Chapter 88 (Combined)

The next day when his childhood friend came, Luo Hong said to him, "Send it again, I can't stop Yan Yan from going."

Zhou Weifang didn't intend to let Luo Yan know about this, fearing it would put too much psychological burden on her and make everyone's relationship awkward.

He said, "Okay, let's go."

No, why did they leave?

Luo Hong: "Wait a minute, wait a minute, help me hold this axle up, I'm going to weld it."

Zhou Weifang lent him a hand.

But he had come just before Luo Yan finished class, and the school bell rang just as he was dawdling.

However, Luo Hong didn't care about being discarded after serving his purpose. He waved his hand and said, "That's settled. You may leave."

He even put on airs. Zhou Weifang rolled his eyes, but couldn't hold back any longer. He kicked him and rode away on his bicycle.

Luo Hong nearly lost his footing and started cursing at him from behind.

As soon as Luo Yan stepped into the store, she saw her brother cursing someone. She looked around and asked, "Who offended you?"

Luo Hong was speechless: "You're just a kid, don't pry into everything."

"As if he's some big shot," Luo Yan scoffed, washed her hands, opened her lunchbox, her eyes lit up, and she cupped her face in her hands, smiling, "These are all my favorite foods."

Zhou Weifang should have stayed to see this scene too; he would have been completely mesmerized.

Luo Hong casually stuffed the hammer into his pocket, saying, "Stop grinning like an idiot, eat it."

"Who's being stupid?" Luo Yan said disdainfully. "Work clothes aren't made like this. Do they have to be in your pockets?"

Luo Hong: "It's convenient and easy to use."

Luo Yan was too lazy to say anything to him. She pursed her lips and sat down to eat, saying, "I've made up my mind. I'll buy Sister Yuyao a silk scarf. A classmate of mine wore one today. She said it was an imported item from the Overseas Chinese Store and it's super pretty."

At the Overseas Chinese Store, Luo Hong asked, "Do you have any remittance certificates at home?"

Overseas Chinese remittance coupons were a valuable commodity back then. In addition to being able to buy imported goods at overseas Chinese stores, they often came with coupons for grain, cloth, and other goods. However, only families who could receive foreign exchange could exchange them at designated windows.

The Luo family has no overseas connections, so it's not easy for them to dabble in remittances. Most of it is spent on Luo Yan, ensuring she always has a box of chocolate cookies that never runs out.

She said, "My classmate has one, so I swapped with her."

Okay, but Luo Hong worried: "Do you have time to go buy it? They're getting married on Sunday."

Luo Yan: Yes, I have class at around 3 PM the day after tomorrow.

There are several overseas Chinese shops in Beijing, and the nearest one is less than half an hour away by bike.

Luo Hong: "You'll make it. Where are you having lunch?"

Luo Yan: "I'll eat it myself."

Since his sister wasn't coming, Luo Hong just ate whatever he could find.

On Thursday, he made himself a plate of scrambled eggs with tomatoes that had almost no eggs. He had just taken a couple of bites with his rice when he saw his childhood friend saunter over again. He said irritably, "Nobody's here today, no need to fawn over me."

Zhou Weifang: "You're being petty. I'm here to collect the steel bars."

Although metal is not as strictly regulated as it was a few years ago, you still need a permit to buy it each time. He has to come here to get more when he runs out of his own stock—of course, he doesn't deny that he has his own ulterior motives for choosing this time.

Luo Hong gestured for him to go get it from the corner, and hurriedly ate a couple more bites of rice.

It's been a while since lunchtime.

Zhou Weifang assumed Luo Yan had finished eating and gone to do something else, glancing at his childhood friend's bowl: "Did you give her this for lunch too?"

What kind of tone is that? Luo Hong: "Am I eating pig swill?"

Well, it does look somewhat like it after he mixed it, but it would be too disrespectful to say it out loud. Zhou Weifang gave a meaningful look.

Luo Hong: "How much more lavish is your own meal?"

Zhou Weifang wasn't being stingy with himself, but he had to work all day long, and when he was busy, he couldn't even guarantee three meals a day. Now that he had time to sit down, he said, "It seems business is good today."

Luo Hong: "Anyway, coming and going, I'll probably get a few cents or two."

He only started his business in the middle of last month, and in just over ten days he earned the same amount he used to earn in a month at the factory.

At first, this income was pretty good. Zhou Weifang: "Yours is a bit better than mine. Jiaotong University doesn't let out for summer vacation until the end of July, and many students don't go home."

Luo Hong said, "I thought Yan Yan would have an easier time in college, but I didn't expect her to still have so many classes."

