Chapter 783: This shows Old Man Xiao

He wasn't used to his elder brother calling him Changsheng over and over.

Hearing he'd be working at the train station, his palms broke out in sweat: "I can't even read a few characters—what if I embarrass you?"

Xiao Jiangjiang thought it over: "Maybe start with the track maintenance team for now; I'll have the kids teach you some characters later, then I'll move you to the station."

Liu Chuxue listened nearby, thinking it made sense—any quiet job still required knowing some common characters—but she said nothing.

Seeing his younger brother stay silent: "No need to rush into a decision—I'll think more about other jobs that suit you."

Xu Sihai watched the two brothers interact, feeling a deep sense of relief—he could now give their mother a proper account. As for Han Huaiming, he had truly cared, but this outcome left him with complicated feelings.

Han Huaiming's statement today, he knew, wasn't born of guilt, but of necessity.

He was already in his forties—if he didn't swiftly promise compensation, Xiao Yude might just send his whole family back to Willow Village; he was a man who understood timing.

Though the compensation was substantial, staying in Haishi still gave them a chance to turn things around.

At this moment, Han Huaiming stood grim-faced, waiting for his train at the station.

He never imagined things would spiral this far—he was furious at his biological parents, whom he'd never met: if they were going to do this, why not finish it properly? Why drag him into such a mess?

On the way here, he'd already made up his mind: as long as the green mountains remain, there will always be firewood—so even if they made outrageous demands, he didn't argue.

He knew this was his only chance; otherwise, his whole family faced utter ruin.

After all, he'd enjoyed someone else's fortune—he was unwilling, but it was the truth.

Liu Chuxue sat with her mother and Miao Yiqiu, her step-grandmother, chatting for a while; seeing how well they got along, she decided to return to her unit—after all, she'd taken the day off and couldn't let Hong Dajie shoulder everything alone.

She greeted Fu Yan Cheng and the others, and the two prepared to leave.

Only now did Old Man Xiao realize they'd missed mealtime: "Alright, I won't keep you—Yan Cheng, take Chuxue to grab something to eat, and come back home early tonight."

Fu Yan Cheng smiled in agreement, his spirits high—tonight was a family banquet, and his brother-in-law was coming too. Though he and Chuxue hadn't officially married, being invited meant what?

It meant the Xiao family accepted him.

Liu Chuxue noticed his smiling lips: "So happy about it?"

Fu Yan Cheng glanced around: "This shows Old Man Xiao accepts me—he doesn't treat me as an outsider."

Past mealtime, Fu Yan Cheng told Xiao's driver: "Stop at the front department store."

Then he turned to Chuxue: "I'll buy some bread and cake—you eat something at your unit first; I'll pick you up after work."

She'd wanted to stop him—she had food in her space—but she knew he'd refuse, so she let him have his way.

Still, the man knew how to handle things—he bought cake only for her, but plenty of bread: "Give some to the office staff when you get back."

The car pulled up near the factory gate: "I'll wait here for you after work."

Liu Chuxue nodded to him, thanked the driver, and carried the packages into the factory.

When she reached the office, Hong Dajie had just come out of the section chief's room; seeing her return, she held up the items in her hand and mouthed: "Perfect timing."