Chapter 21 The Ungrateful Man Who Sold His Sisters to Escape the Mountains
The wine slid down his throat, and Ji Huaizhi swallowed it in one gulp: "I wasn't wrong, we really made it back."
Fang Youliang also stood up and raised his glass: "Thirty years east of the river, thirty years west of the river, haven't I, Fang Youliang, still made it to where I am today?"
Everyone was happy, and they all laughed off the past hardships.
When Ji Huaizhi returned to the villa, Ji Xiang came out to see him and found that he had indeed drunk quite a bit again.
However, Ji Huaizhi is quite a heavy drinker, and his alcohol tolerance has improved due to frequent social engagements.
"Have some hangover soup," Ji Xiang brought it to him.
Ji Xiang is very different from before. She no longer has the soft, gentle and easy-going temperament. Instead, she has a strong competitive spirit.
In the workplace, she is like an iceberg.
Ji Huaizhi possessed an awe-inspiring coldness.
Ji Huaizhi also possessed a powerful aura; wherever he went, the laughter and chatter of his subordinates would come to an abrupt halt.
The person she found most unacceptable about the changes was Jiang Fulin.
His gentle, lovely, and protective younger sister has turned into a female demon, which frightens him.
"What were you going to tell me this afternoon?" Ji Huaizhi finished the hangover soup in one gulp.
“My family called and said that if we don’t go back this year, they will come to Chongqing.” Ji Xiang didn’t mention that her family wanted her to go back and get married.
"Mom sounded quite agitated on the phone; I guess someone said something to her."
Ji Huaizhi gave a soft "hmm".
"Let's go back together next week." Ji Huaizhi still remembered that his aunt's child hadn't settled accounts with him yet.
My eldest sister has also given birth, so as her uncle, he should go and visit her.
Ji Xiang nodded. She didn't actually want to go back, but she listened to her brother.
Every time Liu Ermei and Ji Changcheng called that year, they said they wanted to come to the city to help him, but Ji Huaizhi was too busy at the time and couldn't take care of them at all.
I knew the offer of help wasn't genuine, so I refused.
I'll have my assistant buy a lake-view apartment tomorrow, so they can come if they're planning to move to the city next year.
~
Ji Huaizhi drove a Hongqi back home; Ji Xiang had already bought everything he needed to take home.
Many people came out to watch when the car entered Fenghuang Village.
Ji Huaizhi remarked that the village had changed quite rapidly in just over a year.
Upon hearing this, Ji Xiang said, "Because you paid for the road to be repaired in the village, this is the biggest change in the village. I heard from Brother Zhang that ever since you funded the road repair in the village..."
"The village's economy has also started to develop. Although Fenghuang Village is not a particularly wealthy village now, it has already escaped poverty."
Ji Xiang's tone was one of pride for her brother.
At the time, Ji Huaizhi's second brother was even featured in the local newspaper, and the government also publicly praised his spirit and contributions.
When the road was being built in Fenghuang Village, the government provided financial support to the village.
The village chief always felt very important when he went to meetings.
After all, the young men in the village are quite promising.
His two sons are now making money with Ji Huaizhi, and if anyone says anything bad about the Ji family, he will point his finger at them and curse them.
After all, the road you're walking on was funded by Ji Huaizhi.
Ji Huaizhi parked his car in an open courtyard, and as soon as he opened the car door, a number of people gathered around.
"It's Huaizhi! You're finally back. Were you tired on the way?"
"Uncle, it's been a long time. The journey was alright, Ji Xiang and I took turns driving." Ji Huaizhi took out cigarettes he had prepared in advance and offered them to the elders.
Ji Huaizhi has lost his former scoundrel-like demeanor and has become much more polite, which makes everyone quite unaccustomed to it.
"Wow, I almost didn't recognize you on the street! You look exactly like someone from a TV drama!" Everyone praised Ji Huaizhi for his success.
They've all forgotten the days when he used to chase chickens and dogs around the village.
"Yeah, you almost don't recognize Phoenix Village anymore, do you? It's all thanks to you, you know?"
"That's right! Ever since this road was built in the village, things are so much better than before. We knew you were going to be a great kid!"
Ji Huaizhi had a smile on his face the whole time.
After chatting for a bit, I said I had to go home first and told them to come over and visit when they had time.
When he comes back this time, his family will definitely invite the village elders over for a meal.
We can have a good chat then.
"Alright, alright, he's been driving for so long, why are you still holding onto him? Let him go home first, there will be plenty of time to chat later!" one of the older women said, annoyed by the men's excessive talking.
Now is not the time for chatting.
"It's so cold, let's go back and warm up first."
"Yes, yes, you guys go back first, we can talk again when you have time."
"Oh my, I almost didn't recognize Ji Xiang!" The aunt noticed Ji Xiang standing silently to the side: "That's wonderful."
"Go back quickly, Xiang girl is even more beautiful than those city girls now."
Ji Xiang smiled shyly.
From the moment she stepped into the village, she lost the decisive and efficient demeanor she displayed at the company.
Seeing the brother and sister carrying so many things home, everyone couldn't help but think that the Ji family must have had incredibly good fortune.
"Ji Huaizhi has changed so much. I'm almost afraid to talk to him. His aura is more intimidating than our factory director."
"I think the person who has changed the most is Ji Xiang. The environment in the city really does a good job of raising people. Ji Huaizhi just said that he and Ji Xiang take turns driving, right?" The aunt clicked her tongue: "Women in the city can all drive?"
"Ji Changcheng must have been incredibly lucky in his past life to have such a wonderful son."
"Yes, but now that Ji Huaizhi is back, those two will be looking at the sky again."
"Who cares about them? It's their son's success that's the problem. Just stay away from them." When people talked about Ji Changcheng and Liu Ermei, their tone suggested there was some past grievance.
After that, everyone examined the car: "I've seen this logo before in the county town. But it's not as impressive as this car!"
"Hey, you kids, don't let anyone hurt you, you know?"
Before Ji Huaizhi and his sister had taken more than a few steps, Liu Ermei ran over and said, "Oh my, my son, we thought you wouldn't arrive until evening. We didn't expect you to arrive so early."
"Quickly! Go back and warm yourself by the fire."
Liu Ermei was overjoyed to see her son; he was so handsome.
She was born to me.
"Why are you carrying so much stuff?" Liu Ermei frowned at Ji Xiang. "Why did you let your brother carry so much stuff? His hands are for making money!"
"You were sent to take care of your brother, and now you're acting like a pampered young lady?"
Ji Huaizhi sighed helplessly, "Alright, Mom, didn't you see that Ji Xiang has quite a lot of things in her hands too?"
"Do you think I, as the older brother, would break something just because I'm carrying it?"
Liu Ermei spat and said, "What did you say?"
When Ji Huaizhi arrived home, wisps of smoke were still rising from the tiled roof.
"Didn't you call last time asking for money to repair the house in your hometown? Why hasn't it been repaired yet?" Ji Huaizhi asked in confusion.
Liu Ermei said awkwardly, "I was thinking of fixing it after the New Year. Since the money was just sitting there untouched, I lent it to your aunt and uncle."
Ji Huaizhi remained silent.
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