Back to 1984: Earning Money, Raising Kids, and Keeping the Household Busy

Bai Linlin's eyes lit up, and she instantly forgot about her jealousy. "What's going on? Is it Xu Jian or Xu Kang? Are they going to have extra classes?"

Lin Qin nodded, "I've discussed it with my sister and brother-in-law. After school starts, one of them will learn the saxophone and the other will learn calligraphy. Thank you for your help!"

Bai Linlin smiled broadly, "Of course, of course. You're my big spender now, and your child is my walking advertisement. I'll definitely teach him well and make sure you're satisfied."

The two women smiled at each other.

Bai Linlin offered, "Well then, since it's the New Year, you shouldn't be running around. I'll call Junjun and ask her to come over. It's better for you to gather here than at my second uncle's place, where all the elders are."

Upon hearing this, Lin Qin immediately sat down obediently, waiting for Bai Linlin to make a call.

When Bai Junjun arrived, Lin Qin and Bai Linlin chatted for a while longer.

Hearing the noise, the two women got up and went to the door, just in time to see Bai Junjun and Gao Lei coming in.

"What's going on?" Lin Qin covered her mouth in shock.

Gao Lei was overjoyed, "Sister-in-law! You're Junjun's roommate? Hahaha. We're really destined for each other! It seems Junjun and I are destined to be together!"

"What destined marriage! We have nothing to do with each other, don't talk nonsense!" Bai Junjun blushed, extremely embarrassed.

Gao Lei, shameless as ever, pointed at Lin Qin and said, "Look, my sister-in-law is your roommate. Isn't that fate?"

Bai Junjun looked at Lin Qin suspiciously, then clung to Lin Qin's arm with a pitiful expression, "Sister Qin, what does this scoundrel have to do with you?"

Lin Qin opened her mouth, her mind racing as she tried to figure out how to answer.

Gao Lei squeezed in and interrupted, "My sister-in-law and her husband are my saviors. If it weren't for them, I would be dead long ago. I will acknowledge them as my elder brother and sister-in-law for the rest of my life!"

Bai Junjun and Bai Linlin were confused. Although they didn't know exactly what had happened, they were certain that Lin Qin and Gao Lei did have some connection.

Because of Lin Qin, Bai Junjun was somewhat more friendly towards Gao Lei, but this only extended to not kicking him out; her resistance to him was still quite obvious.

Fortunately, Gao Lei was perceptive and knew that Bai Junjun had come to visit Lin Qin. He was relieved and left after saying a few witty remarks. Before leaving, he repeatedly told Bai Junjun, "I'll be in the car. I'll take you back when you want to chat."

"Who asked you to take me with you!" Bai Junjun gritted her teeth, stomped her feet, and sat down on the sofa in frustration.

Bai Linlin made her a cup of coffee and joked, "Is this the person my dad introduced to you?"

Bai Junjun looked up to the sky and roared, "It's all my uncle's and my dad's fault! If they hadn't tricked me into attending the party, I wouldn't have gotten entangled with this playboy!"

"What a playboy! He's the Gao family's precious darling!" Bai Linlin glanced at her.

Bai Junjun snorted and turned her head away. "I've seen plenty of spoiled rich kids like this. They're just looking for something new to play around with. It's my bad luck to get entangled with him!"

Lin Qin hadn't initially planned to comment, but upon hearing this, she couldn't help but speak up, "Jun Jun, Gao Lei isn't as bad as you say. Have you really tried to understand him?"

Bai Junjun shook her head honestly, "I don't know him well, but this circle is so small, I've heard a bit about him. It's said that he doesn't like studying and entered society early. Initially, he led a group of thugs to cause trouble. He's not serious at all."

He's been to the police station several times. If it weren't for his good brother-in-law, he'd probably have a criminal record by now. What kind of good person could a thug like that be!

Lin Qin sighed and cursed Gao Lei inwardly. Just how much of a scoundrel was he? His reputation was worse than a stinking ditch! How was she supposed to clean up his name?
"Hehehe, actually Junjun, Gao Lei did do a lot of terrible things in the past, but even a prodigal son can turn over a new leaf, right? Just now, Gao Lei said that my man and I saved him! That's true."

Lin Qin carefully recounted how Chen Wenjun had saved Gao Lei.

The Bai sisters, Junjun and Lin Qin, listened in stunned silence, their expressions tense. "And then? How did Gao Lei fare after being rescued?" Junjun asked excitedly, pulling Lin Qin along, eager to hear what happened next.

Lin Qin was amused. "Later, he learned his lesson and stopped doing those dangerous things. Instead, he bought my family's fishing boat, converted it into a cargo ship, and started doing wholesale trade in Guangdong Province, mainly wholesale electronic products. Now he's also involved in the clothing industry. Zhang Hong and the others get their clothes from Gao Lei."

"You just don't know because you haven't been involved in the business. Gao Lei has changed a lot over the years. The car he drives now, the valuables he wears, were all bought with his own money; he didn't spend a penny of his family's money."

"That's amazing!" Bai Junjun's eyes widened in disbelief.

Bai Linlin nodded thoughtfully, "If that's the case, then this person is worth a try. The important thing is that he seems quite attentive to our Junjun."

Bai Junjun blushed and glared at him angrily, "Sister! Believe me or not, I'll make a long-distance call to tell your husband!"

Bai Linlin's boyfriend is a young diplomat who is not in the country. She originally wanted to go with him, but he is about to be transferred back, so she didn't make any moves.

"Alright, I won't tease you anymore. What if you push me too far and bite me?"

Do you think I'm a dog?!

The two sisters started bickering again.

Lin Qin found it amusing, and only after they had finished their commotion did she get down to business with Bai Junjun.

Bai Junjun was straightforward. She opened her bag, took out a bag of money and an account book. "This account book is the one you used before. It records everything clearly: how many students our institution has, when they came, what classes they took. The money is all here. Take a look. I plan to resume classes after the Lantern Festival. We still need to discuss a new round of enrollment."

This is another reason why Bai Junjun came here today.

Lin Qin finished the accounting in front of them, counted the money, confirmed that there were no problems, wrote "clearance" in the ledger, and signed her name.

The three then discussed the new year's enrollment plan, continuing their discussion until it was almost dark.

It's not safe for Lin Qin to go back alone with so much money.

So Gao Lei offered to take her home.

Bai Junjun had never been to Lin Qin's house before and was eager to try.

Lin Qin chuckled and smiled, "Let's go! It's a good opportunity to visit my place. We're free during winter break anyway."

The three of them got into the car.

With the roar of the engine, Gao Lei quickly led them to Nanxi.

The boatman hadn't rested yet, so he could give them a ride.

This was Bai Junjun's first time riding on such a boat, and she found it very novel. "Sister Qin, do you take a boat home every day?"

Lin Qin nodded matter-of-factly. "My home is on an island. How can I get back without taking a boat?"

"How novel! I can't wait to see your home!" Bai Junjun was restless even while sitting on the boat, her buttocks sticking out like nails, twisting every now and then.

A short while later, the fishing boat stopped at the Nanyu Gap.

Lin Qin called out, and Lin Yi came to open the door. (End of Chapter)