CHAPTER 428: CHAPTER 427: SHOWING OFF

The next day, Beisitian invited several close military spouses over to her house, like Li Shuzhen and Li Mingrong, among others.

The family members sat together eating, chatting, and nobody drank since they still had to take care of their husbands and kids at night.

Li Mingrong was sullen, and even Li Shuzhen sighed three times in a row.

Zhou Chunlai quickly chuckled, "What’s going on? Xiao Bei is going to the Capital City, it’s a big joyful event! We should be happy for her!"

"Yes, we’re really happy for her," Li Mingrong said sluggishly.

Li Shuzhen forced a smile, "Indeed, Xiao Bei is going to the Capital City to develop well, sigh..."

Seeing this, Beisitian felt quite uncomfortable, "Mingrong, Sister-in-law Li, I truly cherish your friendship, and if fate allows, we will meet again!"

Li Shuzhen laughed and said, "That’s right, we are indeed fated, sigh... if only Zhuangzhuang wasn’t leaving."

Li Mingrong pouted, "Yes, I’m really reluctant to part with Zhuangzhuang!"

Beisitian: "..." Does she presume too much, suddenly feeling less than a dog!

Zhou Chunlai always kept her distance from furry animals, so during Beisitian’s absence during the New Year, Li Mingrong and Li Shuzhen took care of Zhuangzhuang. They already liked animals, and Zhuangzhuang, being a rare wolf-dog, won them over from initial wariness to subsequent docility, making it irresistible to them.

Even after Beisitian returned, they would come to the small courtyard daily to play with Zhuangzhuang.

The family members had plenty of free time every day; when alone at home without their men, they even felt bored. Apart from chatting together, being able to play with Zhuangzhuang each day brought them joy too.

After chatting for a while and seeing that it was getting late, the group dispersed, deciding to say goodbye to Zhuangzhuang the next day.

At noon the following day, Luo Xudong and Beisitian set off for the Capital City. Because of Zhuangzhuang, Sergeant Zhou specially lent his car to Luo Xudong. Although it’s a small gesture, it showed his goodwill towards Luo Xudong.

A fellow colleague also went with them, and he would drive the car back after reaching the Capital City.

After being promoted to sergeant, Luo Xudong was assigned a car too, but it needed to be provided by the station in the Capital City.

The two of them, along with Zhuangzhuang, headed to the Capital City, driving themselves for the first time, but Luo Xudong found it easy with the road signs along the way.

"Are you tired?" Beisitian asked Luo Xudong, who was in the driver’s seat.

"Not tired." Luo Xudong replied, glancing at her through the rearview mirror.

On the side, Ma Wen laughed and said, "Don’t worry, Sister-in-law, Sergeant Luo can drive for a whole day and night with no problem!"

Beisitian smiled.

The three of them chatted along the way, and time passed quickly. By around 8 p.m., they arrived at the small courtyard’s gate.

Although Beisitian was sitting in the car, she was quite tired from sitting all afternoon, so the three of them found a small eatery outside for dinner, with Luo Xudong and Ma Wen having a bit of alcohol.

Ma Wen stayed here for a night, planning to drive back early the next day. He didn’t need Luo Xudong to fill up the gas, but how could Luo Xudong really let him leave without filling up? He got up early the next day to fill the tank.

With a faint smile on her face, Beisitian stood under the toon tree, not expecting to be back so soon.

Tian Qiu and his partner moved out two months after Beisitian left, but they still often came back to tidy up, so the place wasn’t messy at all and remained as clean as when she left.

Zhuangzhuang looked around in the courtyard, knowing this would be its future home, and the whole courtyard was now its playground, larger than before!

During the day, Luo Xudong specially built a shed for it between the gaps of the west room and the east wing. Though it was narrow, it was quite spacious for a doghouse.

Beisitian arranged Zhuangzhuang’s place a bit, with thick dry grass on the bottom and a soft cushion on top.

These were simple arrangements for now, but they could be gradually improved.

Zhuangzhuang was thrilled with its new den, frolicking and rolling around inside joyfully.

Luo Xudong gently wrapped his arm around Beisitian’s shoulder, and they exchanged a smile.

Luo Xudong wouldn’t start his new position until the day after next, so they had some time to tidy the house. Luo Xuhua, knowing they arrived, came by that afternoon.

"Why didn’t you tell me you were coming to the Capital City?" Luo Xuhua scowled.

"Didn’t I mention it?" Luo Xudong said.

Luo Xuhua, annoyed, glared at him. Telling him after arriving in the Capital City counts as telling?

No one informed anyone in advance of their visit; Tian Lei did inform Tian Heming of their arrival, but Beisitian had already informed them not to pick them up since they drove themselves over.

Luo Xudong had Zhou Quan prepare a batch of furniture, all chosen to Beisitian’s taste, and it was already moved in.

"Sister-in-law runs the household well; those white-painted furniture pieces are quite nice, why insist on wooden ones?" Luo Xuhua said.

Solid wood isn’t that valued now. Many things from abroad have entered the country, and the public enthusiastically embraces these imported items. Many people’s furniture has been replaced with lacquered or leather steel-plate ones, which are costly yet exquisitely crafted and trendy.

But Beisitian prefers wooden ones, ideally rosewood; she relishes the understated luxury it brings.

Zhou Quan doesn’t know much about rosewood, but he knows someone who does. A whole set of rosewood furniture can cost over ten thousand!

Beisitian was pleasantly surprised to see these pieces, as they all matched her taste. When Zhou Quan came to help the next day, seeing her smile reassured him he made the right choice, giving a relieving glance at Luo Xudong for the challenging task fulfilled.

Seeing her joy, Luo Xudong was also pleased. Inspired by the home’s style, he instructed Zhou Quan on what to prepare.

Shao Simin didn’t quite get rosewood, never being fond of wood furnishings. Hearing Luo Xuhua’s comments, she looked down on the pieces, laughing, "Once the shares are distributed, you can get a nice set. Hey Sitiang, when can you share the formula?"

Since you’ve invested, it’s better to start developing together. It’s been half a year without a peep from Beisitian; she’s nudged Luo Xuhua several times, yet he refuses to inquire, insisting it will come out when it’s ready.

"Sitiang, you must hurry. We’ve been in talks with the Tian family; you might not know, but they hail from a traditional medicine family. If we manage to purchase health diet recipes from them, your offering might not be as enticing!"

Shao Simin wore a smile concealing considerable pride; the Tian family isn’t easily approachable. It was only because her cousin married into the Tian family that this opportunity arose, and even that took extensive back-and-forth communication starting long before she reached the Capital City, now finally showing some results.