CHAPTER 479: CHAPTER 479: REALLY GETTING OLD

When her feet finally touched the ground, Qin Xiangnuan breathed a sigh of relief.

Actually, she still cherished the feeling of standing firm on the ground.

"Are you okay?" Jian Zhiqing was concerned about her pale complexion, wondering if she was airsick.

"It’s okay, I don’t feel uncomfortable, just not quite used to it," Qin Xiangnuan took a few steps forward, neither dizzy nor distressed, just a bit sleepy and wanting to sleep.

They first headed to rest, Jian Zhiqing had booked a hotel, he picked up the luggage and was ready to take them to the pre-booked hotel for rest. Granny Lu didn’t talk much, perhaps also feeling a bit nervous as she was nearing her hometown, after all, she had been away from her old home for quite a few years.

Initially reluctant to leave, afraid of not getting used to it,

However, no matter how unaccustomed, it was all healed by time.

They took a taxi directly to the pre-booked hotel, which was located downtown, close to several shops. Qin Xiangyang didn’t rest either, he had arranged a meeting time - in the next few days the shop matters would be settled.

Those few shop fronts, all three located in the commercial district, are in the busiest part of An City, and the geographical location is very good. The rent he charged was lower compared with others, and many people had inquired after learning the lease was expiring, wanting to rent it, but it was not known whether the original tenants would renew.

Qin Xiangyang had already agreed with the original tenants, and naturally, they wanted to rent again, however, the rent would be increased - reaching 1500 yuan for one shop, and over 4000 yuan for the three shops. There were only two shops near the bus station, rented out to two families, contracts needed to be re-signed, naturally, the prices had to increase there too. Prices had increased throughout that row of shops, so naturally, he also needed to increase his prices, but just by about 500 yuan more.

After just getting off the plane and having some food, they rested in the hotel for one night, planning to discuss returning to the old home the next day. Qin Xiangnuan slept a good sleep, and upon waking, felt revitalized. She hadn’t returned for several years, so she took Jian Zhiqing out for a walk on the streets.

Over these years, this place has developed quite rapidly. Many roads have been constructed, and skyscrapers several stories high have sprung up along the roadsides where the pedestrian flow is also the most dense. There are large supermarkets and shopping malls, nearly all located along one street - the street where Qin Xiangnuan’s three shops were conveniently located.

Sometimes Jian Zhiqing really feels that Qin Xiangnuan has a keen eye. The properties she picks, initially unnoticed, turn out to be premium spots years later, like here where one location is a busy commercial area and the other is a train station. Whether it’s one place or another, they are locations others can only dream of acquiring. Her vision is far-seeing; even at six years old, she knew it’s better to buy than rent shops, and her keen insight sometimes surprises Jian Zhiqing.

Of course, Qin Xiangnuan would never tell anyone that it’s not just her keen eye, but that she has lived this life once before, knowing some things far more than others.

Qin Xiangnuan is quite familiar with this place, though it’s been a long time since she came back. After all, she was born and raised here, her memories from two lifetimes are all here, walking around with Jian Zhiqing, they never got lost.

They bought some things and ate some unique local delicacies. After several years of absence, recalling them now, indeed feels quite wonderful.

The local food here is famous at a national level, of course, it can only be authentically tasted in this place. In addition to local spices and some secret recipes, perhaps it is the local water that makes it special.

The saying "Local waters breed local people" might just hold true here. Even the same people, using different water, end up creating flavors that are not quite the same.

After resting for a day, everyone was in good spirits, though Granny Lu was still somewhat worried and distracted. Although Qin Xiangyang spent the journey reassuring her, the elderly are still incredibly anxious and tense.

However, once they all got into the car, heading first to Shenjia Village, Granny Lu seemed to calm down, perhaps having some sudden realization.

It’s been nearly twenty years since she left home. The children who used to cry and cling to their mothers have grown up, and those of her age, she wonders, might have already turned to dust. Homesickness exists, but so does a sigh of resignation.

The car was driven by Qin Xiangyang, who appeared to own a few shops on the commercial street. He was generous with the car, saying "borrow" as if lending it was nothing. Qin Xiangyang was an adept driver, having learned in military school.

The car was high-end, with spacious interiors, currently the most popular type of commercial vehicle.

The car headed straight for Shenjia Village, which hadn’t changed much, only the roads had been repaired several times, but to say there had been significant changes would be an overstatement. It’s only 2003 now, significant changes would require nearly a decade more for this place to become an economic development zone. By then, demolitions will increase, and several villages will no longer exist, turning people into the second generation of the relocated. Of course, these are later stories. Shenjia Village was one of these villages, reportedly compensated quite a lot at that time. This is why Qin Xiangnuan came to Shenjia Village originally – one reason was it was close to the middle school, and another was because the village was slated for demolition. Otherwise, why wouldn’t she have chosen the village closest to the middle school and insisted on picking Shenjia Village? As for Dadao Village, when she died, it was still a retirement village, its land expropriated, where villagers depended on odd jobs to make ends meet. Young people had all gone out to work, leaving behind the old, weak, sick, disabled, and children - briefly, the left-behinds.

The family of Qin Guohua in her previous life indeed lived well. With such a son-in-law, the house was well-built, and they received quite a lot of money every month. Although still living in the village, their living standard was much higher than average, and life was rather enjoyable.

But compared to Shenjia Village, Dadao Village was indeed much more backward.

Just as they entered the entrance of Shenjia Village, many people gossiped about the car. In those times, anyone who could afford a car was no ordinary person. Children chased behind the car as long as it moved, and this place itself didn’t have many vehicles, except for the frequent long-distance buses on the main road not far_SANITIZEvi meer _DOWNle.

The village road was also newly paved with cement, not very wide, just enough for one vehicle to pass. Of course, there was no fear of traffic jams, mainly because there weren’t many vehicles in the village. Hence, for this vehicle, the road was quite spacious.

The car stopped in front of the Hua Family’s door.