Chapter 17: What Should I Do? What Am I To Do?

Chapter 17: What Should I Do? What Am I Supposed to Do?

“Big Sister Sun, what’s the matter?” Chen Jianghai asked curiously when he saw her signaling to stop his bike.

Big Sister Sun nodded with a smile. “Xiao Chen, didn’t we agree last time that you’d take my sister’s black-and-white TV?”

Hearing this, Chen Jianghai suddenly recalled the matter. “Hey, Big Sister Sun, do you think I’m someone who doesn’t keep his word? Of course I’ll take it! Black-and-white or color TV, I’ll take either.”

“You definitely wouldn’t be that kind of person,” Big Sister Sun grinned. “The TV’s already at my place. Why don’t you come see it now?”

“Sure,” Chen Jianghai readily agreed.

Following her to her home, he saw the black-and-white TV sitting on the square table. It looked quite new.

“Big Sister Sun, this TV is well-maintained. Your sister must be quite meticulous!” Chen Jianghai glanced over.

If Big Sister Sun hadn’t said it was broken, Chen Jianghai would have thought it was brand new.

“Meticulous?” Big Sister Sun looked puzzled. “What do you mean?”

Chen Jianghai tapped his head; the concept of “meticulous” wasn’t common yet, so no wonder she didn’t understand.

“It means someone who manages their life carefully,” he explained.

Big Sister Sun readily agreed. “Exactly! My sister sure knows how to live well!”

“I can see that, I can see that,” Chen Jianghai said, then began inspecting the TV.

Eventually, he found the 14-inch Jin Xing TV’s picture tube was broken beyond repair.

The components factory only made basic parts; high-end parts like the picture tube were impossible to source. Chen Jianghai felt a little regretful—this could have fetched a good price, but now it was uncertain.

“Big Sister Sun, the most critical part of this TV is broken, so I can’t offer a high price,” Chen Jianghai honestly said.

Big Sister Sun’s eyes widened. “What’s broken?”

“The picture tube—that’s the part that displays the image,” Chen Jianghai tapped the screen.

“No wonder it’s all dark when turned on. How much are you offering?”

Chen Jianghai thought for a moment, then held up four fingers. “At most forty.”

For others, he wouldn’t have offered so high, but since Big Sister Sun had helped arrange repairs recently, a little extra was fine.

Besides, the other parts of the TV were intact; once repaired, it could be sold as 80% new.

Big Sister Sun clapped her hands. “Alright, let’s go with that price.”

In recent days, others had brought broken TVs to Chen Jianghai, but he had only offered around thirty, never forty before.

With the price settled, Chen Jianghai readily paid and said, “Big Sister Sun, I might trouble you with one thing.”

“Go ahead,” she said generously.

Chen Jianghai pointed to his bike parked outside. “I can’t fit it on my bike now. Can I leave the TV here and pick it up tomorrow?”

Big Sister Sun nodded. “No problem. It won’t get lost here. Come get it tomorrow.”

After leaving Sun’s home, Chen Jianghai went to the vegetable market at Yangqiao Entrance to buy some groceries and then stopped by a marinated food stall to get two goose wings, Lin Wanqiu’s favorite, happily returning home to cook.

That evening, the first thing Lin Wanqiu did upon returning was ask Chen Jianghai how business had been.

In a previous life, Chen Jianghai would have been impatient with such a question.

This time, however, he sensed the deep care behind her words.

He knew well that Lin Wanqiu wasn’t concerned about how much he earned—she just hoped he would truly turn over a new leaf and live earnestly.

“Not bad today. Made over sixty.”

Originally, it was more than a hundred, but after taking Sun’s TV, the remainder was this amount.

Chen Jianghai pulled money from his pocket and placed it on the table, showing his wife the fruits of his labor.

Seeing the money, Lin Wanqiu’s eyes widened, sparkling with excitement and joy.

Her man truly was capable of earning good money!

Yet, she still teased him with a boastful tone.

“You should be satisfied! Others work hard all month for just two hundred!”

Chen Jianghai counted out some bills and handed them over. “Wanqiu, you keep these.”

Lin Wanqiu took the money, counted it again, then unlocked a drawer beside the bed. Inside, bills of one, two, five, and ten yuan were neatly organized with rubber bands.

“Jiang Hai, we’ve saved seven hundred and sixty-five yuan!”

She jotted the number in her little notebook, her face full of delight.

Just after speaking, she instinctively covered her mouth, hardly able to believe it.

