The Reborn Sidekick Rejected The Male Lead-Chapter 365 - 354: The Tycoon’s Olive Branch

Lu Jingqiu stayed in the courtyard for a day before heading back.

She had helped Shen Mu dig up all the potatoes in the yard.

They had only planted a small patch and harvested a bag and a half.

They couldn’t eat them all by themselves, so they divided them into two portions, gave one to Xinyue, and another to Niannian.

This was the first time she had seen Niannian since returning. Niannian laughed at the sight of the potatoes, "When has my family ever been short of these?"

"Whether you’re short or not, this is a little token of my affection. I planted these myself. Do you want them or not?"

"Of course, I’ll take them. How could I not? I heard from Yiyi that you came back a couple of days ago. I even went looking for you once."

"I went back to the courtyard and just got back today. You sure are quick."

"I came back right after the third day of the Lunar New Year, then stayed at my godparents’ place for a few days."

"How are Grandpa Xue and Grandma Xue? I hope they’re doing well."

"They’re in great shape. They even asked me to thank you for the gifts you brought them. They’re living comfortably over there, with a big yard that completely meets my grandma’s gardening needs. The villagers are also very amiable. My grandma can even go out and chat with the people in the village.

Oh, and the construction on the pond side is supposed to start in December."

"That soon, huh?"

"Yes, my grandpa said that in no more than two years, the house should be ready."

"Let’s hope so. I heard from Yiyi that the grain and oil store was bustling over the New Year."

"Yeah. It was more successful than I expected. During the peak times, even my godparents helped out, with university professors running a grain and oil store. I don’t know if their colleagues at the university would laugh at them."

"Professor Liang is really good to you."

"Yes, I’m their only daughter. Oh, Qiuqiu, I’m worried too. I have relatives on both sides: I can’t relax about my grandparents here, and I worry about my parents there."

"Then you need to consider your plans for the next few years and make a choice between the two places."

"I’m definitely going to be here in the near future. I just rented so much land from you for agricultural development, it’s going to be at least ten years. Ah, I’ll discuss it with my grandparents when I have time. Enough about that, let me tell you something."

"What’s up?"

"My brother in Jincheng might be retiring in a month or two. After that, apart from keeping an eye on these two stores for me, he’s thinking of getting into the clothing business."

"The clothing business? That requires a significant investment, doesn’t it?"

"Yes. But it’s not everyday civilian clothing."

"Oh, then what... is it... military..."

"Tsk tsk, it’s related to the military, dealing with military supplies. Things like clothes, quilts, shoes, and such."

"Oh, that doesn’t sound easy." After all, there’s already a well-established system for that.

"It’s not easy, but it’s just an idea for now. We’ll just see how it goes."

Lu Jingqiu didn’t understand why Xue Jianian was sharing all this with her and looked at her quizzically.

Xue Jianian twiddled her fingers sheepishly, and Lu Jingqiu immediately understood.

She was internally shocked; doing business with a future bigshot was... well, she felt as if she could already see the days of counting money ahead.

Great, the bigshots were coming to her, how could she possibly turn them down?

When she got back, she was going to quickly count her money to see how much she’d need to invest.

This year on the Lantern Festival, Lu Jingqiu didn’t eat dumplings; she had sweet rice balls instead, devouring over a dozen by herself.

She hadn’t realized before just how delicious sweet rice balls could be.

She rubbed her belly and said, "Baby, is it you who wants to eat the rice balls?"

As soon as she finished speaking, Lu Jingqiu felt a sudden bulge in her stomach and exclaimed, "It’s moving."

Shen Mu and Jiang Yiyi were both stunned, "Who’s moving?"

"My baby, there’s movement in my belly."

"Really?"

It was agreed beforehand to go to Capital City with Jiang Nanzhou for a pregnancy check-up, but unfortunately, it didn’t happen.

The baby was already over four months old, and she didn’t know if there would be another opportunity.

The day before school started, Shen Mu brought her quilt to the school in advance.

He Yu and Chen Qinghe had already arrived, and the beds for her and Xinyue were both arranged by them.

Moreover, they had given the lower bunks to the two.

With a big belly, you can’t be climbing up and down.

Especially Xinyue, who is now more than five months along.

Her belly was slowly starting to show.

"This year, I’m almost like a treasure trove, my dad, mom, mother-in-law, and father-in-law, as soon as they come over, they push all the good stuff in front of me, I gained a whole five jin this new year, five jin, can you tell?"

He Yu shook his head, "Can’t tell, it’s probably the thick clothes."

Chen Qingru said, "Gaining a few jin over the new year is normal, I’ve gained weight too, I just eat and sleep at home."

Luo Xinyue asked, "Jingqiu, what about you?"

"I must have gained weight too, I ate a lot. Especially like eating chestnuts and popcorn, popcorn is so delicious."

Luo Xinyue gave her a disdainful look, "So uninspired, I ate all the good stuff, like fish, meat, milk powder, malted milk. You should eat the good stuff instead of popcorn. Didn’t Jiang Nanzhou prepare any delicacies for you?"

"Of course, there was plenty of fish and meat, but I got tired of them."

Chen Qingru said, "You two wealthy ladies, wealthy ladies, what do you mean by ’got tired of fish and meat’? God, dare you go outside and shout that, I assure you, you’ll be met with a sea of murderous gazes."

He Yu took out a small package with a smile: "Alright, now nobody’s lacking meat, come on, I’ve brought you the goods you ordered."

"Really? My fragrant cream."

"I like this lipstick color."

"It’s said to be a new release this year, quite a few colors too. I bought them all."

"This powder is not bad, too bad I can’t use it."

"Comrade Luo Xinyue, your skin is fair and tender, what do you need powder for? Do you realize you’re crushing our spirits?"

"Comrade Chen Qinghe, who said you can’t use powder if you have fair skin? It’s mainly for the scent."

Lu Jingqiu said, "I don’t want the fragrant kind, I want that subtle, elusive scent."

"There’s a scent that’s subtle and elusive?"

A new semester began, and the teachers of various subjects held a meeting for them on the first day.

They said that the workload this semester would be heavy and there were more knowledge points, urging everyone to take it seriously.

Try to take as few leaves as possible, and there’s also a painting competition organized by the school this semester.

It was to be held in April.

Lu Jingqiu was quite looking forward to it, participating in such competitions more often whether in school or outside is definitely the right move.

In the second week of school, the weather was still quite cold, and every day Shen Mu would pick her up and drop her off, Lu Jingqiu always wore her big cotton-padded jacket.

Wrapped up with a hat, gloves, and scarf, she bundled herself up like a big rice dumpling all day long.

That day, it began to rain, fortunately, it was Saturday, Jingqiu and Yiyi were at home doing homework.

The second cousin braved the rain to visit.

"Qiuqiu, I’m back."

"Second cousin, why were you gone for so long this time, almost a month, right?"

"Hey, I..." Yang Mingchao started to say but then turned to see Jiang Yiyi there, he quickly pulled Lu Jingqiu aside, "Qiuqiu, brother has really broadened his horizons this time."

"What happened?"

Jiang Yiyi was quick to pick up on their cues, knowing they had something to discuss, she quickly stood up and said, "Sister-in-law Jingqiu, Second Older Brother Yang, you guys talk, I’ll go tidy up the backyard vegetable garden."

"Alright, be careful."

Seeing that she had left, Yang Mingchao pulled Lu Jingqiu aside again, "Qiuqiu, do you know where I’ve been?"

"Where?"

"Lin Country."

"Ah... how did you get there, by smuggling?"