Chapter 142: Fully Satisfying Aunt Shen

"Stay and hold a tea gathering?"

"You cheap talker."

Da Yizi couldn't help but smile, "I just want someone to talk to."

"If you want to go back, then go back."

"Not going back for now."

Xu Yuexin sat back beside Da Yizi and said, "What do you want to say?"

"Hmm… actually there's not much to say."

Da Yizi paused briefly and said, "By the way, about going to Xiangjiang after the New Year, have you asked Qiao Qiao?"

"I asked; she doesn't have time."

Xu Yuexin replied, "Why, if she's not going, are you not going either?"

"Not exactly… not that much."

Da Yizi said with a somewhat complicated mood.

Going again… alone with him to Xiangjiang? At this moment, Xu Yuexin wrapped his arm around Da Yizi's fragrant shoulder: "This trip to Xiangjiang is, first, to see how my own investments are doing."

"Second, I want to find a chance to sell the song The Sea."

"Sounds good; I heard the prices there are high."

Chen Yixue gave a faint smile, agreed, and shifted slightly outward.

Whenever, Chen Yixue cannot forget that Xu Yuexin is her sister's husband. This makes her always dodge a bit when faced with Xu Yuexin's intimacy.

"Hmm. In the next few days, if you feel lonely, just find me and Qiao Qiao to hang out; we're free anytime."

……

After spending the whole afternoon with Da Yizi, Xu Yuexin rode his bike away from Tuanjie Lake.

However, he didn't go straight home; instead, he took a detour to Wangfujing to buy some tea, candy, and other New Year gifts.

Early the next morning, he packed the tea canister and candy into separate bags and rode his bike to Shen Qingru's house.

The doorway of Shen Qingru's house was somewhat quiet, unlike other homes filled with New Year laughter; even the big red couplets looked lonely.

Xu Yuexin knocked open the door and saw that only Aunt Shen was at home.

"Aunt Shen, Happy New Year."

"Good morning, Happy New Year."

Seeing Xu Yuexin, Shen Qingru's face showed a faint smile and invited him inside.

The house was tidily arranged, its plainness giving off a hint of loneliness.

Xu Yuexin placed the items on the table and sat down next to Aunt Shen.

"It's the New Year; did you make anything tasty?"

Xu Yuexin asked with a smile.

"No, I couldn't hire a helper for the New Year, so I just managed to eat a little myself."

Aunt Shen said shyly.

Alright, so she's just like Da Yizi, also someone who has never even touched spring water with her ten fingers.

Now that I think about it, Aunt Shen is a lady from a distinguished family; it's perfectly normal she can't cook.

"You haven't had breakfast yet, have you?"

"No, I'm about to grab some biscuits; have you eaten?"

"I've already eaten."

Xu Yuexin said, "If you don't mind waiting, I'll get something for you downstairs."

"That won't do; you're here as a guest."

"No need to be formal; it won't take much time."

After saying that, Xu Yuexin stood up and walked into the kitchen.

He stir‑fried the dishes for the topping and boiled water underneath.

In no time, a steaming bowl of Su‑style soup noodles fresh from the pot was placed on the table.

Shen Qingru saw the fragrant noodles, her brows twitched slightly: it's exactly the taste of her hometown.

"Eat it while it's hot."

Xu Yuexin sat opposite Shen Qingru, smiling, "In Suzhou they eat this kind of noodles, right?"

"Yes, I ate this kind of noodles every day when I was a child."

Shen Qingru nodded, the memory evoked by Xu Yuexin.

After that, Shen Qingru ate the soup noodles in small bites.

As the noodles entered her mouth, her taste buds were fully satisfied.

When she finished the noodles, Shen Qingru set down her chopsticks and sighed gently: this is the only proper meal she's had since New Year's Eve.

"Hmm, the taste is also quite good."

"It's the New Year, why sigh?"

Xu Yuexin pulled Aunt Shen's soft arm and asked, "Is there something bothering you?"

"Nothing, I sighed because you came; I'm happy."

Aunt Shen smiled calmly, "By the way, I'm planning to buy another courtyard to live in; do you have any housing listings?"

Aunt Shen is planning to buy a house in Jingcheng?

Does that mean her chances of returning have increased again? Xu Yuexin reflexively replied.

"I've previously seen a two‑hall courtyard that covers about 800 square meters."

The maintenance situation is still acceptable, but I just don't know whether it has been sold.

After thinking it over, Xu Yuexin introduced Auntie Shen to the courtyard that Lao Huaqiao was selling.

The apartment Auntie Shen currently lives in isn't bad; it's a standard three‑bedroom unit.

But for a genteel lady of a distinguished family like her, it is clearly a bit beneath her.

"Hmm… 400 square meters is enough."

Auntie Shen nodded after hearing that and said, "Xiao Xu, are you busy later? If not, could you do me a favor and inquire? I'd like to see that courtyard you mentioned."

"No problem, I'll ask around later and get back to you."

Xu Yuexin cheerfully replied, "Auntie Shen, are you planning to return to the country and stay permanently?"

"I haven't decided yet; mainly because my parents will definitely come back a few times in the future."

"The older generation still has some connections, and when friends come over for gatherings, the place needs to be spacious enough to accommodate them."

So that's the reason.

