Chapter 181: Going Back to the Old Home with Song Xinran

“Ah, in the past years, I always visited your father’s grave on his death anniversary, but I can’t do it this year. It feels like something is missing in my heart.”

Li Xiaoli continued to ramble on, lost in her own thoughts.

“Mom, don’t worry. Tomorrow, I’ll take a leave from school and go back home to visit Dad’s grave.”

Xu Shaochen looked at Li Xiaoli, who was lying on the hospital bed, and spoke with a tone of guilt. He almost forgot that tomorrow was his father’s death anniversary.

Fortunately, his mother reminded him, or he would have missed this important day.

“Hmm, now that you’re not short on money, make sure to buy some gifts to bring back. Help out the villagers if you can, and remember to clean the house. We haven’t been back in so long; it’s likely covered in dust…”

Once Li Xiaoli started talking about the house, she seemed like she couldn’t stop.

Xu Shaochen didn’t urge her and just stood quietly by her side, listening.

In the past, he would have been somewhat impatient, as most young people often are.

But after his mother’s serious illness, he realized that he almost lost the chance to ever hear her nagging again. So now, he cherishes every such moment.

After chatting with Li Xiaoli for more than an hour, Xu Shaochen finally left the Hospital.

After leaving the Hospital, Xu Shaochen headed to the Faraway 4S Store.

His car wasn’t repaired yet, and Linda needed the family car for work. Since he would also need a car to return home tomorrow, he had to get a new one.

If he didn’t need to bring so many things back, flying would be enough. But his mom had asked him to bring gifts for the neighbors in the village.

“Hello, Mr. Xu.”

As soon as Xu Shaochen entered the 4S Store, all the employees greeted him respectfully.

“Mr. Xu, I’ll go notify the boss.”

Zhou Qiang quickly said, and the boss he mentioned was naturally Song Xinran.

“Shaocheng, what brings you here?”

A few minutes later, Song Xinran came over with a smile on her face, although her exhaustion still showed between her eyebrows.

After all, she had never managed a 4S Store before. Last night, she stayed up late reading various documents.

“I’m here to buy a car…”

“What do you mean buy? Just pick whichever one you want and drive it off. This store is yours just as much as it’s mine.”

Before Xu Shaochen could finish his sentence, Song Xinran cut him off with a slight frown.

Xu Shaochen understood Song Xinran’s good intentions but still shook his head, “Every car in the store needs to go through the accounts. I can’t break the rules, besides, I don’t lack the money.”

“Shaocheng…”

“Hear me out. Even if I spend money on a car, the money will still go into our own pockets in the end, right?”

Hearing this, Song Xinran had nothing more to say and nodded, “Alright. By the way, why are you buying another car? What happened to your old one?”

She didn’t know that Xu Shaochen had been shot. In fact, not many people around him knew about it.

“My car had some problems and is being repaired. By the way, I’m going back to my hometown tomorrow to visit my dad’s grave. Would you like to come along?” Xu Shaochen asked as he looked at Song Xinran.

Song Xinran obviously felt tempted and immediately replied, “I’ll go with you tomorrow. It’s about time I pay my respects to my parents as well.”

She hadn’t been back to her hometown in a long time. For years now, she had been burning paper at home during festivals, feeling guilty for not visiting her parents’ graves.

Strictly speaking, she wasn’t a native of Xu Family Village. It was only after her mother remarried and moved to the village that she followed along.

However, she spent her childhood in Xu Family Village, so it was still her hometown.

In the end, Xu Shaochen chose a Mercedes-Benz G-Class. After all, there was a dirt road from the county to Xu Family Village, and an off-road vehicle would handle it better.

A regular car with a lower chassis would struggle with the rough terrain, increasing the chances of it getting damaged.

“By the way, my mom asked me to bring gifts for the villagers. Why don’t you come with me to buy them?”

After buying the car, Xu Shaochen looked at Song Xinran and said.

He wasn’t good at picking gifts, especially for so many people at once.

“Sure.”

Song Xinran agreed, gave Zhou Qiang a few instructions, and then left the 4S Store with Xu Shaochen in the new G-Class.

“When buying gifts, don’t go for anything too fancy, but also not too shabby. Just get cigarettes, alcohol, and some food items; that should be enough.”

In the car, Song Xinran advised Xu Shaochen.

Xu Shaochen nodded in agreement. He understood that it’s the thought that counts. If he bought anything too expensive, it would be more practical to give them money directly.

Moreover, he knew the saying: a small gift fosters gratitude, but an overly generous one can breed resentment.

After shopping for the gifts with Song Xinran, it was already half-past eleven, just in time for lunch.

“Let’s go grab something to eat.”

They parked the car in front of a high-end restaurant, and Xu Shaochen took Song Xinran’s hand and walked inside.

Song Xinran didn’t feel anything when Xu Shaochen held her hand anymore. After all, they had done more embarrassing things before; they were just one step away from sharing a bed.

“Good afternoon, you two. This way, please.”

As they entered the restaurant, a waiter greeted them with a sweet smile and led them to an empty seat.

“Xinran.”

At that moment, a voice suddenly called out. Xu Shaochen and Song Xinran both turned to look at a table by the window.

There were four or five men and women sitting there, and the one who had called out was a young man who stood up.

“Young Master Chen, I didn’t expect to run into you here.”

Song Xinran frowned slightly but still responded with a smile. She then quietly introduced him to Xu Shaochen, “That’s Chen Jie, a VIP customer of our 4S Store.”

“You’re here to eat, right? Why not join us?” Chen Jie warmly invited her.

“Well…” Song Xinran looked at Xu Shaochen.

Xu Shaochen nodded. Since Chen Jie was a VIP customer of the 4S Store, it was only respectful to accept the invitation.

As soon as they walked over, Chen Jie noticed that Xu Shaochen and Song Xinran were holding hands. His expression darkened slightly, but he forced a smile, “Xinran, is this your boyfriend?”

He had been pursuing Song Xinran and thought that when she said she had a boyfriend, it was just an excuse to reject him. He didn’t expect it to be true.

“Hello, I’m Xu Shaochen, Xinran’s boyfriend.” Xu Shaochen extended his hand.

Although Chen Jie was upset, he still shook hands with Xu Shaochen and said, “Hello, I’m Chen Jie. You’re a lucky guy to have won Xinran’s heart. Please, have a seat. We’ve just arrived and haven’t ordered yet.”

“Haha, you flatter me.”

Xu Shaochen laughed and then sat down with Song Xinran.

He could tell that Chen Jie liked Song Xinran, but Xu Shaochen couldn’t deprive someone of the right to like another person.

So, as long as Chen Jie didn’t do anything excessive, Xu Shaochen wouldn’t hold it against him.

At least up until now, Chen Jie had been behaving quite well.