11 The Scoundrel Chicken Seller of the 2000s (11)

“Where are you going?” Lin Juan was puzzled and hurriedly asked, “Why leave when everything’s fine here?”

Ma Hongshan was over a hundred kilometers away, which seemed very far to Lin Juan—she had never been that far before.

“This time we caught a lot of chickens, right? The farmers need to restock. They asked me to find a supply source. I want to help them find some, maybe negotiate a better price,” Gu Chen explained as he paused his work and chuckled, “Make a little extra for the hard work. I’ll be gone two days, earning some pocket money for you and the kids. I can’t just sit idle at home anyway.”

“Do you really have to go that far?” Lin Juan’s feelings were complicated hearing that he was going for money to support her and the children.

Whatever money he earned, he always brought back for her and the kids, never spending on himself.

Before, Gu Chen had no money; he told her that if he ever had any, he would spend it all on her.

And he truly kept that promise.

“The hatchery in Ma Hongshan is big, the quality is good, and the chicks have strong immunity,” Gu Chen said as he tightened a screw, looking up at her. “I want to check it out. If I can help them with supplies, I will. Even if the fee is small, I have to help—they paid me two thousand two hundred this time.”

Since he put it that way, Lin Juan had nothing to say.

Gu Chen had done many righteous deeds, and this time he even earned two thousand two hundred, so there was no reason to refuse.

Lin Juan felt a bit gloomy but didn’t want to show it, so she went to take a shower and washed some clothes.

Her hair dried naturally while Gu Chen finished the modifications.

“Try it out,” Gu Chen said, exhaling deeply as he stood up.

Lin Juan looked at the tricycle he had modified. It had three extra batteries and some wiring; the rest was underneath.

She sat on it, initially a bit nervous. It used to be pedal-powered, but now it moved on its own.

It was quite effortless.

Lin Juan had ridden electric scooters before, and this felt just like one. Since it was her vehicle, she took a few laps around the yard and quickly got familiar with it.

“How’s it?” Gu Chen asked.

“Of course it’s good. It cost over a hundred yuan,” Lin Juan replied, pleased but mindful of the expense.

Gu Chen laughed as he put away his tools in the storage room. The floor was a mess, and Lin Juan wanted to clean, but he grabbed the broom, saying, “You’ve already showered, go back to bed.”

Lin Juan wasn’t going to sleep. She observed her “new ride” carefully for a long time, then looked at Gu Chen and asked, “You can modify this too?”

“It’s nothing difficult. Just watch and you’ll know,” Gu Chen said as he went to wash his clothes.

Lin Juan pushed her tricycle aside and locked it, then checked if Gu Chen’s bike was locked as well.

These were among the few precious belongings their family had. Occasionally, thieves came to the village.

Before entering the house, Lin Juan glanced back at her tricycle and couldn’t help but smile.

Now, her tricycle was just like Gu Chen’s bike—both automatic and quite valuable!

Oh, and both cost money to run.

Gu Chen’s motorcycle used a lot of fuel; hers used electricity.

Lin Juan felt a pang but thought of the hours Gu Chen spent modifying it and the hundred or so yuan they spent on parts. She decided it was worth it.

She was happy to spend money on this little vehicle!

Inside the house, the two children were sound asleep.

Lin Juan quietly walked over, picked them up to settle them better, and turned the fan to blow on them.

The weather was hot, and their small brick house had small windows and poor ventilation.

The kids often woke up sweating or hot in the middle of the night.

Gu Chen finished showering and came inside.

“Lock the door and turn off the lights,” Lin Juan whispered.

“Okay.” Gu Chen locked the door and turned off the lights before getting into bed.

Just as Lin Juan was about to lie down, Gu Chen’s voice came, “Aren’t you coming over to sleep with me?”

She paused, not as shy as she had been at noon, but asked, “What about the kids?”

It had been a long time since they slept together in the same bed.

Ever since the kids were born, especially the daughter, the pressure was heavy. Gu Chen found the kids noisy and didn’t want to sleep beside them. Lin Juan had hoped their son would sleep with him to foster a father-son bond.

But neither Gu Chen nor their son wanted that.

“Use a pillow as a barrier,” Gu Chen said, “I’m going to Ma Hongshan tomorrow. Won’t you come keep me company? You can be with the kids anytime.”

Lin Juan hesitated, looking at the peacefully sleeping children.

Gu Chen had truly been working hard these days, all for her and the kids.

“Come on, hurry up,” Gu Chen urged, “Your husband’s all alone, lonely as can be.”

Lin Juan laughed at his teasing. She grabbed a pillow and blanket to put at the bedside.

After doing this, in the pitch dark, she looked over at Gu Chen’s side. He was shining his phone screen at her, “Come here, I’m going to ‘capture’ you.”

Fearing waking the kids, Lin Juan carefully crossed to his side of the bed.

As soon as she stepped over, someone pulled her hand. Before she could cry out, she was caught in a warm embrace.

Then, her body was half pinned down.

“What are you doing?” Lin Juan was startled, pushing at him, “Don’t wake the kids—mmph—”

Before she finished, her lips were sealed by his.

Gu Chen kissed her fiercely, impatiently prying open her mouth, licking and nibbling. Lin Juan was held by the back of her head, unable to move, only able to tilt her head back and accept it.

In the darkness, Gu Chen’s breathing grew heavier near her ear. His hand slipped down, skillfully lifting her shirt hem. Lin Juan clutched the blanket tightly, her mind buzzing, afraid the kids might hear.

