Back To The 80s-Chapter 375 - 385: Solution_1

It didn’t matter to Lu Zhanguo whether he used a carrot-and-stick approach or the other way round in his conversation. The art of speech was not important to him. All he needed was a simple and brutal solution to the problem.

"Director Zhan, did you conduct a price check before sealing the store? Although I’m a simple-minded soldier, I also know that inflating scarce goods prices, which harms the people’s interest, is what’s truly disruptive to the market order. Any merchandise in my wife’s store can withstand such scrutiny. The prices are neither lower than the factory price nor higher than the market price. What’s more, it brought convenience to ordinary people. Isn’t this promoting economic activity? Isn’t this flexible method of doing business serving that very purpose?" Lu Zhanguo’s words were on point, leaving Zhan Hezhi speechless.

Zhan Hezhi evaded his eyes and said, "We received a report and of course we had to handle it. Once we have clearly investigated the matter, we will definitely give Comrade Gu Xiaobei an explanation."

Lu Zhanguo leaned slightly forward, looking at Zhan Hezhi and slowly said, "Also, you’ve overstepped your boundaries with this matter, haven’t you, Director Zhan?"

Zhan Hezhi felt an oppressive and suffocating sensation from Lu Zhanguo’s slight leaning. The last words he uttered, "overstepped," made him break out in a cold sweat. Technically, this issue was a matter for the Pricing Bureau. Although the division of responsibilities was not clear, he had indeed overstepped his authority.

Before Zhan Hezhi could speak, Lu Zhanguo continued, "Military families usually receive special treatment when running businesses. My wife seems to have missed this privilege. I believe our leaders need positive stories like this to boost morale. By doing what you did, aren’t you disregarding all consequences?"

Zhan Hezhi’s forehead broke out in sweat. The municipality had always prioritized cooperation with stationed troops. Military families had preferential treatment for their work arrangements, which brought stability and security to the city. If, as Lu Zhanguo stated, they wanted to promote self-employment among military wives as a positive example, then his actions had inadvertently upset many people.

Lu Zhanguo noticed Zhan Hezhi’s changing complexion and straightened himself, "I hope, Director Zhan, that you can personally remove the seal tomorrow. It will be best for you both publicly and personally." His last comment was full of implication.

Zhan Hezhi forced a smile and said, "Now that the misunderstanding is cleared, rest assured. I will personally explain it to Comrade Gu Xiaobei tomorrow." Originally thinking that Gu Xiaobei was just an ordinary woman trying to make a living, he didn’t expect there to be so many underlying issues involved.

Lu Zhanguo nodded in satisfaction, stood up, and left without a backward glance.

Zhan Hezhi slumped in his chair, wiping cold sweat off his forehead. This man possessed an overwhelmingly formidable presence.

Gu Xiaobei was in the courtyard, helping Xiaopang learn to walk, when she heard the sound of a car braking at the entrance. She saw Lu Zhanguo marching briskly through the gate.

"How come you returned so early today?" Gu Xiaobei asked in surprise.

Lu Zhanguo bent over to pick up Xiaopang before replying, "I had to attend to some tasks in the city, so I came straight home afterwards. Where’s Mo Wang?"

"Dad took Mo Wang and Da Bing to the market across the bridge. They went to see if anyone was selling Yellow River carp. Ever since he found out Da Bing could help carry the shopping basket, Dad has been going shopping several times a day." Gu Xiaobei replied with a smile. Surprisingly, after retirement, Lu Songyuan became more childlike. Whenever someone praised Da Bing for his ability to carry the shopping basket, he would become extremely proud.

Seeing Gu Xiaobei’s face unmarked by anxiety, Lu Zhanguo sighed. She probably planned to keep what happened at home a secret.

Wen Xiuqing, who was weeding the vegetable plot, saw Lu Zhanguo’s return and came over, leaving her trowel behind. She said, "Everyone’s home quite early today. Let’s make dumplings for dinner."

