The old minister was still the same wise and generous old minister, and Xu Dazhu was still the same grateful Xu Dazhu who never forgot a kindness.
Although this meeting was over half a century late, neither of them had changed, and they still had so much to talk about.
Grandpa Xu gave his old leader a thorough report of his experiences from the day he left until now, and the old leader also recounted his days of being sent down to the Northwest, his subsequent rehabilitation and return, and his search for him over the years.
Xu Yanxia, along with her grandmother, aunt, and Aunt Xiaohua, accompanied the two elderly men and chatted for a long time. By the time they parted ways, it was already dark.
After returning to her accommodation, she handled some work matters. Once the important tasks were done, she quickly made a video call to Lu Jingming.
He answered quickly, smiling at her through the screen. Baby, are you free now?
Yes,
Xu Yanxia smiled and nodded. Seeing him on the other end wearing loungewear, sitting in his computer chair with glasses on, she asked, Are you still working overtime? Is there another tricky situation at the company?
Nothing tricky,
Lu Jingming said. It's just that my wife isn't by my side, so this lonely man can only use work to numb himself.
Pfft...
Xu Yanxia was immediately amused by him, and then she mimicked his tone, Your wife will be home in a few days. Mr. Lu needs to eat on time and get proper rest even when he's alone.
Of course,
Lu Jingming told her, Aside from being a little lonely, Mr. Lu is taking good care of himself. Mrs. Lu doesn't need to worry.
With that, his expression turned serious as he told her, I'm just catching up on some work so I can go see your finals this weekend. How are things with you? Did Grandpa meet Elder Li today?
They met,
Xu Yanxia said. Both elderly men are in great shape. They kept talking. I feel like Grandpa even looked younger in front of Elder Li; he spoke to him with just as much vigor as he did back in the day.
She then added, By the way, since you're coming over this weekend, I've already told my brother and Xiaoyue that we'll all have dinner with Aunt Xiaohua's family. Chairman He, as well as Aunt Xiaohua's brother, Uncle Xiaoliang, will also be there.
Sounds great,
Lu Jingming immediately nodded. I will definitely be there.
You have to know, Elder Li's family background was quite extraordinary.
His son-in-law, Chairman He, went without saying—a powerful figure in the Jingbei business world, a big shot that even his own father rarely got to see.
And Mrs. He's brother, the Uncle Xiaoliang that Xu Yanxia mentioned, had inherited Elder Li's mantle and was now a top leader in a relevant government department.
The last time he had the honor of seeing the man was at the Hangzhou Technology Forum, but that was alongside several other peers. A private meeting like this was something he couldn't even dream of.
For someone of his status to attend such a family gathering showed just how much Elder Li's family valued Grandpa Xu. And as Grandpa's grandson-in-law, he had to go even if it was raining knives.
I'm really riding on my wife's coattails this time.
He said with a smile, I'm afraid even my parents have never had dinner with such a formidable family.
His confident wife replied, Isn't our family pretty formidable too? But Uncle Xiaoliang's identity is special, so we can only chat about personal matters then, no talking about work.
Lu Jingming immediately nodded. I understand. Don't worry.
Little did he know that right after, his workaholic wife casually started reporting on work to him. By the way, I just reviewed the report for the new project. The location selection and everything are quite good. When I go back next week and officially sign the contract with Meyer, we can officially launch it.
...
Lu Jingming said, feeling both helpless and amused, Baby, you've done so many things today, and you actually still had time to read a report?
You were just telling me to get proper rest, but you're the one who should be resting.
Xu Yanxia replied, I didn't really do much today. I just took Grandpa, Grandma, and Auntie on a flight, and met Grandpa Li, Aunt Xiaohua, and the others. I didn't exert much physical or mental energy. It was just reading a report.
She then asked, How about I send it to you later so you can take a look too?
...No need,
Lu Jingming could only smile helplessly again and say gently to her, From now on, you can make the decisions for the catering business yourself. After you finish recording the show, let's find some time next week to sign an agreement. I'll transfer the equity to you.
What?
You want to transfer the equity to me?
Xu Yanxia was stunned. Do you know how much our company's market value is right now?
Not to mention the new store brand that was about to launch, just based on the current revenue of the Jiushan and Teppanyaki restaurants, their market value had already reached at least nine figures!
No matter how much it is, isn't it all your credit?
Lu Jingming smiled breezily and said, So it's only right to give it to you. Just treat it as my betrothal gift. I certainly can't marry such a capable wife for nothing, right?
"But didn't your parents already give me enough when we got engaged?" Xu Yanxia asked.
—Originally, neither she nor her grandparents had asked for a bride price. However, her parents-in-law, for the sake of etiquette and to show how much they valued her, insisted on giving her a massive dowry that included properties, a club, and funds. It was so much that she actually felt a bit embarrassed.
"The daughter-in-law belongs to them, but the wife is mine," Lu Jingming said with a smile. "Besides, we've already gotten our marriage certificate. It doesn't matter whose name the shares are under. But giving them to you will make it easier for you to manage things in the future."
That made sense.
Xu Yanxia finally nodded. "Alright then."
Sigh, as the saying goes, you don't know the cost of living until you run a household. Just thinking about the shares soon being transferred to her name suddenly made her feel a lot of pressure.
On the other side of the screen, Lu Jingming seemed to have mind-reading abilities and immediately comforted her, "Don't feel too pressured. Just keep doing things the way you always have. It's rare for your grandparents and aunt to go to Jingbei with you. Since you have some free time tomorrow, take them out to have some fun."
"Mhm," Xu Yanxia nodded. "That's what I was planning. We don't start recording until the morning after tomorrow. Sister Xiaozhen and Ye Shu won't arrive until tomorrow afternoon, so I'll take my grandparents out sightseeing first. Grandpa even said he wants to go grocery shopping tomorrow morning to cook a meal for Grandpa Li."
"That sounds nice," Lu Jingming nodded, then sighed with a look of regret. "I wish I were there so I could go with you guys."
Xu Yanxia smiled and said, "Don't you come to Jingbei often? Plus, you did your undergraduate studies here."
It was true—Lu Jingming had graduated from a famous top-tier university in Jingbei and had spent four years there.
"That's different."
He replied, "It's been five years since I graduated. Jingbei changes every year. Now, whenever I go, it's always for business trips with a packed schedule. I never have time to just have fun."
Not to mention, even if he did have the time, how could it compare to having fun with her?
Hearing how pitiful he sounded, Xu Yanxia could only comfort him, "Then I'll scout the place out first. When you get some time off, we can come together."
"Okay."
He agreed without hesitation.
Seeing that they had been talking for a while and it was getting late, he let out a soft breath and said earnestly, "I miss you."
Xu Yanxia smiled and replied, "I miss you too."
Even though he had just dropped her and her family off at the airport that morning, and they had only been apart for about ten hours.
But she really did miss him.
If she weren't on this business trip, right now she would probably be snuggled up against him in her little apartment, watching a movie.
She even found herself missing the faint scent of his cologne.
But business trips were for the sake of better reunions.
She told him, "Get some rest early. We'll see each other this weekend."
"Okay."
He nodded and said, "Goodnight, baby."
Then he ended the video call.
Letting out a soft breath, he turned his attention back to his computer.
He actually hadn't been joking earlier. Even though it was only the third day since they got their marriage certificate, he was already used to having her around at night.
With her gone, he really had no choice but to numb himself with work.
Fortunately, it was already Wednesday.
Once he hurried up and finished his work, he could go see her.
...
