Shuangling: Braving the Rapids

Qin Shuangling was naturally displeased that the other party was mocking him in front of his son. He slammed the coal briquetting machine into the coal slurry and retorted in a dismissive tone, "Secretary, what brings you here to inspect my work on such a hot day?"

When he said the word "Secretary", Qin Shuangling emphasized it. He was reminding his cousin not to look down on those of them who did manual labor. He said that Qin Laishun was able to sit in the position of Secretary because of the votes cast by people like them.

Qin Laishun knew his cousin was teasing him, but he wasn't angry. He just squinted and chuckled, saying, "Alright, alright, don't tease me. I came to see you on important business!"

After saying that, Qin Laishun lifted up his pure white tank top under his shirt, shook it a few times, and finally felt a slight coolness on his stomach.

"Speak up, let's see what good nonsense you've got in mind!"

Qin Shuangling thought these words to himself, but on the surface, he was just working diligently.

Seeing that his younger cousin wasn't interested in "serious business," Qin Laishun stepped forward and shouted, "Second brother, don't be ungrateful! I found you a good job because I saw you were working too hard making coal briquettes in the summer!"

"What kind of good job is it? Tell me about it."

"My second son-in-law owns a car repair shop, right? One of the experienced mechanics has to take some time off due to family matters. I'd like you to cover his shift. If you're willing to go, I'll definitely pay you a high wage!"

Qin Laishun's speech was quite "skilled." The old mechanic at the car repair shop had clearly gone back to his hometown to escape the heat, but Qin didn't tell the truth. Instead, he embellished the story, giving the impression that he was keeping the benefits within the family.

"Brother, I've been quite busy lately. Why don't you try looking for someone else?"

Qin Shuangling didn't beat around the bush and refused directly. He knew his cousin's tricks all too well. If it were really a good job, the other party would never rush to his doorstep.

"How many people will buy coal briquettes these days? You should just work a month-long shift, washing cars or something. It's not hard work, isn't it better than you bending over and making coal briquettes?" Qin Shuangling's expression changed as he earnestly advised.

Qin Shuangling wasn't stupid. The more the other party said that, the more he felt there was a trap involved. But before he could figure out how to refuse, Yue Chuan suddenly interjected:

"Uncle! If it's just for a month, can I...can I go?"

Upon hearing this, the other two were startled. Then, Qin Shuangling's eyes widened and he roared, "What are you doing meddling in this mess! Instead of wasting your time, go back to your room and read!"

If this had happened before, Yue Chuan would have turned around and left, but now he's really grown up and dares to go against his father.

The boy approached his uncle and volunteered, "Uncle! I can endure hardship! I can work! I can easily find a summer job; you can decide on the pay!"

Everyone could see that Yue Chuan really wanted to make money. Last summer, he went to the back mountain to pick walnuts to earn his tuition. This year, the walnut trees had a very low yield, and he was worried about how to supplement his family's income. Then the opportunity came, so he definitely had to seize it!

Seeing his nephew's resolute attitude, Qin Laishun laughed heartily and said to his cousin beside him, "Shuangling, what did I tell you? Xiao Chuan'er is destined for great things! He's so young and already thinking about supporting himself; he'll definitely amount to something in the future! And look at my Shoufeng, he's been spoiled rotten by his mother!"

Deep down, Qin Laishun didn't want his nephew to take over the shift. He knew better than anyone what the working environment in the shop was like. In this heat, not to mention a child, even an elderly person might not be able to handle it. Otherwise, why would that master craftsman take such a long leave?

Qin Laishun originally wanted to politely decline Yue Chuan's offer, but his nephew was staring at him expectantly, and for a moment, he was undecided.

"Go back inside! Kids are always causing trouble!"

"No! I won't!"

……

Qin Shuangling, once he opened his mouth, launched into a tirade of insults. And Yue Chuan? He retorted a few times, and the father and son ended up arguing in front of outsiders.

The scene became quite awkward, and Qin Laishun quickly smoothed things over, advising, "Shuangling, the kids are all grown up now. Watch your words. What's wrong with working a summer job? That's earning money through your own abilities! Let me tell you, don't always think that Xiaochuan is too small to do manual labor. Didn't he make money selling walnuts last year? What? You're worried that working for my second daughter will be difficult for the kid?"

It's unclear what the father and son said that provoked Qin Laishun, but he's now decided that his nephew has to take the job at the car wash. He slapped his forehead, turned to Yue Chuan, and said, "Little Chuan! Pack your bags, we're going to the county town tomorrow. If you do a good job, I'll talk to your son-in-law and get you a raise!"

"Okay! Thank you, Uncle!"

Yue Chuan readily agreed, while Qin Shuangling shook his head, his face stern and silent. At this moment, he was feeling rather complicated. As a father, he still had to rely on his underage child to earn money for tuition. If word got out, where would he put his face? However, he couldn't blame anyone else for this. Who told him, as the father, to be incompetent at making money?

The next day, Qin Laishun took Yue Chuan to the largest auto parts market on the outskirts of the county. The old pickup truck was parked in front of a shop with a sign that read "Car Repair, Tire Repair".

"Xiao Chuan'er, get off the bus."

Upon hearing his uncle's words, Yue Chuan climbed out of the car carrying a large snakeskin bag.

Just then, a woman with curly hair and a voluptuous figure swayed over. She glanced at Yue Chuan, then her expression changed, and she complained to Qin Laishun, who was standing beside her, "Dad! Didn't I tell you to find someone with a strong physique? Why did you bring him here?"

The curly-haired woman was Qin Shuangling's second daughter, nicknamed Erniu. Rebellious since childhood, she ran off with a man before finishing junior high school. Now a mother of two, she still acts and speaks as she pleases. This behavior is a world apart from her doctor sister!

Qin Laishun quickly pulled his daughter aside and said in a low voice, "He's still your cousin, don't you know how to speak properly! Besides, you have so much work to do in your shop, and this child is so hardworking, why are you being so picky?"

"What cousin? I'm in business! I'm not doing charity work! Dad! I'm telling you right now, if you can't do the work, I'll kick you out!" Erniu's voice was loud and fierce, clearly directed at her cousin.

The second daughter's words made Qin Laishun lose face. But then he quickly turned and whispered in her ear, "Let the child do it for now. If it really doesn't work, just call me, and I'll take him away, okay? Don't nag anymore! If you kick him out now, don't expect me to care about these trivial matters anymore!"

Seeing her father's firm attitude, Erniu fell silent, while Yuechuan was extremely embarrassed.

Even though it's not his fault, he still wants to dig a hole and crawl into it. Sigh! That's how honest people are; they always blame themselves for everything.

To avoid embarrassing his uncle and to earn money, Yue Chuan swallowed his displeasure. As long as he could cover the tuition, saving face was insignificant...