Chapter 245: Revisiting the Dreamy Past, the Elder Sister‑in‑Law in a Cheongsam

Gong Ruxue was on the balcony folding laundry; despite being busy, her hairstyle was still immaculate, twisted into a sleek black hairpin.

Hmm, this hairstyle looks good, very young‑woman vibe.

Xu Yuexin stepped forward and saw that Gong Ruxue, because she was busy, had a few beads of sweat on her forehead.

"Wipe the sweat."

Seeing this, Xu Yuexin took out a handkerchief and wiped her forehead twice.

"Do you want to buy a couple of outfits to keep here?"

Gong Ruxue, seeing Xu Yuexin, suggested to him.

"Sure, I'll definitely come here often in the future."

Xu Yuexin tapped his head and said.

"Tell me your size, and I'll buy it for you."

Gong Ruxue, seeing his agreement, then said.

"185, size XL."

"Alright, I'll buy it for you tomorrow."

Gong Ruxue nodded and said.

Xu Yuexin also nodded; he felt a sense of being cared for by Gong Ruxue.

……

The next day, after work, Gong Ruxue bought the clothes for Xu Yuexin and placed them at home.

When Xu Yuexin came over again, he tried on the clothes she had bought.

"Fits well; from now on, I'll wear this set at your place."

After trying the clothes, Xu Yuexin looked at the mirror and said contentedly.

"I also bought you a chair."

"They say this chair is comfortable even when sat in for a long time."

Gong Ruxue pointed toward the desk and said to him.

Following the direction of Gong Ruxue's finger, Xu Yuexin saw a uniquely shaped chair placed in front of the desk.

The chair looked, in a way, reminiscent of a future ergonomic chair.

But in this era there is no concept of ergonomics yet, so it only somewhat resembles one and cannot be called a proper ergonomic chair.

"Aren't you a writer? A good chair can protect your back."

Gong Ruxue and Xu Yuexin walked together to the chair and said to him.

Xu Yuexin smiled, nodded, and said nothing.

He could not quite recall when he last picked up a pen to write a novel.

If not for Gong Ruxue's reminder, he would have almost forgotten that he is a writer.

"Hmm, it's comfortable to sit."

Xu Yuexin leaned onto the chair and remarked, "How much did it cost?"

"Not expensive. If it's comfortable for you, take it home."

"It's not easy to carry; the trunk might not fit it."

Xu Yuexin examined the chair, thought for a moment, and said.

"You go down and try it first."

Gong Ruxue insisted.

Xu Yuexin then carried the chair downstairs, opened the Mercedes trunk, and shoved it inside.

Believe it or not, it barely fit.

"If it were any tighter, it wouldn't fit."

Looking at the chair, Xu Yuexin said to Gong Ruxue, "Next time you buy something, remember to tell me."

"Alright, I'll let you know when I buy large items."

After saying goodbye to Gong Ruxue, Xu Yuexin drove the chair back home and replaced the original chair.

To further test the new chair's effect, Xu Yuexin picked up a book, sat on it, and read attentively for nearly an hour.

The facts proved that this chair was indeed much better than an ordinary one.

Sitting on it for a long time was not uncomfortable at all.

When Gong Ruxue originally chose this chair, she must have put a lot of thought into it.

After finishing the book, Xu Yuexin went to the kitchen to cook, waiting for Chen Qiaoqiao to return for a meal.

"Brother Xin."

"What dish did you make today? It smells so good!"

About an hour later, a voice sounded outside the Guogong Mansion Main Hall door.

Xu Yuexin stepped out of the kitchen and saw Chen Qiaoqiao wearing a snow‑white trench coat, walking in from outside, with a smile stretching from her mouth to her eyebrows.

"I should be the one asking you, what good thing happened today that makes you so happy?"

Xu Yuexin stepped forward, took his wife's hand, and said.

"I secured the Deputy Senior Title."

Chen Qiaoqiao set down her Shoulder Bag, slightly lifted her face, and looked at Xu Yuexin with a delighted smile, saying.

"So impressive?"

Xu Yuexin exclaimed in surprise, hugging his wife, "Among the Deputy Seniors in your department, you must be the youngest, right?"

Getting the Deputy Senior Title at 24 is outstanding, not only now but even in later eras when the title thresholds are relaxed, it remains top‑tier.

My daughter‑in‑law's skill is truly great.

"Right, apart from me, there are only two Associate Professors in their early thirties; the rest are forty and above."

Chen Qiaoqiao was held by Xu Yuexin so tightly she could barely catch her breath, but she still said excitedly, "This time I was exceptionally promoted; I passed after taking just one exam."

"Impressive, I'll add two more dishes for you."

Xu Yuexin released his daughter‑in‑law, supporting her delicate shoulder, and said, "Let's celebrate properly today."

"Hmm, I want squirrel sturgeon and sea‑shrimp soup."

Chen Qiaoqiao's face lit up as she said, "Call my sister again and ask her to come over together."

"All right, you go make the call."