Xu Yuexin understood. …

On the fifth day of the new year, Xu Yuexin's father returned to his workplace, and his mother, as before, followed to take care of him.

After the New Year mode ended, Xu Yuexin went to East Third Ring to gather information for Auntie Shen about that two‑unit small courtyard.

Predictably, the courtyard's gate was tightly shut, and knocking for a while elicited no response.

That was a good sign, indicating the courtyard probably hasn't been sold yet.

Xu Yuexin turned and approached nearby neighbors, asking if they had the contact information for the courtyard's owner, Lao Huaqiao.

The neighbors all replied that they hadn't dealt with him and were unfamiliar.

"You don't know, right? Then could you tell me how to get to the local neighborhood committee?"

"Just go straight along this lane, then turn left; it's there."

"Got it, thank you."

After getting directions, Xu Yuexin hopped onto his motorcycle, which roared forward.

The neighbors might not know Lao Huaqiao's contact, but the local neighborhood committee or street office likely does.

Since the reform and opening up, government departments across the country have been tasked with attracting investment, and the overseas Chinese community is naturally a key target.

As the most grassroots neighborhood committees and street offices, they usually follow higher‑level directives to try to obtain overseas Chinese contacts.

Soon, the motorcycle stopped at the entrance of the neighborhood committee.

The committee consisted of two small one‑story houses; Xu Yuexin entered the more spacious one and saw an older woman working at a desk.

After greeting her, Xu Yuexin learned that the woman was the committee director.

"Comrade Director, a friend of mine plans to buy a house here and has his eye on the small courtyard in the adjacent lane."

"Do you happen to know whose house that courtyard belongs to and how to contact them?"

There is only that one exclusive courtyard in the neighboring lane, so mentioning it should make the director understand.

"The owner of that courtyard has the surname Liu, and he is no longer in the country."

"I'll look up the contact information for you."

The woman lowered her head, opened a drawer, and took out a phone directory to browse.

In no time, she found the phone number left by Lao Huaqiao.

"001-0061759625."

"It's an overseas call; you'll need to go to the Dianxinju to get through, understand?"

"Alright, thank you."

…

After noting the number, Xu Yuexin left the committee and went back to find Shen Qingru to report the situation.

Shen Qingru currently lives in Xi Erhuan, and Xu Yuexin can reach her by a ten‑minute motorcycle ride.

After hearing the update from Xu Yuexin, Shen Qingru expressed her gratitude: "Have a cup of tea first."

"It's freezing out there; you must be chilled from running around, right?"

"I'm wearing a helmet."

Xu Yuexin sat on the sofa, took the tea from Shen Qingru's hand, and said, "We've got the phone number; let's contact him together from the back."

"Last year I bargained with him down to 220; we'll keep pushing at that price later."

"Then… I'll rely even more on your help."

Shen Qingru gave a faint smile, looked at Xu Yuexin and said,

She had personally experienced the "dragon‑slaying sword" Xu Yuexin wielded when buying a house.

"Hmm, I'll do my best."

Xu Yuexin promised, then embraced Auntie Shen, planted a kiss on her elegant cheek, and said, "Once the house is bought, let's return to the country."

"The country is now recruiting graduate students; studying here and then working at a university is definitely better than in the United States."

Going to the United States now to pursue an academic career truly has no cost‑performance advantage.

A lifetime professorship is hard to obtain, and the expectations for results are high.

In contrast, domestic academia is in a golden age.

Graduates from the undergraduate program can stay on to teach immediately.

A master's graduate can comfortably secure an Assistant Professor position.

For a doctorate… straight to a third‑level professor, even dean material!

In terms of output, translating a cutting‑edge work from abroad can instantly establish one's standing in academia.

No matter how you look at it, returning offers a brighter future.

Hearing Xu Yuexin's words, Aunt Shen stayed silent and gently pushed him away.

My parents are still in the United States, so I can't come back alone.

Aunt Shen's cheeks flushed as she said, "So let's wait and talk about it later."

If we wait, the bonus period might already be over.

"Bonus period?"

"Yeah, it's the period when you can reap the bonuses."

"Think about it: domestically the graduate entrance exam has been reinstated for less than two years, and most people haven't realized the value of a graduate degree yet."

"After two years, the first batch of graduates will gradually enter the workforce; those who are well‑informed will come to their senses and also pursue graduate studies."

"By then, the jobs you can find after graduation will be worse than now."

"Huh… you make a lot of sense…"

Hearing Xu Yuexin's analysis, Aunt Shen took a deep breath and said, "I need to think this over carefully."

"Take your time thinking."

Xu Yuexin placed his hand on Aunt Shen's thigh and asked, "When are you leaving at first?"

"After the 15th, I'll leave."

A blush rose on Aunt Shen's face as she tried to pull his hand away, "Let's sit and talk."

"Aren't we already talking?"

Xu Yuexin kissed Aunt Shen's full red lips, and his large hand, through a layer of flesh‑colored stockings, gently caressed her beautiful leg.

"Don't do that… you're a married person."

Aunt Shen forced herself to endure the tingling sensation, struggled out of his embrace, and said, "Continuing like this would really be wrong."

"Aunt Shen, when you gave yourself to me back then, I was already married."

Xu Yuexin lifted Aunt Shen's slender jade hand again, responding with an undeniable fact.

(End of chapter)