Zhou Weifang joked, "With her personality, she can't possibly have an easy time anywhere."

Luo Hong raised an eyebrow and leaned over his shoulder: "Did you hear that? They're talking bad about you."

When asked who it was, Zhou Weifang turned around and saw Luo Yan standing in the sunlight.

The room was dark, while the outside was bright, making her features appear indistinct, but her voice was very clear as she said, "I can only hear you trying to sow discord."

The word "sow discord" makes it seem like the relationship between everyone is actually quite good.

Zhou Weifang was secretly pleased and asked, "Where did you get this sunburnt face?"

Luo Yan fanned herself with her hand, took a sip of water, and then said, "I'm going to buy something."

Luo Hong: "What does it look like? Let me take a look."

As if he could tell good from bad, Luo Yan reached into her bag, felt a cool breeze, turned her head and said, "Don't fan me, I'm tired."

Luo Hong: "It's alright, he's a donkey, he's got a lot of strength."

Judging from this, it sounded like the two of them were competing with each other? Luo Yan couldn't figure it out anyway. Although she felt it was strange, she still showed them the silk scarf first: "Isn't it pretty?"

"Pretty? Where is it pretty?" Luo Hong: "It's just a yellow silk scarf, there's not even a flower on it."

Knowing he wouldn't understand, Luo Yan said, "You country bumpkin, don't talk to me."

He then looked at another person present for support: "What do you think?"

Zhou Weifang's fawning manner as he waved his fan was already quite obsequious, and his words were even more flattering: "Very beautiful, it suits you perfectly."

"You've flattered the wrong person," Luo Hong said. "It's for your sister."

It was obvious that he paid for it while Luo Yan did the work. Zhou Weifang said, "Why spend this money? It's too formal."

Luo Hong: "It's not for you, why should I let you evaluate it?"

Why is he speaking so veiled today? Luo Yan patted her brother's shoulder as a warning, put her things away, and said, "I'm going to rehearsal."

After she left, Zhou Weifang stayed longer, braving the scorching sun to return to the shop.

The eldest apprentice was introducing bicycles to a customer when he saw his master return and quickly made way for him.

After Zhou Weifang finished his explanation and finally closed the deal, he took a sip of water to catch his breath, made a note in his ledger, and calculated last month's profit—no more, no less, six hundred and thirty.

It turned out to be an integer, which is quite a coincidence.

However, although this money looks like a lot, it is actually all earned by Luo Hong.

The two agreed that starting this month, they would each keep their own accounts, and the two car dealerships would be independent businesses, to avoid further confusion in the future.

Therefore, Zhou Weifang had to give his childhood friend a sum of money.

In this way, all the profits from the store will belong to Zhou Weifang alone.

He estimated that he would have six or seven thousand yuan in hand by the end of the year. At first glance, it seemed like a lot, but considering that even a two-bedroom apartment in Tuanjiehu cost 30,000 yuan, he felt that it was nothing.

We still need to find some more profitable ways to make money.

Zhou Weifang stroked his chin, gave his apprentices a few instructions, and rode his bicycle to Ertiao Hutong.

The famous Erchazi from Fengshou Hutong lives here. He has a small, secluded courtyard where he lives and also buys and sells goods. He comes and goes in broad daylight.

He was holding an abacus and keeping track of the accounts when he saw Zhou Weifang and said, "Oh, what brings you here today?"

Zhou Weifang greeted him politely, "Brother Hong."

Erchazi's real name is Zhu Tianhong, but this surname doesn't sound good no matter how you pronounce it, so everyone habitually calls him by the last character of his name.

However, he was secretive and furtive when he was involved in speculation in his early years, so he was often vaguely referred to as "second-rate".

He himself didn't care, but people's fortunes always rise with the tide. Now that everyone knows he's made a fortune, everyone naturally becomes more polite. But he and Zhou Weifang have always had a good relationship, and he said, "I can tell you need something from me."

Zhou Weifang: "Yes, I have something to say. I won't beat around the bush. Could you take me with you next time you go to Fujian?"

Zhu Tianhong is currently in the clothing wholesale business, and his goods are mainly sourced from Guangzhou and Fujian, which he has to go to several times a year. He said, "Why not? If you go, I'll be even more powerful."

These days, taking a long-distance train is no easy task. You have to stay for ten days or half a month after you arrive. You're in an unfamiliar place, and you still have money in your pocket. You can't wait to find someone trustworthy and reliable to go with you.

