Chapter 233: Chapter 233: Moving
The laboratory’s decor was quite similar to a modern style.
It was the first time everyone had seen this kind of design, and they were all curious. So, after Xie Changning gave them permission, they headed straight for the lab.
Of course, they knew that a laboratory wasn’t a place you could just enter and tour as you pleased.
They just stood at the entrance, glanced in from a distance, and didn’t try to go any further.
The others who had come along also understood this. Just like the students, they took a look from afar and didn’t press forward.
Xie Changning followed behind the group, directing people to move the equipment into the laboratory.
As everyone moved the equipment, they got a chance to see the laboratory.
Aside from its external appearance, the environment here—from the machinery to the working conditions—wasn’t much different from Beijing!
’We made the right choice coming here!’
Everyone was incredibly excited, wishing they could start running experiments in the lab today.
Of course, that was impossible.
They could only dream. For now, Xie Changning first took them out to eat.
There were over a dozen people in the group, and Xie Changning had arranged a private room for them at the state-run hotel. Naturally, the leadership committee of Anong County had also been invited.
In Xie Changning’s own words, her success today would have been impossible without the support of the leaders.
The county leaders were pleased with Xie Changning’s invitation. After a satisfying meal with plenty to drink, they assured her that they would do everything in their power to help her and her laboratory!
Those were the very words Xie Changning had been waiting for!
So, after the official left, Teacher Qin, his face flushed from the alcohol, put an arm around Xie Changning’s shoulder. "It’s been over a year, and you’ve become quite the smooth operator, little girl."
"When you’re navigating bureaucracy, you have to be a little smooth."
Xie Changning chatted with Teacher Qin, their arms around each other’s shoulders.
Teacher Qin was very pleased with the person Xie Changning had become. She had the tact of a businesswoman and the ambition to contribute to the nation’s development, but she wasn’t cynical or driven solely by profit.
’This is perfect!’
After seeing Teacher Qin and his students back to their accommodations, Xie Changning finally went home to sleep.
She was happy today and had had a couple of drinks.
So, she went straight to bed the moment she got home.
Watching Xie Changning sleep, Aunt Wang and Aunt Zhao were a little worried. "Changning never drinks. Why today...?"
The two of them wondered whether they should make Xie Changning some soup to sober her up.
But Mrs. Han spoke up from the side. "Changning isn’t the type to be reckless. She doesn’t even drink when she has meals with officials. The fact that she drank today means she was happy."
If she weren’t happy, Xie Changning wouldn’t have drunk at all.
Aunt Wang and Aunt Zhao thought what Mrs. Han said made sense, so they nodded and decided against making the soup.
Instead, they let Xie Changning sleep peacefully.
「The next day」
When Xie Changning woke up, her head ached a little, but it wasn’t a big deal.
It was bearable.
Xie Changning rubbed her throbbing temples, sat up, and sighed softly.
’I still drank too much last night. I need to cut back in the future. Otherwise, the headache the next day is just awful!’
She got up to wash her face and brush her teeth.
Seeing her slightly pale face, Mrs. Han asked with concern, "Changning, would you like something to help with the hangover? You look quite pale. Did you drink last night? Do you have a headache today?"
Xie Changning didn’t hide it and nodded.
"My teacher came over yesterday, so I got a bit carried away and had two glasses. I didn’t expect to have a headache today. I won’t drink so much next time."
No one in the family doubted what Xie Changning said.
She had always been a person with her own mind, so they didn’t need to worry about her too much. They just needed to handle the logistics for her.
During the meal, Mr. and Mrs. Han spoke to Xie Changning.
"The furniture is almost finished, the kang bed is built, and the bedding has been delivered to the courtyard. Your mother and I are planning to pick an auspicious day to move into the courtyard we bought."
The courtyard Han’s parents had bought wasn’t far from Xie Changning’s, just diagonally across the street, very close by.
That way, they could look out for Xie Changning.
"Are all the daily necessities ready?" Hearing that Han’s parents were planning to move, Xie Changning didn’t try to make them stay. Not living together meant fewer complications.
Besides, they weren’t far away, so it would be easy for them to visit.
That’s why Xie Changning didn’t insist they stay.
She just wanted to help see if they needed anything.
"Everything is more or less ready," Mrs. Han said with a cheerful laugh.
Ever since the house was ready, Han’s parents had been planning to pick a day to tell Xie Changning about this. They weren’t disappointed that she didn’t try to make them stay.
In fact, they thought it was good that their daughter-in-law was this way.
There was no need for all the false pleasantries.
Young people wanted their own space. Besides, there were only so many rooms; if guests came, there would be nowhere for them to stay.
It was inconvenient.
Once their little courtyard was fixed up, if people came to visit, their place had two kang beds, which could accommodate many people.
...
The meal was very pleasant. Xie Changning chatted with Han’s parents about the courtyard the whole time.
It was clear that Han’s parents were also very fond of this courtyard.
They felt a great sense of accomplishment, feeling that they had fixed up this little courtyard bit by bit. It had been a long time since they’d done something like this.
They were extremely excited!
Xie Changning: "..." ’Sure enough, no one, no matter their age, can resist a life-sim game.’
After the meal, Xie Changning went with Mr. and Mrs. Han to see their courtyard.
Their little courtyard was about the same size as the one Xie Changning lived in.
The house was also large, with three and a half rooms, east and west wings, and a small kang bed in the back kitchen area that could fit three people.
The house wasn’t small, and neither was the yard. They could even plant some vegetables in the spring.
Life there would be quite leisurely.
Xie Changning looked around, taking note of everything that was missing, before saying to Mr. and Mrs. Han, "This is great. Now, when they have free time, Aunt Wang and Aunt Zhao can bring the two children over to visit. They won’t have to be cooped up at home anymore."
It would be nice for them to get out for some fresh air.
Hearing this, how could Mrs. Han not understand? It meant Xie Changning didn’t mind the children being brought over to this courtyard.
Mr. and Mrs. Han were overjoyed.
Mrs. Han, in particular, grasped Xie Changning’s hand, at a loss for words.
"For him to have married you, it’s truly the greatest fortune to ever befall the Old Han Family!" After a long silence, this was what Mrs. Han finally managed to say.
Xie Changning didn’t know how to respond, so she looked toward Mr. Han.
Unexpectedly, Mr. Han also nodded in complete agreement.
In their eyes, with Yue Yihan’s current circumstances, he was "marrying up" even if he had married a newly graduated Xie Changning, let alone the successful woman she was today!
She was a highly-educated intellectual, a top student from Beijing University!
For him to have been able to marry her... it truly felt like a twist of fate...
"I’ve taken a look. I’ll get you everything you’re missing tonight. There’s a Granny Zhou nearby who is very good at picking auspicious dates. You can go ask her to find a good day for the move."
This was a sensitive period, so Xie Changning didn’t say more.
Han’s parents also understood what this Granny Zhou did. They both nodded. "Alright."
