Chapter 257: I'm Afraid It Won't Get Done

What's special about Lu Cheng? First, he's a Borrowed Student assigned by his unit.

Other students are recommended by a unit or a Commune; because they're far away, they have to leave home and live on campus to attend university.

Lu Cheng, however, can go home every day and doesn't have to cram into the dorm with everyone.

Second, since Lu Cheng is both studying and working, he is far wealthier than the other students.

University subsidies now give each student a few dozen yuan a month—enough to eat—but they still can't eat as well as Lu Cheng.

Lu Cheng's monthly income, combining his salary and the university subsidy, reaches sixty to seventy yuan, making him a billionaire among the students.

Of course, Lu Cheng uses this advantage to help many classmates.

If a classmate lacks food coupons, Lu Cheng will give some of his own; if a family is poor, he also offers appropriate assistance.

One could say that thanks to his job and living in the Capital City, almost every classmate has benefited from Lu Cheng.

Consequently, everyone likes Lu Cheng; if he misses a few days of class, they all think of him.

Male classmates liking him is normal, and among them many female classmates also have a strong affection for Lu Cheng.

A young man who lives in the Capital City, is wealthy, works for the Railway Department, is good‑looking and eloquent—without exaggeration, such an outstanding youth is a dream lover.

After the morning class, Lu Cheng and a few classmates playfully left the classroom, agreeing to play basketball, with some girls joining to cheer.

Actually, Lu Cheng quite enjoys coming to school; it lets him feel youthful vigor again.

Lu Cheng didn't join the basketball game; he came to school today because he had another matter to handle.

He greeted classmates along the way, regardless of whether they were from his department, just to become a familiar face.

He wandered until he found the department head's office; the head is called Senior Song, a rather rare surname.

At that time, the enrollment paperwork was handled by Senior Song.

He knocked the door open, and Senior Song recognized Lu Cheng at a glance, thanks to Lu Cheng's special Borrowed Student status.

"Lu Cheng, classmate, class is over."

"Yes, Academic Director, I was passing the office and thought I'd drop by." Lu Cheng habitually offered a cigarette.

Senior Song, who smokes, hesitated briefly but then took it.

"You can't smoke in the classroom,"

"Of course not." Lu Cheng pulled out a lighter and lit Senior Song's cigarette.

Senior Song quickly half‑stood, took two puffs, and lightly patted the back of Lu Cheng's hand.

Facing a student lighting a cigarette, this department head could have stayed seated.

Mainly because Lu Cheng always gives him a sense of a prematurely mature youth.

It's not that Lu Cheng looks old; despite his youth, his demeanor and speech are completely at odds with his age.

Other students are mostly proper, speaking with a shy air that marks them as students.

"How's it going, Lu Cheng? Are you getting used to school?"

"Thanks to you, I'm quite accustomed. The teachers are kind, the classmates are united and friendly; every time I come to school it feels like a big family. I will study hard, actively cooperate with teachers and classmates, and never embarrass our Qingbei University."

You see, when he speaks, it's all official and pompous.

At first listen there's a lot of content, but listening closely, it's all damn nonsense.

"Hehe, as long as you're used to it, that's fine, that's fine."

Senior Song forced a smile; whenever he's in front of Lu Cheng, he feels the other is the director, and he ends up behaving like an elementary student.

Lu Cheng exhaled a cigarette smoothly, leaned in and said, "By the way, Academic Director, the Iron Science Institute recently launched a mechanical equipment manufacturing project. I think our university can't just study theory; we need to practice and gain experience through it.

So I advocated for it, making our department a practical subject for in‑depth study. What do you think?"

Senior Song raised an eyebrow upon hearing that: "Oh? That's good. Did you really manage to secure it?"

Senior Song became a bit excited, because previously when the department wanted to join practical activities, factories refused, fearing inexperienced students would damage precious machinery.

Lu Cheng knew there'd be no problem; not only would the director agree, but the students are eager to apply what they've learned.

"Indeed, Academic Director, as a member of our department, when such good things arise I must fight for them."

"That's great," Senior Song exclaimed, standing up excitedly. "In the future, for projects like this, you must keep securing them for our department."

"No problem… though, this project may have many difficulties…"

Senior Song showed no hesitation: "A project with challenges is good; it lets our students gain valuable experience. If there were no challenges, the project would be meaningless."

Senior Song thought for a moment and said, "Then we'll have our college mentors join the research, teaching through practice, which is more persuasive than any textbook knowledge."

Seeing Senior Song agree, even Lu Cheng was a bit astonished; he hadn't expected it to go so smoothly.

Now, besides the Iron Science Institute's research division, the Shencheng Research Institute will also send personnel, plus the college's teachers and classmates…

Later we'll see if we can talk to Tian Shukuan; even the Metallurgical Bureau's research division will send some people. He doesn't believe that gathering talent from all four directions can't produce a snow‑removal machine.

Oh right, there's also the most important person: Lin Qingyan.

Now we wait to see if she can get us an overseas journal.

This is a crucial step, determining whether Lu Cheng has the authority to command the research institute.

During this waiting period, Lin Qingyan hasn't received a reply from Hai Di.

She is more anxious than Lu Cheng, while Lu Cheng attends classes, works, eats and sleeps as usual.

That night, about twenty days had passed since the night he last wrote a letter.

The Capital City's dust has lessened, but now the irritating 'Yang Beard' season has arrived.

Yang Beard refers to the fluffy clusters that grow on poplar trees, string‑like, resembling a caterpillar.

Honestly, this stuff is more bothersome than dust, especially for those allergic; inhaling it makes the whole day miserable.

The problem is when it gathers, a single match can ignite a large area, easily causing fires.

Now it's dark; the Street Office staff are holding small loudspeakers, shouting fire‑prevention notices throughout the Hu Tong Li.

Lu Cheng, having finished dinner, sits at the bedside soaking his feet, watching Lin Qingyan bustle about.

Hey Qing Yan, how about you dance for me? The weather's getting warm.

Lin Qingyan has no mood for dancing: "You still have the mind to watch people dance; it's already been almost twenty days, Heidi should have received the letter long ago, and she still hasn't replied, I'm afraid your matter won't get done."