Chapter 35
Time flies like an arrow.
As autumn turned to winter, and the first light snow covered the eaves, "Xinglinchun" delivered an astonishing report card.
It not only achieved its goal ahead of schedule, but also exceeded the seemingly impossible double profit target set by Han Xianfei.
The ledger was respectfully placed on Han Xianfei's desk, its thick pages recording months of hard work and wisdom.
Wearing his reading glasses, Han Xianfei turned the pages one by one, his fingers pausing occasionally and tapping lightly on the table. His expression shifted from initial seriousness to surprise, and finally to undisguised satisfaction and pride.
He took off his glasses, rubbed his temples, and looked at his daughter standing upright and calmly at the desk. The winter sunlight streamed through the window, casting a pale golden glow on her, making her appear confident and composed.
"Good, very good." Han Xianfei's voice was tinged with a barely perceptible sob. "Mengmeng, you are much more outstanding than your father imagined."
He stood up, walked to Han Meng, and scrutinized her with a complicated look, as if trying to find the shadow of the little girl who used to only know how to act spoiled and unreasonable in her face. But in the end, what he saw was a mature, capable, and responsible successor.
"You won the original agreement." Han Xianfei took a deep breath, as if he had made up his mind. "If you insist on breaking off your engagement with the Lu family, I... will go to the Lu family now and explain to your Uncle Lu. I will bear all the consequences."
Saying these words was not easy for him, as it concerned the delicate relationship between him and Lu Wen, and his repeated attempts to "restart" his obsession with protecting his daughter. But his daughter's growth and abilities made him willing to respect her choice, even if it meant that his last "insurance" might fail.
However, Han Meng slowly shook her head.
Looking into her father's eyes, where he showed genuine concern and a resolute determination, she felt a surge of warmth in her heart.
She stepped forward and gently took her father's arm, a gesture that startled Han Xianfei slightly.
“Dad,” Han Meng’s voice was clear and gentle, with an undeniable firmness, “I’m not breaking off the engagement.”
Han Xianfei was stunned: "You... what did you say?"
"I said, my engagement with Lu Jinxian doesn't need to be called off." Han Meng repeated, a bright and happy smile on her lips. "These past few days, running 'Xinglinchun' together, experiencing so much together, I've seen his true character, and... I've confirmed my feelings. He's worth it."
She paused, met her father's probing gaze, and said frankly, "I like him and want to be with him. It's not because of my parents' wishes, nor because of the constraints of an engagement, but because it's my own choice, Han Meng's choice."
A brief silence fell over the study. Han Xianfei looked at the light shining in his daughter's eyes. At that moment, he suddenly understood that his daughter had truly grown up; she had the ability to make independent judgments and choices in her life.
After a long while, Han Xianfei let out a long sigh of relief.
There was relief, emotion, and a sense of ease at having let go of a heavy burden in that breath.
He took his daughter's hand in his own and patted it hard.
"Good! Good! You chose it yourself, and I support you!" A genuine smile spread across his face. "I used to view Jinxian with prejudice, but now I realize I was being narrow-minded. He's responsible, resourceful, and sincere towards you. I'm at ease entrusting him to you!"
The father and daughter smiled at each other, and all the past barriers and tests vanished in that moment.
...
Upon learning of Han Meng's decision, no one was happier than Lu Jinxian. He immediately prepared generous gifts and solemnly paid another visit to Han Xianfei and Tang Ying, as their "future son-in-law," rather than as their "son of a family friend" or "business partner."
This time, the atmosphere was more harmonious than ever before. Han Xianfei looked at the composed and well-spoken young man in front of him and became more and more satisfied. Even his old grudges against Lu Wen seemed to have faded a lot.
Tang Ying held Han Meng's hand tightly, her eyes slightly red, and said repeatedly, "Good, good, our Mengmeng has found a good man, so Mom can rest assured." She keenly noticed the change in her daughter; the peace and happiness emanating from within were genuine.
The relationship between the two families was finally thawed completely because of the marriage of these two young children.
