RYEY -Chapter 474 The Shouhou Arrives

Li Le felt embarrassed. Big brother immediately gave a hundred yuan, and it was from his discharge compensation. She reached out and took a single note from the stack:

“Big brother, ten yuan is enough. Gifts are just for show; your intention is what really matters.”

Li Bing felt warm inside. He grabbed Li Le’s hand and put all the money into it: “Big brother won’t always fail. You have to believe in him.”

Li Le nodded, carefully organizing the notes into her pocket. Then she reached toward Li Huan; if big brother gave, second brother shouldn’t refuse.

Li Huan shook his head. He had no money; he’d have to ask Cheng Qiao. Li Le pounced to Cheng Qiao’s side, wrapping one arm around her and holding out her open palm with the other:

“Sister-in-law, you decide. Ten yuan isn’t too little, a hundred isn’t too much.”

Cheng Qiao smiled and handed Li Le a hundred yuan. Li Le happily fanned herself with the money, coquettishly thanking her.

Jiang Meili felt uneasy. Li Le took Li Bing’s money cautiously and embarrassedly, but when it came to Li Huan and Cheng Qiao’s money, she was cheerful and proud. The closeness and distance between people were clear at a glance.

The same applied to their mother-in-law. Li Bing wanted to support her, but she seemed reluctant. When Li Huan spoke, she laughed so broadly her eyes nearly disappeared. Distance and time had clearly pulled relationships apart; even mother and child were no exception.

The atmosphere was a bit awkward. Li Le took Cheng Qiao’s hand and said she wanted to go check out the convenience store. Cheng Qiao’s mind was already on her own plot of land. She greeted Mother Li and the others and headed to the store.

Xiaoniu and Yang Jun stood at the entrance of the store, watching Uncle Niu and Yang Liu personally working on the counter. They couldn’t help but marvel—after all, they were father and son; even their carpentry skills were equally impressive.

“Dad, in a bit I’ll take the order slip to the glass factory to get the glass. I’ll leave the store to you.”

Yang Liu had already accepted the situation, realizing that many of his habits and preferences were exactly like Uncle Niu’s. This man must definitely be his biological father.

Yang Jun suggested that Yang Liu call Uncle Niu “Dad” and call himself “godfather,” so that neither of the two fathers would be left out. Uncle Niu was grateful for Yang Jun’s selflessness and contributed his own special skills to the store.

Unfortunately, none of Yang Jun’s other children had this talent. Xiao Dan, seeing the carpentry tools, immediately ran away—he preferred driving to pick up goods, which was more exciting for him.

“Dad, in a couple of days, Shouhou’s transport team will deliver the goods. I’ll need a couple of days to organize everything, and next week we can officially open.”

“That’s good. Xiaoniu, don’t blame your dad—there’s just no way I could come up with that much money, otherwise…”

“Dad, it’s fine. Lele and I grew up together. As long as I work hard, she won’t treat me unfairly. Besides, I don’t know how to do business, so getting paid for my work gives me peace of mind.”

“Good thinking. In a couple of years, when the family’s situation improves, I’ll save money for you.”

Chen Xiaoniu nodded. She had married well. Xiao Dan treated her considerately, and her in-laws were very good to her—better than their own biological daughter.

Two days later, a truck arrived at the convenience store. Li Le and Chen Xiaoniu stood at the entrance, hearts racing as they watched it fully loaded.

A man in a suit and tie got out of the truck. Li Le couldn’t help but smile—wasn’t this Shouhou? Why was he personally here?

“Little girl, grown up and don’t recognize me anymore, huh?”

“Shouhou, you’re dressed so fancy—no, like a big boss—I can’t recognize you. By the way, where’s Qiu Min?”

“She can’t come; she’s busy helping you deliver a niece.”

“Wow, Qiu Min’s pregnant again? This would be her third? She should stop; it’ll wear her out, and she’ll regret it.”

“Your sister-in-law Cheng Qiao has had four children.”

“She’s different. She has my mother and me helping. My second brother wouldn’t let her hold the kids at night—it’s all his responsibility.”

Shouhou felt a bit guilty. Indeed, Qiu Min didn’t have anyone to help her, except her mother, who was also busy managing the wholesale market.

“Never mind, hire some help then. You unload the goods first. Where are Brother Huan and Sister-in-law Qiao?”

“My second brother is at the dorm, my second sister-in-law is at school. Look, Xiaoniu is here, her in-laws are here, and Uncle Niu is here too. That guy in blue is Uncle Niu’s biological son.”

Li Le introduced everyone around to Shouhou. Shouhou carefully looked at Yang Liu—yep, definitely biological; they looked very alike.

“You must be Comrade Shouhou. I’m Yang Jun, Xiaoniu’s father-in-law. Cheng Qiao and Li Huan entrusted this place to me, so please have a seat inside. Leave the rest to me.”

Yang Jun was baffled by Shouhou’s suit and tie. In this heat, wearing so much and with a tight collar—what’s wrong with this guy?

Shouhou noticed Yang Jun’s look and realized he might have overdone it. Originally trying to show off, he ended up looking ridiculous. So he took off the suit, loosened the tie, rolled up his sleeves, and got to work.

The shipment was huge: enamel mugs, glass cups, enamel basins and soup pots, washboards, kerosene lamps, hair oil, snowflake cream, clam oil…

There was plenty of food too, including four kinds of alcohol: Baofeng, Xifeng, Zhang Gong, and Tongzhou Laojiao. Yang Jun’s eyes lit up—he thought about buying a bottle of Tongzhou Laojiao just to try.

There were also many cigarette brands: Shuangteng, Mango Sanshan, Xiangyan Jiaozihuang, Hongying Chenxiang, Seven Wolves, etc.—these were the more affordable kinds.

More expensive brands included Fenghuang, Feima, Daqianmen, Mudan, Shanghai, Zhonghua, Qunying. A pack of Feima could cost 28 cents, Qianmen 35 cents, Mudan 49 cents—ordinary people really couldn’t afford them.

Uncle Niu generously handed over 30 yuan, asking Xiaoniu to get a pack of Feima cigarettes. Ever since Huan Zai smoked them, he couldn’t forget the taste.

Many locals watched curiously. Seeing the bulk soy sauce, aged vinegar, and liquor on display made them tempted; compared with street vendors, the convenience store’s goods were much cleaner.

Even snacks for kids—spicy sticks, chocolate rocks, plum powder—were in the glass counter, along with malted milk, milk powder, canned fruit—making the children excitedly anxious.

Shouhou was very pleased. The more people watched, the livelier the atmosphere, and the better business would be. He just wondered why the person he wanted to see hadn’t arrived yet.