Chapter 902: Spin-off 356: The Mysterious Apartment of Gods! Xicheng Ji Family_2
Xu Nanjing answered him, "Dean Huang, you should head to Building Six, Principal Shi and Dean Jian are also there, and you might still be able to get it approved."
Dean Huang felt a sudden tightness in his heart, "Dean Jian of Jiangyin?"
Could he still be harboring designs on Bai Lian?
"Is Building Five sold out?" Dean Huangâs heart tensed, and in a couple of days, he would need to mention to Shun Yu that he shouldnât let Dean Jian lead people astray.
Xu Nanjing fell silent for a moment.
Dean Huang looked up, having visited Building Five many times himself.
It wasnât to see Bai Lian or Ning Xiao, it was to see Yang Lin. Besides them, there were hardly any other comings and goings in that building. There should still be many empty rooms.
"Almost," Xu Nanjing replied, "The rest are in Jiang Geâs hands, you know who owns this property."
Dean Huang: "..."
This damn rich man.
**
This year, the Lunar New Year in Xiangcheng was livelier than ever.
The number of people from out of town who came to Xiangcheng for the New Year had doubled from last year.
Not only that, the number of people coming from elsewhere to settle in Xiangcheng was gradually increasing.
And at the Ji Hengâs courtyard, on New Yearâs Eve, the atmosphere was exceptionally lively.
Ning Xiao, Yang Lin, Mao Kun, Xiaoqi, and Xiaowu were all there, with Ji Shaojun and Shen Qing acting as the main chefs, while Ning Xiao, Yang Lin, and Mao Kun served as their sous-chefs.
Jiang He was outside playing Go with Ji Heng.
Jiang Fulai, meanwhile, was affixing couplets at the entrance of the courtyard under Bai Lianâs direction.
He had a tall and straight figure with distinct features, using his height to his advantage. He tilted his body to align with the couplets, his brows, like the cool moon lowering slightly as he methodically asked Bai Lian, who stood two meters away, "How about this height?"
Bai Lian, dressed in a green gown, casually clasped her hands, standing on the bluestone path of the alley, "A little lower on the left... move a little more to the left..."
Occasionally, tourists who went to Purest Street to worship the Tree God got lost and wandered into the alley where fireworks and human life intertwined.
In the lingering twilight, they only saw a pair of godly lovers, delicate in features and seemingly not of this world, affixing couplets.
For a moment, the travelers thought they had entered another dimension.
They only came to their senses when the woman in the green gown turned around.
Hearing that the travelers were lost, Bai Lian smiled and pointed to the black lamp post at their side, "Follow the lamp posts of this color, and youâll reach Purest Street."
The travelers looked up and finally noticed the black lamp posts behind them.
Different from the silver railing lamp posts at other directions of the crossroads.
Following the black lamp posts, they indeed quickly arrived at the main avenue of Purest Street.
The travelers, looking at the crowded throng outside, felt suddenly bewildered, as though they had just experienced a fabled land of peace, and involuntarily took another glance back.
**
At the Ren Family.
Usually boisterous, this year it was exceptionally quiet.
"I asked already, heâs spending New Yearâs with his grandfather," Ren Jiawei entered the living room and saw Ren Qian, who had aged several more years, standing before the floor-to-ceiling windows, "Heâs not coming back."
She was talking about Xiaoqi.
Ren Qian remained silent, showing little emotion towards what Ren Jiawei said.
This proud man had spent his entire life, but now he was stuck in a dead end.
He resented Zhou Jian, but couldnât bring himself to be close to Xiaoqi, his grandson who hadnât even finished junior high, nor could he face the fact that his granddaughter, whom he had raised by hand, had long known that she was not his biological kin.
"Is he continuing his studies?" Outside the front gates, an elderly lady with a walking stick came in.
Ren Jiawei treated the old lady with great politeness, "Granny, as for him, it depends on his own wishes. Shaorong and I have no right to control him."
This lady was Ren Qianâs sister, Ren Jiaweiâs grandaunt.
Ren Jiawei had always called her granny out of respect as a junior family member.
The Ren Family granny shook her head.
But she didnât speak in front of Ren Jiawei, only waiting until Ren Jiawei walked away with a bag before she spoke to Ren Qian, "I think you should really think it through, this canât go on like this. That..."
