Chapter 205: From Shanwan Village to the Capital City: Lu Qingshan's Family Reunion Plan

The weekend sunlight streamed through the window lattice onto the kang, Lu Qingshan sat there, Xiao Xue perched on his lap, her face full of anticipation as she stared at the piles of big and small packages before her.

"Dad, are all these bought for me?" Xiao Xue blinked her big eyes, her little hand patting the packaging boxes, her face flushed with excitement.

"Of course they're for my little princess," Lu Qingshan said with a smile, patting his daughter's head, "Come, let's open them one by one and look."

In the first box was a fluffy toy bear, about half as tall as Xiao Xue, its yellow fur sparkling in the sunlight. Xiao Xue grabbed it, rolling around in delight.

"So soft, so soft! Softer than my pillow!" Xiao Xue pressed her face against the bear, "Dad, what's its name?"

"It's called Winnie, how about that?" Lu Qingshan said, watching his daughter's happy expression, his heart warm as if he had drunk honey.

"Little Winnie, little Winnie!" Xiao Xue twirled a few times with the bear, "Dad, what else?"

Lu Qingshan produced another exquisite box; inside was a kaleidoscope. Curious, Xiao Xue leaned in, and Lu Qingshan taught her how to use it.

"Wow! So many beautiful Handcrafted Flowers!" Xiao Xue held up the kaleidoscope, turning it and exclaiming, "How do these Handcrafted Flowers move?"

"It's a kaleidoscope; inside are many tiny glass beads that form different patterns when you turn it," Lu Qingshan explained patiently.

Next came building blocks, puzzles, and toy cars, each toy captivating Xiao Xue. The final box contained a set of pretty little dresses and small leather shoes, the pink dress adorned with tiny flower patterns.

"It's so beautiful!" Xiao Xue clutched the dress, "Mom, Mom, look!"

Lin Yue'e happened to step out of the kitchen, seeing the toys scattered on the floor and her daughter's excited demeanor, a happy smile spreading across her face.

"Qing Shan, you bought so many things for Xiao Xue; she doesn't even know which to play with first," Lin Yue'e said, sitting on the kang edge, "Xiao Xue, remember to thank Dad."

"Thank you, Dad!" Xiao Xue leapt into Lu Qingshan's arms, planting a kiss on his face, "Dad, you're the best!"

Lu Qingshan held his daughter tightly, a wave of warmth rising in his heart. In his previous life he had missed his daughter's childhood; now, seeing her so happy, everything felt worthwhile.

"Qing Shan, I'm going to the factory to brief the work; you stay home with Xiao Xue," Lin Yue'e said, standing up.

"Go ahead, I'll play building blocks with Xiao Xue," Lu Qingshan nodded, "Take care on the way."

After Lin Yue'e left, Lu Qingshan and Xiao Xue built blocks on the kang. Xiao Xue's little hands were deft, alternating between a tiny house and a small tower, murmuring words as she worked.

"Dad, shall we build a big castle?" Xiao Xue said excitedly, "A little princess and a prince will live inside."

"Alright, let's build the most beautiful castle," Lu Qingshan replied, matching his daughter's imagination, his heart immensely satisfied.

A little after ten in the morning, footsteps echoed in the courtyard. Jin Hu barked "Woof woof" a few times, then fell silent.

"Qing Shan brother, are you home?" Liu Fugui's voice called from outside.

"I'm here, come in," Lu Qingshan replied.

Liu Fugui, Zhao Tiezhu, Zhao Fei, Er Zhuang, Zhao Qiang, and Zhao Lei entered, and upon seeing the toys strewn everywhere, they all wore envious expressions.

"Yo, Xiao Xue has so many toys!" Liu Fugui crouched down, "This little bear is really beautiful."

"Uncle Fugui!" Xiao Xue set down the blocks, ran over and clutched Liu Fugui's leg, "Dad bought me so many toys!"

"Is that so? Xiao Xue is truly blessed," Liu Fugui patted Xiao Xue's head, then turned to Lu Qingshan, "Qing Shan brother, let's discuss the matter of going to the Capital City."

"Sit down, we'll chat while watching Xiao Xue play," Lu Qingshan gestured toward the kang edge.

The group sat together, and Zhao Fei spoke first: "Qing Shan brother, we've thought it through; whenever you need, we can set off at any time."

"Indeed, Qing Shan brother, we've followed you for so long, we fear no hardship," Tiezhu said earnestly.

Lu Qingshan looked at these brothers, a surge of emotion rising within him. These people had gone from a hunting squad to business partners, and the journey had been far from easy.

"We'll discuss the specific division of labor once we reach the Capital City," Lu Qingshan said seriously, "The stalls over there are larger, with daily building management, market management, as well as material procurement and sales. We might later expand the business, so everyone needs to strive hard."

