Chapter 124: Regretting the Choice I Made at the Beginning

With Zhang Hua, the youngest sister-in-law, present, Liu Xiaoqin still didn’t sit up front. Instead, she squeezed in with Zhang Hua and her older sister Liu Xiali. However, the interior of Zhang Hua’s BMW 5 Series was quite spacious, and the three girls sitting together in the back row didn’t feel cramped at all. All three were relatively petite, so even if two more girls of similar build joined them, it wouldn’t feel crowded.

Once they hit the highway, Zhang Can drove while chuckling and asked, “What did you all do at work today?”

Mentioning this, the three girls immediately brightened up and began chatting excitedly.

“Second Brother, that new senior craftsman, Master Gu, is really nice. After you left, whenever there were no customers, he taught us the basics of antiques and jade pieces. We learned quite a lot!”

Among the three, Liu Xiaoqin had the strongest knowledge and ability to absorb information. She smiled and said, “Old Gu is indeed very enthusiastic. His teaching method is effective, just like when we used to study at school, starting from kindergarten, then first grade, second grade, step by step. He has a good method, teaching us clearly in stages. If he had started with something too advanced, we wouldn’t have understood at all!”

Zhang Can smiled. That old man really was a decent person, and Liu Xiaoqin’s words made sense. If they had been taught too much advanced appraisal knowledge from the start, they definitely wouldn’t have understood — it would have been like reading an ancient text.

Today, Old Gu had indeed taught them some foundational knowledge, such as the common terminology used in the antiques trade. At least they could understand what was being said; once familiar, they could move on to more complex things.

Of course, Old Gu also understood that these three girls didn’t need to learn very deep appraisal techniques. They were just family members of the boss. When at the shop, as long as they weren’t too naive and could speak reasonably in front of customers, that was enough. The true, profound appraisal skills were beyond their level. Such expertise required both aptitude and experience; it wasn’t something anyone could master just by wanting to learn.

The three girls chattered happily as Zhang Can drove on. Suddenly remembering Li Yong’s matter, he glanced through the rearview mirror to check if any cars were following them. After Li Yong hit rock bottom, no one could guarantee he wouldn’t come back to cause trouble for Liu Xiali again. If that happened, with Zhang Can, Zhu Senlin, and Wang Qian all having left Jin City, it would be a real problem if their family faced threats or troubles. Zhang Can needed to be sure this guy wasn’t tailing them. However, it wasn’t appropriate to say these things in front of the three girls. He thought to secretly call Zhu Senlin once they got home, coordinate with him, have him reach out to some friends, and track Li Yong’s whereabouts. Only after confirming would he feel at ease.

After circling around the highway a few times without anyone following, Zhang Can finally drove back to the Dijinyuan estate in the southern district.

Liu Xiaoqin, having noticed Zhang Can’s odd driving route earlier, asked, “Zhang Can, why are you just circling around on the main road?”

“No reason. Just felt like killing time, wanted to take you all for a little drive, a little spin,” Zhang Can replied with a smile, unwilling to disclose the real reason.

Liu Xiaoqin responded with an “Oh,” and didn’t press further. The car stopped at the entrance of Dijinyuan community, and she turned to Zhang Hua and Liu Xiali, saying, “Xiaohua, sister, let’s go into the city to buy some groceries and take a stroll.”

There were two large markets right next to Dijinyuan, making shopping convenient. Upon hearing this, Zhang Hua happily agreed, but Liu Xiali held her forehead and said, “You two go ahead. I feel a bit dizzy and want to rest.”

“Oh, okay. Sister, I’ll buy some headache medicine for you. Do you think you might have caught a cold?” Liu Xiaoqin immediately agreed and reached out to check her sister’s forehead temperature. Fortunately, Liu Xiali’s temperature was normal.

Liu Xiali shook her head, “No need. I just feel a little tired. A rest will help; no medicine necessary.”

Zhang Hua and Liu Xiaoqin got out of the car and headed toward the market, while Zhang Can slowly started the car and drove back toward their home. He parked in the garden alley rather than the garage, as he might need the car again soon. Leaving it outside was more convenient.

“Are you feeling unwell?” Zhang Can asked, stepping out and looking at Liu Xiali, who had also gotten out. His brow furrowed slightly as he couldn’t help but inquire.

Liu Xiali’s eyes reddened, tears nearly spilling over. She shook her head sorrowfully, lowered her gaze, and silently returned to the living room.

Liu Dongsheng, their father, and Chen Huiyu, their mother, were watching TV. Seeing them return, they quickly asked, “Zhang Can, Xiali, you’re back? Where are Zhang Hua and Xiaoqin?”

“They went to the city to buy groceries. They’ll be back soon,” Zhang Can replied promptly, then added, “I’m going upstairs to change clothes and wash my face.”

After Zhang Can went upstairs, Chen Huiyu quietly asked Liu Xiali, “Xiali, what’s wrong? You don’t seem yourself. Did something happen?”

“No, nothing happened,” Liu Xiali shook her head, but tears streamed down her cheeks.

As her mother, Chen Huiyu deeply understood her two daughters’ temperaments. Seeing Liu Xiali’s state, she knew something was wrong. She quickly handed her a tissue and said, “Wipe your tears. Why are you crying? If something’s on your mind, talk to me. With Zhang Can here, I don’t think there’s anything we can’t solve. Just tell me, and I’ll think of a way.”

