Chapter 289: Farewell

With excitement, Lin Xi ran out and tightly embraced Zhang Lan. “Sister-in-law, I finally see you! You have no idea how much I’ve longed to see you all these years. I almost thought I’d never see you again.”

Lin Xi, not being a local and lacking close friends in the area, cherished the friendship with Zhang Lan. She felt like Zhang Lan was a rare friend who had come to her aid when she needed it the most. Lin Xi remembered the kindness shown to her, especially during tough times when she was well aware of the Wang family’s circumstances.

Embracing each other, Zhang Lan and Lin Xi stood on the street, overwhelmed with mixed emotions. To outsiders, it might have seemed like something significant had transpired between the two.

“Sister-in-law, please come inside and have a seat. I’ll be right there after I finish up,” Lin Xi said after dismissing the customers outside.

Once they were alone, Lin Xi asked, “Sister-in-law, how has your health been these years? Do you need a check-up while you’re here?”

Lin Xi had been worried about Zhang Lan’s health and wanted to find a good doctor in the south to provide treatment.

With a smile, Zhang Lan held her hand and sat down. “Sister, my condition is congenital and can’t be cured. However, I’ve been managing it well these past few years. With our business no longer requiring strenuous physical work, I’ve been able to focus on maintaining my health.”

Although Zhang Lan didn’t mention that she was almost fully recovered, the sisters sat together, reminiscing about the past and discussing their future plans. Meanwhile, Wang Zhenhe took his daughter to select the goods they intended to purchase, as there was no more storage space left in the space. They would have to wait until the items were shipped out before bringing in new stock.

“Sister-in-law, it’s not easy for you to make this trip. Please stay a few more days. Don’t go anywhere else; stay at our place. In the past, my husband and I weren’t able to host Brother and Qian qian properly, letting them stay outside. Now that we finally have a chance to meet, let’s spend some quality time chatting,” Lin Xi warmly invited Zhang Lan.

Accepting Lin Xi’s invitation, Zhang Lan also wanted to catch up with her. After being apart for so long, she was curious to meet Lin Xi’s husband and ensure her well-being.

“Sister, we won’t be polite then. By the way, are the kids at home?” Zhang Lan inquired.

“Yes, they’re at home. Last time, they weren’t able to meet my husband and the kids. This time, he’s here. It’s a perfect opportunity for everyone to meet and get acquainted. Let’s go back home. I’ll prepare some delicious food for you,” Lin Xi replied.

With no major tasks left at the market, Lin Xi informed her staff and then led her family back home.

Upon seeing the small villa where Lin Xi lived, Zhang Lan couldn’t help but exclaim sincerely, “Sister, coming here seems like the right choice. Compared to living in the north, the conditions here are excellent. It’s a far cry from our humble beginnings, barely making a couple hundred yuan a year. When will you be able to live in a place like this? As the saying goes, ‘Misfortune may be an actual blessing.’ Sister, it seems like you’ve found the right path now.”

Recalling her past reckless behavior, Lin Xi felt embarrassed. “Sister-in-law, I was completely out of my mind back then, thinking I was right. Looking back, I realize how ignorant I was. Coming here made me realize the extent of my mistakes. I’m grateful I made this journey; otherwise, I might have ruined my life.”

As they entered the house, they saw Xiao Ping playing in the living room with a little boy. When Xiao Ping noticed Zhang Lan, Wang Qian, and Zhenhe, she seemed puzzled, feeling a sense of familiarity but struggling to recall. It was understandable; she was only five years old back then and might not remember everything clearly.

Lin Xi hugged her son and asked her daughter, “Xiao Ping, do you remember the big sister who used to make scrambled eggs for you when you were little?”

Nine-year-old Xiao Ping didn’t recall much from her early years, but she had a vague memory of the kind sister and aunt who were good to her.

With widened eyes, she asked, “Are you that big sister?”

Wang Qian nodded with a smile, “Yes, Xiao Ping, you remember your big sister.”

Excited, Xiao Ping ran over to Wang Qian and pulled her to sit on the sofa. “Big sister, I’ve always remembered you. But now that you’ve grown up, I almost didn’t recognize you. And that’s Auntie, right? I think I remember her carrying me to sleep.”

With a warm smile, Zhang Lan patted Xiao Ping’s head. “You still remember that, huh? Unfortunately, our Xiao Ping has grown up, and Auntie can’t carry you like before.”

Zhang Lan held Lin Xi’s young son, a lively three-year-old with a cherubic face and fair skin, likely due to growing up in the city. Wang Qian couldn’t resist reaching out to touch him, noting how soft and smooth his skin felt, akin to a peeled boiled egg. The little boy, untroubled, watched them with wide eyes.

“Son, this is your aunt, this is your uncle, and that’s your sister.”

Lin Xi patiently introduced her son to everyone. The young boy, bright and quick to catch on, repeated after his mother, then shyly hid in her arms, peeking out occasionally to observe them. The housekeeper, busy in the kitchen, promptly brought tea and fruits for the guests upon seeing their arrival.

“Sister, you live such a happy life with two well-behaved children and a housekeeper. You’re truly fortunate,” Zhang Lan remarked.

