Chapter 927 - 893: Why Did She Beat Me to It?

Xu Chunliang shook his head: "I don’t have much interaction with him anymore. As far as I know, Hua Tou has decided to invest in the Dongzhou Culture and Tourism project to create a central axis for Dongzhou cultural tourism."

Xu Chunliang believed that Ye Qingya and Qiao Rulong, being husband and wife, it’s only natural for her to be concerned about his situation. Just like Qiao Rulong gave up on this marriage but resented the men Ye Qingya interacted with. Most people are like this, not cherishing what they have until they lose it and realize its value. Despite Qiao Rulong’s claims of noble origins, he is just a common man.

Ye Qingya said: "Ever since Brother Jianming went to Dongzhou, the investment enthusiasm there has been continuously rising."

Xu Chunliang nodded, contemplating inwardly that Dongzhou inherently has a unique locational advantage. Even before Wang Jianming’s appointment, it had already been designated as the provincial sub-center city. Many people were regretful about Secretary Zhou’s departure at the time, but now this regret is essentially non-existent. Wang Jianming hasn’t been in office for long, yet several large-scale investment projects have been implemented in Dongzhou. It can be predicted that under his tenure, Dongzhou will achieve considerable development.

Ye Qingya saw the rain outside had lightened and suggested going home for dinner. She had already informed Grandpa to prepare a few extra dishes for the evening.

Xu Chunliang arrived at the parking lot and saw Ye Qingya’s newly purchased NIO ES8. There are truly more and more electric cars domestically, and the full-car intelligence is getting better. Xu Chunliang, however, does not prefer things that are overly intelligent, believing that cars are mainly for driving, and too many flashy features can distract.

Ye Qingya is a cautious driver. According to her, she never exceeds eighty in city driving and hasn’t been on the highway. Her driving style used to be criticized by Qiao Rulong.

But Xu Chunliang’s comment on her driving style made her more accepting. Xu Chunliang referred to her driving style as graceful.

Ye Qingya could sense he was implying she was slow. However, the way he spoke was comforting. She was somewhat puzzled why, despite Xu Chunliang being good at sweet-talking, things ended with Mei Ru Xue. Ye Qingya had been in touch with Mei Ru Xue recently and thought Xu Chunliang might ask her about it, yet he hadn’t said a word from when they met till now.

The car stereo was playing a Heart Sutra sung by a certain diva, something Xu Chunliang found to be pointless lamenting. Although the voice was pleasing, the Heart Sutra is meant to be understood with the heart, not simply sung well to demonstrate comprehension of Buddhism. Speaking of this diva singing "form is emptiness, emptiness is form," she surely misunderstood.

Ye Qingya said: "Do you know about Xiaoxue’s government-sponsored visit for study?"

Xu Chunliang shook his head: "We haven’t been in contact."

Ye Qingya laughed: "Even if you break up, you can still be friends."

Xu Chunliang retorted: "Are you still friends with Qiao Rulong?"

Ye Qingya was taken aback by that question, and after thinking for a moment, she responded: "Our marriage was a mistake from the beginning. We are now simply correcting that mistake, returning to our own life paths. You and Xiaoxue are different; you truly loved each other."

Xu Chunliang asked: "Do you believe in love?"

Ye Qingya was again caught off guard by his question and sighed: "What’s gotten into you today, always giving me tough questions? I’ve pondered this. When I got married, I used to think the main factors in maintaining a marriage were reason and morality, not love. Later I discovered that everything changes; no one stays rational forever, and moral standards change with the measurement of self-restraint, whereas love is even more unreliable."

After finishing, she realized she had contradicted her earlier statement: "The love between you and Xiaoxue should be relatively pure; your acquaintance wasn’t based on interests."

Xu Chunliang said: "Have you noticed that marriages based on interests are the most stable?"

Ye Qingya responded: "Affected by this?"

Xu Chunliang laughed: "No, a person’s life is not lived solely for love."

Ye Qingya said: "Everyone is just mutually restraining each other; no one wants to be bound forever."

Xu Chunliang said: "Why do I feel like two failures are venting on each other?"

Ye Qingya laughed: "I don’t see myself as a failure; I’ve been freed, I’ve gained freedom. You’re not a failure, either. I’ve heard many girls were around you in the past."

Xu Chunliang said: "Where did you hear that rumor?"

Ye Qingya laughed meaningfully, finally driving into the compound. Ye Qingya parked the car, and Xu Chunliang got out first, picking up the umbrella and waiting by the driver’s side. As soon as Ye Qingya stepped out, he shielded her from the rain.

The two walked together to the Ye Family house, and despite the neighborhood being upscale, the parking spaces were outdoors. The family originally had a garage, but Elder Ye converted it into his woodworking workshop.

Following the pebble path inside, the path was also reconstructed by Elder Ye. Ye Qingya was wearing canvas shoes, but carelessly her foot slipped. She gasped as her body nearly fell; fortunately, Xu Chunliang promptly reached out and held her up. Awkwardly, in her panic, Ye Qingya wrapped her arms around Xu Chunliang.

The two stared into each other’s eyes, Ye Qingya’s face instantly turned red, and she quickly let go of him. However, her body still relied on Xu Chunliang’s support, and as her hands let go, her entire frame fell into Xu Chunliang’s arms, feeling like she had willingly thrown herself into his embrace.

