"Sigh, forget it." Uncle Liu sighed, "I'm already old, I shouldn't burden my children anymore. They are also not well-off, and I am now a burden, unable to create benefits for the family."

Uncle Liu felt deep sorrow in his heart.

Lin Chuan frowned and suddenly asked urgently, "Uncle Liu, you can repair bicycles, but can you repair cars?"

"Cars?" Uncle Liu was stunned and said, "I was a technical soldier in the army back then, specialized in truck maintenance."

"Really?" Lin Chuan was thrilled to hear this and exclaimed, "Then... can you fix the transport vehicles we have now?"

"What can't I?" Uncle Liu glanced at Lin Chuan and said, "The principles are pretty much the same, no difference. Just have to feel it out. Actually, car maintenance is not difficult, just diagnose the problem and replace the parts. Fixing tires is even easier."

"Haha, that's great." Lin Chuan eagerly said, "I've made up my mind, I will hire you as a technical consultant for our Feixiang Transport Company, and from now on, you are our company employee, how about that... the salary is five thousand per month, is that enough?"

"What?!" Uncle Liu was startled and awkwardly said, "Lin Chuan kid, don't joke with me, Uncle Liu believes you seriously."

"No jokes." Lin Chuan shook his head and said, "Our company is developing quickly, so, I plan to establish a maintenance department, not only to maintain our own company's transport vehicles but also to offer maintenance services externally. What do you think?"

"That would be great!" Uncle Liu nodded repeatedly and said, "Not five thousand, three thousand is enough for me."

"No, no, no, you have the expertise, you deserve that amount," Lin Chuan hurriedly said.

At this moment, Uncle Liang and others spoke up, "Lin Chuan, do you still need maintenance workers? We can do it too!"

Lin Chuan looked at Uncle Liang and others and asked, "You all... know how?"

"What's difficult about that." Uncle Liang hurriedly said, "All of us here with Old Liu were automotive maintenance technicians in the army, and both Old Liu and I were awarded as exemplary technicians. Don't underestimate us, young man."

"That's fantastic." Lin Chuan couldn't help but be overjoyed, finding what he needed without effort. He suddenly found three experienced technicians. With them, setting up the maintenance department wouldn't be a problem at all, pairing them with a few new graduates from Lanxiang Technical School to learn some skills, and his repair shop could open immediately.

Lin Chuan followed through on his plans.

Three days later, Uncle Liu and Mr. Liang, among three persons, donned the work clothes of Feixiang Transport Company. Despite their age, they were spirited and commanding, showing that they had been part of the revolution before.

The maintenance department was established right next to Feixiang Transport Company. The three storefronts next door were leased by Zhou Kai and his team.

On the opening day, the three skilled craftsmen stood at the entrance and immediately attracted many drivers to bring their vehicles. Although the current transport vehicles are somewhat different from the former military trucks, the general structure is the same. Facing various complicated problems, Uncle Liu and his two colleagues could quickly diagnose the issues after inspecting and listening.

After a day's work, they had earned thousands.

What was most important was that the exquisite skills of the three craftsmen won the trust of many transport drivers nearby. Of course, they also knew well these craftsmen were good people who wouldn't cheat. At some other repair shops, the mechanics wish you would replace every part of your car, aiming to make more money. Even if you don't replace the parts, they would still find ways to tamper with your car, forcing you to come back for more repairs soon.

Uncle Liu and his colleagues would never do such unscrupulous acts. They would avoid replacing parts that could still be repaired, fix minor issues manually without major operations. In short, they resolved problems at the lowest cost, and that was Uncle Liu and his colleagues' principle.

Of course, these practices were acceptable in the army, but in a repair shop, they would be ridiculed. Otherwise, such a busy day could have earned them more than just thousands. At other repair shops, they would have made tens of thousands.

However, facing the practices of Uncle Liu and others, Lin Chuan didn't feel there was anything inappropriate; on the contrary, he felt this approach was more conscientious.

After a day's hard work, the three elderly men were quite tired.

"Uncle Liu, it was quite tough today," Lin Chuan approached, handing out cigarettes to the three men.

"It's not tiring, not tiring!" Uncle Liu almost couldn't straighten his back, yet he grinned and said, "This is the most meaningful day since I retired. Indeed, the saying that work brings joy is absolutely true."

"But the young people nowadays don't understand this," Lin Chuan laughed.

"Yes!" Uncle Liang nodded and said, "The young people nowadays don't appreciate the opportunity to work."

