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Lu Xi didn't believe a word of what Lu Chen said.
She knew exactly how much the family owed. Under normal circumstances, it might take a lifetime of hard work for everyone to pay it off—unless, of course, a miracle happened or they won the lottery.
But Lu Xi never played the lottery; she never relied on elusive luck to make a difference.
After a moment of hesitation, Fang Yun said, "Xiao Xi, Xiao Chen just brought back one Million Yuan, all earned through singing. He's not exaggerating."
A mother knows her child best, and Fang Yun understood Lu Chen's intentions very well.
Lu Chen wanted Lu Xi to return to her studies.
"Mom!"
Lu Xi's eyes widened in disbelief. "Are you going along with his nonsense?"
Earning a Million from singing? When did Lu Chen become a superstar?
It was like a fairy tale! However, she remembered that Lu Chen had recently sent home 300,000 Yuan, so she closed her mouth.
"Wow!"
Lu Xue exclaimed in awe, "Big brother, you're amazing!"
She trusted Lu Chen completely, and now that he could earn so much, it seemed natural that he'd get her a nice laptop.
"Alright, let's leave it at that," Fang Yun said, not wanting to embarrass her eldest daughter. "Xiao Xi, come help me cook."
Knowing Lu Xi's stubbornness, Fang Yun preferred to discuss certain matters with her privately.
Fang Yun pulled Lu Xi into the kitchen to help prepare lunch while Lu Chen unpacked his clothes and took a shower. Lu Xue happily played with her new laptop, and warmth filled their small home as the family reunited.
Bowls of hot, fragrant food filled the table. Although there were no elaborate dishes, Lu Chen enjoyed it immensely; it was the taste of home, unlike any other.
When they were almost finished eating, Lu Chen asked, "Sis, do you have a financial broker's license?
Among the Lu siblings, Lu Xi was undoubtedly the academic star. She had scored high on her college entrance exams, even though a severe cold had caused her to perform poorly in two subjects.
Otherwise, she would have had no trouble getting into prestigious universities like Peking or Tsinghua.
But instead of retaking the exams, Lu Xi had gone straight to Jianghai University to study finance, with plans to attend graduate school at Peking University. However, due to family circumstances, she had to give up her studies.
Lu Chen knew that she'd earned various professional certificates during her studies, so he asked.
Lu Xi replied, "Yes, why do you ask?"
After some urging and explanation from Fang Yun, her attitude towards Lu Chen had softened a bit.
But old prejudices were hard to shake off completely.
Lu Chen shared his recent contract negotiations with Whale TV, saying, "I originally wanted a Million Yuan signing bonus, but somehow ended up with 650,000. It was hard to resist."
Lu Xi looked surprised. "You mean you talked down a Million to 650,000?"
Lu Chen nodded with an ironic smile.
The truth was more complicated, but in order to win Lu Xi over, he was willing to take the blame.
"How could you be so stupid?"
Lu Xi was indignant. "You could be completely tricked like this without even realizing it!"
A difference of 350,000 Yuan was not a small amount. She knew how hard she'd have to work to earn that much.
Lu Chen seized the moment. "That's why I want you to be my agent. You can negotiate my contracts, and I also plan to set up a small workshop in the capital and will need help managing it."
He really needed a reliable agent, and he also wanted to set up a small studio.
Although several entertainment companies had approached Lu Chen, hoping to sign him, he'd decided against the traditional path of signing, training, debuting, and going through a manufactured fame process.
That path came with too many restrictions on personal freedom and rights.
He wanted to set up his own workshop so that he could work with different companies or individuals and maximize his profits while maintaining control over his career.
Many top celebrities in the entertainment industry set up their own workshops for similar reasons.
Although Lu Chen wasn't famous yet, he had the wealth of an entire world at his fingertips!
With these precious memories, he was confident that others would soon seek him out.
However, these were just preliminary thoughts; he still had a lot of work to do.
Hiring Lu Xi as his agent was his first step.
But Lu Xi wasn't easily swayed. "Isn't there a big difference between an entertainment agent and a financial broker?"
Lu Chen smiled. "Negotiating and haggling are the same. If you help me, we might be able to pay off the debt within a year. Besides, you can prepare for your graduate exams in the capital and work as my part-time agent."
The graduate exams at Peking University would be in mid-August, giving Lu Xi plenty of time to prepare.
Lu Xi narrowed her eyes. "I feel like you're setting me up."
She wasn't easily fooled and could sense Lu Chen's hidden intentions.
But despite her words, the look in her eyes showed that she was genuinely intrigued.
Lu Chen just smiled in silence.
Fang Yun interjected, "Little Xi, why don't you go and help Xiao Chen? If he really becomes a star, the entertainment industry is so chaotic. I'd feel much better if I knew you were there to keep an eye on him!"
Lu Xue quickly swallowed her food and shouted, "Big brother, I will help you become a star! Just like those big stars, Xiang Anxu, Yi Yang, and Wang Yuanfan!"
Fang Yun patted her head with his chopsticks and said, "Eat properly. Adults are talking; don't interrupt!"
"I'm already 17 and am basically an adult," Lu Xue muttered, but obediently went back to her food.
Lu Xi finally made up her mind, "All right, I'll give it a try."
As she said this, Lu Chen and Fang Yun both smiled.
Lu Xi then said to Lu Chen, "But don't get too excited. When we get to the capital, I'll make sure to keep a close eye on you."
Lu Chen's smile immediately turned into a wry grin.
But this was a good start, wasn't it?
After lunch, he left with Fang Yun, carrying a backpack full of cash to pay off his debts.
Lu Qingsheng had accumulated a large amount of debt, borrowing from relatives, friends, old comrades, former colleagues, and even some business partners— it was quite a diverse list.
When he paid off his debts, Fang Yun made it a point to personally visit each creditor in the Binhai area.
It was the first time that Lu Chen accompanied her, and he gained a deep understanding of his mother's hardship.
Fortunately, all the creditors were sympathetic. Whether they were relatives or friends, they treated them warmly and even assured them not to rush.
They all seemed very interested in Lu Chen.
"Xiao Chen has grown up!"
"Xiao Chen is so handsome now! Where is he working?"
"Does Xiao Chen have a girlfriend?"
"Xiao Chen is doing well."
By the time they finished the tour, the entire Million had been repaid, Lu Chen's face was sore from smiling, and it was already dark.
He stayed at home for three days, and on the afternoon of the 8th, he took a high-speed train to Hangzhou.
Binhai is only about 200 kilometers from Hangzhou, just a 40-minute train ride, then a quick subway ride from Hangzhou station to Jianghai University station - which was very convenient.
Looking at the familiar campus gate, Lu Chen felt a strange sense of nostalgia.
He had just finished his third year of college when he applied to the school for an early internship and headed to the capital to find a job.
This decision set him on a completely new path in life.
Now, a year later, he was about to say goodbye to the campus that held so many memories-both happy and bittersweet.
For a moment, he hesitated to take another step forward.
"Old Third!"
Suddenly, someone behind him gave him a hearty slap on the shoulder.
Lu Chen turned around and saw a broad-shouldered, unshaven guy grinning at him. "I knew it was you from afar!"
"Boss!"
Lu Chen was pleasantly surprised. "When did you get back?"
This burly guy was Gao He, a friend from Ji City in Shandong Province, and one of his three roommates in the dorm, ranked "Boss" by age. Gao He and Lu Chen had always been close.
Gao He laughed, "Just got back. Let's head to the dorm. I wonder if Old K and Fourth Brother are back yet."
Lu Chen readily agreed, and the two friends, laughing and chatting, headed toward the dormitory.
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(End Of The Chapter)