Chapter 2, The Fresh Flowers of May (4)

Peng Xuewen was at a loss when it came to dealing with his quirky little sister, pouting and letting out a sigh. He then helplessly shrugged his shoulders at Zhou Jue and, with a smile, suggested, "You all haven't eaten yet, right? Why don't we all eat together? This meal is on me!"

Soft, extremely soft, just like the neighbor's fourth sister's baby who has just turned one month old, warm, gentle, and with a hint of a tingling sensation

My name is Zhang Songling, from Shandong. I graduated from Shandong Provincial National First High School. I am very, very happy... Upon seeing the hand extended towards him, Zhang Songling felt even more embarrassed, his face turning red. Instinctively, he turned his hands behind his back, but fearing to embarrass his companions, he steeled his heart, quickly turned them out, and grasped the four fingers of the other party.

In just a few sentences, she revealed all the details about Peng Xuewen, leaving her brother with no time to signal her to stop. Zhou Jue found it strange, her brows slightly raised, and turned to look at Peng Xuewen, who showed no intention of explaining. She smiled and continued to ask, "So you haven't eaten yet today, right?! Let's eat together later! I bought some oil twists from the provincial capital; I'll take them out for you later!"

Given the unpleasantness of dealing with such a money-driven individual, Zhou Jue found it hardly worthwhile to engage further. He took up his pen and signed his name in the guestbook, then turned to arrange accommodations for everyone. After walking a few steps, he suddenly remembered that there were three coachmen in the group, and quickly stopped. He turned back to the man with the mustache and said, "Please change the reservation from single rooms to seven double rooms, as we have three coachmen with us. Additionally, please prepare space for six horses in the stable and provide some quality feed for them"

The latter part of the sentence was spoken by Peng Xuewen, who guessed Zhou Jue's intention and quickly shook his head with a smile, "We have five girls and six boys..."

"Of course you can pass, of course you can pass. Is it that easy to be the top student in the first provincial high school?" Peng Xuewen fully understood Zhang Songling's embarrassment at that moment. He smiled and walked over, patting him on the shoulder, "We believe in you! You are also welcome! Weiwei, please find the previous exam questions I collected for you and make a copy for Xiao Zhang! Let him have some psychological preparation with the materials!"

Stone Brother is not an outsider!" Peng Weiwei turned around and rolled her eyes at him

"Brother Stone, I can't believe it's really you. I thought my brother was playing a trick on me!" The girl, who was called Weiwei, had big eyes, long eyebrows, and a mouth that was both soft and sweet. "I haven't seen you in several years. That year, you and my brother took me to the countryside to catch birds, and we were chased by wild dogs. My brother ran away, but you spread your arms to protect me. Looking back now, it feels just like it happened yesterday"

Fang Guoqiang felt very displeased with this person's sudden appearance to seize the room and clumsily asking Zhou Jue for money. He quickly extended his hand to shake with the other party, then swiftly let go: "Nice to meet you! Zhou Jue mentioned to me a couple of days ago that they were going to send everyone's luggage to your dormitory. Fortunately, they didn't actually do that!"

Zhou Jue was taken aback for a moment, then turned his face back to the shopkeeper with the small mustache, "Then let's book five double rooms, plus one extra bed, all for one night! I will bring the deposit to you right away!"

With a chuckle, Peng Weiwei couldn't help but smile at the sight of Zhang Songling's boyish appearance

It is hard to express in just a few words! The young man, referred to as a scholar, shook his head and made a face full of anguish, saying, "Let’s not waste time with idle talk. Do you have any silver dollars? Please exchange some for me in case of emergency!"

These words were sharp and pointed, leaving Peng Xuewen feeling quite uncomfortable. However, he was currently in need of assistance, so it would not be appropriate for him to lose his temper. Just as he was feeling frustrated, he saw Zhou Jue give Fang Guoqiang's shoulder a firm pat and cheerfully add, "Da Fang, you first take 40 dollars from Han Qiu for him, and later I will reimburse you from my luggage. This is my personal expense; I will pay out of my own pocket and will not use public funds"

Scholar, is that you?! No wonder I felt you looked familiar just now! How did you end up here?!" The team leader, Zhou Jue, was both surprised and delighted, his eyes wide open as he laughed and asked.

Note 1: Youxuaner, a specialty snack from Jinan

In the yard behind the building, there are eight people per room, with each bed costing fifty cents. Rooms can be shared, and meals are not included. Little Huzi elongated his voice and responded very unhappily.

