said, “Auntie, you’re too kind. Aiguo has the ability himself. I didn’t really do anything.”

“Oh, no matter how you put it, Aiguo now knows he has to work hard to earn money. We have to thank you. And in the future, you’ll have to look after our Aiguo a little more,” Fang Jiafu said, his voice filled with gratitude.

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After all, their son had once spent his days idling at home and was unwilling to help at the shop. He was always dreaming of making a fortune and never listened to them. Now that he was finally willing to do something worthwhile, they naturally felt deeply relieved.

Seeing that there was no way to refuse them, Chen Jianghai said, “Uncle, Auntie, why don’t you come inside and sit for a while?”

“No need. We won’t go in,” Fang Jiafu said, waving his hand.

Huang Shuifeng nodded quickly. “That’s right, we won’t go in. Next time, when you have the time, we’ll have Aiguo invite you and Wanqiu over for a meal.”

“Well…”

Chen Jianghai was just about to decline when Fang Jiafu interrupted him.

“All right, Jianghai, it’s settled, then. We’ll be going now!”

With that, he briskly led his wife and son away.

Looking at the chicken and fruit in his hands, Chen Jianghai did not know whether to laugh or cry.

He had been planning to go buy groceries, but now there was no need. The ingredients had been delivered right to his door.

Rolling up his sleeves and picking up the cleaver, he thought:

Time to butcher a chicken.

…

“Oh? Jianghai, why did you buy a chicken today? Are we having guests?”

When Lin Wanqiu returned that evening and saw the braised young rooster on the table, she could not help asking curiously.

In those days, such elaborate dishes were generally prepared only for festivals or when guests came to visit.

Chen Jianghai shook his head. “No. Aiguo’s parents gave it to me. I couldn’t refuse.”

“Fang Aiguo?”

Lin Wanqiu paused, then immediately understood. “Who would have thought? He’s usually so straightforward, but he certainly knows how to conduct himself.”

Chen Jianghai smiled. “Oh, he doesn’t have that many thoughts in his head. It was his parents who came over today and forced it on me. There’s fruit and liquor over there, too.”

“Then shouldn’t we find a time to invite them over for a meal?” Lin Wanqiu asked.

The ways of human relationships were, in the end, simply a matter of returning one courtesy with another.

“Mm.” Chen Jianghai nodded in agreement.

After dinner, the two of them began tidying up. They would be returning to Wanqiu’s parents’ home the next day.

End of Chapter

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