Chapter 507 | Chapter 508 | Chapter 509
Chapter 507: The General Store is Packed
However, Sheng Wanyan had long since given strict instructions to everyone in the family: Yi Yi was only allowed to eat two pieces of candy a week.
She could only have two pastries a week, and all other snacks were strictly off-limits, with the sole exception of fresh fruit.
Gu Tingxiao didn’t dare disobey his wife’s orders, and Grandfather Sheng, Grandma Sheng, as well as Mother Sheng all knew about her toothache, so none of them dared to feed her.
Yi Yi’s expectations had been beautiful, but the reality was cruel.
She could only look but couldn’t eat. In the end, she couldn’t hold back her tears and left crying.
“Dear neighbors, thank you all for coming to support us today. We will be relying on your kind patronage from now on.”
Mother Gu stood at the entrance holding a megaphone and spoke a few words; after all, a sense of ceremony was still necessary.
“Wonderful!”
“Today marks the grand opening of our general store. Any customer who comes to buy things today or tomorrow will receive a flat 12% discount across the board!”
“For those purchasing today, you not only get the discount, but you also get a ‘buy ten, get one free’ deal!”
The crowd instantly grew ecstatic upon hearing this. Getting a discount on purchases was one thing, but they even got a free item on top of that!
“Is that real or fake?”
“Yeah! Really buy ten get one free? Can it be any item?”
“Yes! It’s absolutely true!”
The moment Mother Sheng confirmed it, the crowd wished they could rush inside immediately to pick out their items. No one wanted to miss out on such a great bargain.
“Quick, quick, quick, open the doors!”
“That’s right! Let us in to have a good look.”
“Stop chatting and hurry it up!”
Hearing their urges, Mother Sheng didn’t delay any further. She opened the doors directly to let everyone inside to shop. The moment they stepped in, Grandfather Sheng and Grandma Sheng were already waiting for them.
“Everyone, please place your own baskets and bags on the shelves over there.”
“We have designated baskets here for you to hold your items. You can just grab one for yourselves!”
Some of the incoming customers were a bit unhappy with this rule, but the moment they looked up and saw the words written on the banners, they were instantly won over.
Of course, there were also those who refused to leave their bags behind, but Sheng Wanyan had instructed that there was no need to do business with such people.
After all, everyone knew exactly what was what, so there was no need to force a profit out of them.
“Why aren’t we allowed to bring our own baskets inside?”
“Folks, our place isn’t like the supply and marketing cooperative where a clerk fetches things for you.”
“Here, we allow you to browse and pick out everything yourselves. We want everyone to have a happy, harmonious, and pleasant shopping experience.”
“If we cooperate and understand each other, everyone stays happy, don’t you agree?”
Mother Sheng was an absolute expert at handling these matters. With just a few sentences, she managed to soothe the disgruntled elderly women.
Hearing her words, the crowd also felt it made sense. After all, experiencing the joy of picking out items by oneself was entirely different.
“Makes sense!”
“Exactly! After all, everyone is afraid of thieves, aren’t they?”
The crowd placed their personal baskets and bags into the designated cubbies, took the store’s shopping baskets, and began browsing.
This feeling of being able to select items, inspect the goods, and weigh things by themselves was indescribably wonderful.
It was entirely incomparable to the supply and marketing cooperative, where they had to endure the sour faces of the shop clerks.
Grandfather Sheng and Grandma Sheng acted as guides. Whenever anyone couldn’t find an item, they would step in to inform them.
“They even sell meat and vegetables here!”
“Yeah, this is going to be so convenient in the future. We won’t have to trek to the supply and marketing cooperative, and most importantly, no coupons are required.”
“Exactly, to think that buying things here doesn’t require coupons at all.”
The crowd couldn’t contain their delight upon learning that coupons weren’t needed. In this era, ration coupons were the absolute lifeblood.
Without coupons and proper certificates, it was practically impossible to take a single step.
