Chapter 311: Success

Chapter 311 Success

Ye Xiaoxiao laughed heartily.

"Master, it's not about 'battling'—it means 'competition,' 'contest,' or 'showdown to determine the winner.'"

Song Guangjing said confidently, "Ah, you're talking about that matter. I've thought it through.

The result of the competition isn’t important. After all, I’m the only one who has truly built up Rende Pharmacy—those few have no business sense.

If we relied on them, the students of Rende Pharmacy would be starving.

Besides, regarding your suggestion to register the trademark, Guoxian has already taken care of it. Now, anyone who uses the name 'Rende Pharmacy' will have to pay us."

Ye Xiaoxiao laughed even harder. She hadn’t expected her master to be so pragmatic.

"It’s good that you think this way, Master."

Song Guangjing added, "However, I’ve already sent them invitations. The apprenticeship banquet should be prepared as soon as possible. When they bring their students over, they might challenge us."

"I understand, Master," Ye Xiaoxiao replied. "I’m not afraid of anyone. Even if it comes to a contest, I won’t lose."

Song Guangjing gave his disciple an approving look.

Good. Though they didn’t take the competition to heart, they weren’t afraid of any challenges either.

With that thought, Song Guangjing brought her two more books to study.

Ye Xiaoxiao: "..."

...

In the Northeast, after tireless work, Ye Changqing had completed drilling the new mine shaft.

The first batch of ore had already been sent for testing, and the results were encouraging.

It was an iron ore mine.

Moreover, as the shaft deepened, it was confirmed that the mineral deposits here were exceptionally rich.

At the current extraction rate, by next year, once the ore was sold, Ye Changqing would start seeing returns.

Ye Changqing finally let out a sigh of relief.

Having slept in the makeshift bungalows in the mountains these past few days, he was covered in dirt from head to toe.

Now that the mining area had stabilized, he could finally return home for a visit.

Leaving matters in the hands of the mine’s deputy, Ye Changqing headed back home.

Upon arriving, the first thing he saw was his two children playing around in the yard.

Ye Baocheng looked up and spotted Ye Changqing entering the courtyard.

"Dad! Dad!"

Ye Baoyuan had already started school and was now a healthy, pudgy kid.

The two children ran toward Ye Changqing but stopped before reaching him.

"Dad's covered in dirt—don’t get too close."

If they got dirty, it’d just mean more laundry later.

Ye Baocheng and Ye Baoyuan could only blink pitifully at their father.

Ye Changqing’s heart melted at the sight.

"Wait till Dad’s cleaned up—then hugs."

"Okay!"

The kids perked right up.

Inside, Miao Cuifang and Zhang Xue were sewing.

Seeing Ye Changqing return, Zhang Xue quickly went to greet him.

They hadn’t seen each other in nearly a month, and even after all these years, they’d missed each other.

Miao Cuifang discreetly stepped aside to let them talk.

Only after Ye Changqing changed into clean clothes did Miao Cuifang speak up.

"Xiao Xiao and Lu Hanchuan are inviting the whole family to Beijing for the wedding."

"It’s our little sister’s big day—of course we’ll go," Ye Changqing said.

"I was thinking we could bring your uncle’s family, along with Grandpa, Grandma, and my father," Miao Cuifang added. "As for other relatives, we can throw another party when Xiao Xiao and her husband visit."

Ye Changqing thought for a moment.

Xiao Xiao and Lu Hanchuan had been together for so many years—the wedding was no surprise.

"Whatever makes Xiao Xiao happy works for me."

After all, Xiao Xiao didn’t even know most of their relatives.

"Alright, then we’ll all go together. The train to Beijing’s an easy trip," Miao Cuifang said.

Last time, she’d gone for medical treatment and hadn’t been in the mood.

This time, she wanted to show the boys around the city.

Zhang Xue added, "Xiao Xiao is getting married—has she fixed up her new home yet? We should put together a dowry for her."

Miao Cuifang had naturally considered this, but Xiao Xiao had made it clear in their last phone call.

"Xiao Xiao said she already has a car and a house. As for her new home, she’s got a courtyard house she’s fixing up. Once it’s done, she wants everyone to stay there."

But Miao Cuifang could never leave home—she had too many ties here, unless the whole family moved to Beijing.

"We’ll only stay a few days before heading back. We can’t live there forever. I’ve heard there are plenty of hotels in Beijing—we can find one nearby to stay at," Zhang Xue suggested.

"Xiao Xiao wouldn’t hear of it. Besides, Changning is also there, and his house is big," Ye Changqing replied.

Zhang Xue had never stayed at Ye Changning’s villa, but she’d heard it had a dozen rooms or more—enough room for the whole clan. It must be huge.

Miao Cuifang: "We'll worry about that after we get to the capital. As for Xiaoxiao's wedding gifts, I'll think about it more."

Stuff like sewing machines and TVs, though trendy now, probably already has in Xiaoxiao's home.

Miao Cuifang recalled how in the past, daughters were given bracelets and earrings as wedding gifts. Now that the family has more money, she could spring for a pair of gold bracelets for Xiaoxiao.

They'd travel well and would still be a heartfelt gesture.

So Miao Cuifang looked at her son and daughter-in-law and said, "I'll handle the wedding gifts. Don’t worry about it."

Zhang Xue: "Thanks for taking care of that, Mom."

But as her brother and sister-in-law, Zhang Xue and Ye Changqing figured they ought to chip in too.

After some thought, they decided to give extra cash when the time came.

Xiaoxiao had spent quite some time at home, but if asked what she liked, nobody could quite put their finger on it.

Hearing her daughter-in-law’s words, Miao Cuifang shook her head—it was no trouble at all. In fact, she was delighted.

...

Ye Changsheng and Wan Baonian's short vacation was over, and it was time for them to return to school.

"But your semester doesn’t start until September. There’s still plenty of time," Ye Xiaoxiao tried to talk them into staying.

Ye Changsheng: "We’re both graduate students at the same university, and our advisors have already been assigned. Though classes haven’t started yet, we should check if our advisors need any help—just to get a head start."

Wan Baonian nodded in agreement. "Yeah, we really should head back to campus."

Truthfully, he already felt kinda guilty for mooching meals and a place to stay all these days.

Ye Changsheng’s siblings were awesome—not just easy on the eyes, but also incredibly generous.

He hadn’t spent a single penny yet had toured the entire capital. He felt kinda guilty.

Ye Xiaoxiao: "You'd better come back in a few days for my wedding, Fourth Brother."

Ye Changsheng messed with Ye Xiaoxiao’s hair gently and said, "Of course."

Before Ye Changsheng left, Ye Changning gave him some money and loaded them up with clothes produced by their company for both him and Wan Baonian.

Wan Baonian thanked them repeatedly—he was set for clothes for two years.

Once again, he was amazed by Ye Changsheng’s brother’s generosity.

After Ye Changsheng left, Ye Xiaoxiao started working at Rende Pharmacy.

Once she got into her work, she practically forgot she was a married woman—until she saw Xu Jianwen at Rende Pharmacy.

It felt like years since their last meeting, throwing her off for a second.

Xu Jianwen was there because the TV station was doing a spotlight piece on Rende Pharmacy to showcase China's traditional medicine culture.

It tied in with government initiatives—or else the station wouldn't do free promo.