Rebirth: My dad is too obedient

Chapter 568 All My Wishes Have Come True
Tiancheng, the first day of the Lunar New Year.

Lanshan Valley...

As is customary in previous years, Xu Chen has already accompanied his father, Xu Zhiquan, to visit every household in their hometown village to offer New Year's greetings.

Xu Chen wasn't particularly enthusiastic about this activity to begin with, and since he had to accompany Xie Bingran, he had a perfectly legitimate excuse to escape.

When Xu Chen got up, he heard a rushing sound coming from the bathroom.

Then I saw two training clothes lying on the back of the chair, and realized that Xie Bingran had gone downstairs to exercise early in the morning.

Xu Chen didn't bother her; instead, she went downstairs alone to prepare breakfast.

Many of the dishes from yesterday's New Year's Eve dinner are still untouched, and there's also a large plate of dumplings that Lao Xu froze.

Xu Chen cooked some dumplings, refried a plate of lotus root sandwiches, and sliced ​​some sausages and braised beef made by Lao Xu, which made a wonderful New Year's breakfast.

Worried that the "world champion" wasn't getting enough nutrition, they specially steamed two bowls of egg custard.

Xie Bingran came down the stairs, her short hair in front of her forehead not completely dry, looking jet black and shiny.

Seeing Xu Chen busy in the kitchen without making a sound, she went in and hugged him from behind.

Xu Chen was startled, then smiled and cupped Xie Bingran's hands around his waist.

"Do you have cat paw pads on your feet? Why aren't you making any noise?"

Xie Bingran didn't say anything, but hugged him tighter and took a deep breath and sniffed Xu Chen.

"It's just like a dog," Xu Chen remarked.

……

After breakfast, the two sat in the courtyard outside for a while.

Xu Chen brewed a pot of fine tea; the hot tea and cool breeze were very comfortable.

Pig Egg and Ahua were untied and ran around chasing and fighting on the lawn, looking incredibly happy.

Xu Chen went to pick up some leftover food from the kitchen, and the two dogs ate heartily, their tails wagging like they were dancing.

However, the two dogs clearly preferred Bing Ge more. After finishing their food, they rubbed against Bing Ge's legs, whimpering pitifully.

……

In the afternoon, Xu Chen drove Xie Bingran to their home in "Tiansheng Mansion".

Xie Bingran herself has never stayed in the apartment in Tiancheng for more than a few days.

"Sister Fang Jun arranged for someone to clean it before the New Year," Xu Chen said.

The two cuddled on the sofa and watched TV for a while when there was a knock on the door.

"You're here so early?" Xu Chen asked.

"They said they'd come over and cook together," Xie Bingran said softly.

A large group of people arrived, including Li Rui, Zhao Feng, and Fang Tao.

As soon as they entered, they quickly called out "Brother Bing" and "Brother Chen," each carrying some ingredients and sauces.

Zhao Feng had a grin on his face:
"Bing-ge and Chen-ge, you two take a break. Today, Liu Ao and I will mainly be cooking!"

Xu Chen: "You two have this kind of ability?"

Zhao Feng chuckled: "My skill level is average, it's mainly Liu Ao."

He actually studied cooking properly; if he hadn't come to work in the industrial park, he would have become a head chef!

……

……

The second day of the new year.

Early in the morning, Xu Chen drove Xie Bingran to the cemetery by the river in Nanhe Village to pay their respects to his grandmother.

Xie Bingran cooked some dumplings and placed them on the grave, then knelt down and kowtowed ten times.

When she got up, her eyes were a little wet.

Xu Chen patted her head and then pinched her pretty cheeks.

He couldn't help but feel regret.

Grandma never had the chance to witness the achievements and glory that Bing Ge has earned in the past two years.

……

Taking advantage of the relatively quiet village roads, Xu Chen and Xie Bingran arrived at the Xie family's old house.

The area in front of the door was clean and tidy, and even the originally dilapidated wooden door had been repaired.

It's obvious without even thinking that this was arranged by the town and organized by the village.

Enter the courtyard.

Xie Bingran blinked and looked around.

Xu Chen had already picked up a broom from the wall and said with a smile:

"Let's clean up first, then put up the Spring Festival couplets!"

"Um……"

Actually, the yard and house were quite clean; Fang Tao had cleaned them before the Lunar New Year.

However, Xu Chen and Xie Bingran still cleaned it carefully again, and kept doing so until the afternoon.

Xu Chen used a water pump to fill a basin with water, washed his hands, and then took out the brand-new Spring Festival couplets and paste from his bag.

Xie Bingran stood in the courtyard, looking up at the north hall:

"Let's stick it on the pillar!"

Xu Chen: "I'll put it on, you keep an eye on the height."

The two pillars are actually two complete tree trunks.

After all, it's an old house that's been around for decades, and nowadays it's rare to use wooden tree trunks as load-bearing pillars.

Xu Chen stepped onto a stool and hung up the Spring Festival couplets:

The plum blossoms still bloom in the old garden, their fragrance undiminished.

[Swallows build new nests, making dreams come true]...

