Chapter 358: Guilt

**Chapter 358: Regret**

Lu Hanchuan wore black casual clothes, his sleeves rolled up to reveal his tanned forearms. His movements were quick and fluid as he worked.

Ye Xiaoxiao watched from the side and found it a pleasant sight.

“What are we planting here?”

“Some autumn-friendly herbs—like atractylodes rhizome and salvia. I’ll have Manager Ma send over some seedlings.”

She couldn’t find good ones herself and had no way to buy them.

The sunroom looked rather empty now, but once the herbs grew, it would be lush and lively.

That evening, Ye Xiaoxiao finally got to eat the meat-and-rice bowl she had mentioned the night before.

The meat tossed with rice was fragrant the moment it came out of the pan.

Since there were three people eating, Lu Hanchuan whipped up two more dishes.

Duan Hong was getting this kind of treatment for the first time, but she knew it was only because of Xiaoxiao.

After dinner, Lu Hanchuan asked Duan Hong what she thought—whether she was willing to continue as Xiaoxiao’s bodyguard.

The pay wouldn’t be bad, but what if she had bigger dreams?

Duan Hong made it clear she had no grand plans. She just wanted to stay in Beijing and live well—as long as she didn’t have to return to her hometown.

So Lu Hanchuan let her stay on.

With Duan Hong around, at least the safety of the courtyard wouldn’t be a concern.

Otherwise, he’d worry leaving Ye Xiaoxiao alone here.

Lu Hanchuan didn’t have much time off. The next day, they went back to the family compound to have a meal with his grandparents.

“If I’m free during the New Year, I’ll go home with you,” Lu Hanchuan suddenly said.

Even though it was Xiaoxiao’s first New Year since joining their family, he still wanted her to be happy.

Grandpa Lu: “Won’t Xiaoxiao come see our hometown with us?”

He was eager to show his granddaughter-in-law off.

Lu Hanchuan wanted to say there weren’t many relatives left back home, and Xiaoxiao might not be comfortable staying there.

Ye Xiaoxiao replied directly, “If Grandpa wants to go back, we can go with you. As for *Baishi Village*, I can go back by myself.”

She’d have more flexibility that way—she could choose to go before or after the New Year.

She didn’t need Lu Hanchuan to accompany her constantly.

But there was no way Lu Hanchuan would let her go back alone. He’d worry even if someone else went with her.

Besides, during the New Year, there would be crowds and pickpockets everywhere.

Grandpa Lu: “It’s Xiaoxiao’s first New Year with us after all. She should at least see our hometown. If you’re free, go back with her. If not, leave her behind—we’ll go with just your grandma.”

Grandma Lu: “You two can head to the northeast before the New Year, then return for the holidays. We’ll go back to our hometown during Lunar New Year.”

The old lady had everything all figured out.

Ye Xiaoxiao chuckled, “It’s too soon to be talking about this. Lu Hanchuan might not even have leave.”

What if he gets called for a last-minute mission over Spring Festival? Then we’re out of luck.

Although Lu Hanchuan is still a regimental commander now, his military rank was promoted after returning from the northwest, which shows how much the brass values him—there might really be a mission.

Can’t be helped—he’s married to the service, after all.

Lu Hanchuan sighed, “If there’s really no leave, I’ll have someone take you home.”

Ye Xiaoxiao took it in stride. Miao Cuifang had previously told her it would be best to stay with the Lu family this New Year.

But Ye Xiaoxiao and Lu Hanchuan hadn’t had their wedding reception there yet—if they went back for the New Year, they could invite relatives then.

If they couldn’t go back, they’d have to wait until summer.

“Don’t sigh. Let me see if you’ve aged.”

Ye Xiaoxiao tilted her head, her curled lashes fluttering mischievously as she blinked—looking very playful.

Lu Hanchuan’s sigh wasn’t out of worry; he just felt guilty toward Xiao Xiao.

He had married her but had no time to spend with her, which ate at him.

Ye Xiaoxiao changed the subject, tossing out a few funny stories to break the tension.

…

The Hao family.

He Wenqiang and his family had He Qiaoxiang completely pegged. Now that the family was bankrupt, she had walked off with a chunk of cash.

They came today to shake her down for money.

He Qiaoxiang: “Elder brother and sister-in-law, where would I have money? Every cent I had went to greasing palms. Don’t tell me you actually thought your own abilities kept the company running smoothly before? It was all thanks to my efforts.”

Months apart had taken their toll—He Wenqiang now looked twenty years older.

Han Zhiyin had also let herself go completely.

In the past, she would have argued with He Qiaoxiang, but now she just sat quietly, radiating defeat.

He Wenqiang wasn’t entirely broke—after all, the carcass of a camel is still bigger than a horse.

His company might have gone under, but he still had savings.

Yet seeing his sister sitting pretty like it was none of her business made him furious.

“Let’s not talk about the rest. Can you at least cover Jingxuan’s tuition abroad? You know she’s tied up with that Song boy. We need to keep that connection alive.”

He Wenqiang worked every angle to shake down He Qiaoxiang.

Mentioning her niece, He Qiaoxiang hesitated briefly before saying, “Jingxuan is my niece—I’ve got her back. Her expenses abroad are high, so I’ll wire her the money directly.”

He Wenqiang: “Good that you remember. You won’t hear from us unless it’s about Jingxuan.”

He Qiaoxiang drawled, “Elder brother, you’re right to focus on Jingxuan. After all, Jinghong’s not getting out of the clink anytime soon. As long as Jingxuan marries into the Song family, we might still land on our feet.”

At the mention of He Jinghong, Han Zhiyin suddenly lifted her head and glared at He Qiaoxiang with venom in her eyes.

She was to blame for everything!

He Qiaoxiang and that thankless daughter of hers were the ones who ruined Jinghong.

She was going to make them pay for what they did to Jinghong.

"What's with that look, sister-in-law? You can't seriously still believe I hurt Jinghong?"

He Qiaoxiang brushed off her glare.

Seeing her high-and-mighty sister-in-law brought low gave her no small pleasure.

She had no one to blame but herself for this mess.

"Brother, sister-in-law isn’t looking too good. If you have time, take her to the hospital for a check-up—don’t let it wait."

"Stay out of it," He Wenqiang said coldly, though before leaving he added, "Make sure you wire the money to Jingxuan."

Once they were outside the Hao family’s house, Han Zhiyin shook off He Wenqiang’s hand.

"Did you drag me here just to rub her smugness in my face?"

"Zhiyin, I get that you hate her, but she’s got a point—we need to focus all our energy on Jingxuan now. As long as she marries into the Song family, we still have a chance to turn things around. With enough money, we might even be able to pull Jinghong out."

Truth was, getting Jinghong out early was a long shot—just wishful thinking.

The Song family Wenqiang mentioned was a heavyweight political dynasty in the capital.

Jingxuan marrying into that family would be the ultimate social upgrade.

Zhiyin stayed quiet, but she wasn’t buying her husband’s excuses.

If he wouldn’t act, she’d settle the score herself.