Chapter 269: Another Second‑hand Item

Lin Qingyan hurriedly began to explain.

"I—I didn't mean that. I mean, everywhere is your home; you can go wherever you want."

Today's Lin Qingyan sounded strange, and Lu Cheng didn't take it seriously: "Forget it. I don't get along with your mother; I guess she finds fault with me everywhere."

"My mother isn't like you think; she's just a bit lofty... Besides, you're not the same as before, she'll like you."

"Like me?" Lu Cheng shook his head. "The reason I helped you avoid the countryside labor team wasn't to make your mother like me."

"I know, but..."

"Alright, alright, I know you do it for my sake, hoping your mother will treat me better, but we will eventually divorce, and we'll probably have fewer chances to cross paths, so your mother's opinion of me won't matter."

Hearing Lu Cheng's words, Lin Qingyan took a slight breath; she wondered whether she should still bring up the ball with him, but it seemed unnecessary now.

Noticing Lin Qingyan's mood wasn't great, Lu Cheng, lying on the bed, said, "Why bring up your mother all of a sudden—are you missing your parents? It's been a while since you saw them. Should I arrange for you to go see Lin Shushu?"

Lin Qingyan shook her head slightly: "I'm fine. In a little while, our department has a Social Dance Ball, and I wanted to ask if you'd like to go."

"Social Dance? That can't be right—does your department even allow Social Dance?"

This kind of dance requires a man and woman to embrace and sway to soothing music, and is considered a pastime of the petite‑bourgeoisie; it is not permitted in public venues.

Lin Qingyan explained, "This time it's an event for foreign guests, approved, so we can dance. Would you… like to go?"

Lu Cheng thought for a moment: "Is this a personal request or a work requirement?"

"What's the difference?"

"Of course there is. If you just want to dance personally, I won't join the crowd; I'd probably have no time then. If it's for work, and you've been helping me translate journals these past few days, I should support your work."

"Oh, then, let's say it's a work requirement."

Lin Qingyan was being truthful; the department required everyone to attend.

She thought that, given Lu Cheng's previously playful nature, he would be eager to go, but Lu Cheng had truly changed—she couldn't tell whether he was uninterested in the ball or uninterested in her.

As Wu Guiwen's household turned off the television, everyone lifted their small stools and returned home, and the courtyard gradually fell silent.

Behind a curtain, Lin Qingyan lay awake for a long time, replaying Lu Cheng's words from that night; every sentence kept distance, leaving her mind in turmoil.

Why does she feel this way? Lu Cheng clearly agreed to keep distance from the start.

But now, why does she dislike Lu Cheng being like this?

Could it be that she's fallen for this big boy?

Is this what liking someone feels like? Then why is it painful rather than sweet?

All those "whys" weighed on her heart like a stone.

On the other side of the curtain, Lu Cheng also couldn't sleep; he was recalling Lin Qingyan's words from that night.

He had a hunch that Lin Qingyan seemed to be developing a fondness for him.

Whether it's a crush, he wasn't quite sure.

But the only certainty was that he and Lin Qingyan would have no outcome.

If Lin Qingyan were just an ordinary neighborhood girl—stunning looks, gentle temperament, talented and versatile—anyone who could marry such a lady as a wife would be extremely fortunate.

The contradiction lies here: Lin Qingyan isn't a girl from an ordinary family.

As Wu Zhekun said, children from Grand Courtyard like them, whose parents are high officials, have little choice in marriage; ultimately, they become political alliances.

Lu Cheng only hopes time passes quickly, so this illogical marriage can end soon.

Indeed, days flew by; after Capital City entered July, the streets' colors also became richer.

This richness mainly came from the girls shedding thick coats for beautiful floral dresses.

During this period, Lu Cheng's days were full—on duty at the Platform or going to the Research Institute to discuss snow‑removal machine development.

Because many people had been coordinated from other units earlier, the snow‑removal machine's development had been steadily progressing and had achieved several major breakthroughs.

The R&D team was very confident; at the current pace, the machine could be produced by next summer, and at the latest by the end of next year.

Although that was everyone's most optimistic scenario, Lu Cheng still thought it was slow.

To that end, he leveraged his university position, actively coordinating with the school on the practical project for snow‑removal machine development, greatly advancing the process.

As the organizer of the snow‑removal machine practical project, Lu Cheng became a prominent figure on campus; everyone in the department knew him.

That afternoon, a few classmates left the campus; they agreed to have Lu Cheng go to the Drum Tower first, then the classmates would pool money to treat Lu Cheng to a meal.

Because since the start of the semester, Lu Cheng had often helped them.

Lu Cheng knew these classmates had strong pride, so he didn't refuse and accepted their kindness.

Just outside the campus, someone on the road shouted, "Lu Cheng, Lu Cheng…"

Lu Cheng turned his head and saw his sister Lu Ying arriving.

"Wait a moment, everyone—my sister's here," Lu Cheng told his classmates, then ran to the opposite side of the road.

Lu Ying arrived pushing a bicycle; Lu Cheng asked, "Sis, why are you here? Also, whose bike are you riding, and why does it have a big red flower attached?"

Lu Cheng fiddled with the big red flower on the bike handle, and Lu Ying slapped his hand away.

"Don't damage it; I finally found this big red flower. How is it, pretty? Isn't it much newer than the previous bike?"

"What do you mean?"

"What do you mean! This is for you—didn't I promise you? I bought you another bike; I haven't broken my word, do you like it?"

"For me?" Lu Cheng realized it was his, and then examined it carefully.

"Wow, it's indeed newer than the previous one, but it doesn't look brand‑new—where did you get it?"

Lu Ying glared, "What do you mean 'gotten'? This time I didn't trade anything; I bought it for you at the Trust Shop, costing me over two months' wages.

Although not brand‑new, it's about seventy percent new; I haggled for an hour and finally got it for seventy yuan. How's that? Sister's impressive, right?"

The Trust Shop specializes in consignment of second‑hand goods—watches, cameras, leather shoes, bicycles, and so on.

Many households with idle or surplus items, or those short on cash, hand them to the Trust Shop for resale; the shop takes a commission.

The advantage of the Trust Shop is that, since the items are refurbished second‑hand products, no receipt is needed at purchase, making it a top choice for families seeking large items.

When he learned it was second‑hand again, Lu Cheng's eyebrows furrowed.