Chapter 32: A Few Close Friends Are Enough

The sales assistant at the clothing store nearby couldn’t hold back her laughter when she saw Mengmeng’s innocent expression and covered her mouth as she laughed.

“Ma’am, your daughter is hilarious,” she said to Cheng Xiaolin.

Cheng Xiaolin rubbed her forehead with her right hand, looking a bit helpless, and said to the assistant, “You don’t know how naughty she is at home. She dares to do anything. One time, she even tried to provoke a Pekingese dog and scared me half to death.”

“Haha, if I had a daughter like that, it’d be worth it!” the assistant said.

Mengmeng held the dress against herself and asked her mom, “Mommy, does it look good?”

“It looks great. Do you want it?” Cheng Xiaolin asked.

Mengmeng nodded without hesitation, and Cheng Xiaolin paid for the dress.

“Mommy, dress!”

They had only walked a few steps when they passed by another children’s clothing store. Mengmeng stopped in her tracks, staring intently at a dress with a red blouse top and a tulle skirt bottom hanging on a rack.

Cheng Xiaolin raised the shopping bag in her hand and said, “Mengmeng, didn’t I already buy you a dress? How can you want another one?”

Hearing that, Mengmeng froze a bit, but after thinking for a while, she said, “Mommy, buy.”

“Daddy, buy.”

Cheng Xiaolin looked at her daughter, thinking, How did you get so ‘clever’?

The next moment, she smiled and asked, “Mengmeng, didn’t Mommy just buy you a dress?”

Seeing Mengmeng nod, she continued, “Then let’s go look at something else first. When Daddy comes, he can buy you another one. Sound good?”

“Mommy buys, Daddy pays. Mommy,” Mengmeng said.

“Mengmeng, how are you so smart?” Cheng Xiaolin asked, amazed her daughter already understood triangular debt.

“Heehee!” Mengmeng squinted and beamed happily at the praise.

…

At the Chen Zheng Fencing Factory.

Cao Shujie, Chen Xingquan, and Cao Zhen had moved into Chen Xingquan’s office, drinking tea and chatting.

The office wasn’t large—just over 30 square meters—and sparsely furnished. Aside from a desk and chair, the only notable area was the small tea reception setup.

From the layout, it was clear that Chen Xingquan was frugal.

As they chatted, Chen Xingquan gave Cao Shujie a more detailed introduction to the different types of fencing and recommended two models based on Cao’s intended use.

Cao Shujie didn’t overthink it and ultimately chose a 2-meter-high fence with support posts every 4 meters and barbed wire along the top.

Chen Xingquan said, “Mr. Cao, since you’re friends with Supervisor Cao, I won’t play games. I’ll give it to you at a cost price of 46 yuan per meter. I’m just making enough to cover my workers’ wages.”

He added, “At this spec, the market price would be at least 70 yuan. Any lower and I couldn’t make it happen.”

Cao Shujie glanced at Cao Zhen, who gave a slight nod. That was all the confirmation he needed.

“Alright, we’ll go with Boss Chen’s price. Prepare 1,500 meters for me. If it’s not enough, I’ll call to order more.”

He then added, “Once Cao Zhen is done with his work, I’ll treat you both to a drink.”

“We’ll definitely have that drink,” said Cao Zhen, stepping in before Chen Xingquan could decline.

He added, “We all work around Pingyuan County. Let’s share a meal, make friends. It’ll help when things come up.”

Chen Xingquan agreed.

At the agreed price, Cao Shujie paid the full amount—69,000 yuan. They drafted and signed two handwritten contracts, each keeping a copy.

Chen Xingquan also promised to manufacture the goods as soon as possible and deliver them to Cao Family Village in Qingshi Town.

With Cao Zhen involved, Cao Shujie wasn’t worried about Chen Xingquan running off with the money. That would be disgraceful.

After leaving the factory and saying goodbye to Chen Xingquan, Cao Shujie drove Cao Zhen to Wuxing Department Store.

On the way, he asked, “Want to grab a drink at lunch?”

Cao Zhen waved it off. “Shujie, I really can’t today. I’ve got to check the site. People from the investment office and the bank are coming this afternoon. It’s a busy day.”

“Seriously?” Cao Shujie had thought his buddy was just brushing off Chen Xingquan earlier. “Then why’d you take time off this morning to help me buy fencing? Doesn’t that mess with your schedule?”

“Mess with what? You’ve got to prioritize things, right? They’re only coming this afternoon. Taking the morning off won’t kill me,” said Cao Zhen.

Cao Shujie was touched. He understood that Cao Zhen treated his matter like it was important.

“When you’re done in a couple of days, give me a call. We’ll invite Boss Chen out for a drink,” he said.

Cao Zhen wasn’t one for formalities. He had Shujie stop at the department store parking lot. “Alright, wait for my call. I’ll handle those investment and bank folks first.”

He grumbled, “Damn, those guys drink like fish. It’s brutal.”

“I’m off—call you later,” Cao Zhen said as he drove away in his Great Wall pickup.

When Cao Shujie found his wife Cheng Xiaolin and daughter Mengmeng, they were still shopping. Mengmeng saw him, wiggled her little bottom, and ran over.

She hugged his leg and shouted, “Daddy, Grandpa, Grandma—clothes!”

Cao Shujie laughed and asked, “Mengmeng, you and Mommy are buying clothes for Grandpa and Grandma?”

“Yeah!” Mengmeng nodded seriously. “Mommy, buy!”

“You two are awesome,” said Cao Shujie, then suddenly realized something.

It had been over a month since they returned from Beijing, and they still hadn’t visited his in-laws. That wasn’t right.

Actually, his in-laws didn’t live far—just the next county over, less than an hour’s drive.

Holding Mengmeng, he walked up and heard Cheng Xiaolin ask while holding a light blue jacket, “Shujie, do you think this shirt looks good for my dad?”

“Yep, looks great!” Cao Shujie shamelessly added, “Everything my wife picks looks great.”

Cheng Xiaolin rolled her eyes. “Shujie, you really have no shame.”

“Only a little, and only with you,” he teased.

Then he offered, “Honey, pick out two more pieces for Mengmeng’s grandparents. Once we’re done with things here, we’ll go visit.”

Hearing this, Cheng Xiaolin was happy but still said, “You’ve been really busy lately. No rush to visit my parents—go when you’re free.”

After that, she noticed Cao Zhen wasn’t with him and asked, “Honey, where’s Zhen?”

“He went back to the office. Said people from investment and the bank are coming for a site visit this afternoon. That guy’s sneaky—he definitely snuck out this morning.”

After hearing that, Cheng Xiaolin was quiet for a moment, then said, “Honey, that friend of yours is really something.”

“Right? I think so too. In this life, a few bros to shoot the breeze with are all you need,” said Cao Shujie with a smile.

After finishing their shopping, they didn’t linger or bother visiting other friends—they drove straight back to Cao Family Village.

(End of Chapter)