Chapter 156: Choosing a Director for the Tea Stall

When eating at the State-run Hotel, I didn't dare drink too much, otherwise my mother would nag me for days.

Uncle Zhao Bin is named Zhao Zhangfeng; he's not the kind who likes to urge drinking.

"No problem, Xiao Lu, today it's just us uncle and nephew; I didn't even call you Binzi, so drink as much as you can."

When Lu Cheng arrived, Zhao Bin was sulking at the Tea Stall; he went to the State-run Hotel to eat and didn't bring him.

Who exactly is the blood nephew?

"Zhao Shushu, I toast to you." Lu Cheng lifted the tiny two‑qian wine cup.

Zhao Zhangfeng also lifted his cup and clinked it.

"We uncle and nephew needn't be so formal; drink a little less, we're just chatting today."

Zhao Zhangfeng tipped his head back and downed the wine, his face instantly showing a mix of pain and joy: "Tsk, sss, ha… Xiao Lu, eat your vegetables, eat your vegetables."

"Alright, Zhao Shushu."

Zhao Zhangfeng picked up a bite of vegetables, put it in his mouth, then set down his chopsticks: "Xiao Lu, our Tea Stall's current profit is all thanks to the idea you suggested back then. I wanted to treat you to a meal early on; Binzi said you were busy with work here and we never found a suitable time."

"Zhao Shushu, you don't need to be so formal; Binzi and I are old classmates, so any good idea I have I'll definitely tell him."

Zhao Zhangfeng smiled: "Alright, recently the Street Office approached me to discuss the Tea Stall. It was originally set up to provide employment positions, but the Street Office never expected such good returns."

So the Street Office suggested selecting someone as director of the Tea Stall for management.

To say without exaggeration, the collective units under the Street Office together now only just match the Tea Stall, and given the current situation, the Tea Stall will surely keep improving.

With such large cash transactions, we can no longer let it run loose as before.

Today was just casual talk, and Lu Cheng picked up a bite of vegetables and said: "Zhao Shushu, that's a good thing; the Tea Stall will become more formal, Binzi is quite capable, and with him leading, the Tea Stall will surely prosper."

What surprised Lu Cheng was that Zhao Zhangfeng waved his hand.

"I never intended for Binzi to be the Tea Stall director; compared to Binzi, I think Ying Ying is more suitable."

Lu Cheng couldn't help but set down his chopsticks: "Zhao Shushu, is that appropriate? My sister has only been there a short while; if you're trying to avoid a conflict of interest, there's no need—Binzi is still quite sharp."

Zhao Zhangfeng shook his head: "It has nothing to do with avoiding a conflict; Binzi is sharp, but far behind Ying Ying. This time we're selling warm‑keeping goods, wasn't that Ying Ying's idea."

Moreover, Ying Ying even dares to hawk the goods; on that alone, no one at the Tea Stall can pull that face down.

Lu Cheng believed those words.

The Tea Stall is all young people; having someone shout sales with a hoarse voice, hardly anyone can do it.

Lu Cheng added: "When my sister was eating here earlier, didn't you tell her?"

Zhao Zhangfeng laughed: "After all, the Tea Stall director isn't an official administrative post; it's a worrying job. I'm afraid if she refuses again, the road will be blocked completely. It's better to discuss with you first."

Lu Cheng also laughed: "Then Zhao Shushu still doesn't know my sister well; she likes to be the boss. I heard Binzi say that now all the Tea Stall staff listen to her."

Zhao Zhangfeng was a bit surprised: "Oh? I really didn't know that. Ying Ying does have leadership ability; the Tea Stall needs someone like her. In that case, I have nothing to worry about."

"Don't worry, Zhao Shushu, my sister will definitely be willing to work."

The two kept drinking and chatting until two p. m.; the State-run Hotel didn't care whether you finished your meal, and closed promptly for the noon break.

Lu Cheng walked home on foot, just enough to disperse the alcohol.

On the main street of Si Jiu Cheng, a big‑braided tram passed, making a 'dang‑dang' sound; it was rush hour, and bicycles stretched like a long dragon.

Staggering back to Da Za Yuan, Lu Cheng kicked open the door of Xi Er Fang, startling Lu Ying with a shiver.

"You're sick, huh."

Lu Cheng plopped onto the bed: "You kicked my door yesterday; today we're even."

Lu Ying rolled her eyes: "Go, go, go, don't disturb me while I'm listening to music."

Seeing Lu Cheng not even lift his butt, Lu Ying stepped forward and pulled him up: "You reek of alcohol, don't sit on my bed."

Lu Cheng tapped his sister's head: "Alright, this is you kicking me out; remember what you just said—later you'll be inviting me, and I won't come."

"Tsk, I'd invite you? What a daydream, get out quickly."

Before leaving, Lu Cheng whispered in his sister's ear: "Your Tea Stall is going to choose a director."

Having said that, Lu Cheng lifted his foot to leave.

"Director?" Lu Ying muttered, then hurriedly grabbed him: "Zhao Shushu told you, right? So who are you planning to pick as director?"

Lu Cheng pulled her arm away: "Why should I tell you? You've already kicked me out; if I stay, I'd be shameless."

Lu Ying immediately put on a smiling face: "Good brother, my good brother, who kicked you out? I was just teasing you. Is drinking uncomfortable, are you thirsty? Let me pour you some water."

"I won't drink; I'm angry, sad; don't pull me. From today on, I'll never enter your door again."

Lu Cheng struggled to get out, while Lu Ying kept holding him, smiling apologetically: "Oh dear, why are you still angry at your sister? Can I apologize to you?"

Lu Cheng turned his head: "Do I still smell?"

"Not smelly, not smelly, actually fragrant."

Lu Cheng looked at the bed and gestured again: "May I sit?"

"You can sit, you can sit, sit wherever you like."

Lu Ying quickly poured a glass of water and handed it over: "Tell me quickly, who does Zhao Shushu want to make director?"

Lu Cheng took the cup, blew on it: "It definitely isn't you."

He tried to take a sip, but the cup was snatched away, then Lu Ying pulled it up again: "It's not me, so what are you doing here, go, go, get out quickly."

"Look at you, you're always impatient; can you let people finish speaking?"

"What's there to say? It'll definitely be Zhao Bin, his own uncle."

Lu Cheng took the cup himself and took a sip: "So you're right; who wouldn't pick their own relative? But don't forget, who is your brother?"

Lu Ying looked over: "What do you mean? You recommended me to him?"

"Ah, my older sister is so capable; I'd definitely recommend her."

Lu Ying's face regained its smile: "At least I didn't waste my effort on you! So how did you say it?"

"I said, my sister not only is capable, she's also smart and beautiful…"

"Hmm, that's the truth."

"I even said we must choose my sister; if we don't, then let her leave the Tea Stall, taking the supply piece with her. If my older sister leaves, that would definitely be a loss for the Tea Stall."

"Hearing her younger brother's words, Lu Ying instantly pulled a coin from her pocket, waved her hand and said, 'Take it and spend it.'"

"Lu Cheng slipped it into his pocket and said, 'I already told you, you never notice—how can the Tea Stall's earnings be this good today? Whose credit is that?'"

"It's my sister who insisted on selling warm items, it's my sister who isn't afraid of the cold, not ashamed, shouting at the top of her lungs, treating the Tea Stall as if it were her own home…"

"Lu Ying began pulling out money again: 'Little brother, I won't say any more, here's another coin for you.'"