Sister-in-law Feng, meeting her gaze, didnât panic but instead asked with a chuckle, "Now that Mr. Qinâs house has a telephone installed, it should be convenient for our neighbors to make calls in the future. Can we come to your place to make calls if we need to, Mr. Qinâs family?"
As soon as she asked this, the others caught on too.
Itâs true, phone bills are expensive these days, and making a call isnât convenient; you have to queue up at the post office.
Now that thereâs a telephone in the residential compound, they wouldnât need to queue at the post office in the future, right?
Since they all live in the same compound and see each other all the time, would they charge neighbors for making calls?
Their family is so wealthy, even driving a car; they probably wouldnât care about a few phone bill charges.
Lin Chuxia could tell what these people were scheming just from their expressions, especially Sister-in-law Feng, who wore a smug face behind the crowd.
Lin Chuxia knew Sister-in-law Feng wasnât stupid; she was purely spiteful.
She couldnât stand seeing others doing well, not even her own daughter or husband.
In modern terms, someone like her has psychological issues and should see a therapist.
But back in those days, people wouldnât go to the hospital for a cold, let alone mental health issues.
Lin Chuxia smiled generously, "Sure, if you ladies ever have an urgent matter, feel free to come over and use our phone, save you the trip to the post office. Just pay the phone charge as the post office would charge, and Iâll handle the bill later."
Sister-in-law Fu chimed in with a laugh, "Thatâs going to be convenient, saving us a long trip and the queue. Itâs true, Lin is generous. None of you, having such good luck, offered it for everyone to use. Good intentions will surely be rewarded."
Lin Chuxia looked at Sister-in-law Fu with a smile, "I donât deserve such praise, sister-in-law. Weâre all neighbors, helping each other is only right, as long as no one thinks Iâm charging for the phone use."
"The way youâre talking, even if you have a phone at home, money doesnât grow on trees. Youâre already making it convenient for everyone by letting them use the phone; asking you to cover the charges is too much. Even thinking that way is unreasonable, having such audacity."
After Sister-in-law Fu finished speaking, a few women in the crowd looked awkward and laughed, "Exactly, exactly, if itâs not an urgent matter, we shouldnât disturb you, Little Lin, let alone talk about the phone charges; of course, weâll pay."
Sister-in-law Feng looked even more dissatisfied.
But no one cared what she thought.
After this little episode, some of the women went back to their chores, while a few stayed to watch until someone reminded them that the company had brought coal, and the remaining women hurried back.
Lin Chuxiaâs home had heating, so there was no need to burn briquettes.
She planned to buy a couple of tons when there were coal blocks available.
Just as she thought this, someone came by to say that the coal blocks had arrived, so whoever needs them should go and buy more.
The phone hadnât been installed yet, so Lin Chuxia had to tell the master and went over to Sister-in-law Gongâs house, knowing they also used radiators.
She arranged with Sister-in-law Gong to have the workers bring the coal blocks to her place after they were done.
Sister-in-law Gong hadnât gone out today, but buying coal was necessary.
After hearing Lin Chuxia, she said, "Sure, Iâll bring the workers to your place later, you guys unload first."
"No need for that, just thinking the sooner the coal is unloaded, the sooner I can turn on the radiator, I get cold easily."
Lin Chuxia said embarrassedly.
Sister-in-law Gong understood and laughed, "I know, when it gets cold, it feels uncomfortable all over, but at your age, Lin, you shouldnât. Are you unwell? You donât look so good."
Lin Chuxia instinctively touched her face, "Really? Maybe Iâm just lazy, itâs cold, and I donât feel like moving, plus the phone installation and the coal unloading happening, itâs a lot."
Running around had indeed left her feeling unsettled.
To be honest, she rarely felt this way anymore.
"You should rest when you get back, Iâll bring the coal workers over later, itâs convenient as you live up front, easily unloaded before coming to us. Let me tell you, a womanâs body is delicate, you canât ignore it when youâre young or youâll suffer when youâre older."
Her health was poor, requiring unpredictable amounts of medicine throughout the year.
Not to mention the cost, plus the worry it caused her family.
Lin Chuxia nodded agreeably and thanked Sister-in-law Gong again.
The phone installation wasnât done yet, but Sister-in-law Gong brought the coal truck to her house.
However, Qin Yang arrived after getting the message.
Sister-in-law Gong saw Qin Yang and chuckled, "Little Qin knows how to care for people, but your home is indeed busy today, Lin couldnât handle it. Look at her little face, turned pale from exhaustion."
Qin Yang noticed Lin Chuxiaâs pale complexion and promptly told her to go inside and rest.
The phone was being installed in the study. Qin Yang coordinated with the technician and then helped unload the coal with the workers.
He then led the coal truck to Sister-in-law Gongâs house.
After all this running around, the phone was finally installed, and it was already noon.
Qin Yang didnât go back to work. Upon reaching home, he lit up the heater.
These days, everyone calculated coal expenses; theyâd delay lighting the stove to save, but not Qin Yangâs family. They lit it whenever they had coal, never bothering with calculations.
After lighting the fire, Qin Yang said with concern, "Next time, just come to the office to call me for such things, Iâll handle it."
Lin Chuxia might have felt unwell but it wasnât that serious.
After resting for a while, she felt better.
In any case, what was this compared to her Bun Shop or the mall?
Qin Yang always treated her like a fragile doll, banning her from this and that, afraid sheâd be tired.
"Iâm fine, probably just stir-crazy these days from staying home. You see me running to the mall or restaurants, Iâm never like this, am I? Thereâs a saying, the more you wait, the lazier you get, the more you eat, the greedier you become."
Qin Yang disagreed, "Iâd rather you be lazier and greedier. What do you want for lunch? Iâll cook."
Lin Chuxia thought for a moment, "Letâs have hot pot, we still have the lamb rolls from last time in the fridge. Whatever ingredients we have, just prepare the dipping sauce."
Qin Yang had no objections and went to prepare in the kitchen. Lin Chuxia took a look into the study, "The phone is installed, when will it be connected? I want to call home and also have Su Wensong check on the master, itâs time to get coal for him too."
The Qin Family wouldnât be a concern as Qin Han handled it all.
But Old Master He lived alone, and if Lin Chuxia didnât keep this in mind, heâd go all winter without buying coal or lighting the stove.
"The post office said the earliest would be the day after tomorrow. If itâs urgent, you could use the office phone."
"No need, Iâll wait."
With the ingredients ready, hotpot was easy to prepare, and after a warm meal, Lin Chuxia felt completely comfortable. With the heating on, the room was cozy, making Lin Chuxia feel drowsy.
But before she could fall asleep, there was a knock on the door outside...