Chapter 64: Money Is a Slippery Eel, But Once Spent It Can Be Earned Again

TL: Etude

After delivering the purchased items home, Chen Jianghai rode his bicycle to the gas station in the west of the city.

In those days, using gas meant using bottled gas. If you had a voucher, it was free; without one, you had to pay.

Spending fifty-five yuan, Chen Jianghai bought a new gas bottle, hooked it onto the back of his bicycle, and rode home in high spirits.

Arriving home, of course, there was a bustle of activity: installing the electric fan, fitting the gas stove.

With this back-and-forth, dusk had unknowingly fallen. Chen Jianghai washed his face, ready to start cooking dinner.

"Wow! Jianghai, you've got a gas stove in use now?"

Qiu Jinfeng happened to walk in, her sharp eyes immediately noticing the brand-new gas stove and bottle in the kitchen.

Although Chen Jianghai wasn't too fond of Qiu Jinfeng—a woman who was mercenary in nature—he still saw no need to be too brusque with a neighbor.

Chen Jianghai responded with a smile, "Yes, coal stoves are too much trouble to use, so I took the opportunity to switch to a gas stove."

"I've heard these things aren't cheap. Liquefied gas costs several tens of yuan per bottle each month, right?"

Qiu Jinfeng's eyes carried a hint of envy, "It seems, Jianghai, you really are making a pretty penny!"

Chen Jianghai waved his hand dismissively, "It's nothing big, just using some hard-earned money to improve the living conditions at home."

This modest statement, however, appeared to Qiu Jinfeng as a boast.

"Well, you're busy, I should get back to cooking too!"

Qiu Jinfeng forced a smile, turned around, and went back home, then closed her door with a bang as if venting her frustration.

Hearing the sound of the door closing outside, Chen Jianghai shook his head.

Is it any wonder why he didn't like this woman?

Her jealousy was just too strong; she couldn't bear to see others do well, and she was somewhat spiteful.

In the neighboring room, Qiu Jinfeng entered and gritted her teeth, "Is it necessary to flaunt your wealth in front of me just because you've made some money?"

Her husband, Xu Damao, overheard and frowned, asking, "Who are you talking about?"

"Who else but Chen Jianghai from next door?!"

Qiu Jinfeng's face was filled with dissatisfaction, "I don't know what kind of luck he's stepped in, making some money and flaunting it everywhere, acting all high-and-mighty. It's infuriating!"

Knowing his wife's temperament well, Xu Damao couldn't help but say, "But he's not really flaunting, is he?"

"Not flaunting?!" Qiu Jinfeng reacted as if a tail had been stepped on, glaring at Xu Damao with hands on her hips, raising her voice.

"Yesterday he brought home a TV, today a gas stove, as if he's afraid others won't know he's struck it rich. Such a petty man reveling in his newfound wealth! If he's so capable, why doesn't he bring home an air conditioner and a fridge while he's at it?"

Xu Damao sighed, trying to be patient, "That's his business, don't gossip behind people's backs. Now that he's well off, offending him wouldn't be wise."

"I know! I'm just speaking my mind at home!" Qiu Jinfeng softened a bit upon hearing Xu Damao's words, and her voice dropped significantly.

She even looked subconsciously at the tightly closed door, recalling whether she had been too loud, possibly overheard by Chen Jianghai across the way.

Xu Damao continued, "Our TV's acting up. I fiddled with it for ages to no avail. Do you think we could ask Jianghai to have a look? He's a neighbor, after all; maybe he'll charge us less?"

It was clear that Xu Damao was quite calculating.

Upon hearing this, Qiu Jinfeng's eyes lit up, "That's a good idea! I do want to see if he's as miraculous as the rumors say about fixing TVs."

"Then go ask him tonight, see what he says." Xu Damao watched his wife, who thought she was being very clever, and held back further comment.

Qiu Jinfeng considered and then said, "Alright, I'll ask after dinner. Asking now, we'd have to invite him for the meal, which wouldn't be cost-effective."

Xu Damao opened his mouth to speak but ultimately swallowed his words.

It's likely that his wife's stingy nature would not change in this life.

When Lin Wanqiu returned home, she saw a brand new gas stove as soon as she entered the kitchen.

"Jianghai, did you buy this?" Lin Wanqiu asked in surprise.

Chen Jianghai nodded, "Yeah, that coal stove is too slow for cooking, I've wanted to replace it for a long time."

"This gas tank costs more than twenty, it's not cheap!" Lin Wanqiu felt a little distressed.

Chen Jianghai smiled, "A can of gas can last for a month or two, and it's not much worse than using briquettes."

"But we still have plenty of coal at home!"

Lin Wanqiu couldn't help but point out the pile of coal briquettes stacked in the corner as she spoke, "You should at least finish using these coal briquettes before switching over!"

"The coal stove is still there; it hasn't been thrown away!"

Chen Jianghai pointed to the coal stove in the corner and said, "We can use it whenever we want to."

This was obviously an excuse he had prepared in advance.

He figured that once Lin Wanqiu got used to the gas stove, she probably wouldn't think about using the coal stove anymore.

Hearing Chen Jianghai's words, Lin Wanqiu was left without a reply.

She felt that Chen Jianghai was becoming more and more articulate, and she was no longer his match in argument.

"Alright, alright, go back to the room and wash your face, dinner will be ready soon!"

Chen Jianghai waved his hand as he spoke.

Once in the room, Lin Wanqiu caught sight of the standing electric fan beside the bed, and she couldn't help but start complaining again.

"Jianghai, did you buy the electric fan too?"

"Yes!"

Chen Jianghai came out with the dishes and said, "I was actually thinking of buying an air conditioner, but it's not that hot right now. Let's wait until we move into a new house to buy it!"

As expected!

Hearing Chen Jianghai say this, Lin Wanqiu completely gave up.

Chen Jianghai, on the other hand, was secretly pleased.

The reason he had mentioned the air conditioner and the idea of moving was to silence Lin Wanqiu for the moment and to lay the groundwork for future expenditures.

Of course, Chen Jianghai understood Lin Wanqiu's thoughts.

She wanted to save more money, only considering purchasing new appliances when they had enough savings.

As for how much was enough, even she probably couldn't figure that out.

Therefore, these matters still had to be managed by Chen Jianghai himself.

Otherwise, although the money was earned, who knew how long it would take to achieve a happy and comfortable life?

Seeing Chen Jianghai like this, Lin Wanqiu suddenly became a bit worried.

She feared that Chen Jianghai, having made some money, would start to spend recklessly.

This was not a good sign.

"Jianghai, the money didn't come easily, should we perhaps spend a bit more frugally?" Lin Wanqiu said cautiously.

Chen Jianghai placed the dishes on the table, wiped his hands, and hugged Lin Wanqiu, saying, "Don't worry, I have a clear plan in my mind."

Lin Wanqiu was still worried, frowning as she advised, "Jianghai, you should think about the future! What if we run out of work or there's an urgent need for money? What will we do then?"

"Silly girl, why are you still worried about this?"

Chen Jianghai gently pinched Lin Wanqiu's perky nose and said, "Just this batch of televisions is enough for us to make a big profit. Besides, your husband has many ways to make money. Spend this money with peace of mind!

"Remember, money is slippery: once spent, it can be earned again!"