Nice to meet you! Nice to meet you! Peng Xuewen, dressed in a Zhongshan suit, stepped forward and主动 reached out his hand to Fang Guoqiang

"You need not concern yourself with that, shopkeeper, just arrange for seven single rooms!" Zhou Jue's face turned pale with anger, his brows raised as he emphasized loudly.

Today is definitely available, but if you don't make a reservation in advance for tomorrow, it's hard to say. When the time comes, don't blame me for not giving you a heads-up!" Little Huzi shrugged and reminded casually

"How can that be? We agreed that meals and accommodation would be provided!" Zhou Jue smiled kindly at the three of them and clasped his fists in salute. "Moreover, I owe a lot to the three of you on this journey!"

"If not, then I’ll just continue to borrow from you, Master Zhou!" Peng Xuewen put on a nonchalant expression, grinning. "Anyway, I have legal tender here. If they refuse to accept it, I’ll just exchange it with you. If you also refuse to exchange, then tomorrow I’ll go out to find a pawnshop and exchange it at a discount! I refuse to believe that in this Republic of China, the national legal currency will be treated as worthless paper!"

He does not find the fiat currency particularly detestable! This trip is to lead a team to recruit student soldiers; once on the battlefield, it is tantamount to entrusting one's life to fate. The foreign currency he carries may never be fully spent in this lifetime! Moreover, although fiat currency is not favored among the populace, government departments and the military will certainly not refuse it. Carrying a stack in his wallet for unforeseen needs is far more convenient than bringing along large amounts of foreign currency

Thank you, Brother Shitou. My father and mother are in good health. A few days ago, they praised you to me! Peng Weiwei's eyes sparkled, resembling a doll from a movie, and her way of speaking was similar. "I had nowhere to play during the summer vacation, so I went to Beijing to find my brother. Who would have thought that a war was about to break out there? Then my brother and his classmates said they would send me back home. I was unwilling, and they suggested taking me with them to Nanjing. As a result, the train suddenly stopped, and the buses were not running... Who would have thought that a war was about to break out there? Then my brother and his classmates said they would send me back home. I was unwilling, and they suggested taking me with them to Nanjing. As a result, the train suddenly stopped, and the buses were not running..."

Zhou Jue, who was obtaining silver dollars from Fang Guoqiang and others, was startled again, and then his face lit up with surprise, "Weiwei, you are here too?! Haha, it's been a few years since we last met, and you have actually grown so tall!"

That's great, that's great. I haven't had a fried dough twist in several years! Peng Weiwei, who was already so hungry that her eyes were turning dark, immediately clapped her hands in delight upon hearing about the delicious food.

"What does it matter whether it's a favor or not? Taking money from others and running errands for them is the rule in our line of work!" The oldest truck owner shook his head with a smile, "You really don't need to be so polite. The high room upstairs is not something we three can get used to. If you truly have the heart, just give us the saved rent in cash. We are about to go to war again, and we need to save a few dollars for emergencies!"

Thank you, Brother Zhou! The students from Beiping stepped forward to greet Zhou Jue. Zhou Jue quickly returned the gesture with a bow, simultaneously introducing his companions one by one to the others, "They are all my classmates from Shanda, juniors. Fang Guoqiang, Lu Ming, Tian Qingyu, Liu Jing, Han Qiu, Zhang Xiaorui, Li Di..." When he reached Zhang Songling, he paused for a moment and added with a smile, "This is Zhang Songling, a top student who graduated this year from Shandong National First Middle School, having achieved first place in all four subjects for the entire grade. He is planning to apply to your Peking University!"

In that moment, it was as if countless suns exploded before Zhang Songling's eyes, causing all the colors of the world to fade away

Ah! Upon meeting, my brother immediately wants to lend his belongings to a stranger, which makes Peng Weiwei respond with reluctance. Turning her head, she sees Zhang Songling's rosy face and finds him quite amusing. She smiles and says generously, "Once we settle down later, you can come find me to get it. My name is Peng Weiwei, I graduated this year from Handan Girls' High School, and it's a pleasure to meet you!"

Either a single room or a double room, our establishment has a rule: no sharing of rooms! With disdain for Zhou Jue's stinginess, the mustachioed innkeeper responded coldly

I, I, my teacher suggested that I apply to Peking University, but, I just don't know if I can get in!" Zhang Songling felt so embarrassed that he didn't know where to put his hands and feet, blushing as he stammered his response

"You owe me!" Peng Xuewen continued to grin, reaching out to put his arm around Zhou Jue's shoulder, smiling as he led him towards his companions, "Come, come, come, everyone, come meet our benefactor! If it weren't for him, we would really have to sleep on the streets tonight! Zhou Jue, Zhou as in Zhou Yu, and Jue as in dual jade. A native of Guoxian, nicknamed Zhou Bancheng..."

