Xia Chuyi said, "Yeah, not only her, I also don’t want the Old Xia Family to know about it."
Aunt Xia nodded and said, "Your concerns make sense."
"Those people at their home have finally started to behave a little, but if they knew you adopted two children in your mother’s name... it would definitely stir up trouble again."
However, after a while, Aunt Xia suddenly said, "Chuyi... if you really wish to go back, don’t worry about me."
"My dislike for your mother is my own issue and has nothing to do with you."
"If you want to go see her, then go."
Aunt Xia’s tone was quite conflicted.
Upon hearing this, Xia Chuyi couldn’t help but laugh.
Her aunt was just the typical case of being tough on the outside but soft at heart.
Yet, Xia Chuyi shook her head and said, "Aunt, I truly have no plans to go back. I’m actually thinking of talking business with Chen Hai before the New Year."
Chen Hai was the intermediary who had always supplied ingredients for her "Youwei" restaurant.
"Talking business with Chen Hai?" Aunt Xia asked with some curiosity.
Xia Chuyi did not play coy and directly said to Aunt Xia, "I’m planning to partner with Chen Hai to establish a dedicated farm, so in the future, our ’Youwei’ will have a steady supply of ingredients for the holidays."
"Establishing a farm?" Aunt Xia didn’t quite understand her meaning.
Xia Chuyi smiled and said, "Because I’ve already arranged with Wang Xiaofang to open a branch in Provincial City and have asked her to look after it."
"So I think it’s time to find someone to partner with to establish a farm."
"Of course, this also depends on whether Chen Hai is willing."
Aunt Xia shook her head and said, "You and your Uncle Xia with your business acumen, one is more formidable than the other. I’m too lazy to manage any of you."
Xia Zhu smiled and said no more.
Before the New Year, Xia Chuyi indeed went to talk business with Chen Hai, and unexpectedly, Chen Hai showed a lot of interest after hearing her proposal.
Chen Hai was a smart person and had kept an eye on the business of "Youwei."
"Chuyi, I believe your business will definitely grow!" Without much persuasion needed, Chen Hai agreed to the partnership.
Facing Chen Hai’s trust, Xia Chuyi was very happy and said seriously, "Brother Chen, as long as your farm is established according to my requirements, our business can grow bigger and bigger in the future."
"Of course, given our current transportation conditions, we’re mainly focusing on supplying ’Youwei’ within the province. But I believe that in the future, the farm’s ingredients can be exported out of the province, and even internationally."
After finishing the business talk with Chen Hai, it was almost time for the New Year.
A few days before the New Year, Aunt Xia reminded Xia Chuyi to send some local specialties to Capital City.
Xia Chuyi’s meeting with the parents had already been known by Uncle Xia and Aunt Xia.
"Chuyi, we still need to make a good impression on Huo Commander’s parents," Aunt Xia said earnestly. "Regardless of the quality, the gifts are a token of our sincerity."
"Don’t worry, Aunt, I’ve prepared early!" Xia Chuyi said.
And she was indeed prepared.
Firstly, for Huo Zhongcheng, she was still going to present tea leaves taken out from her space, as she didn’t know what he liked.
As for Mrs. Huo, Xia Chuyi’s first encounter with her hadn’t gone very well, so she didn’t prepare anything specifically for her.
Putting on a brave face for someone who gave you the cold shoulder was something Xia Chuyi couldn’t do.
As for Professor Bao, she was mainly planning to mail some medicinal food herbs—of course, all taken from her space.