My Mother-in-Law is Reborn [Seventies]-Chapter 173

Zhao Guihua's encounter with a robbery was known by few and garnered little attention. Similarly, Li Weiwei's repeated failures in blind dates also went largely unnoticed. The current focus of everyone was on Su Jinlai.

With Zhou Qun's "help," Su Jinlai acquired a new nickname—"Big Bird."

This nickname, which brought a mix of pride and embarrassment, as a local mob boss, Su Jinlai leaned more toward the former. He felt that he had made a name for himself in the area and walked around with an arrogant swagger.

Zhao Guihua deeply felt that he was a simpleton.

However, his affairs had nothing to do with them.

After their courtyard's gathering, she found herself with more leisure time, mainly because her children had returned to school. With the kids not around, the house felt much quieter.

Zhao Guihua made a few visits to the police station, as the investigation was still ongoing. As the victim, she knew more than she let on, just as she had anticipated that many people who had lost items had reported the incidents. The investigation was expanding.

As for Zhao Guihua's suspicion of retaliation, after rigorous questioning, Fan Jianguo genuinely did not recognize her. Zhao Guihua wasn't surprised; they had only met once casually, and a decade had brought considerable changes.

The investigation into Fan Jianguo was ongoing, and Zhao Guihua didn't push for quick results, continuing with her daily life.

Their courtyard had recently become a topic of interest, with many neighborhood old ladies and elders' wives peeking in curiously. Zhao Guihua didn't think they were just there to socialize; it was clear they were intrigued by Su Jinlai.

After all, such a nickname was bound to spark curiosity.

Zhao Guihua mused that if someone like this lived in another courtyard, she'd probably go see the commotion too, purely out of curiosity.

Speaking of which, Su Jinlai was quite proud of his new nickname, feeling a sense of accomplishment. However, he soon realized the inconvenience it brought. After all, he planned to be a thief, and being too high-profile was a surefire way to get caught. While he wanted to steal, he certainly didn't want to end up in jail.

He remembered the unpleasant days at the juvenile detention center and now, as an adult, he knew incarceration would be far worse. So, he was deeply troubled.

With everyone keeping an eye on him, it was impossible to do any thieving.

Perhaps due to the widespread nature of his nickname, Guan Hong also attached herself to him, constantly seeking him out and causing Su Jinlai endless annoyance. He had watched Hong Kong movies at small video halls.

In those films, a mob boss's life was always surrounded by countless women, so he wasn't surprised that Guan Hong was infatuated with him. However, he didn't like Guan Hong. She was too clingy and lacked the poise of a "big sister," wanting to monopolize him. Su Jinlai wasn't interested at all. Besides, he had already slept with Guan Hong, so he didn't take her seriously.

Despite knowing Guan Hong for a short time, their secret visits to the video hall had led to their intimate relationship.

As a result, Su Jinlai cared even less, but Guan Hong was utterly devoted, seemingly wanting to save this wayward soul. Even though she had a job, she arrived early in the morning to buy breakfast and wash their accumulated dirty clothes.

Ming Mei woke up early, startled to see an unfamiliar woman in the courtyard, even more so when she saw the woman washing clothes.

She rubbed her eyes, looking at the scene, feeling as if she had walked into the wrong door. Before Ming Mei could ponder further, Wang Xiangxiu appeared. Although Guan Hong was busy serving Su Jinlai, Wang Xiangxiu wasn't fond of her presence.

As a potential mother-in-law, Wang Xiangxiu felt no respect from Guan Hong, who often complained that Wang Xiangxiu favored her other sons and was neglectful of Su Jinlai, speaking with a tone of grievance. She even believed that Wang Xiangxiu and the others had hindered Su Jinlai's growth and success.

Given this, Wang Xiangxiu had no regard for Guan Hong.

Guan Hong's efforts went unappreciated.

With a dark expression, Wang Xiangxiu saw Ming Mei gesture to her, and she walked over, asking, "What's wrong?"

Ming Mei whispered, "Who is she?"

As someone not affiliated with the machinery factory, Ming Mei was unfamiliar with its employees.

She wondered aloud, "I haven't heard of anyone having relatives visit, have you?"

Wang Xiangxiu, feeling uneasy, replied truthfully, "This girl is Guan Hong, she's come to my house."

She paused before adding, "She's pursuing my eldest son."

Ming Mei understood, though she didn't know Guan Hong, her name was quite well-known. She glanced again at Guan Hong, who was washing men's underwear.

Ming Mei: "..."

These young girls nowadays are really different from their generation.

She thought for a moment and said, "Sister Xiang, this gives you an extra hand, makes things easier."

Wang Xiangxiu's expression darkened as she said, "I'd rather not have the help."

She silently watched Guan Hong, who in turn looked at Wang Xiangxiu with resentment, thinking that this mother-in-law was always difficult. Before even marrying in, Wang Xiangxiu already disapproved of her.

But didn't Wang Xiangxiu have a controversial past herself? Once she married into the Su family, she wouldn't care about this woman.

The Su family had four rooms; as the eldest son, Su Jinlai should inherit them all, leaving nothing for the others. She would have her mother take care of the children; this mother-in-law and the two younger brothers should be ousted.

Looking down on her, when they owed so much to Su Jinlai?

Only Su Jinlai had gone to the countryside; the others owed him.

