Chapter 78: To Make Money, One Must Use Their Brain

TL: Etude

Liu Jianming’s smile broadened as Chen Jianghai took the cigarette. He then explained, “Master Chen, to be frank, the appliance repair I’m asking for today is not for my home.”

Chen Jianghai didn’t speak, merely waiting quietly for Liu Jianming to continue.

Liu Jianming went on, “Master Chen, here’s the thing—I’ve found some business for you. If you make some money, just give me a little something for the trouble.”

Hearing this, Chen Jianghai finally understood.

This guy actually wanted to act as a middleman!

Chen Jianghai couldn’t help but feel a mix of amusement and exasperation.

This man had quite an active brain, to think of making a quick buck this way!

“What makes you think I would agree?” Chen Jianghai asked, assessing the other man.

Liu Jianming rubbed his hands and said, “Master Chen, what do you walk the streets every day for? Isn’t it to earn some money?”

“Look, I’ve already found the business for you. You just need to come with me to fix the appliance and you’ll get paid. No need to wander around aimlessly. Isn’t that convenient?”

In Liu Jianming’s eyes, this was clearly a win-win situation. There was no reason for the other party to refuse.

What he failed to understand was that Chen Jianghai’s goal was never about the repair business itself.

It was just a means to expand his reputation and accumulate initial capital for his entrepreneurial ventures.

Chen Jianghai looked at Liu Jianming and suddenly burst into hearty laughter.

Seeing Chen Jianghai’s reaction, Liu Jianming thought the deal was done and his face also lit up with a smile.

After laughing, Chen Jianghai leisurely asked, “If we make a profit, how do you propose we split it?”

“Profit split fifty-fifty!” Liu Jianming said immediately, holding out his hand.

Chen Jianghai was momentarily taken aback, then found himself speechless.

This guy, was he out of his mind for asking so much?

“Fifty-fifty? You think that’s a fair price?”

Chen Jianghai asked teasingly.

Liu Jianming puffed out his chest, lifted his chin slightly, and said confidently, “Of course it’s fair!”

“Master Chen, think about it, I spend time finding customers, right? And I have to take you to them—that’s more time, right? You just have to take care of the repairs, which saves you a lot of time. There’s a saying, time is money!”

“Okay, if you feel at a loss, how about a sixty-forty split? You take sixty, I take forty. How about that?”

If it were someone else, they might have been swayed by Liu Jianming’s words.

Unfortunately for him, Chen Jianghai was no ordinary person, but rather very astute.

He smiled slightly and said calmly, “Master Liu, it seems you’ve forgotten something. If I go out and find the business myself, all that money would be mine. I wouldn’t have to share a cent with you.”

Liu Jianming was momentarily stunned, then he insisted, “But I save you a lot of time, right? What about a seventy-thirty split then?”

“What would I do with this saved time? The repair work is only so much. Even if I work slower, these customers still have to come to me. If they go to the city for repairs, that would be quite expensive.”

Chen Jianghai countered.

Liu Jianming found himself at a loss for words.

He opened his mouth but didn’t know how to answer Chen Jianghai’s question.

Chen Jianghai continued, “In the end, the skill is in my hands. You spend some time and want to use my skills to make money for you—isn’t that an oversimplification?”

Liu Jianming pursed his lips, muttering, “To make money, well, one has to use their brain…”

Indeed, well said.

To make money, one must indeed use their brain.

One must admit, Liu Jianming’s business acumen was truly commendable for that era. Chen Jianghai actually felt that he could give him a chance.

But not now.

There might be a use for him in the future.

With this in mind, Chen Jianghai glanced at him and said with a smile, “I have to admit, you do have some good ideas. I’ll look for you when there’s an opportunity in the future.”

After speaking, Chen Jianghai turned his head and left, leaving Liu Jianming standing there alone.

…

At the same time, Feng Renjie, who had suffered a setback, was pacing around in a frenzy until he finally arrived at the Workers’ Cultural Palace video hall. Wiping the sweat from his forehead, he asked the ticket collector at the door, “Old Wang, is Brother Hu here?”

“In there,” Old Wang gestured inside with his mouth.

Seeing Feng Renjie’s disheveled appearance, Old Wang naturally knew something had happened; surely he had been beaten and was looking to Brother Hu for help to regain face.

“Alright, I’m going in to find him!”

Feng Renjie pushed aside the curtain and entered.

The dark video hall was quite crowded, and a Hong Kong movie “The Magic Blade” was playing on the television.

Feng Renjie shouted a couple of times, “Brother Hu! Brother Hu!”

A person in the front row turned around and glanced at Feng Renjie standing by the door.

“Renjie, what brings you here? Come sit by me and watch,” Brother Hu beckoned.

This was not to say their relationship was particularly good, but rather Brother Hu saw the well-off Feng Renjie as an opportunity to gain some benefits.

“Brother Hu, you’ve got to help a brother out!” Feng Renjie quickly walked to Brother Hu’s side, his face filled with shame and anger.

Hearing Feng Renjie say this, Brother Hu internally rejoiced.

He had been worried about money these past few days, and here was this young man bringing him an opportunity.

“Of course, we’re brothers. Whatever it is, just tell me,” Brother Hu said, patting his chest.

Touched by these words, Feng Renjie said gratefully, “Brother Hu, you really are righteous!”

“Brother, what’s the problem? Tell me.”

Brother Hu followed up with the question.

He needed to know what kind of help was required so he could name his price accordingly; neither too high nor too low.

It had to be said, as a man of the streets, Brother Hu did have his principles.

“I got beaten up, Brother Hu, you have to help me get back my face. I want that guy to kneel and call me daddy,” Feng Renjie said without any sense of embarrassment.

Brother Hu’s eyes sparkled slightly as he asked, “Who’s the other party? How many people?”

“Not much of a background, just a loafer, and two of his friends. His wife works in my dad’s factory.”

Feng Renjie laid out all he knew.

Listening to this, Brother Hu had a rough idea of what to do next – it was time to make some demands.

“Alright, hitting you is like hitting me; I will definitely seek justice for you…” Brother Hu only got halfway through his sentence when he started patting his pockets, as if searching for something.

Feng Renjie, being a smart man, immediately pulled out three hundred-yuan notes and handed them over.

“Brother Hu, this is for the brothers to buy some cigarettes first, and after it’s done, I’ll set up two tables at the Fuchun Restaurant!”

Brother Hu, smiling, took the money and clapped Feng Renjie on the shoulder, saying reassuringly, “Don’t worry, find out where that guy is, and I’ll send Crazy Dog with you later. We will definitely help you regain your dignity!”

Crazy Dog was one of Brother Hu’s most capable fighters, rumored to have once taken down eight men by himself. With him involved, they were sure to manage the situation.

Feng Renjie seemed to already see Chen Jianghai kneeling and begging in front of him, a smug smile appearing at the corner of his mouth.