mesbooks Chapter 6: We need to figure out a way to make money.
Chapter 6: We need to figure out a way to make money.
Chen Zhiyuan's mood was not affected by his brief exchange with Zhao Sisi.
He has truly let go; his heart is calm and undisturbed.
As I pushed open the door and entered the house, the familiar aroma of food wafted towards me.
Two plates of home-style dishes were already set on the dining table, and the sound of spatulas clattering came from the kitchen, where the busy figure of Zhang Hui, the mother, moved behind the glass door.
My father, Chen Jianjun, had already come home from get off work and was sitting on that old sofa watching TV.
The factory wasn't doing well, and there wasn't much work, so he usually went home for lunch and rest, and then went back to work at 2 p.m.
Hearing the door open, Chen Jianjun turned around, paused for a moment, then smiled and said, "Son, what's with your new hairstyle?"
Chen Zhiyuan smiled brightly and twirled slightly in front of his father: "Dad, what do you think?"
"Hmm, you look much better! Much better than your old 'bowl cut'." Chen Jianjun nodded, his eyes filled with approval.
Zhang Hui knew her son was home when she heard the noise. Her voice came from the kitchen: "Xiao Yuan's back! Wash your hands, dinner's ready!"
Soon, the family of three sat around the small dining table.
There were only three home-style dishes on the table: scrambled eggs with tomatoes, shredded pork with green peppers, and stir-fried bok choy, but Chen Zhiyuan ate them with great relish.
In both his lifetimes combined, he hadn't tasted his mother's cooking, the kind of food that tasted like "home," for far too long.
As parents, what we care about most is our children's future.
Before she could even finish a few bites of her meal, Zhang Hui couldn't help but ask, "Son, how's your estimated score? What universities did you fill out?"
Chen Zhiyuan didn't intend to hide this, and truthfully said: "My estimated score is around 530, probably less than 540. For key undergraduate programs, I listed Jiangnan University as my first choice, and for general undergraduate programs, I listed Jiangzhou Electric Power College."
Upon hearing this, Mr. and Mrs. Chen's expressions darkened slightly.
They clearly remember that when their son was doing well, he consistently ranked in the top ten of his grade and often scored over 600 in mock exams. Now, with an estimated score of 530-something in the college entrance exam, they couldn't help but feel a little disappointed.
But they were enlightened parents after all, and they didn't blame them at all.
Instead, Zhang Hui immediately comforted him gently, "It's okay, son. If a top-tier university isn't an option, we can rely on a regular undergraduate program. Jiangzhou Electric Power College is quite good too."
Chen Zhiyuan felt a warmth in his heart. His parents didn't utter a single complaint; they simply silently shouldered all the disappointment and pressure.
"Mom, I'm not necessarily destined to go to a regular university." He smiled, his tone relaxed. "What if I get lucky and get accepted by Jiangnan University?"
Chen Jianjun shook his head with a wry smile and reminded him, "Son, do you know how high the admission score for Jiangnan University was last year? This year it's estimated to be even higher. With your score... you basically have no hope."
Zhang Hui completely agreed: "Yes, if you apply to a bottom-tier key university, you might have a chance, but Jiangnan University is too difficult."
Chen Zhiyuan, however, looked confident, his eyes sparkling: "Mom and Dad, how about we make a bet? What if I really get accepted to Jiangnan University?"
Chen Jianjun became interested, and his voice grew louder: "If we really pass the exam, you can decide what to do, we'll agree to anything!"
"Okay! Dad, you said it yourself." Chen Zhiyuan immediately replied, "If I really get in, I don't have high requirements. I just want you to quit smoking and never smoke again from now on."
"This..." Chen Jianjun hesitated for a moment. He was a heavy smoker, smoking about two packs a day.
Zhang Hui's eyes lit up, and she immediately made a decision: "Great! It's a deal! If you really get into Jiangnan University, I'll make sure your dad quits smoking!"
Chen Zhiyuan looked at his father, his eyes filled with encouragement and expectation: "Dad, did you hear that? Do you dare to make this bet with me?"
With his son staring at him like that, Chen Jianjun gritted his teeth and said decisively, "Fine! It's a bet!"
Hearing his father's affirmative answer, Chen Zhiyuan smiled, a particularly hearty smile.
In his previous life, his father died of lung cancer when he was only in his early fifties. Now his father is just over forty years old, and he hopes that it is not too late for him to quit smoking so that the tragedy will not be repeated.
The meal wasn't dull because Chen Zhiyuan's estimated college entrance exam score wasn't ideal; instead, it was relaxed and lively, filled with the warmth of home.
After dinner, Chen Zhiyuan chatted with his parents for a while before getting up and going back to his room.
This made Mr. and Mrs. Chen truly feel that their son seemed to have grown up overnight, shedding his former immaturity and becoming mature and sensible.
Back in my room, I closed the door, and the world suddenly became quiet. I could faintly hear my mother tidying up the dishes and the sound of running water coming from the kitchen.
After a while, Chen Zhiyuan heard his parents talking in hushed tones in the living room again. Although they were separated by the bedroom door, he could vaguely make out the gist of it.
He himself was slightly taken aback: My hearing... seems to have improved quite a bit? Is it because this body is eighteen years old and has heightened senses?
In the living room, Chen Jianjun had already turned off the TV. The couple sat on the sofa, discussing their son's college admission in hushed tones.
A cloud of worry hung over Zhang Hui's brows, and she said in a heavy tone, "Old Chen, there's definitely no hope for Xiao Yuan to get into Jiangnan University, but he should be able to get into Jiangzhou Electric Power College. Once our son goes to university, the burden on our shoulders will be much heavier."
Her concern stemmed from the fact that she had been laid off for two or three years, while the performance of Shuguang Machinery Factory was declining.
Although Chen Jianjun is an engineer, his salary has decreased instead of increased, and he now only receives a little over 800 yuan a month.
A monthly income of just over 800 yuan is not high in Wuhe City, a prefecture-level city; it's at most average, or even below average.
Chen Jianjun also frowned slightly, clearly feeling the financial pressure. He habitually wanted to reach for a cigarette, but remembering that buying cigarettes would cost money, he forced himself to resist.
"Honey, we still have some savings, right? That should... be enough to last until our son graduates from university, right?"
"That little bit of savings, we can't touch it unless absolutely necessary." Zhang Hui shook her head. "What if there's an emergency at home and we need the money?"
Chen Jianjun's tone turned serious as he slowly said, "Then... what do you suggest we do?"
Zhang Hui had clearly thought about it for a long time, and said in a low voice, "I plan to get a small cart and sell breakfast every morning. That way I can earn a little something to supplement the family income."
"That's too hard!" Chen Jianjun immediately objected. "We have to get up at five or six every day, rain or shine... Let me think about it and see if there's another way."
Although the couple spoke softly, every word they uttered reached Chen Zhiyuan's ears clearly.
His heart sank little by little.
In his previous life, not long after he started university, he learned that his mother worked tirelessly from dawn till dusk, rain or shine, to sell breakfast in order to earn his tuition and living expenses.
At that time, he had just entered university, was ignorant and naive, and was still a teenager who had been overly protected by his parents.
Looking back now, at over forty years old, I truly understand how difficult it was for my parents back then.
Gradually, an idea became clear in his mind and quickly took root:
Since I've been given a second chance at life, I can't let my parents suffer like this again.
We need to find a way to make money.