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Guan Hong scrubbed the clothes with great vigor, imagining a life filled with bliss after marrying Su Jinlai. With Su Jinlai's skills and a house, she would be married into a life of great prosperity. As she thought about this, a satisfied and sweet smile appeared on her face.

Ming Mei, watching her like this, shuddered, feeling a chill.

This woman arrived early in the morning to do work, washing clothes in cold water, yet she was happily smiling to herself? Was this normal?

Ming Mei thought that anyone slightly normal wouldn't behave like this. She made a sound of disapproval, went to the water basin to brush her teeth, while Wang Xiangxiu, feeling a headache, went back home to eat breakfast.

Guan Hong had bought breakfast; not eating it would be a waste.

Seeing Wang Xiangxiu leave, Guan Hong inwardly mocked her for being short-sighted. She was currently winning over Su Jinlai's whole family, but once she was in, they'd get no favours from her.

Her eyes fell on Ming Mei, who wore a coffee-colored shirt, an off-the-shoulder white sweater, and matching coffee pants. Her fair skin, upswept hair, and overall neat appearance caught Guan Hong's attention.

Guan Hong frowned slightly, unaware of this young woman in the courtyard, unsure whose family she belonged to. She wondered if this girl would compete with her for Su Jinlai; her gaze towards Ming Mei became hostile.

Ming Mei noticed Guan Hong's stare, looked up, puzzled about why this "Maid Mariette" had such animosity towards her. They didn't know each other, did they? Was she just out of her mind? Thinking about it, Ming Mei decided that this person indeed lacked sound judgment, making the first move on another man on a blind date and clingingly pursuing him—something Ming Mei had never seen in her years.

"Wife."

Zhuang Zhixi came out, holding a basin and asking, "Do you want tofu brain or soy milk?"

Ming Mei replied, "Tofu brain, with plenty of coriander."

"Sure."

Zhuang Zhixi glanced at Guan Hong, and although Ming Mei didn't know her, Zhixi did. They all worked at the machinery factory, so there was no way not to recognize each other. He gave her a quick glance and acted as if he didn't see her, then went out and soon returned with breakfast.

By this time, Tuantuan and Yuanyuan had also come out. Zhuang Zhixi said, "Hurry up and wash up, finish breakfast, and get ready for school."

Tuantuan and Yuanyuan: "Okay."

Yuanyuan leaned closer to Ming Mei and asked, "Mom, who is she?"

Ming Mei: "She's someone pursuing Su Jinlai."

Yuanyuan: "???"

The little girl was quite shocked.

Although the children were still young, Ming Mei believed in telling them certain things. Unlike other mothers, her own mother had shared a lot with her since she was a child, never hiding anything from her. So now, Ming Mei would do the same with her daughter. She didn't think it was right to dismiss a child's questions just because they were young and supposedly didn't understand. In fact, the more adults tried to hide things, the more curious children became. It was better to be open and honest with them from the start.

Ming Mei: "She likes Su Jinlai, so she came early in the morning to do chores, but going out of one's way like this only makes Su Jinlai look down on her more. Unconditional servility is the most unacceptable. Look, do they appreciate her efforts at all?"

Tuantuan and Yuanyuan peeked out of the window and said, "No."

Ming Mei: "Exactly, they don't."

She shrugged and said, "Do you think the water is cold?"

Tuantuan and Yuanyuan nodded vigorously, "Very cold." They had to bring a thermos to the courtyard to wash their faces.

Ming Mei: "She's working in the cold, even buying them breakfast, but they don't value her at all. Your parents at home don't even ask you to do much work because we don't want you to just go around doing chores for others. After seeing this, you should understand that this isn't right. Don't learn this. Whether you're a boy or a girl, doing this just shows poor judgment."

Tuantuan and Yuanyuan immediately nodded, feeling a bit apprehensive, as they weren't fans of doing chores themselves.

Yuanyuan, while soft-spoken, also showed firmness. The little girl said seriously, "I don't want to do work for others."

Tuantuan nodded, "Exactly."

He wasn't interested either.

Zhuang Zhixi, who was standing nearby, chuckled and said, "That's right. I provide you with good food and care, not so you can go to someone else's house and become their obedient servant or do their bidding. If you have time for that, you might as well do the laundry at home. That way, your mom and I would be more at ease."

Hearing this, the two children firmly stated, "We won't do that!"

Zhuang Zhixi: "Good, you understand. Now, come eat."

Yuanyuan reached out, "I want some fried dough sticks."

"Here, there are also tea eggs."

After finishing breakfast, the two kids put on their backpacks and headed out. As they stepped outside, they saw Li Zhenzhen and a few other children also watching Guan Hong. Li Zhenzhen's gaze was particularly unkind. After all, they had a history together.

This was the woman who had failed to match with her second brother during a blind date.

From the corner of her nose, she snorted and muttered, "What a villain."

Yuanyuan leaned on Li Zhenzhen and said, "Let's go."

They headed to the neighboring courtyard and called out, "Xiaoyezi, Xiaoyezi."

Ye Siyuan ran out and said, "I'm here."

He was a year younger than them and in the same grade, so they usually went to school and back together. His younger siblings, also carrying small backpacks, ran out behind him. The group sang as they walked.

"The sun is high, the flowers smile..."

Even though they were in higher grades, no one felt it was childish.

After all, what's most important in life is happiness.

