Chapter 24 Homecoming

Chapter 24 Homecoming

A few days later, Huo Zongzhuo departed Wenzhou for other engagements.

Jiang Luo remained, overseeing the dispatch of "European-style lamps" and "dolls" from the train station. Following the established routine, upon receiving the shipping documents, he immediately sent Wang Chuang back to Haicheng to liaise with Manager Guo at Pacific Department Store. Wang Chuang would then return to Wenzhou with the bank drafts issued by Manager Guo.

In just half a month, Jiang Luo and his team had amassed forty thousand yuan from the doll sales alone.

Upon his return, Wang Chuang recounted, "I specifically checked the counters. Our dolls and European-style lamps are selling incredibly well, practically selling out every day."

"You weren't there, but if you'd seen Manager Guo, you'd understand. Honestly, every time he sees me, he's grinning from ear to ear."

He added, "We've made over forty thousand, so Manager Guo must be raking in even more, right?"

Wang Chuang asked, but he genuinely didn't care how much Manager Guo of Pacific Department Store profited; his sole concern was his and Jiang Luo's earnings.

Ten thousand, twenty thousand, thirty thousand, forty thousand…

A hundred thousand!

A full hundred thousand!

Wang Chuang clutched the money, experiencing a euphoria he had never known before.

Wenzhou boasted numerous shops and department stores.

Wang Chuang and Jiang Luo, flush with cash, headed to a department store to buy new clothes, acquiring piece after piece, set after set. Wang Chuang even donned a suit and a belt, preening with immense satisfaction as he tried on outfits.

Jiang Luo chuckled at him, while he himself stood before the mirror in a suit, one hand casually in his pocket, as if glimpsing the confident, successful CEO Jiang of his previous life.

Having updated their wardrobes, the two emerged from the mall, paper bags in hand, arms slung over each other's shoulders.

That triumphant swagger, that sheer delight of making money—Jiang Luo was finally experiencing it once more.

Witnessing Jiang Luo with a pager, Wang Chuang also purchased one locally in Wenzhou. It was far from cheap, quite expensive in fact, and Wang Chuang winced inwardly as he paid.

But with the pager clipped to his waistband, Wang Chuang was back to his swaggering self.

He truly felt like a big boss now.

Jiang Luo cautioned him, "Take it easy, don't get carried away."

Wang Chuang patted his chest proudly, "I'm Boss Wang now too!"

He then launched into an act: "Boss Wang is treating everyone to dinner! Eat whatever you like! Only the best!"

"Boss Wang is buying drinks! The finest liquor!"

"Dork," Jiang Luo laughed.

And so, Jiang Luo and Wang Chuang remained in Wenzhou until mid-May, assisting Zhang Zhiqiang and Boss Li in packing and shipping the final batches of dolls and European-style lamps.

During this period, Jiang Luo and Wang Chuang were far from idle. They either connected with more Wenzhou merchants through local contacts and toured various factories, or explored Wenzhou to gain a deeper understanding of the local landscape.

Jiang Luo also made several trips to Yueqing, visiting his relatives' transformer workshops through Zhang Zhiqiang.

Regarding the acquisition of a workshop, Jiang Luo temporarily held back, observing the situation without immediate action.

And since acquiring the pager, Jiang Luo's contact with Huo Zongzhuo had increased significantly—

Huo Zongzhuo called Jiang Luo's pager almost every day around dinnertime. Jiang Luo would often find a landline before or after meals to return Huo Zongzhuo's call on his mobile phone.

At first, Jiang Luo remarked, "Huo Zongzhuo, you must have a lot of free time, calling every day?"

"Still haven't given up? You want me to work for you? You must think highly of me, and you're quite persistent."

Huo Zongzhuo would play along, chatting in an exceptionally mild tone.

Soon, Jiang Luo stopped making such comments. When Huo Zongzhuo inquired about his day, Jiang Luo would briefly mention a few things, chat casually, then hang up.

Wang Chuang asked Jiang Luo several times, "Does that Boss Huo really think that much of you? Calling every day?"

"Yeah."

By then, Jiang Luo also believed that Huo Zongzhuo's persistent daily calls genuinely indicated his appreciation for Jiang Luo's abilities.

It never occurred to him that there might be another reason.

Through these calls and casual conversations, Jiang Luo discovered that Huo Zongzhuo was quite easy to get along with—at least, they clicked well, and he suited Jiang Luo's style.

Jiang Luo thought more than once: If only it had been like this in the previous life.

Finally, as late May approached, all orders for dolls and European-style lamps were shipped, and Jiang Luo and Wang Chuang took the green train back to Haicheng.

Upon their return to Haicheng, stepping off the train, Wang Chuang stood ramrod straight, his chest puffed out with exaggerated pride.

Jiang Luo teased him, "Look at you, flaunting."

Wang Chuang slung an arm over Jiang Luo's shoulder, indeed full of himself, his tone now brimming with confidence. As they walked, he declared, "When we left, we were just a couple of young nobodies. Now we're back, and our pockets are stuffed with cash!"

"People used to talk about 'ten-thousand-yuan families'—well, we've got way more than that now! Of course we're showing off!"

"This is what you call making our mark!"

The two walked out with the crowd, but they clearly stood out from the ordinary people around them—Wang Chuang in a white shirt, a belt fastened, a pager (still a rarity at the time) clipped to it, his hair slicked back, his stout figure making him look every bit a successful businessman.

Jiang Luo was tall, slender, handsome, with exceptional bearing, dressed in fine clothing, exuding an air of spirited confidence—clearly looking like a wealthy man.