As he spoke, he turned around and smiled while introducing to Fang Guoqiang: "Dafang, this is Peng Xuewen, the outstanding Peking University student I mentioned to you, Scholar Peng. He is my classmate from high school. This is Fang Guoqiang, my classmate from university."

"Weiwei, how old are you? You are truly impressive!" Peng Xuewen was both amused and exasperated by his younger sister, and he stepped forward to gently tug at the hem of her clothing.

After all this back and forth, the members of the Blood Flower Society, who had originally been waiting outside, all came in with their respective luggage, standing in front of the inn's counter waiting for the arrangements of the little mustached man. Peng Xuewen walked outside for a moment and called his companions in as well. He grabbed one of them by the hand and quickly returned to Zhou Jue's side, saying, "Shitou, take a look at who this is!"

Seeing Peng Xuewen's shameless demeanor, Zhou Jue guessed that he was left with no choice. She smiled and nodded in agreement, saying, "Alright, I will exchange with you! Consider it as a debt I owe you from my past life! However, it cannot be too much!"

Sure, do you have money? They only accept cash!" Zhou Jue teased with a smile. The previous unpleasantness between her and Peng Xuewen regarding the arrangement of the coachman's accommodation had long since dissipated.

Is it true? Just now, the students from Beiping lost their dignity because they could not produce the large sum of money required for accommodation, but at this moment, they have all regained it and are now collectively turning their gaze towards Zhang Songling, asking in astonishment.

Indeed, indeed, in the blink of an eye, my Weiwei has already grown into a young lady!" Zhou Jue affectionately patted Peng Weiwei's hair like a caring older brother, "Time flies so fast. How are you spending time with your brother? How are your parents? Are they in good health?"

"Well, you have money; it's none of my business!" Peng Xuewen, having acted out of kindness, felt wronged and blushed as he spoke. Zhou Jue ignored him and insisted that the manager arrange the same level of guest rooms for the coachmen and the others. The three coachmen, who were helping the students with their luggage, overheard the conversation between Zhou Jue and Peng Xuewen. They exchanged glances and gently cupped their hands towards Zhou Jue, saying, "We three have a place that suits us just fine! Young Master Zhou, you don't need to specially book higher rooms for us." The three coachmen, who were helping the students with their luggage, overheard the conversation between Zhou Jue and Peng Xuewen. They exchanged glances and gently cupped their hands towards Zhou Jue, saying, "We three have a place that suits us just fine! Young Master Zhou, you don't need to specially book higher rooms for us."

Thank you very much, young master! The three coachmen happily bowed, then cast a sidelong glance at Peng Xuewen, set down the luggage, and walked away.

Fearing that the accommodation issue might lead to further complications, Zhou Jue quickly turned his head towards the shopkeeper with the small mustache and said, "Please book us five double rooms, one ... ... , wait a moment, scholar, did you just reserve a single room?"

Oh! Fang Guoqiang was filled with reluctance, but Zhou Jue had already declared that the funds raised by everyone would not be touched, so he felt it inappropriate to interfere further. He shrugged his shoulders and turned to find Han Qiu to get the silver dollars

This statement not only honored Zhou Jue's goodwill but also secured benefits for oneself, truly achieving a win-win situation. Seeing that Boss Che insisted on not living together with him, Zhou Jue could only smile and agree, "Alright, when we arrive in Beiping, I will add an extra three dollars for each of you."

The national legal currency is certainly not something anyone would dare to treat as waste paper. However, since the day it was issued, its value has been fluctuating unpredictably. The central government, apart from repeatedly instructing local institutions not to use old silver dollars and copper coins, has no effective solutions. Ordinary citizens, due to their lack of confidence in the central government's credibility, are also reluctant to exchange their hard currency for a pile of colorful paper notes.

"Great ocean, I still have some!" Zhou Jue had just listened enough to the conversation between the little mustache and the Zhongshan suit, nodding and smiling in response, "But I won't exchange with you, I'll just borrow it for now!"

Then five double rooms and one single room will suffice. Are there enough rooms available? This time we will be paying in cash! Zhou Jue, feeling helpless, could only say, "The guest's wishes are paramount."

You must be crazy to give such an expensive room to the cart drivers. Where can't they manage to stay for a night! Before the little mustache could respond, Peng Xuewen had already intervened, quickly adding to the counter: "Innkeeper, do you have rooms for the servants? In such a large hotel, you wouldn't mix the rich and the poor, allowing the masters and the servants to stay together, would you?"