Chapter 125: I Take You as a Younger Brother

I could feel that Sun Yan Hong's grip had weakened a lot.

Lu Cheng was silent for a moment, then asked, "The farm‑machinery repair shop where Brother Song Yuan used to work—can't you cover a shift?"

Mentioning Song Yuan made a flash of sorrow appear on Sun Yan Hong's face.

"Don't bring it up. I've been running around for years; Director Liang won't budge. As an orphaned widow, what can I do? I guess he's already given my husband's position to someone else."

My arm can't twist past my thigh; Sun Yan Hong was supposed to take over her husband's post, but after years it has just been delayed, with no solution offered.

There's no other way, so I have to work at Dou Fu Fang for now; I can't just do nothing and starve.

Although the wage is low—only a dozen or so yuan a month—taking on some side handiwork still supports a family of three.

Lu Cheng lay on the bed, feeling the pressure of his hands rubbing his waist.

"How about this: I'll try to find a connection, ask someone to approach Director Liang and see if you can take over."

Sun Yan Hong was indifferent: "Who do you even know? Besides, I no longer have any hope of taking over."

"Don't give up. Any connection ultimately relies on the six degrees of separation theory, also called the six‑person law."

"What does that mean?"

"It means that even if two people don't know each other, introductions through up to six intermediaries can link them."

Sun Yan Hong found it rather amazing: "Then give it a try. If it works, tell me how much it costs and I'll pay; I won't let you work for nothing."

"We'll talk about that later. If that Director Liang really won't budge, I'll bring Da Hu and Er Ya straight to his house and eat at his place."

"You've got a belly full of…" Sun Yan Hong looked at Lu Cheng with obvious enjoyment, her hands slipping into his shirt.

Lu Cheng flinched: "Hiss, Sister Yan Hong, I must warn you I'm no gentleman; if you intend to offer yourself in gratitude, I won't refuse."

Sun Yan Hong laughed and gave him a pat: "How flattering, you still want me to surrender! It's not like I'm pressing meat against you to give you a bit of vigor, just to make you feel a little more comfortable."

It was indeed more comfortable than pressing through clothing, and Lu Cheng couldn't help closing his eyes: "Comfort is comfort, but pressing like this makes a misfire easy."

"Tch, we haven't even touched your gun, why talk about a misfire!"

These tiger women are married women who've been through it, and Lu Cheng, a naive big boy, didn't know how to react.

Seeing Lu Cheng finally look humbled was rare; Sun Yan Hong laughed and pulled her hand back: "Alright, Da Hu should be back soon; you should hurry home."

"The way you say it makes it sound like we're having an affair, scared of being caught in the act."

Lu Cheng sat up, swinging his arms side to side.

Sun Yan Hong gave him a push: "To hell with you, stop spouting nonsense. I take you as a younger brother, so hurry back; I still have to paste together the remaining matchboxes tonight."

"Alright, you go ahead and be busy."

Lu Cheng returned to the inner courtyard and plopped himself next to his sister.

Everyone stretched their necks to watch the TV, and whenever the performance on the screen hit an exciting point, they all shouted loudly, "Good!"

Lu Ying turned her head and asked, "Where did you just go?"

"I went to the bathroom."

"That long?"

"Diarrhea." Lu Cheng changed the subject, clapped at the performance on the TV and shouted, "Good!"

Lu Ying grabbed his arm: "Yesterday you said you could arrange for cotton gloves or something; when will they arrive?"

"About a week. It's a small factory of a Big Team down south; I've already arranged it. When the time comes, just wait to receive the goods—you don't need to pay them; you can hold the cargo as a deposit."

Lu Ying was thrilled: "Really? Then… can I keep some aside and sell them to others?"

Lu Cheng looked over: "Speculative Profiteering? Do you think it's appropriate to say that in front of an iron police officer?"

"What's that? You still want to catch your sister?"

Lu Ying glared, reaching out: "Give, give, give, you catch me and take me away, then see who will still give you money later."

Lu Cheng put his arm around his sister's shoulder: "Give me ten bits of courage, and I still wouldn't dare to grab my older sister! Don't be so eager; the delivery guy I connected you with, keep a good relationship with him, it'll definitely be useful in the future. For now, it's best not to act recklessly."

The reason Lu Cheng didn't ask Jiang Mengmeng's aunt for help is that such a connection can only provide pure assistance.

But a relationship with Li Minghao is not just assistance; it's cooperation, paving the way for his sister in advance.

After Reform and Opening Up, when the market opens, these people will become powerful partners for his sister.

Lu Ying doesn't know the future development; she only thinks Lu Cheng is afraid she'll cause him more trouble, after all, the younger brother is a Railway police officer; having a family member involved in Speculative Profiteering inevitably brings impact.

Seeing his sister fall silent, no longer even watching TV, Lu Cheng reflected that his earlier words were a bit overly conservative.

His sister rarely shows a spirit of adventure, yet for an excellent entrepreneur, the most important quality is daring to take risks.

Lu Cheng felt he shouldn't suppress his sister's thinking, but should guide it in the right direction.

"Sister, although Speculative Profiteering is prohibited, you could change tactics—like selling to neighbors via barter, which shouldn't violate policy."

Lu Ying's eyes lit up instantly: "Barter?"

"Right, that's called Chicken Feather for Sugar. Since the money you get from selling is just to buy things, why not exchange goods directly for what you want?"

Lu Ying thought the method was good; in Hu Tong Li, people often trade eggs for brown sugar, or a ball of Wool Yarn for a few bowls and chopsticks.

"Sure, little brother, you're so clever. Tell me what you want, and I'll trade it for you."

The last time, to let our big brother peacefully accept the bicycle, I pretended I didn't need one. Now can you trade me a bicycle?

Lu Ying waved her small hand: "No problem, I'll show you how big sister can trade a pair of gloves for a bicycle."

Lu Cheng couldn't believe it; how much is a pair of gloves, how much is a bicycle? Barter requires some price difference, but it should be roughly comparable.

"Stop bragging. If you can manage to trade it, I'll wash your socks for a month, but for now, can you wash my socks once?"

Lu Ying pointed at her mouth: "Watch my mouth shape—scram!"

Lu Cheng couldn't help shaking his head in lament; the ancient times were better—marry a Main Hall wife, take a few concubines, have a warm quilt, and get shoulder rubs.

At nine p. m., Wu Guiwen walked to the high table, reached out, and turned off the TV.

That instantly displeased everyone.

"Hey Teacher Wu, why did you turn it off?"

Exactly, let us watch a bit longer.

Wu Guiwen has something to say; he spent a lot of money buying the television, and it isn't given away for everyone to watch—everyone must acknowledge his authority as the one in charge.

Tonight, if anyone dares not to obey him, they won't be allowed to watch the television.

Everyone, listen to me first; after I'm done, we'll continue watching the television.

Wu Guiwen gestured confidently, certain that speaking again tonight would definitely be effective.

Lu Ying pursed her lips and whispered to Lu Cheng beside her, "Teacher Wu won't be targeting our Ji Wo again, will he?"