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墨書 Inktalez
"No need." Shen Chuiyang waved his hand in refusal. "You sit down."
Hanno replied, "Your leg must be uncomfortable from standing for too long, so you should sit."
Shen Chuiyang could stand and walk thanks to his prosthetic limb, but it was definitely not comfortable.
"I'm used to it," Shen Chuiyang smiled. This little discomfort was much easier to bear compared to the various tortures during training and missions.
"You..." Hanno was about to continue when a middle-aged woman suddenly rushed over and plopped down onto the seat Shen Chuiyang had just vacated, pulling out her phone to charge.
Hanno and Shen Chuiyang exchanged glances of disbelief.
Hanno pointed to a stone platform that replaced the bench. "Let's sit over there."
Shen Chuiyang replied, "No, my phone is still charging."
"I'll have someone keep an eye on it." Hanno tapped the table in front of Chang Miao. "Miao Miao, can you watch these two phones for us while my friend and I sit over there for a bit?"
"Don't worry," Chang Miao said as she moved Hanno's phone and Shen Chuiyang's phone from the occupied table to her side, waving at Hanno with a look that said, "Go ahead and find your romance."
Hanno shot her a glare.
Thanks to Wei Feng as a common connection, Hanno and Shen Chuiyang found it easy to chat. Shen Chuiyang was also from S Province, but after returning home, he did not go back to his hometown. He never mentioned his family or relatives, but Hanno had heard from Wei Feng that Shen Chuiyang's relationship with his family was not good. Joining the military had severed ties with them, and he hadn't returned home in over a decade—instead, he went to the Provincial Capital with his pension and started a business there. Now that his business was thriving, he had become a significant figure in the area. As they talked, they began discussing Zhang Mingqiao's previous loan situation.
Shen Chuiyang felt regretful for not being able to help Zhang Mingqiao. "My old phone was stolen, and after I got a new one with a different number, I lost contact with many of my comrades. I should have reached out to them proactively; otherwise, when they face difficulties, I won't be able to assist them."
Hanno said, "I'll give you Zhang Mingqiao's and Zhu Wenrui's phone numbers."
Shen Chuiyang expressed his gratitude. "Thank you."
Hanno felt a spark of inspiration as a thought crossed his mind: Shen Chuiyang had managed to carve out a successful career in the Provincial Capital all on his own, which spoke volumes about his capabilities. Moreover, he had deep feelings for his comrades and the military. If he were to manage the Foundation's affairs...
Hanno sighed and said, "Zhang Mingqiao's situation is just an isolated case. Many soldiers have faced similar difficulties at home that they couldn't resolve. Some were fortunate enough to find solutions, while others weren't. I was thinking, could we establish a Foundation to help these soldiers tackle their family issues, allowing them to focus on their work without worries?"
Shen Chuiyang was intrigued by this idea. "That's a good suggestion, but it would require significant funding. While I have some assets, it's only in the hundreds of thousands, which isn't enough to support such an initiative."
Seeing that he had piqued Shen Chuiyang's interest, Hanno smiled slightly and replied, "I have the money, but I'm completely in the dark about the Foundation's operations in the city. I need a capable partner to manage it."
Though surprised by Hanno's wealth, Shen Chuiyang was more focused on her last statement and chuckled; after all, she was here waiting for him! However, she was more than willing to take this leap.
"I believe I have some skills. I wonder if I could collaborate with you?"
Hanno immediately broke into a smile and extended his hand. "Let's work together!"
Shen Chuiyang shook Hanno's hand. "Looking forward to our collaboration!"
By coincidence, Shen Chuiyang and Hanno were on the same flight. Chang Miao joined their conversation while holding three fully charged phones, still waiting for news about boarding and for the meal boxes prepared for passengers at the airport. The meal boxes were tastier than the in-flight meals—two meat dishes and one vegetable dish along with half a Salted Egg. Although they tasted good, the portions were small, leaving all three feeling unsatisfied. They decided to step over to a nearby fast-food restaurant and each ordered a combo meal.
"You walk just like anyone else; it's hard to tell you’ve lost a leg," Chang Miao said with admiration directed at Shen Chuiyang. Upon hearing about Shen Chuiyang's injury, Chang Miao expressed neither sympathy nor disdain; instead, her feelings were filled with admiration and respect, which left Shen Chuiyang with a very favorable impression of her—she truly deserved to be Hanno's sister.
