Chapter 1398: Departure
"Then I’m sorry too. We’ll see when the time comes. Red Army and Uncle Wei are busy year-end, and I might have to look after my nephew."
Chaoyang’s face fell. Yeah, his cousin would already have given birth by then.
"By that time, the child will be two or three months old. Everyone’s free, just let them take care of the child themselves; you accompany me."
Jing Chu had never seen Chaoyang like this. Was this him being coy? It felt quite novel.
"I already said, let’s discuss it when the time comes."
Chaoyang held onto Jing Chu, not letting her go, until Lv Beiguang came over and called him; only then did he let go.
"Jing Chu, will you go to the city with me tomorrow?"
"No, isn’t my brother driving you there?"
Chaoyang knew this would be the case. He was a bit disappointed, but to have reached this stage, he was already grateful.
The next day, as Chaoyang was leaving, Wei Kaiyun gave him some instructions and contacts, which he could reach out to anytime.
Chaoyang left, excited. His mentor truly recognized him now. He would work hard and never let his mentor down.
The two arrived at the train station. Chaoyang didn’t have much luggage, but these three jars of wine were precious; he wrapped them in cotton covers, which eased his mind. His mentor had instructed him to safeguard them, as they’d be future business.
Guodong saw Chaoyang off and made a trip to the Li Family, handing over a bag of white flour, declining to stay for a meal, and went straight home.
He initially planned to take Xue for an ultrasound, but Aunt Jiang advised that too many ultrasounds weren’t good; they’d already checked in the Capital, so better to go with the flow.
Sister-in-law Wu had tidied up the house, chatting with Lu Fengzhen, "Your son-in-law is really great."
"Yeah, he’s pretty good, a good person."
"I can see that, obviously someone with a good temperament; with your daughter marrying such a man, you can rest assured."
"Exactly, at least we aren’t worried about Xue being mistreated."
Guodong was indeed good-natured, inheriting Lv Beiguang’s personality, seemingly honest and kind.
Life passed in this busy manner, especially Lv Beiguang, who was busy to the point of being elusive.
This made Yang Xiuqin the happiest, as she could spend long hours with Lv Beiguang daily.
The two grew increasingly in sync; whatever Lv Beiguang needed, Yang Xiuqin could instantly hand it to him.
In Lv Beiguang’s heart, he never saw Yang Xiuqin as a woman, just a very harmonious work partner.
The rest of the Educated Youth wanted to work at the distillery as well; Li Yungui gathered them all and had them vote.
The Educated Youth ultimately didn’t pass this decision, so they had to continue working elsewhere.
They were aware their chances were slim, though disappointed, but it was the village’s decision. They had no choice.
The first batch of wine had been stored in the cellar. Li Yungui made a trip to villages with whom they had good relations to buy thirty thousand jin of sorghum.
Now, Li Yungui wasn’t stingy with money. He’d been to the cellar, and jar after jar of wine was money. Men naturally liked wine; they were willing to spend on it.
Another cellar held dozens of jars of wine as well, all thanks to Lv Beiguang and Yang Xiuqin. Transporting to the cellar was done by Guodong and Old Yang together; no one else was involved.
The two were never idle, it was as if there was a finished product every day.
Wei Kaiyun teased the energetic Lv Beiguang, "Actually, you never intended to be a secretary from the start, right?"
Lv Beiguang just laughed, "I started liking brewing after becoming a secretary."
He almost didn’t return home, living and eating at the distillery.
Each time Li Xue came to deliver meals, and she’d bring extra; it was just the two of them, and leaving one out felt very awkward.
They also had quite a favorable impression of this Yang Educated Youth.
He had a keen sense, capable and deserving of his physique.
Every night, Guodong would come over to help with work; Jing Chu stayed home with Li Xue.
"Dad really loves brewing now. I think if you ask him now, he’d certainly be glad he came here."
Jing Chu laughed on the side; indeed, she seldom saw Dad so joyful and spirited.
"I wonder if Second Brother has arrived yet?"
"Not that fast, not even a month yet."
"Jing Chu, did you hear, Hu Educated Youth and Shen Educated Youth already moved out."
"Yeah, they handed out wedding sweets a few days ago."
"The remaining Educated Youth must be anxious."
"Indeed. I saw them looking for masons. But it’s coming soon."
"My second uncle says new Educated Youth will arrive this year."
"They’re all the same though. Don’t worry about housing Educated Youth; they’ve all moved out, only two male Educated Youth left."
"Exactly, looks like they plan not to return, all want to stay here."
"It’s normal, no news at all, they shouldn’t worry needlessly, life is the same everywhere. Why create trouble for oneself?"
"You think everyone has your mindset? I once heard them talk about their home situations, that they think home is good."
"Actually, it may not be better, considering our village; where can compare?"
Jing Chu nodded too. Li Family Village indeed developed well. Yet, people often believe home is best, which is normal.
"Only one month until the wheat harvest," Li Xue sighed. She wasn’t afraid of the autumn harvest, just the wheat harvest, it felt terrible. Humid, with straw sticking to skin.
"It’s okay; we have threshers, unlike other villages that have to manually thresh."
"My second uncle said they’d rent threshers out this year, already promised to Jin Family Village."
Jing Chu chuckled; her future father-in-law liked making money.
"If so, we’d better hurry."
Suddenly, after chatting awhile, the two went back to their rooms to rest.
Today was the big day for Shen Youjun and Hu Wenhui moving houses, also their wedding night.
Actually, Shen Youjun had long wanted this, but never had the opportunity.
Today he was finally with his wife, the feeling was indescribable.
Hu Wenhui’s heart was finally settled too. From now on, this was home; no need to always think about going back. In the Li Family Village, as long as they worked hard, life could be good, even though village good fortune seldom reached them, the work points and money never shortchanged the Educated Youth.
"Now I finally understand how Xu Chunshan once lived his independent life."
"Wife, I guess our family received the letter, knowing we’ve settled down."
"Yes, it’s been over a month now." Still unsure of the family’s attitude.