TL: Etude
"Well, look who's here? Brother Chen! Why'd you drop by?"
Boss Jin immediately went up to greet him, the smile on his face even warmer than when he was seeing off other customers just moments ago, clearly heartfelt.
Chen Jianghai pursed his lips and said, "Brother Jin, business is looking good, huh!"
"Haha, it's all thanks to you, Brother Chen!"
Boss Jin's face was full of smiles. "If it weren't for the idea you gave me, how could my shop be doing such brisk business? Look at me, I'm so busy I don't even have the time to invite you for a meal."
Chen Jianghai couldn't help but laugh. "Brother Jin, the success of your business has nothing to do with me, I can't take any credit for that."
However, Boss Jin seemed to sigh a bit as he said, "Brother Chen, please don't say that. I now realize why you didn't go into business with me. With your foresight and capability, you are indeed cut out for business!"
Chen Jianghai quickly waved his hands in a modest gesture, "Brother Jin, I'm just a small-time operator, how can I compare to your jewelry business?"
Boss Jin sighed, patting Chen Jianghai on the arm, "Little brother, you're too modest! Others might not know, but do you think I'm unaware? The business you've done with second-hand TVs is anything but ordinary!"
Hearing this, Chen Jianghai couldn't help but ask, "Brother, where did you hear that?"
Boss Jin gave a thumbs up and said, "Hey, now nearly half of Linghai's electronics are repaired by you. Your reputation has been passed on by word of mouth, quite impressive indeed. So, what brings you here today?"
"Brother, I came here today because I need a favor," Chen Jianghai got straight to the point.
Boss Jin laughed heartily, "No problem, as long as I can help. Come on, let's go inside and sit down to talk, sit down!"
After speaking, Boss Jin warmly pulled Chen Jianghai inside.
Once they sat down in the office, Boss Jin began to make tea.
Chen Jianghai quickly gestured with his hands, "Brother Jin, don't trouble yourself, tap water is fine for me."
"It's nothing, I don't even know much about tea leaves, they are just for show during business dealings. You just make do with it," Boss Jin said with a smile.
Seeing this, Chen Jianghai could only laugh without saying more.
After placing the tea leaves, Boss Jin picked up the electric kettle to pour water.
At that moment, an idea suddenly struck Chen Jianghai, that it was time to add some appliances to his home.
Chen Jianghai had previously told Lin Wanqiu that once he made some money, he would furnish their home with appliances.
However, Chen Jianghai had been too busy lately. Although he had earned some money, he hadn't had the time to spend it.
Of course, he did not expect Lin Wanqiu to use her money to buy appliances either.
Given Lin Wanqiu's character, she would definitely not indulge in such extravagance.
Chen Jianghai decided that after selling the next batch of TVs, he would go to the Zhongbai store to check out and buy the necessary home appliances, taking the approach of acting first and reporting later.
Once he brought the items home, even if Lin Wanqiu objected, it wasn't like they could be returned!
While pouring the water, Boss Jin asked, "Brother Chen, you said earlier you had something to discuss, what is it?"
"Boss Jin, it's like this."
Chen Jianghai revealed his purpose, "I'm thinking about finding a shop specifically for repair and second-hand electronics, but I'm not familiar with Pozijie Street and would like to ask for your help, Brother Jin."
Hearing this request, Boss Jin paused, surprised, "Brother Chen, I thought you just made a little money, but it seems you've made quite a bit!"
It was well-known that on Pozijie Street, the monthly rent for a shop was not a small amount.
Moreover, one often had to pay for a year or more in advance, including a deposit.
Chen Jianghai's willingness to open a shop here meant that he was definitely expecting sufficient profits; otherwise, it would be tantamount to working for the landlord.
"Brother Jin, you jest, the money I've made is modest, I can't compare with you," Chen Jianghai said in a low-key manner.
Boss Jin then asked, "There are definitely shops available, but do you have any specific requirements?"
"Well, the place should be a bit larger, ideally with a warehouse, in a good location, and preferably with a reasonable rent," Chen Jianghai listed his requirements clearly.
"A larger place with a warehouse and in a good location, huh?" Boss Jin mumbled to himself, "It's not impossible. But Brother Chen, your requests, it's quite a list of demands!"
Chen Jianghai smiled, "Well, I'm hoping to set it up once and for all, and not have to worry about it later. It's better to be a bit picky now rather than have regrets later, don't you think?"
"You're absolutely right." Boss Jin nodded, acknowledging the wisdom in Chen Jianghai's approach. "I do know of a place that might meet your needs. Let me think... Ah, the owner is a friend of mine. I'll give him a call later and ask."
Chen Jianghai was overjoyed, "That would be great, Brother Jin. Thank you in advance."
"No thanks needed between brothers!" Boss Jin declared with a laugh. "Once you get settled, my jewelry shop can have more clients coming over, it's beneficial for both of us!"
Chen Jianghai chuckled, "That's the idea. If we can both make money, it's the best outcome."
Chen Jianghai was aware that he had quite a list of demands, so he followed up by saying, "You just keep an eye out for me; I'll be looking on my own as well."
"Sure, if I find something suitable, I'll let you know right away. Do you have a phone at home?" Boss Jin replied with a nod.
Chen Jianghai shook his head, "Not yet, but I do have a pager. I'll leave you the number."
"Great, great, let's exchange numbers then. It will be more convenient to contact each other if anything comes up."
Boss Jin also took out his pager, the latest model from Motorola.
Chen Jianghai wasn't embarrassed at all; he took out his own second-hand pager without hesitation.
Boss Jin couldn't help but ask after a glance, "Little brother Chen, did you fix this thing yourself?"
"Yep, I picked up a broken one before and fixed it to use for now," Chen Jianghai said with ease and confidence.
Boss Jin couldn't help but raise his thumb in admiration, "Brother Chen, I really didn't expect you to be able to fix these things. They say it's high technology!"
Chen Jianghai laughed and said, "Who knows, maybe in a few years, cell phones will be widespread, and this little pager won't count for much."
Boss Jin was somewhat skeptical, "Little brother Chen, a cell phone costs at least thirty thousand to start! It won't be so easy to make them commonplace."
How much was the average wage now?
Many people were still struggling just to get by.
Boss Jin couldn't believe that cell phones, costing tens of thousands, could become widespread—if you killed him, he still wouldn't believe it.
Chen Jianghai had no intention of arguing with Boss Jin on this matter. If it weren't for his knowledge of the future's prosperity, he wouldn't believe it himself.
"Maybe you're right, Brother Jin," Chen Jianghai replied cheerfully, neatly ending the topic.
"Then, I'll leave the matter of the shop to you, Brother Jin."
Boss Jin patted his chest and said, "Don't worry, Brother Chen, I'll notify you the moment I hear anything."
"Then I won't keep you from making money, Brother Jin; I'll head back now," Chen Jianghai said after taking a sip of tea.
He had noticed how busy the shop was when he entered, and he didn't want to be a nuisance any longer.
Boss Jin turned his head to glance at the bustling shop, people coming and going, and reluctantly said, "Alright, then I won't keep you, I'll see you out."
"No need, no need, you're busy, Brother Jin," Chen Jianghai quickly stopped him.
"Okay, we're all friends here, let's not stand on ceremony. After this busy period, I'll invite you for a meal," Boss Jin remembered.
Chen Jianghai didn't refuse, responding, "Then I'll be waiting for your good news, Brother Jin."