While peeling oranges for everyone, Lin Xi said, “Sister-in-law, with the property your daughter bought, you might end up living better than me in the future. Your future looks bright.”

As they conversed, Lin Xi’s husband returned home, though his expression was somewhat grim. Sensing his mood, Lin Xi quickly got up to introduce Wang Zhenhe and his family to him. “Zhenhua, here are the guests I mentioned, Brother Wang and Sister-in-law. And this is their daughter, Qianqian.”

Seeing guests at home, Gao Zhenhua put on a smile and warmly shook hands with Wang Zhenhe. “Brother Wang, my wife often speaks highly of the help your family has provided. I’ve heard about you from her, and it’s a pleasure to meet you in person.”

Meanwhile, Lin Xi couldn’t help but wonder why her husband seemed unhappy. “Zhenhua, what’s wrong? Is something the matter?”

Gao Zhenhua sighed, “The problem arose with the stones I acquired today. When we opened them up, very few were usable. This time, it’s a real loss.”

Observing the man in front of her, Wang Qian noted that Gao Zhenhua, in his forties, maintained a youthful appearance. He presented himself as refined and gentle, a good match for Lin Xi. She recognized the benefits of an age-diverse partnership, where older men often knew how to care for their partners.

“Uncle, didn’t you have a contract? Can’t you seek compensation from them?” Wang Qian inquired.

Glancing at Wang Qian, Gao Zhenhua reflected on how his wife had once followed this child’s advice to buy a house in a developing area. Although they had listened and made a smart investment, now the area was undergoing development. He patiently explained the situation to Wang Qian.

“Dear, we didn’t have a contract. I bought raw stones, and no one knew what was inside. It’s a risky business. If there are losses, I can only blame my lack of foresight,” Gao Zhenhua replied.

While Wang Qian understood the general idea, she couldn’t offer much help with buying raw gemstones, as she had no expertise in jewelry or stones. However, she came up with a suggestion. “Dad, why not head to Hetian after the New Year with Mr. Gao? Although jade prices aren’t high now, they are likely to rise in the future. You could buy some now and hold onto them. In a few years, the prices will surely increase.”

Recalling articles she had read in the past, Wang Qian thought about investing in jade. Although she didn’t have the capital for jade currently, she planned to purchase some in the future and sell it when the prices rose.

Upon hearing the suggestion, Wang Zhenhe found it intriguing as it aligned with their plans to profit from raisins. “Brother Gao, what do you think about this idea?”

Gao Zhenhua was pleasantly surprised by Wang Qian’s suggestion. He had heard that others in the industry were beginning to collect jade stones, and he considered her insight impressive. Although he was just getting started, many experienced professionals were optimistic about the jade market, making Wang Qian’s idea quite appealing to him.

“Brother Wang, it’s a great idea. We can go together. After the New Year, I’ll send you a telegram, and we can visit together. I’ve been considering the same plan. Little Qianqian, you should consider going into business when you grow up. Your insights are truly remarkable,” Gao Zhenhua commended.

Feeling a bit embarrassed, Wang Qian admitted she didn’t have the skills without the benefit of her previous life’s knowledge.

With a smile, she replied to Gao Zhenhua, “Uncle, you’re flattering me. I’m just guessing, so I can’t guarantee it’ll be successful. Don’t blame me if things don’t go as planned.”

Seeing his father return, the young Gao Shuai, nestled in Zhang Lan’s arms, couldn’t contain his excitement. He wriggled in her embrace, reaching out towards his father. “Daddy, pick me up!”

Gao Zhenhua, filled with affection, scooped up his little bundle of joy.

In the kitchen, the housekeeper had prepared lunch, and Lin Xi invited everyone to the dining room. After staying the night at Lin Xi’s place, Zhang Lan mentioned that they needed to visit an old friend before heading back. While Lin Xi was reluctant to see Zhang Lan leave after their reunion, she understood the family situation and the children waiting at home, so she prepared a bunch of gifts for Zhang Lan and her family to take back.

Despite Wang Zhenhe and his family’s repeated refusals, they couldn’t resist the warmth of the couple. As they bid farewell, Xiao Ping held onto Wang Qian’s hand, eager for her to return and play with her again.

The couple rushed to visit Zuo Xiangqian’s residence, where both Zuo Chen and Zuo Yan were present. The siblings were especially excited to see Wang Zhenhe and his family return.

It was Zhang Lan’s first time meeting the siblings. Qi Wanruo and Zuo Xiangqian were still at work, so only the siblings were there to welcome them.

Handing over the gifts they brought, Zhang Lan asked Zuo Yan, “Yan, how is your father’s health? I’ve heard from your uncle, and I’m concerned. Is he doing well?”

Excited to see the gifts, Zuo Yan replied, “Aunt, ever since my dad started taking that ginseng, he’s been in great shape, even better than my brother. He’s fully recovered. But my mom says we can’t do without this honey. We were running low, and we were about to write to you for more. It’s great that you brought it. After my parents drink your honey and royal jelly, they feel energetic and healthy.”

Zuo Yan felt a natural connection with Zhang Lan, as she had heard about her from her grandparents and found her gentle demeanor comforting. This led to an animated conversation between them.