Chapter 229: Jealousy Over Going to College

Lu Ying, after hearing, didn't think it was reasonable, washing her face, said: "What? You want our Tea Stall to help your station sell things? You really know how to give me work."

"Our Tea Stall can't even sell our own goods, let alone have time to sell yours."

Lu Cheng quickly handed a towel: "We won't let you sell at a loss; we'll give you a profit. We'll sell to your Tea Stall at factory price, and you add a markup—any amount you add is pure profit for you."

Lu Ying thought for a moment, walked toward the room, with Lu Cheng following, watching his sister start combing her hair again.

Lu Ying tilted her head: "Can it really sell well? From what you said, the warehouse stock is so mixed—even beer is there. It's winter now, and there's no cotton-padded jacket selling well."

Lu Cheng tried to plop onto the bed, but Lu Ying gave him a quick glare; he hurriedly lifted himself and grabbed a chair to sit down.

"Of course it sells well. Think about it—there are TVs, watches and other high-end appliances, all foreign brands. Even if you mark them up higher than the Friendship Store, people will scramble to buy them, because—because we don't need Foreign Exchange Vouchers."

Now everything you buy requires a ticket; without a ticket you can't get anything. I heard that in the Commune below, even if you go to the public toilet to collect dung as fertilizer, you need a dung ticket.

Not to mention the precious Foreign Exchange Vouchers—national reserves are scarce, so many advanced devices can't be purchased, and of course the suppliers won't sell them due to the blockade.

So an imported TV that doesn't require a Foreign Exchange Voucher will definitely be snapped up.

Clearly Lu Ying agrees, applying Snowflake Ointment as she says: "Alright, we'll try it then. But your plan hasn't been finalized yet; isn't it too early to talk about it now?"

Lu Cheng stood up: "Don't worry, I'll draft the concrete plan in the next two days. The department has already approved the research; basically there's no problem."

"Hmm, okay. When the time comes, I'll talk to Zhao Shushu."

Seeing his sister agree, Lu Cheng leaned in: "Look, if this works out, the Tea Stall will expand, and you, as director, will be a truly proper director. That's all thanks to my contribution. Shouldn't you reward me two bucks?"

Lu Ying rolled her eyes: "After all that talk, you're still trying to ask me for money. I can tell you couldn't hold it in, and now you want money—for what!"

"I just want to go out and eat some braised food; after being on duty with the car for so long, I crave that bite."

"Can't have you for breakfast at home anymore, huh? You have to run outside to eat. Early morning, what braised food—so salty..."

Lu Ying complained verbally, but reached into her pocket and pulled out two bucks: "Here, here, here—annoying."

"Hehe, thanks, sis."

"Take me to work later."

Lu Cheng patted the money in his hand: "No problem, little brother serving his sister—that's what should be done."

Lu Ying resumed braiding her hair: "Stop pretending to be good in front of me; you only listen for a moment. I haven't even asked you yet—your monthly salary is higher than mine, yet you keep asking me for pocket money. Where does that salary go?"

Lu Cheng scratched his head: "I... basically spent it on treating friends to meals."

Actually, all that money went into expanding his network; for the Lu family's grand development plan, the current sacrifice is necessary.

But Lu Ying didn't understand, and she went up and grabbed his ear.

"You're goofing off again, right? How many times have I told you to stay away from those shady friends? You just won't listen—you're driving me crazy."

"Ugh, hurts, hurts, hurts..." Lu Cheng pulled his sister's hand away.

"I'm not goofing off; I'm just eating normally, and the friends I make are normal friends. You think your Tea Stall can sell cotton-padded jackets that easily? That's all thanks to the connections I built by making many friends."

Lu Ying stopped arguing, as if her little brother's current friends were different from before.

Before, they were just petty thugs, drinking and gambling all day with no proper business, but now his friends, whenever Lu Cheng says a word, many things that seem difficult to others can be easily solved by him.

"By the way, when are you going to register for university?"

Lu Cheng thought and said: "Tomorrow, I guess. After all, I'm a Borrowed Student, a specially cared-for student, so it's not urgent."

During the Flood period, the university had halted admissions for several years; later it accepted worker-peasant-soldier cadets, and the program changed from a four-year to a three-year undergraduate system.

Next year the college entrance exam will resume, meaning Lu Cheng is the last batch of worker-peasant-soldier recommended university students, still on the three-year system.

Lu Ying broke into a smile, cupped her brother's chin, and pinched it like a dumpling.

"My little brother is really impressive now—he can go to university. You're the first university student in our courtyard; sister is especially proud of you."

Accustomed to being hit, Lu Cheng felt a bit uneasy at this affectionate display and immediately pulled his sister's hand away.

"Don't be so cheesy, okay? It's disgusting."

"Get lost, you annoying thing!"

Lu Ying, angry, gave him a kick.

After tidying up, Lu Cheng pulled out his bicycle to take his sister to work; since he's leaving early, coming back won't interfere with Dad's use of the bike.

"Yo, why hasn't the university student reported yet? You can't be lying to the family again; I think this whole university thing is fake."

Lu Cheng turned his head and saw Yue Min Xifu leaning against the doorframe, looking sullen.

Since learning that Lu Cheng was recommended for university, everyone in the courtyard has been unsettled.

Now a child from any family getting a chance to go to university is like a pie falling from the sky.

The fact that a streetwise kid like Lu Cheng could be recommended for university makes the courtyard folks' teeth itch with envy.

Moreover, Lu Cheng hasn't said a single truth; he still hasn't mentioned reporting, so Yue Min Xifu thinks he's lying.

Lu Cheng leaned against the bike: "I tell you, Yue Min Xifu, this is like the emperor not being in a hurry while the eunuch is. You tell me when I'm supposed to report; if it really doesn't work, you go up for me."

Yue Min Xifu pursed her lips: "What's the point of a crappy university? I wouldn't even bother getting in; I advise you not to go either."

Lu Cheng laughed; Yue Min Xifu's words were indeed light, but honestly, everyone is an ordinary family, and suddenly your family has a university student, it makes everyone feel they're not on the same level.

At this moment, Zhao Daye, wrapped in a cotton-padded jacket, walked out; when Yue Min Xifu saw the old man appear, she turned and went back inside.

"Lu San'er, don't listen to my Second's wife. It's rare for our courtyard to have a university student; you must study well. When you succeed, our courtyard will share the glory; don't forget the big guy then."

After hearing Zhao Daye speak, Lu Cheng smiled and said: "Alright, Zhao Daye, if I ever forget anyone, I mustn't forget you."

Pushing the bike out of the Siheyuan, Da Hu was lying on a locust tree by the wall, playing.

"Lu San'er, that bald guy has been coming to see you these days, every day."

Bald head? Lu Cheng knew it was Guo Tuzi; on New Year's Eve he even gave Guo Tuzi a money-making scheme—going to the East Suburb Landfill to pick up trash.

It's been a while since they met, and he doesn't know whether Guo Tuzi has earned any money.

It's a good time to visit Master, and also swing by Guo Tuzi's place.