Chapter 244: Finally a Proper Director

Hearing Lu Ying's words, the two directors exchanged a glance.

Frankly, Lu Ying's director title is just an empty name—nominal without substance—only to make everyone feel there is a leader, so they don't panic when things get busy.

But you still have to work; truly treating yourself as a leader is the same as being on equal footing with them.

However, if we said it outright now, Lu Cheng would probably refuse.

Whether the Tea Stall can be turned into a department store hinges on a single word from Lu Cheng.

Yet making Lu Ying equal with the Street Office made Li uneasy, so he concocted a line of reasoning, ready to spout some grand logic.

For example, a young person shouldn't aim too high; the higher you stand, the harder you fall, so they should settle and accumulate experience at the grassroots level.

He was just about to start lecturing the youngster when Lu Cheng, as if reading his mind, cut in first.

"Director Li, Director Xiao, I think Director Lu's proposal has no flaw.

Why? Think about it: management is management, work is work; the two must be separate. How can one both manage and work? That would be chaotic."

Director Li tried to speak again, but Lu Cheng gave him no chance.

"Consider this: now it's a department store, there will inevitably be countless matters front and back..." Lu Cheng spread his fingers.

"For example, coordinating with Train Station Logistics, with the Street Office, and also with our Beijing Station Warehouse—it's tiring. I'm not sorry for my sister, but if Director Li gets exhausted, then I would feel sorry."

While Lu Cheng caught his breath, Director Li finally managed to interject.

"I'm not afraid of fatigue; I feel that this youngster..."

"I think this youngster should be given a chance, to train more," Lu Cheng said, not daring to pause further, almost being blocked by Director Li's words.

"So, let me speak fairly: I think Director Lu shouldn't be doing work; your Street Office should also delegate more authority—people should handle tasks appropriate to their positions.

Otherwise, sticking a foot here and a leg there, like a makeshift troupe, the management becomes chaotic; as the person in charge of the Beijing Station Warehouse, I would have to reassess."

Director Li lowered his head, cursing inwardly, "That's not fair talk at all! It's clearly a threat."

Director Xiao beside him said nothing; the two respectable directors of the Street Office were being cornered by a youngster.

Seeing the two directors' aggrieved expressions, Zhao Zhangfeng timely stepped in to smooth things over.

"Directors, I think we should settle it like this: after all, the Tea Stall... no, it should now be called a department store. Since the department store's ownership includes a portion of our Train Station Logistics, it ought to have a dedicated manager.

If it were still like the Tea Stall, managing and working simultaneously, it truly couldn't be handled."

Upon hearing Zhao Zhangfeng say that, the two directors could only agree.

After leaving the Train Station Logistics office, Lu Ying was overjoyed.

"Alright, silly little brother, you really turned it into a few words; from now on this director won't have to work, finally like a proper director."

Lu Cheng instantly felt a bit displeased: "What do you mean 'turned into a few words'? Didn't you see my dry throat and parched tongue when I spoke? It's not easy."

"Yes, yes." Lu Ying smiled brightly, slinging her arm around her brother's arm: "Then, seeing how much you consider your sister, I'll treat you to a Big Bowl Tea."

Lu Cheng pulled his arm away: "Come on, don't be so affectionate; people might misunderstand if they see us."

Lu Ying gave a light tap: "I'm your sister; what misunderstanding could there be?"

"But others won't know you're my sister; if some girl on the street admires me, you could ruin that for me."

"Get lost, you're annoying."

At the Tea Stall, Lu Ying announced the good news of expanding into a department store to everyone.

Zhao Bin and the others immediately cheered; the Tea Stall was truly too small, and the Street Office kept cramming people in.

If it becomes a department store, all problems would be easily solved.

Zhao Bin knew this couldn't have happened without Lu Cheng's contribution.

He draped an arm over Lu Cheng's shoulder: "Alright, Lu Cheng, since we're close, you always think of our Tea Stall when good things happen."

Lu Cheng, disliking being hugged by a man, pulled his arm away: "Stop the polite talk, quickly get me a bowl of Big Bowl Tea; you haven't spared any of my saliva."

Zhao Bin laughed and shouted to Huang Chunjiao: "Jiao Jiao, quickly pour a cup of tea for our great contributor."

Huang Chunjiao rolled her eyes; Lu Cheng, displeased, said: "Why the eye roll? I'm the great contributor, right? For a small collective unit like yours to earn the current high salary, I must have contributed at least half."

Lu Cheng's words were certainly true; with the small Tea Stall's monthly salary of just over thirty yuan, such wages are rare among collective units across the Capital City.

In fact, it was only fifteen yuan, meaning Lu Cheng's single move raised everyone's pay, so whenever he came to the Tea Stall, he could eat anything on the counter, and no employee would object.

Huang Chunjiao brought over a bowl of tea: "Yes, yes, yes, you're the great contributor, alright? Here it is, shall I feed you personally?"

"Fine, if you feed me mouth‑to‑mouth, I don't mind."

"I'll kick you to death!"

Lu Cheng smiled and looked at Zhao Bin: "Binzi, when are you two getting married? Hurry and marry that tigress so she won't go out causing trouble."

Zhao Bin laughed and replied: "Soon, our parents have already met; we plan to hold the wedding this autumn."

"That fast? Think it through—once married, it's like entering a marital cage; getting out later will be hard."

Huang Chunjiao kicked again: "You're looking for a fight again, aren't you? Don't corrupt my Binzi; you think everyone is like you, full of frivolous desires, falling for anyone they meet."

"Look at what you say—when did I ever fall for anyone? Right now I'm especially faithful..."

"Group Leader Lu, Group Leader Lu!"

Lu Cheng was speaking when he suddenly heard someone shout, turned his head, and saw Broadcaster Jiang Mengmeng.

Huang Chunjiao also saw it and said: "See, what did I say? You claim to be faithful, yet everyone is... Oh dear, calling that delicate one, Group Leader Lu, Group Leader Lu..."

"Look at you, they just came to me with business; I'm completely above board with them."

Regardless of whether Huang Chunjiao believed it, Lu Cheng walked toward the outside of the Tea Stall.

"Comrade Jiang Mengmeng, why did you come looking for me?"

"Yes, I heard someone say they saw you at Beijing Station, so I came to look for you. Are you available now?"

Jiang Mengmeng said that while glancing around.

That sneaky demeanor instantly left Lu Cheng both laughing and sighing.

"No, no, whatever it is, just say it straight; all this makes people misunderstand."

It was already hard enough to explain clearly in front of Huang Chunjiao, and Jiang Mengmeng pulls this stunt again.

Jiang Mengmeng giggled, "I heard that the goods in our Beijing Station warehouse are to be sold, and you're still the person in charge— is that true?"