Chapter 523: Aren

After exiting Hu Tong, Lu Cheng turned straight into the bathhouse.

Just back from duty, his body was all smelly; he couldn't meet Yang Yin like this, or it would be a disservice to tonight's Lotus Pond Moonlight.

In summer, far fewer people came to the bathhouse.

In this weather, Lu Cheng didn't even plan a soak; a quick rinse would do.

As soon as he entered, he saw Lao Sun Shu standing behind the counter, propping his chin with a worried expression.

Lu Cheng placed the bath ticket on the counter; Lao Sun Shu glanced at it, then pushed it back.

"You won't need this bath ticket anymore; just come directly if you want to wash."

Ticket Certificate is a core product of the planned‑economy system of this era.

First, because the industrial base is weak and various goods are in short supply, the rationing system ensures everyone gets a share, preventing those who can't afford it and also stopping the rich from hoarding.

Secondly, it helps maintain prices and social stability.

The state‑owned public bath that Lao Sun Shu manages suddenly stopped requiring bath tickets, which explained one thing.

"Lao Sun Shu, is your bath also moving to a self‑financing model?"

Lao Sun Shu nodded: "Yes, without bath tickets there aren't many people yet; if we require tickets again, even fewer will come."

"No worries, Lao Sun Shu, this isn't summer, it's already the off‑season."

"I know it's the off‑season, but we need to eat; we can't stay hungry all summer waiting for winter to arrive."

Lao Sun Shu shook his head as he spoke, then continued.

"Lu San'er, you were fine before; why the reform? It was better before, with the Street Office covering the bottom, everyone stayed fed.

Now, switching to self‑financing means we remit part of the profit to the Street Office, and we can allocate the rest ourselves. It sounds good, but the premise is making money; without profit we'll be left to drink the northwest wind."

It was clear that Lao Sun Shu was quite anxious.

Now, aside from a few large state‑owned baths that haven't reformed and still require bath tickets, small baths like this have all undergone pilot reforms.

With this change, they have to think daily about how to earn money to sustain the staff.

Lao Sun Shu, of course, feels pressure; managing is fine, but he knows nothing about making money.

These past few days have worried him to the point of madness; he's thinking of just quitting the director post and finding other work to earn a living.

But after decades at this bath, he can't bear to leave.

"No problem, Lao Sun Shu, don't get upset. When you have time, I'll tell my buddies, and they'll all come to you for a soak; after all, washing anywhere is the same."

The benefits of the reform immediately became apparent.

Hearing Lu Cheng speak so kindly about the bath's business, Lao Sun Shu hurriedly reached out, grasped his hand, and thanked him repeatedly.

If it were before, who would care whether you came or not? If you didn't come, I'd still be carefree, since the salary wouldn't be reduced at all.

We're all from the same Hu Tong, Lu Cheng, seeing Lao Sun Shu's hardship, felt compelled to speak.

"Lao Sun Shu, the state is determined to reform; it's the trend of the times. We individuals are just a grain of sand in the era, unable to change anything, so you shouldn't worry too much; it's best to find someone to share the workload with you."

Lao Sun Shu laughed: "You've finally grown up, caring about your old uncle. The Street Office thought of it too and promoted a deputy director, which counts as sharing some of my burden."

Lu Cheng was about to nod when, unexpectedly, Lao Sun Shu added: "It's that Li Huiying we hired later."

"Li Huiying?" Lu Cheng furrowed his brow: "Why did you bring her up?"

Lao Sun Shu was also helpless: "Well, I didn't propose it. I originally disagreed; you know this bath has so many veterans who've worked for over a decade, how could the rotation ever reach her?"

I originally reported someone else, but I don't know what connections she found behind the scenes; somehow she forced the Street Office to replace it with her."

Lu Cheng nodded, roughly guessing in his mind that Qin Shou probably helped her find the connections.

She really can entangle people; it's been years, and Qin Shou still hasn't shaken her off.

But that had nothing to do with Lu Cheng; after bathing, he hopped on his bicycle, feeling fresh, and headed to the university campus.

In early summer, the campus was dotted with green tree shade everywhere.

When he arrived at the Girls' Dormitory entrance, among the crowd returning from the Cafeteria after lunch, a girl with a low ponytail stood out.

The girl stood under a ginkgo tree, her green skirt hem clinging to her calves; the dress, the season's hottest style, was cotton‑silk, growing softer after several washes, patterned with pale‑purple tiny flowers.

Her sandals were white plastic; the exposed toes twitched anxiously.

When someone in the distance rode an Old two-wheeled cart past, the bike bell rang ding-ding.

She hurriedly turned her head to look, realized it wasn't the person she was waiting for, and lowered her head again in disappointment.

Afternoon sunlight fell perfectly on her profile, revealing a fringe of fine hair edged with a faint golden halo.

A classmate emerged from the dormitory, saw her, and called her name with a laugh: "Waiting for someone?"

She nodded, smiled briefly, and stayed where she was.

The ginkgo tree's shadow shifted a inch, and she moved half a step back, always remaining in the shade.

Lu Cheng was parked behind the ginkgo tree, one foot on the ground, watching Yang Yin for a long while.

Earlier, Yang Yin had asked, "What feeling do you have towards her?"

At that time, Lu Cheng answered, "It's a youthful feeling."

He heard it abruptly; his answer was vague, and Yang Yin was still dissatisfied.

But Lu Cheng truly said it from the heart; being with Yang Yin gave him a genuine sense of returning to his teenage days.

Youth, of course, cannot be separated from the scorching summer, the beautiful maiden of youthful days, and a heart that flutters.

Lu Cheng whistled: "Hey beauty, wanna go on a date?"

It was indeed a bit flippant, especially in these times, but Yang Yin laughed and turned on the spot, her skirt swaying lightly.

She pursed her little face, feigning annoyance: "Who are you calling beauty, you filthy rogue! Do you always shout like that when you see a pretty girl?"

Lu Cheng flashed a wide grin of white teeth: "Let's go eat; I'm starving."

Yang Yin glared: "You still know what hunger is, but you're late; the meal time's over, everyone finished and left, the Cafeteria should be out of food."

Lu Cheng shrugged: "Well, that's not my fault; this time I came to see you right away. There's a big banquet in our courtyard, I didn't eat, fearing you'd be left waiting."

Hearing Lu Cheng say that, Yang Yin's eyes curved into crescent moons.

Then I'll treat you to plain noodles; come over, and I'll give you a gift first.

Lu Cheng pedaled his bicycle forward a couple of steps, only to see Yang Yin produce two packs of cigarettes from behind her back.

Needless to say, they were surely stolen from home again.

There's always a girl who steals cigarettes from home for you to smoke; perhaps that's also youth.

Lu Cheng took the cigarette, opened it, pulled out one and put it in his mouth: "You're always like this; aren't you afraid I'll fall for you?"