Xu Chen stood next to Xie Bingran, looked up at her, and nodded in satisfaction.

He looked around the courtyard again and said:
"I'll go see my third uncle in a couple of days and ask him to move a plum tree over."

Now this is what you call 'Plum Blossoms in the Old Garden'.

Xie Bingran hummed in agreement and then placed her soft, chubby little hand into Xu Chen's hand.

……

The two brought some food with them, such as dumplings, braised beef, and sausages.

Xie Bingran lit the coal stove, and the two of them heated up the food together.

They even cooked a seaweed and egg drop soup.

They were supposed to eat in the main room, but Xu Chen said she wanted to go to the roof of the south room.

So Xie Bingran found a large "curtain", put bowls, plates and food on it, and carried it up to the roof of the south room.

Xu Chen followed behind, carrying two small stools and a small square table.

……

The rooftop was already warm and cozy after being exposed to the sun.

The air was filled with the smell of firecrackers that are only present during the Lunar New Year.

The braised beef was cooked by Lao Xu; it had a rich flavor and a chewy texture.

The dumplings were made by Xu Chen and Xie Bingran early this morning; they were fresh and juicy.

The seaweed and egg drop soup was cooked with well water from the courtyard, giving it a sweet and savory flavor...

After they had filled their stomachs, the two sat down together and looked out from the rooftop at the river not far away.

Xie Bingran leaned closer again, put her arm around Xu Chen's arm, and rested her head on his shoulder.

She seemed to remember something, and after a moment of silence, she said in a low voice:
"I spent my birthday with you on this rooftop the year before last."

All the wishes I made back then have come true…

She looked up again and gently kissed Xu Chen on the cheek.

……

……

On the third day of the Lunar New Year, at Tiansheng Mansion.

In the morning, Bing Ge received a phone call and then went downstairs in a rather mysterious manner.

When she returned, she was carrying a cake.

Xu Chen looked confused.

Xie Bingran smiled, pursing her lips:
I'm celebrating your birthday in advance...

"I asked Fang Jun's sister to order this for me, and Li Rui just delivered it."

……

Fruit cake made with animal cream.

The shops recommended by Fang Jun are naturally those that use healthy ingredients and are visually appealing and delicious.

Xie Bingran picked up a lighter and skillfully lit the candle.

"Make a wish," she said.

"Aren't you going to sing me Happy Birthday?" "I...can't sing."

"..."

"Then I'll say it to you: Happy Birthday!"

Xu Chen chuckled and reached out to pinch her cheek.

After making a wish, blow out the candles.

Xu Chen smiled and said again:
"I made three wishes, two of which are related to you."

Xie Bingran: "Oh."

Xu Chen: "All the wishes I make will come true!"

……

Bing Ge's vacation is only four days long.

That evening, Xu Chen drove Xie Bingran to the provincial capital airport.

The two held hands in the waiting hall, clinging to each other and reluctant to part.

Bingge wore a hat and a black mask. Her big eyes stared at Xu Chen, and she looked pitiful and aggrieved.

Xu Chen felt reluctant and heartbroken. He found a secluded corner, lifted her mask, and kissed her passionately.

……

……

In the days following the Lunar New Year, Xu Chen has been staying at Old Xu's large villa.

Xu Zhiquan has been rarely home these past few days, as he has had many social engagements and visits since the Lunar New Year.

There are many relationships to maintain, both in the city and the provincial capital.

Leaders of several other important banks and financial institutions also need to be visited and their relationships maintained.

Some short-term debts will mature within the year, and new financing negotiations will continue.

Of course, for banks and financial institutions, "Chenfeng Technology" is also a very high-quality customer, and they are very willing to lend money to Lao Xu.

Both sides were in a state of "building relationships with each other," and Lao Xu actually received quite a few gifts.

……

On the sixth day of the Lunar New Year, Lao Xu finally got a day off.

He drove Xu Chen back to his hometown village, where they made a point of visiting the elders and relatives to offer New Year's greetings.

Xu Zhiquan is actually a conservative person who values ​​clan traditions. Taking his son to pay New Year's respects to his elders is an annual tradition.

Xu Chen, along with his father, received extremely warm hospitality at each of the homes they visited.

Old Xu is now "General Manager Xu," and he's a very respected figure in his hometown village.

The entire Xu family, and even the entire village, clearly regarded Old Xu as an important figure.

At the same time, Lao Xu also did a lot of things to give back to his hometown.

For example, the main road in the village was sponsored by Lao Xu last year and has now been paved with asphalt and widened considerably.

Old Xu also funded the construction of a new school building for the village's primary school.

It was only during a visit to the village chief that Xu Chen learned that Xu Zhiquan, in Xie Bingran's name, had funded the reconstruction of the village primary school's playground and laid a plastic running track.

The village chief and the primary school principal didn't really understand why Lao Xu was using Xie Bingran's name.

However, they were very cooperative and set up a large bulletin board on the newly built playground that read "World Champion, Tiancheng Pride Xie Bingran".

Xu Chen had also attended the primary school in this village, but he transferred to a school in town when he was in the third grade, so he didn't have much of an impression of it.