Before, she managed the household frugally, reluctant to spend on food or clothes, barely making ends meet—let alone save money.

As for having children, it was a thought she didn’t dare entertain.

Now, everything had changed.

In just a few days, Chen Jianghai had earned seven or eight hundred yuan, something Lin Wanqiu never dreamed possible before.

The money in the drawer proved this wasn’t a dream.

Chen Jianghai’s actions confirmed that his past boasts were not empty words.

“All right, all right, let’s eat—here, try a goose wing first!”

With that, Chen Jianghai placed a marinated goose wing into Lin Wanqiu’s bowl.

“By the way, Jiang Hai, I need to tell you something.”

Lin Wanqiu took a couple of bites, then set down her bowl and chopsticks.

“What is it?” Chen Jianghai looked up.

“I got a call from home today. My sister has returned from the big city. Mom and Dad asked me to come home for a meal.”

Lin Wanqiu’s expression turned a bit sour.

Chen Jianghai was momentarily stunned but quickly understood.

It was mainly because Lin Wanqiu’s parents disapproved of him as a son-in-law.

More importantly, Lin Wanqiu’s elder sister, working elsewhere, was always critical of Chen Jianghai.

Visiting Lin Wanqiu’s family this time, the couple would surely be coldly received.

It wasn’t anyone’s fault but Chen Jianghai’s own failings in his previous life.

But now that fate had granted him a second chance, he vowed not to let anyone look down on him again.

More importantly, he wouldn’t let Lin Wanqiu suffer in the middle—he would help her regain confidence and hold her head high in that family.

“When is it?”

Thinking this over, Chen Jianghai asked calmly.

“Next Saturday, and I’m off that day.”

Chen Jianghai nodded. “Okay, we’ll go together.”

“Jiang Hai, my parents are straightforward. They don’t hide what they think. If they say anything unpleasant, don’t take it to heart. If it gets too much, we can just have the meal and leave,” Lin Wanqiu warned, a bit worried despite her happiness at his easy agreement.

Chen Jianghai smiled slightly. “Don’t worry, Wanqiu. Mom and Dad only want what’s best for us. How could I be upset?”

Hearing this, Lin Wanqiu felt as if she’d been sweetened by honey.

This man was considerate in every way. She felt this life might be the one she truly wanted.

“Thank you, Jiang Hai.”

Lin Wanqiu looked at him with eyes moistening.

Chen Jianghai put down his chopsticks, took her hand, and said earnestly, “Wanqiu, I’m just doing what I should. You don’t need to thank me. I should be the one thanking you.”

“What… what do you mean by that?” Lin Wanqiu blinked, puzzled.

Chen Jianghai gazed at the lovely woman before him, full of tenderness. “It’s simple. You’ve done so much for me. What I’ve done is nothing compared to that.”

“In short, you’re my woman, Wanqiu. I want you to be happy every day, without any worries.”

Lin Wanqiu’s cheeks flushed deeply.

Such plain words were the sweetest love confession to her.

…

They spent the night in silence.

The next morning, when Chen Jianghai opened his eyes, he saw Lin Wanqiu looking at him shyly.

Noticing his gaze, she quickly covered herself with the blanket, playing a game of self-deception.

Chen Jianghai was a bit confused. What was going on?

When his eyes dropped lower, he immediately understood.

It was summer, and without air conditioning or even a fan at home, the spirited Chen Jianghai had already thrown off the thin blanket covering him.

Although his wife was right beside him, he hadn’t touched her yet, so his morning reaction was natural.

Lin Wanqiu happened to see this from the bed.

Having lived two lives, Chen Jianghai was not at all uncomfortable in such a scene.

Lin Wanqiu, however, buried her head like an ostrich, hiding under the covers and overthinking.

What should I do?

What am I supposed to do?

If he wants it, should I give it to him?

…

Chen Jianghai turned over, got up, quickly dressed, and after a simple wash, went to the kitchen to prepare breakfast.

When Lin Wanqiu emerged from under the covers, Chen Jianghai was already gone from the room.

Was he angry?

Should I not have acted that way?

He’s already made such big changes for me; maybe I should…

Gentle and virtuous as she was, Lin Wanqiu took all the responsibility upon herself.

Chen Jianghai, of course, had no idea what she was thinking. He was focused on business at Pozi Street.

There were mostly various shops, and their owners were undoubtedly among the first to prosper, so their homes naturally had more appliances.

Chen Jianghai had mostly been repairing radios and TVs lately; other appliances were rare.

