Chapter 127: Great Poet

Wu Guiwen turned her head: "Your hair is long but your insight is short; what do you know? If I don't buy this TV, will my words be effective today? Can that wall of Yue Min Xifu be torn down? If we tear it down, won't it make it easier for this old lady to get up at night?"

Big Aunt muttered while sweeping: "Your words may be effective, but we still have to pay the electricity bill. That bill isn't money; at this rate, who can stand it."

Wu Guiwen clapped her hands: "So you say my hair is long but my insight short—could I be the one taking the loss?"

This is only temporary; first gather the interest, then I'll slowly have everyone share the electricity bill, or we could replace it with some sunflower seeds and peanuts.

Wu Guiwen said, stepping closer in a low voice: "I've also prepared the next step—if anyone wants to watch TV again, we'll sell tickets."

Big Aunt exclaimed in surprise: "Sell tickets? What kind of tickets?"

Wu Guiwen quickly covered her mouth: "Keep your voice down, don't let anyone hear you!"

Big Aunt, puzzled, asked: "Stop scaring people like that, what's the meaning?"

Wu Guiwen pulled a stool over, sat down, poured herself a bowl of water, and spoke at an unhurried pace.

"I'm about to retire; our two kids are at the marriage‑seeking stage, we have to spend money on a house, and with my meager retirement allowance, how could I possibly support this family!"

So, I bought this TV; from now on, anyone who wants to watch will have to pay for a viewing ticket. That way, I both leverage the TV to cement my position as the decision‑maker and earn money for our family.

Big Aunt finally understood and couldn't help but give a thumbs‑up: "Ah, so that means the money spent on the TV will eventually be earned back."

"No need to say that!" Wu Guiwen crossed her legs, leisurely sipping tea: "You think I'd buy a TV for no reason..."

Bang!

Wu Guiwen was speaking when a sound suddenly came from the bed side, startling her so much that her tea spilled all over her pants.

Who!

After a while there was no answer; who had made that noise just now?

Wu Guiwen took the broom, approached carefully: "Come out, whoever's hiding down there—if you don't come out, I'll call the police."

Big Aunt grabbed her: "Oh, don't go over; what if it's a bad person? Isn't Lu San'er a police officer? I'll go call him."

"Grandma Wu, don't call, it's me," a voice finally came from under the bed.

Da Hu?

Wu Guiwen looked down and indeed saw Da Hu and Er Ya, immediately pulling the two children out: "Da Hu, what are you two doing hiding under the bed?"

Big Aunt pursed her lips: "What else could they be doing? They must have tried to turn on the TV while we were asleep, those kids!"

Da Hu chuckled: "Grandpa Wu, just let me watch a bit longer; I can keep the volume low, even silent, so I won't disturb your sleep."

Wu Guiwen kicked him: "Go, go, go, get out quickly, what time is it? Go back to sleep."

"Wu Rooster, you stingy ghost, the teacher hit your crooked mouth, la la la…" Da Hu made a funny face and ran off with his sister.

Infuriated, Wu Guiwen threw her shoe out: "Little Wang Baduzi!"

Tonight there was no moon, and the wind rose, wandering everywhere through Hu Tong Li, emitting whoo‑whoo sounds.

The next morning, Lu Cheng pulled out his bicycle, preparing to take his sister to work.

"Sister, I finally got a few days off; can't you let me rest a bit? I could just take the bus myself."

Lu Ying slung her bag and stepped out: "Why all the nonsense? I'm giving you a chance to prove yourself; you should feel honored."

"Yes, honored!" Lu Cheng patted the bike seat: "Then, big sister, you can't let my hard work be in vain; you have to give me some hardship pay."

Lu Ying rolled her eyes: "Why do you want money again?"

"I want to go see Master; I can't go empty‑handed, can I?"

I don't know Director Liang of the agricultural machinery repair shop, so I have to look for Master; Xu Erye has extensive connections, maybe by inquiring we can get in touch with Director Liang.

When Lu Ying heard her brother was going to see Xu Erye, she didn't hesitate and handed over two coins.

"Don't spend it recklessly. I just started working at the Tea Stall this month and haven't been paid yet. If you dare spend the money elsewhere, I'll twist your ears off."

"No, no, I'm really going to see Master. Thanks, sis; once I get paid, I'll buy you…"

"Lu San'er, Lu San'er…"

Lu Cheng turned his head and saw Da Hu running over: "Call dad!"

Da Hu ran while shouting: "Lu San'er, someone is looking for you."

"Who's looking for me? I don't have time to play with you kids; I still have to go to work at my family's money‑tree office."

Lu Cheng used to be the king of kids; any age could play together, so he thought Da Hu was coming to play with him.

Lu Cheng was also happy to play with him; his favorite game was hide‑and‑seek. Every time Da Hu hid, he would turn his face to look for Sun Yan Hong to read palmistry.

Da Hu thought he was especially clever; after hiding all afternoon, Lu Cheng still couldn't find him.

But this time, Da Hu truly wasn't there to play. Behind him followed a middle‑aged man in a Zhongshan suit, a steel pen tucked in his jacket pocket, glasses perched on his face.

Lu Ying, upon seeing him, became excited: "Editor Cai? You are the editor of the Youth Poetry Gazette, right!"

In response to Lu Ying's enthusiasm, Cai Hua merely gave a symbolic nod: "Hello, Comrade."

Cai Hua's attention was entirely on the young man beside Da Hu.

"Hello Editor Cai, I'm Lu Ying. I especially love your poetry society's newspaper; I read every issue. Did you come today because my submitted manuscript was accepted?"

"Who didn't love literature in their youth? Lu Ying has always had a literary dream; whenever inspiration struck and she wrote a poem, she would submit it to the Youth Poetry Gazette."

But the Youth Poetry Gazette has very high standards; she was always rejected before, yet seeing Cai Hua, such a prominent editor, come personally made Lu Ying overjoyed—it clearly indicated her manuscript had been accepted.

Nevertheless, Cai Hua only gave a courteous nod: "Thank you for your appreciation. We'll discuss again when we have time. I'm not here to see you today; I'm here to see this Comrade."

"Lu Cheng?" Lu Ying glanced at her brother, then tentatively said to Cai Hua: "Editor Cai, did you make a mistake? It's my manuscript that was submitted."

Cai Hua gestured: "Ah, I know, I know. If you have submitted to our newspaper before, a dedicated editor will handle it; just stay home and wait for news. I really am here to see this Comrade, so please step aside."

Lu Ying took a step back, looked at Lu Cheng with a suspicious face, suddenly remembered something, and grabbed her brother's ear: "Did you cause trouble again!"

Lu Cheng covered his ear: "It hurts, it hurts, sis, I didn't, I don't even know him."

Cai Hua hurriedly told Lu Ying to let go, his stern face scolding: "You mustn't pull someone's ear; the ear is connected to the brain nerves, and you could damage the brain of our great poet. You're committing a mistake!"

"Huh? He's the great poet?" Lu Ying, looking bewildered, pointed at her brother.