Eighties Sweetheart Wife
Chapter 288 I Won’t Lose Again!

Chapter 288: Chapter 288 I Won’t Lose Again!

Moreover, if I go to the summer camp and if I return successfully, I’ll get an extra twenty points on the college entrance exam. If I score 480, wouldn’t that mean a perfect score?

That’s not too bad.

But if I come back disheveled and embarrassed, the Gu family would surely have something to say, believing I’m not worthy of Gu Huai’an.

They wouldn’t even need to lift a finger; I’d have to slink away in disgrace all by myself.

Kill two birds with one stone?

Song Yunuan chuckled.

I have to say, the Gu family is really crafty, always thinking so far ahead.

I’m only seventeen, and these people are thinking so far into the future.

The location for this event is the Beishan Forest District.

I heard it’s near the grasslands, with a horse ranch and marshlands too, but since we’re all junior high graduates, it’s unlikely we’ll be going anywhere dangerous.

I don’t know the specifics of the arrangement.

The information from Xia Bowen should be accurate; these kids are all from rich or noble families, so they definitely won’t be sent anywhere dangerous.

Song Yunuan stood at the entrance of the headquarters, rather excited. Such a fun event—why wouldn’t she participate?

After learning of the news, Gu Huai’an called home.

He asked for the details.

He furrowed his brows.

Old Master Gu said, "If she doesn’t want to go, let it be. Taking good intentions for an insult, it would just open up a spot for someone more deserving and studious. Plus, your mother is not happy with me for using my connections."

Gu Huai’an hung up the phone.

Old Master Gu was so frustrated he stomped his feet.

Really ungrateful.

Gu Huai’an went to ask Song Yunuan and, after getting a positive response, thought it over and got her some information about the summer camp and students from Country X.

Song Yunuan was clear about it in her mind.

But she had to appreciate Gu Huai’an’s kind intentions.

She had participated in such events before.

Even international ones.

But she still sincerely thanked Gu Huai’an for his efforts.

Gu Huai’an called Old Master Gu and told him this would be a one-time thing, and not to take it as a precedent, making it clear he was aware of the old man’s ulterior motives.

He also cautioned Old Master Gu that it was all too early, that these four words were not to be taken lightly, and he hoped Old Master Gu would take them to heart to avoid any embarrassment later on.

Old Master Gu, furious and pale-faced, slammed down the phone.

But he also felt a chill in his heart—yes, Song Yunuan was only seventeen, still had high school ahead of her, and his grandson was juggling multiple responsibilities amidst his own busy schedule.

Focused as he was, something baseless could inadvertently take on substance.

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Song Yunuan hurried to get the department store matters sorted. Although Zhou Xiaohua was timid, with Song Yunuan’s constant encouragement and standing beside her at the counter for a whole day, Zhou Xiaohua began to adapt.

Now, shopping for clothes at the department store had its perks—fixed prices, no need for trying items on; customers like these were easy to deal with.

In this atmosphere, all Zhou Xiaohua needed to do was respond normally.

Xia Guilan and Lian Xiang took turns assisting as well.

The clothes were clearly priced, and the salespersons didn’t handle cash directly. Customers would pay at the cashier after receiving an invoice and then exchange the receipt for the clothes.

Overall, as long as one didn’t get nervous, it was easy to get the hang of things.

The department store received a full carriage load of goods. Aside from Old Man Song regularly taking his horse-drawn cart to sell goods, the rest were stored in the warehouse.

At a glance, the income was at least close to ten thousand yuan.

Song Yunuan handed the passbook to Old Mrs. Song, stating it was her own investment, and that times had changed. Now, with thirty workers, there were wages to pay each month.

There was also a need to issue various types of bills according to worker standards.

And benefits during holidays and festivals.

If a worker fell ill or was hospitalized, the clothing factory had to take charge.

Moreover, a finance department had to be established.

Having one person monopolize the financial power was fine for now, but it definitely wouldn’t work in the long run.

