Chapter 281: Relatives’ Current Situation

Chapter 281: Family Updates

Ye Xiaoxiao went back to grab the wolf pelts she had bought earlier, planning to give them to Ye Changning so they’d sleep warmer at night.

Before dropping them off, she needed to visit Lu Hanchuan first.

Although Ye Xiaoxiao often saw him, this was her first time visiting the base to find him.

She was recognized the moment she reached the gate.

"Dr. Ye, you here to see Commander Lu? I’ll get him for you!"

Before she could get a word out, the person ran off.

Lu Hanchuan came out quickly. "What’s up?"

The nearby guards discreetly perked up their ears—Commander Lu’s tone was uncharacteristically soft, like he was a whole new person.

"You free today? My third brother is here."

Lu Hanchuan immediately replied, "I’m free. Nothing pressing this afternoon."

Ye Xiaoxiao: "Then come with me."

Lu Hanchuan had no objections. After quickly delegating his duties, he left with Ye Xiaoxiao.

On their way out, they bumped into Jiang Leyin and Wu Tao.

"Commander Lu, out with the lady?" Wu Tao teased with a grin.

Ye Xiaoxiao had heard rumors about the two but had never met Wu Tao before.

Now that she saw him, he struck her as a good-looking guy.

But she barely got a good look before Lu Hanchuan led her away.

Ye Xiaoxiao left the snacks her third brother had bought in Li Zhen’s room, telling her to dig in.

Then she returned to her own freezing room, gathered the wolf pelts she had purchased earlier, and made her way to the off-base guesthouse.

Lu Hanchuan stroked the fur. "Wolf pelts this nice don’t come often."

Ye Xiaoxiao: "These are from that time you stopped me from going out."

Lu Hanchuan glanced at Xiao Xiao’s smug look and felt the need to defend himself. "I didn’t stop you from going out—just from going alone."

Ye Xiaoxiao tilted her head.

Lu Hanchuan quickly added, "Or with just one girl, for that matter."

Ye Xiaoxiao didn’t have many opportunities to go out. Ever since the mail started coming in, she hadn’t left again.

So Lu Hanchuan’s promise that she could ride in a military vehicle hadn’t happened yet.

Ye Xiaoxiao averted her gaze. "I know."

Lu Hanchuan: "...".

...

Ye Changning was also startled by what Ye Xiaoxiao brought over.

It was clearly a wolf pelt.

Nowadays, hunters in the villages aren’t allowed to hunt wolves freely, and you wouldn’t encounter them unless you ventured deep into the mountains.

Wolf pelts are the warmest—ideal for winter.

"We're just staying overnight—no need to go all out."

Ye Changning felt it was a waste to leave it here.

Ye Xiaoxiao: "We can take it back tomorrow."

Ye Changning studied Lu Hanchuan again. Though he had been here for two years, he hadn’t changed much—just more formidable.

Ye Changning doubted he could take Lu Hanchuan in a fight.

But he had Jiang Nan with him, and that made him feel a little more at ease.

They sat around chatting for a while. The guesthouse served meals, and Ye Changning asked the caretaker to heat up the food he had brought. Ye Xiaoxiao and the others arrived just in time.

What worried Ye Changning most was when Lu Hanchuan could return to the capital.

If he never went back, would Xiao Xiao stay here indefinitely?

While this place had its merits, Xiao Xiao had her career, family, and friends in the capital. She couldn't possibly stay out here in the northwest alone.

"I’ll be back by May next year at the latest."

Lu Hanchuan had already made plans to complete the final cleanup work by April next year.

Once everything was done, he could naturally return in May.

At this, Ye Changning's expression softened. "Xiao Xiao's due back at school in May too. But if you’re busy, she can go back first."

Lu Hanchuan had no problem with that, though he would still try to return with Xiao Xiao.

Ye Xiaoxiao: "Third Brother, you said before that Fourth Brother is also in the northwest, but I haven’t heard anything about him."

Ye Changning: "He’s not here all the time—he’s already back in the capital. You coming home for New Year's? If not, Mom and Dad will start asking questions."

Ye Xiaoxiao: "It's too long a trip. I won’t go back this time. Once my internship ends, I’ll definitely visit."

That would be summer—just right for beating the heat back home.

Ye Changning was disappointed but he got it.

The conversation turned to family matters.

Everyone else was fine, except for their eldest brother, who had had some big developments.

Ye Changqing had borrowed a small fortune from Ye Changning, who didn't think twice about it.

Curious, Ye Changning asked what it was for. He added that he wanted to get into mining himself.

That business is all about vision and luck. Some mine investors lose their shirts if the mine comes up empty.

"I believe in Eldest Brother," Ye Xiaoxiao said firmly.

Ye Changning: "Even if you didn’t, there’s no choice. The money’s already been invested."

Ye Xiaoxiao: "I have money too. If Eldest Brother needs it, he can take it."

"Eldest Brother probably doesn’t need it anymore. Besides borrowing from me, he also took out a loan. He’s already secured that mountain land—now it’s just a matter of extraction."

Ye Xiaoxiao then reminded Ye Changning, "Third Brother, your business has grown so much, but be careful of the people around you."

Though she doubted her warning would matter.

In the original timeline, Ye Changning hadn’t run such a large business.

Ye Changning smiled. "I’m already aware."

After the meal, Ye Changning urged them to head back early.

"Tomorrow, I’ll go with Jiang Nan to look around the area. Once the business matters are settled, we’ll leave."

Ye Xiaoxiao was still reluctant—she rarely got to see family.

But she nodded in understanding.

On the way back with Lu Hanchuan, Ye Xiaoxiao was still subdued.

Lu Hanchuan draped his arm over Xiao Xiao’s shoulder, pulling her halfway into his embrace.

"Don’t fret, we’ll return to the capital soon."

Ye Xiaoxiao quickly composed herself. "I’m not in a hurry to go back. It’s just that seeing Third Brother today felt really heartwarming."

Lu Hanchuan reached out and ruffled Xiao Xiao’s hair, saying softly, "I know."

After walking Ye Xiaoxiao back to her dorm, Lu Hanchuan left.

Inside the room, Li Zhen stared silently at the snacks left out in the open.

"Why aren’t you eating them?"

Ye Xiaoxiao entered and sat in the chair by the desk.

Li Zhen’s room was way more cluttered than hers, and far better stocked.

Li Zhen: "I couldn’t just eat without you here. Did your brother bring these?"

Ye Xiaoxiao nodded, then handed Li Zhen a few packs of snacks. "I don’t usually like snacks much. Take as much as you want."

It was after dinner, and neither was hungry. Li Zhen just put the snacks aside.

She sighed. "If you keep treating me this well, I’ll dread seeing you leave."

The other interns Li Zhen had met, though mediocre at best, had all been full of themselves.

Even if unspoken, she knew they looked down their noses at her.

Ye Xiaoxiao was different, and that’s why Li Zhen dreaded seeing her leave.

Ye Xiaoxiao gave a soft smile, her expression particularly gentle under the dim lamplight. "I treat you well because you’re worth it."