Chapter 387 Year-end

Chapter 387 End of the Year

Duan Hong watched Xiao Xiao's serious act with amusement.

Even if Lightning could truly understand human speech, looking after two puppies would still be too much for it.

In the end, the responsibility fell on Duan Hong, who spent the whole day just tending to the two little rascals.

A week later, Liu Yuan and his wife came to Rende Pharmacy for Xiao Xiao's follow-up visit.

After taking the herbal medicine, the swelling in Zhao Xiaoli's legs had noticeably improved.

This showed the prescription was working.

Ye Xiaoxiao checked Zhao Xiaoli over again and adjusted the formula, telling her to keep taking it for another month before returning for another check-up.

The couple’s hopes were renewed.

This treatment didn’t even require them to break the bank.

"Thank you, Dr. Ye..."

Liu Yuan wasn’t just grateful for saving money—he was grateful his wife wouldn’t have to suffer as much.

Ye Xiaoxiao told them not to be so polite. As a doctor, her greatest wish was to heal her patients.

Once they got the medicine, the couple thanked Ye Xiaoxiao repeatedly before leaving.

Just before New Year’s, Jiang Yi called Xiao Xiao to say that Zhang Runxin had also been discharged from the hospital.

Zhang Runxin was back to eating normally, and his body was gradually recovering.

With proper care and regular check-ups, he’d be just fine.

The most important thing was to stay away from heavy lifting, but since Zhang Runxin was a painter who relied on his hands and his art, there was no risk of physical overexertion.

"Sis, when do you have time? Xiao Xin and I would like to take you out to eat."

Ye Xiaoxiao replied over the phone, "The New Year is almost here. We’ll figure it out after the holidays. If you’re busy, don’t worry about it. Don’t feel like you owe me—it’s really nothing."

Jiang Yi laid it on thick. "Taking you out is our privilege. In a few years, your schedule might be booked solid—who knows if you’ll even have time for casual meals?"

Though exaggerated, his words held some truth. Ye Xiaoxiao’s appointments were already in high demand.

Ye Xiaoxiao chuckled, gave a few tips for staying healthy, and ended the call.

Today, she had to send Qu Miao off at the train station.

Qu Miao had decided to return to the Miao village for the New Year, bringing a whole bunch of gifts for the villagers—a lot to haul.

"Be careful on the train. There are pickpockets," Ye Xiaoxiao warned on the way.

Qu Miao just shrugged. "I’m not afraid of thieves."

Though he looked easy to bully, appearances could be deceiving.

"Just be careful anyway. Stay sharp."

Here's the improved translation incorporating the expert suggestions:

Xiao Xiao wasn't worried about Qu Miao.

He'd made this trip many times without any issues. It was just during the holiday rush that there were more people.

When they arrived at the station, Qu Miao carried his luggage inside himself and told Xiao Xiao she didn't need to come in.

"Drive safe."

With that, he disappeared into the crowd, joining the sea of holiday travelers.

...

On Lunar December 25, Ye Changning finally returned to the capital.

This trip abroad had opened his eyes. He learned that foreign countries are big on branding—simply adding a label to the same piece of clothing could send prices through the roof.

Moreover, a single company could own multiple brands.

Some production lines focused on high-end products, while others catered to the mass market.

They were trying to squeeze every penny they could.

Ye Changning landed a deal with a manufacturing plant and decided to bring in foreign management ideas to expand Ningyuan Company's production lines.

Ningyuan would also focus on original designs, branding their own clothing, and make a name for themselves overseas.

After returning home, he immediately got the execs together to discuss restructuring the business model after the New Year.

Only after handling these matters did Ye Changning find time to call Xiao Xiao.

"How's it going? I'm back—come over for a meal."

Xiao Xiao: "Sure! Actually, I wanted to talk to you about something."

Ye Changning: "You short on cash?"

Xiao Xiao: "No, not that. I want Mom, Dad, and Eldest Brother to come to the capital for the New Year, but Eldest Brother hasn't done anything about it yet. I don't know if Dad has agreed."

Ye Changning actually supported Xiao Xiao's idea.

But making it happen would be tough.

"You think Dad would go for that?"

Ye Changning wasn't about to bring it up with Ye Jianguo.

Xiao Xiao: "But Mom is in Shen City this year. Second Brother and his wife want to take Jia Jia back to our hometown, but Mom thinks it's too cold and disagrees.

Rather than having our family scattered in three different places, we might as well all celebrate in the capital."

After hearing this, Ye Changning thought maybe there's a way.

"Then I'll call Eldest Brother later and ask. If they can't get tickets, I'll arrange a car to pick them up."

We'd need to move fast—there were only three or four days left before the New Year.

"Alright, then we can talk more when I come over for dinner later." After work, Xiao Xiao went straight to Third Brother's place.

The villa already had food prepared when Ye Changning had just hung up the phone.

"Did you reach Eldest Brother?"

Ye Changning: "No wonder Eldest Brother’s home phone wasn’t going through. I thought it was because of snow again, but turns out they’d already arrived in Shen City."

Ye Xiaoxiao: "Oh! Are they coming by train then?"

Ye Changning: "From Shen City, it’s easier. I’ll arrange a car to pick them up. The trains are packed, and tickets are surely sold out by now."

Seeing Ye Changning had it all arranged, Ye Xiaoxiao felt relieved.

Bringing up the family’s affairs, Ye Xiaoxiao told Ye Changning,

"I introduced a girlfriend to Fourth Brother."

Ye Changning just smiled upon hearing this. "What was Changsheng’s reaction?"

"He... well, he played it cool on the surface, but my friend was quite satisfied. They might meet up on their own later."

Ye Xiaoxiao: "My friend is also a graduate from Harbin, just didn’t stay there to work."

Rather than worrying about his own situation, Ye Changning seemed entertained by the whole thing.

"If they weren’t feeling it at first, can there really be a follow-up? But if it works out, our family will have checked off another big thing."

Ye Xiaoxiao: "Just wait. I think it’s meant to be."

Ye Changning nodded. "Alright, I’ll wait and see."

The siblings had dinner at home, and Ye Changning brought down some bags from upstairs.

"Some gifts for you. Figured they’d be your style."

Ye Xiaoxiao could tell what they were from the packaging alone.

"Bags."

Opening them, she found designer bags—Ye Changning had grabbed four or five in one go.

"Third Brother, you’re really stepping up your gifting game."

Not just good taste—he’s staying current too.

Ye Changning: "Gotta keep up with the trends."

Ye Xiaoxiao took the gifts with delight.

After collecting the gifts, Ye Xiaoxiao prepared to head home.

Ye Changning didn’t ask Xiao Xiao to stay, mainly because he still had to go to the company the next day and wouldn’t be able to spend time with her.

Better to wrap up work early and enjoy a real break over New Year’s.