Zhao Hong jumped, and since their marriage, Jin Kun had never spoken to her harshly, to the point where she almost forgot that the man in front of her was a "big brother" with dozens of subordinates.
She obediently went to slide the bolt on the door, and as soon as she turned around, she heard Jin Kun ask, "Are you still in contact with that surnamed Lu?"
Zhao Hong's heart skipped a beat, and she quickly denied it, "How could that be? Who told you that?"
Jin Kun continued to ask, "Why did you ask Liangzi to go cause trouble for that surnamed Chen?" He wasn't stupid and knew who to trust.
"Their shop was engaged in malicious competition, and business at our store was too slow, so I thought I'd ask Liangzi to scare her a little. Who knew something went wrong, and I felt guilty that Liangzi got caught."
Jin Kun's eyes narrowed dangerously, "I want the truth. Do you know the consequences of deceiving me?"
Zhao Hong hastily looked up, "I'm telling the truth, I'm not lying to you."
"I treated you well, and this is how you repay me, betraying me."
Jin Kun sneered and took two steps forward, "Didn't that surnamed Lu get put in the detention center recently?"
Hearing Jin Kun's words, Zhao Hong's mind started racing. It seemed someone had said something to him behind her back, which was why Jin Kun, who rarely came to the store, would suddenly come to question her.
Jin Kun had said earlier that he was going to Chen Lishu's store. It was highly probable that that bitch Chen Lishu had told him something.
"Did that bitch Chen Lishu say something? We've never gotten along, and with this happening again, her words can't be trusted."
Zhao Hong wouldn't admit to having a relationship with Lu Chengming, no matter how foolish she was.
"Brother Kun, we are husband and wife after all. You wouldn't believe her, an outsider, over me, would you?"
"You still remember we're husband and wife." Jin Kun's eyes darkened, and he kicked Zhao Hong hard in the stomach without hesitation.
The kick was very powerful, and Zhao Hong staggered back several steps before finally collapsing to the ground. A sharp pain shot through her abdomen, and combined with fear, her face instantly turned pale.
"I can indulge your tantrums and let you give me the cold shoulder when you're unhappy, but I absolutely will not be made a cuckold."
Jin Kun said this and stepped closer to Zhao Hong, his fingers like iron tongs gripping her chin, forcing her to look up. "Remember this, if you want to live with me, you'd better behave yourself. Otherwise..."
Jin Kun didn't finish, but Zhao Hong could see from his icy gaze that he would absolutely kill her without hesitation.
Seeing her fear, Jin Kun loosened his grip, and Zhao Hong instinctively recoiled in fear.
"You don't need to think about the 'Shu Se' clothing store anymore. Also, I don't like green. Don't let me see that sweater again."
After speaking, Jin Kun turned and walked out of the store.
With a "bang," it was as if all of Zhao Hong's strength was drained away. She slumped to the ground, defeated.
...
After dealing with Jin Kun, Chen Lishu remembered her promise to Rui Rui to buy a TV and asked, "Sister Aixiang, I want to go to the Overseas Chinese Store to buy a TV. Do you want to come along?"
The department store also sold TVs, but all home appliances required industrial coupons. Some brands not only required coupons but also advance reservations. The Overseas Chinese Store was different. Although the prices were relatively higher, it didn't require coupons, and the brands were very comprehensive.
"A family in our alley bought a TV. Oh my, every evening after dinner, the courtyard would be packed with people. Xiaopeng would always join the fun. Recently, they've been limiting the electricity use because of the high bill, and the child has been pestering me to buy one too. I just feel that thing costs hundreds of yuan, which is not a small amount. The child doesn't study anyway; buying a TV will only make him even more obsessed."
She was earning quite a bit now, averaging over two hundred yuan a month, so buying a TV for the family wouldn't be a problem. Her mother-in-law could also keep an eye on the child while she was at school. She just felt a bit reluctant to spend the money.
Hearing Wang Aixiang say this, Chen Lishu hesitated a little. Children had less self-control, but she had already made the promise. If she went back on her word, the child would surely be disappointed.
"Forget it. My rascal is rarely this fond of anything. If he really misbehaves, I'll give him a taste of my slipper and just turn off the power." Wang Aixiang thought about it and felt she had owed the child a lot over the years. Conditions were poor before, but now that she had the means, she would buy one to fulfill his wish.
So, they closed the store early and headed straight to the Overseas Chinese Store on Youyi Road.
Zhao Xingwang was now not only reselling foreign exchange certificates but also selling fabrics from Chen Lishu's store. He made two jiao per foot, sometimes earning more in a day than from reselling foreign exchange certificates.
He had just exchanged a hundred yuan in foreign exchange certificates from a foreigner when he looked up and saw Chen Lishu and Wang Aixiang approaching. He smiled and went to greet them, "It's rare to see you two out together."
Wang Aixiang said, "Li Shu and I want to go to the Overseas Chinese Store to look at TVs."
"That's simple, we have them ourselves." Zhao Xingwang readily produced two remittance coupons. "How many remittance coupons do you need?"
Chen Lishu took the cards and asked, "How many do you have on hand?"
"Not many today, only a little over three hundred yuan was exchanged. But I can help you get some from others." Zhao Xingwang then went to greet two other同行 nearby and quickly gathered one thousand remittance coupons.
"Nine hundred and fifty is fine." After taking the money Chen Lishu handed over and checking it, Zhao Xingwang quickly took out five large "Renminbi" bills and returned them. "Just at cost price."
"Thanks." After thanking Zhao Xingwang, Chen Lishu and Wang Aixiang entered the Overseas Chinese Store together.
The two quickly selected a 'Taishan' brand twelve-inch black and white TV, priced at four hundred and one.
This brand had good sales and even required reservations at the department store.
The TV was not large, weighing less than twenty pounds.
Zhao Xingwang helped carry the TV to the bus stop for them.
Rui Rui knew from early morning that Chen Lishu was going to the city to buy a TV. However, the Wang brothers didn't know, so when they saw the TV in Chen Lishu's hand, they jumped with joy and immediately swarmed around.
"Mom, are you tired? I'll help you carry it."
"Auntie, let me carry it for you," said Wang Yanchao.
Wang Yanhui, unable to help, was anxiously looking around, "Auntie, I have strength too."
Zhao Guiying and Lin Xiaoyue were at home counting money. They had sold over 200 jin of plums that day. After deducting costs, each of them could get over six yuan!
More than six yuan in a day; both of them were shocked looking at the money in their hands.
"Mom, hurry up and come out to see, Aunt Gu's family bought a TV!" Wang brothers shouted loudly from outside the window as they passed by their house.
Hearing that Chen Lishu had bought a TV, the two in the house couldn't sit still. They collected their money and came out.