After Jiang Xiuyun got off work, Xiao Chenghe, the model husband, was already waiting outside on his bicycle again.
After picking her up and returning home, he took out a bankbook and stuffed it into her hands. “Wife, haven’t you been worried that I’m spending money on others outside? Take a look. This is our family’s bankbook. Now you can rest easy, right?”
Jiang Xiuyun flipped open the bankbook. When she saw the 9,600 yuan written inside, her eyes narrowed slightly.
“Old Xiao, I knew you’ve always been thrifty. Of course the money would be saved. I’ll keep this from now on. In the future, this money will be spent on our son and daughter.”
As she spoke, Jiang Xiuyun locked the bankbook into the wardrobe. Xiao Chenghe had originally intended to take it back, but his hand could only awkwardly retreat into his pocket.
“Whoever keeps it is fine,” he said.
Xiao Chenghe had thought this was just a feint—he only needed Jiang Xiuyun to see the money. Who would have thought this woman would actually keep the bankbook? This money had just been temporarily taken from the company’s finances today.
What should he do now?
Fortunately, the accounts wouldn’t be checked until the end of next month. He still had about a month to patch things up. He would find an opportunity to get the bankbook back no matter what.
Meanwhile, Xu Baoqiang hummed a tune as he rode his bicycle, about to enter the alley. Suddenly, he crashed into someone coming from the opposite direction.
The other man fell to the ground. The blue coat he wore opened wide, revealing a dazzling sight—inside were rows upon rows of watches, electronic watches, all kinds of them.
“Are you blind? What are you doing? Can’t you watch where you’re going?” the man snapped as he scrambled to his feet, quickly covering his coat before pushing up his bicycle.
Even so, two electronic watches had fallen to the ground. The man picked them up anxiously, blew on them, shook them, and only relaxed after confirming the numbers were still accurate.
With the reform era underway, doing business in the county was no longer rare. But electronic watches like these were known to sell extremely well. They were usually smuggled in from Hong Kong, and ordinary people had no access to such channels.
Hearing this, the man became wary. He stuffed the watches into his pocket, covered it tightly, and tried to leave with his bicycle.
Xu Baoqiang hurriedly blocked his path. “Comrade, comrade, brother, I just want to do business with you!”
“Why should I do business with you?” the man retorted.
Before he could move, Xu Baoqiang grabbed hold of his bicycle handle, leaving him unable to get away.
“You don’t want to do business, right? Fine. I’ll shout for people right here. I’ll call the police and see if you can still run.”
“Wait, wait, brother!” the man pleaded urgently. “Let’s not cross each other. You look like a capable and clever young man. Why make things difficult?”
Seeing the man frightened, Xu Baoqiang grew smug. “Do you even know who I am? My brother-in-law is Manager at the Sugar, Tobacco, and Food Company. Offending me won’t do you any good. I just want to partner with you. We help each other, make money together.”
The man was clearly intimidated. Hearing this, he immediately put on a flattering smile. “Ah, your brother-in-law is so capable. Then let’s discuss it properly, brother. Come, I’ll treat you to a drink.”
Later, Xu Baoqiang placed the bananas and apples he had bought in front of his sister and said with a grin, “Sis, I got these bananas and apples just for you. You don’t know how hard they are to buy. I waited in line at the Supply and Marketing Cooperative for days before I finally got them.”
Xu Meifeng couldn’t help but smile when she saw the fruit. “You brat, what do you want this time? Ran out of money again, or got into trouble? Would you ever buy things for your sister for no reason?”
Xu Baoqiang quickly peeled a banana and stuffed it into her hand. “Sis, we grew up together. You’ve always loved me the most. I’ve recently found a chance to do some big business. If it works out, making 10,000 yuan won’t be a problem at all.”
He leaned closer, his voice eager. “I’ve relied on you all my life. Now that I have a chance to make money, once I get rich, I’ll spend it all on you and my little nephew. Sis, lend me some money, okay?”
Hearing this, Xu Meifeng became cautious. Her younger brother had never been responsible. Giving him small amounts was one thing, but if something went wrong, it would be trouble.
“What kind of business are you doing? If it’s unreliable, give it up early. Your brother-in-law is already figuring something out. In a while, he’ll definitely get you into the Food Company. That’s much better than doing business.” This chapter was copied from g.com without permission.
“Sis, you don’t understand. People on the streets are making a lot of money now. I recently met a friend. He’s a reseller. Sure, it doesn’t sound nice, but he earns tens of thousands of yuan a month.”
Xu Meifeng didn’t believe it. “Stop talking nonsense. How could there be such easy money? How much does your brother-in-law earn in a month?”
“Sis, I’m not lying. Haven’t you heard about those electronic watches everyone’s talking about? Some sell for 30 to 40 yuan each, others for 70 to 80 yuan. People are lining up to buy them and still can’t get any. They’re extremely easy to sell.”
Hearing it was electronic watches, Xu Meifeng understood what he meant. “Yes, they do sell well. But I’ve heard they’re all smuggled goods. If you get caught, it won’t end well.”
“Sis! The bold get rich, the timid starve. My friend specializes in this business. It’s doing very well and it’s stable. I just want to invest in one deal with him. Don’t worry. Once I make money, I won’t touch this kind of thing again.”
He pressed on, his tone earnest. “Sis, this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Let me act like a man and earn money for the family, okay? Every time I spend brother-in-law’s money or ask you for money, I feel uncomfortable too.”
“Our family can’t rely on him forever. We need some backbone of our own. Otherwise, he’ll always look down on us.”
He lowered his voice, his words sharp. “If your younger brother had any ability, would he dare make you hide like this? Isn’t it because our whole family depends on him that he dares to act however he wants?”
“Sis, if you want to stand by his side properly with your child, then your brother needs to have the ability to support you.”
Hearing this, Xu Meifeng felt tempted.
She knew very well why she had to be so careful and accommodating toward Xiao Chenghe—it was because her entire family depended on him.
There was an old saying: when you take from someone, you lose your confidence.
If her brother could truly succeed in business, it wouldn’t be a bad thing. At the very least, they wouldn’t have to rely on Xiao Chenghe all the time.
Then she would finally have the confidence to fight for her rightful place.