Chapter 114 Extra: Returning to the Capital

After more than three months away, the large entourage led by Jing Yi finally returned home.

Jing Yi lay on a recliner in the backyard of the mansion in Xiwan Village, letting out a comfortable sigh. “Ah, it’s still good to be home!”

Looking at the scorching sun, Chuxia couldn’t help but suggest, “Darling, it’s too hot right now. Shall we go inside first?”

Jing Yi retracted his sense of “contentment” and quickly followed his husband back inside.

Under the June sun, there was no room for jokes; it could easily scorch one’s skin.

Now, Jing Yi’s family lived in a newly expanded three-courtyard compound with a garden, vegetable plot, artificial lake, and even ducks.

Back in the main hall, Chuxia looked at the children being taken care of by Xiao Miao and Xiai Yu, obediently eating ice. He couldn’t help asking, “Why are you both here? Where are Pang Pang and Du Du?”

Pang Pang and Du Du were the children of Renhe and Renyi, born within a month of each other, and now nearly two years old. They were inseparable and looked almost like twins due to the close relationship between their parents.

Xiao Yu, still quick-witted, replied, “Back, Master. Their fathers have returned. Why not let me and sister enjoy some time off?”

Xiao Miao gently tapped her younger brother’s head, reminding him to choose his words carefully.

After that, they talked about letting the two families take a half-month break, allowing Renhe and Renyi to take their sons out for some relaxation. Pang Pang and Du Du were already discussing where they wanted to go.

Even An An and Guo Guo joined the discussion, suggesting ideas in their childish language.

Entering the room, Jing Yi and Chuxia began to plan how to distribute the gifts and send them door to door in the afternoon. Although everyone in Xiwan villagenow had a bulging wallet, the “luxury goods” from the capital were still a novelty in the small village.

Jing Yi picked up a package of dairy products. “This one goes to Uncle Meng and the others. Let them study these exotic things; some of them are quite tasty, especially good for the children’s growth!”

The Meng family had expanded their livestock business, and with Jing Yi’s help, they even opened their own dairy store in several neighboring towns.

It wasn’t that Jing Yi had selfish motives in not letting them open in Fuyang Town; it was that they didn’t want to compete with the Jing family’s small restaurant. Uncle Meng even said, “If we can’t do this business, we won’t do it at all!” threatening to leave.

Jing Yi genuinely admired Uncle Meng’s honesty and integrity. Therefore, he was not stingy with business advice. Nowadays, Meng’s Milk had become quite famous in Anchang County.

Chuxia picked up a snack. These were durable snacks, and the perishable ones had already been eaten on the way. “I’ll go later and give this to Xiao Tao. I reckon, with Mrs. Luo’s skill, we’ll be able to enjoy it in a few days.”

Jing Yi chuckled, “The village children will have a better taste!”

Nowadays, the Luo family has also squeezed into the top ten wealthy households in Xiwan village. Their business shifted from a small vegetable business a few years ago to the current focus on snacks.

With peace and prosperity prevailing, most people are no longer satisfied with just three meals a day. Therefore, the Luo family’s business transformation came at the perfect time. With fewer family members, unlike the Meng family, who could handle their business themselves, Jing Yi suggested they explore the goods merchant market near the dock. This way, they only needed to find people to transport the goods.

Leveraging Aunt Luo’s superb skills, their business grew larger. When the volume of shipments couldn’t keep up, they even leased land on the outskirts of the village, built a compound combining a residence and a workshop, to expand their operations.

Their products were particularly popular among children. The aroma wafted through the entire village, attracting kids to their doorstep every day. Later, when Xiao Tao became pregnant, Aunt Luo and Luo Wei didn’t want him to strain herself, so they set up a stall at the courtyard gate, selling snacks at a low price to the village children.

There was also Jing Cheng from Village Chief’s family. After years of hard study, he finally passed the provincial examination for scholars two years ago. Currently, he diligently continued his studies in preparation for the imperial examination.

Additionally, their subordinates, the soap factory workers in Xiwan village, Jing Yi and Chuxia’s employees in the town and county, and even the Dan family in Dongkuan Village and the Yang family in Taoyuan County—all the people they knew were gradually improving.

Life always had its share of hardships, but behind the difficulties, there were more beautiful moments. Please endure a little longer and take one more step forward.

By the end of August in the lunar calendar, the air was no longer oppressively hot, and a hint of coolness arrived—autumn had arrived.