Chapter 20: Unexpected Joy
Chapter 20: Unexpected Joy
The door next door was ajar.
"Chen Sao, are you home?"
Jiang Cheng called out before reaching the entrance.
"It's Xiao Cheng. The door's unlocked, come in."
Chen Sao's voice echoed from within.
Jiang Cheng pushed the door open and saw Chen Sao sitting behind a sewing machine, mending clothes.
She looked up and saw the two bags Jiang Cheng was holding, pausing in surprise, "Xiao Cheng, what's this?"
"Chen Sao, the last time I had a fever, I was really grateful for your help. That night, you even treated me to a hearty meal. This time, I'm here to repay the 300 yuan, and these are additional gifts."
Jiang Cheng placed the items on the table and took out 300 yuan from his pocket, setting it aside.
Chen Sao understood the situation and immediately stood up, speaking earnestly, "You can keep the money, but take these things back."
Being neighbors, she was well aware of Jiang Cheng's circumstances.
Seeing Jiang Cheng's actions, she felt touched, but also a bit angry, and more so, worried.
"Chen Sao..."
Jiang Cheng wanted to say something, but Chen Sao interrupted him.
"Either take the money and leave the items, or take both the money and the items."
Hearing the commotion outside, Lin Yue lifted the curtain and stepped out, her gaze falling on the table. When she saw the pork and eggs, her eyes lit up.
However, she didn't fully understand the situation and dared not speak.
Jiang Cheng hadn't expected things to turn out this way.
He definitely wouldn't take the money.
But how should he leave the items? As he racked his brain for an explanation, Chen Sao sighed and spoke.
"Xiao Cheng, if I'm not mistaken, you have at most one or two hundred yuan left, and there are still ten days until the end of the month. Can you afford the stall fee and management fee that the Wild Wolf Gang will collect? If you don't pay the stall fee, you won't be able to do business on the street in the future. Where will the money come from then?"
"I didn't plan to ask for this 300 yuan. When you mentioned repaying the money last time, I thought you were joking. I didn't expect you to act so quickly. Let's forget about that, but you also spent almost 100 yuan on these items, right?"
"Listen to Chen Sao. Take the things back. You've just recovered from a serious illness, and this is when you need proper nutrition. Take the money back as well. After paying the stall fee and management fee for next month, if you have enough, return it to me. If you can't gather enough, just tell Chen Sao, and I can lend you some more."
She sighed after speaking.
If Jiang Cheng hadn't gotten into that trouble a few days ago, he wouldn't be in such a tight spot now.
But the moon has its phases, and people have their ups and downs. Who can predict such things?
"Yes, Jiang Cheng, take the money and things and leave."
Hearing her mother's words, Lin Yue also understood the situation and hurried to persuade him.
The items on the table did indeed tempt her.
But she also understood Jiang Cheng's current predicament.
Jiang Cheng's heart was filled with gratitude.
If one had to say who treated him the best in this world, it was his grandmother. And the person who treated him the second best was Chen Sao before him.
Moreover, she was thoughtful, accurately describing his current situation.
"Xiao Cheng, listen, take the money and things, it will make Auntie very happy."
Chen Sao urged.
"Auntie, I can take the items, but I'd like to leave the money."
Jiang Cheng's face revealed a bitter smile, "I feel uncomfortable if I don't repay the money quickly."
Chen Sao's expression softened slightly, and she nodded, "Alright, just leave the money. Take the rest of the items back with you and keep them for yourself."
"Okay."
Jiang Cheng had no choice but to take the pound of meat and a pound of eggs he brought and carry them back.
"Chen Sao, remember to count the money. I'll head back now. After washing the sweet potatoes, I'll go set up my stall."
"Okay. Be careful on the way, especially at night. Do you understand?"
"Yes, I do."
Watching Jiang Cheng leave, Chen Sao sighed as she locked the door.
In ten days, she needed to save up 3,000 yuan. Not only Jiang Cheng, but 99% of people in the slums couldn't achieve this.
She had already made up her mind. At the end of the month, she would go and ask how much more was needed.
...
Chen Sao saw Jiang Cheng returning with the meat and eggs, and the old man was surprised.
"Chen Sao wouldn't accept it."
Jiang Cheng explained the situation in detail.
"Chen Sao, she's a good person."
The old man sighed.
"Grandma, after I go out later, you take these things and go check on Chen Sao. If she's willing to accept them, then great. If not, then forget it," Jiang Cheng said.
That's what he said, but he felt that even then, he would still be rejected.
"Okay, I'll go try later."
The old man agreed.
After more than an hour passed, and Jiang Cheng finished his lunch and officially set up his stall.
Chen Sao was right. In ten days, he needed to save up 3,000 yuan. It wasn't an easy task. After all, if you convert it, it's over 10,000 yuan a month. Before he time-traveled, this wasn't an easy feat, let alone in such a slum.
However, Jiang Cheng was confident in his current roasted sweet potato skills.
Yesterday afternoon, his roasted sweet potato proficiency reached the Mastery level. You should know, his original body had roasted sweet potatoes for almost ten years, and his skills were only at the Master level.
As for the old man, his skills didn't even match up to his original body.
He was now at the Mastery level. How should he put it? He was the second best roasted sweet potato seller on this street.
Food, just like novels, if written well, will naturally attract customers.
With ten days left, Jiang Cheng to rely on selling sweet potatoes to save up 3,000 yuan. It might be possible if he didn't steal or rob.
As he arrived on the street, Jiang Cheng headed towards his stall. Today, he seemed to be a bit late. Lu Zicheng, his neighbor, had arrived earlier and was talking to two customers in front of him.
Seeing Jiang Cheng pushing his tricycle over, Lu Zicheng pointed at him and said, "He's here."
The two customers turned around at his words, and when they saw Jiang Cheng, one of them immediately lit up, "Boss, you're finally here! Last night, when I passed by, I bought a roasted sweet potato from you. The taste was incredible, and it reminded me of my childhood. So, I'm here again today, and I've brought another customer with me."
The man patted his companion's shoulder as he spoke.
His companion looked skeptical.
Could it be that amazing?
Remembering his childhood?
But out of politeness, he couldn't refuse, and besides, he hadn't eaten roasted sweet potatoes in a long time. Occasionally having a taste wouldn't be bad.
Lu Zicheng's mouth twitched.
His gaze towards Jiang Cheng was a bit sour.
After all, he had been here for almost twenty minutes, and he had only sold a few fried cassava sticks. Before Jiang Cheng even arrived, two customers rushed over to wait for him.
Jiang Cheng was startled but quickly reacted and laughed, "This big brother here has an eye for good food. My roasted sweet potatoes have a secret technique. I'm the only one on this street with this skill. But I've just set up my stall, and the sweet potatoes haven't been roasted yet. It'll take some time. You two can come back later."
(End of Chapter)
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