“Look at you, look at you, she’s about to sing the song of the liberated serfs.”
Minister Wei said this, but you could tell they were genuinely happy.
Knowing Old Sir He was back too, the two of them felt at ease, praising Old Sir He’s medical skills.
Seeing that Lin Chuxia and the others hadn’t packed up yet, the two wisely bid them farewell.
Just after they left, Jiang Hong and Li Wei arrived, bringing sausages and cured meats from their hometown.
Jiang Hong wanted to help Lin Chuxia tidy up as soon as she arrived, but how could Lin Chuxia let her help? She pulled her aside to chat instead.
They spent this Chinese New Year at the residential compound, even bringing the old master back from the hometown.
But the old master didn’t stay long and went back on the fifth day.
The old lady originally wanted to go back together too.
Li Wei and Jiang Hong both work here, and the child could almost be weaned off milk and start eating solids after about a week.
They thought of taking the child back to the hometown together, letting the old couple take care of the child.
But Li Wei and Jiang Hong both refused.
Not to mention Jiang Hong disagreed, Li Wei wouldn’t agree either.
Li Wei, having grown up in the mountains, was well aware of the huge difference between rural and urban children.
He has the ability to give his child a new starting point, so how could he let his son live a blind life in the mountains like him?
When they eventually get the chance to see the world beyond the mountains, still blinded.
Not to mention both he and Jiang Hong are working and earning, they have this capability.
Even if he was earning alone, he would still take care of the child by his side.
Lin Chuxia fully supported the couple’s decision, praising them for their vision, making them beam with joy.
In the end, Li Wei pulled Qin Yang aside, whispering mysteriously to him.
Lin Chuxia occasionally overheard a few words and knew they were discussing work, so she left them to it and asked Jiang Hong about her work.
The mall’s opening was on the eighth, and Wang Tianxue was even hosting a small opening ceremony, Jiang Hong asked Lin Chuxia if she wanted to join in.
Lin Chuxia wasn’t interested in such festivities, but she was quite concerned about matters at the restaurant.
Nowadays, Qin’s Restaurant had established its footing in Yan City, and the conditions for opening a branch were ripe. At the beginning of the year, Jia Liang also mentioned it to her, and the two hit it off.
Around the Chinese New Year, shops and houses were mostly vacant, and before the holiday, Jia Liang had already set eyes on a two-story shop, conveniently located, with one in the south of the city and another in the north, perfect in terms of geography.
Qin’s Restaurant opened on the sixth, and according to previous years, business would be cold before the fifteenth of the first month, even breakfast bun buyers were few, making it perfect to use this time for the new shop’s renovation.
After Li Wei and his wife left, Lin Chuxia and Qin Yang tidied up the house while making dinner.
Lin Chuxia mentioned her plan to visit the restaurant the next day.
Since the last incident had frightened Qin Yang, whenever Lin Chuxia went out, she would inform him.
Qin Yang had no intention of confining Lin Chuxia at home, only reminding her to stay safe, that she could always call his office if anything happened at the restaurant.
Lin Chuxia then thought of Li Wei and his mysterious whispering for some time.
“Why does Li Wei want you to send gifts to the boss? Should you? If you need to, I’ll buy some tomorrow on my way back.”
She was not opposed to these things, as workplace interactions and social exchanges are common, especially during festive seasons.
Li Wei probably understood Qin Yang, knowing he wasn’t someone who valued worldly affairs, which is why he gave him the heads-up.
But Lin Chuxia soon realized she had misunderstood.
“No need for now,” Qin Yang shook his head, “Li Wei saw that Feng Dajun was sending things to the boss, so he mentioned it to me. No need to dwell on it, I’ll handle work matters myself.”
He understood Li Wei’s meaning, but some things simply didn’t require such means.
“Alright, as long as you have a clear idea.”
Lin Chuxia didn’t inquire further.
The two finished dinner and rested early.
The next day, after breakfast, Lin Chuxia drove her Jeep to Qin’s Restaurant.
Jia Liang was unsurprisingly not there, and Qin Juan was holding down the fort at the restaurant.
Seeing Lin Chuxia come over, Qin Juan knew it was about the new restaurant.
“Jia Liang had already informed me yesterday, he’s going directly there today. He’s scheduled the carpenter and mason, should be able to start in a few days.”
Qin Juan felt a bit for Lin Chuxia, “Don’t worry about this side, no need to run back and forth, if there’s something, we’ll come to you. After all, Jia Liang has experience, and if he follows the current restaurant model, there should be no problem. If you have other requirements, I’ll let him come find you.”
“I’m not at all worried, I could entrust things to him before, now that we’re about to become family, I’m even more at ease,” Lin Chuxia said with a laugh.
Qin Juan’s face blushed slightly from the teasing, but thinking about their upcoming marriage, she accepted Lin Chuxia’s jesting with ease.
Lin Chuxia then asked her, “How’s the house preparation on that side? With Jia Liang busy with the store, will it affect your wedding plans?”
Qin Juan replied nonchalantly, “Marry a chicken, follow the chicken; marry a dog, follow the dog. Since I’ve chosen him, even if we continue renting, I’m willing, aren’t Hou Xiaobao and Liu Na doing quite well too?”
“Sister, you can’t think like that, while emotions are important, more important is the partner’s ability and economic foundation. Over time, emotions may fade, and what’s left in daily life all requires financial support. Life without money is full of trivialities, happiness is supported by money.”
Qin Juan’s eyes widened slightly. She didn’t understand her sister-in-law’s reasoning, why would she think like that?
She knew her sister-in-law’s character; otherwise, if outsiders heard her, they’d think she was all about money.
But upon reflection, what was wrong with her sister-in-law’s words?
She knew too well how petty life could be without money.
Back at the Zhang Family, Zhang Wenbin gave her a fixed allowance monthly, and Mrs. Zhang and Old Master Zhang always had various demands, forcing her to stretch every penny, yet still garnering the family’s dissatisfaction.
Zhang Wenbin complained about her spending habits, and Old Master Zhang and Mrs. Zhang felt the meals lacked finesse and care.
Ultimately, it all boiled down to financial issues.
Lin Chuxia was merely reminding Qin Juan not to be weak and incapable in life as she once was.
Of course, Jia Liang wasn’t Zhang Wenbin.
Before Qin Juan could fully respond, Lin Chuxia added with a smile, “I trust your judgment this time, and I absolutely won’t allow Jia Liang to wrong you.”
Qin Juan smiled slightly, still tinged with a bit of shyness…