Free Web NovelChapter 427: Chapter 427: Escaping the Summer Heat
That evening, when Yi Roujing went to Wang Chengdong’s home in the City Government Courtyard for dinner, she unexpectedly saw Dai Caixia, whom she hadn’t seen for a long time. She was also among the invitees, and naturally, both Yi Roujing and Dai Caixia were surprised.
Wang Chengdong also invited the Gu siblings, who were of the same age as Yi Roujing and had common topics. Wang Chengdong himself rarely talked about serious matters. Today’s dinner was simply a welcoming and farewell gathering, as Wang Chengdong had learned that Xu Ancheng and others were returning to Jing City in a couple of days.
Dai Caixia was initially a bit uneasy, but after the meal, Xu Ancheng and Yi Roujing didn’t express any dissatisfaction towards her, which reassured her. She realized she had been judging them with a petty mind. Finally, she toasted them, not to apologize but to wish them a smooth journey back to Jing City.
Dai Caixia ultimately chose to stay at the place where she was on a business trip mainly because of Zhao Jingyuan. She was too troublesome and difficult to deal with. Dai Caixia didn’t want to get involved in the Dai family’s domestic affairs and didn’t want this issue to cause dissatisfaction from her uncle, Dai Chunsheng. It must be said, Dai Caixia’s decision was very wise.
Before leaving, Yi Roujing went to the small villa rented by Guo Xiangxiang to personally say goodbye to Old Mrs. Guo and Guo Xiangxiang. She also went to Yang Junshuai’s home to check on his condition so she could timely communicate and contact Mr. Chu. She left her contact information for Huang Huifen in case of any issues.
Xu Ancheng also exchanged contact information with Ji Yongdiao. Before leaving, Xu Ancheng explored suitable land for building a factory, visited the mountain and orchard where apples are grown, and provided Ji Yongdiao with a plan detailing the upcoming tasks he would undertake.
On the evening of July 28, Xu Ancheng and three others boarded the train back to Jing City. They were seen off by Dai Chunsheng, Li Honghua, and siblings Dai Zhenyan and Dai Zhenhua.
The sleeper tickets for the return journey were purchased by Dai Chunsheng, who also helped carry their luggage onto the train. The number of belongings was much more compared to the journey back. Li Honghua prepared a lot of items, and Yi Roujing and the others bought many things as well, totaling five large burlap bags.
The return journey was smooth, and they arrived in Jing City the next morning. As soon as they got off the train, Ding Anguo, Huang Xiaobao, and others were already on the platform, helping with the luggage. Uncle Cao had driven a car to pick them up, making a single trip to transport everyone and everything to Beiluo Lane.
Ding Weihuo had already prepared breakfast, knowing that Li Hongying and the others couldn’t eat well on the train. He specially prepared white porridge, stir-fried two small dishes, cut pickles and salted duck eggs, and made egg pancakes, which tasted pretty good.
"How are we resting today?" Li Hongying looked at Ding Weihuo and asked.
"I specifically swapped shifts and will go to work the day after tomorrow," Ding Weihuo said cheerfully, "Take your time eating; I’ll go pack the things." frёewebηovel.cѳm
"I’ve written a list, and Big Sister brought something for everyone. Make sure not to mix them up," Li Hongying cautioned him.
"No worries, no worries." Ding Weihuo opened up all five large burlap bags. Most were dry goods, including a large bag filled with seafood dry goods.
"Big Sister knew that Jing City doesn’t have much of these, so she specially sent someone to Qing City to buy them. The fresh ones are hard to carry, but she brought back a small bucket anyway. We’ll eat them at lunch," Li Hongying, still uneasy, emerged with a bowl and sat beside Ding Weihuo to watch him sort.
After finishing breakfast and freshening up, Yi Roujing went to lie down in bed, as sleeping on the train was never comfortable. When she woke again, there was already a fragrant aroma wafting in the courtyard.
Xia Xingchen, Yuan Xiangyu, and others had arrived as well.
"Roujing, your dress is so pretty." Although Yi Roujing was asleep, Anmin helped distribute the gifts she brought for everyone. Yuan Xiangyu and her group had already received theirs and she was now wearing hers.
Yuan Xiangyu was wearing a goose-yellow dress, and it really suited her well.
"Xiangyu—"
"Yujie has arrived." Before Yi Roujing could respond, Yuan Xiangyu excitedly ran over.
Yi Roujing peeked to see that it was indeed Shu Yujie and Ding Xingye who had arrived. Judging by their demeanor, had they confirmed their relationship?
"Yujie, come and see, there’s also a gift from Roujing for you." Yuan Xiangyu eagerly took on the role of host and introduced.
Yi Roujing bought gifts for all her close friends, including her dorm mates. Honestly, this completely spent her saved cloth tickets, but seeing everyone so happy brought her joy.
Ding Xingye, slightly red-faced, greeted Yi Roujing and the others and then went to help Ding Weihuo and Li Hongying, diving head-first into the kitchen.
"Met the parents?" Yuan Xiangyu asked with delight, "How did it go?"
"Of course, it went very well. My own choice can’t be bad, can it?" Shu Yujie said, only pulling her gaze back from Ding Xingye’s back in the kitchen.
"Your family has no objections about Song Yiluo?" Yuan Xiangyu, wife of Zhou Zeyuan, initially didn’t know about the Huaixi County matters but found it hard not to with Zhou Zeyuan around.
"I just told my second brother," Shu Yujie said truthfully. "Never mind Xingye, I have a past too. I don’t mind, but my parents lean towards me, thinking I’m fine but the other side isn’t, so it’s better to wait a bit longer before telling them. Let them grow more fond of Xingye first."
Ni Yanqing and Hua Yiran arrived at 11:30, just in time for lunch.
"Wow, Auntie’s cooking is amazing." Shu Yujie was coming to Beiluo Lane for the first time, and Hua Yiran and others were the same, tasting Li Hongying’s cooking for the first time and being instantly captivated. ƒreewebɳovel.com
"Ancheng, we plan to go to Beidai Mountain to cool off, why not join us? It’s not far from Jing City, just a five to six-hour drive," Ni Yanqing invited at the dining table, "There are hot springs on the mountain."
Yi Roujing’s eyes brightened at the mention of hot springs, and of course, Xu Ancheng didn’t miss it and agreed.
Ni Yanqing mentioned this at the table intending to invite all of Ding Anguo, Huang Xiaobao, and the others along.
"We’ll take a transport truck over and there are deer on the mountain. If we can catch some, roast venison tastes amazing." Ni Yanqing wasn’t new to vacationing at Beidai Mountain, but this was his first time bringing his partner along, so he was especially excited.
"You’ve just returned from a long train ride; how about we set off on August 1st?"
No one in the group had any objections.
When it comes to traveling, children can most hinder the excitement. Feng Lishu, who really wanted to go, hesitated when she considered her own pair of twins.
"Second Sister-in-law, don’t worry, Baozi is coming. We plan to bring Mantou too, so we can enjoy ourselves while Big Brother and Second Brother watch the kids. It’s a rare opportunity to relax. Since they usually spend less time taking care of the kids, they should contribute more now," Ding Anmin reasoned confidently.
Huang Xiaobao hurriedly agreed in support, and Ding Anguo also reassured Feng Lishu, saying they’d help, so the cooling trip was set.
The remaining days were spent preparing things. Yi Roujing, thinking of the hot springs, decided she needed to make herself a swimsuit.
