Chapter 19: Chapter 19 Treacherous Rivers Can Be Crossed with Money Chapter 19: Chapter 19 Treacherous Rivers Can Be Crossed with Money Liu Ying turned her head towards Feng Biao and asked, “Are you very familiar with him?”
“If I knew him, your husband here would have opened his own car dealership for fun, too!” Feng Biao took out a cigarette and put it to his mouth.
“But the way you talked just now sounded like you’re quite familiar with him.” Liu Ying snatched away the still unlit cigarette.
Feng Biao chuckled, “I’ve just heard of the name.”
“Some people say, though, that he comes from the compound, and he has a very solid background!” He continued, “Others say that his great-grandparent was at least a Beile, and his family has treasures that you couldn’t even count.”
Feng Biao talked with animated enthusiasm, as if he really had a deep connection with this Jin Baogen.
“There are also rumors that he gets the upper hand over people by exploiting connections,” Feng Biao spilled everything he knew, “He always arrives and leaves in cars, and people even salute him!”
The speculation grew wilder and wilder, and both Liu Ying and Xiao Meier’s eyes nearly popped out of their heads.
Xiao Meier had only heard of such a person, but didn’t know what Jin Baogen was really about.
Feng Biao gave Chen Cheng a look, saying, “Dacheng, what do you think?
You must be familiar!”
All three turned to look at Chen Cheng, who was still peeling peanuts.
“Why the more you talk, the more mystical it sounds?” Chen Cheng didn’t understand much either, but judging by today’s scene, Mr.
Jin indeed had a significant background.
“Hey, isn’t that why we’re asking you?”
Chen Cheng recalled, “When I was little, I heard my maternal grandfather mention him once.”
“He said that Jin Baogen’s first bucket of gold came from buying goods in the south and reselling them in the north, and then he was convicted for speculative profiteering.”
Chen Cheng took a pause, “After that, he used that first bucket of gold to open more than a dozen karaoke bars, video halls, and billiard rooms in the late ’80s and ’90s.”
“Oh, so he’s quite the legendary figure?” Feng Biao eventually lit his cigarette.
Chen Cheng nodded, “Right, back then it wasn’t like now, there were few entertainment options, and Jin Baogen’s places were booming.
He caught the first wave of benefits from the reform and opening up and quickly accumulated capital.”
“What about after that?” Xiao Meier couldn’t help but ask.
“Afterwards, as karaoke and video halls slowly declined, Jin Baogen shifted to doing other businesses.
It’s said that he has a unique vision and can make money in anything he tries.
Gradually, his enterprises grew larger and larger, involving real estate, catering, entertainment, and other fields,” Chen Cheng explained.
“So he’s really capable, huh!” Feng Biao clicked his tongue in wonder.
Chen Cheng took a sip of his drink, “Do you still remember the couplet hanging up at Wanbao Hall?”
“Heaven and earth are vast, I take dreams as my horse; the rivers and lakes are deep, but money can ferry you across,” Xiao Meier blurted out.
Chen Cheng smiled and gave a thumbs up, “Sister Meier has a great memory!”
He added, “That couplet was handwritten by Jin Baogen.”
Feng Biao slapped his thigh, full of admiration, “This Mr.
Jin really is something else!
Us ordinary folks can only look up to him.”
“Yes, each person has their own path to walk,” Chen Cheng sighed, “As long as we do our best and live diligently, that’s enough.”
Xiao Meier nodded in agreement, lifting her bottle, “Xiao Cheng is right, we just need to live our own lives well!”
“Sister Meier is right!
Cheers!” said Liu Ying.
After dinner, the four of them cleaned up the dishes and tidied up the noodle house together.
Chen Cheng and Feng Biao were in charge of washing dishes, while Liu Ying and Xiao Meier wiped tables and swept the floor.
Everyone chatted and worked at the same time, creating a relaxed and joyful atmosphere.
After everything was cleaned up, Feng Biao and his wife also prepared to take a cab home.
“Yingzi, there’s still some chicken feet left,” Xiao Meier handed the packed chicken feet to Liu Ying, “You take them home to eat.”
Liu Ying didn’t refuse, but said, “Thanks Sister Meier!
We’re looking forward to your restaurant opening!”
“I’ll walk them out,” said Chen Cheng, accompanying the two to the roadside, Feng Biao drunkenly remarked, “Dacheng, let me tell you, Sister Meier, she’s really beautiful!”
Liu Ying: “You’re drunk again, huh?”
“Wife, tell me, is Sister Meier pretty?”
“And has a beautiful heart?”
Feng Biao raised his eyebrows, “So tell me, does Dacheng have a chance with Sister Meier?”
Liu Ying gave Chen Cheng a stern look, and retorted, “What did you mean by ‘just friends’ in the car?”
“Hey, why are you two meddling so much?” Chen Cheng laughed.
“Matters of the heart, don’t they say it’s all about the right time and place?”
Liu Ying shot Chen Cheng a look of disdain, “Just play your part well!
You better not let down my Sister Meier!”
“Don’t worry, how could I!” Chen Cheng hailed a cab, “I won’t see you out!”
The two got into the car, and Chen Cheng breathed a sigh of relief.
Looking back to see Xiao Meier still busy moving tables into the store, he quickly walked back.
“Let me help, Sister Meier.” Chen Cheng volunteered.
Xiao Meier laughed behind her hand, “Are you sure you’re up to it?”
“Is it difficult?” Chen Cheng effortlessly lifted a folded table, “Not setting up shop tonight?”
“I didn’t get any supplies this morning, so I’m not setting up.”
As soon as she finished speaking, the table in Chen Cheng’s hand hit the ground with a thud.
Xiao Meier turned around at the “bang” sound, only to see Chen Cheng with his hands on his hips, looking embarrassed.
“What happened to you?” She steadied Chen Cheng’s arm.
“Ah, guess what, I got a cramp for no reason!”
“I knew you couldn’t handle it!” Xiao Meier was both annoyed and concerned as she supported Chen Cheng, “Go inside and sit down.”
Chen Cheng smiled sheepishly: “Maybe I haven’t exercised in too long.”
“You’re too fragile!”
In the end, it was Xiao Meier who took the table inside the store.
After pulling down the rolling door, the Fennel Noodle House became a secret space for just the two of them.
Seeing Chen Cheng leaning against the wall, looking uncomfortable, she said, “Shall I rub some Red Flower Oil on you?
It’ll stop hurting after a massage.”
“You’re still stubborn even if you turn to ash!” Xiao Meier helped Chen Cheng up, “Come on, upstairs.”
Reaching the attic, Chen Cheng lay on the cool bedstead.
Xiao Meier fetched the Red Flower Oil and sat beside him.
“Lift up your clothes,” she said.
Chen Cheng took a deep breath, “Sister Meier, really, there’s no need.
“I’m counting to three!”
Xiao Meier looked at his broad and solid back, stretched out her hand, and pressed, “Does it hurt here?”
Seeing Chen Cheng’s reaction, she knew she had found the right spot.
Xiao Meier carefully poured out a little Red Flower Oil, warmed it in her palm, and then gently pressed it onto Chen Cheng’s sore spot.
The thirty-six-point-five-degree warmth of her palm, on Chen Cheng’s waist, immediately made him feel a ticklish numbness.
“Does it hurt?” Xiao Meier asked softly.
“It doesn’t hurt,” Chen Cheng said.
“It’s just a little itchy…”