Fixing a radio earned only a few yuan; black-and-white TVs brought in ten or twenty yuan. Though the volume was decent, it was time-consuming and slow to make money.

If there were air conditioners, color TVs, or refrigerators, the repair fees would be much higher, and profits greater.

Thinking of this, he sighed inwardly.

For ordinary people, the accumulation of the first pot of gold is indeed full of hardship!

After finishing breakfast, Chen Jianghai brought it inside, where he saw Lin Wanqiu sitting at the table, her cheeks flushed.

When Chen Jianghai came in, she quickly lowered her head, avoiding his gaze.

Chen Jianghai was surprised. What was wrong with Wanqiu so early in the morning?

“Jiang Hai… have you been feeling unwell lately?” Lin Wanqiu asked suddenly, sipping her porridge.

Chen Jianghai was caught off guard but replied casually, “No, I’m fine. Why?”

“That’s good… that’s good…” Lin Wanqiu answered nervously.

Seeing her shy demeanor, Chen Jianghai didn’t know what was going on and pressed, “Wanqiu, what’s wrong? Is something bothering you?”

“No, no, hurry up and eat. I have to get to work!” Lin Wanqiu said without looking up.

After breakfast, they both went about their day.

Riding his bicycle, Chen Jianghai was stopped as soon as he reached Pozi Street by a middle-aged man who looked like a shop owner.

“Young master, you fix appliances, right?”

The man stood at his shop door, about thirty, with a large belly and a well-off appearance.

Chen Jianghai nodded and smiled. “Yes, boss. What needs fixing?”

“Do you know how to fix air conditioners?” the man asked immediately.

Chen Jianghai’s spirits lifted. Big business was coming!

“What’s your name, boss?” Chen Jianghai asked, stepping forward.

“My name’s Jin. Can you fix it?” the boss asked curtly.

Hearing this, Chen Jianghai knew this man valued efficiency and didn’t like to waste time.

“As long as it’s broken, I guarantee to fix it,” Chen Jianghai said confidently.

Boss Jin warned seriously, “Young man, don’t promise too much.”

Chen Jianghai replied firmly, “Boss Jin, skills aren’t just talk—you’ll know once I try.”

“Good, come inside and take a look.”

Following him in, Chen Jianghai noticed the shop sold jewelry and jade. In these times, only those with strong capital could run such businesses, no wonder they could afford an air conditioner.

Boss Jin led him to the back room and pointed to the air conditioner in the corner. “This one’s been dripping water for some reason. It’s made the room unlivable.”

Chen Jianghai glanced over and saw the Chunlan air conditioner indeed leaking.

This was a common issue in this era; statistics later showed four out of ten air conditioners leaked.

The reasons were simple.

Mostly not related to quality.

Usually, two causes:

One, poor installation.

There were hardly any professional air conditioner installers or after-sales services, even for big brands like Chunlan.

Two, lack of routine maintenance during use, causing clogged pipes.

Thinking this through, Chen Jianghai smiled at Boss Jin. “Okay, I can definitely fix it.”

Boss Jin looked surprised. “You’re that sure without even checking?”

“Boss Jin, why would I lie? If I can’t fix it, you don’t pay,” Chen Jianghai said.

Boss Jin laughed. “How much will the repair cost?”

Chen Jianghai was surprised—this was the first client to ask about the fee upfront. Others waited for him to name a price.

“Fifty,” Chen Jianghai said without hesitation, holding up five fingers.

Boss Jin glanced at him and didn’t haggle. “Fine, if you can fix it, that’s the price.”

It was clear that even if Chen Jianghai asked for more, Boss Jin would likely agree.

But Chen Jianghai had his own pricing standards and wouldn’t overcharge.

After all, these repairs were small money, not worth risking his reputation.

With the price settled, Chen Jianghai put down his bag, brought over a stool, and stood on it to inspect the installation.

Except for one loose screw, everything else looked fine.

This confirmed it was likely a clogged pipe.

He took out his tools, disassembled the air conditioner pipes, and found a layer of black grime inside.

That was definitely the problem.

After a thorough cleaning, he reassembled everything and pointed to the air conditioner.

“Boss Jin, it’s fixed. The main issue was a clogged pipe. Also, one screw was loose—I tightened it.”

Boss Jin looked skeptical. “That’s all it took?”

From when Chen Jianghai started to now hadn’t even been half an hour.

Could it really be fixed in such a short time?

(End of chapter)