"Boss, are we almost there? Should we go to the factory first or head home?"
Chen Yang had fallen asleep on the bus. He was exhausted from the long journey, as getting a sleeper ticket these days was difficult without connections.
From Shenzhen to Anhui Province, it was a day-long ride on a slow train, which had worn him out. Lying on the bus, he finally couldn't hold back and dozed off.
Seeing that they had arrived in Liuhe County town, Zhang Dabiao had no choice but to wake Chen Yang.
While Chen Yang could afford to sleep, he and Liu Yong dared not. They were guarding fifty thousand US dollars, and if it were lost, selling them wouldn't be enough to compensate.
"Home, home. Business matters can't produce much in one or two days. How can it compare to seeing my wife and children?"
If given the choice between making money and spending time with his wife and children, Chen Yang would definitely choose his family.
He earned money precisely so that his wife and children could live a good life.
"Alright, Boss. I'll go to the food factory to find Brother Wu Kang and see if the factory has a car to give us a ride."
Zhang Dabiao had stayed in Shenjiaba for so long that he was familiar with the locals. He knew all the neighbors and Chen Yang's relatives.
He knew that his boss disliked walking the most. Coming to the county town, they could either take a donkey cart from the village or find Brother Wu Kang, his aunt's cousin, at the food factory to borrow a car.
"You kid, hurry up. Have Wu Kang ride a bike and give me a lift. Tell him we're going for a drink at home, and then have him lend you a bicycle so you can give Liu Yong a ride."
Chen Yang knew what Zhang Dabiao was thinking. Young men of this era all wanted to ride bicycles. Riding a bike on the road, many girls would cast admiring glances at them.
"Alright, Boss, just wait. I'll call Brother Wu Kang over right away."
Having been with Chen Yang for so long, Zhang Dabiao truly felt that his boss had no airs. This was completely unlike the landlords and rich families of the old era.
His boss was not only good to them, his employees, but also genuinely good to his family and the villagers.
Look at the glutinous rice wine fish factory and the winery; these were all great things that helped the villagers earn money together.
Compared to Zhang Dabiao, Liu Yong had not interacted much with Chen Yang and was slightly reserved. However, it was just as well. With him holding the money, being cautious was better.
"Yongzi, you won't have to be so tense when we return to Shanghai. This money will be deposited into the account of the Third Radio Factory. When we purchase the television production line, I'll have their factory director treat you to a drink."
Chen Yang patted Liu Yong's shoulder. Liu Yong was not as tall and burly as Zhang Dabiao, being less than 1.7 meters. However, Chen Yang would not underestimate him due to his short stature.
Back in Hong Kong City, when they inevitably encountered some ruffians from gangs causing trouble, Chen Yang had seen this man effortlessly defeat three burly men in three moves.
Truly, one could not judge a book by its cover!
"Don't worry, Boss. I'm here, and our goods will be safe."
Under Chen Yang's gaze, Liu Yong involuntarily straightened his back.
His family was poor, and they were struggling to put food on the table. His younger siblings hadn't worn new clothes in years and ate wild vegetable porridge.
It was Chen Yang who gave him the opportunity to earn money. The money he earned now each month was enough for his younger siblings to wear new clothes and go to school, and his parents were also living a good life.
From the bottom of his heart, he was grateful to Chen Yang. If he couldn't even handle the simple task of carrying a money bag without messing up, he would have no face to see anyone.
Not long after, Zhang Dabiao returned on a bicycle, followed closely by Zhao Wukang, who was also on a bicycle.
"Brother-in-law, you're back from the south?"
"Did you have a smooth trip this time?"
Zhao Wukang naturally knew that Chen Yang had gone south, and he also knew that he was going to Hong Kong City for business.
"I'm back. Since I've invited you for a drink, it must be good news."
"How are Wu Jing and Wu Feng doing at school now?"
Chen Yang glanced at Zhao Wukang. They say marriage is a hurdle for men. You can tell how happy a man is after marriage by his weight.
Zhao Wukang had been married for less than a year, and his physique had grown by leaps and bounds. The once handsome young man now had a bit of a belly.
"Those two brats don't like to study. They're begging me to take them to the fertilizer plant. I say, join a sports team. They can't study, but they can endure hardship and work."
Zhao Wukang spoke with an air of seniority, unaware that he himself had come from a similar background. He was also a bit of a slacker back then, but now he was steady in his actions, which came from the tempering of time.
"Don't just scold them. What about you? Look at yourself, your belly is almost as big as your wife's. If you get fat like a ball, you'll be embarrassed when you go out."
Chen Yang glanced at Zhao Wukang. This guy was living comfortably now. After all, Wang Jianguo had become the deputy factory director. Remembering his past acquaintance with Chen Yang when he was at the aquatic product station, he took good care of Zhao Wukang.
"Brother, this isn't my fault. It's all my mother's doing. My wife is pregnant, and she either stews soup or buys meat every day. My wife can't finish so much, so the leftovers are all stuffed into my stomach."
"So, her belly is big, and mine is growing too."
Zhao Wukang felt a bit embarrassed when he was told this. However, being fat these days was actually more respectable. After all, it was still an era of material scarcity. Being fat indicated that your family's conditions were good; you had enough to eat and were well-fed.
"Take care of yourself. How long until the baby is born?"
Chen Yang sat in the back seat, and Zhao Wukang chatted while riding.
"Brother-in-law, about two more months. The exact date can't be predicted, but it's about time. I'll have Cai Lan stay in the hospital. If anything happens, there will be doctors watching."
Zhao Wukang's words revealed his affection for Wang Cailan. Chen Yang was relieved to see this. The couple got along well, and soon they would have another child. His aunt would surely be happy.
"Good. I'll give you a big, healthy boy. Your sister and I will give you a generous red envelope."
Chen Yang was not stingy. His aunt's family had taken good care of him and Shen Xue. Zhao Wukang had even saved his life in the wilderness. In any case, he would not be stingy with them.
"Brother, I'll definitely tell Cai Lan what you said. Then she'll give us twins so we can get two red envelopes."
Zhao Wukang couldn't stop smiling. He was also sincerely grateful to Chen Yang, his brother-in-law.
It was Chen Yang who helped their family make money. His father was promoted to workshop director, and he himself became a formal worker. Otherwise, given his family's situation, he would have been single for a long time and wouldn't have been able to marry such a good wife as Wang Cailan.
"We're almost there, Brother-in-law. Look, aren't Yan Yan and Hao Hao flying kites at the village entrance?"
"Yan Yan, Hao Hao, Uncle is here!"
Before Chen Yang could get a good look, Zhao Wukang, with his general's belly, stood up and pedaled the bicycle. His excitement was even greater than that of Chen Yang, who hadn't seen his children in half a month.
"Uncle, Uncle, did you bring us something delicious?"
From a distance, the childish voices of the two little ones also reached Chen Yang's ears. Hearing the voices of his son and daughter, Chen Yang also became excited.
He was finally home!