Chapter 23

“Change to another place? Not in Haishi?”

Zheng Xiaorou had spent time in the countryside and had stayed in even the most rundown areas, so she didn’t have much psychological burden about leaving Haishi. However, now that her job was stable and she had even started dating a boyfriend, she felt utterly unprepared to leave the city.

“Yes. If you are willing, I will consider it together with you. If you are not willing, we can still stay in Haishi,” Lu Yongzhang said, looking at her. He envisioned their future together.

“Well then… let’s see what opportunities arise,” Zheng Xiaorou replied hesitantly.

In fact, she hadn’t previously thought much about continuing her education, but after being with Lu Yongzhang, she unconsciously wanted to draw closer to him and become better. Besides going to university, she couldn’t think of any other abilities she could possess on her own.

Because of her vague “willing,” Lu Yongzhang resolutely seized the opportunity to work with Huo Xingyuan, deeply involving himself in the project to establish a factory in Haishi.

—o—o—o—

Months passed in the blink of an eye. When the news broadcast announced that Country A’s cola company was investing in a factory in the suburbs of Haishi, the century-old Zheng family, who had been stagnant for so long, received tremendous good news—Mother Zheng was allocated a unit’s apartment. Although the new apartment was a bit far, it was a brand-new building!

Father Zheng was indignant. “I originally intended for you to give your position to Xiumei. Now look at this! You, an old woman, are rising in status while it’s of no use to you! How many more years can you work? It’s better to vacate it for your son’s wife!”

Lin Xiumei glanced at her father-in-law awkwardly. “Dad, I’m officially promoted now.”

As she spoke, she looked at her sister-in-law with a grateful expression. While she didn’t know much, she was aware that being selected this time was due to her hard work and the extra position connected to her sister-in-law’s influence.

Don’t ask her how she knew; the head of the unit had asked her both directly and indirectly several times if she knew Lu Yongzhang.

Yes, that very hotshot involved in the factory project. Lu Yongzhang was a specialized talent drawn from the department, responsible for coordinating between Country A’s brand representatives and the distributors in Xiangjiang.

It could be said that for the project to succeed, not only had the policies and business support channels cleared on the Haishi side, but the intermediary’s contributions were also crucial.

After the factory was established, the numerous job opportunities it created became a coveted prize in the eyes of industry peers—being able to enter this factory and learn about Western advanced management and production was like gilding one’s resume.

Father Zheng had little room to maneuver.

He looked at the children who had come to help with the move: his eldest son had received a promotion, his daughter-in-law had secured her position, and his youngest son, with the help of connections, had entered the best high school in the city. Not to mention his daughter, who was a staff member at a publishing house.

The whole family had unknowingly benefited while he remained stagnant.

Mother Zheng, now with a stronger stance after receiving the apartment allocation, spoke up: “You should feel better than thinking you’ve fallen behind. Is your luck not good enough? Last time, a batch of raw materials was ruined during the night shift. If it hadn’t been for the patrol team discovering it early, you wouldn’t have kept this job!” She said quietly, “If others hadn’t known that your connection was Little Lu, you would have been fired long ago and would have been asked to leave early! Just set your mind at ease and come with me to the new apartment.”

Mother Zheng had never thought about it before, but now she realized how good it felt to stand tall. After Father Zheng left early, she became the pillar of the family!

“We’re leaving. It’s not just those two siblings here, right? How can that be acceptable?” Father Zheng’s face turned red, and his neck thickened. “Now, with a single man and woman living across from each other, how can that work?”

“Who says that? I’m at home!” Zheng Tianlei shouted. “Brother Lu is not the kind of person you think he is; Brother Lu respects my sister the most!”

They had sneaked glances at each other several times, looking quite affectionate, but Brother Lu always maintained propriety.

Don’t think he was young; he understood everything he needed to know. He had heard countless stories from his classmates about how those brother-in-laws had rushed to take advantage of their sisters before they were even married.

He had a great deal of respect for his future brother-in-law.

As the family busied themselves, there was a knock at the door.

Zheng Xiaorou opened it and immediately saw Lu Yongzhang and his family of three standing in front of her. Lu Boshi stepped forward, saying, “Xiaorou, quickly let your parents stop their work. The car is parked in the alley, and there are a few more people coming. It’ll be all moved in shortly.”

“Uncle Lu, how can we do that…” She felt embarrassed and shot a glance at Lu Yongzhang, urging him to refuse!

She had asked him to come help, but now he was calling her parents!

He caught her eye and made a reassuring gesture but still stepped inside, saying, “Uncle Zheng, Aunt Zheng, don’t bother. I’ve booked the Songyuan Building. There’s no better time than today, and both our families happen to be free. Let’s have a meal together, shall we?”

He saw the Zheng family’s restraint and said, “There’s no need to be so formal; it’s just a casual meal.”

Father Zheng was in high spirits and replied, “Go ahead, then. Thank you; we won’t be polite!”

Having someone help with moving was a great thing.

Moreover, he had wanted to go eat at Songyuan Building for a long time, but it was just too expensive.

Zheng Xiaorou sighed helplessly and went upstairs to change her clothes.

At that moment, Zheng Tianchao and his wife were wearing the old clothes they had specifically brought and changed back into their guest attire. The Zheng family also changed into different clothes, and soon, the group headed toward the Songyuan Building.

