Chapter 135 Returning Home Before the New Year

Chapter 135 Returning Home Before the New Year

Ye Xiaoxiao rode her bicycle, and along with Ye Changning and the others, they arrived at a small restaurant next to the guesthouse.

They could eat at the guesthouse, but the food there wasn’t great.

Moreover, Ye Xiaoxiao had been working hard all day and deserved to treat herself.

Ye Changning told Wang Sheng to go back and get Yu Gang for dinner.

He and Ye Xiaoxiao stayed behind to order the food.

Ye Xiaoxiao handed the money bag to Ye Changning.

"Third Brother, when will these goods be sold out?"

Ye Changning: "At the latest, they’ll be sold out in another week, and then we’ll go home. When you start school, I’ll come back to Beijing with you and bring a batch of that plaster back to the south."

That was the plan, and Ye Xiaoxiao had no objections.

"Is Wang Sheng going home with you too?"

"The truck he drives belongs to the boss, so it needs to be returned to the south first. It’s still unclear if he’ll go back for the New Year."

Ye Xiaoxiao: "So, Third Brother, are you going to find another truck to haul the goods in Beijing?"

Ye Changning pondered: "If possible, I’m thinking of buying a truck myself."

Ye Xiaoxiao tilted her head, "A new truck would cost a pretty penny."

Ye Changning: "It’s fine—I’ve got the money. Buying a truck is cheaper than renting one for trips, especially since I’ll be on the road a lot in the future."

Ye Xiaoxiao: "You’ll also need to hire a driver."

Ye Changning: "I’ll get my driver’s license when I go back home."

A month should be enough.

Ye Changning’s plans were packed but made sense.

After they chatted for a bit, Wang Sheng and Yu Gang showed up.

After dinner, Ye Changning offered to take Ye Xiaoxiao back to her place.

Wang Sheng: "I’ve got a car—it’s no trouble for me to take her back."

Ye Xiaoxiao proactively said: "Third Brother, why don’t you stay over at my place tonight? I’ve got two rooms, and tomorrow morning you can bike me back."

That way, she wouldn’t have to bike.

Ye Changning: "Sure, I’ll need your help again tomorrow—thanks for all the effort."

Ye Xiaoxiao: "It’s no trouble."

Wang Sheng listened, feeling a little disappointed.

But he didn’t dare mess with Ye Changning. Although he always spoke with a smile, he used to be a formidable gang leader in the village who was known for fighting.

Wang Sheng was afraid if he joked too much, he’d get a beating.

After dinner, Ye Changning briefed Yu Gang on a few things, then rode his bicycle with Ye Xiaoxiao back to the school.

The house had hot water, so they both showered before going to their respective rooms to sleep.

They slept well, and the next morning they got up early, had breakfast, and started another day of business.

They wrapped up early the next day because the goods sold faster than usual.

Ye Xiaoxiao went to Rende Pharmacy to delegate some tasks.

Jiang Ling’s treatment moved into its second phase, with another doctor handling his daily care while Ye Xiaoxiao took a break.

Ye Xiaoxiao was there mainly to see Song Xiaoguang.

“I’m heading home for the winter break, so I’ll leave the factory in your hands.”

Song Xiaoguang: “You’re leaving already?”

Ye Xiaoxiao: “I’m waiting a few more days. I’ll leave with my third brother.”

Song Xiaoguang remembered Ye Changning, “Is your third brother still in the clothing business? Does he need help?”

Ye Xiaoxiao: “No, he’s hired a car this time, so he’s all set. I’m just helping with the cash.”

Song Xiaoguang: “We’ll go over the rest when you get back. Xianshu’s already lined up a few managers to join once the factory’s up and running.”

Ye Xiaoxiao: “Okay.”

Over the next few days, while helping Ye Changning, Ye Xiaoxiao also had a gift custom-made for Lu Hanchuan.

...

Ye Xiaoxiao and Ye Changning got ready to head home on the 20th of the twelfth lunar month, by then, all the goods were sold out.

Ye Changning’s net profit from this trip was over forty thousand.

He doesn’t come to the capital often; selling in the south is closer, but the profits aren’t as good.

Before leaving, they hurried to buy a few things at the mall, but not much.

For one, the goods were hard to get, and they were worried about losing stuff on the train.

Ye Changning said, “Anyway, we’ve got money now. We can buy more back in the county town—let’s stock up on meat.”

“Okay.”

Before heading home, Ye Xiaoxiao called Lu Hanchuan to ask for help buying three train tickets.

When Lu Hanchuan picked her up, she learned he’d bought soft sleeper tickets, which cost several times more than regular hard seats.

“The trip back is long, and the soft sleeper’s more comfortable. I bought four tickets, so we’ll have the compartment to ourselves—it’s safer that way.”

Ye Xiaoxiao tucked the tickets away. “I’ve got a gift for you.”

Lu Hanchuan was eager to see it.

Ye Xiaoxiao took out a small box from her pocket.

She opened the box to reveal a pair of rings, far more understated than the one Lu Hanchuan had designed.

Ye Xiaoxiao took Lu Hanchuan's hand, "I can wear this ring every day; it’s engraved with our names."

Lu Hanchuan was still wearing the previous ring, the one he’d been wearing since he got it last time, while Ye Xiaoxiao’s had been tucked away in a drawer because it was too flashy.

Lu Hanchuan slipped off the old ring and waited for Ye Xiaoxiao to slide the new one onto his finger.

The ring Ye Xiaoxiao had custom-made fit like a glove.

Lu Hanchuan: "You remembered my size."

Ye Xiaoxiao smirked, "I’ve got a great memory."

Ye Xiaoxiao held out her hand, "Now put mine on."

Lu Hanchuan obliged with a smile, "I love this gift."

"I knew you’d love it."

Ye Xiaoxiao wiggled her fingers, adjusting to the unfamiliar weight on her hand.

Lu Hanchuan held Ye Xiaoxiao's hand, "Now that it’s on, don’t ever take it off."

Ye Changning and Yu Gang came downstairs.

Ye Changning couldn’t even bring himself to look.

"Ahem, ahem, ahem!"

This was Ye Changning’s first time meeting Lu Hanchuan since he and Ye Xiaoxiao became official.

Ye Xiaoxiao: "Third Brother, meet my boyfriend."

Ye Changning: "Yeah, I know who he is."

Isn’t this the guy who stayed at our place and whisked our little sister away?

Lu Hanchuan stayed cool and collected, "Third Brother."

Ye Changning just stared, speechless.

Ye Xiaoxiao urged, "Come on, let’s go—we’ve got a train to catch."

Lu Hanchuan drove the three of them to the train station.

He walked them to the platform and handed Ye Xiaoxiao the bags he was carrying, "There’s some fruit and snacks in here for the trip. Call me when you’re heading back, and I’ll get your return tickets sorted."

Ye Xiaoxiao nodded and took the snacks.

Ye Xiaoxiao had warned him not to buy too much since she and her third brother wouldn’t be able to lug it all on the train, which is why they decided against bringing New Year goods for the Ye family.

Ye Changning and Yu Gang were hauling two large suitcases each.

They were packed with heavy winter clothes—essential for the freezing northeast.

What they were wearing now wouldn’t stand a chance against Baishi Village’s biting cold.

Ye Xiaoxiao climbed onto the train and waved goodbye to Lu Hanchuan.

The three of them entered the soft sleeper compartment, which was an independent space for four people. After they entered, they closed the door, creating a private area.

Ye Changning put the things down and sighed, "I've never ridden in a soft sleeper before, it's really more comfortable than the trains we used to take. That guy’s not so bad."