Chapter 167: Returning to Jingdu
Translator: Dragon Boat Translation Editor: Dragon Boat Translation
“Mmm…” As soon as she opened her eyes, Jiang Li saw Zhou Chao playing with her hair.
Zhou Chao, noticing Jiang Li was awake, leaned in for a kiss.
“Brother Chao, no!” Jiang Li was left breathless by the kiss and pushed Zhou Chao’s head away.
“Get up; let’s head back today!” Zhou Chao got out of bed, started dressing, and spoke.
“Go back? To Jingdu?”
“Of course, back to Jingdu. We’re going to celebrate the New Year with your family,” Zhou Chao affectionately tousled Jiang Li’s hair.
“Really? Yay!” Jiang Li bounced out of bed, full of joy.
“All right, all right. You look so happy. I’ll go out for a bit, and we’ll leave in the afternoon.”
“Brother Chao, where are you going? I want to go with you!”
“I’m going to wash the car. It’s covered in flowers from yesterday. Can I drive it to the airport?” Jiang Li suddenly remembered that they had used the car as the wedding car and hadn’t removed the decorations yet. She felt a bit embarrassed and stuck her tongue out.
“Take a little rest; 1’11 make lunch when I get back!” Saying this, Zhou Chao grabbed the keys and left.
Zhou Chao drove to a nearby car wash and entered the establishment. Perhaps he arrived earlier than usual, as the car wash was completely empty, with not a single car in sight.
“Take off the flowers, and handle the rest as you see fit,” Zhou Chao instructed the car wash attendant before heading to the waiting area.
As Zhou Chao watched the car wash attendant skillfully remove the flowers from the car, he noticed that the flowers weren’t discarded but rather set aside. He figured they might be useful to the attendant in some way.
The car was washed efficiently, and within half an hour, it was sparkling clean. Zhou Chao settled the bill and drove to a large supermarket nearby.
“Thud!” Zhou Chao entered the house carrying a supermarket bag, and Jiang Li rushed out.
Seeing Jiang Li with wet hair, Zhou Chao realized she had just taken a shower.
“Brother Chao, I’m hungry!” Jiang Li looked at Zhou Chao with a pitiful expression, her forehead feeling a bit heavy from hunger.
“I’ll cook right away!” Zhou Chao entered the kitchen, carrying the convenience bag, while Jiang Li happily returned to the bedroom.
In the kitchen, Zhou Chao busied himself for nearly an hour, preparing a meal with three dishes and a soup. He looked at the delicious spread on the dining table and clapped his hands in satisfaction.
“All Li, it’s time to eat!”
“Coming!” Jiang Li quickly changed into a new outfit: tight jeans that accentuated her perfect curves and a casual, warm sweater on the upper half. Zhou Chao couldn’t take his eyes off her.
“The dishes are getting cold while you’re looking at me!” Although Jiang Li felt happy inside that the person she loved was looking at her this way, she couldn’t show it on her face.
“Let’s eat first!” Zhou Chao snapped out of his daze and handed his chopsticks to Jiang Li, secretly wondering when he could formally propose to her.
“Ah Li, do you think 1 should bring some gifts or something when 1 visit your family?”
“You don’t have to bring any gifts. The painting you gave last time means a lot to my dad and granddad. They really appreciate it and often admire it, especially my dad. He takes pride in having such a wonderful son-in-law!” Zhou Chao blushed with happiness, grateful for his future father-in-law’s approval.
“Don’t say that; I’ll get too proud!”
“Proud? 1 bet your tail is wagging like crazy now!” Jiang Li teased Zhou Chao, and he felt a bit embarrassed about his excitement being so obvious.
“Let’s eat, let’s eat!” Zhou Chao quickly changed the subject.
After they finished eating, it was already past 11 o’clock. Zhou Chao and Jiang Li packed up, and Zhou Chao called his Third Aunt.
“Hello, Chao Er, what’s up?”
