Chapter 79: Willing to Be This Bad Guy

Listening to Lu Cheng's words, Tian Fuguang's thought that had just been dismissed rose again.

"Good Comrade, good Comrade… How about this: since you're an Educated Youth, you must be literate. I'm a big clod, so let Lu Zhiqing help me write the documents."

From now on you won't have to earn work points; as Commune administrative staff you'll receive a salary. Are you willing to come?

The other members, upon hearing this, slapped their thighs.

Section Chief Tian's single sentence turned Lu Feng from a mud‑soiled laborer digging for food in the fields into someone eating commercial grain in an instant. Had they known it would be like this, they would have gone down to rescue people instead of leaving Lu Zhiqing's turn.

It's all Qi Baoguo's fault; he kept blocking them from going down to rescue people.

Look, look, such a good opportunity was missed for nothing.

Lu Feng was also dumbfounded; this younger brother really has the knack for bargaining and calculating!

He said to let him work in the Commune, and indeed he got in.

It wasn't until Lu Cheng gave him a shove with his arm that Lu Feng finally reacted: "Section Chief Tian, I'm willing to go."

It's not just to get his family out of these mountains; he desperately needs a platform to realize his ambitions.

Now that he has the chance to enter the Commune directly, it's far better than being a production team leader.

Qi Baoguo still hasn't figured it out; how did he end up working in the Commune?

Lu Feng is really out of line; he usually opposes him whenever they work.

He was also scheming to mess with Lu Zhiqing; if he goes to the Commune and stays by Tian Fuguang's side, even as a lowly Section Staff, he wouldn't dare pick a fight.

Moreover, there's someone from the Big Team now working in the Commune; if he later tries to falsify accounts at the stone processing plant, he'll have to be extremely careful.

"Section Chief Tian, it's not that extreme; you fell into the river here, rescuing people is what we should do. We're just rustic country folk, who would dare write documents for you?"

Lu Cheng was about to explode when Section Chief Tian waved his hand: "Whether Lu Zhiqing works or not, we'll naturally give him a trial period; if he fails, he can return to the Big Team to earn work points later, no problem."

Actually, Tian Fuguang felt a bit sorry about Lu Feng's half‑Educated Youth status, but saying that soothed both sides for the time being.

Qi Baoguo had nothing to add; it's just a trial, and he'll surely be obediently sent back later, still unable to escape his grasp.

Qi Baoguo kept raising his eyebrows, and Lu Cheng, watching from the side, saw that the guy was definitely brewing a bunch of nasty schemes.

Since they insisted on crashing into the barrel, they decided to give the big brother an early generous gift, which also helped solidify the job.

That night, Lu Cheng wrote a letter and told his big brother to open it after he started his job at the Commune.

Lu Feng kept feeling his younger brother had become mysterious; today's incident was odd—since the river was dangerous, the brother should have clung to him, yet he clung to Liu Zhijian.

"Lu Cheng, you said the ox was fine today, how did it suddenly go out of control? How did I end up working at the Commune, it feels like a dream—did you cause this?"

Lu Cheng casually replied: "Big brother, maybe this is just doing good deeds without asking about the future."

Yan Baoyue took over: "What are you doing, interrogating like a criminal? Letting you work at the Commune isn't a bad thing, is it?"

Lu Feng hesitated: "I'm just afraid he'll cause trouble. You don't know my younger brother—he's been trouble‑making since childhood, and I can't keep an eye on him later."

Seeing the two about to argue, Lu Cheng hurriedly intervened: "Sister‑in‑law, big brother, please don't fight. This matter today is purely destiny; even if I don't come, it would happen the same way.

Big brother, just go to the Commune calmly. As long as you can do more for the masses and live up to the common folk, I think it's worth it."

Yan Baoyue nodded: "Hmm, Lu Cheng's words do sound nice. You, on the other hand, are like a piece of wood, not knowing how to be flexible."

Lu Feng, displeased, said: "I'm a piece of wood, and you've taken a liking to me too."

"Then you're wood, I'm a vine; I just can't help liking you…"

"Hey hey hey!" Lu Cheng interjected: "Pretend I don't exist. How are you still sprinkling dog food?"

Yan Baoyue let out a snort of laughter: "Lu Cheng, sister‑in‑law really likes you; stay a few more days here."

"Thanks, sister‑in‑law, I won't stay longer; I plan to go back tomorrow."

Yan Baoyue, feeling a bit disappointed, said: "So rushed? You've only been here a few days, Lu Qing'er just got familiar with you, and you leave abruptly, it's quite a snub."

Lu Feng said beside them: "Lu Cheng also has work; he can't keep taking leave, let him go back."

Yan Baoyue could only nod: "Alright then, sister‑in‑law won't keep you. Since you're leaving tomorrow, I'll bring you some things and bake a few cakes for you to eat on the road."

After speaking, disregarding Lu Cheng's refusal, Yan Baoyue busied herself at the stove through the night.

Lu Cheng smiled openly: "Big brother, sister‑in‑law is truly virtuous; Mom can rest easy now."

Lu Feng, sitting on a stone roller, asked: "What about you? Why did you marry Qing Yan? Uncle Lin was beaten into becoming a Pro‑Capitalist Faction member; aren't you afraid of the repercussions?"

Lu Cheng didn't want to explain much: "I just married her because she's beautiful."

Lu Feng shook his head: "You've grown up; this time you're clearly different from before and have learned to hide your thoughts. But anyway, since you married Qing Yan, you must treat her well—she's a fine young lady."

"I know, big brother." Lu Cheng pulled out a cigarette and lit it.

The two brothers sat in the courtyard, the sky above filled with stars.

"From now on, smoke less; you're still young, not an old smoking gun."

"Got it, big brother."

"Also dress warmer; you're married now, you only care about style, not warmth. When you grow old and get arthritic legs, you'll regret it."

"Got it, big brother."

Also eat properly; now big brother can work at the Commune, and if there's not enough food at home, big brother will squeeze some for you.

"Got it, big brother."

"Also need to…"

Lu Cheng stood up: "Alright, big brother, why are you as naggy as Mom? Are you trying to make me cry?"

Lu Cheng doesn't regret doing this today; as long as he can smooth his big brother's path, he's willing to be the bad guy.

Good people can't protect their families; often kindness needs sharp teeth and claws to guard.

Yan Baoyue worked until the late night, turning the little leftover white flour at home into cakes for Lu Cheng to take.

Under the midnight starlight, the two brothers, laden with bundles, walked along a mountain path.

Fortunately Lu Qing'er fell asleep; the reason Lu Cheng suddenly left a day early was that he feared Lu Qing'er would find out—otherwise his little niece might cry his eyes out.

They walked until dawn, finally reaching the train station, where Lu Cheng took out the freshly baked cakes from his sister‑in‑law and tore half for his big brother.

After a simple, filling meal, when the train was about to depart, Lu Feng sent his younger brother onto the train.

"Lu Cheng, I've packed over twenty coins in the bag for you; watch out on the road and don't let them get stolen."

Lu Cheng hurriedly opened the package: "Big brother, why are you giving me money? I don't need to spend any money for a train ticket; I don't need the money, you can take it back."

Lu Feng held his hand: "This isn't the money you gave me; this is what I saved after marrying your sister-in-law. Your sister-in-law deliberately placed it in there for you. It's not much, but it's her heartfelt token. Take it— a poor family, a wealthy road; better to be prepared than to suffer misfortune."

Lu Cheng had already opened the package, and a square silk pouch was filled with assorted coins—one mao, two fen, and the like—saved for an unknown number of years.

With this parting, Lu Cheng didn't know when he would meet his big brother again.