Look, even Jinlai Gege, who was much older, would take off his clothes and sing sometimes. It's normal for elementary school kids to sing.

Among them, only Ye Sitian was going to kindergarten. They stopped in front of the kindergarten. Ye Sitian waved her little hand and said, "Brothers and sisters, goodbye."

She particularly emphasized to Tuantuan, "Tuantuan Gege, study hard!"

Tuantuan was the best eldest brother, always giving her treats. Little Sitian understood this. Even though she was a kindergarten kid, she was quite the savvy little one.

Ye Sijia, her second older brother, huffed, feeling that his sister was being too biased.

He grabbed his brother's sleeve and said, "Let's go. This sister of ours is always siding with outsiders."

Ye Siyuan: "Tuantuan Gege gives candy to Sitian, you only ever fight with her over candy."

Ye Sijia: "..."

His bluff had been called.

But soon he said, "Fine, I won't fight with her over candy anymore, or else she won't like me best."

Ye Siyuan boasted, "Even if she doesn't like Tuantuan Gege the best, she'll like me the best. You won't get that chance."

Ye Sijia: "..."

He felt like crying.

Quickly, he called out, "Yuanyuan Jiejie~"

Yuanyuan: "Alright, alright, don't bully him."

Although Yuanyuan wasn't the toughest, she was quite influential among the group.

She said, "Let's go, or we'll be late."

Xiao Qijin nodded, "Quickly, 'Butterfly' is the strictest. Let's go."

'Butterfly' was their school's headmistress, who was in her forties and always wore a dress with a butterfly pattern. The elementary school kids had nicknamed her 'Butterfly,' and they were quite scared of her.

They hurried their steps.

Off to school!

As the group of kids ran toward school, Yuanyuan said while running, "The old grandma who sells pancakes isn't here today."

"You've already had breakfast, stop worrying. Let's go."

Yuanyuan: "Okay."

Even though the pancake vendor wasn't there, the school entrance was still bustling with small stalls, like the ones selling fried dough sticks and baked sweet potatoes.

In recent times, there were many people starting small businesses.

About these small ventures, Tuantuan and Yuanyuan had heard their dad and great-grandpa talk about them, though the kids didn't really understand much. They quickly ran into the school.

Meanwhile, Zhuang Zhixi was also thinking about his small side business selling radios. Recently, they had assembled a few and planned to take them to the small market to check out the demand. Zhuang Zhixi saw potential in this. The policies had changed compared to before, and although many places were still observing, in Beijing, being one of the first to receive new policies, many people had started venturing into small commerce.

After all, with young people returning from the countryside and not enough jobs, making a living required earning money somehow.

Zhuang Zhixi wasn't afraid of losing face; he could see the profits in this.

As he worked, he was also thinking about this business. Their department chief, Chief Lin, came over and called, "Xiaozhuang, come with me."

Zhuang Zhixi immediately stood up. Although this man often got distracted thinking about his own business, to others, he was a diligent young man. He had been in the propaganda department for over ten years, and in the eyes of others, he was a very promising young man who was also courteous and efficient.

Compared to the seasoned veterans in the office, he was considered clear-headed and diligent. However, in such a hierarchical workplace, getting promoted was not easy unless one made real contributions. The propaganda department, unlike the security department, couldn't catch corrupt individuals for merit. Instead, in the office, promotions were even harder to come by.

So even though Zhuang Zhixi was considered talented in their office, he was still just a clerk.

However, he didn't show any discontent and continued to appear full of enthusiasm and ambition every day. Of course, only he knew how much time he actually spent idling away. Therefore, whenever there was work to be done, the chief still liked to give it to Zhuang Zhixi.

And so, he called him in again.

Zhuang Zhixi went to the office, and Chief Lin said with a smile, "Sit down."

Zhuang Zhixi: "Chief, is there something you need me for?"

He was quite direct, which was a good approach with Chief Lin, as this wasn't the original chief, who had retired six years ago. The current Chief Lin had been transferred from the military, not promoted from within. However, he was the original chief's nephew, which added an additional layer of context.

But Chief Lin had also earned merit in the military, so being a department chief was more than fitting.

Perhaps because he was from the military, the new chief liked straightforward people, which Zhuang Zhixi had figured out over time. So he avoided unnecessary chit-chat and went straight to the point.

It was no secret that Xiao Xu, who had taken a leave of absence without pay, was not well-liked by their department chief. This was because Xiao Xu was always flattering and brown-nosing, which was exactly what their chief disliked. Feeling that his chances of a promotion were slim and knowing that he wasn't favored by his superiors, Xiao Xu decided to take a leave of absence and focus on making money.

Zhuang Zhixi, on the other hand, was navigating his job with ease.

The current business climate outside was still uncertain, and in many ways, it was considered inferior to a salaried job. Zhuang Zhixi had no intention of taking a leave of absence anytime soon. He believed that any decisions about his future could be made later. For now, he was content with his position. He said, "You must have something important to attend to this morning, right?"

Chief Lin: "You know about the Guangzhou Trade Fair, don't you?"

Zhuang Zhixi nodded. "Yes, I'm aware. Our factory is participating this year, and some of our senior technicians have been busy preparing for it."

Chief Lin nodded. "Correct. We're leaving the day after tomorrow, and our factory will be part of the delegation. After discussions, the factory management has decided that the Publicity Department should send one person to participate. I've selected you for this task. Go home and get ready. You'll be departing with the main group the day after tomorrow."

