Dongzhou is much colder than Xinhai City. It's not even the first month of the lunar calendar yet, and the mountains in Dongzhou are still bare, like mounds of yellow earth, exuding desolation.
Seven days later, Xu Jixin sent Xu Zhuohua to the main camp on the southern route of the eastward journey.
It was a suburban area of a county town not far from Baoci Town. To the east was a river, to the west a railway line, and to the north and south a road.
This location is excellent, with unparalleled advantages and convenient access in all directions.
It is the center of the entire Dongzhou, and news from all directions does not take too long to arrive.
It was a large mansion with two courtyards and two entrances. The vermilion-lacquered, copper-studded door was half-open, and the green patina on the copper rings gleamed faintly in the morning light. Twelve pillars supported the eaves and brackets, and the blue brick pavement exuded a chill.
The front yard is more spacious. The window frames of the west wing are carved with ice crack patterns, and a moon gate is embedded in the east wall. Behind the gate, two old trees stand quietly with their bare branches.
The winding corridor of the small garden leads to the pavilion in the middle of the lake, where the white walls and black tiles are reflected in the water.
Xu Zhuohua felt that being able to enjoy her later years here would be a blessing in life.
Xu Jixin instructed the servants to move all the things inside.
"This courtyard has never been lived in. Everything is new, and there are no people. There is no cook or maid. You can stay here for now, and I will get everything settled for you before I go out to patrol the line."
After the New Year, Xu Jixin had to inspect the eastern and southern routes, revitalize his network of contacts, and resolve many lingering issues. In fact, sending Xu Zhuohua to Dongzhou was already quite rushed.
"No need, Second Brother. With Zhang Qi and Xinghua with me, you can go patrol the line with peace of mind."
Xu Jixin shook his head. "No, Zhang Qi is here to protect you, and Xinghua can take care of your daily needs, but there's no one to cook for you."
Xu Zhuohua smiled helplessly, "There are so many workers here, everyone needs to eat, where do they all eat?"
Xu Jixin frowned. "The workers and logistics staff all eat from the same pot. We have a canteen, which is enough to fill our stomachs, but it's not exactly good food."
Xu Zhuohua raised an eyebrow. "I can eat with everyone. If I don't want to eat anymore, I can have Zhang Qi take me to the county town for a treat."
Xu Jixin thought about it and felt it was a good idea. The main store of the Eastbound South Line was right next to the house, and Xu Zhuohua needed to inspect it every day, so he would inevitably have to eat and live with the workers.
"Alright, anyway, Dad said you went back to Dongzhou to avoid trouble, so just have some fun and don't overwork yourself."
Xu Zhuohua smiled helplessly to herself. It turned out that Xu Shinong had made up a reason for her to avoid trouble.
It's quite appropriate, considering that he just met with Daoist Yunxu and is about to come to Dongzhou. It's not wrong to say that he's avoiding trouble.
"Okay, I understand, Second Brother."
Xu Jixin reached out and patted Xu Zhuohua's head. "Although I don't know what Daoist Yunxu has calculated to allow you to leave Xinhai City and return to Dongzhou, Cheng Muyun agreed, and Father also agreed, so I won't say any more."
The sudden earnestness in his words made Xu Zhuohua feel somewhat uncomfortable.
She frowned. "Second brother, if you have something to say, just tell me directly. You seem very unfamiliar to me."
Xu Jixin lowered his eyes and looked at Xu Zhuohua's hands tucked into his clothes.
"Enough with the nonsense. I'll go to the shop and tell the manager to take care of you." Xu Zhuohua patted Xu Zhuohua's shoulder. "The manager here is a family member. You should call him Fourth Uncle. He's not old, but he's senior in the family."
Before coming, Xu Shih-nong gave Xu Zhuo-hua a roster. The manager of the main store was Xu Shih-ke, who was one year older than Xu Chi-hsin and was a clever and eloquent person.
"I'll go with my second brother."
Xu Jixin thought it was a good idea, it would be a good opportunity for Xu Zhuohua to get to know the shop assistant at the main store. "Take out the jade pendant and put it on."
Xu Zhuohua obediently hung the jade pendant on her waist. Xu Jixin wanted her to assert her authority, since the jade pendant represented having the highest decision-making power.
The two went to the shop together.
Although it's called a shop, Xu Zhuohua felt it was more like a logistics park. There were many trolleys carrying goods back and forth, and workers were moving things around. Everyone seemed to be in a hurry. There were even several large warehouses behind the shop.
If Xu Zhuohua had studied logistics, this would definitely have been the place for her to shine, but unfortunately, she studied history.
One can only marvel at the power of the eastern and southern routes.
The people here clearly recognized Xu Jixin and greeted him.
"Second Young Master!"
"Young Master".
However, the men's eyes were all fixed on the jade pendant at Xu Zhuohua's waist.
Just as the two reached the shop entrance, a tall, thin young man rushed in. He had bright eyes, wore a fur-trimmed cloak, and was carrying an abacus.
"Oh dear, Jixin! I just heard from the waiter that a client with a jade pendant has arrived. Is it your father or your elder brother?"
Xu Jixin raised his hand and patted Xu Shike on the shoulder, "Neither of them, I am the younger sister."
Xu Shike's gaze fell on Xu Zhuohua. When he saw the jade pendant, he was so startled that he cried out and almost dropped the abacus in his hand.
"oops!"
Xu Jixin helped Xu Shike up, "Fourth Uncle, what's wrong?"
Xu Shike's gaze lingered on Xu Zhuohua, somewhat incredulous. "Your sister? This is Minghua?"
Xu Jixin frowned. "Fourth Uncle, how come you don't know anything? Didn't I send you a telegram?"
Xu Shike smiled sheepishly, his face still brimming with youthful energy. "It's just after the New Year. I've been too busy, dealing with final payments and contacting stations in all directions. There were so many telegrams that I might have missed some."
Although he was talking, Xu Shike's eyes kept scanning Xu Zhuohua, but his gaze was clear and did not make Xu Zhuohua uncomfortable.
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