Chapter 242: Time Flies Faster

Chapter 242 Make It Quick

Cemeteries can be profitable too—just don’t zone them as residential areas.

Because of Ye Xiaoxiao’s earlier warning, the land jointly purchased by Han Xing and Liang Chengxu hadn’t been developed yet, giving them a head start over others.

No wonder Han Xing was pumped.

"Bro Lu, hurry over here!"

Lu Hanchuan replied, "No can do. I’m picking up Xiao Xiao."

Han Xing said, "Xiao Xiao’s back already? Bring her over to my place. We can discuss the land together."

Lu Hanchuan wasn’t about to ruin their alone time and hung up on him.

Han Xing listened to the dial tone, his heart dropping.

He turned to Liang Chengxu and grumbled, "Is this what you call choosing love over friends?"

Liang Chengxu thought for a moment. "Any idiot would pick her over you."

Han Xing almost chucked his phone.

"Whose side are you on? Do you even want to see Bro Lu again?"

Liang Chengxu remained calm. "He’ll show up."

...

Lu Hanchuan knocked on the door.

When Ye Xiaoxiao went to answer, she was still groggy. She had stayed up late reading the night before, leaving her bleary-eyed. But she still looked stunning, her skin soft and glowing.

Lu Hanchuan had brought breakfast. Seeing her state, he knew she had just rolled out of bed.

Slipping an arm around her waist, he kissed her. "Figured you’d still be out."

Still drowsy and warm, Ye Xiaoxiao watched as Lu Hanchuan set the food on the table before heading to the bathroom. "Gimme a sec—just gotta wash up."

Grinning, he shook his head at her dazed expression. "If you’re sleepy, just crash some more. You can eat later."

Ye Xiaoxiao insisted, "I’m up now."

"Next time, I’ll bring a key so I don’t wake you."

"It’s fine. I want breakfast."

After brushing her teeth, Ye Xiaoxiao sat at the table, eyeing the steamed buns and pan-fried dumplings Lu Hanchuan had brought.

She looked up. "Have you eaten yet?"

Lu Hanchuan grabbed bowls and chopsticks from the kitchen. "Nope, I’ll eat with you."

They had a cozy breakfast together.

Between bites, Lu Hanchuan told Xiao Xiao about the news Han Xing had mentioned.

Ye Xiaoxiao wasn’t the least bit surprised, "I just said it casually, never thought it’d actually be part of the plan."

Lu Hanchuan hadn’t given it much thought either and wasn’t as excited as Han Xing.

"They lucked out."

"You heading over to see them later?"

Ye Xiaoxiao figured for something this big, Han Xing would definitely want to discuss it with Lu Hanchuan in person.

Lu Hanchuan: "Want to swing by Han Xing’s place? If not, we won’t bother going."

Even if he didn’t go, Han Xing and Liang Chengxu would know what to do.

Ye Xiaoxiao didn’t mind—might as well check it out if they had nothing else to do.

So after the meal, Lu Hanchuan took Ye Xiaoxiao to Han Xing’s place outside, very close to the real estate company.

Even though he lived alone, the house was spacious with many rooms—clearly used to hosting friends often.

By the time Han Xing saw Lu Hanchuan, he’d already cooled down.

The fact that Lu Hanchuan came meant he still had a heart.

Han Xing smiled and welcomed the two inside.

One was their cash cow, the other their golden goose—better roll out the red carpet.

There was no one else in the house except Liang Chengxu, lounging like he owned the place.

Probably itching to brainstorm ways to develop that piece of land.

"Is a cemetery really the only option…"

Liang Chengxu was studying the map near Zhanggong Mountain.

Zhanggong Mountain was huge, and the national plan designated part of it for a martyrs' cemetery, meaning all nearby land had to comply with the same zoning rules.

Ye Xiaoxiao peeked at the map too and noticed several subway lines passing through the area.

Too bad she didn’t have that much money—she’d totally snatch up some land herself.

Lu Hanchuan and Liang Chengxu batted around some ideas.

When it came to serious matters, the three of them were all business.

Ye Xiaoxiao listened quietly without speaking.

These heavy hitters had everything under control.

If she said too much, she’d just stick out.

After the discussion, Han Xing and Liang Chengxu were due at a meeting.

Today, both their home and office phones were probably blowing up—many people looking to get in on the action came fishing for intel.

Han Xing said regretfully, "Can’t treat you to a meal today, but next time’s on me."

Lu Hanchuan: "You guys go on ahead. We'll catch up next time."

Without his friends around, Lu Hanchuan was quite content.

Ye Xiaoxiao asked, "Should we go visit Grandpa and Grandma?"

Lu Hanchuan: "Grandpa and Grandma aren’t in the capital."

"Ah..."

She’d meant to visit them yesterday, but the timing didn’t work out, so she went to see Lu Hanchuan first.

"They’re in our hometown. They’ll probably return after the fifteenth."

Ye Xiaoxiao’s eyes darted. "Alright then, it’s just the two of us today."

Lu Hanchuan grabbed the car keys, swept Xiao Xiao into his arms, and grinned, "Let’s go play."

In winter, the ice rink was pretty much the only option.

The last time Ye Xiaoxiao skated, she’d used an ice sled. This time, she switched to ice skates.

Since she didn’t know how to skate, she was all over the place on the ice, leaning on Lu Hanchuan for balance.

Lu Hanchuan was a natural on the ice and a patient teacher.

After an hour, Ye Xiaoxiao gradually learned how to glide—albeit painfully slowly.

Holding Xiao Xiao’s hand, Lu Hanchuan circled the rink at a leisurely pace, while others whizzed past them like it was nothing.

If someone had told Lu Hanchuan years ago that he’d one day skate this slowly, he’d have laughed in their face.

But now, he wished this moment could stretch longer, slower—so the hand in his would never let go.

When they grew tired, the two sat on a bench by the lake to rest.

Their presence turned heads, but nobody dared bother them.

It was obvious they were a couple.

Nobody wanted to crash their vibe.

Lu Hanchuan took off his skates, then crouched down to undo Xiao Xiao’s laces.

"How about hot pot after this?"

Ye Xiaoxiao stretched her legs, enjoying her boyfriend’s attentiveness. "Love that."

They couldn’t stay outside for long—it was bone-chilling out.

While skating, they hadn’t noticed, but sitting still, the cold crept right in.

After hot pot, Lu Hanchuan and Ye Xiaoxiao spent the afternoon at home, rounding out the day.

When it was time to leave, Ye Xiaoxiao hugged him tightly, rarely this clingy.

"I don’t wanna let you go."

Time with Lu Hanchuan was pure joy, and she often forgot how few and far between their meetings were.

Lu Hanchuan felt a pang of tenderness, but due to his work, they couldn’t spend much time together.

"I’ll come see you next time."

Ye Xiaoxiao reluctantly pulled away and said, "Alright."

Lu Hanchuan sent her back inside before driving away.

From the balcony, Ye Xiaoxiao watched his car disappear down the road.

She wished time would move faster.