Chapter 650 - 628: Good Things

Lin Wan curiously glanced at the date. Seeing the date, she sighed inwardly. The days to return were still far away.

"Xiao Wan, once you leave, I’ll be all alone."

"It’s just a few days. If you’re scared, I can ask Shuhua to stay with you."

"No need, no need, it’s quite troublesome. It’s only a few days anyway. Actually, when Ah Jiang is home, he teaches me some self-defense tricks. Last time he was back, he set up obstacles in the yard — without the main entrance, no one can get in."

Curious, Lin Wan stood up and looked at her pregnant appearance, and said, "Even if someone comes, you can’t fight them off. But your Ah Jiang is smart; he prepped the outer areas well for you."

"Isn’t that right? I was worried about your safety when you’re alone, so I came over to sleep with you."

Lin Wan speechlessly looked up at the sky, grateful for the concern.

...

Lin Wan had mostly finished packing these days, just waiting for her dad to send a car to pick her up.

"Xiao Wan, I heard from the boss yesterday that there’s a piece of land in the East Opening District that’s being planned. It’s going to be developed into an industrial area. Should we try to get a piece?" Yin Peibai called in the evening.

"Is it a vacant land?"

"Yeah, the document just came down and hasn’t been announced yet. If we want it, we can pick a spot early. We could choose a prime location."

"What about the price?"

"About the same size as the distillery, around forty thousand." Yin Peibai laughed and said, "Insider price. If we snag the first piece of land, the government will give a discount."

"Alright, whenever we can choose, let’s grab a piece." The east side is just right next to the army.

"Okay, I’ll let you know."

Yin Peibai hung up the phone and called Su Ling, making her happy as well. This year, they made quite a profit from several pieces of land.

Purchasing a large piece of land.

Meanwhile, Lin Wan was considering who would manage the factory after it was built. She wouldn’t be around much longer. Once she left, she’d need to find someone reliable to take over.

"Saozi, are you home?" Lin Wan didn’t expect Hu Lijuan to be back on holiday already.

"Lijuan, when did you get back?"

"I just got back yesterday. I heard from Mom that you’re going to Z City, so I had to come see you, or else I won’t see you for a year again." Hu Lijuan said while spinning around with Little Star in her arms.

Making Little Star incredibly excited.

With Hu Lijuan on holiday, Lin Wan realized that Hu Dong would also be off soon. Universities usually have earlier breaks.

Hu Dong said earlier that he’d help out at the distillery during the holiday.

After sitting at home for a while, Hu Lijuan insisted on taking Little Star away for two days, saying there was nothing to do at home.

Lin Wan had no choice but to pack clothes and a can of milk powder for them, sending the two off home.

Luckily, the stove in her mother-in-law’s house was burning brightly, keeping the house warm. Lin Wan felt much relieved.

Leaving her mother-in-law’s house, Lin Wan, with nothing else to do, went to Shuhua’s shop.

Now, for the New Year, people fuss over packaging when sending snacks. Shuhua had the print shop make some paper box packages, and there were tin box packages as well, convenient for everyone to carry.

Who would have expected that as soon as Lin Wan stepped into the shop, she saw Xiao Gu.

Both of them blushed shyly upon seeing her.

"Sister Xiao Wan, um... I’m off today."

Lin Wan smirked and raised an eyebrow at him, "Mm, mm, I know."

Their faces turned even redder with Lin Wan’s tease.

Lin Wan couldn’t help but laugh, "If you’re dating, just date. Why hide it? Shuhua, this isn’t like you."

Zhang Shuhua gave her a playful glance, "We... haven’t decided yet."

"What’s there to decide? If you enjoy each other’s company and can talk together, what’s stopping you?" Lin Wan said, looking towards Aunt Jin, "Isn’t that right, Aunt Jin?"

"Indeed, when I married your Uncle Jin, we only met once. We didn’t even hold hands, let alone date, but aren’t we still very loving now?"

Lin Wan smiled at the two, "Hear that? You two getting together is a good thing. Why hide it? Besides, hasn’t Xiao Gu already bought a house?"

With a silly smile, Min Qinggu nodded, "Yeah, I just thought if we got married someday, we’d need a home."

Hearing this brought Lin Wan joy. It seemed Xiao Gu really liked Shuhua, considering marriage with her.

After Xiao Gu spoke, seeing no response from Zhang Shuhua, he awkwardly went over to help Aunt Jin.

Lin Wan took the opportunity when Xiao Gu wasn’t paying attention to poke Zhang Shuhua, "What are you thinking?"

Zhang Shuhua paused, looked up at Lin Wan, then lowered her head, "Xiao Wan, you know my family situation. I’m practically an orphan now. Xiao Gu is also an orphan, and if we truly get together, once we’re in Z City, my parents will definitely cause a fuss. I’m afraid to drag Xiao Gu into this... He’s a good man. I don’t want to burden him, and... I’m two years older than him."

