TL: Etude
It should be known that the Fang Aiguo of the past was as idle and aimless as Chen Jianghai, belonging to those who whiled away their time, always dreaming big but starting small.
But now, he was actually helping Jianghai sell televisions?
And he had sold five units already!
"How much... How much did you sell them for?"
Lin Wanqiu couldn't help but join in the questioning.
She wondered if Fang Aiguo had sold them at a loss or at such a low price that people felt they were getting a bargain, which was why they sold so quickly.
Chen Jianghai said with a smile, "Wanqiu, rest assured, Aiguo is a sales talent. The price he sold them for definitely won't cause your husband to lose out."
Hearing Chen Jianghai say this, Lin Wanqiu suddenly felt a bit embarrassed and hurriedly explained, "That's not what I meant, I just..."
Before Lin Wanqiu could finish, Chen Jianghai continued, "Wife, just be at ease, Aiguo is now seriously thinking of doing business, right, Aiguo?"
Chen Jianghai turned to look at Fang Aiguo.
Bowing his head and focusing on his rice, wishing only to be invisible, Fang Aiguo hurriedly nodded vehemently, "Sister-in-law, rest assured, I will definitely work hard with Brother Hai."
Lin Wanqiu felt even more embarrassed now, and quickly forced a smile, saying, "That's good, that's good! Jianghai really does need a helping hand."
Chen Jianghai knew that a few words would definitely not change Lin Wanqiu's impression of Fang Aiguo, just as it had been with himself at the beginning.
Therefore, something more direct was needed.
The more visually impactful, the better.
"Look, this is the money earned from selling the TVs."
Saying this, Chen Jianghai pulled out the stack of money that Fang Aiguo had just handed to him from his pocket.
If this were in the future, a thousand and some odd bucks would just be a thin stack of a dozen or so bills, not much to feel in hand.
But what Chen Jianghai had in hand were three one-hundred yuan notes with the old man's portrait.
The rest were mostly fifties and tens.
There were even some fives...
And since they were not bound with a rubber band, it looked like a thick stack.
Seeing so much money, Lin Wanqiu couldn't believe her eyes and gasped, "Jianghai, this, this is...?"
"This is the money Aiguo helped me earn. In the future, it'll only increase."
Chen Jianghai said with a smile, while giving Fang Aiguo a knowing look.
Fang Aiguo probably understood Chen Jianghai's intention and quickly added, "Sister-in-law, I know I used to be unreliable, but now Brother Hai trusts me so much and is bringing me along in business, I definitely won't let him down."
Lin Wanqiu's face turned a shade of red, and she said softly, "Aiguo, I didn't... didn't say anything about you!"
Of course, Chen Jianghai wouldn't let his wife feel too embarrassed, so it was best to leave it at that.
He waved his hand and said, "Wanqiu, I need this money for something else, so I won't put it away for you for now. Now you know how your husband makes money, right? Don't worry about it needlessly."
"It's just that I was worried!" Lin Wanqiu couldn't help but murmur.
Chen Jianghai followed up with, "No need to worry at all. With Aiguo helping me, in a little while you won't have to go to work and can just stay home and count money!"
"Don't get ahead of yourself!"
After speaking, Lin Wanqiu took the initiative to put more food into Aiguo's bowl, "Aiguo, I was overthinking just now, don't take it to heart, okay?"
"Eh?" Fang Aiguo suddenly felt like his brain was short-circuiting.
How could it be that Lin Wanqiu, who had never shown him any kindness before, was now serving him food?
"No, no, thank you, sister-in-law!" Fang Aiguo promptly replied.
It must be said, the feeling of being respected was simply too good.
As the meal went on, Lin Wanqiu and Fang Aiguo also became much closer, not like before when they could sit together and not exchange a single word.
"Brother Hai, sister-in-law, it's getting late, I should be going back."
After the meal, Fang Aiguo tactfully stood up and said.
Chen Jianghai nodded, "Head back then! Don't forget to pick up the TVs tomorrow."
"I won't forget, I'm off then."
After speaking, Fang Aiguo mounted his bicycle, pedaling so swiftly that he soon vanished into the night.
Chen Jianghai stood up intending to wash the dishes, but Lin Wanqiu stopped him.
"Jianghai, let me do it," Lin Wanqiu said tenderly.
Chen Jianghai shook his head, "Wanqiu, you've worked all day at the factory, you should really rest."
"No way!"
Lin Wanqiu firmly pushed Chen Jianghai down onto the stool, insisting, "I may have worked all day, but haven't you been busy too? Besides, you cooked, so I should do the dishes. That's only fair."
Chen Jianghai, looking at the obstinate Lin Wanqiu, eventually conceded.
"Alright, alright, as you wish," he said with a smile.
Finally, a smile appeared on Lin Wanqiu's face, "That's how it should be, and it should stay that way in the future too."
"Sure, I'll listen to the lady of the house."
Watching his virtuous wife, Chen Jianghai's eyes were filled with affection.
After the dishes were done, Lin Wanqiu returned to the room and sat on the bed before asking, "Jianghai, Aiguo has helped you so much, aren't you going to give him a share of the money?"
"Eh, Wanqiu, didn't you use to dislike him quite a bit? How come you're concerned now about whether he gets paid?"
With no outsiders present, Chen Jianghai couldn't resist teasing her.
Lin Wanqiu's face turned red, knowing Chen Jianghai was deliberately making fun of her, and she retorted, "Well, I disliked him before because he wasn't behaving properly! Now that he is sincerely helping you, of course, he shouldn't be shortchanged."
"Don't worry, I've already given him his share. I definitely won't shortchange him."
"How much did you give him?" Lin Wanqiu couldn't help but ask.
Chen Jianghai felt that Lin Wanqiu at that moment was like a miser, yet he found it not at all unpleasant.
"It's a business secret, I can't tell you," Chen Jianghai said, feigning secrecy.
If Lin Wanqiu really knew, she might start worrying again.
After all, a fifty yuan commission per television was not a small amount.
How could she understand, in an era where a formal worker in a small county town earned just two hundred a month, the concept of earning a fifty yuan commission for selling a single television?
"Alright, wife, it's late, let's rest early," Chen Jianghai said softly.
Gently embracing Lin Wanqiu's slender waist, he kissed her soft earlobe.
"Mhm!"
Knowing what Chen Jianghai meant, Lin Wanqiu's face turned red as she bashfully responded.
...
The next morning, after Chen Jianghai finished the chores at home, he left with the repaired pager.
Now that he had some money, Chen Jianghai decided to go pay the fees. The sooner he could use this device, the more convenient communication would be.
Arriving at the warehouse, Zhao Changgui was already waiting at the door early on.
Seeing Zhao Changgui sitting at the corner of the door, Chen Jianghai couldn't help but say, "Changgui, you didn't have to come this early, arriving at nine would have been fine. If there's anything you need to take care of at home, coming in a bit later is no problem either."
"Brother Chen, it's fine," Zhao Changgui quickly stood up, responding in a subdued tone.
Chen Jianghai, while unlocking the door, asked, "How about the girl Yuxi? Isn't she bored staying at home alone? Why not bring her here too?"