The Reborn Sidekick Rejected The Male Lead
Chapter 116 - 114: The Very Cunning Jiang Somebody

Chapter 116: Chapter 114: The Very Cunning Jiang Somebody

Liu Guojun looked at the content and exclaimed joyfully, "Comrade Lu, your painting is really entertaining. If this gets published, it’s certain to stir up a lot of buzz."

Seeing Liu Guojun praising the work, others from different seats also stood up and joined in after seeing Lu Jingqiu’s drawings, praising one after another, "Young people really have novel ideas. We used to think that everyday things aren’t that interesting to paint, but how come they become so colorful in Comrade Lu’s hands?"

"Exactly, that painting of the compound’s daily routine has many fans in the military district. Our leaders even said you are a rare talent."

"You editors are too kind. I also put a lot of effort into observing before painting these."

Liu Guojun said, "Comrade Lu, I heard you work at the Children’s Publishing House in West City. Have you considered working in Capital City? Our newspaper would warmly welcome you any time."

Lu Jingqiu quickly declined, "Thank you for your invitation, but I’m about to start college soon, so I probably won’t be able to join the workforce for a few years."

"You got into college? Which one?"

"The Art College in our West City."

"Oh, if only you had chosen a university in Capital City, it would have been closer, and it would be more convenient to commission work from you in the future."

Lu Jingqiu smiled, "We can still communicate by writing letters in the future."

"Alright then, since you’ve come, let’s keep these three drawings. Also, I would like to discuss with you a few illustrations." As he spoke, he pulled out a newspaper and pointed at the front page, "Mid-Autumn Festival, National Day, and Double Ninth Festival. We have these three festivals during September and October. Each one will need a prominent spread. For Mid-Autumn Festival, we need illustrations with the festival as the backdrop showcasing the spirit of our military. The National Day theme must include Tiananmen Gate, and for Double Ninth Festival, our theme is to pay respects to old soldiers."

"I can do that. I will think it over once I get back."

"Good."

Liu Guojun saw that Lu Jingqiu had made a special trip, and took her for a tour around the newspaper office, which was much busier than the publishing house.

The publishing house wasn’t putting out many books now, just a dozen or so a year, and during busy times they didn’t even have time to take a sip of water.

They were a weekly publication, and they had to get the content for the next issue sorted, typeset, proofread, printed, and distributed within a few days.

Because it was busy, Lu Jingqiu didn’t linger long. After leaving, she walked a few steps and had arrived at the compound.

Since she was unfamiliar with the place, she had also registered at the guard post.

When Lu Jingqiu returned, Aunt Zhang was cooking lunch, and Grandpa Jiang had just come back from playing chess at the activity center.

"Jingqiu, where’s Nanzhou? Isn’t he with you?"

"Grandpa, I made a trip to the newspaper office next door and didn’t ask him to accompany me. He happened to have something to do with his friends, and he probably won’t come back for lunch. Grandpa, wasn’t it hot at the activity center?"

"Not hot. There are two big trees behind the activity center that provide shade, so it’s quite cool there. We were all fanning ourselves with palm-leaf fans. By the way, today your Aunt Zhang bought some sweet melons. Let’s try them."

"Okay."

Lu Jingqiu helped Grandpa Jiang sit down and then went into the kitchen, "Aunt Zhang, what are we having today? Do you need any help?"

"No need, no need. The kitchen is too hot. You chat with the chief. We’re having noodles with soybean paste today, and the noodles will be ready soon. I’ve already cut the sweet melons. They’re on the cutting board and so sweet. They said it’s from their own farm."

"Alright."

Lu Jingqiu carried the sweet melons to the living room and had a slice with Grandpa Jiang. They really were quite sweet and fragrant.

"If Jingqiu likes it, I’ll have your Aunt Zhang try to find some more in the market tomorrow," he said.

"Grandpa, don’t make Aunt Zhang go through the trouble. It’s hard to come by such melons."

At this moment, Aunt Zhang came out with a small basin of stew, joining the conversation, "They’re available. This morning when I bought them, he had an entire tricycle cart full. It didn’t take long before people coming and going bought it all. Some people who didn’t manage to buy any were told that he would bring another cart to the small square in the front later in the afternoon, around two or three o’clock. Three cents a pound, no tickets needed."

Lu Jingqiu stood up to help Aunt Zhang carry the noodles to the kitchen, saying, "Has it become this bold now?"

Grandpa Jiang said, "The day before yesterday, a document came down from above, saying it’s been liberalized. As soon as it was reported, many people became more active."

Lu Jingqiu knew it would happen in the next few months, but she hadn’t expected the policy to come down so quickly.

Aunt Zhang said, "Exactly, when I went to buy vegetables today, I already saw a couple of people coming out to sell their goods."

Curiosity piqued, Lu Jingqiu said, "Aunt Zhang, I’ll go with you to take a look this afternoon."

"Sure."

"Where are you going?"

They were just talking when Jiang Nanzhou came back and asked.

Grandpa Jiang pointed to the melons on the table, saying, "They’re talking about going to buy sweet melons this afternoon. Try one, they’re really sweet."

Aunt Zhang repeated today’s events to Jiang Nanzhou, who wasn’t much surprised, "Cheng Yi already told me. They’re liberalizing it now; from here on, people can do legitimate business without interference."

Lu Jingqiu nodded, holding the nicely prepared noodles with soybean paste in her hands, "Have you eaten?"

Jiang Nanzhou replied, "I have." Smelling the appetizing aroma, he got up and served himself a half-bowl to taste.

While eating, he asked, "How did it go at the newspaper office?"

"They said my drawings were pretty good, and that this summer’s Military Academy Class was quite meaningful. They’re planning to publish it next week." Lu Jingqiu said, her lips curving into a smile, unable to conceal her pride—she had also received a sizeable payment that day, more than twenty bucks.

After the meal, Jiang Nanzhou helped clear the dishes, and Lu Jingqiu watched him busily working and chatted with him, enjoying the sense of peace and tranquility, a calm and content feeling.

When Jiang Nanzhou returned that day, he was carrying a bunch of books. Lu Jingqiu followed him into the room and asked, "Can I take a look?"

Jiang Nanzhou replied, "My task this time is to work on some foreign journals and magazines, so yes, you can look."

"We’re leaving the day after tomorrow, why are you still taking on tasks?"

"This small stack, I can translate in two days. Even if I don’t finish, I can do it when I’m free back in the unit."

Lu Jingqiu knew that Jiang Nanzhou wasn’t in a single dormitory, and taking these out would certainly be inconvenient, "You can come to my house then. My study can lend itself to you."

Jiang Nanzhou thought the idea was good, but it would require Uncle Lu’s approval; otherwise, he was sure to get a beating.

"Isn’t it said that we’re going to buy sweet melons this afternoon? I’ll accompany you."

"Weren’t you and your buddies planning to get together?"

"That’s in the evening. Come meet some people with me."

Lu Jingqiu hesitated, "You guys, a bunch of men, drinking—I better not."

With a touch of tenderness, Jiang Nanzhou took her hand, "I can not drink."

Lu Jingqiu glanced at him, pulled her hand free, and left the room, "Rest up." His gaze had sent a tremor through her; she feared if she stayed, he might do something.