Chapter 419 1980s Lafite

Chapter 419: 1980s Château Lafite

Jiang Yi was still acting like a child. Liang Chengxu just shook his head slightly after hearing his childish words.

"The Zhai family still has some defense contracts in hand. As long as they don’t offend any powerful figures, they won’t collapse anytime soon."

Jiang Yi was very disappointed.

Lu Hanchuan, however, just smiled without saying a word.

...

He Jingxuan, who had just been mentioned, had already been released by the Zhai family—but not to save her. It was only for the sake of their own reputation.

Though she was released, to keep her from speaking recklessly, she was sent to a psychiatric hospital for confinement. Already on the verge of collapse, He Jingxuan became even more unstable not long after being admitted.

Whether it was real or fake was unclear, but she would have to stay there for the rest of her life.

Hao Yanyan was severely injured this time, with multiple injuries to her abdominal organs.

The Zhai family did pay compensation—something they would never have done for ordinary people. But since Hao Chengbing had once served in the military and still had some connections in the capital, letting it blow up would’ve been worse.

The Zhai family’s representative not only handed over the money but also laid down a condition: once Hao Yanyan woke up, the two of them had to leave the capital immediately. Otherwise, the Zhai family had plenty of ways to run them out of town.

Hao Chengbing had already been planning to leave the capital, but he had been waiting for a chance to visit He Qiaoxiang in prison before going. Now, it seemed he wouldn’t get that chance.

Staying in the capital meant not only struggling to find decent work but also enduring ridicule. Returning to his hometown with the money he had would at least let him live out his remaining years in peace.

Thinking of his daughter lying in the hospital bed and his wife in prison, Hao Chengbing looked like he’d aged ten years in an instant, his temples streaked with more white hair.

Regret… If only he had never come to the capital.

Perhaps everything had been a mistake from the very beginning.

The fifty-something Hao Chengbing covered his face, letting out a choked sob outside the hospital room.

...

Ye Xiaoxiao’s departure this time wasn’t just a short trip. Before leaving, she settled affairs at both her company and Rende Pharmacy.

Song Guangjing complained, "Of all places, why an island? The signal there is probably terrible, and keeping in touch will be hard."

Though he wasn’t wrong, Xiao Xiao could only reassure him, "The country is developing fast—there’ll definitely be ways to communicate. You could even come visit me on the island, Master."

Song Guangjing snorted, "Hmph, I won’t. I get seasick."

He was just being proud.

Ye Xiaoxiao knew her master was teasing her and shrugged. "Well, then there’s nothing to be done. By the time you see me again, my kids might already be toddling around."

Jokes aside, Song Guangjing still said seriously, "The sudden deployment of military troops to the island means the situation is volatile. You must be careful there."

"Your healing arts have improved greatly. I’ve taught you everything I can. Take these medical books with you—don’t neglect your studies."

Song Guangjing had someone bring out a box of medical texts for Ye Xiaoxiao. These were classical texts, many of which contained classics even Song Guangjing hadn’t fully mastered.

Ye Xiaoxiao naturally understood that learning was endless. "Don’t worry, Master. I won’t let my skills slip."

Her goal is to expand Rende Pharmacy to the island.

When Bai Mengan heard Ye Xiaoxiao was leaving the capital, she called to ask about it.

"You’re always running around—you *will* come back, right?"

Ye Xiaoxiao: "Of course. If Lu Hanchuan doesn’t return, I’ll come back on my own."

Bai Mengan knew it wouldn’t be that easy. Who knew if it would be three to five years or even over a decade? Now that Xiao Xiao was married to Lu Hanchuan, it was only natural for them to stay together rather than live apart.

"Take care. If I can, I’ll visit you on the island."

Bai Mengan couldn’t stand the thought of her best friend leaving. "When are you leaving? I want to come over today."

Ye Xiaoxiao: "Come whenever. Lu Hanchuan’s out drinking—no idea when he’ll be back."

After settling some things at work with Song Xiaoguang, Ye Xiaoxiao returned home.

The manager and Song Xiaoguang were handling everything at the company. Using Ye Xiaoxiao’s formulas, the company had also hired some cosmetic researchers to ensure a steady output of new products.

Things were going smoothly. Aside from reviewing product formulas each month, Ye Xiaoxiao rarely went to the company.

So leaving now wasn’t too hard.

Hearing this, Bai Mengan hung up and rushed over immediately.

Bursting in like always, she yelled, "Xiao Xiao, I’m here!"

"Woof! Woof! Woof!"

Fluffy and Ermo barked at the door, on alert.

Ye Xiaoxiao shooed the dogs aside and let Bai Mengan in.

"Since when do you have dogs? They startled me!" Bai Mengan said once inside. "I thought about throwing you a goodbye party, but Su Tong and Lin Zhilu aren’t in the capital, so it’s just me."

Lin Zhilu’s name reminded Ye Xiaoxiao to check on Tao Manman’s recovery before she left.

Tao Manman’s next checkup could be with Qu Miao.

Ye Xiaoxiao had handed over all her patients’ records to Qu Miao. His medical skills were top-notch, and since these were just follow-ups, he’d manage fine.

"I’m packing."

Upstairs was a disaster thanks to Ye Xiaoxiao’s packing.

Bai Mengan: "Honestly? Besides missing you, I’m not worried. With Lu Hanchuan, you’ll be okay—he’s got your back."

Even if the island’s rough, it doesn’t mean life will be.

Ye Xiaoxiao squished Bai Mengan’s cheeks. "Who knows? Maybe I’ll be the one taking care of him."

"Mmph… As if. You burn water…"

Bai Mengan mumbled through squished cheeks.

Ye Xiaoxiao paused. "You’re right. Then why am I going with him?"

Bai Mengan wriggled free from Ye Xiaoxiao’s grip. "Duh. Lu Hanchuan *wants* you there. Maybe just seeing you makes him happy. Plus… leaving a gorgeous wife alone? I’d worry too."

Bai Mengan supported Ye Xiaoxiao's decision to join her husband at his military posting. "When my dad was young and stationed elsewhere, he took the whole family along. My mom always said it was thanks to her vigilance that no other floozies could get close to him."

Ye Xiaoxiao: "..."

"Alright, alright, I don’t want to hear about your dad’s wild younger days. Since you’re here, let’s crack open some drinks."

Lu Hanchuan wouldn’t let her drink when he was home, but now that he was gone, it was the perfect time to bring out the red wine.

"This wine my mother-in-law brought over for New Year’s."

It was a genuine 1980s Lafite, something Ye Xiaoxiao had been dying to try.

Bai Mengan stood up and headed to the kitchen. "I can’t believe you—we can’t just drink on an empty stomach. Let me see if there’s anything to go with it."

"There’s steak. I’ll cook some up."

Ye Xiaoxiao was ready to handle it herself—simple pan-frying was no problem for her.

Bai Mengan had already skillfully opened the fridge and turned on the stove, getting started herself.