In the morning, Ye Chen finally returned to Jinling.
When he got home, only Ma Lan was there.
Xiao Churan had been busy handling company collaborations these past few days, wanting to leave her partners satisfied before her departure.
As for Xiao Changkun, he still spent every day at his calligraphy and painting association, thoroughly enjoying himself.
In contrast, Ma Lan was far more relaxed, her entire focus on the upcoming Maldives trip, having bought swimsuits, goggles, and even some snorkelling gear online.
Seeing Ye Chen return, she was especially delighted, smiling, “Good son-in-law, you’re finally back, we’re off to the Maldives the day after tomorrow, so don’t take on any feng shui jobs in the meantime, alright?”
Ye Chen smiled, “Don’t worry, Mum, no work before the New Year.”
“That’s good!” Ma Lan sighed in relief, adding, “I told Churan too, to wrap up her work quickly, and not to bring a laptop on our Maldives holiday.”
Ye Chen nodded with a smile, seeing how much Ma Lan cared about this trip, a rare opportunity that was indeed good for the family.
With the trip approaching, Ye Chen took time to visit the Champs-Élysées Hot Spring Hotel, meeting separately with Caicaizi, Yun Ruge, and Song Ruyu, who were cultivating there.
Caicaizi’s cultivation progress was remarkable, and Ye Chen reckoned she’d soon surpass Song Ruyu.
Yun Ruge and Song Ruyu had been in seclusion, absorbing the effects of a Great Peiyuan Pill, which greatly strengthened their cultivation and laid a better foundation for the future.
In the evening, when Ye Chen returned home, Xiao Changkun’s Cullinan was already there, but Xiao Churan hadn’t come back yet.
Ye Chen chatted briefly with his father-in-law and mother-in-law at home, and Xiao Churan returned, looking exhausted.
Upon entering and seeing Ye Chen, a flash of pain crossed Xiao Churan’s eyes.
These past few days, she’d been mentally preparing herself, thinking she was ready to face Ye Chen, but the moment she saw him, her heart still ached unbearably.
Ye Chen, never one to notice subtle changes in women, missed her distress and, feeling affectionate, smiled, “Wife, you’re back! It’s almost the New Year, and the company still hasn’t closed?”
Xiao Churan gave a bitter smile, fearing he’d notice, and sighed, “Ugh, the closer to year-end, the busier it gets, but tomorrow’s the last workday, we’re having a company year-end dinner, so I won’t be home for dinner.”
Ma Lan quickly said, “Churan, we’re leaving early the day after tomorrow, and you’re still working tomorrow?”
Xiao Churan nodded wearily, “There’s a lot of work before the New Year, so we offered overtime pay to keep everyone going, after we return from the Maldives, I’ll have to get back to work right away.”
Ye Chen’s Maldives itinerary was just five days and four nights, while normal companies gave at least eight to ten days off for the Lunar New Year, meaning Xiao Churan would only rest for five days.
Feeling sorry for her, Ye Chen said, “Wife, is the company that busy lately? Maybe take on fewer orders.”
Xiao Churan smiled faintly, her smile tinged with bitterness, “We’re not taking new orders now, but old ones need to be rushed to avoid delaying clients.”