After Xu Yuexin finished speaking, he turned toward the kitchen, and soon the kitchen was filled with the sizzle of hot oil.

"I'll do the cooking."

Just as the squirrel sturgeon left the pot, Chen Qiaoqiao ran into the kitchen and told Xu Yuexin, "Go pick up my sister."

"It's getting late; I don't feel comfortable with her coming alone."

"All right, the scallions and everything are already sliced; just put them in."

Xu Yuexin handed the wok spatula to his daughter‑in‑law and turned to leave.

Drive—let's go to Unity Lake!

Xu Yuexin drove a Mercedes out of the alley onto the main road and accelerated eastward.

When he reached the residential complex, he saw Da Yizi standing downstairs waiting for him.

"I heard Qiao Qiao say she was promoted to Associate Professor."

Seeing Xu Yuexin, Chen Yixue greeted him cheerfully, "When did that happen?"

"She was just promoted today."

Xu Yuexin stood in the chilly autumn wind and said to Chen Yixue, "Get in the car quickly; it's a bit cold outside."

Chen Yixue followed him and sat in the passenger seat, continuing to ask about Chen Qiaoqiao's title promotion.

"I only learned about it when she got home; we barely chatted."

"If you want to know, go ask her later."

Xu Yuexin couldn't answer and could only say helplessly.

When the two arrived at Guogongfu, Chen Qiaoqiao had already finished the dishes and was waiting for them to eat.

"Eight dishes; that's about what we have for the New Year."

Xu Yuexin walked in, smiling, and said to his daughter‑in‑law and Da Yizi,

"Qiao Qiao got promoted to Associate Professor today; she couldn't be happier than during the New Year."

Da Yizi, beaming, said, and after sitting down began asking about her sister's promotion process.

Xu Yuexin served rice to everyone and chatted with his daughter‑in‑law and Da Yizi while eating.

From his daughter‑in‑law's answer, Xu Yuexin learned that this promotion to Associate Professor ultimately stemmed from the merit she earned during the newly established branch, which earned the leaders' appreciation.

After being promoted to Associate Professor, his daughter‑in‑law is, according to regulations, entitled to a house directly.

"The company now has three houses available for allocation."

"One is in Xicheng, one in Unity Lake, and another in Dajiaoting."

"If you want the Xicheng house, it's 45 sqm; the largest in Dajiaoting is 140 sqm."

"The Unity Lake one is 100 sqm."

Chen Qiaoqiao introduced to Xu Yuexin and Chen Yixue,

"I'll take the Dajiaoting one."

Xu Yuexin responded decisively, "That place will have great development prospects in the future."

"Huh? But I want the Unity Lake one, closer to my sister."

Chen Qiaoqiao said, a bit surprised.

"If she wants, she can just live at her sister's place; she doesn't have to get another house there."

Xu Yuexin persuaded, "Xue Xue's home isn't too small for you."

"I guess so…"

His daughter‑in‑law thought carefully and finally agreed.

She didn't overthink; she just felt Xu Yuexin wanted to claim the most valuable house for the future.

Only Da Yizi gave Xu Yuexin a meaningfully lingering glance.

After discussing the house allocation, the three continued enjoying the sumptuous dinner. During the meal, Xu Yuexin and his daughter‑in‑law laughed and chatted, and by the time they finished, it was almost eight p. m.

At such a late hour, Da Yizi naturally couldn't go back.

Xu Yuexin and his daughter‑in‑law had already prepared a bed in the next room; she could lie down and sleep.

"You have something hidden in your heart."

When Chen Qiaoqiao went to the bathroom to wash up, Chen Yixue looked at Xu Yuexin suspiciously and said,

"Ghosts? I still have a deity."

Xu Yuexin replied calmly, showing no sign of abnormality.

"Heh. You must have something going on."

"Don't talk nonsense and ruin my reputation."

Xu Yuexin stuck out his neck and said confidently,

"Then why did you have to stop my sister when she wanted the Unity Lake house?"

Chen Yixue sneered.

"I already said it, I think the houses in Dajiaoting will be worth more later."

"It's not that simple, right?"

"It must be that there's someone over at Tuanjie Lake you don't want her to see."

Chen Yixue bluntly pointed it out.

Why didn't she become a detective…

Xu Yuexin, irritated by Da Yizi's comment, thought inwardly.

That's right; the reason Xu Yuexin urged his daughter‑in‑law to choose a house in Dajiaoting instead of Tuanjie Lake is that he also bought Gong Ruxue's house there.

These days Jingcheng's population isn't that dense, and housing isn't that crowded. If his daughter‑in‑law chooses a house at Tuanjie Lake, he might run into her later.

That's different from going to Chen Yixue's house; when the daughter‑in‑law rushes to her place, she usually brings Xu Yuexin along.

"You guessed right."

Xu Yuexin spread his hands and said, "Sometimes I go to your place alone because I don't want to be bumped into by her."

"Is that person really me?"

Da Yizi glared at him.

"Really, I'm not lying to you."

"Heh."

Da Yizi said nothing more, turned around and walked away slowly.

