Chapter 256: The Most Unusual Student

We've been living together for almost half a year, but separated by a curtain, the two of us have never crossed the line even a step.

Lin Qingyan knows Lu Cheng's temperament; she is usually bold and reckless, but this time Lu Cheng kept his promise and truly didn't touch her at all.

Even because of this, Lin Qingyan felt conflicted, wondering whether it's because she lacks charm or because Lu Cheng truly isn't interested in her.

Sometimes, in the deep quiet of night, she also wonders: if Lu Cheng forced himself on her, would she still refuse?

"I... I'm not really available today, can't do that."

Lin Qingyan has been on her period for two days.

Lu Cheng took it as an instinctive refusal and laughed, saying, "Just teasing you. By the way, Qing Yan, I remember when you went to West Germany, you met a German young lady?"

Lin Qingyan continued sorting clothes: "According to what you said, she's a young girl; Heidi is talented and versatile."

Lu Cheng was too lazy to argue whether she's a young lady or a young girl.

"So, do you still keep in touch with that Heidi?"

"Yes, we often correspond by letters."

Unlike later eras where the internet is advanced and people can make friends across the country online—though most are just looking to get laid, shaking things, tossing drift bottles… countless dating apps.

Even some men are scammed through online chats; if you refuse to pay, they will send your compromising photos to your relatives, ruining your reputation.

But in this era, letters are the common way to make friends, known as pen pals.

Moreover, the purpose of friendship is pure; most discuss literature and youthful dreams.

Having a few domestic pen pals is nothing; if someone has a foreign pen pal, it's definitely something to be proud of.

When Lin Qingyan heard Lu Cheng inquiring about that West Germany pen pal, she turned around and asked, "Why are you asking about that?"

"Oh, I just want to ask her for a favor," Lu Cheng said while taking off his shoes.

Lin Qingyan fetched water for his feet: "Ask her for help? Is your department buying warships again?"

Lu Cheng removed his socks, placed his feet in the basin; the water was just right, and he suddenly thought marriage had its perks—like a tidy room and someone bringing foot‑washing water in the evening.

Although there is no mobile phone, he can occasionally watch Lin Qingyan dance.

"It's not about buying warships this time," Lu Cheng briefly explained to Lin Qingyan that they are developing a snow‑removal machine.

"We are facing many difficulties now, so we want to look at foreign journals to see if we can find solutions."

Lin Qingyan understood: "You want Heidi to mail over a batch of foreign journals for you."

"Yes, you two are so close; it shouldn't be difficult, right?"

Lin Qingyan thought for a moment; indeed there is difficulty—after all, it's being mailed from abroad, and they're professional journals, so customs would be troublesome. If customs refuse entry, it would be hard to get them into the country.

But Lin Qingyan still wants to try; Lu Cheng is asking her for help, and no matter how hard, she will do everything she can to solve it.

"Hmm, no difficulty. When do you need them?"

"The sooner the better; I promised the Research Institute a month."

Lin Qingyan nodded slightly: "Then I'll write Heidi a letter tonight; if she can obtain the journals, they could be mailed within a month."

Lu Cheng relaxed; indeed, as long as they avoid normal channels, the time can be cut by more than half.

"Thank you. If this really succeeds, you've done me a huge favor."

Hearing Lu Cheng's polite words, Lin Qingyan opened her mouth but said nothing further.

That night, Lu Cheng slept soundly, not even noticing the windows rattling in the wind.

The next morning, after getting up and opening the door, he saw the courtyard and the roof ridges all covered with a layer of sand dust.

Across the way, Yue Min was pointing at his wife, scolding her.

"Didn't I tell you to bring the clothes in yesterday? Look, they're all washed for nothing; I have to go to work today, how am I supposed to wear this?"

"I just forgot. Could you not make a fuss early in the morning and make a laughingstock of me?"

"You even know what's embarrassing. Then can't you be a bit more considerate? Honestly…"

Perhaps because they have no children, Yue Min's wife lacks confidence; faced with Yue Min's accusations, she can only pout plaintively.

When she saw Lu Cheng strolling out, she felt even more aggrieved.

"Besides, Lin Qingyan hasn't had children, and Lu San'er hasn't scolded his own wife either."

"What are you comparing with them? Lin Qingyan has only been married here for a short time."

Yue Min was about to toss the clothes into the basin when he discovered a layer of sand dust inside it as well.

"You're only saying that because you think I'm pretty, that's why you said it."

Yue Min laughed, splashing water from the basin: "Hey, you were right. If you were as pretty as me, even if you couldn't have children, having you at home would still be a pleasure to look at."

Yue Min's wife glared instantly, and the more she thought, the angrier she became; she snatched the basin and threw it onto the ground, the clanging echoing throughout the Da Za Yuan.

At the dining table in the Main Hall, Lu Cheng sat down for breakfast; Chen Xianglan had already eaten and was now changing her coat in front of a mirror, while Lu Beitang sat beside her reading the Newspaper.

"San'er, after you finish eating, please wash the bowls as well."

"Okay."

Lu Cheng readily agreed, then picked up his chopsticks, plucked a few strips of pickled vegetables into his rice porridge, took a sip and said,

"Mom, you're dressed so beautifully—where are you planning to go?"

"Pretty?" Chen Xianglan said to the mirror, twisting her body left and right, laughing.

"Now that the weather's warm, I want to raise a few chicks. I've made an appointment with your Sun Grandma; we'll go to the hatchery later."

Lu Cheng glanced at the silent Lu Beitang, then looked admiringly at his mother.

"Your outfit is a bit too pretty; anyone who doesn't know might think you're going on a blind date. Buying a few chicks doesn't require such fine clothes; I'm afraid the chicks will see you and run over to you."

Flattered, Chen Xianglan's heart blossomed as she grabbed her satchel and headed out: "Look at you, kid. I'm already at an age where I'm still going on blind dates. So eat your meal properly and let your dad wash the bowls."

Lu Cheng quickly nodded: "Alright, Mom."

Lu Beitang, upon hearing that, immediately looked up: "Why does it become my turn to wash? I didn't say anything either."

Before leaving, Chen Xianglan glared: "Because you said nothing, you have to wash."

Lu Beitang tossed the Newspaper, looked at Lu Cheng with a disdainful expression: "Just eat your meal, why talk so much?"

Lu Cheng quickly finished his meal, patted his butt and was about to leave: "Dad, I'm done eating, the bowl's yours now."

"Eh, it's not… where are you going again?"

"I have class today…"

Lu Cheng indeed has to go to school today; he's already attended a few classes, whereas someone who had only gone a few times might not even recognize any classmates, but Lu Cheng basically knows them all.

And his relationship with each classmate remains quite good.

Nowadays, university students span virtually every age group; besides the usual young people, there are even those who are married and have children.

Thus, in a single classroom you can see classmates of all sorts, and these students recommended for university also come from all corners of the country.

Students of any age are common, but Lu Cheng is definitely the most unusual.