Just as Zhao Jisheng thought Cheng You had given up on the collaboration, she visited again.
Wang Junjie and his two students had been eagerly awaiting her arrival.
Li Meiqi excitedly took her hand and personally led her into the house.
"You have no idea how many times Professor Zhao has mentioned you."
Fortunately, Cheng You had come; otherwise, Zhao Jisheng would have been terribly disappointed.
She winked at Cheng You playfully, "Cheng You, actually, even if you insisted on twenty percent, the people upstairs would have compromised eventually."
Cheng You could choose not to make this money and focus on managing Zhen Shan Tang.
However, the medicinal herb seeds she possessed were in high demand.
Cheng You smiled at her, "Which side are you really on?"
Li Meiqi stuck out her tongue, "You're good-looking, so I'm on your side."
As Cheng You followed her inside, she saw Zhao Jisheng and the other two students sitting together, prepared for a serious discussion.
She couldn't help but chuckle.
"Professor Zhao, we're here to talk about cooperation, not negotiation."
Zhao Jisheng somewhat awkwardly straightened his clothes and cleared his throat.
"I'm not nervous, not nervous."
He just hoped Cheng You hadn't come to reject the cooperation.
Cheng You smiled, "I've thought of new terms, do you want to hear them?"
Zhao Jisheng extended his hand, gesturing for her to speak, and listened intently.
Cheng You said, "I'll take fifteen percent, and five percent of that will be donated to the Children and Youth Foundation. How about that?"
"Children and Youth Foundation?" Zhao Jisheng exchanged glances with his students.
He genuinely hadn't heard of this foundation.
Cheng You stated, "Yes, this is my only condition."
In essence, she was still only taking ten percent.
However, that five percent of the profit would be used for the education and service of children and youth, indirectly accumulating merit for Ling Quan.
So, while it seemed Cheng You was losing ten percent of the profit, it was actually being returned to her in another form.
Zhao Jisheng thought carefully. This wasn't a bad idea either.
"Alright, I'll make a call first, please wait a moment."
It would be best if the matter could be settled now; any further delay might lead to unforeseen changes.
Cheng You had already made a concession. If they still didn't agree, it would be greed.
They wouldn't do such a thing.
A short while later, Zhao Jisheng returned.
"This is the revised contract. Take a look and see if there are any modifications needed. If you're okay with it, we can sign it directly."
Cheng You glanced at it. Apart from the changed profit-sharing terms, everything else was the same.
She picked up a pen and signed it decisively.
"Done."
Zhao Jisheng carefully put away the contract, a weight finally lifted from his heart.
"Cheng You, when will you be able to start on your end..."
"Professor Zhao, I can start anytime. It depends on when you need it," Cheng You replied.
Zhao Jisheng nodded repeatedly, "I understand. I will compile a list for you based on the information from the medicinal herb base. The seeds are quite precious and will need to be delivered by a specialist."
Wang Junjie, eager to help, cautiously asked, "Cheng You, do you need any manpower on your side? I can come and help you."
Cheng You shook her head, "I don't need manpower on my side."
Even if she did, it would only be for pharmaceutical talent.
She still hadn't figured out how to open a Zhen Shan Tang branch in Yan City.
Relying on her alone, it would be impossible.
Wang Junjie looked somewhat disappointed but didn't insist.
"We heard your Qili Village planted a lot of medicinal herbs. It's a shame we didn't have the chance to see them with the professor," Li Meiqi said with a hint of regret.
Professor Zhao had brought back a ginseng plant, but it was extremely precious and they weren't allowed to study it.
Cheng You smiled, "I'll write back another day and ask a friend to send some over for you."
Li Meiqi's face lit up with surprise, "Won't that be too much trouble for you?"
Cheng You shook her head, "It's no trouble at all, just a small matter. However, school is starting soon, so it might not be immediate."
Li Meiqi quickly added, "Cheng You, would you like to visit our school?"
"Your school? The Agricultural University?"
"No, the three of us used to attend Worker-Peasant-Soldier University. Later, with Professor Zhao's recommendation and meeting the score requirements, we were able to transfer to the Agricultural University," Li Meiqi explained.
Cheng You had never been to a Worker-Peasant-Soldier University, so she readily agreed.
"Sure, when?"
Li Meiqi wished she could chat with Cheng You for longer, "Right now!"
She looked at Zhao Jisheng for his opinion.
Zhao Jisheng waved his hand, "If you want to go, then go. You have the day off today."
They eagerly pulled Cheng You along to the Worker-Peasant-Soldier University.
Li Meiqi couldn't stop talking, chattering on and on.
"Back then, everyone thought the Worker-Peasant-Soldier Universities were great. Now that the college entrance examination has resumed, everyone is practically spitting on us. If Professor Zhao hadn't recommended us to the Agricultural University, I'd still be looked down upon."
Wang Junjie scoffed and looked displeasedly at Li Meiqi.
"Why are you telling Cheng You all this?"
Li Meiqi stuck out her tongue, "Alright, let's not talk about that. Cheng You, the medicinal herb seeds you cultivated are truly excellent. Our agricultural research institute has a ginseng plant brought back from Qili Village, which Professor Zhao treasures like gold; we're not allowed to touch it."
Cheng You smiled, unsure how to respond.
If she were to talk about cultivating medicinal herbs, she certainly didn't know much.
The country had enrolled quite a number of Worker-Peasant-Soldier university students in recent years, especially as many used this opportunity to return to the city, so the scale of the schools was not small.
They couldn't compare to regular universities, but they were larger than ordinary middle schools.
"The last batch of students was enrolled last year. Hearing about the resumption of the college entrance examination, many people rushed to take it. Those who didn't pass continued their studies, while those who did passed transferred their student status, so many people have left the school."
Li Meiqi and the other two were able to attend the Agricultural University only because of Zhao Jisheng; otherwise, with their cultural scores, they would have been far from meeting the admission standards for the Agricultural University.
"What about the last batch of students?" Cheng You asked.
She thought of Yuan He. If nothing unexpected had happened, he should be here.
Li Meiqi replied, "They'll likely continue with the program until the last batch of students graduates. However, it's rumored that graduating students won't be assigned jobs in Yan City and might have to have their household registration returned."
Cheng You paused. Before attending the Worker-Peasant-Soldier University, Yuan He had participated in sent-down youth programs, and his household registration was in Wujing Village.
If it were returned, it would mean he would have to return to Wujing Village to work.
She couldn't help but laugh. It was truly ironic.
The more he desired something, the less fate seemed to let him have it.
"Cheng You, what are you laughing at?"
Cheng You shook her head, "I thought of a joke."
Perhaps this was just the turn of the wheel of fortune.
She toured the Worker-Peasant-Soldier University with Li Meiqi and the others. Along the way, they encountered a middle-aged woman.
The group stopped to greet her, "Director Song."
The middle-aged woman smiled gently, "It's rare for you to come back for a visit."
Li Meiqi said, "We did graduate from here, of course, we have to come back."