Chapter 3: Questioning

If you want to strike it rich, you must act early!

The economic boom of the nineties was an era where even a pig could fly if it caught the right wind; it was a time that wrote the legendary stories of countless millionaires. The nineties were also a truly magical decade. As long as you were bold enough to dream and daring enough to act, it was easy to complete the initial accumulation of capital and become what people called a "ten-thousand-yuan household."

Chen Jianghai’s ambitions, however, went far beyond that. Becoming a millionaire, a multi-millionaire, or even a billionaire were not impossible goals.

Looking at the fish and meat in his hand, Chen Jianghai felt a little dazed. Four yuan could buy enough food for nearly three days, and the portions were generous. Everything in this era was so substantial and honest!

With a radio tucked under one arm and the groceries in the other, he reached his front door. Looking at the house before him, a thought suddenly crossed his mind. If he wanted to acquire old, broken electrical appliances and reassemble them, he would need some startup capital. As things stood, Chen Jianghai was dirt poor; there was no way to get money from himself. No one would be willing to lend him money again—that would be equivalent to throwing it into the water. The only valuable asset he had right now was this house. However, it would be best to discuss this with Lin Wanqiu first.

After putting his things away, Chen Jianghai went to the grain and oil store at the end of the street to buy ten catties of rice. He calculated the time Lin Wanqiu would get off work and began preparing dinner.

He lit the coal stove and poured the rapeseed oil into the pot; a cloud of thick smoke rose immediately. If someone didn't know better, they would surely think the house was on fire. Chen Jianghai shook his head secretly. Most people currently used rapeseed oil pressed in rural areas. Because the refining methods were primitive, the oil contained many impurities, causing it to smoke as soon as the temperature rose. If one wanted to eat better, one really had to buy from an oil refinery.

By the time Lin Wanqiu returned, the final dish was just being placed on the table. Pushing the door open, she caught sight of a table filled with a rich, fragrant feast and froze in surprise. There was preserved vegetable with braised pork, stir-fried water spinach with garlic, braised fish, stir-fried tomatoes with eggs, and a bowl of cucumber and seaweed soup. For anyone else, this might just be an ordinary dinner, but for Lin Wanqiu, it felt completely surreal. She wouldn't even dare to dream of this.

"Wanqiu, you're back! Go wash your hands, dinner is ready!" Chen Jianghai said with a smile, wiping his hands on an apron covered in patches.

Lin Wanqiu hesitated, her brow furrowing. "Are we having guests over?"

"No, it's just the two of us." As he spoke, Chen Jianghai picked up a bowl and began serving the rice.

In the past, when Chen Jianghai had money, he would bring so-called business friends home to eat. There would always be good wine and food, far better than their usual meals, but Lin Wanqiu was never allowed at the table and could only eat the leftovers.

Looking at the dishes on the table now, Lin Wanqiu asked with a frown, "Where did you get the money?"

"I helped someone fix a radio and a television today. This is the repair fee I earned. I used it to buy some vegetables, rice, and eggs," Chen Jianghai replied frankly, without hiding anything.

"You can fix radios? And televisions?" Lin Wanqiu’s face was filled with skepticism. No one knew Chen Jianghai’s true capabilities better than her. If he said he had gone out to drink and boast, she wouldn't have doubted it for a second. But to suggest he had earned money through a trade? She wouldn't believe it even if her life depended on it.

"Yes, I can fix all kinds of appliances! I’ll go out again tomorrow to see if I can find more work." Chen Jianghai explained his plans, placed the bowl of rice on the table, and slid it toward her. "Come on, let's eat."

Lin Wanqiu widened her eyes, staring at Chen Jianghai. The man before her seemed like a stranger. Could it be that the heavens saw how bitter and exhausting her life had been and decided to change this man’s nature? No, that couldn't be it. She didn't have such good luck. She felt she couldn't easily trust him; he must be up to something.

"Chen Jianghai, what on earth are you trying to do?" Lin Wanqiu asked, looking at him with guarded suspicion.

Seeing this, Chen Jianghai was a bit speechless. Had he not made himself clear enough?

"I really don't have any money left, can you just stop for a while?" Lin Wanqiu couldn't help but add when she saw he didn't answer. The moment the words left her lips, she regretted them. In the past, if she had talked back like this, he would have surely lashed out at her with a furious lecture. She quickly tried to explain, "I know you want to make money, but you can't rush success. Let's just take it slow."

Seeing her reaction, Chen Jianghai felt an even deeper sense of remorse. How could he have been so cruel to such a gentle and virtuous wife, a woman he should have held in the palm of his hand and cherished? What a sin he had committed!

"Let's not talk about it. Let's eat first," he said. He didn't offer an explanation because he knew that no matter what he said, Lin Wanqiu wouldn't take it to heart. Of course, he couldn't blame her. It was all because of his past failures; he had let her down time and time again, and there was no trust left to speak of. He owed this woman far too much.

"Here, try my cooking!" Chen Jianghai picked up his chopsticks and placed some food into her bowl. Lin Wanqiu instinctively moved her bowl away, but he was too quick. He had already placed a piece of glistening, fatty pork into it.

"Eat up, have some more." After adding a piece of fish to her bowl, Chen Jianghai picked up his own and began to eat heartily. Having been busy all day, he was truly hungry. Moreover, the fish in this era had a unique, natural flavor, making it taste exceptionally delicious.

Lin Wanqiu watched for a moment, and seeing that he wasn't looking at her, she finally picked up her chopsticks. When she tasted the preserved vegetable and braised pork, her eyes brightened. It was delicious! As she ate, her gaze returned to the man before her, now filled with a complex emotion.

After the meal, Lin Wanqiu stood up naturally to clean the dishes. Chen Jianghai reached out to stop her, saying, "Wanqiu, you go rest. Let me handle this." To her utter astonishment, Chen Jianghai did something he had never done since they were married: he washed the dishes.

As he washed, he thought about the startup capital. He had originally wanted to suggest mortgaging the house, but it was clear she would never agree to it. He would have to find another way. While he worked, Lin Wanqiu sat on the edge of the bed and pulled out a sweater she hadn't finished knitting. She only had time to work on it before bed each day. Watching her quietly knitting, Chen Jianghai stood in the kitchen, not wanting to disturb her. In his eyes, the scene was like a painting, and the woman within it was exceptionally gentle and beautiful.

That night, they slept on two separate wooden beds, and the room was silent. The atmosphere felt somewhat stifling. Chen Jianghai turned on his side toward her, his eyes filled with tenderness.

"Jianghai?" Lin Wanqiu’s soft voice came through the darkness.

"Yes? What is it?"

"You... you should really go find a proper job tomorrow," she said with hesitation.

"Don't worry, I have a plan," Chen Jianghai replied, realizing she still didn't believe him.

Lin Wanqiu continued, "Our factory is hiring right now. The monthly salary is fifty yuan. That way, we can save some money and buy some things for the house."

Hearing this, Chen Jianghai felt a surge of self-reproach. Lin Wanqiu’s wishes were so simple—to live a stable, grounded life. Why hadn't he been able to provide that for her?