Chapter 112: Raising a Question for the Bathhouse

Yes, there really is.

Hearing Lu Cheng's words, Lu Ying anticipated the same and said to Lin Qingyan.

"You see, as long as it's not a straight‑laced idea, my younger brother will definitely have a solution."

Lin Qingyan couldn't help laughing, while Lu Cheng pursed his lips: "Sister, are you flattering me? That's enough, I'm leaving! I'm hurt!"

Lu Ying hurriedly grabbed her: "I'm praising you, praising your ability. Quickly tell me, what's the method?"

"No, I can't make out the words!"

"Ah, good little brother, just tell us. If we can earn more, could the wages be raised, and would sister then be able to give you more pocket money?"

Lu Cheng thought it made sense: "Actually, I know someone—a broadcaster at Beijing Station. Her aunt is the deputy director of a department store. If we ask her for a favor, perhaps she could arrange some cotton shoes and caps."

Lu Ying nodded slightly: "Deputy director of a department store? That certainly carries weight. But how's your relationship with that broadcaster? Is she willing to help?"

Lu Cheng shook his head: "Not very good. You know this younger brother doesn't like dealing with women."

Lu Ying rolled her eyes: "Tsk, the hands of those little girls at the tailor shop—haven't you touched every one?"

A few days earlier, when Lu Ying was about to leave the tailor shop, Grandma Liu didn't say much. The sisters didn't want her to go and kept urging her to stay; if she left, she would never see her brother Lu Cheng again.

"Comrade Lu Ying, in front of Sister Qing Yan, don't sow discord in our marital relationship. I'm married now; I must keep myself pure."

Lu Cheng said that while glancing at Lin Qingyan, but Lin Qingyan seemed unfazed by his closeness with other women.

That's right; the two only have a contract marriage, and Lin Qingyan had previously said that if he liked another girl, he would step aside immediately.

So Lin Qingyan doesn't mind him interacting with other girls at all.

This marriage is simply perfect: it solves Mom's nagging about marriage and doesn't interfere with anything else—a win‑win.

"How about this, sister? I'll look for someone else."

"Ah, you really aren't going to ask that broadcaster? Then who else can you ask?"

"Don't ask. Anyway, this matter falls on me."

Lu Cheng went to the bathhouse, soaking in the large pool; amid the steaming mist, his body leaned half‑back against the poolside, a towel draped over his face.

In fact, he could have asked Jiang Mengmeng for help; why didn't he? He himself can't explain.

Is he afraid Lin Qingyan will overthink? Or is he truly keeping himself pure?

He prides himself on not being a perfect gentleman, looks decent enough, and could keep the family's red flag upright while colorful flags flutter outside.

There's no need to care about Lin Qingyan's thoughts; after all, they're only in a contract marriage.

He removed the towel, rinsed himself in the pool, and across the steps sat completely naked men, chatting and smoking.

Next door was the women's pool, from which giggling could be heard.

After bathing, scrubbing his back, and getting a foot massage, the whole routine finished, Lu Cheng finally pulled back the thick cotton curtain and stepped into the lobby.

Sun Zhuren, who manages this state‑run public bathhouse and is also from Hu Tong, was standing by the counter, resting his chin and looking worried.

"Old Uncle Sun, what are you thinking?"

"Lu San'er, I'm done washing!"

Old Sun turned his head again, sighing: "Ah, it's nothing special, it's just that it's already this time, yet hardly anyone comes to bathe."

It's winter now, prime time for making money, and the director Old Sun is almost worried sick.

Lu Cheng walked over, placed the small basket of items on the counter, and asked: "Do you know why?"

Old Sun waved his hand: "What else could it be? The South City Root Street Office opened a public bathhouse over there; its pools are bigger, people have gone there, and the environment is better than ours."

Lu Cheng didn't think those were the reasons: "Old Uncle Sun, to be honest, if I weren't hurrying to dinner, I would have gone to the South Wall Root bathhouse to soak as well."

Old Sun immediately expressed displeasure: "I tell you, Lu San'er, why are you also going over there? I have to criticize you a couple of times—you're not helping our Street Office boost production, yet you run off to another Street Office's business."

Lu Cheng laughed: "I hear your criticism. Who told me to call you uncle? But can you criticize everyone one by one? Not everyone has a sense of duty to the collective."

Old Sun sighed, saying that where one bathes is someone's own freedom.

Seeing Old Sun fall silent, Lu Cheng continued: "Old Uncle Sun, you say it's far away, so why do people choose to go far instead of near?"

Old Sun spread his hands: "I wonder the same. Our pool's temperature isn't worse, the scrubbers are all masters, yet no one comes."

Lu Cheng leaned his head forward: "It's not about that; I know the reason."

Old Sun's eyes lit up; he reached for a pack of cigarettes on the counter and handed one over: "Then tell Uncle Sun!"

Lu Cheng lit the cigarette and took a drag: "Just talk nonsense…"

Old Sun leaned back: "Lu San'er, if you could contribute a bit to our Street Office, wouldn't that be the awareness young people should have?"

Lu Cheng, cigarette between his fingers, said: "Old Uncle Sun, don't flatter me. Give me five Bath Tickets and I'll speak."

"Alright, I see it now. You, Lu San'er, always pluck the feathers as the geese pass, never taking a loss."

Old Sun, indeed anxious about this, shouted: "Xiao Qin, go to accounting and fetch five Bath Tickets. Lu San'er, you can speak now, right?"

Lu Cheng stayed silent until Xiao Qin brought the Bath Tickets, tucked them into his pocket, and then he spoke.

"Actually it's simple. Over there, the public bathhouse has a girl who does foot repairs; I heard she's quite pretty. I want to go try it out—that's the crux of the matter."

Old Sun outright didn't believe: "You're just spouting nonsense. Which girl's family would let big old masters have their feet repaired? Bring the Bath Tickets back to me; I don't believe a word of you."

"Don't be so hasty. If you don't believe me, you can go inquire around."

Seeing that Lu Cheng wasn't joking and had no need to lie, the matter could be settled just by asking.

Old Sun was only puzzled: "Our old boss's foot‑repair skill is excellent—what foot could that girl possibly fix?"

Lu Cheng shook his head: "Old Uncle Sun, you still haven't grasped the key issue—who cares about the technique!"

Old Sun understood; no wonder the South Wall Root bathhouse is busy—people aren't going for foot repairs, they're going for the girl.

Lu Cheng patted the Bath Tickets in his pocket: "I've pointed out the problem for you; the tickets aren't given for free! I'm leaving, Old Uncle Sun—my mother is waiting for me home for dinner."

After Lu Cheng left, Old Sun stared off for a while, then finally resolved to emulate the South Wall Root bathhouse.

"Xiao Qin, go to the Street Office and have them look for any female comrades willing to learn foot repair."

"Director Sun, can anyone come? Which adult would let their daughter come to learn foot repair? It would be so shameful if word got out."

Old Sun waved his hand: "We can't understand it that way; I think I've figured it out—this female Comrade can still hold up half the sky. Moreover, arranging work these days is so difficult, a female Comrade learning foot massage is a bit embarrassing, but after all, our public bath also has a staff."

If the little girl doesn't want to come, we can look for a widow; there's always someone willing to come. Go quickly…