"That sounds good, let’s make zucchini ones. I’ve noticed the zucchinis in the garden are getting a bit old." Gu Xiaobei suggested.

Wen Xiuqing agreed, "I’ll prepare the meat filling, you go pick the zucchini."

By the time Bai Xiaolan and Ji Xiangdong arrived, Gu Xiaobei and Wen Xiuqing had already prepared two big trays of dumplings.

As Gu Xiaobei was serving the cooked dumplings, she saw Wen Xiuqing packing some into an aluminum box. She knew they were for Lu Ruixue and pretended not to notice. As long as Lu Ruixue didn’t set foot in this house, she could do whatever she wanted outside.

During dinner, Lu Songyuan asked Ji Xiangdong, "Have you bought your return tickets?"

"We have, for the 20th of August." Ji Xiangdong understood the old couple’s reluctance to let them go, so he promised: "I’ll bring Xiaolan back during Spring Festival. At that time we can all go to Capital City together..."

Bai Xiaolan looked at Ji Xiangdong in surprise, "Can we really go back to Capital City?" Initially, she thought the mention of a wedding in Capital City was just talk. Considering the great distance, executing it would be difficult.

Ji Xiangdong looked at Bai Xiaolan and nodded warmly. As of now, he hadn’t slept with Bai Xiaolan. Firstly, the conditions weren’t ideal — he had to report back to the Party School every evening, and he didn’t want their first time to happen hurriedly in Bai Xiaolan’s dormitory. Secondly, he hoped to return to Shule River in August and have the elder Ji officiate their wedding. He wanted to give Bai Xiaolan a memorable prairie wedding.

Gu Xiaobei sighed, "Time flies so fast. When we have time, we’ll take our parents to visit you guys at Shule River."

Bai Xiaolan agreed with a smile, "That would be great. Xiangdong said that there, everyone rides horses to visit each other’s homes. Riding horses! By the time you come, I’ll have learned to ride, and I can teach you."

Ji Xiangdong fell silent on the side. He had meant that visiting herders’ homes required horse-riding, which was not quite the same as riding a horse to socialize.

Seeing Bai Xiaolan’s slight complacency, Gu Xiaobei couldn’t help teasing her, "Then you’ll have to work hard. Don’t let it be that when I get there, you still can’t get on a horse."

After a lively dinner, as soon as the sun went down, the courtyard became filled with mosquitoes and everyone had to retreat indoors. They chatted while watching television.

After washing the dishes, Wen Xiuqing hurriedly took the box of dumplings to visit Lu Ruixue.

Gu Xiaobei thought that since she didn’t have to wake up early tomorrow, she could let Xiaopang and Mo Wang sleep with them for the night.

Once the two kids had their baths, Gu Xiaobei entered the small bathroom next to the kitchen and took a shower. When she came back, she saw the kids sprawled on the kang like two little frogs, already asleep. "Why did you fall asleep so early today?" she whispered.

Lu Zhanguo lowered his voice, "Mom said both of them didn’t take long naps this afternoon. Probably, that’s why they’re tired."

As Gu Xiaobei was about to climb onto the kang, Lu Zhanguo grabbed her, pulling her to his side. He asked, "Is there something you want to tell me?"

"Not really. What are you referring to?" Gu Xiaobei asked in confusion.

Lu Zhanguo pinched her nose and said with dissatisfaction, "What about what happened in the store today?"

Finally, Gu Xiaobei realized that Wang Wei must have told Lu Zhanguo. She giggled and said, "It’s something I can handle. Don’t worry. I will surely give that Zhan a difficult time."

"I met with Zhan Hezhi this afternoon." Lu Zhanguo looked at the dumbfounded Gu Xiaobei and laughed softly.

Smiling, Gu Xiaobei lunged at Lu Zhanguo, pinning him beneath her. She whispered, "I didn’t intentionally hide it from you. I just didn’t want to worry you."