Chapter 227

In the spring of 1979, as the leaders embarked on their southern tour, the winds of reform and opening up swept across the land of China.

Secretary Zhang received insider information. In the winter of 1979, a small village in another province secretly experimented with a household responsibility system, greatly increasing agricultural output. However, skepticism persisted among some, especially the lazy ones. Yet, those with a bit of political acumen knew after the meetings that reform and opening up were inevitable, including the household responsibility system.

In the summer, good news finally arrived from Sujia Village. Su Weimin received a notice from the county leaders informing him that Sujia Village was selected to pilot a household contract system for land distribution. However, the confidentiality agreement was signed, and the information was not to be disclosed to the public. Starting this season, households would receive additional compensation based on their work output. Besides the public grain that must be paid, all surplus grain would belong to each household.

Sujia Village had a big secret that could not be publicized. The residents could only return to their houses and hug their families with tears of gratitude.

At the end of the summer vacation of the same year, the movie “A Little Eight Route Army Man,” starring Yali and featuring guest appearances by Xiao Roubao and Xiao Tangyuan, premiered nationwide.

The kindergarten students, Han Xing, and Han Chen, became a sensation overnight, just as Director Chen had predicted. Their popularity surged, and everyone who saw them liked the pair of twins.

Dabao and Xiaobao used their aunt’s pocket money to take the whole family to the movies. Li Yufeng and Su Weimin were delighted to see their cute little grandchildren on the big screen, grinning from ear to ear.

Word spread quickly, and not only the adults but also Su’s three children were asked at school every day if they knew the twins from the movie and if they could meet them.

Xiaobao patiently explained hundreds of times that they were in the capital and unavailable for visits, but the inquiries kept coming, showing just how popular they were.

Xiao Roubao was recently walking with a noticeable aura. Wherever he went, people recognized him, greeted him, and said they liked him very much. Xiao Tangyuan had grown taller in the past two years, with a slightly sharper chin and more beauty. Although he wasn’t as easily recognizable with a new outfit and hairstyle, Xiao Roubao remained that cheerful, chubby little boy who was especially easy to spot.

One day, Xiao Roubao begged Uncle Gu to buy him sunglasses.

“People say that big stars have to wear sunglasses, but your mall doesn’t sell sunglasses? Why do you even have such a big mall if you don’t sell sunglasses?”

Gu Zhanwang was speechless.

“Xiao Roubao, as long as you are willing to be the spokesperson for our mall, Uncle Gu guarantees that you will not only have sunglasses but also hoodies, sneakers, and bell-bottom pants to wear. Do you agree?”

Xiao Roubao wasn’t easily fooled. He looked at his Uncle Gu warily and asked, “What’s a spokesperson? Can you eat it?” Xiao Roubao had recently lost some baby teeth, so his speech was a bit airy.

Gu Zhanwang replied, “A spokesperson isn’t something you can eat. Ah, no! That’s not what I meant! Basically, it just means you’ll have your picture taken and put up at the entrance of our mall and the children’s clothing store. In the future, not only will it be you, but all your siblings’ clothes, shoes, and socks will be taken care of by me. I’ll also give you some pocket money. How does that sound?”

Six-year-old Xiao Roubao looked at him skeptically. “Uncle Gu, I’m not a three-year-old anymore. Don’t try to trick me. My mom said there’s no such thing as a free lunch in this world. Getting so many benefits just for a few photos? I don’t believe it! Besides, I’m missing teeth, so I don’t even look good in photos!”

Gu Zhanwang: “…………”

Gu Zhanwang pulled Xiao Roubao into his arms and tickled him, making him laugh uncontrollably, “I don’t mind your missing teeth, so why should you mind me? If you’re going to be picky, I won’t bring you any more treats!” His blood pressure always shot up whenever he dealt with Han Cheng’s children; who had tricked them this time?

Xiao Roubao’s speech impediment didn’t stop him from being cheeky. With his laughter, he let out a bit of drool and said, “You still have to bring me treats, or I won’t recognize you!”

Now that Su Xiaoxiao and Han Cheng were too busy and couldn’t go to “Three Meals and Four Seasons.” Now, it was Tiantian’s Grandma who picked up the three kindergarten kids. The three older brothers, who were in middle school, sometimes stayed late at school for extra classes or played basketball, so they didn’t come home early. The shop was left with only Xiao Roubao and Xiao Tangyuan, and he had no one to talk to.

Bai Lan and Uncle Yang officially became married at the end of last year. They did not hold a grand celebration but simply set up a few tables in the shop and invited a few familiar friends for a meal and a small gathering, marking their new beginning.

She couldn’t help but laugh when she saw Gu Zhanwang teasing Xiao Roubao. A discerning person could see that he liked Xiao Roubao very much. She said more words: “Little Gu, you’re not young anymore. You like children so much. Why don’t you find a partner and have a child yourself?”

Gu Zhanwang adjusted his gold-rimmed glasses and smiled like a gentleman: “Sister Lan, men are as beautiful as flowers in their thirties. I’m focusing on my career now and have no time to manage a family. But if you know any good girls, you can introduce them to me, and I will definitely meet them.”

Bai Lan looked at him and sighed: “You have such high standards and good conditions. How can the girls I know be worthy of you?”

Bai Lan’s words were true. If he were put in the 21st century, Gu Zhanwang would also be considered as a diamond bachelor. He returned from overseas and was rich and handsome. Not to mention his ability and strength. With all of these terms, ordinary girls really couldn’t be worthy of him.