And they were indeed affluent—

While most people crowded onto public transport or hailed cheap pedicabs outside the station, Jiang Luo and Wang Chuang (carrying his bag) went straight for a taxi van, hopping into a four-wheeled vehicle right after exiting the station and speeding off.

Some had already noticed them, remarking, "Wow, loaded, truly loaded."

Now truly wealthy, Jiang Luo and Wang Chuang planned to head to Wang Chuang's home first—Wang Chuang had left for another province without a word, and even though he'd returned to Haicheng several times mid-trip, it was always too rushed to go home.

Before going to Wang Chuang's place, Jiang Luo accompanied him to the mall to buy plenty of things: beauty products, silk scarves, and high-end clothes for women; wallets, cigarettes, and more for men.

Jiang Luo even helped select a box of edible bird's nests that cost a pretty penny.

Wang Chuang, who knew nothing about bird's nest, was astonished that such a small box was priced at three thousand—three thousand!

Jiang Luo: "It's a tonic, good for the skin and complexion. Your mother can have it, and your dad too."

Wang Chuang: "Such a small amount is so expensive?"

Jiang Luo: "I'll get it. My treat. Consider it my gift to your parents."

Wang Chuang laughed and raised his hand, tapping Jiang Luo's shoulder with the back of his hand: "Bro!"

Wang Chuang had no idea that he and Jiang Luo were more than just good brothers. In Jiang Luo's previous life, he had little family warmth and never received the parental care he longed for until his death. But at Wang Chuang's home, Wang Chuang's parents truly cared about him.

Not only did they often invite him to eat with Wang Chuang, but during holidays, they would also call Jiang Luo over to gather and celebrate together.

When Wang's mom had free time at home, she would knit sweaters—always two: one larger for Wang Chuang and a slightly smaller one for him.

Not to mention all sorts of other kindnesses.

Moreover, as a child, Jiang Luo was a "latchkey kid." Zhang Xiangping and Jiang Jianmin worked different shifts, so no one looked after Jiang Luo or cooked for him. Jiang Luo often ate at Wang Chuang's house.

Wang Chuang's parents were good people who never minded having Jiang Luo around. They always said it was just an extra pair of chopsticks. When they served Wang Chuang meat, they made sure to serve Jiang Luo too. If there were two chicken legs, Wang Chuang would get one, and he would get the other.

By the time Jiang Luo reached adulthood, he had lost track of all the meals and how many chickens he had eaten at Wang Chuang's house.

Now that they were "returning home successful," Jiang Luo remembered the kindness Wang Chuang's parents had shown him. While Wang Chuang bought gifts to bring back, Jiang Luo naturally wanted to show his gratitude as well.

Soon, Jiang Luo and Wang Chuang, laden with bags of gifts, left the shopping mall, flagged down a cab, and returned to the staff dormitory of the silk factory.

On the second floor of the tube-shaped apartment building, in the east apartment, Wang Junwei and Bai Ting had just returned from their morning shift.

As soon as they got back, Bai Ting picked up a basin to do laundry, while Wang Junwei grabbed a mop to clean the floor.

The couple chatted, and Bai Ting sighed: "I wonder how Wang Chuang and Jiang Luo are doing in Zhejiang Province."

"When Wang Chuang called, I was really afraid he was only telling us the good news and hiding the bad."

Wang Junwei: "It should be fine. Jiang Luo is with him. That kid is quick-thinking; I bet he's out there figuring out ways to make money."

"I'm not worried about Jiang Luo. I'm just afraid Wang Chuang doesn't know anything and ends up holding Jiang Luo back."

Bai Ting: "What do you think they're doing out there?"

"Without anyone to guide them, business isn't that easy to do."

As they talked, the conversation turned to Zhang Xiangping and Jiang Jianmin. Bai Ting said unhappily: "Those two are something else. They raised Jiang Luo for eighteen years but never cared about him. Now they have another son, and all they talk about is how their son is a top student at Fudan University. Pfft, disgusting."

Wang Junwei: "You know how that family is—they never cared about Jiang Luo. When Jiang Luo was little and had no lunch to eat, wasn't it always…"

Suddenly, Wang Chuang's voice came from the doorway: "Mom! Dad! Sister Ting! Your son is back!"

Wang Junwei: !

Bai Ting: !

They both turned to look at the door and saw Wang Chuang, dressed like a successful businessman, carrying bags in both hands, grinning as he entered. Behind him was Jiang Luo, also carrying bags.

Bai Ting, not caring about the soap suds on her hands, stood up in surprise: "Son! Jiang Luo! You're back!"

Wang Junwei was initially happy too, but then he remembered something. Raising the mop in his hand, he gritted his teeth and scolded Wang Chuang: "You brat, you finally remember to come back! Why didn't you just die out there?! You left without a word!"

Wang Chuang walked in, his chest puffed out with pride and lifting the bags in his hands: "Look what I brought you!"

He laughed: "Luo and I made money out there!"

"How about it? Aren't your sons amazing?"

Bai Ting stepped forward, ignoring the bags for a moment. Her eyes welled up as she punched Wang Chuang with her foam-covered hands: "You brat! Leaving without a word! You worried me to death!"

"And you!"

Bai Ting treated Jiang Luo the same way, punching him quite hard while muttering: "After eating who knows how many of my chicken legs, you just whisked my son away without a word! I didn't even know where you went!"

"So infuriating!"

Wang Chuang laughed, and Jiang Luo laughed too.

Author's note: