Spring Breeze Twenty Years

Chapter 208 Going to Hong

Xiao Wei said, "We're leaving right away. Third Brother called a car for us. We just talked about opening a factory in Longcheng. He said we need to install a separate transformer there, and it will take the 380 bus."

Chen Hui said, "Stop arguing, it's not a big deal. I already provided three-phase electricity for the restaurant and the courtyard over there. Just add a transformer and that's it. It doesn't need to be that big."

Xiao Wei said, "This is nothing to you, but it's a big deal to us. Look at how Donglaishun is handling things."

Chen Hui laughed and said, "If this kind of thing comes up in the future, we'll take care of it for them. Isn't it good to make money on the side?"

Xiao Wei glanced at Chen Hui and said, "You'd better not think like that. Why bother with all this when you can make money honestly? You should think more about that old He from your dad's workplace. Is it worth it? He's ruined his whole life."

Chen Hui said, "We're not breaking any rules. If it's within our means and meets the requirements, we'll help out. It's not illegal. He should pay the fees he's supposed to pay. We're just helping him expedite things. Is that not allowed?"

Xia Maosheng, hands in his pockets and stamping his feet, said, "You should listen to Xiaowei. I don't think it's a good idea either."

Xiao Wei shook his head and said, "We'll soon be expanding in all directions, and several businesses will be up and running. Don't think about those other things. This is enough for you to earn. Focus your energy on this. If you run into someone, help them out, but don't make a big deal out of it."

Chen Hui curled his lip and said, "You guys are obviously just blatantly jealous of me."

Xiao Wei laughed and said, "Do you believe I'll kick you to death?"

After honking a few times, a small truck pulled up and stopped beside the three people. The driver rolled down the window and asked, "Is this where you're hauling goods?"

Xiao Wei asked, "Did Third Brother call you?"

The driver said, "The third one, this is the owner, what's his last name again? He said he was hauling refrigerators and TVs or something, is this it?"

Xiao Wei nodded and said, "Yes, that's it. Take it to the other side of Nanhu Lake, and you can back the car up to the entrance."

The driver asked, "How much will it cost?"

Han San walked over and said, "Here's a steamed bun, quickly turn it upside down to put it in."

The driver looked at Han San and smiled, saying, "Oh, you guys are hauling goods. I didn't recognize your voice, and I don't remember your last name. What a mess." He rolled up the window and reversed. Han San said to Xiao Wei, "No need to pay. I always use his truck to deliver this stuff. He settles with me every two weeks."

Xiao Wei said, "We can't accept that. We'll pay for it ourselves."

Han San laughed and said, "Are you sure you can handle this? We're not short of thirty or twenty yuan, are we? Hurry up and come over to move it. We'll unload it ourselves when we get back."

The three people went inside to move things. Chen Xiao was huddled in a corner warming herself by the electric heater. She turned her head and said, "When are we leaving? It's too cold."

Chen Hui said, "I'll be right there. I'll load it up and leave. Hang in there a little longer, honey." Chen Xiao rolled her eyes in response.

I watched the movers carrying things around so easily, but now that I've tried it myself, I realize how heavy it is. The washing machine and TV were fine; two people could lift them easily. But the refrigerator was a real struggle. It took four people to get it onto the truck, and the problem was that it was hard to carry and we couldn't really use our strength.

After loading and securing the goods, the four of them said goodbye to Han San and got on the truck to head back, leaving the cargo truck to follow behind. They drove all the way back to Nanhu.

Once they got downstairs, they unloaded the truck. As the driver pulled in the ropes, he asked, "Which floor? How did you get it up there?"

Xiao Wei looked up and said, "Third floor, what do we do? We'll just lift it up slowly."

The driver said, "I've hauled this stuff before. You guys unpack the boxes here, pack the stuff up, and just throw the cardboard boxes in my truck, okay? It'll be hard to unpack once it's inside the building. This thing is too big. You'll still have to get out and throw it away later. It'll be easier to carry things if you unpack it." He pointed to a few items: "You guys can just throw away these cardboard boxes. I can use them when I get back, or I can save them up and sell them for some money."

A few neighbors walked by, glancing at the pile of appliances with envy and clicking their tongues a few times before passing by. These days, very few people buy things like this; saving up for years to buy just one item is a big deal. Ordinary people still live frugally. Especially refrigerators—these days they're practically luxuries, and most families wouldn't buy one.

The Northeast has long, cold seasons. Anything hung outside the window freezes more solidly than a refrigerator, like an air conditioner. Even in later generations, household air conditioners didn't sell well in the Northeast; there wasn't that much need for them. Here's a joke: A southerner came to the Northeast in winter to see the snow. He went to a restaurant, and the waiter asked, "Would you like your beer chilled or at room temperature?" The southerner naturally chose room temperature, only to find that room temperature was much colder than chilled.

Chen Hui said, "He's right. It's really hard to dismantle it up there, and then you have to carry it down and throw it away. That's how it was done in my family back then."

Xiao Wei said, "Xiao Xiao, go upstairs first. Don't stay here with me. Go inside and warm up." He handed the key to Chen Xiao, who then rushed upstairs.

After that, Xiaowei said, "Then let's take it apart. Xiaohui and the other two can do it. I've never done it before."

Chen Hui asked the driver, "Is there a knife in the car?"

The driver said, "I have screwdrivers." He turned around, went to the car to get two screwdrivers, and together with Chen Hui, they unpacked the boxes.

The packaging of washing machines and refrigerators was not much different from that of later generations: cardboard boxes wrapped in foam, then covered with a plastic bag. Televisions were different; there were no remote controls, but there were antennas. There were two types of antennas: one was a large circle that plugged directly into the television, which could be used with the television's built-in pull-out antenna, but the signal was not very good; the other type was an assembled external antenna that needed to be mounted on the roof and connected by a one-centimeter-wide wire.

Both Chen Hui and Xia Maosheng's families had everything, and they skillfully unpacked and packed things, while Xiao Wei just watched from the side, unable to help.

After unpacking, the items were thrown onto the truck, and several people started lifting them. The driver also helped out, carrying two items at a time. After two loads, Xiaowei gave the driver a pack of cigarettes, and the driver left happily. Meanwhile, the others were busy with the installation, and Xiaowei watched and learned along the way.

The washing machine was placed near the bathroom door, the TV was put in the living room, and the old TV was moved into the room; that became the game console.

Just put the refrigerator in the dining room and plug it in. Reconnect the TV antenna. The electric fan isn't needed right now, so just put it under the bed.

After checking the time, Xiaowei said, "Xiaoxiao, you can stay here and play by yourself for a while. The three of us are going to the plastics factory; we have to sign the contract today."

Chen Xiao nodded in agreement and said, "Okay, you guys go ahead, I'm going to take a nap, I'm feeling cold today."

The three of them went downstairs and drove towards Tiexi. The plastic products factory was located on Pinghu Street in Hong, so they had to drive through Tiexi to get there. At that time, the entire outer perimeter of Fengtian was Yu Hong's territory, practically encompassing the entire city.

The journey of fifteen or sixteen kilometers took almost an hour, mainly because we were unfamiliar with the area and had to ask for directions along the way. Even after leaving Tiexi, Chen Hui was still a bit confused. At this point, Yu Hong was basically in the suburbs, and the scattered and complicated roads would confuse anyone.

(End of this chapter)