Mother Gu found the whole setup incredibly novel, so she grabbed a basket herself and began browsing around.
There were also many children’s toys here. The kids who saw them were instantly glued to the spot. Each of them held a bag of marbles in their hands, their eyes filled with absolute adoration.
“There are toy pistols too!”
“Where? Where?”
The children became instantly excited upon hearing there were toy pistols, dashing over to look.
“I want one, I want one.”
“I want this one too.”
Grandma Sheng quickly took them down for the children. Once the kids got a hold of their beloved toys, they cradled them tightly in their arms, refusing to let go.
“Come, which of you wants one?”
“I’ll get it down for you.”
Grandma Sheng and Grandfather Sheng were exceptionally nimble, and the smiles on their faces couldn’t be hidden no matter how hard they tried.
“Thank you, Grandma Sheng.”
Carrying their chosen toys, the children went to find their respective parents. Some parents were willing to buy them, while others scolded them for wasting money.
But in the end, unable to withstand the children’s whines and pleas, they could only buy them.
Mother Sheng was at the checkout counter ringing up the bills for everyone. Her movements were brisk, and her change-making was exceptionally fast and precise.
Sheng Wanyan had already placed several hundred yuan of loose change in the general store beforehand, neatly tied up in small bundles so the amount could be determined at a glance.
This made it very convenient when Mother Sheng needed to give change. If she ever came across a tricky calculation, she would simply slide the beads on the abacus beside her.
Mother Sheng was incredibly shrewd in this regard; making a mistake with change was an absolute impossibility for her.
She treated every single penny and dime with absolute seriousness. After all, this generation was used to being frugal, and losing even a single penny would break their hearts.
“With the discount applied, the total comes to four yuan, eighty-five fen.”
“Since you’ve bought ten items here, you can choose one free item.”
“Wonderful, wonderful.”
This elderly woman happened to be the wife of the village chief. The village chief’s house was located at the head of the village, and Aunt He was a highly enthusiastic person.
Aunt He went over to select a pound of meat and headed back home with her purchases, smiling from ear to ear.
This was truly an incredible bargain. In a moment, she was going to tell her daughters-in-law, sons, and grandchildren to come buy things. If the whole family came, wouldn’t they get over a dozen free items?
Aunt He harbored a beautiful thought and hurried home to instruct her daughters-in-law, sons, grandsons, and granddaughters to go buy things.
When Sheng Wanyan finished her classes at noon, she came straight over to the general store.
Seeing that the place was still packed with a sea of people even during the dead of noon, the smile on Mother Sheng’s face hadn’t faded for a single second.
Sheng Wanyan took a look around, then headed home to eat lunch, while also dropping off lunch for Grandfather Sheng and the others.
“Grandpa, Grandma, Mom.”
“Wanyan!”
Seeing her arrive, Mother Sheng couldn’t wait to share the joy and harvest of the morning with her.
“Wanyan, there are so many customers! The neighbors from around here have already come back several times.”
“Mom, why haven’t you guys gone home to eat lunch yet?”
“Oh~ there’s no rush. It won’t be too late to head back and cook once the crowd thins out a bit.”
Mother Sheng’s mind was entirely consumed by earning money. Sheng Wanyan also assessed the situation in the shop; although the foot traffic was heavy, everyone selected their own items, so having one person keep an eye on things was more than enough.
“I brought food for you guys, so take turns eating.”
“Don’t delay your meal times like this next time. Don’t ruin your health just to make money.”
“Ai! I know, don’t you worry, alright?”
How could Mother Sheng not know that her daughter was simply aching for them? But the moment she thought about going back to cook and missing out on earning so much money, she felt deeply unsettled.
“Mom, even if you don’t eat, Grandpa and Grandma still have to eat.”
“Don’t ruin your health over this little bit of money, it’s not worth it.”
“If you guys are reluctant to stop and eat, then I’ll have no choice but to hire someone.”
“Alright, alright, alright, I can’t out-argue you.”
