Chapter 814: Hoping for a Stroke of Luck

Xinyan looked at the woven bag full of fresh bamboo shoots: "Granny Zhang, we can have a meal, and then there’s enough left for pickled chili bamboo shoots."

Granny Zhang laughed and agreed: "Sure, there’s still a lot of the pickled chili we made before."

Worried that the fresh bamboo shoots might spoil in the woven bag, Xinyan poured them out and prepared to soak them in a large basin with water.

He Jinxuan was busy helping: "These bamboo shoots were so fresh when bought, I even put a few ice blocks inside to keep them fresh."

Granny Zhang was pleasantly surprised by Jinxuan’s thoughtfulness: "Let’s eat first and tidy up later."

Xinyan nodded in agreement, helping to serve the dishes: "Granny Zhang, let’s give some to Grandma Tong next door to taste."

Granny Zhang was all smiles: "Sure, these bamboo shoots are tender; her old teeth should manage."

Just as Granny Zhang was speaking, Grandma Tong walked over with a bowl of prepared cold seaweed salad: "Talking bad about me?"

After saying that, she noticed He Jinxuan under the magnolia tree: "Jinxuan is here?"

He Jinxuan nodded towards Old Mrs. Tong: "Yes."

Granny Zhang heard Grandma Tong and came out of the kitchen, smiling: "Jinxuan brought some fresh bamboo shoots back from the south, and we were just saying we’d send some over after dinner for you to try, and here you are."

Noticing the bowl in her hand: "What did you bring over this time?"

Old Mrs. Tong handed the bowl over with a smile: "My son’s colleague brought some seaweed from their hometown, and we made a cold dish with it. I thought I’d share some with you."

The two elderly ladies laughed together as Granny Zhang took the bowl: "Perfect timing, saves me a trip. You can take the fresh bamboo shoots back now and have a taste."

Xinyan wrapped a small package of dried plum cabbage in kraft paper: "Grandma Tong, there’s a bit of dried plum cabbage in here, please take it back with you."

Old Mrs. Tong didn’t stand on ceremony and accepted it with a laugh: "I’ll ask them to buy pork belly tomorrow and make braised pork with dried plum cabbage. Congratulations to them for a treat."

Granny Zhang then cleared out the bowl, washed it, and filled it with fresh bamboo shoots: "The dried plum cabbage might be too tough for your teeth, but the fresh bamboo shoots should be fine."

Old Mrs. Tong chuckled: "Can’t chew the dried plum cabbage, but it will add flavor to the meat, so at least I’ll get a taste of it."

Just as they were chatting, Grandma Tong’s eldest grandson arrived: "Grandma, I’m here under orders to pick you up."

Granny Zhang chuckled: "Ah, certainly everyone must be waiting for you for dinner."

Old Mrs. Tong bid farewell to Xinyan and He Jinxuan with a smile and left with her grandson.

Xinyan enjoyed this kind of neighborly relationship: "Let’s eat too and try Grandma Tong’s seaweed salad."

He Jinxuan, listening to this, thought to himself that his little girl seemed to enjoy seafood. Next time he went south, he’d bring back plenty of it for her to enjoy.

Xinyan was mindful that He Jinxuan had to drive tomorrow, so after eating, she urged him to go rest.

But he insisted on accompanying her to medical school and seeing her back at the courtyard before leaving.

They couldn’t settle their disagreement, so Granny Zhang, understanding the situation, suggested: "Then escort Xinyan there, say hello, and Jinxuan should head back to rest."

He knew Xinyan’s combat power, but previously Xinyan mentioned someone had been following her, which made him uneasy.

Though he wanted to persist, he didn’t want to upset Xinyan, so he agreed.

However, despite agreeing, he had other plans in mind.

He was hoping to chance upon the person following Xinyan.

As they left the courtyard heading to her mentor’s place, He Jinxuan subtly inquired about recent matters, learning that someone had followed Xinyan a few days ago, he knew what he needed to do.

After escorting Xinyan into the Du Family and exchanging greetings with the Du Family, Xinyan introduced him to Du Lingyun and her mother, explaining: "He just got back today and has to drive tomorrow, so he should rest early."

Upon hearing this, everyone urged him to go back early.

He Jinxuan greeted everyone and left the Du Family.

However, after leaving, he didn’t take the car but instead found a public phone and called Qin Peiyi’s home, giving a few instructions before finding a secluded spot to wait, hoping for a stroke of luck.