Chapter 330: Returning Home

**Chapter 330: Bride’s Homecoming**

Ye Xiaoxiao and Lu Hanchuan had made plans to visit his collector friend today to select a gift.

They left early in the morning, had breakfast outside, and then drove off.

Living in a hutong might not be as quiet as an apartment building, but there were plenty of small eateries nearby—everything was within walking distance.

Lu Hanchuan remarked, “This place really suits you.”

Ye Xiaoxiao turned to him. “How so?”

“No need to cook for yourself.”

She raised an eyebrow. “Am I really that lazy?”

“This isn’t laziness—it’s working smarter, not harder.”

Lu Hanchuan’s smooth talk was on point as usual.

Ye Xiaoxiao suppressed a smile. “You sure know how to talk.”

Lu Hanchuan took Xiaoxiao straight to his friend’s home.

The friend also lived in a spacious courtyard with rock gardens and a pond, twice as large as where Xiaoxiao and Lu lived.

Though they didn’t know who this friend was, it was clear he was wealthy.

A household guard greeted them at the gate—a rare sight, but understandable given all the antiques stored here, as Lu had mentioned.

Inside the courtyard, a man dressed in hanfu with crane motifs was practicing Tai Chi.

Despite being a man, he had long hair, giving him an otherworldly grace.

When he noticed Lu Hanchuan and Ye Xiaoxiao entering, he paused his movements.

“To what do I owe this newlywed bliss? Do I rate that high?” he teased.

He looked young—under thirty—with a clear, resonant voice.

Lu Hanchuan introduced him. “This is my wife, Xiaoxiao.”

Then to Xiaoxiao: “This is Jin Yan.”

Jin Yan hadn’t attended their wedding reception, but according to Lu, he had sent gifts.

It made sense—Jin Yan hadn’t been seen at any social gatherings in years.

After exchanging greetings, Jin Yan invited them into the main hall.

Outside, a vast lake stretched before them, once blanketed with lotuses, now past bloom, leaving only vibrant green lily pads.

Lu Hanchuan stated their reason for visiting.

Jin Yan responded readily, “No problem. Does the elder have any hobbies?”

Xiaoxiao thought for a moment. “Likes pricking people?”

Jin Yan was utterly shocked, "Stabbing people as a hobby? Should we get him a torture kit or something?!"

"Nah, that’s not necessary. Got any old paintings or jade pieces?"

Even if we gave Song Guangjing gold needles now, he wouldn’t be able to use them—it would only bring unnecessary sadness.

Better to get something he can display in his study, so it won’t go to waste.

Jin Yan: "C’mon, I’ll show you."

So Lu Hanchuan and Ye Xiaoxiao got up and followed Jin Yan to his treasure room.

Once inside, Ye Xiaoxiao couldn’t help wondering what Jin Yan’s family actually did—the stuff in here was practically a mini-museum.

Jin Yan generously said, "Take a look around. If you spot something you like, I’ll cut you a deal."

"You think any of this is fake?" Ye Xiaoxiao whispered to Lu Hanchuan.

"Probably, but Jin Yan swears everything’s real."

"What’s that worth? Hasn’t he had them appraised?"

"Some stuff’s too tricky to get appraised. Plus, Jin Yan’s an antique expert himself—though he’s had his missteps before, like spending over a hundred thousand on a counterfeit once."

Ye Xiaoxiao: "..."

Eventually, Ye Xiaoxiao picked a landscape painting, perfect for hanging on the study wall.

Jin Yan said, "Comrade Ye’s got great taste! This is an authentic masterpiece by Yuan Dynasty master Wang Meng. Check out these huge mountains, rushing waterfalls, lone trees, and rustic bridges—all absolutely exquisite."

Ye Xiaoxiao glanced at Lu Hanchuan, "This looks pricey."

Lu Hanchuan: "For our master? Nothing but the best."

Lu Hanchuan had Jin Yan wrap the painting and transferred the payment directly to his account.

Jin Yan: "I’m only selling this ’cause we’re tight. It’s worth a mil now, but in a few decades? Could go for hundreds of mil."

Lu Hanchuan: "You better be right about this. If this turns out to be fake..."

Jin Yan exclaimed indignantly, "Fake? No way—this is legit! My grandfather authenticated it when he was alive!"

You might question his morals, but not his art.

He even told Lu Hanchuan, "If this turns out fake, someone swapped it behind my back."

Ye Xiaoxiao: "And that someone’s you, huh?"

Jin Yan: "Pfft. I’d never screw myself over like that."

With the gift selected, Ye Xiaoxiao left holding the painting, feeling much more at ease.

Given its value, she placed it right by her bedside when she slept.

"Antiques are crazy valuable."

A million would take her ages to save up.

Although Lu Hanchuan didn’t make her pay and instead stuck to using his own account, Ye Xiaoxiao still felt her wallet ache.

“Jin Yan really wasn’t trying to fleece us. He once sold an antique to a businessman for a straight eight million.”

Ye Xiaoxiao: “That rich? He’s not foreign, is he?”

Lu Hanchuan shook his head. “Jin Yan doesn’t do business with foreigners. It’s a rule passed down from Old Master Jin’s generation.”

“Guess I’m out of the loop then.”

Ye Xiaoxiao had thought there were no mega-rich in China these days.

At the same time, she admired the Jin family's principles—Old Master Jin was clearly a patriot.

...

On the third day after their wedding, Ye Xiaoxiao and Lu Hanchuan visited Ye Changning.

They didn’t go out to eat. Instead, Ye Changning had their housekeeper whip up a feast that looked even more lavish than restaurant dishes.

“Xiaoxiao, we’ll be heading back in a couple of days. Mom and your second brother are going to Shen City together—Little Yu’s expecting now and needs looking after.”

Ye Xiaoxiao understood. For everyone to have spent so many days in Beijing was already the most they could manage.

“Alright, once my second sister-in-law gives birth, I’ll go to Shen City to visit her too.”

Ye Changan laughed. “She threw a fit at home because she couldn’t come this time.”

If it weren’t for being late in her pregnancy and about to give birth, Shen Qiuyu would definitely have come with Ye Changan.

Eldest sister-in-law Zhang Xue added, “The kids need to get back to school too, so we’ll head off early as well. Xiaoxiao, come home with Lu for Spring Festival—we’ve got all your favorites waiting.”

Ye Xiaoxiao nodded. “We will.”

Ye Changsheng had already gone back to campus since classes had started again and needed to stay on top of his coursework, so he couldn’t stay much longer either.

He let Xiaoxiao know he’d be leaving the next day too.

Ye Changning said, “I’ll get everyone’s train tickets sorted when the time comes. Don’t worry, Xiaoxiao. And besides, third brother isn’t going anywhere. Swing by my place anytime.”

Ye Xiaoxiao shot back, “Third brother’s way busier than me. I never see you around these days.”

Ye Changning: “…”

Ye Changan was loving the sibling back-and-forth.

At the same time, he shared a look with Ye Jianguo. Both chose not to mention Hao Yanyan.

They didn’t want to ruin the great family vibe over her.

Some people, after all, just grow apart.