Han Xianfei and Lu Wen, two fellow disciples who had fought for half their lives, reconciled over a cup of wine at a family banquet carefully arranged by Han Meng and Lu Jinxian. Although they still occasionally exchanged barbs, the atmosphere was more like banter between old friends than a confrontation between enemies.
Winter snow melts, and spring returns to the earth.
Han Meng and Lu Jinxian's wedding was grand and warm.
Instead of choosing a Western-style wedding church, they followed tradition, with the bride in a phoenix coronet and embroidered robe, and a long procession of red bridal makeup. The wedding procession started from the Lu family home, with music and fanfare, and was very lively, passing through most of the city, attracting countless onlookers and envious glances.
Han Meng sat in the eight-bearer sedan chair adorned with tassels, listening to the noise outside. She tightly gripped an apple in her hand, her heart pounding like a drum, not from nervousness, but from overflowing happiness and anticipation.
She knew that the handsome man riding a fine horse and dressed in a festive red robe was leading her towards their future.
The wedding ceremony was held, the couple was led to the bridal chamber.
When the red veil was gently lifted by a wedding scale, Han Meng looked up and met Lu Jinxian's eyes, which were filled with starlight and deep affection.
He was dressed in a bright red auspicious robe, which made his face look even more handsome. The paleness he usually maintained was replaced by joy and excitement, and his eyes were full of radiant spirit.
"Madam," he called softly, his voice trembling slightly, and reached out to hold her hand tightly.
"Husband," Han Meng replied softly, her cheeks flushed, as she placed her hand in his warm palm.
The nuptial wine was sweet and mellow; as they exchanged toasts, their eyes reflected only each other. Red candles burned brightly, illuminating the joyous atmosphere and witnessing the couple's long and arduous journey to finally be together.
...
Their married life was peaceful and happy. They continued to run "Xinglinchun" together, developing it into a chain business with branches in several neighboring cities. Chen Miaoyin and other traditional Chinese medicine practitioners were responsible for management and training, promoting Han Meng's concept of "combining medicine and medicine with an emphasis on service" to benefit more people.
Lu Jinxian completely shed his "sickly" facade and began to formally intervene in the management of the family martial arts school and some emerging industries. With his keen insight and flexible approach, he quickly demonstrated remarkable business talent. Even Lu Wen had to admit that this son, who had once caused him the most worry, was the one who truly inherited his business acumen.
With her advanced business knowledge and concepts, Han Meng not only managed "Xinglinchun" with great success, but also gradually took over a portion of the Han family's tea business, introducing more modern management and marketing models to make the Han family's tea brand even more renowned. Together with her siblings, Han Shangting and Han Meng, one focused on external expansion and the other on internal management, they propelled the Han family's business to new heights.
Under the care of Han Meng and her family, Tang Xiaomei gradually became more cheerful, went to school, and showed talent in painting. Han Meng then kept her promise and hired the best art teacher for her. Xiao Liu and Yu Zhi also became Han Meng's capable right-hand women, one in charge of part of the shop management and the other becoming her personal assistant, both finding their own value and place in life.
Occasionally, Han Meng would still think of the 21st century, of that life that belonged to "another her." But those memories now felt more like a distant and hazy dream. The vibrant world before her, her loving partner, her thriving career, her harmonious and caring family… all these real and warm sensations made her absolutely certain that this was her home.
She is no longer just a passerby who stumbled into the book; she is Han Meng. This world has quietly become more vibrant and full of hope because of her arrival and choices.
...
Time flies, and several years have passed in the blink of an eye.
The shadow of political turmoil eventually spread, the news in the newspapers became increasingly unsettling, and the dark cloud of war loomed over everyone's hearts.
Many people began to live in constant fear, selling off their possessions and seeking refuge from the disaster.
The atmosphere in the Han family's living room was heavy. Han Xianfei, Tang Ying, Han Shangting, Han Meng, and Lu Jinxian were gathered together, discussing the future of the family.
"I've already asked someone to find a place in the southwest that's relatively stable, and the industry can be gradually transferred there," Han Shangting calmly proposed. He is now the de facto head of the Han family's external affairs.
Han Xianfei frowned, looking at the business he had built up over his lifetime, filled with reluctance.
