Chapter 20: Unexpected Joy

The neighboring big door was ajar.

"Chen Sao, are you home?"

Jiang Cheng hadn't even reached the doorway when he shouted loudly.

"It's Xiao Cheng, the door's unlocked, come in."

Chen Sao's voice sounded from inside.

Jiang Cheng pushed the door open and saw Chen Sao sitting behind a sewing machine, mending clothes.

She looked up, saw the two bags Jiang was carrying, froze for a moment, and asked, "Xiao Cheng, what's this?"

"Chen Sao, last time I had a fever, thanks to the money you lent me, and that night you treated me to a lavish meal. This time I came to repay the three hundred yuan, and these are an additional gift."

Jiang Cheng set the items on the table, then took three hundred yuan from his pocket and placed it beside them.

Understanding the situation, Chen Sao immediately stood up and said seriously, "You can leave the money; take the items back."

The two families were neighbors, and she knew Jiang Cheng's household as well as her own.

Seeing Jiang Cheng act that way moved her, made her a bit angry, but mostly worried.

"Chen Sao..."

Jiang Cheng was about to say something, but Chen Sao cut him off.

"Either leave the money and take the items, or take both the money and the items."

Hearing the commotion outside, Lin Yue lifted the curtain, stepped out, and when her eyes fell on the pork and eggs on the table, her pupils lit up instantly.

However, she hadn't figured out what was happening and dared not say anything.

Jiang Cheng hadn't expected it to turn out like this.

He certainly wouldn't take the money.

But what about the items? How should he leave them? While he was racking his brain for an excuse, Chen Sao sighed and spoke.

"Xiao Cheng, if I'm not mistaken, you have at most a hundred or two hundred yuan left. There are ten days until the end of the month, and the Wild Wolf Gang's Stall Fee and management fee—can you scrape together enough? If you don't pay the Stall Fee, you won't be able to do business on the street later; how will the later money come?"

"I didn't intend to ask you for this three hundred yuan. When you mentioned repayment last time, I thought you were joking. I didn't expect you to act so quickly; that's one thing, but you also bought these things and spent nearly a hundred yuan, right?"

"Listen to Chen Sao: take the items back. You've just recovered from a serious illness and need nutrition; take the money back as well. After you pay next month's Stall Fee and management fee, when you have enough, return it to me. If you still can't scrape together enough, tell Chen Sao, and she can lend you more."

Having said that, she sighed.

If Jiang Cheng hadn't caused that incident a few days ago, he wouldn't be this tight now.

Yet the moon has its phases, and people's fortunes rise and fall; who can say for sure?

"Yes, Jiang Cheng brother, quickly take the money and items back."

Hearing her mother's words, Lin Yue understood the situation and hurried to advise.

She was indeed tempted by the items on the table.

But she also understood Jiang Cheng's current predicament.

Hearing that, Jiang Cheng felt deeply moved.

If the person who is best to him in this world is Grandma, then the second best is the Chen Sao before him.

Moreover, she was meticulous, describing his situation almost perfectly.

"Xiao Cheng, listen, take both the money and the items back. Your consideration satisfies me."

Chen Sao urged.

"Sister-in-law, I can take the items, but please leave the money."

Jiang Cheng gave a wry smile, "If the money isn't repaid quickly, I feel uneasy."

Chen Sao's expression softened a bit, nodding, "Alright, keep the money. Take the items back and keep them for yourself."

"Alright."

Jiang Cheng had to lift the one jin of meat and one jin of eggs he brought again. "Chen Sao, please count this money; I'll head back now, wash the Roasted Sweet Potato, then set up my stall."

"Okay, be careful on the road, especially when you return at night, understand?"

"Got it."

Watching Jiang Cheng leave, closing the door, Chen Sao sighed.

In ten days, he must save three thousand yuan; not only Jiang Cheng, but 99% of the Poor District can't manage that.

She had already decided to ask at the end of the month how much is still lacking.

Seeing Jiang Cheng return carrying meat and eggs, the Old Man wore a surprised expression.

"Chen Sao didn't agree to take them."

Jiang Cheng recounted the whole incident in detail.

"Chen Sao, she's a good person."

The Old Man sighed.

"Grandma, after I go out later, could you take the items over and see? If Chen Sao is willing to accept them, that's great; if not, never mind," Jiang Cheng said.

He said that, but he felt that it would still be rejected.

"Hmm, I'll give it a try later."

The Old Man agreed.

After a little over an hour, Jiang Cheng finished lunch and officially opened his stall.

Chen Sao was right; saving three thousand yuan in ten days isn't easy—converted, that's over ten thousand yuan a month. Before the transmigration, that wasn't easy, let alone in this Poor District.

Yet Jiang Cheng was confident in his current Roasted Sweet Potato skill.

Yesterday afternoon, his Roasted Sweet Potato proficiency reached the Great Achievement Realm; note that his original self had been roasting sweet potatoes for nearly ten years, only reaching the Mastery level.

As for the Old Man, his skill still didn't match the original self's.

He is now at Great Completion; in other words, his Roasted Sweet Potato skill is among the best on this street.

Food, that thing, is just like a novel—if it's written well, people will naturally buy it.

With ten days left, without stealing or robbing, just by selling sweet potatoes and saving up to three thousand yuan, it might not be impossible.

When he reached the street, Jiang Cheng walked toward his stall; today he seemed a bit late, and next door Lu Zicheng had arrived first, chatting with the two customers in front of him.

Seeing Jiang Cheng push his three‑wheeled cart toward him, Lu Zicheng pointed at him and said, "He's here."

The two customers turned upon hearing that, and after seeing Jiang Cheng, one of them instantly brightened, saying, "Boss, you finally made it. Last night when I went home, I bought a Roasted Sweet Potato here; the taste was amazing, it made me involuntarily recall my childhood, so I came back today and even brought another customer for you."

The man said that while patting his companion's shoulder.

The companion beside him wore a doubtful expression.

Is it really that mystical?

Still thinking of childhood?

But out of politeness it's hard to refuse; besides, he really hasn't had a Roasted Sweet Potato in a long time, and an occasional bite isn't bad.

Lu Zicheng's mouth twitched slightly as well.

His gaze at Jiang Cheng was a little sour.

After all, he'd been here for almost twenty minutes, only selling a few starch sausages; before Jiang Cheng arrived, two customers had already come over and waited.

Jiang Cheng was startled, then quickly recovered, smiling and saying, "Sir, you have good taste. My Roasted Sweet Potato has a unique technique; it's one‑of‑a‑kind on this street. However, I just opened my stall, and the sweet potatoes haven't been roasted yet; it'll take a little longer, so you two can come back later."

(End of chapter)