Qin Yang was putting on his clothes when his previously indifferent expression suddenly shattered.
“I remember, Master, and I won’t give you that opportunity.”
The thought of letting his wife marry another man was unbearable.
After leaving Old Sir He’s courtyard, Qin Yang continued to assure Lin Chuxia that he would never recklessly endanger himself again and would cherish his wellbeing.
Lin Chuxia did not expect the master’s words to be so effective, and she quietly marveled at how the old man still favored her.
Seeing that Qin Yang no longer needed to keep his arm in a sling, but could casually let it hang by his side, she also asked him about how he felt.
Qin Yang lifted his arm and moved his fingers, his face brimming with a satisfied smile.
“After Master’s acupuncture treatment, I feel a marked improvement in recovery. Previously, my finger movements were weak and unresponsive, but now they’re nimble. It’s just that after a long period of inactivity, I lack strength.”
“Don’t be anxious. Master also said that rehabilitation after an injury is crucial and requires a gradual recovery.”
“Mhm, I know. My dear wife, I have to thank you. If you hadn’t come to find me in the Northwest, I probably would still be there.”
And he wouldn’t have received Old Sir He’s treatment.
The medical conditions in the Northwest were limited.
Master had said that the sooner the treatment, the better. If he had received Master’s treatment immediately after the injury, he would have recovered even faster and better.
On the contrary, if he had delayed another month or two, his arm truly would have been ruined.
“I don’t know if it’s just psychological, but you know? Since the day I saw you, I’ve felt filled with hope, and my arm didn’t feel as powerless as before. Even moving my fingers was a problem, but after coming back and receiving Master’s treatment, it’s been improving day by day.”
Lin Chuxia smiled, her eyes curving with joy. She knew that the spiritual spring water had also played a significant role.
“So remember, whatever happens in the future, don’t hide it from me. We’ll face difficulties together and solve problems together.”
“Mhm, you must do the same.”
This was also what Qin Yang wanted to tell Lin Chuxia. Lin Chuxia’s responsibilities were vast, and he didn’t know how much strength a woman could have. Even if he couldn’t be by her side all the time, he was willing to be her rock.
Lin Chuxia gently touched his hand, “Of course, we’re husband and wife after all!”
Qin Yang grabbed her hand firmly, squeezed it in his palm, and quickly released it.
He glanced around; there were passersby in the distance, not sure if they had seen them, but his heart felt exceptionally content.
The two of them went to the department store; food and drinks would no longer be appropriate as wedding gifts for Li Jian.
But to be honest, although it had been several years since the economic reforms started, their Shanhe Province was an inland territory in the North, and most of the goods in department stores still mainly satisfied basic living needs. It was quite difficult to choose a decent wedding gift.
After much consideration, Lin Chuxia settled on a pair of watches, one for men and one for women, which seemed suitable for Li Jian given their price point.
After paying and receiving the goods, Lin Chuxia was in no hurry to leave and wandered over to the crockery section.
“Excuse me, comrade, please show me that set of coffee pots.”
It was the only set of coffee pots in the entire department store.
The salesperson seemed surprised that someone was actually interested in buying it, and after sizing up Qin Yang and Lin Chuxia, thought they seemed well-dressed enough for such a purchase.
“These come from the South, look how pretty the patterns are.”
Ordinarily, department store salespeople would never actively pitch products to customers.
But this salesperson also liked the coffee pot set, so he spoke a few more words.
Lin Chuxia examined it carefully and was also quite satisfied.
“Please write me up a bill.”
The packaging of the coffee pot was exquisite, a wooden case even.
After paying and receiving the item, Qin Yang immediately offered to help her carry it, but Lin Chuxia slapped his hand away.
“With that one and a half arms of yours, better take a rest. Don’t accidentally break my stuff.”
Qin Yang wanted to say it wasn’t necessary, that he could carry a box with one arm.
But seeing how careful she was, as if she really liked the item, he didn’t argue and simply asked, “Do you like coffee?”
Coffee was not easy to come by; it was nearly inaccessible in their rural area.
“It’s alright.”
In her previous life, when she was busy with work, she heard that coffee could help with staying alert, so she had a friend buy her a can.
But after drinking coffee, she felt even sleepier.
She was skeptical and persisted until after drinking 5 cans of coffee, she eventually stopped feeling drowsy.
Gradually, coffee began to have a stimulating effect on her.
It wasn’t until years later that she found out the effect of coffee to keep people alert doesn’t work on everyone, and people like her, who feel sleepier after drinking coffee, are actually allergic to it.
Later on, the fact that coffee started to stimulate her proved that, with her persistent and relentless effort, she successfully managed to overcome the allergy.
Snapping back from her thoughts, Lin Chuxia explained to Qin Yang, “I’m planning to give this to Director Kang of the cotton mill. His wife will like it.”
“His wife?” Qin Yang didn’t understand even more.
He knew that Lin Chuxia’s Bun Shop was renting a space from the cotton mill, so it was normal to give gifts during festivals.
But if she was giving something to Director Kang, shouldn’t it be something that Director Kang liked?
Looking at Qin Yang’s naive and foolish gaze, it was clear that this science and engineering guy wouldn’t think so deeply.
With no one around, they walked back while she explained.
“I’ve inquired already, this Director Kang has no particular hobbies, just spoils his wife excessively. His wife is quite something, the daughter of a well-known capitalist family from the neighboring county, and she even studied abroad.”
In the past years, they were suppressed and couldn’t flaunt, but nowadays with policies more relaxed, some things naturally could be used.
She would definitely like this coffee pot set.
“When it comes to gifting, there’s a certain finesse to it, to ’give what they cherish’. Director Kang himself doesn’t have any particular interests; he just dotes on his wife, so I have no choice but to please his wife.”
Now Qin Yang understood. If someone came to him asking for a favor, he might not necessarily oblige, but if someone made Lin Chuxia happy, he’d probably struggle to stand by his principles.
Lin Chuxia was his principle, his bottom line.
Seeing that he understood, Lin Chuxia smiled slightly.
These tactics could be seen as opportunistic or as ways of dealing with people.
When talking to retired leaders, you should mention their past more; with business partners, talk more about their achievements; with middle-aged parents, compliment their children more.
Qin Yang was an upright person, irreplaceable in his professional achievements, and she wasn’t trying to make him delve into these matters, but understanding them a bit more wouldn’t hurt.
In the blink of an eye, Li Jian’s wedding day arrived, and Lin Chuxia attended the wedding with Qin Yang.
It was only these past few days that she discovered Li Jian’s father was a member of the County Standing Committee; no wonder that in her past life, a mere vegetable depot manager like him could climb to such heights.
Since ancient times, there have been scholars, farmers, artisans, and merchants.
The wealth of merchants requires generation after generation to accumulate, while the officialdom requires the support from one generation to the next, the so-called family heritage.
Li Jian’s fiancée was also from the administrative department, a judge at the Ancheng County court.