Liu Xiali opened her mouth but didn’t say a word. She moved her lips but ultimately shook her head silently and pointed upstairs. “Mom, really, nothing’s wrong. I’m just feeling a bit down, worried about my own matters. Nothing else. I’m going upstairs.”

Seeing her daughter head upstairs, Chen Huiyu couldn’t help but sigh. Family troubles never seem to end, like the changing seasons—spring, summer, autumn, winter—coming and going endlessly. Life is the same; joy may end, but sorrow is endless. The moon waxes and wanes, and so human emotions cycle through happiness and separation.

Chen Huiyu knew well that her eldest daughter was much more competitive and strong-willed than her second. She had always hoped to marry into a good family like Li Yong’s, but fate had been unkind. After enduring so many hardships and sacrifices for Li Yong, she still ended up like this, while her younger sister Xiaoqin had such a perfect outcome. How could the eldest sister not feel distressed?

Of course, neither Chen Huiyu nor Liu Dongsheng knew that Liu Xiali and Zhang Can had once shared a moment in the past. Liu Xiali’s regret and resentment stemmed from never having shown Zhang Can any kindness or affection back then. If she had agreed to be with him, Zhang Can might never have set his heart on another woman. It was all her own doing.

Though regretful, Liu Xiali never considered other factors. She never imagined that if she had accepted Zhang Can then, their lives might have taken a different path. Perhaps both poor, they might have stayed together in their hometown.

Zhang Can locked the door after entering his room, then took out his phone and dialed Zhu Senlin. As soon as the call connected, Zhu Senlin’s loud voice came through.

“Little brother, I was just about to call you. I’m on my way now and will be at your place soon. I’ll talk to you once I arrive. Goodbye!”

Zhu Senlin hung up before Zhang Can could say a word, leaving Zhang Can to smile wryly. That guy—what trouble was it this time, coming all the way here?

Since Zhu Senlin was coming over, Zhang Can washed his face, changed clothes, and went downstairs. Within five minutes of his arrival in the living room, Zhu Senlin’s car was heard outside. After the engine stopped, Zhu Senlin’s loud voice echoed again.

“Little brother, I made it here quickly, huh? Heh heh...” Zhu Senlin greeted Liu Dongsheng and Chen Huiyu before sitting next to Zhang Can on the sofa. Smiling, he said, “Everything at home is ready. Now I’m preparing for shop matters. I’m going to pay the staff their salary for this month in advance. If we get delayed in Xinjiang and can’t return on time, at least the salary is settled and we won’t have to worry.”

Zhu Senlin was more thoughtful than Zhang Can in this regard. Besides, he never took the staff’s wages too seriously. The three shop assistants’ salaries remained the same, with some extra bonuses each month. This made them reluctant to leave, as their pay during apprenticeship was much higher than in other shops, even surpassing some regular workers. This was because Zhu Senlin and Zhang Can had earned a lot over time, and Zhu Senlin would allocate some as bonuses. These bonuses were distributed according to rank: the senior craftsman received the most, assistants the least, but all far exceeded their usual pay. Each person got about five thousand yuan, and such bonuses occurred several times monthly, making their income almost comparable to an ordinary senior craftsman’s.

Today, Zhu Senlin had just come to the shop and gave each assistant five thousand yuan, gave Old Gu twenty thousand, and then brought money to Zhang Can’s home for Liu Xiaoqin, Liu Xiali, and Zhang Hua. Each girl received twenty thousand yuan — equal to the bonus given to Gu Jiulong, the chief appraisal master — all thanks to Zhang Can’s influence.

However, this money was jointly provided by Zhu Senlin and Zhang Can, drawn from their earned profits. Zhu Senlin knew Zhang Can’s generous nature and that he wouldn’t mind such expenses, especially since it was for family.

Zhu Senlin’s gesture was clear, making everyone happy. He and Zhang Can cared little about the money, and this only strengthened their bond.

Soon, Zhang Hua and Liu Xiaoqin returned with bags of groceries. Seeing Zhu Senlin there, they were somewhat surprised.

“Brother Zhu, what brings you here?” Liu Xiaoqin asked as she put down her bags and helped Zhang Hua with some heavier ones.

Zhu Senlin smiled upon seeing them and said, “Just handling some small matters. It’s good you’re back. Where’s Xiaoli?”

He looked around but couldn’t see Liu Xiali anywhere.

Chen Huiyu quickly replied, “She’s upstairs. Boss Zhu, wait a moment. I’ll go call her down.”

Zhu Senlin nodded cheerfully without objection. He then pulled out four large envelopes from his bag, visibly thick and filled with something that looked like money.

“Xiaoqin, Xiaohua, I’m going on a trip to Xinjiang with Zhang Can, and we’re not sure how long we’ll be gone. So here’s this month’s bonus and salary in advance. Take good care of it!”

Zhu Senlin handed the envelopes to them one by one, adding, “Each of you gets twenty thousand yuan — half bonus, half salary. Also, here’s twenty thousand more as a little token of appreciation for the two elders, just a small gesture.”

With that, he handed another envelope to Chen Huiyu. This twenty thousand was not part of the official expenses shared with Zhang Can but was Zhu Senlin’s personal gift. Though not much, it was indeed thoughtful.