Chapter 18: Working a Part-Time Job Is Simply Out of the Question

Chapter 18: Working a Job Is Impossible

Chen Jianghai grinned broadly. “Boss Jin, how about this—why don’t you just try it and see for yourself?”

That made sense!

Without further ado, Boss Jin quickly grabbed the remote and turned on the air conditioner.

Before long, the room’s temperature began to drop, and the leaking stopped.

Boss Jin examined the air conditioner carefully, scratching his head. “Is it really fixed?”

Chen Jianghai nodded. “Boss Jin, rest assured. If it drips again this summer, I’ll repair it for free.”

“Alright then, thank you. Here’s your payment.” Boss Jin pulled out his wallet and handed over a fifty-yuan bill.

Chen Jianghai accepted it without hesitation, slipping the money casually into his pocket.

“By the way, young master, what’s your name? And where did you learn your skills?”

Boss Jin asked curiously.

“Oh, my surname’s Chen. You can just call me Little Chen, Boss Jin,” Chen Jianghai replied, giving his name and casually repeating the usual excuse he used to brush off inquiries.

“As for my skills, I just bought a few books and taught myself. It’s all self-taught, purely unofficial.”

Boss Jin laughed heartily. “Whether it’s official or self-taught, as long as it earns money, it’s a good path, don’t you agree?”

Chen Jianghai nodded earnestly. “You’re right, Boss Jin. It’s just like they say—whether a cat is black or white, as long as it catches mice, it’s a good cat!”

Suddenly, Boss Jin added, “Wandering the streets like this isn’t really a way to go. Ever thought about renting a storefront? That way you’d have a fixed spot and wouldn’t have to work so hard.”

Chen Jianghai hadn’t expected this from Boss Jin, whom he had just met and barely exchanged a few words with.

“Boss Jin, to be honest, I’ve actually thought about it before, but now isn’t the right time,” Chen Jianghai replied with a smile.

“Is that so?” Boss Jin’s interest was piqued. “Why not? There aren’t many people in Linghai County who can repair home appliances like you do. If your skills weren’t so good, my air conditioner wouldn’t have been leaking this long.”

Chen Jianghai shrugged, answering frankly, “Boss Jin, I don’t have much reputation yet, so there’s no rush to open a store. It’s better to build a good name first. Besides, there’s another important reason.”

“What’s that?” Boss Jin asked curiously.

“I don’t have enough money to open a store right now.”

Upon hearing this, Boss Jin was momentarily speechless. He hadn’t even considered money as a factor.

“So you’re just starting out in this line of work?” Boss Jin picked up on the subtle hint.

Chen Jianghai didn’t deny it. “Yeah, I only started a few days ago.”

Boss Jin blinked, then said, “How about this—I'll provide the capital, you bring the skills, and we partner up to open an appliance repair shop?”

Chen Jianghai hadn’t expected that this stranger would make such an offer.

Boss Jin’s proposal was mainly because he valued Chen Jianghai’s skills.

After their brief interaction, Boss Jin felt this young man was someone worth partnering with.

Youthful but not arrogant, confident yet humble, and carrying an air of maturity in his manner—that was rare.

Over the years of traveling and doing business, Boss Jin had met countless people.

Those with such qualities were truly talented.

Even if Chen Jianghai was down on his luck now, the potential for success was undeniable.

With this mindset, Boss Jin wanted to invest in him.

Besides, the repair business thrives on skill—making money or losing it isn’t really an issue.

It was a win-win situation, and as a businessman, Boss Jin wouldn’t let such an opportunity slip away.

Without hesitation, Chen Jianghai waved his hand. “Boss Jin, thank you for your kindness, but I must decline.”

Now it was Boss Jin’s turn to be surprised.

He hadn’t expected Chen Jianghai to refuse outright without even asking about the details.

“Why don’t you ask how we’d cooperate? Or how much I’d pay you?” he asked.

Chen Jianghai smiled faintly. “Boss Jin, I’m not working for anyone else.”

Hearing this, Boss Jin immediately understood.

Chen Jianghai’s ambitions were sky-high.

But that made sense.

Who wouldn’t be proud and ambitious with such talent and demeanor?

Still, Boss Jin didn’t want to give up so easily.

“Young man, don’t aim too high too soon. On this street, my shop ranks at least third! Work with me, and you’ll definitely make money.”

Though a bit boastful, Boss Jin’s words weren’t meant to belittle Chen Jianghai—just a test.

Chen Jianghai’s smile never faltered. “Boss Jin, I still want to try it on my own.”

Boss Jin pressed on. “Young man, you’ve got to seize opportunities. If you miss this one, I’m afraid you’ll regret it later.”

“I, Chen Jianghai, will never regret what I decide to do, no matter the outcome,” Chen said firmly.

He was a man returned from rebirth; how could he ever be subordinate or work for someone else?

He was meant to be his own boss, with a future as vast as the stars and sea.

Hearing this, Boss Jin nodded and stopped persuading him. “Well then, I wish you luck.”

After expressing his thanks, Chen Jianghai packed up and left the shop, continuing to call out for appliance repair business.

He ate two plain steamed buns and drank a pot of water at noon, then prepared to head home.

Before returning, he had one more task: to pick up the television from Sister Sun’s house.

If he had collected it in the morning, carrying a TV around while handling business would have been inconvenient.

Now was the perfect time to bring it home. After repairing it, he could surprise Wanqiu and they’d have a TV to watch after dinner.

Taking a familiar turn into the alley, he heard bursts of laughter from Sister Sun’s yard from afar.

Chen Jianghai got off his bike and knocked on the door. Sister Sun’s voice called out, “Who is it?”

“It’s me, Sister Sun—Little Chen!” he answered loudly. “I’m here to pick up the TV.”

Soon the yard gate opened, and Sister Sun appeared, smiling warmly.

“Oh, Little Master Chen, you’re here!” she greeted him enthusiastically. “Come on in. I left the TV at home, just waiting for you.”

“Thank you, Sister Sun,” he said.

“No trouble at all, a small favor,” she replied.

Inside the yard, Chen Jianghai saw several middle-aged women—some knitting sweaters, others sorting vegetables—chatting about everyday matters.

“Isn’t this Little Master Chen?” one recognized him and greeted with a smile.

Chen Jianghai quickly responded, “Good afternoon, ladies! You all seem to be living comfortably!”

“That’s just it,” they laughed. “We don’t have skills like yours, Master Chen; all we can do is cook and do housework.”

“Yes, we want to earn money too, maybe buy a few more clothes!”

Listening to their words, Chen Jianghai waved his hand and said, “Ladies, you can’t say that. As the saying goes, women hold up half the sky. Anyone who says you have no skills is simply ignorant!”

His words brought broad smiles to the women; they praised Chen Jianghai for his eloquence.

Sister Sun said, “Master Chen is here to pick up the TV; we shouldn’t keep him.”

“All right, all right, Master Chen, you get to work.”

“Need any help?” a helpful woman offered.

Chen Jianghai shook his head repeatedly. “No, no trouble. I can handle it myself.”

After loading the TV onto his bicycle and securing it with rope, Chen Jianghai bid Sister Sun farewell and slowly rode home.

Suddenly, someone dashed out from around the corner, nearly colliding head-on with him.

(End of chapter)