"Uncle."

"Uncle."

"Ah, it's Xiaochun. What's up?"

"I came to get Candy's stroller and, while I'm at it, wanted to ask for the phone number of Xiaoping Appliances down the street. It's getting cold, and I'm worried about my sister freezing, so I'm thinking of installing an air conditioner."

Mo Changyou didn't immediately look for the phone number of the appliance store, but instead pulled out a cheap seven-yuan pack of cigarettes from his coat pocket, ready to light one up.

With a cigarette already between his lips and a lighter in hand, he suddenly remembered Xiaochun was carrying a little one, so he took the cigarette out of his mouth and tucked it behind his ear.

"Xiaochun, I'm not trying to lecture you, but air conditioners aren't cheap. As I recall, doesn't your household have a space heater? It should suffice. Kids aren't as fragile as you think. Look, every family gets through the winters, don't they?"

In the chilly wind, Candy, nestled snugly in Mo Jingchun's down jacket, didn't want to move an inch. Her small head rested tightly against Mo Jingchun's chest, quietly listening to the rhythmic thumping of his heartbeat.

Mo Jingchun wasn't surprised by his uncle's reaction, understanding that he was concerned about him wasting money. He had some money now and could spend it, but what would happen when it ran out?

Stop caring for Candy? Not go to university?

Everyone in the neighborhood had gone off to work. Seeing no one else was around, Mo Jingchun quietly said to his uncle, "Uncle, I can earn money now. During my six months at school, I made thirty or forty thousand, and I saved it all."

Mo Jingchun didn't dare to mention how, by working with official organizations, he could earn 660,000 in one go—that would surely scare his uncle, who might even suspect that he got lured into a pyramid scheme.

"Thirty to forty thousand? Xiaochun, we in the Mo Family can't engage in unscrupulous activities." Clearly, Mo Jingchun had overestimated his uncle's capacity to accept certain truths.

"No, it's not like that. I study computers, and by helping others write programs, I can earn money. Graduates from our field earn quite a high salary."

Even though Mo Changyou still had some doubts, he believed him halfway.

"A little hardship now is fine, but you mustn't stray down a wrong path, understood?"

"Understood."

Mo Changyou nodded, furrowing his brows, while pulling out his frequently lagging smartphone to find the phone number of the appliance store owner in the contacts.

Mo Jingchun dialed the number right in front of his uncle.

"Hello, who is this?"

Just as Mo Jingchun was about to speak, the phone ended up in his uncle's rough hands.

"Xiaoping, it's Mo Changyou. My nephew who got into Jing University wants you to deliver and install an air conditioner. Could you ask your husband if he's available?"

"Ah, so it's him! I was wondering why it was a Jing City number. This afternoon, I'll have Shunzi bring it over."

"Alright, I'll hang up then."

"They'll come this afternoon, so don't go anywhere."

Mo Jingchun nodded in agreement.

"Then I'll head back first."

Around two in the afternoon, Candy was sitting in her stroller in the sun, watching Jingchun play with the water, not including her in the fun.

Suddenly, she turned her head away from watching Jingchun's red hands, numbed by cold water.

The little one heard a different sound.

Soon, Mo Jingchun also heard the sound of a vehicle. An E90 minivan stormed in and stopped in the yard.

A young man in his twenties got out from the driver's seat and handed a cigarette to Mo Jingchun with a smile, saying, "Hey, brother, have a cigarette."

It was the first time Mo Jingchun had been offered a cigarette. Embarrassed, he quickly waved his hand and explained, "Thanks, I don't smoke."

Zhu Yingshun was a little surprised but quickly shrugged it off.

"Not smoking is good, healthier that way. I've been wanting to quit but just can't."

Mo Jingchun smiled but said nothing, instead pouring a cup of tea to hand to the technician installing the air conditioner.

"Where do you plan to install the air conditioner?"

"In the master bedroom on the second floor. Will that be okay?"

Holding the teacup, Zhu Yingshun surveyed the yard and jokingly said to Mo Jingchun, "No problem. I'll just drill a hole towards the direction of the balcony. Just not sure if you have a socket available there."

"Actually, there are two sockets there."

"Then that's perfect."

After finishing his tea, Zhu Yingshun opened the trunk, single-handedly moving the air conditioner's outdoor and indoor units off the vehicle.

Throughout the process, the little one in Mo Jingchun's arms watched with wide eyes, full of curiosity.

"Florence air conditioner, floor-standing model, year-end discount price of 5299. Is that okay?"

Mo Jingchun looked up the model online and found the official price was indeed a bit higher.

"Alright, I'll test it once it's installed and then transfer the money if there're no issues."

"Sure, rest assured there won't be any problems."

Zhu Yingshun, carrying the drill for creating the hole, followed Mo Jingchun up to the second floor, confirmed the drilling spot, and started working on the wall like a pro.

The noise was too loud, causing the little one to furrow her brows and burrow into Mo Jingchun's arms, trying to escape.

The noise was indeed a bit harsh, so Mo Jingchun took his sister Candy out of the room and shut the door behind them.

Now the noise was much less, and the little one peeked back out, looking around curiously.

No wonder they're the only place on the street selling air conditioners—their installation speed was quick, too. In less than twenty minutes, the brand-new air conditioner was up and running.

Mo Jingchun felt the warm air blowing out from the air conditioner, nodded, and transferred the money to the young man.

Zhu Yingshun cheerfully said to Mo Jingchun, "Then I won't stand on ceremony."

"I've got another air conditioner to deliver, so I'll be on my way."

The rugged minivan vanished swiftly like the wind.

With the air conditioner on, the room gradually became warmer, making the little one much more lively.

The little one giggled as she crawled and played on the bed by herself while Mo Jingchun mopped up the cement dust left over from the installation.

Finally, with everything cleaned up, Mo Jingchun was worn out and aching.

Sitting on the chair, it took Mo Jingchun a long while to recover.

"Doing housework isn't necessarily easier than going to work," Mo Jingchun couldn't help but sigh.

Looking at the little one on the bed, Mo Jingchun smiled and said to Candy, "And to top it off, taking care of you, our little treasure."

"I must have owed you in a past life."

Sensing Mo Jingchun's mood, the little one squinted her eyes, puffing her cheeks, giggling incessantly.

"All you know is how to laugh." Mo Jingchun got up and pretended to tickle the little one's ribs.

With the bustling day finally over, the home looked tidy enough to navigate comfortably.

The kitchen, too, was tidied up by Mo Jingchun, with both big iron pots scrubbed spotless.

Lying on the bed, Mo Jingchun gently kissed the little one's forehead, softly whispering, "Good night, my little cutie."

PS: Special thanks to Mao Zhulin, Tomato Beating Egg, and Nodic Capsules for their support and tips. (ﾉ∇︎〃)

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