Zheng Xiaorou and Lu Yongzhang trailed at the end of the line. She nervously tugged at his hand, but Lu Yongzhang firmly wrapped his palm around hers. He lowered his voice and asked, “Do you remember the question I asked you before?”

“What question?”

He stopped in his tracks and looked down at her. “I asked you earlier if there were other possibilities for schooling, but it would require changing locations; you said to see the opportunity.”

“Now, there’s an opportunity at the Hong Kong Fashion Institute. You can enroll as long as you pass the English exam and submit a piece of clothing design. The program lasts four years, and you can earn two degrees. Do you want to give it a try?”

Not surprisingly, he saw Zheng Xiaorou’s eyes light up. “Really?”

“Yes, if you’re willing, I’ll handle this matter,” Lu Yongzhang said as he tightly held her hand.

The group entered the private room at Songyuan Building one after another. Once inside, even though the Zheng family had changed into their guest attire, there was still a hint of restraint among them.

A waiter stood at the entrance of the riverside room, and the table was already set with drinks and cold dishes, with a golden tablecloth shining brightly.

Zheng Tianchao frowned and said, “Xiao Lu, this is too extravagant.”

Today’s meal would cost at least two hundred yuan, and he felt this was excessive. His wife’s job was more or less connected to the Lu family, and he didn’t want his younger sister to have to weigh these relationships when considering marriage, leading her to make decisions against her true feelings.

Mother Zheng exchanged an uneasy glance with Lin Xiumei and echoed, “Yes, how could we accept this?”

Zheng Tianlei, who was somewhat clueless, clung to Lu Yongzhang with excitement, saying, “Brother Lu, this place is amazing! We can even see the gate of our school from here!”

“Really nice!” Only Father Zheng remained at ease, his face full of joy. “This is the best private room at Songyuan Building. Brother Lu is showing us a whole new world!”

“Don’t mention it; it’s just a casual meal,” Lu Boshi and Qin Yijun warmly helped each member of the Zheng family to their seats, then involuntarily glanced at their son.

The waiter began to bring in the dishes they had ordered one by one. Lu Yongzhang poured drinks for everyone and raised his glass, saying, “Cheers to Aunt Lu for her retirement promotion and new house!”

“Oh dear… thanks to you.” Mother Zheng finished her drink in one go, then pressed her lips together, still a bit unaccustomed to being the center of attention.

After a round of toasts, Lu Yongzhang looked around the table and firmly grasped Zheng Xiaorou’s hand beneath the table. “Today, in addition to celebrating Aunt Zheng’s new house, I would like to discuss something with Uncle Zheng and Aunt Zheng.”

He cast a deep glance at Zheng Xiaorou. “Due to work, I might be assigned to Hong Kong for a few years. I’ve found a school for Xiaorou over there, and she can go with me. She will attend school while I work.”

Because of the beverage factory’s establishment and the recent popularity of Hong Kong pop music on the radio, the Zheng family was not unfamiliar with Hong Kong; they knew it was a modern city full of temptation and excess.

But to develop in Hong Kong?

They had never dared to think of that.

For a moment, the expressions on the faces of the Zheng family members varied. Father Zheng already wore a broad smile. “This is a great opportunity! It’s similar to being sent abroad for study!”

Mother Zheng and Lin Xiumei exchanged glances filled with mixed emotions while Zheng Tianchao frowned. “This is a good opportunity for you, but it may not be the same for Xiaorou. She has worked hard to secure her position; it would be a shame to give it up just like that. Besides, I’ve heard that everything is expensive in Hong Kong. We can’t afford to support her studies there, and relying on you wouldn’t be appropriate either; it wouldn’t make sense.”

Zheng Tianchao’s words coincided perfectly with Zheng Xiaorou’s thoughts, and a conflicted look appeared in her eyes.

Zheng Xiaorou understood Lu Yongzhang’s thoughts all too well. With the bond of their past lives, she naturally wished to spend her life with him. But would her conservative family accept it?

“Brother is right, so I want to formally propose to Xiaorou today,” Lu Yongzhang said. After finishing this sentence, he didn’t pay attention to the Zheng family, who were left dumbfounded, unable to maintain their expressions. He knew his parents would handle the situation well. Instead, he stood up, pulled a ring from his pocket, and knelt down to take Zheng Xiaorou’s hand.

The gesture of holding her hand made them both involuntarily recall memories from their previous life.

He had held her hand countless times before, but this time felt so different.

Lu Yongzhang gazed at her hand for quite a while before lifting his head to ask, “Xiaorou, will you marry me?”

His palm trembled slightly as he held her hand, and no one could tell just how nervous he was while speaking.

Their clasped hands soon began to sweat, though it was unclear whose palms were wet; they simply knew that the warmth between them was comforting.

Qin Yijun pushed a red cloth bag at the table in front of Mother Zheng. “In-laws, this is what we prepared: the three pieces of gold and the betrothal gifts, along with some fabric tickets and overseas Chinese tickets for Xiaorou to buy things she likes.”

“Oh dear, you all…” Mother Zheng felt at a loss, but Father Zheng had already stuffed the items into her hands, smiling as he said, “Take it! I knew they were a perfect match!”

Neither of them heard these voices.

Lu Yongzhang held the ring and gazed at Zheng Xiaorou, noticing her cheeks flush like the dawn.

Amidst Zheng Tianlei’s sudden applause, he resolutely slid the ring onto her ring finger.

As he stood up, he whispered something only she could hear, “In this lifetime, we won’t miss each other.”

—end of main story