Chapter 337: Climbing Up One Step at a Time

Arriving at the edge of the pool, Lu Cheng jumped straight into the hot water.

He made the people around him frown; what a ruthless guy.

The water was at least over forty degrees, yet he dared to jump in like that; others would ease in slowly, a little at a time.

The water in the pool rose to their chests, and the two brothers sat side by side like that.

"How's it going, big brother? It's been several years since you last soaked in a bathhouse in Capital City. We'll give you a back rub later, and let that female comrade just now tend to your feet."

Mentioning Li Huiying from earlier, Lu Feng asked curiously, "I haven't asked you yet—who is that girl?"

Lu Cheng splashed hot water onto his shoulder and said, "Well, it was fine for a while before, but now it's no problem."

Thinking of Li Huiying getting together with Qin Shou, he couldn't help but smile.

Qin Shou doesn't understand this woman; even if he pretends to be clever and treats it as a game, temporarily stringing Li Huiying along, this woman is certainly not one to let go easily.

Lu Feng shook his head helplessly; having been away from home these past years, he didn't know how many young girls his brother had gotten involved with.

"By the way, big brother, I've never asked my second sister—how are your mushrooms selling?"

Speaking of it, Lu Feng thought Er Jie really had skill.

"It's quite good. You don't know, our Big Team saw your sister-in-law make money, saying the harvest will be next year, and they all want your sister-in-law to talk about it, helping to sell together."

"That works, we can treat it as your Big Team's collective side business; that way it doesn't count as Speculative Profiteering."

"Your sister-in-law even told me today that the money from selling mushrooms is being saved, and she'll buy you a bicycle later."

Lu Cheng heard that and couldn't help but think his sister-in-law was really kind.

"No need, no need. Actually I have money; the reason I don't buy it myself is to let Er Jie buy it, so I can get her used to spending money on me."

Lu Feng couldn't help laughing, "You always bully your second sister! But your sister-in-law's intentions are sincere; she understands your kindness toward her family."

"See, you keep saying these polite words; it's what I, the younger brother-in-law, should do. Since sister-in-law insists on buying for me, I won't be modest about it."

He also has to get her used to spending money on him.

After a moment of silence, Lu Feng pretended not to care and asked.

"Lu Cheng, what are you planning to do from now on?"

Because he knows his brother well—he's been extremely rebellious since childhood and dislikes hearing adults spout grand principles.

The more they say it's for his own good, the more he goes against them.

But Lu Cheng, who has lived two lifetimes as a human, has long had a heart as calm as still water.

He also sensed that his elder brother was steering the conversation toward divorce.

"Big brother, Qing Yan and I are impossible from the start; you know my temperament—I can endure grievances, but I will never let my family suffer even a bit of grievance."

Lu Feng nodded; he knows that to others Lu Cheng appears reckless, but in his eyes he's always the third brother who knows how to protect the family.

So after receiving Ying Ying's letter and learning that Lu Cheng had divorced, he didn't hesitate to rush back for the New Year.

On one hand, he worried about their parents—neighbors and the whole neighborhood have their opinions, and if they become despondent, they might harm themselves.

On the other hand, he worried about his brother, since divorce isn't a trivial matter.

But over the past two days he found that aside from the parents sighing occasionally, Lu Cheng was completely unaffected—eating when he should, sleeping when he should.

This left him, as the elder brother, a bit puzzled; he thought perhaps Lu Cheng had simply grown after being away from home too long, so tonight he wanted to have a good talk with his brother.

"Qing Yan is a good girl; it's because big brother lacks ability that people think the Lu family isn't worthy of her."

Lu Cheng laughed helplessly, "Big brother, why are you saying that? It has nothing to do with you. Anyway, today I'll tell you something from the bottom of my heart."

Lu Feng looked over as Lu Cheng continued, "Being looked down upon is normal; that's how society works. What matters is whether we can respect ourselves."

Listening to his brother's words, Lu Feng's gaze grew complex, and finally he couldn't help but smile.

"You've really grown up, afraid that you wouldn't like to hear it. I didn't lecture you with grand principles, yet you turned the tables on me."

"Ha ha, big brother, I'm not lecturing you with grand principles; I want to say that our parents are ordinary workers, and you, Er Jie, and I are also ordinary folks."

"But I believe that within a few years our country will undergo huge changes, and then there will be many opportunities that can make us better, and also make the Lu family better."

Hearing Lu Cheng's words, Lu Feng had no doubt at all.

Because he had already keenly sensed that the country was changing.

From recent articles in the Newspaper and some new policies, there were indeed differences compared with before.

As for what kind of change, he couldn't articulate it; he just had a vague feeling.

"Big brother, when the opportunity comes, we must seize it tightly; only then can we become extraordinary, and only by revitalizing the Lu family—making the Lu family the most prestigious clan in Capital City—can we be regarded highly."

Lu Feng remained silent, simply shocked by his brother's words.

The last time his brother visited, he already felt Lu Cheng had changed.

But listening to his brother today, he realized Lu Cheng's change was so thorough—how to put it?

He had become especially ambitious, or calling it 'ambition' wouldn't be an overstatement.

Lu Cheng's ambition—to revitalize the entire Lu family and make it the most prestigious clan—this… is this still his brother?

He had never thought about such things, nor dared to.

He thought that as long as he cared for his wife and parents, that was his greatest wish.

Or, a step higher, leading the Big Team, even the whole Commune out of poverty, would already be his lofty ambition.

Yet his brother's words today broadened and elevated his thoughts rapidly.

He realized that once his mind was in that realm, divorce seemed a trivial, inconsequential matter.

No wonder Lu Cheng was indifferent to the divorce.

Perhaps the divorce, spurred by the Lin Family, suddenly motivated him to strive to revitalize the Lu family.

But merely saying that, anyone can shout slogans; making it happen is far from easy, almost as hard as reaching the heavens.

Lu Feng couldn't help asking, "What do you need big brother to do?"

Lu Cheng suddenly turned, his resolute gaze making Lu Feng feel unfamiliar for a moment.

I know big brother's thoughts are over there; you only want to do something practical for the Big Team, for the Commune, but you must understand that only by climbing higher can you have the ability to serve more of the common folk.

So, I need big brother to give it his all, climbing step by step.

Lu Cheng knows that big brother is a clever person, smarter than him, and even smarter than second sister Lu Ying.

It's just that big brother is more robust in character and looks down on playing mind games with others.

Sure enough, Lu Feng understood his younger brother's words, paused thoughtfully, and said solemnly.

"I know, I will find a way to transfer back to the Capital City."

Lu Feng had said similar words before, but because of the era's constraints, they were always spoken casually.

In the grand backdrop, he didn't think he could change anything.

But after hearing Lu Cheng's words tonight, he realized that some things require giving it one's all.