Mother Sheng was in high spirits and didn’t feel like bickering with her. She also understood these principles and would just pay more attention in the future.
“Let your grandpa and grandma eat first, I’ll keep an eye on things.”
Sheng Wanyan nodded and placed the food on the table inside the warehouse. Grandfather Sheng and Grandma Sheng put down the work in their hands and went over to eat.
Chapter 508: The Close-Door Disciple
Sheng Wanyan didn’t go back to rest. She stayed to look after the incoming customers, helping them find whatever they needed.
Gu Tingxiao walked over holding Yi Yi. Full of curiosity, Yi Yi watched everyone select their own things. Not to be left out, she grabbed a small shopping basket and began strolling around.
“Wife, you and Yi Yi go back and rest. I’ll help Grandpa, Grandma, and Mom.”
“No need, no need, all of you go back.”
“I can handle it just fine. It’s not hard labor, so why do we need so many people?”
Mother Sheng truly didn’t find it overwhelming. Compared to her days at the factory, this was infinitely easier. It was just a matter of opening her mouth and moving her legs; there couldn’t be a lighter job than this.
“Hurry back now. Wanyan still has to go to class this afternoon.”
Mother Sheng shooed them away. Yi Yi’s shopping spree was forced to a halt, and she looked up at Sheng Wanyan, clutching her basket.
Sheng Wanyan looked down and saw that her basket was filled with candies, pastries, and toys. She paid for them and took her back.
“How many candies has Yi Yi eaten this week?”
“One~”
“Since the general store opened today, Yi Yi can eat one extra candy this week.”
“Yay~”
Yi Yi held her and Gu Tingxiao’s hands, skipping all the way back home before lying down next to Sheng Wanyan to rest.
Gu Tingxiao went to brush the mother and daughter’s shoes clean. Yi Yi’s shoes, in particular, were covered in mud, looking exactly like a little beggar’s shoes.
In the afternoon, Sheng Wanyan went to school for her classes, while Yi Yi was sent to her dance class.
Father Gu and Mother Gu had come in the morning, but after staying for only a short while, they were called back by the military region and hadn’t even had time to stay for lunch.
At first, Sheng Wanyan’s general store was patronized by the surrounding neighbors. Later, as word slowly spread, many students from the nearby universities also found out about the shop.
The students would come to check out the excitement after classes and bought quite a few things. Word spread from ten to a hundred, and in less than a week, it became a hotspot.
College students from the surrounding Peking University, Tsinghua University, Beijing Dance Academy, and so on all loved coming here to buy things.
It was not only close by but also convenient. The styles and varieties of goods were extensive, and it was genuinely fun to browse.
In an era with so little entertainment, this kind of shop model was exceptionally novel and popular.
Once the general store became well-known, even though the foot traffic later on wasn’t as overwhelming as the first few days, it remained very stable.
Time quickly flew to mid-April. Sheng Wanyan was called to the office by her major professor, Professor Zhao.
“Professor.”
“Sit down.”
Sheng Wanyan sat down and looked at Professor Zhao. Professor Zhao didn’t speak immediately; instead, he took out an envelope.
“This is?”
“This is the prize money from the state, as well as the prize money from the Bingcheng government.”
“Prize money?”
Sheng Wanyan had completely forgotten that she had prize money coming her way. Well, look at that—money was delivering itself right to her door.
“Yes, you were the top scorer of the national college entrance examination in Bingcheng, so naturally there is prize money.”
“However, since you aren’t in Bingcheng, the state issued it collectively to the school.”
“The state gave you 300 yuan, and the Bingcheng government gave you 200.”
“Count it up. If the amount is correct, sign your name.”
Sheng Wanyan nodded and counted the money on the spot. It did indeed add up to 500 yuan, not a penny more, not a penny less.
“It’s correct.”
“Sign here.”
Sheng Wanyan signed the receipt for the prize money. However, she knew that Professor Zhao calling her here definitely wasn’t just for this.
“Student Sheng Wanyan, what are your plans for the future?”
