With Hu Pan gone, it was as if a released hawk had discovered a vast expanse of sky, never to return.
Xie Chen, newly appointed, found himself facing a series of setbacks. Though his subordinates appeared respectful, they harbored disdain for this parachuted-in town mayor, who, despite his university degree, knew nothing.
He was so preoccupied with arguing with them that when progress was finally made and he could finally breathe a sigh of relief, he suddenly realized he hadn't seen Hu Pan in over a month.
His elder aunt, assuming the role of a matriarch, did think of Hu Pan. However, expecting Hu Pan to proactively visit her was asking too much; no mother-in-law would rush to serve her future daughter-in-law.
And so, Hu Pan vanished without a trace for over a month, and Xie Chen hadn't even noticed.
He pondered that Hu Pan was the mayor's daughter; what would happen if something were to befall her? How would he explain it?
He quickly took a bus to find Xie Sui, heading straight to Xie Sui's rented house. Xie Sui and Lin Wanwan were there, steaming meat buns, filling the courtyard with the aroma of cooked meat.
After settling Hu Pan and ensuring the factory was running smoothly, Xie Sui had returned. Not long after, Xie Chen arrived in a flurry of worry. Xie Sui was surprised: "Cousin, why are you here?"
"Where is Hu Pan?"
He looked around the room, hoping to find Hu Pan inside.
Xie Sui was speechless. "You only remember her now? Cousin, if you weren't my brother, I'd curse you out!"
"Don't tell me that. Where is she? She left with you. You didn't let her leave, did you?"
Lin Wanwan was displeased. "Xie Chen, what do you mean by that? We helped you out of goodwill, and now we're in the wrong? She came for you, and you've neglected her for so many days, only to come here and interrogate us the moment you arrive. Do we owe you anything?"
Xie Chen's expression darkened further. "I'm sorry, sister-in-law, I didn't mean it like that. I'm just too anxious. Her father is the mayor. If anything truly happened, who could bear the responsibility?"
Xie Sui didn't want to talk to him. The man had a screw loose. Knowing her background was extraordinary, why wasn't he more careful? He should have either ended things completely and dashed her hopes, or at least treated her well instead of stringing her along. What kind of person was he?
"Alright, don't be anxious. I had her help manage the branch factory. It's in the next county. I'll give you her number, you call her. I'll bring her back and make proper arrangements."
Xie Chen breathed a sigh of relief. "Thank you, Xiao Sui. I've just been too busy. Hu Pan is quite something too; she didn't even send me a message."
Xie Sui felt like rolling his eyes. If you expect everything to be initiated by others, you'll be single for the next thirty years.
Lin Wanwan also disliked him, feeling it was unfair to Hu Pan.
"Since you're here, why not stay for a meal and warm up inside?"
Lin Wanwan served him a meal. After he finished, Xie Chen left without mentioning any future arrangements.
"Your cousin really doesn't seem all there. If only you could lend him some of your cleverness today."
Xie Sui said, "I'm not clever, I'm smart. What are you saying about your husband? You'll see, Hu Pan is focused on her career now and has no thoughts about him. I'm telling you, all this drama about life and death love is just idleness. When you're so busy you don't even have time to fart, where would you find the time for romance!"
"You have a point. But if you really don't like Xie Chen, won't your aunt say we broke them up?"
Xie Sui wanted to curse. "The whole family is clueless. I don't understand where their arrogance comes from. The mayor's daughter doesn't fancy him, and she wants a princess as a daughter-in-law? He can't even be a decent person himself, yet he has the nerve to lecture me. Watch me shut them up."
Lin Wanwan smiled. "It's good you're prepared."
In the blink of an eye, it was nearing the Lunar New Year. The streets were more crowded, and the factory busier. New Year during this era was truly festive, requiring early preparations for festive goods, unlike later times when holidays were just shopping sprees designed to trick people into buying more.
Xie Sui emerged from his hibernation and began to get busy. Year-end summaries, tax payments to the county, and maintaining various relationships kept him swamped.
Lin Wanwan and two nannies prepared New Year's goods at home, steaming, boiling, and frying. They worked for days; just meat alone required a whole pig. With so many people in the family, no amount of meat was too much.
There were five children, and with the adults, the family numbered over twenty.
Of course, they were returning to their hometown for the New Year. All these provisions were transported back via tractor. Xie Mother verbally complained about the waste but couldn't stop smiling; it was the most abundant New Year in many years.
As the New Year approached, Hu Pan and the others still hadn't returned. Xie Sui called to inquire. Did this girl really no longer want his cousin?
Hu Pan's voice sounded more capable. She wasn't returning to the village but going straight home. Her train tickets were already bought; she would leave after finishing her factory matters.
On the twenty-seventh of the twelfth lunar month, Xie Min and Ye Feng finally returned. Xie Min had learned a great deal at the factory, appearing sophisticated and capable, exuding an air of leadership.
Ye Feng, on the other hand, had become more composed. Being an accountant required less talk and more meticulousness, and he had grown significantly.
Xie Sui paid out wages, and every worker received a year-end bonus and prize money equivalent to three months' salary, making them beam with joy. They had initially thought private enterprises couldn't compare to state-owned ones, but their salaries were higher.
Everyone could celebrate a prosperous New Year, and they held genuine respect for Xie Sui, the young boss.
Xie Sui left some people to look after the factory and drove the farm vehicle home, taking his family back to the village for the New Year.
In addition to the goods sent back, they bought firecrackers and new clothes, another large haul. Lin Wanwan had spent more in these few days than in the previous twenty years combined; it could only be described as money flowing like water.
As the vehicle entered the village, it drew envious gazes. The aunts had finally accepted reality, realizing they had no grounds for trouble and now regretted it; they had squandered the money-making opportunity themselves.
After some reflection, they hadn't given up but were now focused on building a good relationship with Xie Sui, hoping he would forgive them and offer them future earning opportunities.
Upon arriving home, Xie Sui was busy unloading. Xie Chen appeared. "Where is Hu Pan?"
Xie Sui nearly threw his back out. "You're asking me? No, she's your classmate, not related to me in any way. Are you going to ask me about everything?"
Xie Chen's face was grim. "I called her, and the workers said she left."
"Yes, she left. She went home. The girl has a home, doesn't she? Where else would she go during the New Year if not home?"
Xie Chen was speechless, but he felt a pang of unease. She left without even telling him. Did she still have him in her heart?
He finally realized something was amiss but didn't know what to say. He stood there silently, like a wooden post. Xie Sui even found him in the way. "Don't just stand there blocking the path. Either go home and help Uncle unpack, or come help unload."