Chapter 1572: Meeting Friends

“Everyone, please sit. Let me introduce: this is my wife Yang Xiuqin, my son Lv Yiqing, my daughter Lv Ruoyan, and my youngest son Lv Yixin.”

“Yiqing, Ruoyan, Yixin, this is your Uncle Hao, Uncle Meng, Uncle Wang, Uncle Cao, and Uncle Liu.”

The three children dutifully greeted them.

Everyone now was a bit stunned, remembering the time when Lv Beiguang firmly said he wouldn’t start a family.

“Please, take a seat.”

Yang Xiuqin also stood up, smiling as she shook hands and got to know everyone.

Even after sitting down, they were still in a daze.

Just as they settled in, the door opened. She Xiaoyun came in.

Her first sight was Yang Xiuqin, followed by the three children.

“This is your Aunt She, who’s closest with your Aunt Jiang.”

The three children obediently called She Xiaoyun.

Yang Xiuqin also shook hands with She Xiaoyun, “Hello, I’ve heard about you from Lv Beiguang. I’m his wife, Yang Xiuqin.”

She Xiaoyun smiled, “Hello, welcome back.”

Now everyone was present.

Wang Fangtian jokingly asked, “Xiaoyun, where’s your Old Wang?”

“He’s on the night shift today.”

At this moment, Ding Shihong started serving dishes.

“Beiguang, what about Xinyu? Why didn’t she plan to come back? You left in such a hurry this morning that I didn’t have a chance to ask.”

“Wei Kaiyun is working; he’s extremely busy. Xinyu is also working, and the kids are all in college, plus they don’t live on campus.”

“I miss her. Before, we were far apart so nothing could be done. Now that we’re so close, she actually still has no time to come back.”

“Right? You should give her a call and ask when she’s coming back,” Hao Shichao suggested.

After the disaster, all of them received money and goods from Jiang Xinyu.

The goods can be disregarded, but the money must be repaid.

Actually, everyone was curious about why Lv Beiguang remarried, especially since Yiqing is already eight years old, not too young. This means Lv Beiguang married shortly after arriving in the Northeast.

Moreover, Lv Beiguang’s wife is not a Northerner. Perhaps she’s a ‘Zhiqing’ (educated youth)?

With the ladies here, such questions are hard to ask.

Men gathered together, naturally speaking off the cuff; Lv Beiguang wouldn’t participate; he would just listen.

This time, his wife was present. Thus they were mindful not to make inappropriate comments, not wanting to leave a bad impression on the first meeting.

“Anyone want a drink?” Ding Shihong asked.

“Yes, Brother Ding, bring us two bottles.”

The men were toasting and drinking, while She Xiaoyun and Yang Xiuqin took care of the three children, chatting between themselves.

“Yang, are you adapting to life in the North?”

“After so many years, I’ve adapted, but it was really difficult at first.”

“Are you a ‘Zhiqing’ from the South?”

Yang Xiuqin nodded, “Yes, initially I didn’t end up in the same village as Lv Beiguang; it was arranged later.”

“Haha, you two are truly an example of a ‘red thread’ connection from thousands of miles apart.”

Yang Xiuqin laughed, “Indeed, a red thread connection from thousands of miles apart.”

“Are you planning to continue living in the North or to return to the South?”

“We’re planning to return to the South.”

“Lv Beiguang treats you really well.”

Yang Xiuqin nodded with a smile, “Yes, he treats us very well.”

The men conversed more straightforwardly, and Lv Beiguang was candid with them.

“Xinyu partnered up to start a brewery in the South. I went there to take charge, and it happens to be near Xiuqin’s hometown, so the two of us plan to move there, while the three kids will stay with Guodong and Jing Chu.”

“Lv Beiguang, I envy you. Guodong and Jing Chu are quite accomplished.”

“Don’t you all know me by now? Without Xinyu, things wouldn’t be like this. I haven’t managed much with the two kids.”

Wang Fangtian laughed, “That’s true. Luckily there’s Xinyu; it makes everything easier, especially now that Guodong and Jing Chu can look after the three little ones too.”

Lv Beiguang laughed as well, “That’s right.”

The more the men drank, the more they spoke. After the three kids had eaten their fill, they played on the side, and Yang Xiuqin and She Xiaoyun chatted quietly.

“Secretary She, would you like some more?”

She Xiaoyun shook her head, “I’m full. By the way, before you head south, will you stop by the Capital?”

“Yes, there’s something we need to do in the Capital.”

“Help me bring some things to Xinyu.”

“No problem. I truly envy your relationship.”

She Xiaoyun smiled, “Yes, we have a really close relationship. Xinyu is a friend worth having.”

“Indeed, over the years, Xinyu has helped us tremendously in many ways.”

“Same for us. After the disaster, Xinyu was the one who gave money and supplies, which made things much easier for us. Plus, if it weren’t for Xinyu’s advice back then, who knows, we might not have survived.”

She Xiaoyun was most grateful to Jiang Xinyu for this. In the chaotic aftermath, her first thought was how lucky she was to have had Xinyu’s warning.

The meal lasted nearly two hours, and this group had drunk a fair amount.

“Beiguang, when are you leaving?”

“Not sure yet. We’re planning to visit our old home tomorrow.”

“I’ll lend you my bike,” Hao Shichao offered.

Liu Yuwei chimed in, “I’ll lend you mine too. It’s convenient for us to commute, so you can ride them back.”

Lv Beiguang thought it was a good idea, so he accepted their offer graciously.

Thus, the five of them rode bikes back.

At home, Yang Xiuqin quickly boiled water. The three children washed up by themselves, while she attended to Lv Beiguang.

Perhaps being home, Lv Beiguang became playful.

He held Yang Xiuqin’s hand and wouldn’t let go.

That night, he was affectionate and truly excited.

The teasing from his friends today hit home. He thought to himself that he finally had someone to accompany him for the rest of his life.

The next day, the five of them rode bikes to visit their old home.

Since they were newcomers without any relatives there, they simply paid respects to the two elders’ graves and returned.

“Xiuqin, I’m going to return Hao Shichao’s bike and pick up train tickets.”

“Sure, be careful.”

Lv Beiguang didn’t head straight to find Hao Shichao but went to Sun Baosheng’s house instead.

However, he found no one there. Sun Baosheng and his wife had retired and gone to visit their son, having left over ten days ago.

Lv Beiguang departed, realizing there was no time to wait.

At the train station, he bought tickets for the next morning’s 8:30 train. Only then did he go to return Hao Shichao’s bike.

It was inconvenient to talk yesterday, but now it was just the two of them in the office, and Hao Shichao directly asked what he was curious about.

“Why did you suddenly decide to get married?” Quite curious indeed.

“It was unexpected.”

“Haha, honestly, your wife’s looks don’t really match with yours, but seeing your good relationship, we’re relieved. You’re away, and without friends nearby, it’s natural for us to be concerned.”

“Thank you all. I know, rest assured, our relationship is wonderful.”