Zhuang Zhixi was stunned. This wasn't due to a lack of self-confidence, but rather because he thought this sort of thing was the Sales Department's responsibility.

He said, "The Sales Department isn't going, but the Publicity Department is sending someone? I don't know anything about sales."

Chief Lin chuckled. "What are you thinking? Do you really believe they're sending you to help with the sales? You don't have that kind of ability! Even if you were willing, the Sales Department wouldn't want you. The reason you're going is to follow the main process and take notes. When you return, you'll write some publicity articles about our factory to be published in the newspapers. This is all about promoting our factory. If it weren't for the fact that you're the best writer in our department, do you think you'd have this opportunity? Some of the older folks in the department were already fighting for this spot."

Zhuang Zhixi finally understood. "Alright, then. How long will this trip be?"

He was quite pleased with the opportunity for this business trip. The Publicity Department rarely got chances to travel, unlike the Sales Department. But being able to see a new part of the country, especially going to the South, was an exciting prospect for a Northern native like him.

Chief Lin: "About ten days. We need to arrive early and stay for the duration of the fair, so at least ten days. Plan for two weeks. This time, you're mainly going to assist the leadership, take notes, and then write reports when you return. But since you're out there, and everyone else is a leader, you'll need to be sharp and lend a hand whenever possible."

Zhuang Zhixi: "Got it. Who else is going on this trip?"

Chief Lin: "The factory director, Vice Director Zhang, the head of the Sales Department, the deputy head, three salesmen, the office director, Lao Huang, and the factory director's secretary, He. Including you, that makes ten people."

Zhuang Zhixi nodded. "I understand."

Chief Lin gave him a knowing look. "Do you really understand? It's a deep pond there. Just stay in your lane. Don't meddle in things that aren't your concern; it won't make you look good. If something goes wrong, it's your responsibility, and if something goes well, it's you overstepping your boundaries. Since it's a rare chance to be in a different part of the country, keep your work simple. When you have free time, go out and see the sights, buy some souvenirs for your family. Don't get involved in the Sales Department's affairs."

Chief Lin had gone out of his way to say this, which showed how much he valued Zhuang Zhixi. Otherwise, he wouldn't have given such advice. The implications of his words were profound.

Zhuang Zhixi understood Chief Lin's intentions and nodded. "I get it."

He sincerely added, "Thank you for your guidance, Chief Lin."

Chief Lin sighed. "I'm not trying to hold you back from progress, but some things... well, you'll figure it out."

Zhuang Zhixi smiled. "I understand."

He had been in the factory for many years and was well aware of the internal politics. Even flattery could backfire in such a big organization. Zhuang Zhixi knew his place.

He concluded, "Alright, go back and prepare. You don't need to come to work these next two days."

Zhuang Zhixi was stunned. He hadn't expected such a perk and immediately beamed. "Thank you, Chief Lin."

"Go on, go on."

Zhuang Zhixi left with a happy smile. As soon as he returned to the office, Sister Cui approached him. "What's the news?"

Zhuang Zhixi: "Good news. I'm heading out early."

He didn't elaborate, knowing that the others would find out soon enough. But for now, he kept it to himself. With a hint of excitement, Zhuang Zhixi quickly left. Sister Cui shook her head. "What's with him? So secretive."

Zhuang Zhixi left work early, a rare occurrence. As he entered the courtyard, he saw Lan Sihai tending to his little flowerbed. The "flowerbed" was actually a collection of cacti. Zhuang Zhixi approached and said, "Grandpa, your taste is really unconventional. Cacti aren't exactly ordinary plants."

Lan Sihai glanced up at Zhuang Zhixi. "Cacti have their own charm. They're hardy, resistant to wind, rain, and drought, and easier to care for."

He put away his small spade and crossed his arms, admiring his creation. "It's quite something. A touch of green in the winter."

Zhuang Zhixi shook his head. "But your cacti can't compare to my clivia. I recently bought a few pots. Want to see them?"

Lan Sihai: "Lead the way."

The two went to Zhuang Zhixi's place, and Lan Sihai nodded approvingly. "You've done a good job with these."

Zhuang Zhixi smiled proudly. "I'm trying to be cultured, you know. Besides, Ming Mei likes having some green in the house. It adds a sense of vitality."

After a pause, he added mysteriously, "Actually, I think growing clivia isn't just about aesthetics; it could be profitable too. Last year, the price was one thing, and this year it's another. My father-in-law told me that when he went to Changchun, he saw the price skyrocket—it more than doubled from last year to this year. While it's not crazily expensive, the increase is still pretty impressive. So, I thought, why not grow some flowers for pleasure, and if the prices go up, sell them for some extra cash?"

Lan Sihai glanced at Zhuang Zhixi. "Didn't you just say Ming Mei likes them?"

Zhuang Zhixi: "Ming Mei does like them, yes. But if the prices go up and we can sell them for more money, she'd like that even more—money to buy meat, new clothes... You know, basic needs come first."

Lan Sihai: "You make it sound so logical."

Zhuang Zhixi: "Because it is logical. I even bought some seeds. I'll grow some more."

Lan Sihai chuckled but didn't comment, though he agreed with Zhuang Zhixi inwardly. As an old man, he had to maintain a front, but he couldn't help but acknowledge the sense in Zhuang Zhixi's thinking.