“Professor, I will follow the state’s arrangements.”
College students nowadays were assigned jobs by the state upon graduation. Even if she had her own plans, she wouldn’t dare voice them out loud.
Hearing her reply, Professor Zhao let out a sigh. He didn’t speak further but lowered his head in thought. Only after a long while did he look up again.
“Student Sheng Wanyan, are you interested in becoming my close-door disciple?”
“What?!”
Sheng Wanyan truly hadn’t expected Professor Zhao to lose his patience so quickly. She had thought this old man would hold out for another month or two before approaching her about this.
What she didn’t know was that Professor Zhao had originally planned exactly that—to observe her for a few months first.
But later on, he saw that during her month or so at school, not only did she master Russian flawlessly, but even French—which she took as an elective—was spoken better than by those who majored in it!
The professors over at the French department were desperately trying to poach her. Once he found out, how could he possibly sit still?
Moreover, in every single weekly and monthly exam for every subject, she scored full marks and took first place!
He had even begun to suspect whether this girl had held back her true capabilities during the national college entrance examination.
A language talent like her ought to be nurtured properly. She should learn a few more languages so she could shine brightly in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the future! She could defend the rights and interests of the motherland at international conferences and bilateral meetings.
“Are you interested in becoming my close-door disciple?”
“I have many students under my name, but a close-door disciple… I don’t have one yet.”
“Your language talent is superb, and your comprehension skills are strong. It would be a crying shame to waste such talent.”
Professor Zhao spoke very bluntly. He had taught so many students, all of whom were pillars of the state, but he hadn’t encountered a suitable candidate to be his close-door disciple in all these years.
He had observed Sheng Wanyan for over a month. This girl clearly handled her studies with absolute ease, yet she hated standing out in the crowd.
Every time there was an event, she acted like a ghost, and whenever there was a research topic, she never fought for the position of group leader.
She was obviously so capable, yet she chose to keep such a low profile.
He felt that if he didn’t bring this up to her himself, she would never think about it, let alone work toward it.
He had been exasperated to the core, which was why he kept calling her out in class just to give her some presence.
Yet, the moment she finished answering a question, she would immediately diminish her own presence again. She only surfaced during exams. Normally, if it weren’t for her beautiful face, her classmates would have almost forgotten she existed.
This type of person was typically… asking for it.
It was impossible for Sheng Wanyan to reject such a massive stroke of good fortune. This was practically a pie falling straight from the sky.
“You can think it over carefully. There’s no rush to give me an answer right away.”
Professor Zhao also knew that Old Hu’s side was trying to recruit her. She was capable and outstanding enough that many people had their eyes on her.
“Professor, I am willing!”
Sheng Wanyan was also very direct. She originally hadn’t thought about apprenticing herself to a master, but since the pie had fallen, it was impossible for her to refuse it, right?
She hadn’t stolen or robbed it; she earned it purely through her own capability.
“Really?!”
Professor Zhao thought his ears were playing tricks on him. He stood up in excitement, his hands trembling in disbelief.
He had locked her down just like that???
A mentor for a day is a father for life. Once she acknowledged him as her master, she wouldn’t be able to run away in the future.
“Yes, Professor, I am willing.”
“I will have to trouble you to guide me and look after me a lot in the future.”
Sheng Wanyan stood up and bowed to him. The formal apprenticeship gifts would definitely be prepared later on.
“Good, good, good!”
Professor Zhao quickly helped her up, his eyes filled with nothing but affection and satisfaction as he looked at her.
“From now on, you are my close-door disciple.”
“We are family from now on, so there’s no need for so much formality.”
“I will notify your senior brothers later so they can come back to attend the apprenticeship ceremony.”
Although Professor Zhao’s other students weren’t close-door disciples, they had still held apprenticeship ceremonies and were genuine senior brothers.
“Alright.”
Chapter 509: Conflict in the Dormitory
“Alright.”