Her heart pounded wildly, almost leaping out.

Lin Juan loved Gu Chen, deeply, since their innocent early days.

At school, without him, she would have been bullied like many others—some dropping out, some even ending their lives, forever shadowed.

Gu Chen’s arrival brought light to her bleak world. He took her out to play, told jokes, drove her around. Life was joyful. Later, when she started working and Gu Chen had no money, she spent on him.

Back then, she didn’t think about ambition or not; she only knew being together made her happy. Gu Chen was sunny and carefree, often seeking her out, emotionally stable, unlike her family, who often cursed.

Lin Juan thought it was already great.

Marrying him was good—having a home, raising children together, and living a simple life.

She was truly attached to Gu Chen. With just a few words, he could make her melt, especially easy to coax.

Gu Chen noticed and smiled faintly.

That smile was too clear in the night. Lin Juan tensed, blushing, reaching out to push him, “Get up, I want to sleep. We have to get up early tomorrow.”

“Are you mad?” Gu Chen grasped her hand, voice husky, planting soft kisses on her mouth’s corner, “So cold to me? Won’t give me any?”

In the end, he succeeded.

The wooden bed creaked loudly, startling Lin Juan enough to come to her senses.

Gu Chen held her, changing position, bracing with his hand.

Lin Juan bit her lip silently. He mischievously teased her near her ear, “Not going to make a sound for me?”

“Hiss—bite me, you’re ruining my rhythm.”

...

Gu Chen was always dominant and assertive about this.

The night before had been intense; Lin Juan was utterly exhausted, her whole body drained, struggling to get up the next day.

Fortunately, she didn’t have to pedal the tricycle to take the kids to school, or she would have been overwhelmed.

Gu Chen didn’t ride his motorcycle either; it was a good chance to try the tricycle. He drove in front, with Lin Juan and the two kids in the back. The power was strong.

It ran quite fast.

The two children curiously watched their mother’s vehicle become self-powered. They squirmed on the seat like two inquisitive little animals, observing everything around them.

Sitting on the back, the kids held bottles of Wangzai milk. In the countryside, this was a rare treat—more expensive than Wahaha milk and in small bottles.

Not only the children were drinking it—Lin Juan held a bottle too.

Actually, that bottle was pushed into her hands by little Yanyan, who had lovingly inserted a straw.

Gu Chen smiled and said they would buy more once it was finished.

After their tender night, Lin Juan felt a little shy looking at Gu Chen. Eventually, she took the milk.

A few cakes remained; she gave two each to the children and ate half of the last one herself, sharing the other half with Gu Chen. He leaned over and opened his mouth to eat.

The family chatted happily as they headed toward the town’s elementary school. Lin Juan greeted the villagers as usual.

Unbeknownst to them, once they left, the village erupted with gossip.

Why was Lin Juan’s tricycle now electric? How come the kids and Lin Juan were drinking milk? They wasted three bottles in one morning! How much money must that cost?

Life was truly good for them.

Everyone knew Lin Juan was frugal—never spending a dime unnecessarily. Their family was poor, living in a dilapidated brick house that might collapse anytime. Many families in the village had built bungalows.

Gu Da-Bomu’s family lived the best. Her husband and son worked on construction sites, saving money to build a two-story house. They looked down on others in the village and especially despised Gu Chen’s family, considering Gu Chen useless, yet he bought milk for the kids.

Gu Jie even came back to complain yesterday that Gu Chen spent five yuan on candied haws for the children, and he wanted some too, fussing all night. Gu Da-Bomu was even more displeased and took it to heart.

She couldn’t believe Gu Chen’s family deserved such good days.

Wasn’t Gu Chen supposed to owe over a hundred thousand yuan? And he still spent five yuan on candied haws? Did they think they were worthy?

Gu Tang Sao was even more upset seeing Lin Juan’s tricycle turned electric. She still pedaled an old discarded bicycle to ferry her two children in all weather.

Gu Jie and Gu Yu, brothers like Gu Tang Ge, both looked so chubby their faces were round.

Gu Tang Sao was always exhausted after fetching people on her bike.

Gu Chen’s family was under intense scrutiny by Gu Tang Sao, who wanted to rush over and ask what was going on. The villagers’ faces were full of gossip as they paced back and forth by the village entrance.

They watched Gu Chen deliver Lin Juan and the kids to school, sell breakfast, then come back.

The couple still smiled.

Passing the village entrance, Gu Chen slowed down and greeted everyone he saw.

Gu Tang Sao took the chance to glance at Lin Juan’s side.

Goodness, beside her were transparent bags of cake, a big fish, and a piece of pork.

“Buying so many groceries?” Gu Tang Sao remarked deliberately. “Oh, cake too? Not sharing with us? I could’ve grabbed a few more.”

“The kids like them,” Lin Juan smiled, showing no intention to share. Then she subtly tugged at Gu Chen’s sleeve.

Gu Chen understood immediately and drove on, “We’re heading home; we need to dry the grain.”

After they left, Gu Tang Sao led the gossip, exaggerating behind them, “Bought a whole cart of goodies, a big bag of cake, such a big fish—must’ve cost a fortune—and a big slab of pork and other odds and ends. Surely that cost dozens?”

“Their money must be blowing in the wind!”

As soon as she said that, Gu Da-Bomu sitting nearby chimed in, “Has Gu Chen been winning money these days?”

“Looks like it. But he owes so much; isn’t he afraid they’ll come to collect?”

...