Chapter 101: Character Determines Destiny

TL: Etude

Everyone was busy preparing for the opening, each person carrying a mix of tension and excitement.

In contrast, Chen Jianghai was exceptionally calm, still assembling TVs in the warehouse.

That day, an extra person suddenly appeared in the warehouse.

This person was brought by Zhao Changgui; reportedly, he was his cousin, Zhao Rongxin, two years younger than Zhao Changgui.

Zhao Changgui didn’t get along well with most of his relatives, but he had a good relationship with this cousin.

The reason was simple: Zhao Yuxi.

Back when Zhao Changgui joined the army, his parents met with an accident, leaving only Zhao Yuxi alone.

During Zhao Yuxi’s time of helplessness, Zhao Rongxin was the one who took care of her.

Since then, Zhao Rongxin had earned Zhao Changgui’s recognition.

“Changgui, your cousin seems quite interested in electronics, huh?” Chen Jianghai, sitting outside the door, asked with a smile.

Zhao Changgui hesitated for a moment before saying, “Brother Chen, actually, I brought him here today to ask for your help.”

“Oh? What kind of help?”

Chen Jianghai looked at Zhao Changgui with a hint of amusement in his eyes.

It was rare for this reticent man to initiate a conversation.

“You said last time that you were short-handed and wanted to hire some help, so…”

“So you want your cousin to apprentice under me?”

Hearing Chen Jianghai’s words, Zhao Changgui visibly paused: “Brother Chen, I just want to give him a chance.”

If it had been the old Chen Jianghai, Zhao Changgui would never have said such a thing.

Back then, Chen Jianghai himself was a nobody, how could he help others?

But Zhao Changgui had witnessed all the changes in Chen Jianghai.

Leaving aside Fang Aiguo, Zhao Changgui’s own life had greatly improved because of Chen Jianghai.

Under these circumstances, Zhao Changgui hoped Chen Jianghai could also lend a hand to his cousin.

Zhao Rongxin had graduated from junior high and was an honest person, whose only interest was in dismantling various electronics.

This was the reason Zhao Changgui had called him over today.

In fact, Zhao Changgui had invited him once before, but Zhao Rongxin didn’t take it seriously.

After all, he already had a stable job, and his family naturally wouldn’t let him abandon a sure thing to apprentice here.

But as the saying goes, life is unpredictable. The factory where Zhao Rongxin worked had recently closed down.

Unemployed, Zhao Rongxin remembered Zhao Changgui’s offer and came to have a look.

Once here, Zhao Rongxin’s attention was entirely captured by the electronics, forgetting even the purpose of his visit.

In the warehouse, Zhao Rongxin looked around, touching this and that, his eyes filled with curiosity.

After a moment of thought, Chen Jianghai asked, “What did your cousin do before?”

“He was an electrician in a factory, with a certification,” Zhao Changgui replied truthfully.

Chen Jianghai nodded. An electrician was a reasonable starting point, at least tangentially related.

He certainly didn’t have the spare time to teach someone from scratch.

“Can he endure hardship, and is he willing to work in this field?” Chen Jianghai continued.

Zhao Changgui shook his head: “I don’t know, I’m just trying to secure an opportunity for him.”

Chen Jianghai looked at Zhao Changgui in surprise.

Had he never noticed before how shrewd Zhao Changgui was?

“Alright, let him give it a try.” After pondering for a moment, Chen Jianghai made his decision.

The repair shop was just a stepping stone for Chen Jianghai.

He knew many ways to make money, but currently lacked start-up capital, hence starting with repairs.

Once he accumulated enough funds, he certainly wouldn’t rely on physical labor for income.

At that point, the future of the repair shop would become quite uncertain.

After all, it was his first store and a product of his hard work, so Chen Jianghai naturally didn’t want to just close it down.

If he could train an apprentice to continue running the shop, that would be a good solution.

Chen Jianghai wasn’t expecting the shop to make a lot of money; he simply wanted to see it persist.

For him, the shop was a starting point, holding sentimental value.

Moreover, it could be transformed and upgraded in the future.

Seeing Chen Jianghai relent, Zhao Changgui quickly called Zhao Rongxin over.

“Brother Hai,” Zhao Rongxin greeted him briskly and respectfully.

Chen Jianghai’s face remained expressionless, but his impression of Zhao Rongxin improved slightly.

As the saying goes, character determines destiny.

Zhao Rongxin seemed like a cheerful sort, the kind of person who, if willing to work hard, could achieve great things with proper guidance.

Chen Jianghai smiled and asked, “I heard from Changgui that you’re interested in learning electronic repair?”

“Yes, I like this stuff,” Zhao Rongxin nodded, his eyes shining with aspiration.

Chen Jianghai continued, “Alright, you’ll start learning from me. The probation period is one month at a hundred per month, after which it’s two hundred per month. Board and lodging are not included. You do what I say. Any problems with that?”

Hearing this, both Zhao Rongxin and Zhao Changgui were stunned.

“What, two hundred a month?” Zhao Rongxin couldn’t believe his ears.

In his previous job at the factory, he barely made around a hundred and thirty.

Coming here as an apprentice, was he actually getting a raise?

Usually, apprentices are lucky to get a small living stipend.

Which master would be so generous?

But in Chen Jianghai’s eyes, Zhao Rongxin was worth it.

His electrician certification was genuine.

Not only Zhao Rongxin thought he had misheard, but Zhao Changgui was also somewhat surprised.

However, his surprise was brief, and he quickly composed himself.

Even Zhao Changgui himself was earning over three hundred a month, so why couldn’t others?

Zhao Rongxin glanced at Zhao Changgui, then said nervously, “Brother Hai, did I hear that right?”

“If you think it’s too much, we can reduce it,” Chen Jianghai said with a smile.

Zhao Rongxin quickly waved his hand, “No, Brother Hai, let’s do it your way. I’ll listen to you, no second thoughts!”

Chen Jianghai laughed, “Changgui, your cousin is more straightforward than you!”

“That’s good,” Zhao Changgui replied in a low voice.

Chen Jianghai stood up and said to Zhao Rongxin, “If you want to learn, start from today. Any problems?”

“No problem, of course, no problem,” Zhao Rongxin replied excitedly.

Before coming here, he had already heard about Chen Jianghai’s reputation in repairing electronics, which was why he followed Zhao Changgui.

What he saw and heard now made him silently decide.

This could be a chance to completely change his destiny.

He must seize it.

Chen Jianghai glanced around and said, “Start by cleaning up here.”

After speaking, he went back to assembling TVs.

Without a word, Zhao Rongxin picked up a broom and got to work.

After sweeping the floor, Zhao Rongxin approached Chen Jianghai and respectfully said, “Master, I’ve finished sweeping.”

Chen Jianghai pointed and assigned a new task.

“See that pile of parts? Sort them and put them in boxes.”

“Got it!”

Zhao Rongxin nodded and immediately set to work.

Nearby, Zhao Yuxi watched them and couldn’t help but smile.

…

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