Chapter 243: Truly Not Getting It

Understanding her brother's situation, Lu Ying was neither hurried nor impatient, while the two directors of the Street Office could no longer sit still.

"Comrade Lu Cheng, why has this changed again?"

"Yeah, we came over in a hurry, thought it was good news, but you aren't cooperating with the Tea Stall."

The two of them kept talking back and forth; it looked like the Tea Stall could provide plenty of labor, but if they don't cooperate with the Tea Stall, it will be hard to assign more inside.

Zhao Zhangfeng, sitting, turned around; he knew Lu Cheng wouldn't refuse to cooperate with the Tea Stall without cause.

"Lu Cheng, there's no outsider here; you and Binzi are classmates, so just say what's on your mind. Why would you suddenly be unwilling to cooperate? Is there some concern?"

Lu Cheng deliberately hesitated: "There are certainly concerns; mainly our leaders think the Tea Stall is too small and might not be able to swallow that much cargo."

"Furthermore, this isn't a one‑off partnership; any smuggled goods found later will have to be sold, and only the State‑owned Store has that capability."

Zhao Zhangfeng nodded: "The Tea Stall's shop is indeed too small; right now it sells Big Bowl Tea, sweet potatoes, sunflower seeds, Cotton‑padded Jackets, and so on. Squeezing all that into a tiny Tea Stall does look rather chaotic."

The two directors of the Street Office also recognized the issue; the Tea Stall is already overcrowded, with no room to accommodate the many items from the Beijing Station warehouse.

Director Li said: "Comrade Lu Cheng, we at the Street Office really don't want to miss this opportunity. Do you see any other solution? If it truly doesn't work, bringing over a smaller share would also be fine."

Lu Cheng shook his head slightly: "This isn't about a smaller share. Since the sales are to be fixed at a single location, there's no need for back‑and‑forth shuffling."

Director Xiao looked at Lu Ying nearby, remembered something and said: "Comrade Lu Cheng, at least your sister works at the Tea Stall; you ought to support her work."

Lu Cheng reached out to stop him: "Hey, I'm always impartial; I can't side with you just because my sister works at the Tea Stall. This is a public affair and must be handled publicly."

Seeing that nothing they said would work, the two directors were terribly worried—how will they settle more Educated Youth returning to the city?

"Unless…"

When Lu Cheng spoke again, the two directors raised their heads at the same time, is there still hope?

"Unless what?"

"Unless you expand the Tea Stall."

"Expand the Tea Stall?"

Lu Cheng saw they truly weren't catching on; people's current mindset lacks any business thinking, so they wouldn't think about expansion.

"Indeed, our warehouse has that much stock, and a variety of goods; your Tea Stall could take advantage of this and directly become a department store."

"Eh!" Director Li inhaled through his teeth: "Expanding the Tea Stall is indeed a good idea, but the problem is there's no space. The area in front of the train station is only this big…"

Lu Cheng was not at all impatient: "Then there's no way. With the Tea Stall's current size, cooperation is impossible; you should discuss it further."

Lu Cheng simply stood up, ready to leave, and Director Li hurriedly pulled him back.

"Don't be hasty, don't be hasty, let me think a bit more…"

Director Xiao at this moment had already thought of something: "Why not merge the adjacent dried‑fruit shop? That shop doesn't make money; every time I go there, the few clerks just sit and chat."

Director Li nodded: "Hmm, I think that's feasible; expanding the Tea Stall would also place a lot of labor."

Director Li turned around: "Comrade Lu Cheng, now that we agree to expand the Tea Stall, could you go and say that you will cooperate with us?"

Lu Cheng this time didn't hesitate, agreeing outright: "No problem; with my sister's connection, I will definitely prioritize you."

Just as the two directors were pleased, Lu Cheng shifted his tone: "Exactly, but I still have a concern…"

"Another concern? We've all agreed to expand the Tea Stall; then it will become a department store, and your warehouse can take in however much cargo you have."

Lu Cheng waved his hand: "Now it's no longer a question of whether we can swallow it, but a management issue."

With the Tea Stall expanded, not only will the goods increase, but the personnel will too; we need a dedicated manager, otherwise the coordination will be very troublesome.

Director Li had thought it was some other concern, but it turned out to be this.

"Comrade Lu Cheng, you needn't worry about this. Since it will become a department store, it will be a large unit; I already thought of it and am ready to take on the role of manager."

Lu Cheng, hearing that, cursed inwardly, "Damn it, I've toiled so hard, not to be made into your wedding dress."

"Hehe, Director Li personally taking the manager role is certainly fine, but isn't that a bit of overkill?"

"Hey, it's nothing; doing something for the revolutionary masses is within my duties…"

Lu Cheng was at a loss for words; these two truly don't get it.

"I think, your Tea Stall already has a ready good comrade—someone like Lu Ying. She's not only pretty, but crucially she can think on her feet, is quick‑witted, diligent, and kind…"

Lu Ying's forehead darkened with embarrassment; it's rare to hear praise from her brother, and she's so flattered she covers her face, too embarrassed to keep listening.

She hurriedly tugged at Lu Cheng.

"Ahem, I just said that offhand; you can study it further."

Director Li, as if not having understood, said: "Comrade Lu Ying is indeed good, but as a female comrade managing a small Tea Stall it's fine; now that it's becoming a department store, we need the Street Office to dispatch talent…"

While Director Li was speaking, Director Xiao saw the dissatisfied expression on Lu Cheng's face and hurriedly tugged him.

"What's the matter, Director Xiao? If it really doesn't work, you can take it; we need someone from the Street Office to directly manage."

Director Xiao, shaking his head, subtly pointed at the downcast Lu Cheng while signaling to Director Li.

Lu Cheng's point was unmistakably clear; they were fretting over the Tea Stall precisely because his sister works there.

Now there's an opportunity for promotion and a raise, it must be given to his sister.

Otherwise this matter definitely won't succeed.

"Ah, haha, look at my memory—why look for a manager? There's already one; I think Comrade Lu Ying is quite good."

She was already responsible for managing the Tea Stall; now that it's expanded, it should still be handed to Comrade Lu Ying.

Director Xiao also said, "Yes, yes, I think Comrade Lu Ying is also good, a very diligent young person; let's let Comrade Lu Ying become the director of the department store. Lu Ying, do you think you can handle it?"

Lu Ying, who had remained silent, was stunned; how did the conversation keep turning and end up on her?

It truly matches her brother's words: from a small Tea Stall to a department store, her position shifts from a minor director to a major director.

Seeing his sister staring blankly, Lu Cheng gave her a shove with his arm.

Lu Ying finally reacted: "Ah, I can, I can, just… do I still have to do the work?"

That is the question Lu Ying cares about most; she only wants to be a leader.