Chapter 271: Chapter 271: Xu Huaian’s Worker-Peasant-Soldier University Spot

After careful consideration, Gu Qinghuan set the price for Yujie Soap: retail at 0.2 yuan per bar, wholesale at 0.15 yuan per bar.

Of course, this wholesale price only applies to orders of 100 bars or more at a time.

If someone orders 1,000 bars or even more, the price is still negotiable.

Xu Huainian and his wife knew nothing about the market, so they simply followed Gu Qinghuan’s lead—after all, she was educated and knew more than they did.

Now that Gu Qinghuan was no longer a homeroom teacher, her life was much more relaxed, and she could finally spend her weekends on her own affairs.

Recently, she’d received letters from both Gu Lanting and Xu Huaian.

In his letter, Lanting wrote that Huaqing University had established a night school, offering ten majors: general mechanics, general electrical engineering, automation, auto repair, metallography and heat treatment, welding, forging, foundry, chemical equipment and principles, and environmental protection.

They were currently enrolling students. The program length varied from six months to two years, with classes two evenings and one afternoon per week.

Enrollment was based on voluntary application, recommendation by the masses, approval by the applicant’s workplace leadership, and acceptance by the school. The main target was working adults, allowing them to study without affecting their jobs.

Lanting would be graduating soon, and while starting work, he wanted to enroll in the night school to learn more skills.

His letter was mainly to ask for Gu Qinghuan’s opinion.

Gu Qinghuan knew he was eager to take on family responsibilities as soon as possible.

So she wrote back, telling him that learning more is always a good thing, and as long as it didn’t affect his life, he should study whatever he wanted—after all, learning is a personal freedom.

She’d already received a thank-you letter from Zhang Zheng for the beef she’d sent earlier, and he’d assured her that Lanting’s job was arranged.

So Gu Qinghuan wasn’t worried about him.

As for Ming Ruxue, her parents had already paved the way for her.

Now, Gu Qinghuan only needed to worry about herself.

Xu Huaian’s letter brought great news.

He had been recommended by the organization to study at Huaqing University—not the night school, but with a coveted worker-peasant-soldier university spot.

Even though it was the worker-peasant-soldier program, it was still the best university in the country.

This was fantastic.

Back when Gu Qinghuan had mentioned wanting to take the college entrance exam, she could clearly see Xu Huaian’s anxiety and worry.

He was afraid the gap between them would only grow wider.

Even though being a worker-peasant-soldier student was different from a regular university student, it was still university, wasn’t it?

Gu Qinghuan was genuinely happy he had this opportunity. It was unrealistic to expect Xu Huaian to take the college entrance exam with her again, so this was the best arrangement.

In fact, Xu Huaian getting this opportunity wasn’t just luck. When he found out he could apply for the worker-peasant-soldier university, he was overjoyed.

To close the gap between himself and Gu Qinghuan, he fought desperately for this chance.

The army had more spots for worker-peasant-soldier students—about one in a hundred could get in.

To get a recommendation from his superiors, he had to be outstanding—not just in physical skills, but also in academics.

The academic test was called the “civil battle.” Those with poor academic foundations simply couldn’t make the cut.

Xu Huaian hadn’t touched a book in years and was completely out of practice, but he had determination and perseverance.

With only five days to prepare, he studied and reviewed day and night, barely stopping to eat cold steamed buns when hungry, and sipping the spiritual spring water Gu Qinghuan had given him whenever he was too tired.

He pushed through five days and nights like this, managing to review all the key knowledge from junior high and high school.

After the exam, he collapsed at his desk and had to be carried out.

Of course, the result was that he ranked first in both the academic and physical tests, earning the recommendation spot without suspense.

His comrades asked why he worked so hard—surely, even without pushing himself, he would have been chosen.

Xu Huaian replied, “I don’t want ‘probably’ or ‘maybe’—I want a hundred percent. So I have to give a hundred percent.”

He wouldn’t allow himself to make even the slightest mistake.

His comrades all said he was ruthless—with himself.

Xu Huaian kept all these hardships to himself, never mentioning them to Gu Qinghuan.

Zhuo Jiang had formed six special operations teams, and Xu Huaian was now the captain. His main duties were training the teams in coordinated combat and field survival skills.

Just as things were winding down, he didn’t have any major tasks left.

He could use this time at university to rest for a while. If the organization needed him for important missions, they’d let him know.

Gu Qinghuan wrote back to congratulate him, and included a kiss in her letter.

—

Because she’d been busy as a homeroom teacher, Gu Qinghuan hadn’t delivered goods to Lu Jianye for a while.

Today, she specially made a pot of cold-spiced rabbit to bring to Lu Jianye, and sold him ten Shanghai-brand watches.

She also took the opportunity to discuss some other business.

“Uncle Lu, does your grocery store sell soap?” Gu Qinghuan asked.

“We do, but not much. Most people buy daily necessities at the supply and marketing co-op or the department store.