Shen Chuiyang smiled lightly. "When I first got my prosthetic limb, I could barely walk at all. But I've gotten used to it since then."
Chang Miao asked, "Does it hurt?"
Shen Chuiyang replied, "It can be quite painful if I walk too much or stand for too long, but compared to the pain I experienced from injuries during missions, it's nothing."
Chang Miao gave her a thumbs-up. "You're amazing."
Hanno observed the two getting along well and felt reassured. Once the Foundation was established, it would not only provide financial assistance to soldiers facing difficulties but also address some employment issues for veterans. However, there were still many like Shen Chuiyang who had been injured and forced to retire; they needed support in starting their own ventures. As their pensions dwindled, their lives became increasingly strained. How could they help these individuals?
"Flight A489 is now boarding. Passengers, please proceed to Gate 42."
Finally, the boarding announcement came, and the three of them let out a sigh of relief as they made their way to the gate.
"We won't be able to take the free shuttle back," Chang Miao lamented. It was already ten-thirty at night, and the last bus from the airport to D City was at eleven. There was no way they could catch it.
"Let's stay in Provincial Capital for a couple of days; I have some things to take care of," Hanno said. "If you don't want to wait, you can head back to D City."
"No way, I'm going with you," Chang Miao insisted, not wanting to go alone.
Hanno actually preferred that Chang Miao didn't tag along; going to Denglin Pavilion would cost money, and she didn't want Chang Miao to find out.
Seeing Hanno frown slightly, Shen Chuiyang stepped in to help: "How about I treat Chang Miao to something?"
Upon hearing this, Chang Miao quickly replied, "Can I come see your company?"
Hanno looked at Chang Miao in confusion; something about her reaction seemed off.
After boarding the plane, they had to wait over an hour before it finally took off. By the time they landed, it was nearly two in the morning. Hanno opened her phone, and it rang immediately; it was indeed Mom Han calling. Her parents were worried about her not resting at this late hour. Hanno reassured both Han Dad and Mom Han for a moment before they finally felt relieved enough to hang up.
Shen Chuiyang walked over and said, "Let's share a taxi; I'll take you both to the hotel so you can rest."
Chang Miao innocently asked, "Aren't you driving?"
With how common private cars had become, even her cousin who had just graduated from university owned a Chery. It surprised her that someone like Shen Chuiyang, a big boss, didn’t have his own car.
Hanno shot a glare at Chang Miao. "Why are you asking so many questions?"
But Shen Chuiyang chuckled good-naturedly and replied, "I'm disabled. For my safety and others', it's better if I don't drive."
Chang Miao apologized lightly, "I'm sorry, I tend to speak without thinking. Please don't take it to heart."
Shen Chuiyang responded with a hum and smiled, "It's fine, I don't mind."
Still feeling guilty, Chang Miao asked, "By the way, is your luggage heavy? Do you need me to help you carry it?"
Hanno facepalmed, wondering why her cousin became so clumsy around Shen Chuiyang.
"Get out of here. A big man like Shen Chuiyang doesn't need your help with his luggage. Don't make a fool of yourself."
Chang Miao pouted but didn't argue, obediently falling silent and walking beside Hanno. Shen Chuiyang noticed her unusual behavior, different from her usual lively self, and felt a pang of sympathy. He took the initiative to strike up a conversation with Chang Miao. Before long, she regained her spirited demeanor. This time, it was Hanno who pouted.
"Damn it. I feel like I've become the villain promoting the romance between the main characters in a romance novel."
By the time they entered their hotel room to rest, it was already four in the morning. The two sisters were too exhausted to freshen up and simply collapsed onto the bed, sleeping soundly until one in the afternoon the next day. After having lunch, Hanno handed Chang Miao over to Shen Chuiyang and went off alone to Denglin Pavilion at Songxian Bridge.
Summer welcomed Hanno back with even more enthusiasm than before—after all, "Guo Guo Consort's Spring Outing Painting" had earned Denglin Pavilion nearly ten million in commissions and significantly boosted their reputation. After signing the contract, she received a text from the bank just minutes later. Looking at the countless zeros on her phone screen, Hanno couldn't help but smile with satisfaction.
Next, she went to the bank to open a new account and transferred over one hundred million yuan into it. After that, she called Chang Miao to confirm their address before taking a taxi to Shen Chuiyang's company. Shen Chuiyang dealt in aluminum and steel wholesale; his office was located near the warehouses on the outskirts of town. He had three warehouses in total, with his office set up in one of them. There were more than ten employees at Shen Chuiyang's company—besides him, an accountant, and a warehouse manager, everyone else was a salesperson, and he often worked outside.