"What were you two just talking about?"

A short while later, the daughter‑in‑law came out of the restroom and asked Xu Yuexin.

"We were talking about houses."

"We were debating which house—the one at Tuanjie Lake or the one at Dajiaoting—will be worth more later."

Xu Yuexin gave a half‑hearted smile, then walked toward the restroom, poured hot water, and brushed his teeth and washed his face.

……

The next day, at dawn.

Xu Yuexin drove his daughter‑in‑law to her workplace, and on the way back bought some vegetables.

When he got home, he saw Da Yizi holding a camera, photographing the flowers and plants in the front yard.

Thinking of the scene Da Yizi had exposed the night before made Xu Yuexin a bit annoyed, so he deliberately wore a stern face and walked forward.

"Did I give you permission to use my camera?"

Xu Yuexin replied irritably.

"No, but I want to use it."

After Da Yizi said that, she snapped two shots, capturing the wilted lotus in the pond, and said, "No kidding, your Seagull‑brand camera is really handy."

"I plan to buy one tomorrow as well."

"Is it sold outside?"

Xu Yuexin asked questioningly.

That camera was the prize he received when he won an award; back then it was a rare item.

"It's in the Baihuo Dalou."

Da Yizi set the camera down and said, "You know, in the past two years the variety of goods sold outside has been increasing."

"Then why not buy it now?"

"Let's go!"

Da Yizi said excitedly.

Nowadays, besides playing piano, photography has become Da Yizi's biggest hobby.

Spurred by Xu Yuexin's suggestion, she left without a second thought.

Da Yizi rode in Xu Yuexin's Mercedes to the Baihuo Dalou, and went upstairs with him to look at cameras.

She chose a Seagull camera, and Xu Yuexin added some Color Film Rolls.

The camera cost 600 yuan each, and Da Yizi paid for it herself.

Even though Da Yizi now has money in her pocket, 600 yuan is still a sizable expense for her.

"Quitting my job and going solo back then was the right move."

While descending, Da Yizi said with a hint of sentiment, "If I were still in the Cultural Troupe, I definitely wouldn't be willing to spend so much."

"How much money do you have on hand now?"

Xu Yuexin asked.

"Seven million, mostly in an account in Xiangjiang."

Da Yizi lowered her voice, so as not to be overheard by nearby people.

"Great, let's go outside and take some shots."

Xu Yuexin said, and together with Da Yizi walked out of the Baihuo Dalou, photographing the street scenery outside.

"Click."

"Click."

It was Da Yizi's first time owning her own camera; she was enthusiastic while shooting, pressing the shutter repeatedly.

"Let me take a few for you."

After shooting the street view and pedestrians for a while, Da Yizi said to Xu Yuexin.

"Come on."

Xu Yuexin agreed, and walked to the front of Da Yizi's lens.

He happened to be dressed quite formally today, so the photos should look good.

"Smile, and put your hand in your pocket."

"Hmm... good, take another side profile shot."

Da Yizi enthusiastically directed, saying it really looked like a couple with Xu Yuexin.

When the two finished taking photos, it was already noon.

Xu Yuexin directly ate a meal on the street with Da Yizi, and after the meal they went home together to develop the photos.

After developing, Da Yizi took each photo into their hands and examined them slowly.

"Looks quite similar, indeed."

"And a bit proper."

When seeing Xu Yuexin's photo, Da Yizi slightly curled the corner of their lips and said.

"What, am I not proper?"

Xu Yuexin asked, not very happily.

"What do you think yourself?"

Da Yizi retorted.

"Of course I'm extremely proper; people like me are rare."

"Hmm, there aren't many who can be this thick‑skinned either."

Da Yizi couldn't help but laugh and said.

"Thanks for the compliment; thick skin is a virtue."

Xu Yuexin didn't argue, just said in a teasing tone, and gave Da Yizi's waist a gentle pinch, "Do you want me to take two photos of you as well?"

"No. It's cold; wearing a cheongsam or anything would freeze you to death."

Da Yizi thought for a moment, then shook their head and said.

Of course, that's only part of the reason.

The truth is Da Yizi recalled Xu Yuexin's last secret stash of a photo showing her thigh, and was a bit bothered.

"It's fine, then turn up the heating and shoot indoors."

Xu Yuexin decisively called cut, "Quickly change, preferably into Qiao Qiao's outfit."

"The result will look good."

"Oh."

Da Yizi nodded, saying, feeling a bit strange inside.

If it had been earlier, she wouldn't have doubted Xu Yuexin's motive for making her wear her sister's cheongsam.

But after dealing with Xu Yuexin for a long time, Da Yizi feels the need to overthink every word he says.

After Da Yizi walked toward the bedroom, Xu Yuexin fiddled with the camera in the main hall, loading it with Film Roll and adjusting the focus.

From the bedroom came the sound of a wardrobe door opening and Da Yizi changing clothes.

Soon the bedroom door opened, and Da Yizi, now wearing a cheongsam, walked out of the bedroom.

(End of chapter)