Chapter Seventy-Seven: In Life, One Must Be Joyful

When they arrived, Chen Huajiang was busy at work.

“Over here, hang the lanterns on this side.”

“Black Tiger, your staff isn’t dressed properly. Look at the customers lining up—none of them stand at an angle, shaking their legs. And what’s with those expressions? It’s as if they’re hoping to scare the guests away.”

“Liang Long, go to the printing factory and urge them again. What kind of efficiency is this? I told them two days ago, but the menus and order cards still aren’t ready.”

Chen Huajiang was spinning around in a flurry. He cared deeply about the opening of this restaurant. This wasn’t just a quick job; he intended to run it long-term, even planning to open branch stores.

The Nantai Kunlun location was, in fact, the only flagship store. Though the rent was high, the spot was prime, with a heavy flow of people—an invisible advertisement all by itself! As long as the Kunlun store built a strong reputation, opening branches in the eastern, southern, western, and northern districts would naturally follow, carrying the brand and attracting customers.

“Huajiang.”

At that moment, Lin Jiayin and Lin Laogen walked over.

Lin Laogen stopped at the entrance, his expression conflicted, hands trembling as he held his smoking pipe. He hesitated for a while before striking a match, lighting the tobacco, and taking a deep drag.

“Dad, why are you here?”

“Come inside, take a seat.”

Chen Huajiang was pulled over by his wife, smiling as he spoke to Lin Laogen, trying to lead him in to see the shop.

“I won’t go in. What you’re doing here is big business. Old men like me don’t care for such places. I don’t even like going into department stores.”

“Actually, I came to talk about Guoshan. Lately, he’s been restless, worrying over the small shop, hustling day and night—much like you are now.”

“Huajiang, you’re obviously busy too, with no time to manage Guoshan’s shop. I have an idea: how about you sell your share in Guoshan’s shop to him?”

As Lin Laogen spoke, he glanced toward the street, his face flushing red. Clearly, he was deeply embarrassed; such a request was unreasonable by any measure. But for his son’s sake, he had to speak up.

“Dad, how can you say such a thing? My brother’s been busy, but hasn’t Huajiang been just as busy?”

“The shop at the textile factory was found by Huajiang; the lease is in his name, he provided the equipment, and he taught my brother the skills himself.”

“And now, just because the shop is making money, you want to kick Huajiang out? It must be my brother who put you up to this. Does he even have a conscience? Any sense of shame?”

Lin Jiayin was furious as she spoke. No wonder her father had been so quiet at home today, not answering any questions—it turned out he was playing such tricks.

Angry and indignant, she was about to go confront Lin Guoshan.

Her words made Lin Laogen’s face grow even redder, his hand shaking as he clutched the pipe, his cheeks as red as a monkey’s backside.

“Enough.”

Chen Huajiang pulled his wife back. He was upset himself, but her anger, oddly, helped calm him.

“Dad, I think you and Guoshan misunderstood. When Guoshan left the match factory, I didn’t expect anything from him. There was nothing he could offer me.”

“We’re relatives, so I simply wanted to lend him a hand, nothing more. Let’s do as you suggest. Tomorrow, I’ll draft a transfer agreement and hand over my share to Lin Guoshan.”

While soothing his wife, Chen Huajiang addressed Lin Laogen.

“That’s not right; you invested a lot of money,” Lin Jiayin protested, still filled with anger.

Her father and brother’s actions left her feeling ashamed in front of Chen Huajiang. If word got out, others might think she was conspiring with her family to seize her husband’s assets. How could she face anyone then?

“Yes, yes, we’re clearly in the wrong here. How could we let you suffer a loss?”

“Let’s settle it at three hundred. That’s final,” Lin Laogen replied urgently, his tone resolute.

He was the sort who rarely spoke, but once he made a decision, nothing could change his mind.

“Alright then, let’s do that.”

“Dad, you used to be a carpenter and made furniture for others. Could you help me out? The shop needs some tangram puzzles and slides. That way, I won’t have to trouble anyone else.”

Chen Huajiang nodded, agreeing, then smiled at Lin Laogen. He didn’t want his wife’s relationship with her family to become too strained, so asking his father-in-law for help was a way to ease the tension.

“Fine, but why are you making those things for a restaurant?” Lin Laogen, relieved, finally asked with curiosity.

“They’re for a children’s play area. Right now, conditions are limited, so we’ll make do with some simple toys. When things improve, we’ll add better equipment.”

Chen Huajiang explained with a smile.

Shaking his head, Lin Laogen said, “You’re being reckless. This is nonsense. But it’s your affair. I’ll get the materials and come by this afternoon.”

With that, he left with hands behind his back, convinced that his son-in-law’s business was unreliable. Restaurants were for eating, and now he wanted tangram puzzles and slides—what a joke. Since the dawn of time, nothing like this had ever been done.

“This time, my family owes you,” Lin Jiayin said, embarrassed, after her father left.

“What nonsense. We’re all family—there’s no owing or not owing.”

“Lin Jiayin, don’t keep thinking this way. It’s not good. Life should be happy.”

Chen Huajiang embraced her, comforting her as he stroked her hair.

Holding his wife, Chen Huajiang felt his anger toward Lin Guoshan dissipate. Why did he help Lin Guoshan? It was to make up for the hurt he caused his wife, to win her heart back.

Otherwise, what right did Lin Guoshan have to deserve his help? In their previous life, though they weren’t close, he knew Lin Guoshan amounted to nothing in the end.

In this era of tumult and opportunity, that spoke volumes about a person’s abilities and character.

On further reflection, Chen Huajiang thought it was just as well that Lin Guoshan revealed his true nature now. Better than waiting until the business grew bigger, and then facing even greater disputes.

“Thank you, Huajiang,” Lin Jiayin said, feeling her husband’s sincerity and care, deeply moved.

She hugged Chen Huajiang tightly, burying her head in his chest, sensing safety and warmth.

Many people glanced over; this was, after all, the entrance of the Nantai Hotel, one of the busiest places in Nanming City.

Chen Huajiang didn’t mind. They were a legitimate couple—what harm in an embrace? But Lin Jiayin’s face flushed, and she pushed him away in embarrassment.

“I’m going back to work,” she said, head down, hurrying off. She moved so quickly she nearly stumbled, making Chen Huajiang’s heart leap.

Fortunately, after a few steps, she steadied herself.

“She really is—” Chen Huajiang said with a smile, watching his wife’s retreating figure.