"Master, what about you? Are you a resident of this area?" Gu Qiaoqiao asked curiously.

"I wish I had such luck. If I had known earlier, I would have come here. Not only do they give you residency but also a house. When good fortune comes, you can’t stop it."

Before Gu Qiaoqiao could respond, the chatty Driver Master continued, "These people are never satisfied. The land has been sold, yet they come here to plant vegetables. I heard that in the summer, two elderly men fought over a piece of land. I say, once the real owners arrive, they’ll settle down obediently..."

Gu Qiaoqiao and Qin Yize exchanged glances and couldn’t help but laugh.

Gu Qiaoqiao glanced back and thought that these old folks growing vegetables might face disappointment this year.

Soon they returned to the courtyard. The old gentleman had something for Qin Yize to do. After he left, Gu Qiaoqiao found two vases, elegant in shape, perfect for placing reed spikes.

Gu Qiaoqiao trimmed the intact reed spikes and arranged them in the two vases. Stepping back a few steps, she tilted her head to observe. It did have an artistic feel.

They were better than flowers, as they last longer. Speaking of which, the aunt’s family was arriving soon. Gu Qiaoqiao thought about it and took one of the vases towards the east wing.

It was already tidied up, waiting for the aunt’s family to stay.

Last winter was somewhat cold, but the house was warm. Gu Qiaoqiao learned after moving in that under the main courtyard’s two buildings and the east and west wings, there were Ground Fire Dragons.

These fire dragons were interconnected, different from radiators installed on walls. They were the oldest ground heating system, though they looked outdated, they were ingeniously devised. They connected to the big kitchen. As soon as a fire was lit there, part of the heat would flow through these pipes.

Plus, it had centralized heating installed, with strong radiators on the walls. Hence, the house in Chaoyang was as warm as spring. The only downside was a temperature difference when going in and out, but that’s a common issue in the North, also a regional feature.

Gu Qiaoqiao entered the room and took off her down jacket; otherwise, after a few minutes she’d be sweating. Wearing a sweater, she looked down at her belly. Her waist was slender, and the sweater was loose, so her pregnancy wasn’t apparent. However, it’s still early days, naturally not visible yet.

Gu Qiaoqiao wandered around the room with the vase and placed it on the table beside the sofa. It was the perfect spot. The reed spikes, interspersed in the vase, drooped slightly, resembling tassels. If a breeze passed through, they’d leisurely sway with a touch of charm.

Gu Qiaoqiao felt very pleased with her sudden idea.

After checking inside and outside, there wasn’t much to organize. Everything was well prepared, just waiting for the aunt’s family to arrive.

Gu Qiaoqiao didn’t linger long. She put on her down jacket and left the east wing.

Returning to the main courtyard, she saw Qin Yize sitting on the sofa making a phone call.

Gu Qiaoqiao blinked. He was speaking a foreign language she didn’t understand, but she knew it was the current international language. Gu Qiaoqiao hung her down jacket in the hallway closet and then leisurely walked into the living room.

Thinking to herself, if Qin Yize had gone with her on the last overseas trip, it would have saved a lot of trouble.

Although Gu Qiaoqiao couldn’t understand a single letter, she knew Qin Yize spoke fluently and pleasantly.

Qin Yize gestured to her, and Gu Qiaoqiao walked over, placing her hand in his palm, which was warm, then gently pulled her to sit next to him.

Qin Yize continued talking on the phone. While speaking, his expression grew softer than before, yet his tone remained cool and solemn as if discussing something important with the person on the other end.

Gu Qiaoqiao leaned against him, eventually lying on his lap, and soon fell asleep to his rhythmic voice.

Noticing Gu Qiaoqiao asleep, Qin Yize quickly ended the call after a few more words.

His lab needed additional researchers; he already had candidates in mind, who agreed to join unless it was a facility lab or any setting not owned by the Qin Family or him leading it.

This might involve some sensitive topics, but Qin Yize wasn’t concerned. Everything he did was traceable.

No matter the path, the outcome would be the same: all routes lead to the same end.

After Spring Festival, he needed to go to campus, and graduation season was near. He needed to recruit new talents aligning with his lab’s research projects and personally build a strong experimental research team.

Qin Yize glanced down, gently brushed away some strands of hair from Qiaoqiao’s face, then placed his hand on her belly, his expression extremely serene.

The future he envisioned with Qiaoqiao was always promising.

...

Nearing the New Year, the aunt’s family finally returned. Qin Yize drove to pick them up while Gu Qiaoqiao stayed at the Qin Family’s Courtyard with Shen Manru.

Grandma Qin was also there. When she married into the family, her only little sister-in-law was still in elementary school. Back then, the broader situation was peaceful, everything was better. Who would have expected Qin Sisi to encounter a sudden change and then leave for afar, gone for decades.

She returned for Qin Yize’s wedding, but was not well at the time. Yet now, seeing the spirited little sister-in-law, Grandma Qin’s eyes grew moist.

She thought their last goodbye was permanent, but unexpectedly, upon reunion, everything had drastically changed. Pressing her leg, she looked again at her swift-footed sister-in-law and wiped her tears with a smile.

This visit saw Qin Sisi in high spirits. She never imagined she’d walk upon the soil that birthed and nurtured her with healthy steps.

She had thought her last return would be her final homecoming. Little did she expect life’s twists and surprises.

Now, she’s back once more.

Her emotions were undeniably different now.

She’d seen family previously and her father had visited over the summer, so upon seeing relatives she wasn’t overwhelmed with tears, but she was certainly happy. This return held great significance.

This marked Qin Sisi’s first time celebrating Spring Festival with everyone since leaving Huaxia Xinguo.

Upon seeing Gu Qiaoqiao, Zhou Xia’s eyes widened with delight. Dropping her suitcase, she dashed towards Gu Qiaoqiao.