She paused, momentarily forgetting Xiaoqiâs name, "He canât be a delinquent for life, it would be better than... "
She stopped herself, realizing it wasnât appropriate to bring up Ren Wanxuan given the circumstances.
She didnât mention it further.
**
After the New Year.
Xiaoqi needed to verify the matters of the Xiangcheng Suspended Health clinic.
Ji Heng was going to Xicheng.
Bai Lian usually didnât inquire much into Ji Hengâs private affairs, but Jiang Fulai asked him a couple more questions. Standing behind Bai Lian, watching Jiang He and Pu Xiaohan play chess, he remembered something, "The main base for sea water uranium extraction is in Xicheng, you and Ning Xiao also need to go over there, you still have to hand things over to Xida University."
A confidential project.
Bai Lianâs hand slowly twirled her phone, "Letâs send a report that weâll go with Grandpa."
She and Ning Xiao just happened to need to collect some data as well.
Jiang Fulai watched as Pu Xiaohan placed a white piece and, unable to bear looking directly, averted his gaze, "Okay, Iâll arrange it."
Xicheng.
A city close to the sea, with distinct seasons.
The old district of the Weaving Factory, quaint and charming.
In the manor house of the old city district, people in black clothes reported to the individuals in the tea room, "Eldest Lady, Second Master, Second Lady, the eldest son-in-law arrived at the airport at one oâclock."
Holding Buddha Beads, Ji Familyâs Second Master remembered who the eldest son-in-law was and his expression turned cold.
The Ji Familyâs Eldest Lady set down her teacup and stood up, "Have someone clean up Wanxinâs room again."
The Ji Familyâs Second Lady looked puzzled at the Second Master. She married late and had never met Ji Wanxin, only having heard of this talented woman.
Beside them, a young man also looked towards the Second Master, "Grandfather, who is the eldest son-in-law?"
"Your Aunt Wanxin," Ji Familyâs Second Master said in silence, "moved to Xiangcheng after marrying a man from another place."
He picked up his coat and headed out the door.
The Second Lady watched his retreating figure, "Arenât you waiting for the eldest son-in-law?"
Ji Familyâs Second Master didnât speak, and just left.
"Well then, Grandma," the young man also left, "Iâm heading out too. Thereâs an alumni association today, and I heard Master Pei is also attending. Iâll go have a look."
The Second Lady waved her hand, signaling him to go.
**
Xicheng Airport.
The Ji Familyâs chauffeur was waiting for Ji Heng.
Ji Heng was still dressed in an old-fashioned robe, holding a big smoking pipe, and was exceptionally silent.
He didnât bring any luggage.
Jiang Fulai was still inside the VIP room, communicating with people on the Xicheng side.
His and Bai Lianâs arrival took the people from Xida University and the sea water base by surprise.
Bai Lian accompanied Ji Heng to the drop-off point.
The airport was crowded, and not far behind her, an undercover security officer who had been waiting at the airport followed.
"Eldest son-in-law," the Ji Familyâs driver confirmed Ji Hengâs identity over the phone, very polite, and his gaze then fell on Bai Lian at his side, "And this lady is...?"
Wearing a blue trench coat, Bai Lian seemed like a hazy blue moon in the sky.
Peaceful and casual.
She made the surrounding scenery seem like mere background.
"Granddaughter," Ji Heng waved his hand, signaling Bai Lian to go back, "No worries, weâll go ahead."
Ji Hengâs granddaughter?
The Ji Familyâs driver sat puzzled in the driverâs seat, "Eldest son-in-law, isnât your granddaughter coming along?"
Ji Heng was silent for a moment.
He didnât know what Bai Lian was up to but he knew she had official business today; the guards had been waiting for her and Jiang Fulai in the waiting room since they landed.
He imagined Bai Lian with two guards visiting the Ji Family; the thought was too beautiful.
"She has things to do," Ji Heng settled into his seat.
Forget it.
The identites of these kids were special now, and meeting them wasnât as easy as it used to be.
Behind him, Bai Lian watched Ji Hengâs car leave, noting down the license plate number.
On her way back, she received a call.
It was Wang Xu.
It seemed noisy on his end, and he found a quieter place. The prefix was a bit long, "Goddess of Fortune, I heard from Pei Xu that Ning the Genius told him you guys are in Xicheng? How come youâre on our turf without telling me? Where are you guys now?"