Back To The 80s

Wen Xiuqing continued as if she hadn’t heard, eating her meal in silence without saying a word.

This time, Gu Xiaobei kind of agreed with Wen Xiuqing’s attitude. Even though they had made some money, they shouldn’t get too arrogant.

Lu Ruixue seemed to be blinded by her brief triumph. Ignoring Wen Xiuqing’s sour tone, she offered Chen Dajun several chunks of braised pork with the communal chopsticks and flattered him: "Eat up, you’ve been working hard recently, restore some strength."

To Gu Xiaobei, her young sister-in-law was just plain naïve, if not outright foolish. Chen Dajun had just made some money, and she already worshiped him like a god. If he ever made big money, she was afraid Chen Dajun would grow unbearable from all this pampering.

After finishing lunch, Chen Dajun was a bit disappointed to find that Lu Aiguo hadn’t returned. He had yet to fully show off, and how could he bear to leave without letting Lu Aiguo see his triumphant look.

Lu Ruixue also wasn’t in a hurry to return home. Recently, every day her house was crowded with people looking to use Dajun’s connections to buy a TV. There were too many of them, all seeking to buy at a fair price. By not returning home, she achieved some peace.

Seeing that this couple was lounging on the sofa and displayed no intention of leaving, Gu Xiaobei asked Lu Zhanguo to help her take the children upstairs for their afternoon nap.

Wen Xiuqing also went back to her room after finishing her meal, while Lu Ruixue casually sprawled on the sofa, propping her feet up on the armrest.

After Lu Zhanguo returned from upstairs and saw Lu Ruixue’s posture, he frowned. Displeased, he said: "Put your feet down. You need to maintain some propriety."

Lu Ruixue in turn pouted but obediently put her feet down and sat up straight.

Once Lu Zhanguo took a seat on the single seater sofa, Chen Dajun couldn’t wait to ask: "Brother, how long is your leave?"

"About three months, why?" Lu Zhanguo asked, noticing a calculating look in Chen Dajun’s eyes.

Chen Dajun sat up straight, straightening the lapel of his suit. He then nervously said: "Brother, as you know, I have been dabbling in some small business. Would you be able to help me connect with some potential buyers?"

Lu Zhanguo frowned: "What exactly do you sell?"

"Color TVs, fridges, and tape recorders... see if your army buddies need any," Chen Dajun quickly suggested.

"We only earn a few tens of dollars a month. Who among us can afford a color TV? Moreover, where are you sourcing these TVs from? Can I trust it?" Lu Zhanguo could not help but warn Chen Dajun.

Chen Dajun almost felt like thumping his chest in assurance. "It’s reliable. My friends have connections. I pretty much have all the TV coupons. Once the goods arrive, all I have to do is go and claim them."

"You should still be more cautious. Don’t spend all your money before seeing the goods. You wouldn’t want something to go wrong down the line."

Lu Ruixue was a bit unhappy with her brother’s nagging. Mumbling, she said: "Brother, stop jinxing it. What could possibly go wrong? Chen Dajun knows some influential people who can easily get us TV coupons. You wouldn’t understand because of your military background."

Lu Zhanguo didn’t feel like responding. It seemed Lu Aiguo was right. His sister failed to see the difference between ’insiders’ and ’outsiders’. Chen Dajun needed to hit a snag or two to learn from his mistakes.

Chen Dajun, noticing that Lu Zhanguo didn’t say anything, quickly added: "When you and my sister-in-law return, Ruixue and I will send you a color TV."

Lu Ruixue enthusiastically nodded: "That’s right. It would make life easier for my sister-in-law while she looks after the kids."

Lu Zhanguo shook his head: "No need. You two just focus on living a good life. Ruixue, you should consider getting a job. You’re not getting any younger."

"I don’t want to work in a factory. It’s too taxing," Lu Ruixue casually remarked.

Chen Dajun followed up: "Brother, I’m already making money. Why bother Ruixue with work? She can just relax at home, visit friends, and go shopping."

Looking at this pair of intellectually challenged young adults, Lu Zhanguo didn’t bother speaking anymore. It was simply too hard to communicate.

After dinner, there was still no sign of Lu Aiguo’s return, so a slightly dejected Chen Dajun left with Lu Ruixue.

Fang Jing couldn’t help but ask Gu Xiaobei once Lu Ruixue and Chen Dajun left: "Sister-in-law, can they really make that much money from their business?"

"In business, as long as you have good connections above and realistic output below, it can indeed be profitable." Gu Xiaobei shared her perspective on business. However, she wasn’t very optimistic about Chen Dajun’s business venture. Being too flamboyant wasn’t a good sign.

Fang Jing nodded and sighed: "Lu Aiguo really should learn how to do business, whether he has connections or realistic output."

Seeing Fang Jing worried about Lu Aiguo, Gu Xiaobei reassured her: "Relax. You see, the news on TV just yesterday mentioned the transition from a planned economy to a market economy. This is a golden opportunity for business. As long as he doesn’t take shortcuts or get greedy, trying to get rich quick, everything should be fine."

Fang Jing felt more worried the more they talked about this. She took the baby from Gu Xiaobei’s arms and said: "Let me watch the baby for you. You can go take a shower."

-------------

As December rolled in, the long-anticipated heavy snow arrived in Capital City. Gu Xiaobei felt that she had been too idealistic. She had originally planned to return home, observe the market in Capital City, and learn about doing business in the current environment. However, because of her two children, she hadn’t even stepped foot outside the villa.

Every day, she would cradle her children, walking up and down the stairs of the house. Lu Zhanguo’s health was recovering well; he would jog a little every day.

Xiaopang and Mo Wang were more than five months old now, able to sit upright with the assistance of a cushion. They were plump and fair, and upon being teased, they would open their toothless little mouths to reveal a pink gum ridge; they were extremely adorable.

Gu Xiaobei also found out that Xiaopang was much more mischievous than Mo Wang. Every time they lay down, Xiaopang would roll towards Mo Wang and kick him with his chubby little feet. This always let out a series of hums from Mo Wang, but he never cried.

Impressively, Lu Aiguo didn’t go out that day either. After breakfast, he held Mo Wang in his arms and teased him: "Look at my well-behaved nephew. When your uncle makes money, he’ll buy you a big villa, and then find you a foreign woman as a wife, okay?"

Lu Aiguo’s nonsensical words caused Gu Xiaobei to break into laughter. Contrarily, Lu Zhanguo wore a stern face and said: "Soldiers are not allowed to marry non-citizens."

Lu Aiguo glanced at Lu Zhanguo: "Don’t stake my nephew’s future on your military standards. Good steel is not wasted on the nails, and good men don’t become soldiers. Our Mo Wang is destined to be a big boss in the future."

Lu Zhanguo retaliated without comprising: "Despite what you say, it still doesn’t count."

"Just because I say so doesn’t make it count, but if you say so, it does?" Lu Aiguo, still beaming, cradled Mo Wang and began to stroll around the room.

Amused by the childish banter between the two, Gu Xiaobei laughed so hard she was barely able to stand. Even her son’s future had already been divided up in their conversation.

Amidst the delightful banter, Lu Ruixue burst into the room like a madwoman, sobbing: "Second brother, third brother, you have to save Dajun. He’s going to jail."

Gu Xiaobei was slightly surprised. What happened that could possibly send him to jail?

Lu Aiguo, as if he had known all along, remained indifferent and continued to carry Mo Wang around the room.

Lu Zhanguo frowned at the teary-eyed Lu Ruixue. He worried that she might frighten the child, so he gently patted the baby Xiaopang in his arms and asked: "What happened? Stop crying and start talking."