Of all the people in Fengshou Hutong, he thought Zhou Weifang was the most capable. He knew him well, was smart, bold, and quick-witted. He lowered his voice and said, "I'm not lying to you, but if you want to make big money now, you still have to go to the south and take a look."

Everyone knows this. But going there doesn't necessarily mean you'll make money; ultimately, it depends on your individual abilities.

Zhou Weifang: "I just want to broaden my horizons and open my eyes; I haven't thought it through yet."

Zhu Tianhong: "This doesn't sound like something you'd say, it sounds more like a radish."

Luo Hong is capable and trustworthy, but he has many concerns when doing things. He always has to consider the thoughts of his family, and he thinks carefully before going out.

Zhou Weifang: "I only make five cents a day patching a tire, where would I get the audacity to do that?"

Even five cents is money. Zhu Tianhong said, "This is my first time doing business, and the profit is less than a cent. Everyone has to start slowly."

He added, "But I just got back. The next time I go won't be until August or September. I'll let you know in advance."

Zhou Weifang: "Okay, you go ahead and do your thing, I'll head back now."

Since everyone knew each other, Zhu Tianhong didn't need to be polite and saw him to the door.

Zhou Weifang got on the bicycle, but as soon as he sat down, he was burned and grimaced. He realized that he had forgotten to stop in a place away from the sun, so he had to ride standing up the whole way. Anyone who didn't know better would think that he couldn't even exert any strength on this flat ground.

When he arrived at the shop, his apprentice reported to him, "Someone just came looking for work."

Zhou Weifang had been trying to find someone quick-witted and skilled at selling cars for quite some time, but hadn't found a suitable candidate. He asked without much hope, "What kind?"

The young apprentice said, "He seems quite clever."

Someone like him, he can see who isn't clever.

Zhou Weifang: "I haven't seen him either. Let's see if he comes another day."

The young apprentice said, "He said he would come after dinner."

Hearing it as a casual, polite remark, Zhou Weifang didn't take it seriously. After dinner, when someone came in, he assumed it was a guest and said, "Hello, are you here to repair or buy a car?"

The other party said, "I heard you guys are hiring."

"It's him," Zhou Weifang knew at a glance that his apprentice's judgment was indeed lacking, but he still confirmed, "You were here this afternoon, right?"

The other party: "Yes, but the boss isn't here. Are you the boss?"

Zhou Weifang: "Yes, please sit down first, I'll boil some water."

He then asked, "What's your name?"

The other party replied: "Zhang Hongmin, Zhang as in 'bow and long,' Hong as in 'magnificent,' and Min as in 'people.'"

Zhou Weifang: "Does Xiao Zhang live nearby?"

...

Based on your question and answer, Zhou Weifang initially judged that this young Zhang was somewhat clever, but he was too young and inexperienced.

If he had come looking for work yesterday, Zhou Weifang wouldn't have agreed. But he had just told Brother Hong that they would be going to Fujian together in two months, and they would be gone for a while. The shop would definitely be struggling to make ends meet with just two apprentices. So he thought for a moment and said, "Why don't you come and try it out? I'll pay you 50 cents a day, and I'll provide two meals. Try it for a week and then we'll see."

Everyone starts as an apprentice when they begin working. Most factories pay around eighteen yuan a month, which is already quite generous considering it includes meals.

Zhang Hongmin, at this moment, showed some tact: "I'm free tonight, so I'd like to get to know you a bit first?"

"That's good," Zhou Weifang thought to himself, adding points for him. "Then let me tell you about these bicycles first."

Zhang Hongmin reached into his pocket for paper and pen to jot something down, but found nothing. He awkwardly rummaged around in his pocket.

Zhou Weifang: "No need to memorize it, just remember what it looks like, and don't sell the wrong thing."

What do they look like? Zhang Hongmin's eyes widened, wishing he could memorize the model of every car.

Since there was nothing else to do at the moment, Zhou Weifang spoke a little slower, and when he saw that it was almost time, he said, "Go back first, and come back at eight o'clock tomorrow. Remember to bring your lunchbox."

Zhang Hongmin actually wanted to show some enthusiasm, but he was afraid of scaring others away by being too enthusiastic, so he said, "Okay, thank you, brother! I definitely won't be late!"

He's more than just never late.

Around 6 o'clock, someone knocked on the door asking for car repairs. After Zhou Weifang had worked on it for a while, he realized there was someone standing outside the door.

He was startled: "Didn't you say eight o'clock? Why are you here so early?"

Zhang Hongmin scratched his head: "I figured I had nothing to do at home anyway."