"Qing Shan brother, don't worry, we'll definitely work hard," Zhao Fei pounded his chest in assurance.

"Fugui and Zhao Fei, you now need to rotate responsibility for procurement and sales of the three factories; after we settle in the Capital City we'll decide the exact tasks," Lu Qingshan continued, "There must be some focus."

"Understood, Qing Shan brother," Liu Fugui nodded, "Then what about the factories here?"

"Production will remain with Chief Engineer Li and several plant managers; they have experience," Lu Qingshan said, "Yue E has also arranged the financial work, so there should be no problem."

They chatted a while longer, mainly about preparations for going to the Capital City. Lu Qingshan told them that this trip might require a long stay, letting Xiao Xue attend school there; he had also bought a courtyard in the Capital City that was under renovation.

"Qing Shan brother, does that mean we also need to settle in the Capital City?" Zhao Qiang said, a bit excited.

"It depends on the situation; if the business thrives, we will indeed need to be stationed there long-term, and you'll have single rooms there," Lu Qingshan said, "The Capital City offers many opportunities; we must seize them."

Around noon, Lin Yue'e returned, a relaxed smile on her face.

"How's it going, have the factory matters all been arranged?" Lu Qingshan asked.

"Yes, everything's basically been clarified," Lin Yue'e took off her coat, "The accounting has been handed to Fugui's sister; I've taught her over the past two or three months, so there should be no problem."

"That's good," Lu Qingshan nodded, "It seems we can prepare to set off."

"Qing Shan brother, shall we also go back to prepare?" Liu Fugui stood and said.

"Alright, we'll depart tomorrow morning," Lu Qingshan said, "You go back and pack some spare clothes, that's all you need."

After the others left, Lu Qingshan and Lin Yue'e began tidying the house. Xiao Xue clutched her new toys, alternately holding the bear and the kaleidoscope.

"Xiao Xue, we're going to the Capital City to see Grandpa and Grandma," Lin Yue'e crouched down to her daughter, "Are you happy?"

"Happy!" Xiao Xue nodded vigorously, "Will Grandpa and Grandma also buy me toys?"

"They will, Grandpa and Grandma love Xiao Xue the most," Lu Qingshan said with a smile, "But you must be good and obedient."

"I'm the most well-behaved!" Xiao Xue patted her chest, "Mom, are we taking the train?"

"We'll take a car, Dad's big car," Lin Yue'e said, "And we have to bring Jin Hu along as well."

Hearing that Jin Hu would come, Xiao Xue grew even more excited. She ran to the courtyard, hugging Jin Hu's neck, "Jin Hu, we're going to the Capital City to see Grandpa and Grandma!"

Jin Hu seemed to understand, wagging his tail and barking "Woof woof" a few times.

In the afternoon, Lu Qingshan and Lin Yue'e packed luggage. There wasn't much to pack, mainly some spare clothes and Xiao Xue's toys.

"Qing Shan, do you think your parents will like us?" Lin Yue'e asked nervously.

"Of course they'll like us," Lu Qingshan wrapped an arm around his wife's shoulder, "My parents are very open-minded, and they've long wanted to meet you both."

"But I know nothing; what if I say something wrong?" Lin Yue'e still worried.

"It won't happen; just be yourself," Lu Qingshan comforted, "And Xiao Xue is so cute, Grandpa and Grandma will definitely love her to pieces."

At night, the three of them sat around the kang, Lu Qingshan telling a story to Xiao Xue. Xiao Xue clutched the new toy bear, listening attentively.

"Dad, are there a lot of houses in the Capital City?" Xiao Xue suddenly asked.

"There are many, many, far larger than our village," Lu Qingshan said, "and there are lots of delicious foods and many fun places."

"Will we still come back?" Xiao Xue asked, blinking her big eyes.

"Of course we'll come back," Lu Qingshan patted his daughter's head, "this is our home, it will always be home."

Lin Yue'e listened quietly beside them, her heart filled with mixed feelings.

Going from a small mountain village to the capital Capital City, this kind of leap felt like a dream to her.

Yet looking at her husband and daughter beside her, she was again filled with anticipation.

"Qing Shan, do you think we'll live well in the Capital City?" Lin Yue'e asked softly.

"We will, definitely will," Lu Qingshan grasped his wife's hand, a resolute light flashing in his eyes, "as long as our family is together, wherever we go is home."

Late at night, Xiao Xue fell asleep hugging her teddy bear. Lu Qingshan and Lin Yue'e lay on the heated brick bed, listening to the wind outside the window, their hearts full of longing for the future.

In the courtyard, Jin Hu lay in his den, seeming to sense the impending change as well.

He lifted his head to glance at his owner's room, then settled down quietly, guarding the family that was about to set out on a journey.