However, he suddenly realized something. "Why are you home so early?"

Lan Sihai inquired, giving Zhuang Zhixi a curious look. Zhuang Zhixi chuckled. "I'm going on a business trip the day after tomorrow. My boss gave me the day off to prepare. I'm heading to Guangzhou."

Lan Sihai's eyes lit up. "That's great."

His stance was that whenever there was an opportunity to see the world, one should take it.

"Go ahead. See if you can find any interesting things there and bring me back some souvenirs." The old man was always up on the latest trends.

Zhuang Zhixi laughed. "Sure thing."

Zhao Guihua came out to use the bathroom and noticed her son's door open. It was strange to see him home during the day when everyone else was at work. Upon seeing Zhuang Zhixi, she realized he had the day off. She asked, "You're going to Guangzhou?"

Zhuang Zhixi nodded. "Yeah."

Zhao Guihua thought back to her previous life and didn't recall such an event, but she didn't rely entirely on her past experiences to judge the present. Instead, she advised, "Be careful when you're out there. Come home safely. Don't worry about things here; we've got it covered."

Zhuang Zhixi replied with a smile.

Even though he hadn't left yet, his mother was already giving him advice.

Zhuang Zhixi: "Don't worry, I'm a grown man, not a young lady. I won't get lost."

Zhao Guihua gave him a look and went about her business.

Zhuang Zhixi then locked the door and left with Lan Sihai. Zhao Guihua glanced back at the two, and without needing to guess, she knew they were heading out to sell radios.

Zhao Guihua had indeed guessed right. Zhuang Zhixi had initially planned to make a few more before selling them, but since they were about to go out, he decided to sell the ones he had on hand. He and Lan Sihai found a park and quickly set up their stall.

There were quite a few street vendors around, though despite the policy allowing it long ago, people still behaved stealthily. Of course, they didn't dare to go big. If they did, it was hard to say whether it would align with the policy, as there was a saying that anything involving more than seven people was out of bounds.

But since they were only two people setting up the stall, it didn't matter much.

The only thing was the slight embarrassment of being seen doing it, but otherwise, it was no big deal.

Zhuang Zhixi quickly laid out the radios. They had made a total of ten this time, using new parts for the critical components, while the less important ones were second-hand, which significantly reduced the cost. The outer cases were also second-hand, but Zhuang Zhixi had carefully polished them, so they looked almost new.

As soon as they set up, someone approached and asked, "Hey, buddy, are you selling radios?"

Zhuang Zhixi immediately replied, "Yes, radios! Great deals, honest prices. Buy now and you’re profiting. Take a look."

Zhao Guihua often remarked that some things were just innate, and Zhuang Zhixi was a prime example. He had never been in business before, but he could talk quite smoothly without hesitation or blushing.

He continued, "A radio is something you can use for a long time. Old folks can listen to storytelling, hear news about the country, or new policies. It's quite useful."

Sure enough, just two sentences were enough to convince the customer.

"Let me take a look. How much is it?"

Zhuang Zhixi replied, "Fifty-five, no need for coupons. In the stores, you can't get one for less than a hundred. But spending over a hundred on a radio? That's really painful, plus you need coupons. My radios work just the same as the ones in the stores. No difference, you see?"

When the old man heard the huge difference, he was indeed surprised for a moment. But then he asked skeptically, "Why is yours so cheap? Are you sure this isn't some shady deal?"

His sharp eyes scrutinized Zhuang Zhixi.

Zhuang Zhixi shot back, "Hey, don't say that! I live around here, and I work as a factory worker. If this were shady, I'd lose my reputation, wouldn't I? I'll be upfront with you—this is a refurbished radio. The outer casing and buttons have been refurbished, but the internal circuits and components are brand new. I don't cheat people. I'm just making a little labor fee. Honestly, I don't make much from this. I do it mostly to set a good example for my kids, so they know that whatever knowledge they gain, they can apply it in real life. So, studying hard is really important."

Lan Sihai stood a short distance away, watching Zhuang Zhixi talk eloquently. He really was a natural at this. Already, the elderly around Zhuang Zhixi were nodding in agreement, as if his words struck a chord with them.

But people then were quite wary. An old lady pointed out a suspicious detail: "You're a worker, so why aren't you at work today? Aren't you tricking us?"

Zhuang Zhixi responded swiftly, "Absolutely not! I'm on leave today. No reason to lie about that. Look, I'll show you the radio in action."

"Alright."

"Go ahead, try it."

Zhuang Zhixi explained, "This radio is dual-powered—you can use large batteries or plug it directly into the power. Watch."

He quickly turned on the radio, and the voice of Master Shan Tianshuo came through, reciting a story. The elderly onlookers nodded in approval.

"This is good."

"Indeed, quite good."

An old man started to talk about his family: "I already have one at home…" But another interrupted him, saying, "Enough boasting. Let me pick one."

"But you already have one at home!"

"I'm buying one for my son. The kid is too frugal, and as a father, I'll use my pension to give him a nice gift."

"That makes sense. I also wanted to buy one for my kid, but it's hard to get the coupons."

"We'll buy several. Young man, give us a discount."

"That's right."

The group surrounded Zhuang Zhixi. He replied, "I'll throw in batteries—two per radio. What do you think? I've already given you a great price. You all have seen the world, so check my prices with the electronic shops. You'll see my costs, and realize I'm not making much. I'm doing this more for my kids."

