Spring Breeze Twenty Years

Chapter 1289 Three Wives

In the evening, Old Chen and Aunt Chen returned home. After dinner, everyone sat in the yard chatting and watching the children play. Old Chen began to reminisce again. He loved the feeling of his family being together like this, with his grandchildren playing around him.

Aunt Chen said, "Let's send the children back to Fengtian to attend kindergarten next spring. They'll stay with us for about a year. We can be more at ease there since it's our own place. Sister-in-law, please take good care of them. They can come back to primary school when they're old enough."

"I'll still have to go to school here; the difference is quite significant. Eventually, everyone will be going to the affiliated primary school of the Fourth Middle School."

Xiaowei's mother said, "Why worry? I'm happy to take care of the child, isn't that great? I don't know much about this, so I'll leave it to you."

Xiao Wei and Chen Hui reported the company's situation and the arrangements discussed today to Lao Chen. Lao Chen didn't say anything else, just offered his opinion, which was generally fine.

The night was deep and all was quiet.

The entire courtyard and the surrounding streets fell silent, with only the faint sounds of music and voices occasionally drifting over from the east side of the lake, carried on the wind.

After calming down the slightly agitated Xiao Hong, Xiao Wei emerged from that slippery spot and, having released his pent-up emotions, looked out at the moonlight and gently stroked Xiao Hong's hair.

"Did you miss me?"

"Of course I want to think about it! Why are you asking such childish questions? Are you just going to skip work altogether? Until the baby's one-month celebration?"

Xiao Hong pinched Xiao Wei's arm: "I'm not going. I'm really tired, my body feels heavier and heavier. There's no specific schedule yet, we'll see."

"That's fine too. I was thinking that if something happens to me while I'm at work all day, what if something goes wrong?"

"Don't you ever wish me anything good?"

"I've noticed you're really asking for a beating lately."

"You two have the guts. Clean up, clean up. Ah, um. Yes, yes, yes. Be gentle."

……

Over the next few days, the family drove around the entire city of Kyoto, visiting everything except the Great Wall. Climbing the Great Wall was too tiring, and with so many children, plus Xiaohong being heavily pregnant, no one wanted to go.

As the weather gets warmer day by day, the sound of cicadas fills the air by the lake, and the large pond in the front yard becomes the most popular spot.

Xiao Wei's father, Uncle Wang, and Xia Maosheng came for two days and then went back. The three of them are now living the high life, like monkeys ruling the mountain in the absence of a tiger.

Wang Yan became familiar with everyone and adapted to life there, affectionately calling Qin Xuemei "Mom" repeatedly. Children don't keep secrets, and she genuinely liked this beautiful "Mom."

The little mud doll suddenly transformed into a little princess.

The happiest was Xiao Xiao Hui, who had been staying here for more than half a year and suddenly had several playmates. Everywhere—in the corners of the walls, on the tree roots, on the artificial hill in the garden—were evidence of the four little ones' misdeeds; the ants in the yard suffered, as did the earthworms.

Some horizontal bar equipment was added to the middle courtyard, and several swings and two seesaws were added to the backyard.

The courtyard wall over Doujiao Hutong has been rebuilt, and the main structure inside has been completed. They are currently working on the interior and wooden components such as doors and windows.

Ma San'er's wife has already started working and is responsible for looking after the children. Xiao Hong and Chen Xiao observed her for a few days and said she was quite good, very patient, and could tell stories to lull the children to naps and play with them.

Ma San'er and his brothers worked in the newly established Old Courtyard Hotel preparation team at the company. Their main job was to go from street to street to discuss the Old Courtyard Hotel, and also to do some tasks temporarily assigned by the manager. They also had to find old Kyoto craftsmen, including traditional crafts and local delicacies.

"This lake feels too small. The one at the Summer Palace is much bigger. It would be much more comfortable to float on it in a boat."

Xiao Hong, Geng Hui, and Chen Xiao were sitting in the pavilion eating fruit, while Ma San's wife was playing on a swing with several children. Her name was Huang Qiuping, but everyone called her Sister-in-law Ma, as it's customary in the North to address women from a male perspective.

Xiaowei, Chen Hui, and Qin Xuemei went to school for the last class of the semester.

"You're dreaming. With Xiao Hong's belly and four kids, forget about going to the lake to see the scenery," Geng Hui said, leaning against a pavilion pillar, trying to provoke Chen Xiao.

Chen Xiao rolled her eyes: "When are you and Aunt Wang going back? Is Xia Gensheng going back too?"

Geng Hui said, "Go back and stay for a few days. There's a ton of stuff to do there, unlike you two who are so free. Go back and arrange things before you come back. Leave Gengsheng here for now, and bring him back next time. Next time, both Beibei and Gengsheng will have to go back."

Chen Xiao said, "Actually, I've had enough of staying here, but I can't just say I want to go back."

Xiaohong said, "You're just bored. Now that the kids are taken care of, you should just go to work properly. The front and back yards are far apart, and the office isn't tiring. You just need to have something to do."

Chen Xiao said, "See? You tell me, I work in an office, okay? There are only about ten people there. Do you think my presence there won't affect the manager?"

Geng Hui nodded: "That's true. Anyway, you need to find something to do. You can't just sit around doing nothing, or you'll become useless. We're still so young."

Xiao Hong said, "Sister Xue Mei runs a bookstore, and she also has a storefront here, right? Why don't you do something? How about selling Mongolian specialties? I don't think they're available here. Have your family send some over, and hire a couple of salespeople."

Chen Xiao said, "Such a big place, a two-story storefront, and now after the renovation, such a large area has been added inside, and you're just going to sell beef jerky, goat milk, and mare's milk?"

Xiao Hong said, "Once everything is set up, the company should be able to move there. They're not comfortable here right now. We can give them offices in the back, and you can sell things in the front. The second floor can be converted into a restaurant, Mongolian style. It'll be perfect as a canteen, and it should work well for outsiders too."

Chen Xiao turned to Geng Hui and asked, "Big Finance, do you think you can handle this?"

Geng Hui said, "What's wrong with that? Just do it. It's your own house, and you don't need to stock up on goods. It's just something to do. You think you can get rich this way?"

Chen Xiao nodded: "That's true. I'll ask Xiaowei and the other guy when they get back and we can discuss it."

She suddenly laughed and said, "When the time comes, Sister Xuemei will definitely lose money. Compared to that, I'm pretty good. I can at least have some revenue."

Xiao Hong said, "That's not necessarily true. Who said Sister Xue Mei would lose money? Selling books, reading books, tea, coffee, baking some cookies and pastries, and our own champagne—maybe it'll become a hit. There are so many places to listen to music and read books these days."

Geng Hui said, "It depends on the price. The cost can't be too low or too high. It also depends on what Sister Xuemei thinks."

Chen Xiao said, "It's just to keep myself busy. I'm not expecting to make a lot of money, just enough to break even. Plus, it's right next to the Central Academy of Drama. Hey, thinking about it this way, I feel like Sister Xuemei's shop could be a hit. Would it be okay to invest in it?"

Xiao Hong patted Chen Xiao on the head.

"Don't hit my mom!" Little Hui shouted from outside the pavilion, his little face puffed out.

(End of this chapter)