“Third Aunt, I plan to head back to Jingdu this afternoon!”
“Why not stay a few more days and enjoy yourself? Are you in a hurry?”
“I’m planning to go to Jingdu to celebrate the New Year with Jiang Li’s family. It’s already the 11th of the lunar month, so a few more days, and the New Year will be over!” Third Aunt understood the importance of this, as it was related to how Jiang Li’s family perceived Zhou Chao.
“Alright, take care of yourself!”
“Okay, Third Aunt!” After hanging up the phone, Zhou Chao sent a message to Lei Mingtang, telling him that he had some urgent matters to attend to.
Then Zhou Chao grabbed a suitcase in each hand and walked out of the door.
“The weather is so nice today, and the gentle breeze feels so comfortable!” Indeed, the sun was exceptionally pleasant that day.
Zhou Chao had booked a ticket for 1:30 in the afternoon, which meant they would arrive in Jingdu around 4:00 PM. It would be just in time for dinner at home!
“Fortunately, there’s no traffic today. Last time 1 came to pick you up, 1 got stuck on the highway for hours!” Zhou Chao felt particularly good as he looked at the smooth highway ahead.
“That means I’m your lucky goddess!” Jiang Li said with a smile.
“More like a crazy lucky goddess! Hahahaha!”
“Humph, you are the crazy one!” They playfully exchanged banter on the way, and by the time they reached the airport, both of them felt a bit parched.
“Here, take this!” Zhou Chao handed a bottle of drink to Jiang Li, while he opened a one-yuan bottle of mineral water for himself.
“Why so thrifty? his isn’t like you, Mr. Wealthy!” Jiang Li teased.
“I don’t really like these drinks. I only drink mineral water, or occasionally fresh fruit juice,” Zhou Chao casually mentioned, unknowingly leaving an impression on Jiang Li.
“Ding dong!” Hearing the boarding announcement, Zhou Chao led Jiang Li towards the fast-track lane.
“Ah Li, are you sure we don’t need to buy anything? How about getting some fruits after landing?”
“No need, they are usually not at home. When they’re busy, you won’t see them for a week or even half a month.” Zhou Chao thought about the busy schedules of Jiang Lao and Jiang Youdao, which made it hard for them to be present at home.
“What if they think I’m impolite for not bringing anything when I visit for the New Year?” Zhou Chao asked Jiang Li seriously.
“Don’t worry, your presence alone is the biggest surprise!”
“You’re quite the smooth talker, little lady!”
After a successful flight landing, Zhou Chao pushed two suitcases while Jiang Li followed closely behind. As they exited the airport, Zhou Chao spotted Xiao Wu, who had been waiting for them for quite some time.
“Boss, Happy New Year!”
“Happy New Year! Have you gone home for the New Year?” Zhou Chao had called Xiao Wu in the morning and learned that he had been staying in Jingdu.
“I can’t go home because no one will take care of the boss if I leave!” Zhou Chao patted Xiao Wu on the shoulder upon hearing this.
“You’ve been working hard. I’m giving you half a month off. Go home and enjoy a few days with your family. Report your travel expensesto Wang Lan later, just say it’s my suggestion!”
“Thank you, Boss!” Xiao Wu looked excited.
“Give me the keys. You can buy your ticket home now!” Xiao Wu handed the keys to Zhou Chao and quickly ran into the airport, bidding farewell to Zhou Chao and Jiang Li.
“Let’s go too!”
“Yes!”
After putting their luggage in the trunk, Zhou Chao drove the Rolls-Royce Phantom in the direction of Jiang Li’s home. Jiang Li took out her phone and made a call to her family.
“Hello, Mom, I’m back! Yes, I’m with Zhou Chao. We’re coming back for dinner. Okay, 1 got it!”
Jiang Li hung up the phone and looked at Zhou Chao with a smile. “All set!”
“You’re amazing, my wife!”
“Pfft!”