Gu Zhanwang smiled: “Sister Lan, I’m not picky. The most important thing is to have a good impression with each other. But I really don’t have time to think about this now.”

Bai Lan knew that he was actually a good person, and he didn’t put on airs. She wiped the table and said, “I don’t know what kind of girl can catch your eye.”

Gu Zhanwang pretended not to hear and continued to tickle Xiao Roubao.

Just as summer vacation had passed, Fantuan and Zhuzi moved up to the top class of junior high school with their excellent grades ranking them jointly first in their grade. Xiao Doubao, also top of the class, joined them in junior high. Now, these three eye-catching kids were attending the same school, going to classes together, playing basketball together, and leaving school together. They were like a trio that acted as one person, attracting countless female classmates every day.

Xiao Doubao, who was almost 11 years old, also began to grow taller, reaching the height of his two older brothers’ noses. Unlike Fantuan’s sunny and handsome appearance and Zhuzi’s elegant and refined appearance, he was an incredibly beautiful little boy. He seemed to have stepped straight out of a comic book, as dreamy and unattainable as a girl’s secret fantasy.

Seeing them return, Gu Zhanwang finally let go of Xiao Roubao and hugged them.

Gu Zhanwang waved at Fantuan. “Fantuan, come here for a moment.”

Thirteen-year-old Fantuan already had the maturity and knowledge that many children lacked. Most of the time, Gu Zhanwang no longer treated him and Zhuzi as children, especially Fantuan, who was exceptionally clever. It was unclear what these two teenagers had been fed, but negotiating with them was almost as tiring as with adults.

Fantuan smiled, showing eight perfectly aligned, bright white teeth. The attractive young man, who had just finished exercising, still had sweat on his face, radiating youthful energy. Gu Zhanwang felt a pang of old age; Han Cheng was younger than him, and his own son had already grown up so much.

“I asked Xiao Roubao to be the spokesperson for my mall.” Gu Zhanwang said. He didn’t dare to count on Xiao Tangyuan. As everyone knows, Han Cheng’s two treasures are Su Xiaoxiao and Xiao Tangyuan. Outsiders can’t touch them.

Fantuan was stunned: “Spokesperson? It’s not common in our country.”

Gu Zhanwang said: “It’s not unheard of. We don’t need Xiao Roubao to do much. Just take a few photos to display in the mall and put up some billboards nearby.”

Fantuan pinched his chin and thought: “When will the mall open?”

Gu Zhanwang didn’t hide it from him. “During Chinese New Year this year.”

Considering that they had just helped him draw comics over the summer, it didn’t seem possible for the mall to open so soon.

“So soon? Isn’t the sixth floor supposed to be a food court? I haven’t seen any construction starting there.”

Gu Zhanwang said: “The fifth floor will open first, and wait a bit for the sixth floor.”

“Waiting for what?” Fantuan asked.

Gu Zhanwang propped up his glasses and said. “We’re waiting for the rental approval and for your mother’s individual business license to come through.”

Fantuan brightened. “Is the license really going to be issued soon?”

Gu Zhanwang nodded. “It’s coming soon. Once your mother has it, she’ll be among the first in our country to legally operate as an individual business. Then, when we collaborate, it will be on a different level.”

Fantuan understood naturally. “Yeah, if we start now, all the money the food court earns goes to your shopping mall. But once my mom has the license, besides paying rent to the mall, all the profits will belong to her.”

Gu Zhanwang: “…………”

He really couldn’t treat Fantuan as a child. This kid really knew everything.

“Did your mother teach you this again?”

Fantuan shook his head: “Does this need to be taught? I figured it out on my own. Like my grandpa’s family, they now have a contract responsibility system. Apart from paying the public grain to the state, the remaining grain belongs to my grandpa’s family. Isn’t this the same principle?”

Gu Zhanwang nodded: “Yes, you are right. Let’s get back to business. What do you think about having Xiao Roubao as the mall’s spokesperson?”

Fantuan replied, “Let’s have his endorsement fees cover the rent for my mother’s restaurant.”

Seeing Gu Zhanwang’s expression change, Fantuan looked at him warily and asked, “You’re not planning to waive the rent and just work out a profit-sharing arrangement with my mother, are you?”

Gu Zhanwang responded, “…………” This is truly exhausting—like the kind of exhaustion that feels like having lived decades longer than Fantuan.

“Not only that, but I also planned to invest in her to expand and strengthen the business, turning it into a national chain. So, does this mean that Xiao Roubao will endorse my family’s restaurant for free, without any endorsement fees?”

Fantuan replied, “Free? You’re asking if Xiao Roubao will do it? It’s fine for him to endorse my mother’s restaurant for free, but not your mall. That has nothing to do with my mother.”

Gu Zhanwang said, “So, does that mean you’re agreeing? The other conditions are negotiable.”

Suddenly, Xiao Roubao, who had been munching on a freshly baked big bun in the kitchen, interjected, “I’m not doing it. His mall doesn’t even have sunglasses. Without glasses, the photos will look terrible. Besides, I’m missing teeth and can’t smile, so it’s not good-looking enough. No, no way!”

Gu Zhanwang responded, “…………” What did he just say? This is exhausting.

In the end, Gu Zhanwang negotiated extensively, offering to find Xiao Roubao the most stylish sunglasses and the best clothes, and even promised a big meal to persuade Xiao Roubao.

Su Xiaoxiao, who always respected children’s wishes, generally didn’t intervene further as long as Xiao Roubao agreed and Fantuan had no objections after reviewing the matter.

Thus, Xiao Roubao’s role as the mall spokesperson was tentatively settled.