TL: Etude
To get rich, one had to act early!
The nineties were definitely a period when even a pig could fly— a decade that gave birth to countless legends of the wealthy.
The nineties were also a magical time. As long as one had enough audacity, dared to think and act, accumulating initial capital was an easy feat. Becoming a "ten-thousand-aire" was well within reach for the daring.
But Chen Jianghai's ambitions went far beyond being a mere "ten-thousand-aire."
Becoming a millionaire, a multi-millionaire, or even a billionaire—none of these seemed like unattainable goals.
Holding the fish he'd just bought, Chen Jianghai felt somewhat dazed.
For just four yuan, he had almost three days' worth of meals, and in generous portions at that. It was only possible in this era!
Arriving at his front door, one hand clutching a radio and the other carrying groceries, Chen Jianghai stared at his house and was struck by a thought.
To buy old appliances and reassemble them, he needed startup capital.
At this point, Chen Jianghai was flat broke. It was unlikely he could fund this venture himself.
Because nobody would be willing to lend him money anymore; doing so would be akin to throwing money into water.
The only valuable asset he had at the moment was this house.
However, he should probably discuss this with Lin Wanqiu first.
After putting away his groceries, Chen Jianghai went to the neighborhood grocery store to buy ten pounds of rice. Calculating the time Lin Wanqiu would be off work, he started to prepare dinner.
He lit the charcoal stove and poured vegetable oil into the pan, from which thick smoke immediately billowed.
Anyone unaware would think a fire had broken out.
Chen Jianghai shook his head inwardly.
The oil he was using was essentially homemade vegetable oil from the countryside.
Due to outdated refining methods, the oil contained many impurities, causing it to smoke once heated.
For better quality, he'd have to buy it from an oil factory!
When Lin Wanqiu arrived home, the last dish had just been served.
Walking into the room and seeing a table full of dishes, each with wonderful aroma and color, Lin Wanqiu was momentarily stunned.
Braised pork with preserved vegetables, garlic stir-fried water spinach, red-braised fish, scrambled eggs with tomatoes, and a bowl of cucumber and seaweed soup.
To anyone else, this would be a rather ordinary dinner.
But for Lin Wanqiu, it all seemed too surreal.
She would never have dared to dream of this.
"Wanqiu, you're home! Go wash your hands and let's eat," Chen Jianghai said, wiping his hands on a patched-up apron as he spoke with a smile.
Lin Wanqiu hesitated for a moment before frowning and asking, "Are we expecting guests?"
"No, it's just the two of us," he replied, and began to serve the rice.
Back when Chen Jianghai had money, he would invite so-called "business friends" for elaborate dinners at home, always serving fine food and wine, far exceeding their usual fare.
But Lin Wanqiu never sat at the table, left to eat the scraps.
Looking at the dishes spread before her now, Lin Wanqiu furrowed her brows and asked, "Where did you get the money?"
"I repaired some radios and TVs for people today. Used the repair fees to buy some groceries, as well as rice and eggs," Chen Jianghai replied candidly.
"You can repair radios and TVs?" Lin Wanqiu was full of skepticism.
No one understood Chen Jianghai's true worth better than Lin Wanqiu, his wife.
If he were out drinking and boasting, she wouldn't have any doubts.
But making money from actual skills? She wouldn't believe it if it killed her.
"Yes, I can repair household appliances. Tomorrow, I plan to go out and see if I can find more work," Chen Jianghai shared his plans, putting the bowl of rice he'd just served on the table and pushing it toward her.
"Come on, let's eat!"
Lin Wanqiu widened her eyes, looking at Chen Jianghai. The man in front of her seemed somewhat unfamiliar.
Could it be that heaven saw how hard and exhausting my life has been, and thus decided to change the man before me?
No, it couldn't be!
Do I really have such good fortune?
Lin Wanqiu felt that she couldn't easily trust Chen Jianghai; he must have some ulterior motive.
"Chen Jianghai, what exactly are you trying to do?" Lin Wanqiu furrowed her brow as she looked at Chen Jianghai, asking somewhat warily.
Faced with this situation, Chen Jianghai was also somewhat speechless.
Wasn't what he said clear enough?
"I really don't have any money left; can you just calm down?" Lin Wanqiu, seeing that Chen Jianghai hadn't responded, couldn't help but speak again.
The words had barely left her mouth when Lin Wanqiu immediately regretted them. In the past, such defiance toward Chen Jianghai would have surely been met with his angry rebuke. So, she quickly added an explanation.
"I know you want to make money, but you can't rush it. Take your time."
Seeing Lin Wanqiu's demeanor, the guilt within Chen Jianghai intensified.
Such a gentle and virtuous wife; one that he should treasure and cherish. How could he be angry with her?
What a sin!
"Let's not talk anymore; let's eat first."
Chen Jianghai offered no explanation, because he knew clearly that no matter what he said next, Lin Wanqiu probably wouldn't listen.
Of course, he couldn't blame Lin Wanqiu for this.
It was entirely due to his own past failures, time and again disappointing her, that 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 began placing food into Lin Wanqiu's bowl.
Lin Wanqiu instinctively picked up her bowl as if to avoid him, but Chen Jianghai moved quickly, placing a piece of fatty pork into her bowl.
"Eat up, have more."
After also adding a piece of fish to Lin Wanqiu's bowl, Chen Jianghai picked up his own bowl and began to eat heartily.
He was genuinely a bit hungry after a whole day of busyness.
Furthermore, the fish of this era had a distinct flavor, making it exceptionally delicious.
Lin Wanqiu watched for a moment, seeing that Chen Jianghai wasn't looking at her, and only then did she begin to eat.
The moment she tasted the pork belly with preserved mustard greens, her eyes lit up.
It's so delicious!
While eating, her gaze once again landed on the man before her, filled with complicated emotions.
After finishing their meal, Lin Wanqiu naturally stood up and began clearing the dishes.
"Wanqiu, go rest. Let me handle this," Chen Jianghai interjected, extending his hand to stop her.
Amidst Lin Wanqiu's visibly surprised eyes, Chen Jianghai did something he had never done after their marriage: he washed the dishes!
As Chen Jianghai washed, he thought about the issue of startup capital. He had initially considered mentioning mortgaging their house to Lin Wanqiu, but now it seemed clear she would never agree.
He would have to find another way.
As Chen Jianghai was washing the dishes, Lin Wanqiu sat at the edge of the bed and took out her unfinished knitting project.
She only had time for knitting just before bed.
Looking at Lin Wanqiu quietly knitting, Chen Jianghai stood in the kitchen, not rushing to disturb her.
In his eyes, the scene at this moment was like a painting, with Lin Wanqiu looking exceptionally gentle and beautiful within it.
...
At night, the two slept on separate wooden beds, the room filled with silence.
The atmosphere was somewhat stifling.
Chen Jianghai turned to face Lin Wanqiu, his eyes filled with tenderness.
"Jianghai."
From the darkness, Lin Wanqiu's soft voice emerged.
"Hmm, what is it?"
"You... you should find a job tomorrow," Lin Wanqiu hesitantly suggested.
"Don't worry, I have it under control."
It seemed Lin Wanqiu still didn't believe him, so all Chen Jianghai could do was reply this way.
Lin Wanqiu continued, "The factory where I work is hiring. You could make fifty yuan a month, and we could save some money to buy things for the home."
Hearing this, Chen Jianghai felt incredibly guilty.
Lin Wanqiu's wishes were so simple: to have a stable and honest life. Why couldn't he fulfill them?
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