But sometimes people ask, so we do stock a little, but it doesn’t sell much,” Lu Jianye replied, puzzled.

“How much do you pay for your soap?”

“Wholesale is 0.25 yuan, retail is 0.3 yuan. The more expensive ones are 0.35 or 0.4 yuan.”

“Well, our village has just produced a batch of soap, and I’m helping to find buyers.

Our wholesale price is only 0.15 yuan—a whole dime cheaper than your previous supply, and the quality is guaranteed. Here, this is a sample.” Gu Qinghuan took out a sample bar.

Lu Jianye hadn’t expected this, and couldn’t help but laugh.

“So you’re here to sell soap today?”

“Of course! I’m responsible for the whole village’s livelihood, Uncle. Try it first—I guarantee you’ll be satisfied.”

Without waiting for his answer, Gu Qinghuan fetched a basin of water for him to wash his hands.

Lu Jianye, seeing he had no choice, opened the package and took out the flower-shaped soap, praising, “Looks pretty decent! But let’s see how it works.”

He wet his hands, about to wash, when—

“Wait a second,” Gu Qinghuan said, suddenly inspired. She opened her lunchbox and deliberately dripped some chili oil onto Lu Jianye’s hands.

“Okay, now you can wash.”

Gu Qinghuan had already tested this batch herself, and it worked even better than she’d expected—the cleaning power was definitely up to par.

Lu Jianye, half skeptical, lathered up and scrubbed.

Not only did his hands come out squeaky clean, but there was also a faint osmanthus fragrance.

“Not bad at all!” Lu Jianye had thought it would look good but not work well, but it surprised him.

No need to say more—she’d just brought him ten watches, and those alone would net him nearly 500 yuan in profit.

This little favor, he could easily do.

He’d tested the soap himself, and it was just as good as the previous brands, but a dime cheaper.

He could easily explain it to his superiors.

Besides, even if he took 100 bars, it was only 15 yuan—no real risk.

So Lu Jianye readily agreed, “Alright, I’ll take 100 bars to test the waters. If they sell well, I’ll keep buying from you.”

“Thank you, Uncle Lu! Can I decide how to sell the soap? Don’t worry, I won’t interfere with your other business,” Gu Qinghuan pressed her luck.

Lu Jianye shook his head helplessly, “Do as you like! I’m curious to see how you’ll sell it.”

Gu Qinghuan already had a plan.

Early the next morning, she brought Xu Huainian along, carrying a full basket of goods.

After delivering the 100 bars and collecting 15 yuan, she got to work.

Getting started is always the hardest—making money is tough, and so is eating crow.

Gu Qinghuan set up a separate, prominent shelf for the soap, with a sign reading “20 cents.”

She put out the sample bar—the one she’d used with Lu Jianye—for customers to try.

In these days, shop assistants acted like big shots, and customers were at their mercy.

She wanted as many people as possible to notice the product and open up sales quickly.

Whether it would work or not, this was the moment of truth.

After delivering the goods, Gu Qinghuan bought four bottles of Maotai (no ration tickets needed) from Lu Jianye, then set off with Xu Huainian to make sales calls.

They visited the county’s supply and marketing co-op, the department store, and all the major retailers.

Just like door-to-door sales in later years, they went from shop to shop.

The more polite ones would say, “No, thank you.”

The less polite would snap, “You think we’re a junk shop? We take any old thing? Get lost!”

Gu Qinghuan was luckier—her looks helped, and most people couldn’t bring themselves to scold a beauty.

Xu Huainian, on the other hand, had a rough time—he got rejected again and again, but had to grit his teeth and keep going.

Making money was just too hard.

By sunset, they met up again.

Gu Qinghuan had managed to get orders for 300 bars; Xu Huainian hadn’t sold a single one.

He was nearly in tears—why couldn’t he sell even one?

Gu Qinghuan could only say, everyone has different talents.

Xu Huainian wasn’t exactly shy, but clearly not cut out for sales—maybe even Chen Fengqin would do better.

So Gu Qinghuan decided to handle sales herself for now.

She’d said she’d only provide the formula and not get involved in anything else, but in the end, she just couldn’t stand by—she was never one to be truly hard-hearted.

People who are tough on the outside but soft inside always end up taking on more.

The two of them made another trip to the commune’s supply and marketing co-op.

Because Gu Qinghuan was a regular customer, the ladies at the counter all knew her. When they heard she was selling something, they immediately called the manager over.

Gu Qinghuan used her eloquence to negotiate, and finally secured an order for another 100 bars.

Of course, the main reason they agreed was to support their own commune’s product.

It wasn’t easy for a small place like theirs to have someone willing to start a factory, so they wanted to show support.

But they didn’t dare take too much—just 100 bars.

Still, that was pretty good.

Xu Huainian was overjoyed and admired Gu Qinghuan even more.

After a day of hustling, they’d sold half their soap—only 500 bars left.

That night, Gu Qinghuan called everyone together for a meeting."