Jian Zhiqin and Taotao in the family loved watching TV the most, but lately both had been taken back by their parents, and the TV wasn’t turned on much. Qin Xiangnuan didn’t watch it, and Jian Zhiqing watched it even less. However, when Qin Xiangyang came back, he would monopolize the TV and enjoyed watching it.
Jian Zhiqing touched the top of Qin Xiangnuan’s head, "What are you thinking about?"
"Nothing," Qin Xiangnuan withdrew her wandering thoughts, while Jian Zhiqing sat by the bed, still holding a bowl of noodles – the same one from lunch.
"Brother Jian, why noodles again?"
She didn’t dislike them, but eating the same thing all day seemed a bit dull.
"Still picky, huh?" Jian Zhiqing pinched Qin Xiangnuan’s soft little face, "Your Brother Jian can only make noodles, so bear with it for now. When you’re better tomorrow, I’ll take you out for something delicious, together with your brother, okay?"
"You better keep your word," Qin Xiangnuan took a bite of the noodles, verbally complaining but with not even a hint of real dislike in her heart. Also, the term ’your Brother Jian’ Jian Zhiqing used just now had swept across her heart with an indescribable joy. Nevertheless, she had thickened her face long ago – though she wouldn’t admit it. Now, despite her delicate little face, she was actually like a middle-aged woman wrapped in two layers of skin.
After finishing the bowl of noodles, she continued flipping through a book from the ’Lu Xiaofeng’ series, enjoying the rare chance to rest for a day, clear her mind, and think of nothing – the kind of rest she seemed not to have had in two lifetimes.
Jian Zhiqing didn’t disturb her but merely adjusted her blanket and patted her head, then sat beside her. The IV was almost done; he’d have to take out the needle soon.
"Brother Jian, want to read one?" Qin Xiangnuan took out another book and shook it, "Rented it from the rental shop, ten cents per day. Yes, ten cents per day. Just a one-time cost, and the money adds up over time. It could earn quite a bit."
Besides, it would be nearly thirty years before the era of e-books, computers, and cellphones. In these thirty years, there was a lot of money to be made. Most importantly, she could read for herself. So, she thought, why not open a rental shop?
"What’s on your mind?" Jian Zhiqing put down his book. Seeing Qin Xiangnuan’s distant look, he knew she had some idea.
"Yes, but it’s not easy to achieve," Qin Xiangnuan was always frank with Jian Zhiqing.
"Tell me," Jian Zhiqing came over and adjusted the drip bag’s speed – it would be done soon. After it was finished, if the girl slept a little more and took another day off tomorrow, she should be almost well.
"I was thinking..." Qin Xiangnuan sat up and shared her thought.
"Brother Jian, wouldn’t it be nice to open a book rental shop? Especially near a university. The store doesn’t have to be big. Renting a book for ten cents, and in a few years, the price might go up to 50 cents. A ten yuan deposit per book, and let them read to their heart’s content. What do you think?"
"That’s a good idea," Jian Zhiqing agreed after hearing it, "But who will manage it?" They were all busy; they couldn’t run it.
Indeed, Qin Xiangnuan felt she was perhaps overthinking. Maybe she was really scared of being poor in her last life, obsessed with making money. In this life, every chance to earn money she could think of, she wanted to get involved. But, as Jian Zhiqing also rightly said, biting off more than one can chew wasn’t wise.
However, the idea itself was pretty good. Hmm, it was worth keeping.
"You could ask your master’s wife to manage it," Jian Zhiqing suggested, "She’s idle after selling porridge in the morning anyway. Plus, she’s a teacher by trade. She’d probably like to be involved with something related to books."
"Come here," Jian Zhiqing beckoned for her hand, "I’m about to take out the needle. It might hurt a bit."
"How much does it hurt?" Qin Xiangnuan pursed her lips.
She felt a slight prick from the needle on the back of her hand, a little bit of pain and then nothing.
"Hold it down," Jian Zhiqing grabbed her other hand, placing it on the gauze.
Qin Xiangnuan naturally did as instructed, withdrawing her hand. Now, it didn’t really hurt, but her hand felt numb from being pricked so often, and a bit cold. She quickly tucked it under the blanket, and it felt much more comfortable in a little while.
She had thought about Jian Zhiqing’s suggestion before. Indeed, letting Xie Yonghong take care of it would be a good move. Plus, it wouldn’t interfere with watching the kids. Xie Yonglan could read, even if not much, and didn’t graduate from junior high, but writing down book titles was certainly within her capabilities.
An intellectual running a bookstore was, after all, not a disgrace to their dignity.
She wouldn’t be able to go tomorrow, but once she got better, she would discuss it with Xie Yonghong. She felt sure Xie Yonghong would agree – she wouldn’t pass up a chance to make money. Teacher Wang and Xie Yonghong had a drive that was completely different from Aunt Hua’s.
She had helped Aunt Hua as much as possible, said what could be said, and done what could be done. Aunt Hua’s family business showed some pettiness – unwilling to invest, hence their development in this field was limited. But it surely beat farming.
Thinking of this, she felt her eyes grow heavy. She snuggled deeper into the blanket and quickly fell asleep.
Jian Zhiqing threw out the used IV bag and other items. When he returned, Qin Xiangnuan was already asleep.
Asleep again? He came over and carefully pulled out Qin Xiangnuan’s hand from under the blanket, but his expression tensed as he felt something soft. He quickly refocused, dismissing any inappropriate thoughts.
Gently, he peeled the tape off the back of her hand and spotted several green marks on the delicate back of her hand.
"Sleep well, good girl," Jian Zhiqing lightly stroked Qin Xiangnuan’s hair and tucked her hand back under the blanket before heading out.
Qin Xiangyang had already gone to bed. The routine at the military academy was stringent – wake-up, lights-out, and meal times were all strictly scheduled. Qin Xiangyang had gotten used to the military school life, even folding his blanket at home into a perfect tofu block, which Qin Xiangnuan deemed a clear case of compulsive behavior.
And obviously, Qin Xiangyang’s compulsive tendencies had intensified recently.
He got up early to prepare scallion pancakes. Indeed, for their food business, it was best to be consistent every day. Otherwise, not only would they lose business, but their reputation would suffer, which would not be worth the consequences.