Xu Chen was still curious, so he asked Xu Zhiquan to drive him to take a look.

"It really is a brand new synthetic track," Xu Chen joked.

"This playground is as good as the one in the town's middle school!"

Old Xu was smoking a cigarette:

"I found a construction company recommended by a friend, and it didn't actually cost much."

He exhaled a puff of white smoke:

"The key issue is that several primary schools in the villages under the town share a single physical education teacher."

But this matter falls under the jurisdiction of the Education Bureau, and involves teacher staffing issues, so there's nothing I can do to help or have a say in it.

There was still a hint of regret in his words.

……

……

On the eighth day of the Lunar New Year, Chenfeng Technology resumed work.

Old Xu didn't organize an overly grand or extravagant groundbreaking ceremony, but it still had a lively atmosphere.

The core activities consist of two things: setting off firecrackers and distributing red envelopes.

Xu Zhiquan, dressed in a new suit, personally handed out red envelopes to each employee at the entrance of the new "Chenfeng Technology" building.

Xu Chen mingled in the line to receive red envelopes, recalling his past life at Tencent's headquarters in Shenzhen, where he lined up with Ma Huateng to receive a start-of-work red envelope...

When Xu Zhiquan saw his son standing in front of him, he was stunned for a moment, then burst into laughter twice.

"Mr. Xu, congratulations on your fortune!" Xu Chen said with a smile.

Xu Zhiquan patted his son's shoulder with a smile, took a red envelope from Wu Yue behind him, and handed it to "Little President Xu".

……

Before they knew it, it was Xu Chen's birthday.

Old Xu felt that turning twenty was a big birthday and he definitely wanted to make a big deal out of it.

Xu Chen didn't want to go through too much trouble, mainly because she found it too much trouble, but Lao Xu insisted, saying, "We have such a good son, we have to show him off to our relatives and friends."

The birthday banquet was held at the newly opened "Junjia Hotel" in Tiancheng, whose owner is also a friend of Xu Zhiquan.

It is said that the restaurant's head chef was once the "executive chef" of a Chinese restaurant in a certain five-star hotel, and was poached from Beijing by the owner.

The invited guests were mainly from three groups of people.

First, there are Xu's close relatives and friends, including his fourth uncle and third maternal uncle, as well as his paternal uncle and aunt, with whom Xu Chen has not had much contact in the past year.

Secondly, the company's core management team includes Dr. Liu, Yang Congxin, Fang Jun, and others from "Chenfeng Technology," as well as the general managers of several bases under "Chenxin Nursery."

The third wave consisted of Xu Chen's classmates and friends.

Xu Chen didn't invite too many people; those who came were his close junior and senior high school classmates, such as Chen Dahai and a few of his high school roommates.

Li Rui, Zhao Feng, and the others naturally sat together as well...

Not long after the banquet began, another guest arrived late, and Xu Zhiquan dragged Xu Chen out to greet them.

It was Feng Qingqing and her parents.

Feng Wenjiang has been promoted to the second-in-command of the district, and his aura is much stronger than when he was the town mayor.

But when he met his "good brother" Xu Zhiquan, he was still warm and easy-going.

Feng Qingqing remained the same as always, but today she wore a red hair clip and looked somewhat shy.

This was the first time I had met Mrs. Feng; she appeared kind and elegant.

Xu Chen was very well-behaved and quickly and earnestly greeted and got to know Mrs. Feng.

……

Xu Zhiquan had originally planned several activities for the banquet, and even asked Xu Chen to speak on stage, but Xu Chen explicitly refused.

Old Xu, who loves excitement, was a little disappointed, but he still followed his son's advice and didn't forcefully insert any segments.

However, during the meal, Xu Chen still followed his father, Xu Zhiquan, to each table to offer a toast and express his gratitude.

Xu Chen knew most of the people at the tables and was familiar with them, except for the "general managers of seedling bases" from "Chenxin Nursery," whom he was meeting for the first time.

They had clearly heard of "Young Master Xu" before, and they were exceptionally polite as they drank with the "young master" to get to know him.

……

After greeting everyone, Xu Zhiquan was still busy with various social engagements, while Xu Chen finally had a chance to slip back and catch his breath.

He didn't go back to the main table, but instead went to the table where Chen Dahai and Li Rui were sitting.

These are all good brothers here, so let's relax and be casual.

……

……

During the banquet.

Fang Jun sat quietly; he had already drunk quite a bit today.

Her phone vibrated, and she took it out to look at it, but her expression instantly turned serious.

Looking up and around, I finally spotted Xu Zhiquan at the table by the door, still holding a wine glass and socializing.

Xu Zhiquan seemed to sense something and turned his head as well.

Fang Jun stood up without saying a word, holding his phone with a solemn expression, and walked out of the banquet hall.

Xu Zhiquan frowned, but then quickly regained his cheerful demeanor.

But after greeting the guests at this table, he apologized for going to the restroom and turned to walk towards the door.

He didn't even have time to put down the wine glass in his hand.

……

(End of this chapter)