Chapter 787

Professor Qin said, "I originally wanted to retire, but the school insists on extending my contract for two years. My health is still fine, so I'll teach for two more years."

Professor Qin's wife complained, "Isn't this just you not wanting to leave the school? You say retiring and going home would be so nice. We old folks could go traveling. Don't you always say there are a few places you've wanted to go but never made it to? Now that you're retiring, wouldn't it be great if we went together?"

Professor Qin laughed and said, "I just can't bear to leave those students. Don't worry, I'll just teach for two more years, and I will definitely retire after two years."

Professor Qin's wife looked at Professor Qin and laughed, "This is what you said, no going back on your word. I'm afraid that in a few years, both of us will have old arms and legs and won't be able to walk anywhere."

Su Xinghui said, "Teacher, since you haven't retired yet, how about I apply for your in-service graduate program next year?"

Professor Qin generally didn't accept in-service graduate students; he felt that such people weren't doing academic work, just wanting a diploma. However, since Su Xinghui made this request, he certainly couldn't refuse. He nodded and said, "Okay, then come and apply next year."

After sitting for a while longer, Su Xinghui stood up and said, "Teacher, Professor's wife, I won't disturb you anymore!"

Professor Qin's wife said, "Why are you in such a hurry to leave? Stay for lunch at home."

Su Xinghui said, "No, Professor's wife, I still have to go to Professor Qu's house."

Lu Xiaoya smiled and said, "Professor's wife, my mom said she wants Xinghui to come back to my house for lunch."

Professor Qin smiled and said, "Old woman, let's not waste the children's time. Let them go."

Professor Qin's words made Lu Xiaoya blush again. Professor Qin's wife said with a smile, "Then you go ahead."

The two left Jiangcheng University. Su Xinghui first called Qu Ziqing's home. Qu Ziqing answered the phone himself. When he heard that Su Xinghui had come to Jiangcheng and was coming over, he happily agreed.

Su Xinghui bought some more fruit and pastries, then hailed a taxi and went to Qu Ziqing's house with Lu Xiaoya.

Seeing Su Xinghui, Qu Ziqing smiled and said, "Xinghui, I told you to come apply to join the Artists Association, why haven't you come for several months?"

Su Xinghui said, "Wasn't it flood season a while ago? I couldn't just leave the township."

Qu Ziqing smiled, "I know, I'm just joking with you. You brought all the application materials today, right?"

Su Xinghui took out the relevant materials for the Artists Association membership from his bag, handed them to Qu Ziqing, and said, "Uncle Qu, I'll have to trouble you then."

Qu Ziqing looked at the materials and said with emotion, "With these materials, there shouldn't be any problem. You will be one of the youngest members of our provincial Artists Association!"

Su Xinghui thought to himself, if you count mental age, I'm already over forty.

Qu Ziqing put the materials away, and after sitting back down, he looked at Lu Xiaoya and asked, "Xinghui, are you and Xiaoya dating? I see you two together every day."

Xinghui nodded and said, "Uncle Qu, you have a sharp eye. We are dating."

Qu Ziqing laughed, "Good, good, good. You are a talented man and a beautiful woman, a match made in heaven. Xiaoya, are your parents satisfied with Xinghui?"

Lu Xiaoya nodded shyly.

After chatting for a few sentences about Su Xinghui and Lu Xiaoya, Qu Ziqing stood up and said, "Xinghui, Xiaoya, come to my study and see the calligraphy I've written recently, and see how it is."

Su Xinghui and Lu Xiaoya entered the study with him. Qu Ziqing enthusiastically took out the calligraphy he had recently written to show them.

As the most prestigious calligrapher in Hudong Province, since Qu Ziqing took the initiative to let Su Xinghui see them, these pieces were naturally the ones he was most satisfied with. These pieces were indeed written with mature and sharp skill, the brushwork was proficient, the style was bold and elegant, and Su Xinghui and Lu Xiaoya praised them endlessly.

After looking at the calligraphy and chatting with Qu Ziqing for a while, Su Xinghui and Lu Xiaoya stood up to say goodbye. Qu Ziqing naturally wanted to keep them for a meal, but Lu Xiaoya said her parents were waiting for them to eat at noon, so Qu Ziqing didn't insist. He nodded happily and said, "Okay, Xinghui, you have to perform well."

Su Xinghui laughed, nodded, and said, "Uncle Qu, don't worry, I will definitely work hard."

The two returned to the Lu family. Song Qiao was cooking, and Lu Zheng was not at home. Lu Xiaoya entered the kitchen and said, "Mom, let me help you cook."

Song Qiao whispered, "Xiaoya, why are you back so early? You should have played outside a bit longer."

Lu Xiaoya said, "It's fine, Mom, we'll go out to play in the afternoon."

At mealtime, Lu Zheng returned. After the family finished eating, Lu Zheng asked Su Xinghui to go into the study with him.

Lu Zheng said, "Xinghui, I went to see Secretary Gu this morning. I told him about your idea of building Shangjun County into the province's vegetable township. He is very interested and said he would give you strong support."

Hearing Lu Zheng's words, Su Xinghui was overjoyed and said, "Uncle Lu, are you telling the truth?"

Lu Zheng said, "Of course it's true. He said he would tilt policies in your favor. The whole province is currently lacking a vegetable supply base, and your Shangjun County can be included in the list of vegetable production bases for the new round of the 'Vegetable Basket' project starting next year."

Su Xinghui was extremely happy. With the support of the Provincial Party Secretary, Shangjun County being included in the list of vegetable production bases for the 'Vegetable Basket' project was of great significance to the development of Shangjun County.

Su Xinghui said, "Uncle Lu, thank you so much."

Lu Zheng said, "Secretary Gu also said that it is expected that the pilot work for the 'Vegetable Basket' project wholesale market system construction will start within a year or two. Jiangcheng has a good chance of being selected as a national pilot city for vegetable wholesale centers. You must work hard these two years and strive to build your Pengjiawan vegetable wholesale market into a regional vegetable wholesale center market."

Su Xinghui said, "That would require supporting transportation facilities. Have you mentioned the highway location issue to Secretary Gu?"

Lu Zheng said, "I don't think the timing is right to mention this to him now. Wait until your vegetable production base achieves results, then have your county submit a report, and I will put in a good word for you."

Su Xinghui nodded. Hearing Lu Zheng say this, he also felt he had been a bit too impatient.

Although Lu Zheng now enjoyed Gu Shanmin's trust, Gu Shanmin was, after all, the Provincial Party Secretary, and he had to consider the development of the entire Hudong Province. If Lu Zheng spoke too much for Shangjun County at once, Gu Shanmin would inevitably doubt his motives, which would be counterproductive.

As long as Gu Shanmin supported Shangjun County's inclusion in the list of vegetable production bases for the new round of the 'Vegetable Basket' project starting next year, many provincial policies could be tilted toward Shangjun County, and the vegetable planting area in Shangjun County could be rapidly expanded.

Once Shangjun County achieved results in the vegetable production base, Lu Zheng would have the confidence to put in a good word for them.