Chapter 518: Sister Wants to Sell Bell‑bottom Pants

Sure enough, when Ning Ning was mentioned, Lu Ying's stern expression lessened a lot.

"Hmm, on the third day of your duty, Wu Zhekun arrived by car; when I saw the smile on his face, I knew his family had agreed."

Now Ning Ning has entered the Wu Family; this child who survived the earthquake is unfortunate, yet also fortunate.

It's the Wu Family, a military lineage, so Ning Ning's starting line already surpasses most children.

Even though she's not a biological child of the Wu Family, given Wu Zhekun's affection for Ning Ning, her future certainly won't be lacking.

I won't speak of any lofty heights, but at least she can live a stable life without worrying about food and drink.

"Sister, then you can rest assured."

Lu Ying nodded, "Yes, Ning Ning getting into such a family is also her blessing."

Lu Cheng suddenly recalled something and deliberately said, "It depends on what kind of wife Lao Wu marries in the future; if she's sharp and mean, then Ning Ning having such a stepmother probably won't be much of a blessing either."

Lu Ying looked up briefly, then lowered her head again, remaining silent for a while.

"There's nothing we can do; what kind of spouse someone wants to marry is their own freedom."

Lu Ying seemed reluctant to continue the subject and changed the topic, saying, "By the way, Lu Cheng, our Big Bowl Tea business has been affected; the cooperatives are under the Street Office, and I can't pressure them, otherwise the higher-ups will call me in for a talk."

Anyway, that thing has little profit; to truly raise our employees' wages and benefits, we have to rely on selling high‑margin items.

So these past few days I've been thinking we could sell clothing, like the Bell-bottom Pants our dad wore last time; now people's acceptance has risen noticeably, and I think it's an opportunity.

Lu Cheng absolutely trusts his sister's eye, and Bell-bottom Pants like that will likely become a nationwide trend within a year or two.

"Then where do you plan to produce it?"

Lu Ying thought for a moment, "Hmm? I'm planning to discuss with the local Street Office; we could cooperate with the Sewing Machine Shop—the one I used to work at. Anyway, I understand clothing, and it's nearby."

My sister's reasoning is normal—short transport distance lowers cost—but Lu Cheng doesn't think that way.

"Sister, I think you should still cooperate with Ding Yuanmin and his team."

"Ding Yuanmin?" Lu Ying muttered the name, then immediately understood her brother's meaning.

When the department store was still a Big Bowl Tea Stall, we thought that being close to the train station with massive foot traffic would allow us to sell some warm‑clothing items.

But the Capital City's local State‑owned Factories all dismissed the Big Bowl Tea stall as too small in scale and refused to cooperate.

It was Lu Cheng who made the connection; Ding Yuanmin was willing to supply goods, unafraid of the distance, delivering by train each month.

And Lu Cheng said that for this clothing venture, it's best to work with Ding Yuanmin—not out of any sense of repayment; business is simply a win‑win for both sides.

Because the department store has strong sales capability, Ding Yuanmin's Commune hasn't missed out on earning money alongside it.

"Lu Cheng, you mean Ding Yuanmin's group is near the coast, close to Gang Cheng, which means they can quickly grasp upcoming fashion trends.

If we cooperate with them, it's equivalent to securing that advantage in advance."

Lu Cheng nodded; chatting with such a smart sister was simply effortless.

"Exactly, sister; in the long run, cooperating with Ding Yuanmin's group holds more advantage, especially for clothing, where competition is fiercest."

Lu Ying found it reasonable: "You're right; I've also realized that while it may not be obvious in the countryside, here in the Capital City, people no longer wear a single outfit their whole lives—they're starting to pursue looking good.

But how do you define 'good looking'? One style this year, another next year; male Comrades might be okay, but if a female Comrade is told, 'Your pattern is outdated,' she'll watch—she'll stop wearing that piece the very next day."

