Rich in the 70s: I Made a Rugged Veteran a Millionaire-Chapter 53: Eighty Yuan Translation Fee

Jiang Cheng successfully snagged a meal for tomorrow, satisfied as he left the machinery factory.

At the factory gate, Principal Wang and Manager Guo took a slightly longer route just to ensure Jiang Cheng’s safe return to the courtyard houses.

On the way, Manager Guo curiously asked, "Mr. Jiang, how long have you been studying foreign languages?"

"Hmm—it’s been a while—I should count—"

After hearing this, Manager Guo nodded knowingly and said, "I can tell from your level that you’ve been learning for quite some time."

"A month and eight days."

Both spoke simultaneously, causing Manager Guo to instinctively look at Jiang Cheng instead of the road.

"Watch out!"

Jiang Cheng pulled on Manager Guo’s bicycle handlebar, causing him to ground one foot. Though the bike tilted slightly, fortunately, they didn’t fall.

In front was a pitch-black lamppost with a bit of white paint on it; they narrowly avoided hitting it.

"Are you okay?"

Principal Wang rushed over with a flashlight.

"Luckily the bike’s fine, it’s quite expensive; it’d hurt to damage it."

Manager Guo, steady now, was momentarily unsure who to express his frustration with first.

"Exactly, not only would the bike be damaged, but you’d also have to compensate for the lamppost."

After Jiang Cheng chimed in, Principal Wang suddenly realized, "You’re absolutely right! The tires would’ve been tough to deal with too!"

Manager Guo rolled his eyes multiple times in the dark, but unfortunately, no one could see.

"Excuse me, don’t you see me, a living person here? By the way, I’m fine!!"

On both sides, Jiang Cheng and Principal Wang, who were bending over the bicycle, simultaneously looked up, speaking confidently and self-assuredly.

"Of course I know you’re okay!"

"Knowing you’re fine, that’s why we were worried about the bike."

Manager Guo, both amused and exasperated by these two, chuckled.

"This bike is worth having the two of you!"

Jiang Cheng and Principal Wang chuckled along, helping Manager Guo push the bike to the middle of the road.

"Did you just say you’ve been studying for a month and eight days?"

Preparing to get back on the bike, Jiang Cheng responded, "Yes! If it’s past midnight, it’ll be a month and nine days."

Upon saying this, she footed the pedal, kicked twice, and then swung her rear leg back to settle into the seat, pedaling off.

Manager Guo kept replaying the words ’a month and eight days’ in his mind.

Is this even possible??

"Let’s go. If we don’t head home soon, it’ll be sunrise."

Pushing the bike along, Principal Wang continued, "Don’t use normal thinking with Jiang Cheng, she’s brilliantly talented!"

Suddenly, Principal Wang felt these four words were custom-made for Jiang Cheng.

*

Jiang Cheng arrived home smoothly, thanked Principal Wang and Manager Guo after they parted ways.

In the courtyard, every household was asleep, except for the Shen Family where a dim light shone.

With a creak, the Shen Family’s door opened.

Grandma Shen held a kerosene lamp, lighting up a piece of the little world, and at the sight of Jiang Cheng, her worried face finally relaxed.

"Why so late today?"

Jiang Cheng pushed the bike over as Grandma Shen placed a wooden board on the steps.

Jiang Cheng pushed the bike indoors, quietly saying, "Got held up at the factory for a bit, but I got a big job."

They entered the house one after the other, Grandma Shen stored the board and closed the door.

Shen Xing and Shen Yue were already asleep; Jiang Cheng took a glance and then quietly backed out.

Then, on the dining table, she saw a small pile of shelled sunflower seeds, with a note beside them.

Scribbled crookedly: Sister, Yue Yue peeled them.

Jiang Cheng silently smiled while eating the sunflower seeds.

Just then, Grandma Shen quietly came over with a bowl of thick rice porridge, a salted duck egg, and a dish of garlic eggplants.

Jiang Cheng reached out, but Grandma Shen stopped her with a look, whispering, "This little bit, my old lady can still carry."

"Of course, my Grandma Shen is lively and strong!"

Jiang Cheng began her late-night snack, while Grandma Shen sat nearby.

The old and the young shared their day’s happenings, like a warm gossip.

After eating quite a bit, Grandma Shen said, "We don’t always have to eat fine grains, don’t go to the black market often, it’s unsafe alone."

Jiang Cheng only went to the black market once.

The rice she’s eating now is from her special stash.

"Got it, I don’t go often."

After promising, Jiang Cheng continued, "Though don’t be stingy about eating, yesterday I earned eighty bucks translating books, today at the machinery factory I got a big job, though I don’t know the exact amount, it’s definitely a lot, we can afford it!"

Grandma Shen advised, "It’s not like it’s blown in by the wind!"

"Also, don’t tell everyone exactly how much you earn; say you earn thirty to forty a month, that’s excellent, more would invite jealousy."

"Don’t be fooled by how good everything looks in this big messy yard right now, everyone manages about the same way!"

"If one stands out, trouble will follow one after another!"

Grandma Shen seriously shared her life wisdom, which Jiang Cheng listened to intently.

"I’ll just tell you, not others."

Grandma Shen thought for a moment and said, "Well, you’re better off not fooling others!"

"If you praise me, I’ll get arrogant easily."

Grandma Shen speechlessly said, "Oh please! You don’t need others’ approval to be arrogant!"

Jiang Cheng slightly smiled.

"But you’re no ’others’!"

One sentence left Grandma Shen both happy and embarrassed.

"Hurry up and eat! Stop talking!"

Jiang Cheng lowered her head and continued eating.

After finishing, Jiang Cheng urged Grandma Shen to go rest while she cleaned the dishes and quickly washed up.

Tonight, no reading or study, she went to bed at eleven.

The next morning, Jiang Cheng was woken by her biological clock, reading and practicing boxing indoors.

Almost time, she came out just in time to have breakfast with Shen Xing and Shen Yue.

Seeing Jiang Cheng, Shen Yue immediately lit up like a little sparrow, chirping excitedly about her school day.

"Sister, did you eat the sunflower seeds I shelled?"

"Of course I did! They were especially fragrant and delicious."

Jiang Cheng exaggerated her response, making Shen Yue smile so wide her eyes disappeared, eagerly saying, "Then I’ll shell some for you today too!"

"Sure!"

"I’ll get my brother to help!"

"Okay!"

The two perfectly ignored the hard-working Shen Xing, happily making plans.

Shen Xing was unfazed, since he was used to it.

After breakfast, Jiang Cheng, Shen Xing, and Shen Yue left the courtyard together.

"Shen Xing, has anyone been bothering you lately?"

Shen Xing shook his head.

"Nope, since Zhu Pengcheng got a beating, he’s not only behaved but started doing good deeds! Like he turned over a new leaf!"

"That’s good then."

While speaking, Jiang Cheng took out four Big White Rabbit milk candies.

"Two each."

Shen Xing and Shen Yue, treating Jiang Cheng like family, took them willingly.

After saying goodbye to each other, Jiang Cheng watched the two kiddies for a few seconds before cycling towards the machinery factory.

Just then, He Dan came out of the courtyard and caught sight of Jiang Cheng’s back.

He Dan frowned.

Why is Jiang Cheng biking in that direction?

The scrapyard isn’t that way?