Gu Qiaoqiao naturally heard Qin Yize talk about future planning, and his future is not the distant future but is set to be basically implemented this year.
"Thatâs quite a big project, how long will it take?"
"About a year, I think." Qin Yize took Gu Qiaoqiaoâs hand, "Come on, let me take you over there to see..."
"Now?"
"Yes, the weather is nice today, letâs take a taxi."
The bus stop is at the entrance of North Mountain Villa, but Qin Yize doesnât want the pregnant Qiaoqiao to squeeze onto the bus with everyone else.
The distance from North Mountain Villa to the wasteland isnât far, it takes twenty minutes by car, which is considered quite close in a city this large.
Qin Yize helped Gu Qiaoqiao off the taxi, paid the driver, who parked the car at the roadside waiting happily for the young couple to return.
Though he had to wait, the fare they gave was far more profitable than continuing to pick up passengers.
So naturally, he waited willingly.
At the moment, this wasteland was covered with a layer of snow; in some parts, you could see that nearby residents had planted vegetables, while other areas grew tall wild grass and reeds.
This place doesnât qualify as a bustling area, itâs somewhat far from the city center, with some village land here in previous years; this area has been under planning and construction for years, leaving no trace of the old wheat fields and single-story houses.
However, itâs still not part of the city; if you go further north, there are supermarkets and malls nearby, making living convenient.
Gu Qiaoqiao knows, in a few years this will become a bustling area too.
But she wasnât aware that the Qin Family has land here, "Ah Ze, is this land newly purchased or old?"
"Great Grandfather bought it two years ago. He wanted to build residential buildings, but Second Uncle disagreed, saying building a mall would be better. They argued, and in anger, Great Grandfather abandoned the idea. Now, it just happens to be useful for me."
As Qin Yize spoke, he led Gu Qiaoqiao toward a more stable high ground, gently embraced her, and pointed towards the wasteland with a tone of playful mockery, "Qiaoqiao, I will build you an empire here!"
Gu Qiaoqiao suddenly froze, looking at the playful yet seriously focused Qin Yize, wanting to laugh but not daring, wanting to praise him but unsure how to begin.
And so, they locked gazes, and the next moment, Gu Qiaoqiao leaned into his chest, unable to hold back her stifled laughter.
Her shoulders trembling as she laughed.
Qin Yize was half-joking to tease his wife, but indeed, this was where the Qin Familyâs soaring future begins, which he didnât exaggerate but expressed differently.
Although he is confident, he doesnât need to boast to Qiaoqiao while facing the wasteland.
The meaning was there, making her happy was enough, so Qin Yize seized the chance to pinch his wifeâs fair cheek, speaking with a chuckle, "Was what I said that funny?"
Gu Qiaoqiao nestled in his arms, nodding erratically.
Qin Yize gently pulled her from his embrace, seeing her laugh until she shed tears, he wiped them away and teased, "No sense of dignity, laughing at such low-level jokes."
"The funny thing is your tone was serious, making it amusing."
"Without a bit of seriousness, would you laugh?"
Gu Qiaoqiao glared at him, "So youâre doing this on purpose."
Qin Yize restrained his amusement, feeling satisfied with the place, he led Gu Qiaoqiao toward the tall wild grass. Though the ground was uneven, taking slow steps was quite leisurely.
The wild grass stood as tall as a person, Qin Yize plucked some reeds and handed them to Gu Qiaoqiao, "Do they look nice?"
The reeds here are purely wild; as nobody messes with them, the reed tassels are still intact. Gu Qiaoqiao held them in her palm, inspecting with interest, she pointed at the large reeds directing Qin Yize, "Pick them all, weâll put them in a vase. It will surely look good; I remember Aunt said she liked doing this when she was young. Letâs put a bunch in her room."
Regarding that, Qin Yize truly was unaware.
However, imagining the shape of the reed tassels, he thought indeed they had a rustic charm.
"You stay put, Iâll do the picking; these have burrs." Qin Yize stopped Gu Qiaoqiao, who was eager to try, and began picking them as she instructed.
Gu Qiaoqiao looked around, "Ah Ze, will work start here in spring?"
"Yes, preparations will begin after the Spring Festival." Qin Yize paused, then praised, "Great Grandfather was very foresighted; the distance to the Courtyard isnât far, it only takes a bit over twenty minutes to drive home. This way, when I start working, I wonât waste time on the road."
"Sure does. I calculated the travel time, it takes about forty minutes to Yubao Square, which is quite fast." Gu Qiaoqiao said with a smile.
Before Qin Yize could speak, she continued, "Okay, thatâs enough, having too many is wasteful..."
Nonetheless, they had picked almost half the reed tassels in that area.
Qin Yize held a bundle of reed tassels in his left hand, and with his right hand, he held Gu Qiaoqiaoâs, "Letâs head back."
Then, the two of them made their way back, and Gu Qiaoqiao glanced back, "Ah Ze, if possible, leave that patch of reeds be..."
"Sure." Qin Yize agreed without hesitation.
Gu Qiaoqiao raised an eyebrow, watching Qin Yize, "You agreed without even asking why?"
"If you say so, there must be a reason, and the building foundation isnât there..." Qin Yize explained reasonably.
Gu Qiaoqiao realized, following Qin Yize down the slope, she whispered, "That patch of reeds has abundant Spiritual Energy, itâs the best area for atmosphere here, just donât waste it."
On hearing Gu Qiaoqiaoâs words, Qin Yizeâs expression turned serious for a few seconds, nodding, "Yes, Iâll plan thoroughly then."
Gu Qiaoqiao was quite pleased, and the two of them left the wasteland. The taxi driver hurriedly opened the car door, looking at them with a grin, "Picked so many reeds, unexpectedly, theyâre quite nice looking, are you putting them in a vase?"
The driver master seemed quite knowledgeable.
Gu Qiaoqiao got into the car, "Yes, driver master, you guessed right, weâre putting them in the vase."
The driver master then started the car, driving towards Qin Familyâs Courtyard, speaking while driving, "This land has been abandoned for several years, though owned, houses havenât been built. It lets the nearby elderly grow vegetables instead."
Qin Yize didnât reply, so Gu Qiaoqiao took over, "Then growing vegetables here must be good."
"Without a doubt, it used to be farmland. Now, as the Imperial Capital develops, farmers here have turned into city people, speaking of the unpredictability of life."
The driverâs tone carried a hint of envy.