Chapter 7: A Small Goal
TL: Etude
Chen Jianghai immediately panicked.
He had already explained everything clearly; why was Lin Wanqiu still crying so heartbreakingly?
In his urgency, Chen Jianghai directly hugged Lin Wanqiu, stroking her hair and gently patting her back, comforting her.
"Wanqiu, things will get better. I will work hard to make money!"
"Chen... Jianghai, why... didn't you... do this sooner? Why did you... let me suffer... so much before..."
Lin Wanqiu sobbed, her words choked with emotion.
Chen Jianghai held Lin Wanqiu tightly, his eyes also red, lowered his head and whispered earnestly into her ear.
"Don't worry, I won't let you suffer any more from now on."
"Really?" Lin Wanqiu looked up and asked.
Gazing at her pitiable face, Chen Jianghai reached out to gently stroke her hair and softly said, "Of course it's true. Why would I lie to you? Once I open the electronics store, our good days will come."
Lin Wanqiu felt as if she were in a dream. Wasn't this what she had been longing for?
Instead of grand wealth, she cared more that Chen Jianghai would live a grounded life.
Chen Jianghai waited a long time but heard no reply from Lin Wanqiu, only to realize that she had fallen asleep after crying for so long.
Ah, these past few years have really worn her out.
Let her have a good sleep!
This outpouring had relieved Lin Wanqiu of much of her suppressed sorrow, and she slept soundly until dawn.
Upon waking and sitting at the edge of the bed, thinking of what Chen Jianghai had said the day before, she couldn't help but smile brightly, feeling much happier.
"Wanqiu, you're up? Breakfast is ready. Hurry up and wash so you can eat!"
At that moment, Chen Jianghai came in carrying breakfast, smiling at Lin Wanqiu.
Lin Wanqiu quickly dressed, her face slightly flushed.
Seeing this, Chen Jianghai couldn't resist teasing her, "What are you doing? It's not like we haven't seen each other before."
Lin Wanqiu's face turned even redder, and she could barely speak.
"What... what are you... talking about?"
Knowing that his wife was shy, Chen Jianghai quickly said, "Alright, no more teasing. Come eat breakfast. I'll make you an egg."
With that, Chen Jianghai turned and walked into the kitchen.
Looking at Chen Jianghai's retreating figure, Lin Wanqiu felt a sudden surge of sweetness in her heart.
"Jianghai, what are you planning to do today?" Lin Wanqiu suddenly asked during breakfast.
Chen Jianghai answered truthfully, "Tomorrow, I'll continue to go around looking for appliance repair work."
Hearing this, Lin Wanqiu felt much more assured.
As long as Chen Jianghai wasn't fooling around, that would be enough.
A sense of longing for the future sprouted in her heart. Maybe life would improve?
Appliance repair was not Chen Jianghai's ultimate goal. While canvassing the streets, he planned to also dabble in the business of recycling old appliances.
Compared to appliance repair, recycling and reusing old appliances were where the real profits lay.
He was confident that with his skills and craftsmanship, as long as the appliances weren't completely beyond repair, he could turn trash into treasure.
Take that old radio for example.
If sold as junk, it would fetch no more than 50 cents, but after his repairs, the selling price could be at least 10 yuan!
That was the value of skill!
His dream was not merely to be an electronics repairman. He wanted to own an electronics store, an electronics group, an electronics empire...
Chen Jianghai waved his hand, full of ambition, "You'll see. Just remember, I won't ever deceive you."
"Where will you get the money to buy the old appliances?" Lin Wanqiu followed up.
"Old appliances are basically junk and won't cost much. I've calculated everything," Chen Jianghai assured.
"From now on, I'll give you a daily account so you can see whether we've made a profit or suffered a loss," Chen Jianghai said, nodding with a smile.
Setting down her chopsticks, Lin Wanqiu smoothed the locks of hair that had fallen over her temples. She spoke softly, "Jianghai, I don't ask for us to become rich and prosperous. I'm satisfied as long as we can live a stable life. A little hardship or fatigue doesn't matter!"
"If you genuinely want to run this shop, I'll support you. But you mustn't be like before, dabbling here and there. You have to commit to it seriously."
Hearing Lin Wanqiu's earnest advice, Chen Jianghai felt not a hint of impatience; instead, he felt very blessed. In his previous life, although he had loved Lin Wanqiu, he had never had the patience to listen to such words.
After speaking, Lin Wanqiu's gaze suddenly fell upon a bag beside her. "What's inside?" she couldn't help but ask.
"I earned fifty bucks from fixing appliances yesterday. On my way home, I stopped by a clothing store and bought you a new outfit," Chen Jianghai said as he pulled out the garment.
When he looked back, he found Lin Wanqiu's head lowered, her eyes moist.
Chen Jianghai hurriedly put down the clothes and inquired with concern, "What's wrong? Wanqiu, did I do something wrong?"
"No, no," Lin Wanqiu shook her head, wiping away the dampness from her eyes. "I'm just happy, very happy."
Only then did Chen Jianghai breathe a sigh of relief. Caressing her beautiful hair, he said, "I'll keep you happy like this, and never make you sad again, baby."
Hearing the term 'baby,' Lin Wanqiu's face flushed red instantly.
"What... what are you talking about!" Lin Wanqiu said, lowering her head, her cheeks rosy.
In this era, the ways couples expressed their feelings were still very straightforward and simple. Unlike later times, where couples would openly embrace and murmur sweet nothings in public as if no one was there.
Seeing Lin Wanqiu's radiant, blushing visage, Chen Jianghai felt a profound sense of tenderness.
He had failed to cherish this beautiful, gentle, and virtuous woman in his previous life. Truly, a grave mistake!
Following this, he said with utmost seriousness, "What do you mean? You're my wife; aren't you baby?"
Hearing these words from Chen Jianghai, Lin Wanqiu felt a tingling sensation all over, accompanied by an indescribable feeling.
"Stop talking nonsense, it's broad daylight!" Lin Wanqiu couldn't help but give Chen Jianghai a gentle shove.
Chen Jianghai nodded and laughed, "Alright, alright, my love, as you say. Why don't you try the outfit to see if it fits?"
"No need, I have to rush to work. I'll try it on tonight!"
Having said that, before Chen Jianghai could react, Lin Wanqiu hurriedly ran out.
Watching Lin Wanqiu's quickly retreating figure disappear outside the door, Chen Jianghai furrowed his brows. He needed to buy her a better bicycle soon...no, a Xiao Mulan (electric scooter?) as a means of transportation.
Otherwise, walking to and from work would be too exhausting!
In the '90s, you didn't need a special permit to buy a bicycle. Anyone with money could afford one. As for motorcycles, they were considered a luxury item, costing several thousand each. At that time, anyone who could afford a motorcycle was considered well-off.
Buying an electric scooter for his wife became Chen Jianghai's next small goal.