“From now on, you will study by my side. I will arrange some additional classes for you on my end.”
“How far have you gotten with your French? I know five foreign languages. If you’re interested, you can tell me at any time.”
“However, for now, you should still take steady, solid steps to master the two languages you are currently studying.”
Professor Zhao quickly laid out a list of study tasks for her, all of which Sheng Wanyan accepted.
Encountering such a good mentor was a rare and fortunate thing, so she naturally could not bring shame to Professor Zhao.
“This disciple understands.”
Professor Zhao pulled out a study plan and handed it to her. When Sheng Wanyan saw it, the corners of her mouth twitched slightly; so this was what the old man had been holding back for her.
“Start by studying according to this plan. If there are books listed that you cannot find, just let me know.”
“I have quite a collection of books at home. I’ll take you there to grab them when the time comes.”
“Your senior mother is exceptionally skilled at making pastries. You’re in for a real treat.”
Professor Zhao tried every means to entice her. Hearing this, Sheng Wanyan smiled and nodded. The old man was coaxing her like a child, thinking a few pastries could win her over.
“Alright. When the time comes, I will definitely savor Senior Mother’s cooking.”
“Good, good, good. I’ll have your senior mother prepare them for you.”
Professor Zhao was overjoyed. He gave her a few more thorough reminders, telling her to begin studying according to the plan as soon as possible, before finally letting her leave.
Looking at the thick stack of the study plan in her hands, Sheng Wanyan shook her head with a smile.
Checking the time, it was already twelve-thirty in the afternoon. She could only grab a quick bite at the cafeteria and head to the dormitory to rest.
Sheng Wanyan placed the plan into her space, ordered two meat dishes and one vegetable dish at the cafeteria, and found a place to sit down.
Most people had already finished eating and returned to their dorms by this time. Wei Lili and Lin Meili happened to be eating as well. Seeing her arrive at the cafeteria, they came over to sit and keep her company.
“Wanyan, are you resting in the dorm this afternoon?”
“Yes, there’s no point in heading back home at this hour.”
Wei Lili smiled and nodded. After finishing her meal with Sheng Wanyan, they walked back to the dormitory together.
Upon returning to the room, Sheng Wanyan placed her backpack onto her bed, took off her shoes, and climbed up to rest.
“Lili, quick, lend me your laundry soap. I got my clothes dirty.”
Li Jiahua rushed back into the room in a huff, extending her hand toward Wei Lili to ask for the soap.
“I don’t have any. Buy your own.”
Wei Lili ignored her, turning her body to face the wall. She pulled up her blanket to sleep, showing a rift between the two that even Sheng Wanyan could clearly see.
“How can that be… You were clearly washing clothes last night…”
Seeing that Wei Lili refused to lend it to her, Li Jiahua couldn’t help but blurt out the truth.
The other girls in the dorm looked at the two of them. Hearing her words, Liang Fanghua rolled her eyes.
“Have you no shame, asking to borrow from Lili?”
“You’ve been borrowing it for a whole month. From the very beginning, you kept saying you’d buy your own, but we haven’t seen a single trace of it yet.”
“You say that as if the rest of you haven’t borrowed things before.”
Li Jiahua snapped back, refusing to back down. This immediately set off Liang Fanghua, whose straightforward temper could not tolerate such behavior.
“When we borrow things, we always return them. Have you ever returned anything?”
“We haven’t even seen a sliver of soap from you. Now that she bought a brand new bar, you’re eyeing it again.”
“Where is your shame!”
Liang Fanghua got into plenty of arguments with her. Over the past half month especially, conflicts between them had been frequent.
Li Jiahua constantly borrowed things from the other girls in the dorm but never returned them on her own. She would only hand them back when explicitly asked, and by then, the items would usually be half-ruined.
The last time Liang Fanghua lent her a dress, it ended up severely stained, turning from pink to an ugly gray.
When asked to compensate for it, Li Jiahua started playing the victim, making it look as though she were being bullied.