An old woman chimed in, "You really got all this sorted out, kid. I can't tell you're not even that old."

Zhuang Zhixi chuckled, "You're too kind, Auntie. I enjoy being complimented. Actually, I'm over thirty, and my kids are almost in middle school."

"Really? I can't believe that!"

Zhuang Zhixi laughed, "Would I lie about something like that? You walk around this park all the time. The next time I come to sell, it will probably be a month later, but I'll bring my kids. Then you'll see I'm not just a guy with a good-looking face, I'm actually very reliable."

"Hahaha, you're quite a talker!"

"You seem to know yourself well."

Zhuang Zhixi continued, "That's just how I am. I don't make much from this. I'll probably be back in a month if I do it again, but no rush. You all are regulars here anyway. I'll say hi when I see you next."

"Alright, kid."

"One more radio, too. You only have ten?"

Zhuang Zhixi replied, "Just ten in total."

An old man joked, "You're giving us a discount, but we might as well buy them all."

Zhuang Zhixi, feeling delighted inside, still acted reserved, saying, "Oh, you don't have to buy so many just for my sake. Only buy if you really need them."

"Just tell us your final price."

Zhuang Zhixi pretended to be hesitant, then said, "Alright, I'll lower it another two yuan."

"Deal."

"No problem."

Zhuang Zhixi concluded, "Of course. Come on, take your time. Test them one by one."

"Great."

Zhuang Zhixi started off brilliantly, selling all ten radios using his silver tongue. Their cost price per radio was twenty-eight yuan, and they sold them for fifty-three, making twenty-five yuan per unit. After deducting the cost of the batteries they gave away, they made twenty-four yuan profit per radio.

The total profit was two hundred and forty yuan, and Zhuang Zhixi and Lan Sihai each took home one hundred and twenty.

One hundred and twenty yuan wasn't a lot, nor was it insignificant.

For Zhuang Zhixi, his regular monthly wage was forty-five yuan, so this sum was equivalent to about two or three months of his salary. But the significance lay in being the fruit of his craft. Working at the factory was one thing, but this was extra income from practicing his skills.

They could have set the price higher, but both Lan Sihai and Zhuang Zhixi chose not to. They didn't want to attract too much attention, as they were just starting out and needed to be cautious.

Indeed, Zhuang Zhixi might seem bold, but there's a reserve beneath that. He isn't the kind of person who acts wildly brazen. They didn't spend long before selling the radios, so Zhuang Zhixi went to the market to buy some meat before heading home.

As he was about to enter the alley leading to his house, he saw Su Jinlai in cotton pants and slippers stepping out of the house to use the communal toilet.

Zhuang Zhixi looked up at the bright sun and couldn't help but marvel at how leisurely this guy's life was. While Zhuang Zhixi had to wake up early for work, Su Jinlai slept until noon, and not only did he have his mother taking care of him, but there were even girls coming to his home to help with his laundry. Talk about a cushy life!

Su Jinlai always looked down on people in their courtyard, even though everyone was better off than him. He believed himself to be a "dragon at the shallow waters," feeling that if only he had some luck, he could soar to great heights.

He genuinely looked down on the ordinary folks in their compound and felt superior.

When Su Jinlai spotted Lan Sihai and Zhuang Zhixi, he didn't bother to greet them and just walked straight to the toilet, holding his pants.

As he approached the restroom entrance, Su Jinlai suddenly stopped and looked at Lan Sihai, saying, "Elder Lan, I've finished building your flowerbed, repaired your roof, and even cleaned your windows. I’ve even washed your winter clothes and bedding. Isn't it about time we clear the slate?"

If it had been about washing clothes, it wouldn’t have been him. He had delegated this task to Guan Hong, who spent an entire Sunday washing at their place.

But regardless of who washed them, it was Su Jinlai who arranged it all, and he had the capability to do so.

Lan Sihai raised an eyebrow and said, "I was only doing this because of your brother."

Su Jinlai snorted heavily, thinking this was utterly ridiculous. What kind of face did his brother have?

"My status is why I even agreed to do this work for you, all because of my brother," Su Jinlai said arrogantly.

However, he seemed to have forgotten who Lan Sihai was. Lan Sihai chuckled and replied, "Oh, so you're doing this out of respect for the mouse traps? Well, they’re not cheap, and I haven’t even bothered to count them. You’re lucky you ran into an old man like me. If it were anyone else—hehe!"

Lan Sihai continued his verbal assault: "I know you’re a man of status, but with all that status, why are you going to the restroom yourself? Wouldn’t it be more fitting for someone to do it for you? Hehe!"

Lan Sihai kept going: "Oh, be careful when you’re in there. I hear you’re quite the swimmer. You’re so good at swimming, you’ve even dipped in the cesspool. Impressive, really impressive. I’ve never seen anyone as capable as you. Hehe."

Su Jinlai was fuming, gasping for breath. This old man’s words were beyond annoying.

He glared viciously at Lan Sihai, who, with a smirk, massaged his arm and said, "You know, at my age, my body isn’t what it used to be. I’m just hoping someone will attack me so I can have some security. Then, I’d finally have someone to take care of me, wouldn’t I?"

