CHAPTER 648: CHAPTER 44: SUCH A COINCIDENCE (PART 2)

Considering the inconvenience of traveling to and from Yanqing for medical visits, Mao Dazhu took the initiative to temporarily rent out the vacant house of the late Bai Juyi to Zhuo Feng and her husband.

After Bai Juyi passed away, the furniture in the house had been cleared out, so Feng Xing temporarily settled Zhuo Feng in Mao Dazhu’s home for a few days and purchased some furniture.

Xiao Xian stayed with Zhuo Feng at Mao Dazhu’s home for those days.

After Zhuo Feng became pregnant, she felt sleepy during the day and would often sleep for most of it. Xiao Xian took the opportunity, while she was asleep, to discuss with Xuerou about improving traditional Chinese medicine.

"This proposal is very good. The small pharmaceutical factory is in need of new products. Pregnant women are a very special group, and if we can really invent an antiemetic specifically for pregnant women, we can fill this market gap. But improving the medicine tablets is not something we can decide on our own." Xuerou reminded Xiao Xian, recalling how they had needed someone else’s help to turn Pueraria Root and Mint into tablet form last time.

"Hey, you just reminded me, it’s the end of the year now, and the son of the aunt you mentioned should be at home. If he could help us once, he should be able to help us a second time," Xiao Xian suddenly remembered this and was relieved that Xuerou and the aunt were somewhat acquainted.

Therefore, Xuerou called Mrs. Zeng, who gave her Xi Lijuan’s contact number and home address over the phone. Mrs. Zeng was busy with the company’s year-end reports from various department managers and couldn’t get away at the moment.

"Since it’s about your aunt’s health, we can’t delay. Let’s go directly to Aunt Xi," out of politeness, Xuerou first called Xi Lijuan, who warmly invited them over. After picking up some gifts, Xuerou and Xiao Xian went to visit Xi Lijuan.

Upon arriving at the entrance of Xi Lijuan’s community, Xuerou briefly explained Xi Lijuan’s family situation to Xiao Xian. "Aunt Xi is kind and her husband is a government official. She’s a full-time homemaker, very generous, and we’re a bit abrupt coming to seek her son’s help. So we’ll need to explain the full story of the situation." Xuerou hadn’t met Xi Lijuan’s son, but Mrs. Zeng had seen him several times and said he was a very outstanding young man.

As soon as they entered the community, Xiao Xian noticed that this community was different from the usual campuses in Beijing, starting with its location, facing from north to south. The arrangement of trees and buildings inside was artfully done. Even though it was winter, the vitality of the plants was not very strong, but the row of winter cypress trees at the entrance, which had been growing for more than five years, were lush and vibrant, greeting visitors with a sense of vitality.

From what they observed, it was clear that most residents of the community were government employees. No luxury cars were seen, and the heart of the community featured a Suzhou-style garden with flowing water pavilions. Even though it was winter, the pond’s surface hadn’t frozen solid, and below the water, a few lazy turtles could be seen hiding among the aquatic plants.

The community was elegant, and the people living there were naturally of good standing. When Xiao Xian saw Xi Lijuan dressed in home attire, she faintly felt she looked familiar but couldn’t remember where she had seen her before.

Xi Lijuan had the same feeling of deja vu but didn’t directly ask since she had guests over, and she invited both inside.

"The living room is a bit messy; Auntie was just cleaning," Xi Lijuan said, even though from her hair to clothes, she appeared immaculate, not at all like a homemaker in the midst of cleaning.

Xuerou felt a little embarrassed upon hearing this, as the end of the year was usually a time for cleaning, and their visit might have been inconvenient.

Xiao Xian watched the two exchange pleasantries, looking around the place.

Xi Lijuan’s home, a commercial apartment of around 120 square meters with three bedrooms and a living room, was decorated with the same elegance and warmth that mirrored Xi Lijuan’s impression.

"Why are you just like your mother, Xuerou, bringing things when you visit? Take them back later. Your Uncle Zhou holds a decent government position, and he has a rule that no one who brings gifts can enter the house," said Xi Lijuan as she politely declined the gifts Xuerou had brought, placing them by the entryway before welcoming them in.

"Auntie..." Xuerou attempted to continue her pleasantries, but remembering what her mother had said about Xi Lijuan, she decided not to contradict her wishes.

Mrs. Zeng had mentioned that although Xi Lijuan seemed like a traditional, family-centered woman, she was actually quite tough on the inside, with her own set of rules for interactions. They were here to ask for help and should respect her ways.

The two entered the living room and didn’t see anyone else present.

It was after 2 PM, and the men of the house were likely out at work.

After exchanging pleasantries with Xi Lijuan, Xuerou explained the purpose of their visit.

"Are you talking about finding someone to improve traditional Chinese medicine for my son, Zhou Ziang?" Xi Lijuan knew Mrs. Zeng ran a pharmaceutical factory that produced hangover medicine. However, she couldn’t understand why the matter of the pharmaceutical company required Xuerou and her friend to ask for help in person.

"Last time, Brother Zhou helped with formulating the medicine, but we haven’t had the chance to thank him in person," Xuerou continued before being tugged on the sleeve by Xiao Xian. "What’s wrong?" Xuerou looked puzzled at Xiao Xian’s odd expression.

"Did Auntie just mention someone named Ziang? Your son’s name isn’t Zhou Ziang by any chance, is it?" Xiao Xian jumped up from the couch, finally remembering where she had seen Xi Lijuan before.

"Yes, my husband’s surname is Zhou, and my son is named Zhou Ziang," Xi Lijuan saw Xiao Xian’s reaction and had a moment of realization, clapping her hands as she said, "I knew you looked familiar. Now I remember, you’re the girl who pointed out the hole in Ziang’s basketball uniform last time, right?"

Hearing Zhou Ziang’s name, Xuerou began to understand; it was a case of ’the temple being flooded by its own water’—the person they were looking for turned out to be someone they had already met.

**

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Thank you to "Swing Swinging," "Rain Night 147," and "Ning Zhihai" for your fan tickets.

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Owe two Chapters for fan ticket updates, will repay next week, I must weakly admit I was distracted by a new book this week, covering my face

The writing hit a snag again, but I’ll straighten out the ideas over the weekend and will update more next week as compensation, O(∩_∩)O thank you.

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