Lu Jinxian shook Han Meng's hand and said, "Father, Mother, Eldest Brother, I've discussed things with Father and my brothers regarding the Lu family."
Some of the martial arts school's disciples are willing to follow us to the southwest and serve as our guard.
We also have some connections and industry base there. If the two companies work together, we have a better chance of weathering this storm.
His gaze was firm and composed. After several years of experience, he had long since become a pillar of the family capable of standing on his own.
All eyes were on Han Meng.
Han Meng took a deep breath and stood up. Years of experience in the business world and the maturity of being a wife had given her a more composed and unhurried demeanor.
“Dad, Mom, Brother, Jinxian is right. Unity is the best policy. In chaotic times, family unity is more important than anything else.” Her voice was clear and articulate. “The tea business and some core personnel and medicinal herbs of ‘Xinglinchun’ can be transferred first. I have already asked Miaoyin and the others to find suitable shops in the southwest, and the preliminary preparations are basically complete. We can leave reliable people here to maintain basic operations, but the focus must be shifted. This is not abandonment, but for better preservation and future rebirth.”
She produced a detailed relocation plan, which listed the arrangements for personnel, supplies, and funds, and even considered safety along the way and resettlement upon arrival. It was so meticulous that it was astonishing.
Han Xianfei looked at his daughter, and the last trace of hesitation in his eyes vanished. He was old; the world belonged to the young. He nodded: "Let's do as you say."
A large-scale relocation began.
This was a complicated and risky process, but with the concerted efforts of the Han and Lu families, the meticulous planning of Han Meng and Han Shangting, and the armed support of Lu Jinxian and his brothers, it proceeded relatively smoothly.
On the eve of leaving the city where they had lived for decades, Han Meng and Lu Jinxian climbed the city's tallest clock tower together.
Looking down at the myriad lights below, this city, which holds so many memories for them, appears both tranquil and melancholic in the night.
"Are you scared?" Lu Jinxian pulled her into his arms and wrapped her in his cloak to ward off the chill of the night wind.
Han Meng leaned against his strong chest and shook her head: "With you here, with a home, I'm not afraid to go anywhere." She raised her head and looked into his eyes, which were still clear even in the night. "I just feel that the fate of our generation is ultimately tied to this era. We can't escape it, so we can only face it head-on."
Lu Jinxian lowered his head and placed a gentle kiss on her forehead: "Whether the road ahead is stormy or smooth, we'll walk together."
"Okay, let's go together."
...
Life in the southwest was not a paradise, but it was temporarily far from the front lines of the war.
With the capital, connections, and high-quality products they brought, the Han and Lu families quickly established themselves in their new location. "Xinglinchun" reopened and, thanks to its excellent reputation and proven efficacy, soon became one of the most popular pharmacies in the area. The Han family's tea also found a new market.
Han Meng and Lu Jinxian's relationship grew stronger and more unbreakable through their hardships and shared struggles.
They became each other's strongest support, lovers, and comrades-in-arms.
A year later, on a spring day when pear blossoms were in full bloom, Han Meng gave birth to a girl. The baby's cry was loud and clear, and her eyebrows and eyes resembled Lu Jinxian's, while her lips and face shape resembled Han Meng's.
Lu Jinxian held his baby daughter in his arms, his hands trembling with excitement. He looked at Han Meng, who was exhausted but had a happy face on the bed, his eyes welling up with tears. He leaned down and choked out in her ear, "Mengmeng, thank you... thank you for coming into my world, thank you for giving me a home."
Han Meng smiled and reached out her hand, interlocking her fingers with his, her gaze tenderly falling on her daughter and husband.
At this moment, all the hardships, struggles, and choices have finally taken on meaning.
She has become completely rooted in this era, where her love, family, and career have all flourished.
The torrent of history rolls ever onward, and individual destinies rise and fall within it.
But there are always some things that war cannot destroy, such as love and hope, and the courage to grow tenaciously and strive to create a better life even in adversity.
Outside the window, pear blossoms are in full bloom, their pure white petals swaying gently in the spring breeze.
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