Lin Chuan pulled out a wad of money from his pocket and handed it to the three elders, "Uncles, this is your salary in advance for this month."

"There isn't such thing as advance salary," Uncle Liu quickly refused, saying, "We just started working today. How can I accept your salary?"

"Why not?" Lin Chuan smiled, "I know you are facing some difficulties right now, and this money can help improve your current situation. At least it will ensure you have food to eat and a place to stay, right?"

Uncle Liu looked somewhat embarrassed, his facial wrinkles deepened, and he sighed, "Alright, then I'll accept it."

"Take, take, take." Uncle Liang chuckled, "I won't be polite then. Taking this money home, let's see if my son and daughter-in-law dare to give me any attitude now? I can support myself, and do it well too."

Uncle Liu grinned and said, "Makes sense."

Coming home from work was the same as usual.

Uncle Liu opened the door to his room and to his surprise, there was a pair of fuzzy slippers placed outside. Normally, the shoes would not only be tidied away but also hidden out of sight. Uncle Liu shrunk his neck and then walked inside. To his astonishment, the table was filled with delicious dishes. Braised lion's head meatballs, large chunks of braised pork, red-cooked pork... all his favorite dishes.

He used to be poor and couldn't afford meat, which made him enjoy eating it liberally now.

The sound of the door closing brought his daughter-in-law from the kitchen, who, surprisingly, smiled and kindly asked, "Dad, you're home?"

"Ah..." Uncle Liu paused, seemingly unaccustomed.

If it were as usual, coming home this late would have triggered a torrent of scolding from her, not just against him but including his ancestors too. But today, it was as if she was a different person, so unfamiliar yet familiar. She smiled, she actually smiled. Apart from the first year when she married his son, he had never seen her smile since. Every day she looked at him as if he were her sworn enemy. Especially after his grandson was born, she seemed to despise his presence, eager to kick him out and leave the room for his grandson.

"Dinner will be ready soon, it's all your favorite dishes." The daughter-in-law quickly pulled him inside and added, "Dad, wash your hands first, Jiang'er will be home soon. We're going to eat shortly."

"Okay, okay!" Uncle Liu hurriedly nodded.

The daughter-in-law quickly turned back to the kitchen. Soon, his son put down the computer mouse and came out from his room, a bit embarrassed, and asked, "Dad, I heard that Lin Chuan rehired you as a technician, is that true?"

"This..." Uncle Liu was startled, then realized the crux of the matter—it was still all about money—and he gave a bitter smile, saying, "Yes!"

"I heard the monthly salary is five thousand?" the son hurriedly asked.

"For now, yes." Uncle Liu nodded.

"Not bad." The son excitedly said, "In Jiangbei City, average young people can't find jobs with a five thousand monthly salary. Dad, you're shining bright again. Good, very good!"

Uncle Liu just smiled and said nothing.

Soon after, his grandson Liu Jiang'er came back with his school bag, glanced at Uncle Liu, and asked, "Grandpa, you're back?"

"Jiang'er, come, let grandpa hold you." Uncle Liu hurriedly said.

"But, mom said you shouldn't hold me." Liu Jiang'er blinked.

Uncle Liu immediately felt awkward, while his daughter-in-law quickly scolded, "Silly boy, what nonsense are you spouting? Come and let your grandpa hold you right now!"

"Oh!" Liu Jiang'er nodded.

Uncle Liu hugged his grandson, realizing that indeed, in this world, money talks. Money buys respect, gives one the power to speak with authority, and earns recognition. Without it, everything is empty talk.

The dinner was cheerful, the kind of old age life he had long hoped for and eagerly awaited, yet it came so slowly.

"Dad, have some lion's head meatball," the daughter-in-law quickly offered Uncle Liu a piece.

"Dad, have some of your favorite red-cooked pork," the son also eagerly served him more.

Uncle Liu's bowl quickly filled up.

Uncle Liu's eyes moistened, he unreservedly devoured all his favorite dishes.

After he had his fill, Uncle Liu put down his chopsticks, and then seriously looked at his son and daughter-in-law, saying, "There's something I need to tell you."

"Dad, what is it?" Both looked curiously at Uncle Liu.

The father in front of them felt so familiar yet so strange. Of course, for Uncle Liu, it was the same; today, his son and daughter-in-law's behavior was terribly unusual, so alien yet so familiar.

"I plan to move out and live on my own starting tomorrow," Uncle Liu announced.

"What?!" Both were immediately stunned. The son quickly asked, "Dad, why? Isn't it good living here at home?"

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