Chapter 142: Whose Money Fell?
Su He and Principal Chen left the Jinxiang Hotel and walked to the bus stop.
By early July, the heat in S City was intense. With the rising temperature, tempers flared more easily. While waiting for their bus, they witnessed several public arguments break out.
Finally, their bus arrived. A large crowd surged forward in a scramble to board, pushing Su He and Principal Chen—who had originally been near the front—to the very back.
Just as it seemed they wouldn’t be able to get on, Su He’s eyes lit up with an idea. “Oh no! Whose money fell on the ground?”
The crowd immediately backed off in a frenzy, looking around for the supposed lost cash. Taking advantage of the distraction, Su He grabbed the confused Principal Chen and squeezed them both onto the bus.
Principal Chen was speechless.
At that time, buses still had conductors. Riders either showed their monthly passes or paid cash. Su He bought two tickets and found a spot with a handrail, reminding the principal to hold on tight.
After half an hour of bumpy travel, they finally reached their destination.
Wiping the sweat from his forehead, Principal Chen complained, “S City is nice and all, but riding the bus here is torture!”
The scorching weather, crowded conditions, and his old age made him feel faint from the heat.
Su He nodded, “It really is tough. On the way back, let’s have the food factory send a car to take us back to the hotel!”
Principal Chen couldn’t believe his ears.
Who do you think you are? You think they’ll send a car just for you? Dream on!
As they chatted, the gates of the S City Food Factory came into view.
Outside the factory, a long line had formed. Many held briefcases—clearly sales agents. Although the factory was now known for its instant noodles, their main product was “Little Bunny Milk Candy,” a popular sweet across China. A few years ago, it had even been praised by the visiting M-Country President and gained popularity overseas. Because demand was high, supply was limited to major cities, and those who wanted more had to come directly to the factory to “fight” for it.
Even the gatekeepers had grown arrogant with power:
“Did you schedule an appointment with our sales department? No? Then come back after you do. Next!”
“H City? You think your little town can sell our Little Bunny Milk Candy? Don’t waste your time. We can’t even supply the big cities!”
“Sales is overwhelmed. We’re only seeing people up to number 30 today. The rest can come back tomorrow!”
Those who weren’t in the top 30 were visibly disappointed, lingering around in hopes of a miracle.
Scenes like this would be mocked in modern times, but in that era—where demand far exceeded supply—it was the norm. Sellers had the upper hand.
Principal Chen felt a chill run down his spine.
First, they didn’t have an appointment.
Second, their county wasn’t even as prominent as Huai City.
Third, they weren’t in the top 30.
Looks like this trip was a waste, he thought, glancing at Su He. And you were just talking about getting a ride back from them—now we can’t even get through the gate. Serves you right!
As he was thinking this, Su He turned to him, “Principal, give me the shopping bag in your bag.”
He pulled it out, confused. “What do you want this for?”
Su He took the bag, saw it was a bit empty, and tossed his notebook and pen inside. Then she said, “Come on, let’s go ask.”
Ask? Principal Chen scoffed mentally. They clearly said no appointments, no entry!
Su He walked up to the registration desk, took out some foreign candies from her shoulder bag—the ones gifted by foreign guests that morning. She had already reported it to Director Qu, so there was no issue.
“Comrades, thank you for your hard work. These were given to me by some foreign friends. Please have a taste.”
The guards, who had been ready to scold her, paused. Their eyes flicked between the colorful foreign candies on the table and the bag in Su He’s hand. One of them asked, “Which unit are you from? Here to talk about Little Bunny candy too?”
“I’m currently under the Foreign Trade Department and staying at Jinxiang Hotel. I’m here on behalf of some foreign guests who want to order a batch of custom Little Bunny gift boxes to take home. The request came up this morning, so I haven’t had time to make an appointment with your sales department.
I know this isn’t by the book, but since it involves foreign guests—and our country is known for its hospitality—I hoped there might be an exception.”
The guards, now all smiles, let her and Principal Chen through immediately.
One even helpfully said, “The sales department is on the first floor of the office building, but it’s crowded. You can go directly to Chief Wei on the third floor!”
Su He thanked them and pulled along a still-shaken Principal Chen into the factory.
The principal glanced around like a guilty thief and whispered, “Little Su! It was one thing to bluff before, but now you’re impersonating someone from the Foreign Trade Department. Be careful—you could get into real trouble!”
Su He grinned, “Principal, I never said I was from the Foreign Trade Department. I said I was under its management for now. Since we’re staying at a foreign affairs hotel, we do technically fall under their jurisdiction!”
Principal Chen was speechless. The art of language… truly profound.
“What about the candy gift boxes? The foreigners never mentioned them!”
“They don’t want them yet. But they will—once I go back and tell them they do.”
Principal Chen: “…” She’s just making stuff up!
He prided himself on being composed, but traveling with Su He made his heart leap into his throat constantly.
Still, if this trip could help them bring an instant noodle production line to An County and improve local livelihoods, the old man steeled himself like a soldier going to battle.
Su He chuckled at his determined look. “Principal, relax. I’ve got this!”
He gave her a sharp look but wasn’t quite as tense anymore.
They entered the office building and headed straight to the third floor. The first room on the left belonged to Chief Wei of the sales department.
Su He knocked.
“Come in!”
They entered. The office was modest. A bespectacled middle-aged man looked up and studied them, his gaze lingering briefly on the shopping bag in Su He’s hand.
He looked at Principal Chen and asked, “Comrade, which unit are you from?”
Naturally, he assumed the older man was the one in charge.
But Principal Chen said nothing—afraid he’d slip up.
It was Su He who stepped forward confidently. “Hello, Chief Wei. I’m Su He, an external counselor for the night school in An County, Beiliao Province. This is our Principal Chen.”
Chief Wei was stunned.
A night school from the countryside? What on earth are they doing here? This has nothing to do with us at all!