Zhuang Zhixi, standing nearby, chuckled and said, "Grandfather, you’re really sharp. Hearing you talk, I feel like I should start considering such arrangements for my later years too. It’s not about scamming; it’s about teaching the young how to behave."

Su Jinlai was trembling with fury.

Looking at the two men, he shouted, "You’re so uncultured!"

Lan Sihai, not backing down, retorted sarcastically, "Oh, you’re so cultured! So cultured that you go streaking in broad daylight. Stripping in front of everyone—we’ve never seen such culture. Impressive!"

Su Jinlai was seething with rage.

Zhuang Zhixi noticed his emotional state and thought, This guy is going to be driven crazy by Grandfather. There’s no doubt about it.

Lan Sihai continued, "I wonder if you were really drunk or just wanted to show off. Back in my apprentice days, I met some people who were mentally ill and loved exposing themselves in public. I wonder if that’s your hobby too…"

"You’re the one with the problem! Your whole family has it! I was drunk that time, do you have to keep bringing it up? Who acts like you do? You just love to twist the knife, don’t you? You’re too much!" Su Jinlai was sobbing uncontrollably, feeling utterly humiliated. The worst thing was people mentioning the incident when he stripped after getting drunk.

Even though the whole "big bird" thing sounded impressive and matched his identity, it was still embarrassing! He thought that incident was shameful.

These people were just too much.

Tears streaming down his face, Su Jinlai shouted, "Just you wait, I’ll get my revenge!"

Lan Sihai pretended to be curious. "Revenge? Are you going to strip in front of me again to scare me?"

"You, you, you!" Su Jinlai stammered, "Crude, disgusting, sick!"

This young man was far too sensitive. He found Lan Sihai utterly despicable and shameless. Su Jinlai was so angry he refused to engage with the old man anymore. What a shameless old man.

With that, he stormed off, thinking it was beneath him to argue with such a person.

Zhuang Zhixi shook his head lightly, thinking, The younger generation just doesn’t have the stamina.

Compared to his generation, these younger folks were far too easily overwhelmed by small matters. Back then, Zhou Qun and Bai Fendou had gone through so much and never cracked under pressure.

It seems each generation is worse off than the last.

Zhuang Zhixi said, "Come on, Grandfather. Let’s go. Mom’s making meat pies for lunch today. Let’s have a meal together."

Lan Sihai shook his head. "No need. I plan to eat out with my wife."

Now that he had earned some money, it was time to celebrate. Eating at home was dull. He said, "On such a cold day, I must go to Donglaishun."

Zhuang Zhixi commented, "You really know how to live a comfortable life, Grandfather."

Lan Sihai chuckled. "At my age, of course, I want to live comfortably. What if I die suddenly? Wouldn’t that be a waste?"

He walked away with his hands behind his back, looking rather smug.

Zhuang Zhixi chuckled to himself and shook his head. He glanced back at the restroom, seeing no sign of Su Jinlai coming out, so he went home.

That guy really doesn’t have what it takes.

Su Jinlai was truly lacking in endurance. At his age, he was all about his reputation and thought the old man was utterly despicable. He lingered in the restroom for a while, waiting until the two men had left before slinking out.

He muttered curses as he walked home, regretting not being born into a government official’s family. Other families had been tirelessly working for generations, and their offspring enjoyed the benefits. His family, on the other hand, hadn’t achieved anything. What a bunch of poor folk.

Lately, he had no money. Not a single penny. Although he had agreed with Monkey to earn money together, recent events involving the "big bird" had put him under everyone’s spotlight. He hated being the center of attention. If he tried to steal something, he’d be noticed before he even got close. Monkey had promptly ditched him and teamed up with someone else.

This enraged Su Jinlai.

He wanted to become a pickpocket but couldn’t find anyone to teach him!

No one wanted to team up with him. They were too practical. They must be jealous of his "potential."

Muttering curses, Su Jinlai gnawed on a corn bread, lamenting his bad luck.

It was around this time that a well-dressed woman appeared at the entrance of the courtyard. It had been over a decade since she last visited, and now, standing there, it felt as if time had stood still. She looked up at the familiar courtyard, which hadn’t changed much in over ten years.

Zhao Guihua, carrying a basket, came out and, upon seeing the woman, paused for a moment. After some time, she recognized her and said, "Hu Huihui?"

Yes, the woman was none other than Hu Huihui. She looked at Zhao Guihua and recognized her as well. "Aunt Zhao, it’s been a long time. You’re still as sturdy as ever."

Zhao Guihua smiled and said, "That’s right. I’m carefree and healthy. It’s been many years since we last met, you know. What are you up to these days…"

She scrutinized Hu Huihui from head to toe, finding her outfit rather exaggerated but also quite fashionable for the times. Hu Huihui was dressed in a pink suit with large shoulder pads, a low neckline, and a golden necklace. She wore a matching pink mini-skirt and was dressed in stockings with her bare legs, paired with white high heels. Meanwhile, Zhao Guihua was still bundled up in wool trousers, while Hu Huihui was shivering in her attire.

Hu Huihui’s hair was permed into tight curls, seemingly styled with mousse, and her makeup was impeccable.

Zhao Guihua: "..."

She found the look trendy but, to her, not very attractive.

She asked, "Aren’t you cold?"

Still, wearing stockings with bare legs in this weather?

Hu Huihui softly chuckled. "I’m not cold, Aunt Zhao. Is my cousin at home?"