Actually, it was his mother who kept urging him to arrive early to sweep the floor or something, so as to make a good impression on the boss.

Zhou Weifang, of course, was unaware of this, and asked, "Have you had breakfast?"

Zhang Hongmin: "I've eaten, I've eaten."

Zhou Weifang: "Then sit for a while, I haven't eaten yet."

After washing up, he went next door to buy steamed buns. When he came back, he saw Zhang Hongmin sweeping the floor and wiping the table.

This is the kind of work the apprentices do every day. But it's unnecessary on the shelves, and nobody can see it anyway.

Zhou Weifang said, "Our shop is fine as long as it looks clean; we don't need to be so meticulous about it."

Zhang Hongmin: "It's okay, bro. I'm really good at housework."

The sixteen or seventeen-year-old boy reminded Zhou Weifang of his own early days in the countryside. He thought to himself, "No wonder people become kind as they get older." He took a bite of his bun and asked, "Would you like some more?"

The Zhang family has many children, and they are all teenagers who have financially ruined their fathers.

Although Zhang Hongmin only ate half a meal for breakfast, he remembered that the shop only provided two meals a day, and said, "No need, no need, I've already eaten."

Zhou Weifang: "I can eat again after I've eaten. When I was your age, I was never full. I'm a straightforward person, so if I let you eat, it's not out of politeness."

Despite saying that, Zhang Hongmin had no choice but to eat one to fill his stomach.

Zhou Weifang, on the other hand, ate eight in one go. After finishing, he said, "Let me tell you about the things I do every day."

Halfway through the conversation, two apprentices arrived at work and looked at the newcomer with bewildered expressions.

Zhou Weifang helped them exchange names and said, "Xiao Zhang just arrived, please take good care of him."

The apprentices agreed and skillfully put on their gloves to begin their work.

Zhou Weifang reminded them, "Get that Phoenix car repaired first; they need it urgently."

The eldest apprentice accepted the job, looked around, and said, "Is it just repairing car wheels?"

Some cars have more than one or two problems, but not every problem affects their use. If he doesn't use them properly and has to repair them all, customers won't pay, and he'll waste time. He'll end up doing a lot of work for nothing.

Zhou Weifang: "And brake pads."

Okay, two places.

The eldest apprentice squatted down and fiddled with it, but after a while he realized he couldn't get it right, so he called his master away.

The whole store was filled with the sounds of banging and smashing, and Zhang Hongmin was the only one standing there awkwardly, since there weren't always people buying cars.

He could only look expectantly out the door, hoping someone would come quickly so the boss wouldn't think he was useless and fire him after only a few days of trial work.

Perhaps God heard their plea, because several customers came in one after another, but none of them made a sale.

Zhou Weifang was quite used to it. After finishing this busy period, he told his apprentice, "When you buy food, ask Xiao Zhang what he wants to eat. You two see who's on duty tonight. I'll come back at ten o'clock."

He then turned to Xiao Zhang and said, "Both of them can sell cars. Today, you just need to learn from them."

After saying this, he went upstairs to change into clean clothes and went home.

Today is Friday, and his older sister, Zhou Yuyao, is getting married the day after tomorrow. Although many old wedding customs in Beijing are no longer popular, it's still customary for neighbors to lend a hand a couple of days before the wedding, and the host family to host a dinner party.

When Zhou Weifang arrived at the courtyard gate, he saw red lanterns hanging there. As he walked in, he greeted his relatives and friends along the way. Finally, he went into his sister's room and asked, "Is there anything you need me to do?"

He's an unmarried brother-in-law, and in this situation, he can be treated like a child, at most just running errands.

The Zhou sisters were cutting out red "double happiness" characters. One of them said, "We don't need them here. Go outside and ask Mom."

When her son came to ask, Yu Shuilang sent him away, saying, "Don't cause trouble here."

She was busy arranging which families to send wedding cakes to.

Zhou Weifang was kicked around like a little ball, and after going around in circles, he returned to his room: "Just give me some work, otherwise I've come back for nothing."

Zhou Yuyao: "Then take these and stick them all on."

This "double happiness" character is not easy to paste. She kept saying it was crooked, and then she said it needed to be higher.

Zhou Weifang's hand was getting sore from holding it up, and he suppressed his twitching eyebrows.

Zhou Yuyao finally let him go, saying, "Fine, let's leave it at that."

Listen to her, she seems quite reluctant.

Zhou Weifang: "You're the bride, you're the boss, so feel free to order me around."

Perhaps it was because she was about to take the most important step in her life that Zhou Yuyao felt a lot of emotions. She also looked at her younger brother with a special feeling, saying, "When I was little, I really couldn't have imagined that you could be so obedient."

