Chapter 220: Life-Saving Grace

"Chen Yang, Lin Wei, this gift is too precious; we can't accept it!"

"Lin Wei prepared a gift for Chen Bing and Zhong Lin: an Hermès belt and handbag. Zhong Lin thought it was too expensive and didn't dare to accept it. But when she first saw the Hermès handbag, the liking revealed in her eyes couldn't be faked."

"You two, stop being pretentious; this is just a little token of our hearts." Lin Wei knew Chen Bing couldn't make the decision, so she directly handed the items to Zhong Lin.

Zhong Lin glanced at Chen Bing, then hesitantly said to Lin Wei, "We already owe you so much; taking such a precious gift really isn't appropriate..."

Lin Wei smiled and said to her, "Your husband once saved my life when he was a child. Compared to this little thing, it's really nothing. According to the older generation's saying, I ought to repay you with my person."

As soon as she finished speaking, not only Zhong Lin but also Chen Yang was shocked. Such an important matter, Lin Wei had never told him about it!

"Wife, why didn't you tell me about this?"

"There's nothing to say about embarrassing matters."

"Brother Bing, if she won't say it, you say it. What exactly happened?" Chen Yang's curiosity flared; not knowing the answer made him uneasy. Since Lin Wei wouldn't speak, he directly asked Chen Bing.

"It's not as exaggerated as she said..." Chen Bing, embarrassed, scratched the back of his head and gave a silly laugh: "Actually, she just accidentally fell into the fish pond while catching fish. I happened to know how to swim, so I pulled her up."

"That also counts as a life-saving grace!" Chen Yang knew Lin Wei couldn't swim. If she had fallen into the fish pond with no one to rescue her, her life would surely have been forfeit. So he took off the Breguet watch he was wearing and handed it to Chen Bing. "This watch was a gift from a friend in Hong Kong; I've only worn it for a few hours. If you don't mind, please take it and wear it!"

Chen Bing could tell at a glance that Chen Yang's watch was high-end, and he waved his hands vigorously. "Chen Yang, this watch must be quite expensive. I still haven't repaid the favor of the house. To give me such a precious gift again, I really can't afford it!"

"Compared to my dear wife's life, what is this trifle?" Chen Yang gave Chen Bing no chance to refuse, directly shoving the watch into his hand.

"No, as a government official, wearing such a watch wouldn't be appropriate..." Chen Bing still resisted, pushing back the watch Chen Yang had handed him.

Lin Wei was pleased with Chen Yang's habit of always putting himself first. Seeing the two pushing the watch back and forth endlessly, she reached out, snatched the watch, and placed it on Chen Bing's coffee table. Then she sat on the sofa and began lecturing Chen Bing: "You're a grown man, why are you so fussy? Chen Yang isn't trying to bribe you. The source of this watch is legal and compliant. Even if someone investigates later, what could come of it?"

Chen Bing sighed, feeling dejected, and said: "My old father called me back a couple of days ago and gave me a scolding. He said I rely on relatives and friends for everything, having no ability of my own. These past few days I've been reflecting at home, and the more I think, the more ashamed I feel."

Lin Wei teased Chen Bing: "What do you have to be ashamed about? You're already a deputy section-level official before thirty. In a couple years, go to a local county to serve as a bureau chief for training, and you'll quickly be promoted to a municipal-level official. Then have your old father pull some strings, and you'll soon be transferred back to the provincial department to take over. Such a life, how many people envy it but can't attain it!"

"Look, even you think that without my old father I'm nothing..." Chen Bing heard Lin Wei's words, and his mood grew even more gloomy.

Lin Wei understood his feeling of inadequacy. After all, her older brother Lin Feng also lives in the shadow of Lin Jianguo. She comforted Chen Bing: "For families like ours, it's normal to inherit the father's business. My brother isn't also in the criminal police detachment? His job is more dangerous than yours, and his benefits aren't as good as yours. Just be content!"

Chen Bing said: "If I had a choice, I'd rather go to the criminal police detachment."

Lin Wei glanced at Zhong Lin and smiled: "You want to go, but you also need Zhong Lin's agreement, right?"

Upon hearing Chen Bing wanted to go to the criminal police detachment, Zhong Lin immediately grew nervous: "Husband, working at the police station is also serving the people; don't let your imagination run wild!"

Chen Bing feared Zhong Lin would worry as well, so he could only keep silent.

Chen Yang saw that the time was about up, so he prepared to take his leave. "Brother Bing, sister-in-law, Lin Wei still has to return to Qingshui City tomorrow morning, so we won't disturb you any longer."

"Um..." Zhong Lin saw Chen Yang about to leave and immediately called out to him: "Chen Yang, I have something I'd like to discuss with you."

Chen Yang asked: "Sister-in-law, just say what it is. If I can do it, I'll certainly do my best."

Zhong Lin glanced at Chen Bing, then whispered: "I want to start a small business and bring my parents to Xingcheng. I'd like to borrow some money from you for working capital."

Chen Yang had previously suggested letting Zhong Lin become a shareholder in the Sunshine Garden residential area's convenience store, but Chen Bing hadn't agreed. Now Zhong Lin wants to bring her parents over, and Chen Bing probably feels embarrassed to bring it up. So he asked Zhong Lin: "Sister-in-law, what kind of business do you plan to run?"

Zhong Lin said somewhat bewildered: "I don't even know what I could do. Before I met Chen Bing, I was just an ordinary restaurant server. After that, I worked a few months with your aunt's family in a supermarket. What kind of business do you think someone with my background could manage?"

Chen Yang said: "A supermarket is more suitable for a family to run. Since you plan to bring your parents over, why not open a supermarket?"

"No way!" Zhong Lin immediately shook her head and refused: "You and your aunt's family have been good to me; how could I be ungrateful and steal their business?"

Chen Yang laughed: "Any industry where money can be made will have competition. If you don't do it, sooner or later someone else will. This residential area doesn't have two entrances? The back gate is also a population hub. You could go there, find a few storefronts, renovate them, and set up a supermarket."

Zhong Lin's heart stirred a bit; she cautiously asked: "How much would that cost?"

Chen Yang thought and said: "If you want to become a franchisee of the Old Hundred Agricultural Products Supermarket, our company can cover the storefront renovation and delivery fees. You just need to settle payments on time. If you want to run a supermarket like my aunt's, the cost could be much higher."

"Then let's do your company's franchise!" The savings of Zhong Lin and Chen Bing had all been used to renovate the house, and as a result they owed quite a bit of money to Chen Bing's colleagues. Since Chen Yang's side offers a no-cost business opportunity, she certainly couldn't refuse.

Chen Yang thought it over and then told Zhong Lin: "Sister-in-law, I'll have someone find a storefront for you. In the meantime, you should first go to the Old Hundred Agricultural Products Trading Company for training. Learn the management and sales processes of running an agricultural products supermarket. Then go to a branch of the company for an internship, gaining experience. That way, when the new store opens, things will be much easier for you."

"Chen Yang, thank you so much!" Zhong Lin looked gratefully at Chen Yang; she hadn't expected him to be so thorough, settling all her worries in just a few words.

"Don't mention it. Compared to Brother Bing's favor to my wife, this is nothing."