Chapter Seven: Dealing With the Refrigerator

Daguan grinned foolishly, his face full of simple joy. Chen Huajiang had promised him a share of the business, but had not specified how much.

“The accounts can’t be calculated so simply, you know. There are all sorts of messy expenses!”

“For example, these tables and chairs—they’re all part of the cost. And we also have to buy a refrigerator.”

“That’s not easy to get. I have to figure something out, see how I can get a refrigerator.”

In these times, a refrigerator meant queuing up in advance, and you needed a ration ticket. Without one, even if you had money, you couldn’t buy it.

Daguan nodded. A single refrigerator would be expensive, at least a thousand or two.

If Chen Huajiang remembered correctly, the refrigerators at this time were the Xuehua single-door models. Not every household had one; only those with connections could get them. If you didn’t have connections, you’d just have to wait.

Chen Huajiang mulled it over. He figured Liang Long could probably handle this.

After tidying up the shop a bit, Chen Huajiang left with Daguan. The official opening was tomorrow. There was nothing more to be done that evening.

He went to the market, bought some meat and vegetables, cooked at home, and waited for Lin Jiayin and her daughter to return.

Around six in the evening, Lin Jiayin arrived with Huanhuan.

“What’s that smell? Why is it so fragrant?”

As soon as Lin Jiayin spoke, she saw Chen Huajiang come out of the kitchen with a spatula in hand.

“I made some braised pork for you. I’m not sure if it’s any good—I followed Daguan’s steps.”

Chen Huajiang worried that one day Daguan might see how much he was earning, and resent being stuck with a fixed salary. If Daguan quit, it would be troublesome. Though Daguan was honest, his father was a sly old fox, sharp and clever.

“When I passed by at noon, your place was crowded. How much did you make?”

Lin Jiayin cared about this, considering the family’s previous hardships.

“Ten yuan. Not much.”

Chen Huajiang acted unconcerned.

“Ten yuan? That’s not much? The director only makes fifty yuan a month at the company, and you made ten in one afternoon. That’s impressive.”

Lin Jiayin hadn’t expected to earn so much right from the start; it seemed unbelievable.

“We’ll earn more in the future. I’m learning to make braised pork from Daguan, just in case he quits one day and leaves me stranded.”

One must not harm others, but must always guard against them.

Lin Jiayin nodded. Nowadays, you never know—people see others making money and it breeds jealousy.

You never know when someone might sabotage you a little.

Chen Huajiang’s first attempt at braised pork wasn’t very successful, but Huanhuan seemed to enjoy it, her mouth glistening with oil.

“As long as my daughter likes it, we’ll eat here every afternoon from now on.”

Chen Huajiang patted Huanhuan’s head. He still had to go out once more, the refrigerator matter needed urgent attention.

“I’m heading out for a bit. I’ll be back soon.”

“Come back early, and remember not to drink.”

Lin Jiayin reminded him.

“I know, darling.”

Chen Huajiang flirted, making Lin Jiayin blush.

He went straight to the place where Liang Long gambled. He didn’t need to guess; Liang Long would be there.

This fellow spent all day idling about, playing cards with a gang of layabouts.

When he saw Chen Huajiang, Liang Long waved him over. “Over here! I heard from Daguan you made ten yuan in one afternoon? Not bad!”

The news had spread fast, but it was a good thing. Liang Long had a ten percent silent share in the business; that meant he got one yuan.

“It hasn’t officially started yet. Come outside, I have something to discuss—it concerns the future of our snack bar.”

Chen Huajiang purposely said “our,” so Liang Long would hear it.

Liang Long was pleased, feeling like a hands-off boss—earning money without lifting a finger.

“What’s up? Tell me.”

Outside, Liang Long handed Chen Huajiang a Da Qianmen cigarette.

“The snack bar needs a refrigerator. A new one would cost at least a thousand, and since we’re just starting, I don’t think we need a new one. See if you can get us a used one.”

Chen Huajiang didn’t have a thousand yuan; buying new was impossible.

“A refrigerator? Let me think... Actually, yes—there was one at the factory that broke, so they bought a new one and left the old one in storage. Not sure if it can be fixed.”

“How about I talk to my dad, see if we can buy it for a few dozen yuan? After all, it’s broken.”

That sounded doable to Chen Huajiang.

“Don’t pay for it—we’ll deduct the cost from our profits. Ask your dad for the key, and we’ll get it out together.”

Chen Huajiang wanted to avoid spending money if possible; the refrigerator was just sitting unused anyway.

Liang Long liked this sort of thing. Hearing Chen Huajiang’s plan, he was immediately energized.

“Huajiang, I didn’t expect you to have learned some tricks—but what if the factory finds out? You’re right at the gate!”

Liang Long was worried about that.

“Do you think I’m stupid? I’ll repaint it, no one will recognize it.”

Chen Huajiang’s quick mind was undeniable.

“Alright, let’s go. I’ll get my dad’s key and we’ll head to the warehouse.”

The warehouse key belonged to the security office, which Liang Long’s father managed, carrying dozens of keys every day.

When Liang Long got home, his father was relaxing in the courtyard.

“Lost all your money again?”

Liang Yuanchao knew his son’s ways, but he had a regular salary, so he turned a blind eye.

“I wasn’t playing.”

Liang Long went inside and searched the big bunch of keys. Each had a white label with its location written on it. He found the one marked “Warehouse,” quietly took it off, put it in his pocket, and went back out.

“Huajiang, got it. Let’s go.”

The two hurried to the factory.

There were no cameras in those days; at night, just a couple of extra security guards on duty.

Seeing Liang Long, the guards didn’t dare say anything.

The two entered the warehouse, flashlight in hand, searching.

In the last corner, they found the broken refrigerator.

Now there was a problem—how to get it out.

It was heavy; lifting it together was hard work.

“We’ll have to go out the back of the factory, there’s no other way.”

Liang Long whispered.

Chen Huajiang nodded. Tiring, but nothing else to be done.

They lugged the refrigerator out through a broken section of wall at the back.

After carrying it a long distance, they left it in a field, covering it haphazardly with grass.

In these times, even if you left something uncovered, people wouldn’t take it.

Morality was still strong; people like Chen Huajiang and Liang Long were the exception.