To be honest, Zhou Weifang hardly ever listened to his two older sisters when he was a child.

He said, "You can't expose someone's shortcomings like that."

Zhou Yuyao: "Do I need to specifically reveal your glorious deeds? Everyone in the whole alley knows them."

The whole alley knows about it, which is why Zhou Weifang is now finding it difficult to move in front of Luo Yan.

He took out a red envelope from his pocket and presented it with both hands, saying, "Let's not talk about it anymore, let's not talk about it anymore."

Zhou Yuyao wasn't surprised that he would give her a red envelope, but when she squeezed it, she felt something was wrong. She opened it right in front of him and said, "I think you have money to burn."

Zhou Weifang: "I'm just poor because I'm broke, otherwise I could have doubled your money."

Zhou Yuyao rolled her eyes at him and stuffed the red envelope back: "You should save it for when you get married in the future."

Zhou Weifang: "If I'm so bad at this, I won't be able to get a wife. I might as well stay a bachelor for the rest of my life."

What kind of talk is this? Zhou Yuyao thought to herself that she could return it when he got married. She joked, "Zhou Yuying, see? If you want to get rich, you have to get married."

Zhou Yuying smiled but didn't say anything.

Although she is a year younger than her older sister, the two were raised as twins and have been inseparable since childhood. These past few days, the thought of her sister getting married has made her feel uneasy.

Even Zhou Weifang could see through it, and deliberately said, "Second sister, if you wait two more years, when I've made it big, I'll give you an even bigger one."

Zhou Yuying was quite serious: "That won't do. We're all older sisters, so we have to follow the same etiquette."

This left Zhou Weifang speechless, his expression caught in a quandary.

Zhou Yuyao smiled and went over to greet the newly arrived relatives.

Since they were all elders, Zhou Yuying felt it inappropriate to remain seated. She put down what she was holding and walked outside.

Zhou Weifang followed behind her, asking in a low voice, "Who is this aunt again?"

Zhou Yuying: "I think it's my great-aunt. Look how much she looks like my maternal grandmother."

Really? Zhou Weifang didn't realize it; he just needed to call for help according to his parents' instructions.

However, on such occasions, these relatives who don't recognize each other will still urge the younger generation who are not yet married.

Zhou Yuying was the first to be caught in the crossfire, her eyes glazed over as she was attacked from both sides.

Zhou Weifang used to help her second sister out of a difficult situation by taking the initiative to steer the conversation towards herself, which could be considered a kind of self-sacrifice for the sake of others.

Zhou Yuying gratefully hid in her room, and when no one was around, she told her younger brother, "If there's anything I can help with, just call me."

Zhou Weifang initially wanted to say no, but then thought for a moment: "There really is something."

Zhou Yuying, brimming with an air of unwavering courage, asked, "What?"

Zhou Weifang: "What styles of clothing are selling well at your stall lately?"

Zhou Yuying: "Huh? You want to buy it?"

Zhou Weifang: "No, I just want to know what kind of girls most of the time they like."

Zhou Yuying's cunning kicked in again, and she said shrewdly, "You're trying to deduce from the majority that a particular person might like, right?"

Okay, why wasn't she this quick-witted when she was being besieged by her relatives?

Zhou Weifang suspected that she had shown all her intelligence to him, and said, "Just assume that's what I am."

That's it, Zhou Yuying: "Recently, there are a lot of people wearing bell-bottoms and batwing sleeves."

It just became popular last month, and young people everywhere are wearing it.

Zhou Weifang could guess that Luo Yan would comment that such an outfit was strange, and thought that asking whether it was fashionable or not seemed meaningless, so he said dejectedly, "Never mind."

Zhou Yuying looked her younger brother up and down: "You could dress a little better, you're too plain."

Zhou Weifang paused for a moment: "I even picked out some festive clothes just now."

So this was his most festive outfit. Zhou Yuying replied casually, "It's fine."

Hearing such an insincere tone, Zhou Weifang clenched her fist and said, "Second sister, sometimes I feel like you're deliberately trying to annoy me."

Zhou Yuying gave a particularly sincere smile: "I have tried my best to be tactful."

It turned out that this was the result after she had been tactful. Zhou Weifang felt like she couldn't breathe properly, and gritted her teeth, "Then thank you so much."

Although he didn't seem very sincere, Zhou Yuying still spoke bluntly, leaving her younger brother speechless and wanting to curse, but he gritted his teeth and held back.

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Author's note: Goodnight~