Chapter 36: A Heartache of Tears

“Dad, don’t worry so much,” Cheng Yuan said gently. “As long as the clothes aren’t completely hideous, they’ll sell.”

Cheng Huaien chuckled. “Your old man won’t let you down, Yuanyuan.”

As he stood to leave, Cheng Yuan quickly handed him the money. “Dad, you forgot to take this.”

“Keep it, Yuanyuan. Buy yourself something nice,” he replied, heading inside to grab his packed belongings. Today, he planned to restock and check on his investments.

Cheng Yuan’s lips twitched. “Dad, this is sixteen hundred yuan, not just a hundred and sixty!”

It might seem like pocket change in the future, but right now, that was nearly half a year’s wages.

“Besides, I’m in school—I don’t need much. You should use it to buy more inventory,” she said, stuffing the money into his pocket. “Two hundred yuan is plenty for me.”

Even back then, two hundred yuan was no small amount.

“Alright, I’ll hold onto it for you,” Cheng Huaien agreed. After all, everything he earned was for his daughter. As he rushed to catch the bus, he reminded her, “Don’t walk home alone. Make sure Xiao Qing goes with you.”

“Got it, Dad. Have a safe trip—come back soon!” Cheng Yuan waved as she watched him disappear into the morning rain, umbrella in hand. A sense of anticipation bubbled in her chest. Would he find the right shop? Would he manage to bring back the goods?

She couldn’t help but wonder what kind of clothes her dad would choose.

“Cheng Yuan!” Yu Qing called out as soon as he saw her, excited. “I have to tell you—the clothes were amazing!”

Cheng Yuan smiled. “Then I’m definitely getting a good deal.”

“No, I’m the one benefiting here,” Yu Qing insisted. “Those clothes are so nice, they would’ve sold even if they weren’t my mom’s.” After running deliveries for over half a month, he’d slimmed down. The excess baby fat was gone, and his features looked sharper—more energetic.

Cheng Yuan teased, “That’s not the point. If Aunt Yu hadn’t helped, those clothes would still be sitting in our courtyard collecting dust. We wouldn’t have had time to sell them ourselves. Honestly, weren’t you worried about my dad’s taste? What if he brought back stuff no one would buy?”

Aunt Yu was busy delivering tea eggs in the mornings, so she couldn’t help at those hours.

“I’m not worried. I trust Uncle Cheng,” Yu Qing said with a grin, his white teeth gleaming.

Cheng Yuan rubbed her nose, thinking, I should trust Dad too. Even if it takes some time, it’ll work out. The thought gave her peace of mind.

That evening, Cheng Yuan returned home to find the courtyard filled with clothes.

“Dad, did you buy all of these?” she exclaimed. “They’re gorgeous!”

Her excitement was genuine. The clothes Cheng Huaien brought back far exceeded her expectations.

“I just bought whatever the shopkeeper recommended,” he admitted. “I don’t even know if they’re good or not.” For the first time, he understood how exhausting Cheng Yuan’s sourcing trips were. The wholesale market was a chaotic sea of elbows and shouting. Getting good stock meant fighting for every piece. And then, lugging it all back…

Just imagining his daughter hauling heavy bags alone made his chest tighten with guilt.

“They’re amazing, Dad! You did great,” Cheng Yuan said, inspecting each item with care. “Next time, we’ll need winter coats. Did you still sell skewers today?”

She glanced at the cart in the corner. It looked like there were some left.

“I sold for a few hours this evening. We’ll just have the rest for dinner,” Cheng Huaien said, already frying up the remaining skewers. The savory scent filled the air, and Cheng Yuan’s mouth instantly watered. She especially loved the fried bananas.

“Dad, you’ve been working too hard. Did you eat today? Lunch? Dinner?” she asked, worried as she packed away the clothes.

“I did,” Cheng Huaien said with a smile, touched by her concern. “Don’t worry. I’ll make sure to eat properly from now on. I won’t get sick, not even…” He trailed off, swallowing the word cancer, and quickly changed the subject. “Go call Aunt Yu and Yu Qing over for dinner.”

“Okay!” Cheng Yuan said, heading next door. Aunt Yu and Yu Qing were cracking eggs in the courtyard. The sight warmed her heart—once upon a time, she and her dad had done the same every evening.

That night, their small courtyard was filled with laughter and the smell of sizzling food. Cheng Yuan happily munched on skewers while asking Yu Qing for help with her homework. Cheng Huaien occasionally glanced at the house, his heart brimming with joy. Today, the stock market had risen again. Next year, we’ll buy a house and open a restaurant in Hai City. When Xiaoxiao comes home, our family will finally be complete.

It was half past eleven at night.

“Brother Nan, why are you installing a security camera in your own room?” Tao An asked, puzzled. Not only was Jun Nanye installing it himself, but he wouldn’t let anyone else even touch it.

“To catch thieves,” Jun Nanye replied flatly.

“What thief would dare break into this place?” Tao An muttered. Their apartment complex was the most secure in the city, and with both him and Qi Fei living there, no intruder would make it anywhere near Jun Nanye’s room.

Still, Tao An couldn’t help watching him closely. “Brother Nan, you’ve been acting weird lately. You don’t even let me into your room at night. Are you working in secret instead of sleeping?”

Jun Nanye shot him a cold glance but said nothing.

Tao An pressed on. “How about I find you a woman? Let off some steam, and you’ll sleep better…”

Before he could finish, Jun Nanye’s glare shut him up.

Tao An swallowed hard and changed the subject. “Brother Nan, do you really think Wu Jin will turn on Jun Fengjin?”

“You should go to bed,” Jun Nanye replied coolly.

“Come on, just tell me! I’ve been thinking about it all night—I can’t sleep!”

Tao An lowered his voice. “Do you think something will really happen to Wu Jin’s mother?”

He looked at Jun Nanye eagerly. Earlier, he had overheard their conversation, and once again, he was amazed by Jun Nanye’s methods. Just a few words, and he’d completely turned Wu Jin against Jun Fengjin—made him believe that Jun Fengjin wouldn’t just refuse to help but might also take advantage of his mother.

“Wanna bet?” Jun Nanye asked, a faint smile tugging at his lips.

Tao An shivered. “Nope! I’m beat. I’m going to bed now.”

Feigning a yawn, he retreated as fast as he could.

Betting against Brother Nan was a death sentence. He still hadn’t recovered from the last time—washing stinky socks for a whole year. The memory alone brought a flood of bitter tears.