Lu Cheng fully understood; after all, this is the Capital City, unlike the resource‑scarce countryside where no one would say that.

And for my sister to start with clothing is actually a kind of training.

Leaning against the doorframe, Lu Cheng said, "Sister, I absolutely support you, and… since I'm supporting you, could you give me some money to spend?"

Lu Ying gave a sideways glance, knowing her brother wandering around the house always meant trouble.

"Then why don't you assess my worth and sell me."

Lu Cheng pursed his lips, "The point is, you can't even get married, so you can't fetch a price either."

After Lu Cheng finished speaking, he pre‑emptively tilted his head and dodged the flying book.

"You see how impatient you are; I'm just looking at the fact that you've saved so much salary, so I can share the burden. Money spent becomes yours; if you don't spend it, it's just a useless piece of paper that will get moldy, so for…"

"Stop it, your nagging is driving me crazy!"

Lu Ying took out her wallet and began counting money while Lu Cheng watched cheerfully.

After taking the money and leaving his sister's room, Lu Cheng saw Teacher Wu's daughter washing clothes at the basin.

"Sister Gui Yun, the college entrance exam is only a few months away; how could Teacher Wu let you wash clothes?"

Gui Yun scrubbed the clothes on the washboard, "I asked to wash them myself; consider it a light household chore to relax."

"Hmm, you look much healthier these days; as long as you keep this relaxed mindset, you'll definitely get into a good university."

Gui Yun smiled, "I'll take your good wishes; when I actually get into my ideal university, I'll treat you to a meal at a fancy restaurant."

"That's great, then on the day of your college entrance exam, I'll gather people from our institute, hold a banner, and cheer you on."

Gui Yun quickly raised a hand to stop him, "Please don't— that would only increase my pressure. Let me go easy on my own. Anyway, I've decided: if I succeed this time, great; if not, at worst I'll learn a trade."

Having gone through these two years, both Gui Yun and Teacher Wu have become much more open.

"Alright, first I wish Sister Gui Yun an extraordinary performance and top ranking; you keep busy, I'll go for a walk around."

Lu Cheng pulled out his bicycle; it's been a while since he returned home, and he had previously promised Yang Yin a walk around the university campus.

The reason he hadn't gone was that after meeting Lin Qingyan, his mind kept replaying that conversation.

He always felt Lin Qingyan had something to say, but some hesitation prevented her from telling him.

For example, if something happens in the future, it would have nothing to do with him.

So what exactly will happen in the future? It's worth Lin Qingyan specifically mentioning.

But in the past two days, he also figured it out: Lin Qingyan is in Ha City, he's in the Capital City; distance‑wise, they will basically have no further intersections.

Thinking about it further is meaningless, because Lin Qingyan's unwillingness to clarify shows that he need not take any stance on the matter.

Lin Qingyan is inherently independent, both in life and in relationships, so whatever she faces and whatever choice she makes, it's certainly after careful deliberation and follows her true self.

All Lu Cheng can offer is respect and blessings…

At the university's Jin Chun Yuan Lotus Pond, Lu Cheng walked around the lake while Yang Yin followed beside him.

"You came back a few days ago—why didn't you come looking for me?"

"How did you know I came back a few days ago?"

"I've been counting the time; even if the train is delayed, you should have been back by now."

Lu Cheng glanced: "Isn't this me coming to find you?"

Yang Yin placed both hands behind her back, pouting: "Then you didn't come to find me right away."

"A day earlier or later makes no difference, right?"

"Of course there is; I wanted to see you at the first moment."

Lu Cheng scratched her head, laughing, and said, "Alright, next time I'll find you as soon as I get off the train."

Yang Yin was satisfied then, and took two packs of cigarettes from her pocket.

Lu Cheng glanced and said, "Again, you stole them from your dad."

Yang Yin smiled, continued walking around the Lotus Pond: "Do you have something on your mind? This time you came back, your mood seems off."