"What’s wrong with being two years older? Xiao Gu doesn’t mind. You’re usually so carefree; how did you become a turtle hiding in its shell when it comes to this? Xiao Gu, a young guy, can manage a restaurant well. Can you say he’s not capable? When it comes to family matters, talk to him and give him a heads-up. Some things are better handled together as a couple rather than alone. Also, Xiao Gu isn’t an orphan now; our family has his back. He’s my brother."

"I’m just scared. I’ve just gotten out and I’m afraid of being crushed by emotions again."

"Don’t overthink it. Xiao Gu’s a good man; if you don’t try, how will you know it won’t work?"

Lin Wan understood that after being hurt once, she must have some lingering shadows in her heart.

Lin Wan comforted Zhang Shuhua for a while, then deliberately asked Xiao Gu to come over and help, giving them space...

"Xiao Wan, Aunt Jin sees those two walking together. Xiao Gu, whenever he’s free, runs over. Sometimes, at night, he even comes to wait and walk Shuhua home. What a good kid." Aunt Jin said with a smile, looking at Lin Wan, "Actually, your Uncle Jin and I have thought about adopting Xiao Gu as our godson. This idea has been lingering in our hearts, but we’re just afraid he won’t agree, so we haven’t dared to ask."

"Aunt Jin, this is a good thing. Why not ask?"

"Sigh, we’re afraid that if we ask and Xiao Gu doesn’t want it, this beautiful relationship will be broken, and Xiao Gu might not want to come to the shop anymore. So we’ve never asked." After all, they were old now, and if they really recognized him as a son, it was clear they’d expect him to take care of them in their old age. Xiao Gu, a grown child, was now capable of earning money and living a comfortable single life. He was about to have his own family; why would he need two old people adding to his burdens?

"Aunt Jin, why don’t I test Xiao Gu’s thoughts first?" Xiao Gu having a family to belong to would be a good thing. Uncle Jin and Aunt Jin’s misfortune was their son’s. Now they were old and alone; it was a sad affair.

Though Aunt Jin had Lin Wan and Han Yi, with Han Yi being a soldier, he hardly came back even once a year. Seeing him was difficult enough, let alone expecting him to fulfill filial duties.

If someone could stay with them now, it’d be wonderful.

"Would that be alright? Once you ask, Xiao Gu might understand our intentions. Would he agree?"

Aunt Jin feared that if the matter was brought to light and Xiao Gu disagreed, he’d become distant from them.

"If you don’t tell him, he’ll never know. Aunt Jin, you should find out what he thinks. Xiao Gu is a good kid, even if he disagrees, he won’t become estranged."

"Yes, what a good kid, why didn’t we meet him sooner?" Aunt Jin lamented, regretting not meeting him earlier.

...

Seeing Xiao Gu always with Zhang Shuhua, whether they talked it over or not was unclear. They didn’t seem to talk much, with Xiao Gu silently following behind Zhang Shuhua.

Lin Wan returned home, pondering how to bring up the topic later.

The next day, before noon, Lin Wan went to Shuhua’s shop.

She suggested an early holiday, buying a sheep for everyone to share, and giving each a big bonus. Everyone contributed a lot this year.

Xiao Gu nodded, secretly noting the matter.

Seeing nothing had changed between Xiao Gu and Zhang Shuhua, Lin Wan, with a smile, asked in a low voice, "How did it go?"

Xiao Gu bashfully laughed, scratching his head, "Well, Shuhua said we could give it a try."

Lin Wan laughed and nudged ahead for Xiao Gu, giving them some space...

"Xiao Wan, Aunt Jin thinks those two can get together. Xiao Gu, now, whenever he has a moment, he runs over here. Sometimes at night, he even waits intentionally to walk Shuhua home. He’s such a good kid." Aunt Jin finishes saying this with a smile, then looks at Lin Wan and says, "Actually, your Uncle Jin and I want to make Xiao Gu our godson. We’ve been thinking about it for a while, but we’re scared he won’t agree, so we haven’t dared to ask."

"Aunt Jin, it’s a really good thing. Why not just ask him?"

"Aunt Jin is afraid of breaking the nice atmosphere if he disagrees. If Xiao Gu doesn’t agree, he might avoid coming to the store in the future, and we wouldn’t want that." After all, they’re old now, and if they did recognize him as a son, it would mean he’d have the obligation to them. They were getting old, lonely, and having someone by their side would be a blessing.

Lin Wan offered, "I can find a chance to talk to Xiao Gu about it."

"That’s a good idea," Aunt Jin nodded, "Xiao Gu is such a good child. Why didn’t we meet him sooner?" she added, a little forlornly.