Zhao Guihua replied, "No, she’s not. She’s at work right now. You’re here to see your cousin, right? Just go on in; someone’s home. Su Jinlai is there."

Hu Huihui chuckled again, as if not surprised. "Alright, I’ll head in. We can catch up later."

With that said, Zhao Guihua, having seen it all in her lifetime, could tell that Hu Huihui didn’t hold them in high esteem. It was understandable, though. Hu Huihui seemed to have married quite well.

Oh, no, that's not right. She married the deputy director of the Revolutionary Committee back then, and later she even became the director.

With the policies changing nowadays, some of the bad elements have been held accountable.

Her...

Zhao Guihua hadn't heard any news about Hu Huihui for years, so she was quite curious. She peeked and saw Hu Huihui knocking on the door. Su Jinlai's voice rumbled from inside: "Who is it?"

He swung the door open, and when he saw who it was, he froze: "Who are you?"

Hu Huihui replied, "Jinlai, right? I'm your aunt."

Su Jinlai was even more stunned.

Aunt?

Did his family have such an aunt?

He looked Hu Huihui up and down and immediately determined that she was wealthy.

Just a moment ago, he was lamenting how poor he was, and now here was a rich person? He didn't have any memory of her... Wait, no, he remembered.

After a brief moment of confusion, Su Jinlai finally recognized who was standing in front of him. He said, "Hu Huihui?"

Hu Huihui glared at him and said, "What's wrong with you, kid? How can you call your aunt by her name so directly? That's not polite."

Su Jinlai quickly replied, "Aunt, please come in quickly."

He hurriedly welcomed her inside. Having such a wealthy relative was, of course, something he was very happy about. He rubbed his hands in slight nervousness, despite him usually considering himself quite important. But when facing someone wealthy, there was still a sense of inferiority deep within him.

He poured a cup of tea for Hu Huihui, but she didn't drink it. Instead, she handed him a gift box and said, "I bought some pastry and malted milk for your family. Take them."

When Jinlai saw the contents, his eyes lit up—these were really good things.

He quickly invited her, "Aunt, please sit down. It's cold outside. You can sit on the kang."

Hu Huihui shook her head and said, "No need, it's not cold."

She took out a pack of Hua Zi cigarettes from her small purse, lit one, and asked, "Do you smoke?"

Su Jinlai quickly said, "Yes."

He had never smoked Hua Zi before. What status did he have? Smoking Da Qian Men was considered showing off. But this was Hua Zi. He flattered her with a smile, lit the cigarette, took a puff, and said, "It's really good. It truly is a luxury."

Hu Huihui tossed the rest of the pack to him and said, "You can have them."

Su Jinlai was even happier. Oh man, if he took these out to show off, everyone would look up to him.

He happily tucked them away and asked, "Aunt, how have you been all these years?"

Hu Huihui replied, "I've been quite good. Actually, back then, I wanted to help you, but you know, I had married into a higher status. Whatever your Uncle Husband said, I didn't dare argue. I was literally under someone's roof, with no say in anything. Even if I wanted to help my relatives, I had no capability. I actually felt quite guilty about that. Do you remember? Back then, we were so poor that we couldn't even afford steamed buns."

Jinlai: "..." Now we still can't afford them.

Hu Huihui continued, "The policies have changed in recent years. Your Uncle Husband... you know, he couldn't continue in his position. Now we've both resigned, and we've started a small business together. It may not sound great, but now our lives are much more comfortable than before. Back then, I had no means, but now that I do, I naturally think of my relatives. I heard that after coming back from the countryside, you haven't found a job yet. If you're really struggling, why not come work with us?"

Jinlai: "!!!"

Is this really happening?

It seems like divine justice is finally looking out for him!

His luck has finally arrived!

However, Jinlai was the kind of person who tries to act tough even when he's desperate. Even if he wanted to take advantage of this offer, he still put on a slightly defiant attitude. He said, "I'll think about it. Actually, I'm not desperate for a job. I have a lot of friends outside, and generally, the jobs I see aren't worth my time. That's why I haven't been in a rush, since we don't lack that bit of money." In reality, he had no money in his pocket at all.

Hu Huihui's eyes flickered with amusement as she smiled and said, "That's true, but Aunt still hopes you'll come join us."

She looked Jinlai up and down and said, "We're family—no need for formalities. You have a good reputation, you know."

Su Jinlai: "..."

What does reputation have to do with this?

Was his reputation good? He hadn't realized.

Outside the door, the eavesdroppers scratched their heads in confusion. Yes, eavesdroppers.

Jinlai had no idea, but under their window, several nosy old ladies were squatting...

Such lack of manners.

Zhao Guihua was among them. She wasn't the first one to arrive. Zhou Dama had dashed to the window like a monkey upon hearing the commotion. Not only did she go herself, but she also kept waving at others, calling Luo Xiaohe and Wang Dama over.

If everyone went, and she, Zhao Guihua, didn't go, wouldn't she be left out of the gossip?

That wouldn't do.

Four old ladies were now squatting under the window. Luo Xiaohe, who was doing this for the first time, was so nervous she was shaking, but everyone was puzzled. When it came to Su Jinlai's reputation, everyone knew he was good at nothing and always hungry. So, having a good reputation?

For a moment, everyone suspected that Hu Huihui must have learned from Old Man Lan Sihai, speaking in reverse.