“What are you talking about! Mind your own business!”
Li Jiahua’s face flushed red with anger. The rest of the dorm had long grown used to this and acted as if they heard nothing.
The two of them managed to find something to argue about every single day; it seemed they felt uncomfortable if they didn’t bicker. Lin Meili sat on her bed, munching on a pastry while watching the show.
“I’m minding my own business? Then why don’t you pay me back the money you owe me for my dress?”
“Didn’t I already tell you I’d pay it back in installments? Who told you to buy a dress that stains so easily anyway?”
Li Jiahua’s temper flared as well, but since she couldn’t out-argue Liang Fanghua, she could only head back to her own bunk with a dark expression.
“You ruined my dress, and you still think you’re in the right?”
“When you asked to borrow it, I warned you about these things. You beat your chest and promised me you absolutely wouldn’t get it dirty.”
“And the result? Now that it’s ruined, you’re turning around to blame me. You’re truly ridiculous.”
Liang Fanghua didn’t back down for a second, leaving Li Jiahua utterly speechless. Li Jiahua could only sit on her bed with bloodshot eyes.
That dress cost a whopping 45 yuan; where was she supposed to find that much money?
Her national student allowance was only 10 yuan a month. Between eating, drinking, and basic survival, everything cost money. God knew how many years it would take her to clear this debt.
Liang Fanghua was a city girl, yet she still insisted on fussing over this with her.
She was clearly just looking down on her for being from the countryside. Acting as if a single dress made her someone extraordinary, bringing it up to lecture her day in and day out.
Sheng Wanyan knitted her brows, pulling the blanket over her head to block out the noise from outside.
Consumed by frustration, Li Jiahua sat on her bed and stewed in her anger. Fortunately, they didn’t continue shouting, and Sheng Wanyan quickly fell asleep.
Sheng Wanyan headed straight home after finishing her afternoon classes. The moment she arrived, she shared the wonderful news of her apprenticeship with Gu Tingxiao.
“Professor Zhao?”
“Yes, the very one who accompanied me during registration.”
Hearing that his wife had been taken in as a disciple by Professor Zhao, Gu Tingxiao felt immensely proud.
That was Professor Zhao, the former Minister of Foreign Affairs! He wasn’t just a monumental figure in the foreign language circle; he was someone who carried incredible weight on the international stage.
Countless people lined up hoping to study under him, only to be turned away at the door.
Even though he had taught many students over the years, with his pupils scattered all across the nation, not a single one had ever attained the status of a close-door disciple.
Now that his wife had been handpicked by Professor Zhao, it was a tremendous blessing.
“Wife, you’re truly amazing.”
Gu Tingxiao felt exceptionally proud. Whose wife could be as incredible as his, caught the eye of Professor Zhao himself?
“I’m not that amazing. Professor Zhao is simply a patriotic man who cherishes talent. It’s just that Uncle Hu’s side…”
After all, Uncle Hu was closer to them, yet she hadn’t entered his tutelage. It felt a little difficult to account for.
“Wife, Uncle Hu knows very well in his heart that Professor Zhao is far more suitable.”
“He will definitely be happy that you could enter Professor Zhao’s tutelage.”
“Only you know how to sweet-talk me.”
Sheng Wanyan remained somewhat anxious about Uncle Hu. Seeing her expression, Gu Tingxiao directly took her to see Uncle Hu to explain the matter face-to-face.
Upon hearing the news, Uncle Hu burst into hearty laughter. He had long known that Professor Zhao would take Sheng Wanyan in as a disciple.
Now that Sheng Wanyan could study under Professor Zhao, he couldn’t be happier. That was Professor Zhao!
Studying under him meant that the resources, connections, and knowledge available would be vastly superior to what he could offer on his own end.
“You must study diligently under Professor Zhao. He is a man of profound knowledge and immense righteousness.”
“In the future, you must be like him, striving for the rights and interests of our motherland on the international stage and defending its interests.”
“Yes, I will keep that in mind.”
