Chapter 77: Stubborn to the Core

TL: Etude

“Mom, of course this is true. Besides, Jianghai isn’t only doing repairs, he’s also in the business of second-hand appliances,” Lin Wanqiu patiently explained, not quite grasping her mother’s line of thought.

“It’s a very profitable business to begin with, and right now, he’s the only one doing it in the county. He’s making even more money. Didn’t you see today? People are coming to him with business.”

Xue Chunli continued with a hint of suspicion, “Where does he get these second-hand TVs from? Doesn’t this require capital? You should know what he was like before, penniless. Where did he get the money to do all this?”

Xue Chunli harbored deep doubts about Chen Jianghai’s finances.

She knew all too well what sort of person her son-in-law had been: not succeeding at the high end and not settling for the low, full of hot air, making money was all talk and no show.

At this point, Lin Wanqiu didn’t know what to say.

Such matters were simply too complicated to explain clearly.

“Mom, you’re really overthinking it,” Lin Wanqiu said with a trace of helplessness.

Xue Chunli waved her hand dismissively, “Alright, girl, it’s not up to you to say whether I’m overthinking or not. I’ll see for myself.”

Hearing her mother speak like this, Lin Wanqiu felt a twinge of discomfort.

Why couldn’t her mother just believe in Jianghai for once, especially since he had already changed so much for her?

Seeing Lin Wanqiu’s face turn sour, Xue Chunli couldn’t help but soften her tone and said while holding her daughter’s hand, “Girl, don’t be upset. I’m doing this for your own good. I’m just afraid that Chen Jianghai is not walking the right path.”

Lin Wanqiu pouted, “Mom, you’re being…”

“Enough, enough!”

Xue Chunli quickly cut her off, “I know what you want to say, but until I am sure, I will not acknowledge him as my son-in-law.”

Xue Chunli’s initial disbelief in Chen Jianghai had now turned into worry.

She could tolerate a son-in-law who was useless, but she could never accept a criminal.

All Lin Wanqiu could do was respond with a bitter smile.

Her mother was just too stubborn.

And had a tendency to overthink!

Once she set her mind to something, not even eight horses could pull her back.

Well, it would be best to let the facts speak for themselves. With time, she believed her mother would change her mind.

Upon leaving the Zhongbai Store, Chen Jianghai’s hands were full again, having purchased a pile of goods.

Mainly daily necessities, along with some nutritional supplements.

This made Xue Chunli’s eyelids twitch.

Now this son-in-law of hers was spending money like it was nothing!

You could only blame the current prices. Chen Jianghai saw that the items were excessively cheap and couldn’t help but buy a little more.

In the future, just a casual trip to the supermarket, buying some random items, would cost at least several hundred.

But now, Chen Jianghai hadn’t even spent a hundred, and he had already bought a pile of goods.

Chen Jianghai couldn’t help but remark how wonderful this era was.

Having bought so many items, everyone was carrying bags large and small, which made it inconvenient to continue shopping. So they simply called a trishaw to take them home.

Just as they arrived at the doorstep, Chen Jianghai saw a man waiting with a bicycle.

The man was in his thirties, dressed in a slightly yellowed shirt and a pair of grey trousers.

As soon as he saw Chen Jianghai, he approached with excitement, exclaiming, “Master Chen, I’ve been waiting for you!”

Chen Jianghai glanced at the man, finding him somewhat familiar but couldn’t recall who he was at the moment.

“Who are you?” Chen Jianghai asked.

The man smiled and said, “My name is Liu Jianming, Master Chen. You fixed my neighbor’s TV last time, in Liu Family Village. Remember?”

Hearing this, Chen Jianghai finally had a vague impression.

He had repaired a TV for someone, and this man indeed came over to watch.

It wasn’t so much about the man himself, but rather that he had come with four children, which made a deep impression on Chen Jianghai.

Nowadays, the family planning policy was still in effect, and in the 1990s, almost everyone was an only child. But in the countryside, the stubborn idea of raising sons for security in old age always persisted.

Some people, not having borne a boy, would continue trying despite the risk of fines or even imprisonment.

“Not having a son to carry on the name just doesn’t sit right with them!”

The man in front of Chen Jianghai, Liu Jianming, was one such individual.

Chen Jianghai chuckled and said, “Oh, I remember now, did you need something from me?”

“Oh, yes, that’s right!” Liu Jianming hurriedly responded, “I have quite a few electrical appliances that need fixing. I was hoping you could come and take a look.”

Chen Jianghai gave Liu Jianming a surprised glance.

He hadn’t expected Liu Jianming’s family to be so well-off.

“What exactly?” Chen Jianghai inquired.

Regardless of Liu Jianming’s family situation, work was work, and it needed to be taken on.

“Air conditioning, refrigerator, television, the lot,” Liu Jianming said, counting off on his fingers.

Chen Jianghai raised an eyebrow, a little astonished.

Liu Jianming, dressed unremarkably, could he be concealing his wealth?

Chen Jianghai didn’t ponder too long: “Alright, I’ll take these items back home, grab my toolbox, and be right with you.”

“Great, great, no problem!” Liu Jianming eagerly nodded.

If they had been more familiar, perhaps he might have even offered to help carry some items.

Lin Wanqiu, seeing Chen Jianghai had business, attempted to take the items from his hands.

Chen Jianghai, however, smiled and shook his head, “No worries, I have to go home anyway.”

Back in the house, Chen Jianghai set down his belongings, picked up the canvas bag with his tools, and called out to Lin Jiangguo and his wife Xue Chunli:

“Mom, Dad, I’ve got to step out for a bit. Take a seat and relax for a while, let Wanqiu keep you company at home and watch some TV.”

Lin Jiangguo quickly responded, “You go on and do what you need to; don’t worry about us!”

Xue Chunli gave Chen Jianghai a glance, silent but nodding to indicate she understood.

Turning to leave, Chen Jianghai met Liu Jianming, who was waiting outside.

“Master Chen, shall we get going?” Liu Jianming asked with a smile as soon as he saw Chen Jianghai come out.

Chen Jianghai looked at him and then asked, “Where are we heading to fix these?”

“There are several places; just follow me,” Liu Jianming replied with a grin, preparing to lead the way.

Hearing this, Chen Jianghai couldn’t help but frown.

He was almost certain that there was a catch here.

“Several places?” Chen Jianghai stood still, eyeing Liu Jianming, “Master Liu, you better clarify things a bit more, otherwise I won’t be going.”

The smile on Liu Jianming’s face stiffened momentarily before he quickly reached into his pocket, pulled out a pack of cigarettes, and offered one to Chen Jianghai: “Care for a smoke?”

Chen Jianghai hesitated but ultimately accepted the cigarette.

There’s a saying, ‘Don’t hit a smiling face’; it’s just a smoke. He decided to listen to what would be said next.