Xu Chunliang’s hands were quite gentlemanly, with one holding the umbrella, and the other clenched.

Ye Qingya regained her balance in the rain finally, sighed, and said: "This ground is too slippery."

Xu Chunliang said: "A single misstep can lead to eternal regret."

Ye Qingya chided: "You’re the one who missteps."

Xu Chunliang laughed: "Don’t worry, Sister Qingya, as long as I’m watching, you won’t have the chance to misstep."

The two arrived at the front of the small building, stood under the rain cover, and tidied themselves up briefly. Xu Chunliang placed the umbrella in the stand.

Ye Qingya went inside first, seeing her father Ye Changyuan and uncle Ye Changquan both were chatting in the living room.

Ye Qingya said happily: "Uncle, when did you return to the country?"

Ye Changquan said: "Back to report to the country, didn’t tell you to give you a surprise."

Ye Changyuan and his brother saw Xu Chunliang coming in from behind at this moment. Ye Changquan proactively stood up and extended his hand. Regardless of status or seniority, Ye Changquan could have remained seated. His courtesy was an expression of gratitude towards Xu Chunliang, who had saved his father’s life. At the time, Ye Changquan had misunderstood Xu Chunliang.

It can be said that Xu Chunliang not only saved Elder Ye’s life but also rescued the Ye Family’s fortune.

Xu Chunliang stepped forward two steps and held Ye Changquan’s hand: "Hello, Uncle."

Ye Changyuan said: "Call him Second Uncle, otherwise it might get confusing."

Ye Changquan laughed heartily and said: "No confusion, the old man recognized him as a grandson, isn’t he your godson?"

Ye Changyuan laughed and said: "Better to call him Uncle."

Xu Chunliang said: "Alright, hello, Uncle."

Ye Changyuan said: "You call me Uncle, but I heard you’ve acknowledged Lin Sijin as your godmother?"

Everyone looked at Xu Chunliang, making him quite embarrassed. This actually happened last time when he invited Lin Sijin for a meal, and Lin Sijin proactively positioned herself as a godmother, which he certainly didn’t refuse.

Xu Chunliang said: "This matter went like this, it was you who introduced us."

Ye Changyuan patted his shoulder: "Enough, no need to explain, I understand. She always wants to surpass me. You have to differentiate between closeness and distance. Without a god-grandfather and god-father, how can she be your godmother? What gives her the right to take precedence?"

Even Xu Chunliang, who has a thick skin, felt a bit uncomfortable at this moment. He had to fill the role of godfather here.

Ye Qingya said: "Dad, don’t make things difficult for Chunliang. Grandpa Xu is still here."

Ye Changyuan said: "Ever since Elder Xu arrived, your grandpa has been so happy. Changquan, you all chat, I’m going to check on the kitchen."

Ye Qingya said: "Uncle, where are Aunt and the others?"

Ye Changquan said: "They didn’t come back with me this time, still in TOKOYO."

Ye Qingya took Xu Chunliang to the tea room first. The two elders were playing chess there. Upon seeing them, Elder Ye said: "Chunliang is here, let’s stop playing, I lost this game."

Xu Changshan grinned and said: "I should be the one who lost, old brother, don’t go easy on me."

Elder Ye said: "Let’s call it a draw today, with each of us winning one game."

Xu Chunliang called ’grandpa’ twice, one god-grandpa and one real grandpa.

Xu Changshan said: "Why did you come suddenly, without telling me beforehand?"

Elder Ye said: "Definitely to give you a surprise, Chunliang is considerate."

Ye Qingya went out to help prepare the meals, and Xu Chunliang offered the old tree Pu’er he brought.

Elder Ye said: "You rascal, don’t bring things each time you come. I have everything here."

Xu Changshan said: "What’s yours is yours, Chunliang is giving something to you, you must accept the gesture."

Elder Ye said: "Alright, I’ll listen to you, we’ll drink it later, and then have another game."

Xu Changshan laughed and said: "Sure!"

Seeing the two elders getting along so well, Xu Chunliang also felt very gratified.

Xu Chunliang was very aware of his grandpa’s purpose for coming to Beijing. His grandpa had spent his life practicing medicine and saving lives, but that didn’t mean he understood the rules of this class. The elder’s intentions were good, but this kind of wishful saving doesn’t work, as reality has proven.

Xu Chunliang was very grateful to Elder Ye. With Elder Ye’s wisdom, he must have seen through everything. During this time, Elder Ye had warmed his grandfather’s wounded heart.

After dinner, Elder Ye arranged for a driver to send the grandfather and grandson back home. Ye Qingya initially wanted to personally accompany them, but Xu Chunliang worried about the rain and suggested she avoid driving.

The grandfather and grandson returned to the Ji Family courtyard. Xu Changshan held his grandson’s hand and, feeling somewhat guilty, said: "Grandson, this time I acted on my own, you won’t blame me, will you?"

Xu Chunliang smiled and said: "Grandpa, what are you saying, how could I blame you? Everything you do is for my good, isn’t it?"

Xu Changshan sighed and said: "I just fear that meddling might ruin your good situation."

Xu Chunliang said: "It’s my fault for not telling you clearly first. Xiaoxue and I separated based on our mutual decision, it has nothing to do with anyone else. For our generation, breaking up and getting together is quite normal, you shouldn’t take it too seriously."

Xu Changshan said: "Even so, I still feel it’s a pity for you all."