Chapter 171: Strike When the Time Is Right

He Jinxuan came out after work and saw Lu Haibo waiting outside: "Why did you come over?"

Lu Haibo held up the items in his hand: "Didn’t I tell you, I brought some things for the two little ones, knowing you wouldn’t come to get them."

The two chatted as they walked out together.

Lu Haibo handed the items to He Jinxuan: "I won’t be going over, you take these back to them. Everything I brought this time sold out, very popular."

He Jinxuan took the items from Lu Haibo’s hand: "Got it, just keep that money with you. Next month, we’re going south to deliver goods, we’ll go together."

Lu Haibo’s eyes lit up: "Do you have a new idea?"

He Jinxuan didn’t speak, but nodded to him: "It’s getting late, you should head home and rest early."

Lu Haibo was quite happy about that: "Then brother will wait for your letter."

Remembering why he came over, he leaned closer to He Jinxuan: "Brother, when it’s time to act, act. A man needs to be proactive, opportunities won’t wait."

After saying that, he patted He Jinxuan’s arm and left with a smile.

Both He Jinxuan and Lu Haibo were quick thinkers, sometimes collaborating on side jobs for extra earnings outside of work.

Lu Haibo didn’t expect He Jinxuan to personally go south.

And He Jinxuan had his reasons for making this decision.

He liked listening to the radio, and from that, he gathered some insights. Going south himself was a well-considered decision.

*

After Yu Xinyan got home, she took out the homemade provisions from her space that she’d prepared earlier, because the road in front of this small courtyard was the route He Jinxuan would take home.

Since she planned to return the favor, she couldn’t delay. After eating, she calculated the time and waited by the front gate.

Seeing He Jinxuan approaching, and that he wasn’t accompanied by anyone, she quickly stepped forward with a few things: "Brother He."

Upon hearing the call, He Jinxuan instinctively looked towards the small courtyard and saw who was coming over: "Why did you come out?"

Yu Xinyan handed over the items: "That month’s wages, you didn’t let me return it, saying that when there’s time, I could make some provisions for you guys."

He Jinxuan had just casually said that as an excuse, but didn’t expect Yu Xinyan to remember it. He felt a warm sensation in his heart: "Thank you, then I’ll bring you some food tomorrow."

Yu Xinyan waved her hand: "No need, I’ve prepared plenty of food."

Yu Xinyan thought that she’d prepare the equivalent of twenty yuan worth of food, skipping the labor cost, since after all, they had helped her quite a bit.

But He Jinxuan thought: He couldn’t let her be at a disadvantage. Since she prepared the food, he’d bring some meat and eggs over the next day.

Recalling what Lu Haibo had said before, his face blushed intensely. Once he confirmed his feelings, he didn’t want to hesitate any longer. But the prerequisite was to offer the young lady a superior life, so he must personally head south.

He reached out to take the cloth bag, thinking that by reciprocating, there would be more opportunities to interact. He couldn’t just impulsively mention a relationship and scare her off: "It’s getting late, you should head back. Remember to lock your doors and windows. The security department is just a wall away from your courtyard. If anything happens, just call for assistance."

Yu Xinyan nodded, waved to He Jinxuan: "Then I’m going back."

He Jinxuan watched her enter the courtyard, then remembered he still held the items Lu Haibo had given him, and quickly took a few steps: "Wait."

Yu Xinyan curiously asked: "Brother He, is there anything else?"

He Jinxuan opened the bag from Lu Haibo and saw what was inside: it was loquats: "Go get a bowl and I’ll share some with you."

Yu Xinyan was about to refuse, but then heard He Jinxuan say: "This loquat is rare around here, I’ll give you a few to try."

Upon hearing it was fruit, Yu Xinyan withdrew her refusal, but she didn’t go get a bowl. Instead, she said: "No need for a bowl, I’ll just try one."

Knowing her personality, He Jinxuan didn’t insist. He just grabbed a few and handed them over: "This kind of white sand loquat has easy-to-peel skin, is juicy, and sweet. You should try a few more."

Yu Xinyan smiled as she accepted: "Thank you, Brother He."

He Jinxuan knew he shouldn’t linger around her too long: "Lock your doors and windows, rest early."

After saying that, he turned and left.

The night was too dark for Yu Xinyan to notice anything unusual about him.

Only he knew that earlier when he placed the loquats in her hand, and their fingers accidentally brushed against Yu Xinyan’s soft palm, he felt his heart race.

By the time he got home, he realized his palm holding the bag was covered in sweat.

Ye Silai heard the noise in the yard and shouted outside: "Uncle."

He Jinxuan replied: "Why aren’t you asleep yet?"

He then heard the sound of shoes being put on inside the room: "Uncle, I was waiting for you. Why did you come back so late today?"