Chapter 54

The winter night was a bit lonely. The moon in the sky was very clear, and the piercing cold wind swept the sky clean like a broom. The stars had all come out, and many people had already fallen asleep. However, in a small meeting room of the art department at Donghu University, over a hundred beautiful girls had gathered. The room was warm with the heater on, and the girls had taken off their coats, making the room look like a garden in full bloom, a feast for the eyes.

Sun Xiaozhu kept his head down, his face flushed. He hardly dared to speak, for these girls were truly stunning, with their alluring eyes and playful smiles. Their slightly upturned lips made anyone who saw them want to kiss them. Moreover, they were college students! Just a glance could make one's heart bloom. It was incredible that Sun Xiaozhu was actually doing business with them tonight. Thinking of this, Sun Xiaozhu felt as if he had drunk a cup of cola, sweet to the core!

The water in the city really nourished people! Look at Director Cheng, so young and yet so smart. His mind was as intricate as a beehive on the hillside back home! They had been troubled by the apples for so many days, but with one move from Director Cheng, the big problem was solved! This was what it meant to be efficient and effective, to be busy but not chaotic!

A few girls were chattering and laughing, some deliberately urging Sun Xiaozhu to speak, asking if he had a wife and if he wanted to find a girl to marry. Others were discussing the night's earnings.

"I went to the tax school, and the students there are so rich. A boy bought five golden apples for his girlfriend at once, how generous!" A girl with long hair said enviously, exaggerating, "If any boy spent that much on me, I'd be so touched!"

Her words made the other girls giggle. One girl smiled mysteriously and said, "Stop pretending! I have a secret to tell you all. When we were selling the apples, a boy stood there and quietly asked me if you had a boyfriend."

"Really?" A curious girl laughed, "Why didn't you tell him that just five golden apples could take her away?"

"Do you think Yangyang is so easy to fool? With her high standards, she would only look for a prince charming like Senior Cheng," the girl who spoke first said, ignoring her friend's protests.

The girls burst into laughter. Yangyang tossed her hair and said confidently, "What's wrong with me liking someone like Senior Cheng? One of my conditions for a future boyfriend is that he can support me!"

"Yeah, but it's a pity that Senior Cheng is already taken!" A teasing voice came from the crowd.

"Yangyang, ignore those crazy girls. We went to the teacher's college, and we sold nearly two hundred golden apples. According to the commission Senior Cheng gave us, each of us will get at least 150 yuan!" A tall girl said proudly.

Yangyang, of course, could tell her friend was showing off. She smiled sweetly, "We didn't sell as many golden apples as you, but we sold three baskets of regular apples, which isn't bad. I can finally buy that coat I wanted!"

"Alright, everyone, stop fooling around. When we get our pay, you all should treat me to a meal. If it weren't for me, you wouldn't have had this opportunity!" Xu Meizhen walked over, smiling and teasing.

"Sure, I'll treat you to breakfast for a week! I'll buy you fried dough sticks and soy milk every day!"

"Not sincere enough!" Xu Meizhen pretended to be angry and pinched Yangyang. Just as they were about to play around, a pretty girl walked over and said, "Xiaohé, Yanyan, come over, it's time to divide the money!"

They ran over and heard Sun Xiaozhu calling, "Number eleven."

In the small office, Cheng Jieming was calculating the accounts, while Gu Xixi was taking notes. Sun Zhihai and a few other men were counting the remaining apples in a box.

"Hello, Senior Cheng." A gentle voice sounded in the room. Cheng Jieming looked up and saw the gentle and graceful Xiaoe. She was a refreshing sight.

"Sit down. I've looked at your results. You sold 130 golden apples and 721 regular apples. Altogether, you made..." Cheng Jieming calculated and announced the result.

Xiaoe took out a stack of money from her pocket, "Senior Cheng, please count the money."

Cheng Jieming took the money, counted it, and smiled, "According to the commission we agreed on, your commission is 202 yuan, plus 150 yuan for your work, totaling 352 yuan. Here, 360 yuan, for the three of you to divide."

"Senior, actually, we are four people," Xiaoe said softly, looking at Cheng Jieming who was quickly calculating.

Four people? Cheng Jieming slapped his head, "I forgot that. Take the money. Sign here, and tell Xu Meizhen and the others that they did a good job today."

Xiaoe nodded and left the room gracefully.

Counting money was a very satisfying task, but today Cheng Jieming felt a bit strained. However, he wasn't alone, and he managed to finish all 33 groups in 50 minutes.

After putting all the money in the prepared money box, Cheng Jieming went outside the meeting room. The girls were still there, excitedly comparing how much they had earned.

After all, the monthly living allowance from the school was only about 50 yuan, and they had earned two months' worth in one night. How could they not be excited?

Seeing Cheng Jieming come in, someone started clapping, and soon the applause became even more enthusiastic.

Cheng Jieming didn't go to the podium but stood in a random spot, smiling, "I want to thank all the younger sisters for your help today. Without your teamwork, we wouldn't have had this success. Now, on behalf of my companions and myself, I want to express our sincere gratitude for your hard work."

As Cheng Jieming bowed, the room erupted in applause. The girls' actions were truly impressive. Someone shouted, "Senior Cheng, you are so talented, I love you!"

This made Cheng Jieming a bit embarrassed. Although he was usually open-minded, he was a bit nervous, especially with Gu Xixi standing behind him.

The best way was to act indifferent. So, Cheng Jieming blushed slightly and continued, "Thank you all for your hard work. Many of you have been busy all night and haven't had dinner. To show our appreciation, I've prepared some instant noodles and pickled vegetables for everyone to fill your stomachs. However, to consider everyone's figure, each person can only take two bags. Giving more would be a crime against beauty!"

Cheng Jieming's humorous words made many girls laugh, and the atmosphere in the small meeting room became even more harmonious.

"Alright, it's getting late. I won't say more. Thank you all, and have a happy Christmas Eve." Cheng Jieming pointed at Sun Xiaozhu, "Go to Xiaozhu to get your food. If anyone really feels two bags aren't enough, you can quietly take an extra one!"

Another round of friendly laughter followed. Just as everyone was about to take the instant noodles and leave, a girl with big eyes stood up, "Senior Cheng, I have a question. In a few days, it will be New Year's Day. Will you organize such an activity again? If there's a chance, don't forget us!"

This girl's words made the other girls look at Cheng Jieming with hopeful eyes.

Cheng Jieming shook his head, "Such activities can't be repeated. We did well this time because we were well-prepared. By New Year's Day, there will be all kinds of gifts. Of course, if you want to try, you can do it on a smaller scale, and you might still have some success."

This dampened the enthusiasm of many girls. As it was getting late, they started to leave one by one.

"Senior Cheng, today is Christmas Eve. Xiaoe wants to buy two apples to take home to her family. Can you give her a discount?" Li Yijing, with her curvaceous figure, came to Cheng Jieming's side and whispered.

"Discount?" Cheng Jieming slapped his head and smiled, "Oh, I forgot. Since today is Christmas Eve, to thank everyone for their hard work, we will give each of you two apples. Choose whichever you like."

"Long live Senior Cheng!" After selling apples all night, the girls were quite interested in getting an apple. Li Yijing, seeing her sisters rush over, said embarrassedly, "Senior Cheng, this will cost you a lot."

"It's okay, as long as everyone is happy!"

The girls left contentedly. Cheng Jieming looked at the messy warehouse and smiled at Sun Zhihai, "Let's go, we can count the earnings now!"

PS: Please recommend, collect, and click on all kinds of tickets!