When Chang Miao arrived at Shen Chuiyang's office, she found nothing that piqued her interest and quickly grew bored while waiting for Hanno.
"Nono, you finally made it! Where did you run off to?" Chang Miao couldn't help but complain when she saw Hanno.
"I went to see a friend," Hanno replied dismissively. "Alright, I know you're bored; we'll head back to D City soon. But give me a moment; I need to talk with Shen Chuiyang for a bit."
Shen Chuiyang smiled and said, "Come to my office."
His office was over thirty square meters and divided into two sections by plastic sliding doors; the inner part contained a bed for him to rest.
"You've got some money now, right? Why are you still living in such a shabby place?" Hanno asked in surprise.
Shen Chuiyang chuckled softly, "I have an apartment in the city, but I work too much and just set up a bed in the office."
Hanno said, "I guess you rarely return to your house in the city."
Shen Chuiyang chuckled lightly but did not respond.
Hanno handed over a newly opened bank card to Shen Chuiyang. "There’s one hundred fifty million in here, and the password is one two three four five six seven."
Shen Chuiyang gasped. He thought Hanno was wealthy, maybe around ten million at most, but he never expected it to be more than ten times that amount.
"How did you get so much money? I haven't heard you're from a rich family."
Hanno replied, "I got lucky and found two paintings. One sold for a million, which I reported to my parents and relatives. The other one was too valuable; I didn't dare tell them for fear of scaring them, so I entrusted an auction house to sell it for me. It ended up selling for over a hundred million."
Shen Chuiyang was astonished. "It wouldn't be that 'Guo Guo Consort's Spring Outing Painting,' would it?"
Hanno asked, "You know about it?"
Shen Chuiyang replied, "I saw it in the newspaper. You really are lucky."
"That's great! I was worried I couldn't handle it, so I decided to share it with everyone."
Shen Chuiyang assured him, "Don't worry; I'll definitely handle the Foundation matters well and won't let you down with this over one hundred million."
Hanno said, "Wei Feng trusts you, and I trust you too. By the way, don’t mention that I made so much money from selling the painting to Chang Miao."
Shen Chuiyang smiled. "Don't worry; my lips are sealed."
Seeing Hanno and Shen Chuiyang come out of the office, Chang Miao approached them, rolling his eyes and asking Shen Chuiyang, "What did Nono talk to you about?"
Shen Chuiyang glanced at Hanno's back and said, "My friend and I have decided to establish a Foundation specifically to help soldiers with difficulties. Hanno wants to donate money to our Foundation."
"Oh, I see," Chang Miao thought he understood Hanno's feelings. He approached and patted Hanno on the shoulder, but nothing happened.
Hanno??
………………
In April, as the grass grew and the orioles flew, the sun shone brightly. Everyone, from high officials to common folk, felt as cheerful as the weather. After years of turmoil, peace had finally returned. The emperor sighed in relief, the officials breathed easier, and the common people felt a weight lifted off their shoulders. The court no longer needed to requisition military provisions from ordinary citizens. Even with this year's disasters, there should be some surplus grain left for them to eat. Even if food was scarce, it might save a few lives from starvation.
Aoyama Village was peaceful and vibrant. Sweet Potato vines covered much of the village, and thinking about the harvest made every villager beam with joy. The leaves of the Sweet Potato were edible, allowing villagers to save a good portion of their rations. With surplus food, they began raising chickens and ducks, filling the village with lively sounds of barking dogs and crowing roosters.
Guan Rulin, the Scholar, walked into the Xia Family with an excited spring in his step, calling out Wen Zixia's name loudly.
"Master Guan, what brings you such joy?" Wen Zixia asked in confusion as he welcomed Scholar Guan into his home and poured him a bowl of tea.
Scholar Guan gulped down the tea without caring that his actions were rather unrefined for a scholar. After catching his breath, he excitedly said, "Zi Xia, great news! The court has resumed the Scientific Expedition."
"What?" Wen Zixia exclaimed in surprise as he jumped to his feet. "Master Guan, is it true that the court has resumed the Scientific Expedition?"
"Absolutely true," Scholar Guan replied. "I went to the county town today to buy some things and ran into Master Liu. He told me this news."
Wen Zixia smiled brightly at this news: "Finally, we have been waiting for this!"
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