Plus, it was simply too much for one person to handle.

Song Yunuan said, "Grandma, look at my mom or my second aunt. You should pull one of them in to help you. In the future, you’ll also need to liaise with the department store. There will be monthly transfers. Now, we don’t have any rental expenses, but shouldn’t we set aside a bonus for the cashiers and the finance department of the department store?"

Old Mrs. Song: "Although I find it all a headache, I can’t let go yet."

Song Yunuan: "That’s easy to handle. When I come back, I’ll go to the county town and find a retired accountant to let her continue to shine, whether it’s just makeshift, it wouldn’t be a big issue."

Old Mrs. Song wanted to advise her granddaughter, but she felt that she was clueless and didn’t know what to say, but she insisted that safety was paramount.

This was the most important thing.

Song Yunuan also made a trip to the base, where her uncle’s equipment had arrived and was ready for production after calibration.

While Song Liang busied himself from dawn to dusk, when he learned that his daughter was going to a summer camp, he went to Chu Zizhou to inquire what a summer camp was and what it involved. Although he still found it confusing, he vaguely understood it to be akin to a spring outing.

But it should be called a summer outing.

He and Xia Guilan nagged tirelessly.

Lian Xiang promptly made backpacks and other outdoor gear as instructed by Song Yunuan.

Together with her grandparents, they saw off Old Mr. Ji’s family, and Song Yunuan handed a set of keys to Song Mingbo.

Song Mingbo said, "Little Nuan, I have something to tell you. Your going to the summer camp, somehow, all the junior high graduates from our school know about it. They’ve been whispering behind your back, saying you got in through the back door, alleging that you’ll disgrace Nanshan County City No. 1 Middle School..."

Song Yunuan: "Using the back door isn’t wrong; I did get in through the back door. But why do they think I’ll disgrace myself?"

"They’ve been investigating your schooling in the provincial city, claiming you’re a poor student who often ranks towards the end of your class and aren’t even a ’Triple-A’ student."

Song Yunuan nodded again: "That’s correct. So what do they want?"

Song Mingbo was taken aback, fiddling with his hair: "They didn’t say what they want. I’m just letting you know they might be your classmates in the future. Be cautious and careful when making friends."

Song Yunuan pondered for a moment.

No, she needed to establish her authority with these kids. There was still time since she was departing tomorrow.

So, she went to Director Shang and the busy Principal Cui and briefly explained the situation. Director Shang didn’t ask for details and called the principal of No. 1 Middle School.

Both principals had the surname Cui, but the one from No. 1 Middle School was slightly younger, so let’s call him Principal Cui Junior.

In fact, Principal Cui Junior was also quite troubled these past few days.

If it hadn’t been under the name of Nanshan County City No. 1 Middle School, it might have been fine.

But because it was associated with No. 1 Middle School, word spread quickly.

He regretted not keeping a tight lid on the gossip around him.

While he was still troubled, the phone call came, asking him to come to the school. Soon after, Song Yunuan and her party also arrived.

Song Yunuan earnestly said, "Principal Cui Junior, many students feel it’s unfair, and I understand. I’m leaving tomorrow but have some time this afternoon. I can compete with our school’s graduates. Whoever wins can take my place, and I’ll make the necessary arrangements with the authorities."

Director Shang and Principal Cui felt it was unnecessary.

Song Yunuan declared, "I won’t lose!"

Director Shang: "Little Nuan, although your English score is the highest, our English curriculum was only recently added. Students used to learn Russian, and few are good at English. The English exam isn’t considered a major subject. Now, among the five major subjects, there are five No. 1 Middle School students who got full marks in physics, chemistry, and math. Others scored higher than you too. Little Nuan, let’s not do this competition for now, okay?"

Principal Cui Junior nodded repeatedly: "Don’t worry about them. The spot was given to you by the higher-ups anyway."

Song Yunuan, ready for action, said, "Hurry up and call the student representatives over. I have to make them utterly convinced!"