"Xing'er?" Gu Jingyi exclaimed in surprise, recognizing the person first. Hearing Gu Jingyi's call, Elder Hua also turned and saw Ji Xingmi.
Elder Hua asked with a touch of surprise, "Why are you back?"
"Just came to see you, Grandpa Hua. Are you running out of your pills?" Ji Xingmi had been mentally keeping track of Elder Hua's medication and intended to restock him.
"Have you eaten? Come and have something!" Elder Hua instructed someone to prepare food for Ji Xingmi, assuming she hadn't had dinner yet.
"I'm just hungry." Ji Xingmi walked directly to Elder Hua and sat down. Gu Jingyi helped by bringing the food to her. Ji Xingmi accepted the food and began eating without hesitation.
"Is the food not good?"
"It's okay, we just miss some meals sometimes. But the auntie there is nice and saves food for us."
"If you're too tired, don't go. Aren't there others?" As Elder Hua spoke, everyone present paused and looked at him, then at each other, their eyes filled with disbelief.
Elder Hua knew he shouldn't have said that, but he felt pained! Ever since she came to his side, she had been busy non-stop. It seemed she never had time for herself, when she could have been with her parents, enjoying their love and pampering.
"It's fine, I still have plenty of free time." Ji Xingmi, oblivious to everyone's reaction, was focused on her food. Gu Jingyi noticed but didn't dwell on it. Ji Xingmi had her own plans, and he wouldn't interfere with her decisions. Moreover, he was busy serving her food, as she seemed to have lost a bit of weight.
After dinner, she chatted with Elder Hua for a while longer, handing him two documents along with the medicine.
"What are these?"
"Two design blueprints. I think current technology should be able to complete them!"
Ji Xingmi had seen the items sent over from the other side and felt that with the current technology, they should be feasible. Perhaps due to her involvement, the Hua family's military technology sector had advanced by at least twenty years, no longer inferior to others.
Elder Hua looked at her, wanting to speak but hesitating, finally sighing.
"What's wrong, Grandpa Hua?" Ji Xingmi found his demeanor a bit strange. What was going on?
"Nothing. How many days are you staying this time?"
"Two or three days. The project over there is entering its second phase, so I can't be away for too long."
"Perfect. Then you can let them find you for your signature when this year's dividends are distributed."
"Really? How much?" Ji Xingmi's mood brightened at the mention of money, though she didn't know why she was happy, as she had nowhere to spend it.
"Quite a bit. How do you plan to spend it?"
"I don't know! Save it, I guess. I don't have anywhere to spend it!"
"You..."
"Grandpa Hua, are you short of funds over there? If not, can I donate some?" Ji Xingmi recalled something she'd heard before and asked.
"Thanks to you, we're not short for now!" Elder Hua chuckled at her expression. He then continued, "What do you think about letting everyone engage in business?"
"That's good, very good. Economic development is the long-term solution!"
"Oh? What do you mean?"
"Even if you strictly forbid it now, aren't there still people doing it in secret? The people spending money are all ordinary citizens. Not only do others profit from it, but they also don't pay taxes. Who do you think loses out then?"
"Hmm, that makes sense."
"Uh-huh! Grandpa Hua, do you want to open up the economy?" Ji Xingmi was a bit surprised. If the early resumption of the college entrance examination was her doing, was opening up the economy a butterfly effect she had caused?
"What's wrong? Don't you support it? Why the look of astonishment?" Elder Hua asked, finding her stunned, open-mouthed stance amusing.
"I just didn't expect there to be plans for this so soon. Didn't the college entrance examination just resume!?"
"It's still just my personal idea for now."
Ji Xingmi nodded, not intending to discuss the matter further with Elder Hua. She felt she shouldn't get involved in these things. She had already intervened in too many matters, and her shoulders were too small to bear too much. Seeing Ji Xingmi's lack of interest, Elder Hua dropped the subject.
After leaving Elder Hua's place, Ji Xingmi saw Gu Jingyi standing in the courtyard. She walked over, patted his shoulder. Gu Jingyi, feeling the pat, knew it was Ji Xingmi and turned to embrace her.
"Finished talking with Grandpa Hua?"
"Mmm, we didn't talk about much. Just casual matters! Were you waiting for me? Is there something you want to tell me?"
Gu Jingyi shook his head and continued, "I just missed you and wanted to hold you like this!"
Ji Xingmi raised an eyebrow and hugged him back.
"Do you know about the Feng family's downfall?" Gu Jingyi asked, holding her.
"Yes, I received news about such a big event! What's wrong?"
"Do you know why the Feng family collapsed so quickly?"
Hearing this, Ji Xingmi pulled out of Gu Jingyi's embrace, looking at him with confusion and doubt. Should she know about this? Did her father do it? It couldn't be, could it? Hadn't he advised her to be patient, that there was plenty of time?