Chapter 109: Wang Xiaoli Arrives in Shenzhen City

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On the phone, it was said that someone had booked several compartments on the old green-sleeper trains, bringing thousands of people directly from out of town to the city of Shen.

Chai Jin sounded remarkably calm on the phone; he knew exactly who it was.

The conversation quickly shifted away from that topic, and he inquired about how Liu Yiqian’s preparations were going.

Liu Yiqian’s voice was bitter over the line.

Clearly, amid this nationwide frenzy to grab wealth through purchase certificates in Shen city, he could never hope to shine as brightly as Zhonghai.

This was a national scramble for riches, where only those with the highest skills would prevail.

The car rolled steadily over the pothole-riddled road.

Chai Jin saw the once-desolate parks now filled with people.

The streets were crowded with men and women carrying backpacks.

Passing by low-rise shops, strangely named after various “buildings,” and small department stores exhaling puffs of smoke into the air.

“The winds of change are finally coming. They say the era shapes the person, but my ambition soars higher than the sky—I dare to shape the era itself.”

Liu Qingwen slapped the steering wheel, his spirits lifted: “That’s why you have to come out. If we hadn’t come to Shen city, how would we in Daohua Village know what the outside world looks like?”

“Who would have known there were so many chances to get rich overnight out there.”

Chai Jin smiled: “After this job, we still have many things to do.”

“You need to learn to improve yourself. Don’t keep running off to the hair salon all the time, got it?”

Liu Qingwen scratched his head sheepishly: “Haha, Brother Jin, I know my limits.”

After that, the two fell into silence in the car.

…

Shen City Airport.

Outside, a newly installed massive mural caught the eye.

It depicted an elder of the era, alongside the words: “Without persisting in socialism, without reform and opening up, without developing the economy, without improving people's lives, there is only a dead end.”

Below, many men and women dressed in bright colors passed by.

After arriving here, Chai Jin finally spotted Chai Xiaoshan and Wang Xiaoli beneath the mural.

Though the Chai family was well-off and among the best in Yuanli County, Xiaoshan had never been to a big city before.

So she timidly hid behind Wang Xiaoli, gazing blankly at this unfamiliar metropolis.

Although it was already the 1990s, Wang Xiaoli was, after all, from a small county town.

Her clothing and style still resembled girls from the 1980s—loose pants and tops—which made her stand out among the women passing by with permed hair, short skirts, and stockings.

Yet Wang Xiaoli’s two braided pigtails and the gentle curve of her lips could melt hearts.

Especially her small, striking face beneath the mural, despite a somewhat rustic appearance, captivated every man who passed by.

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Liu Qingwen spotted them from afar and remarked with admiration: “Really, after all this coming and going, I still think our Sister Li is the prettiest.”

“Tsk tsk tsk, when will I ever meet a girl as beautiful as Sister Li? If I do, I swear I’ll keep going to that lousy hair salon to see Little Ding!”

Chai Jin smiled: “Let’s go.”

From a distance, when Chai Xiaoshan saw Chai Jin, all her earlier fear, self-doubt, and confusion vanished in an instant.

This six-year-old girl had known from a young age that as long as her brother was around, she need not fear anyone.

She ran wildly: “Chai Jin, I missed you!”

Leaping onto him, she planted a kiss on his cheek.

Chai Jin was in high spirits, laughing heartily as he pinched her nose: “You want me to take you out and have fun, don’t you?”

“Not at all.”

He set her down and, stroking her head, said: “Where’s your sister? She didn’t come?”

“Hmm, the factory’s too busy. Sister Fangfang hasn’t had time to come over,” Wang Xiaoli said shyly, her large eyes flickering nervously, avoiding Chai Jin’s gaze.

Her thin lips pressed together, looking irresistibly adorable.

Over the past few months, the two had deepened their relationship over the phone to an indescribable level.

But in person, they still couldn’t be as close as they were on the phone.

Liu Qingwen shamelessly leaned close to Wang Xiaoli: “Wow, Sister Li, you’re blushing!”

“I... I’m not!” Wang Xiaoli hastily looked up to explain, then quickly dropped her head again.

Chai Jin watched Wang Xiaoli’s current expression, and a wave of relief washed over him.

All the scheming and deception that had filled his mind evaporated in that moment.

Liu Qingwen, unable to hold back, began babbling incessantly beside them.

Wang Xiaoli stomped her foot now and then, wishing she could rip Liu Qingwen’s mouth off.

Once inside the car, Chai Xiaoshan pressed her face against the van window, staring curiously at the people lying on newspapers beneath the overpasses and in the parks.

“Brother, isn’t Shen city a big city? Why are there so many homeless people here?”

Liu Qingwen drove while replying: “Don’t underestimate these people. Each one came to Shen city carrying cash, hoping to make it rich.”

“Shanshan, you’ll understand when you grow up.”

Chai Xiaoshan looked up at Wang Xiaoli: “Sister Li, is it really like that?”

Wang Xiaoli didn’t understand; this was her first trip far from home and to such a big city.

Her big eyes instinctively sought Chai Jin’s gaze.

This was a girl’s subconscious: when faced with something she didn’t understand, she would instinctively look toward the person she cared about most, seeking answers.

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At the same time, she was deeply curious about what Chai Jin was actually doing out here.

They had talked many times on the phone, but Chai Jin had never told her anything about his career.

Chai Jin glanced back at her. Wang Xiaoli shyly lowered her head again; her high, delicate nose stood out on her small, oval face.

Smiling, he said: “This is a city that has already stirred up great waves.”

“People from all over the country come here to strike gold. You’ll understand more and more as time goes on.”

“What do you want to eat tonight?”

Obviously, the question was directed at Wang Xiaoli.

Wang Xiaoli lifted her face with effort: “I don’t know. Whatever you say is fine.”

“Alright then,” Chai Jin smiled.

Half an hour later, the car arrived at their courtyard.

The other side of the courtyard had a room that Chai Jin had cleaned and tidied up very neatly.

The worn walls were covered with white paper.

Outside the window, clear and bright, one could see flowers and greenery on the hillside behind.

Wang Xiaoli immediately took a liking to the place.

That night, they didn’t go out to eat.

Liu Qingwen went to the best nearby restaurant and brought back some takeout.

Though far from home and in a small courtyard, the presence of relatives from back home made everything feel warm and familial.

After a round of busyness, it was already 10 p.m.

Chai Jin was still outside in the courtyard, organizing things under the streetlamp by the road.

Exhausted from the journey, Chai Xiaoshan fell asleep as soon as she went to bed.

Wang Xiaoli took a shower and stepped out of the room wearing shorts, a T-shirt, and slippers.

She was a raw gem yet to be discovered, with a figure that could rival any model.

Especially her legs—long, slender, perfectly straight, without a single flaw.

Since there were no outsiders around, Wang Xiaoli felt less restrained.

She walked over to Chai Jin and set down a glass of water: “Where did Monkey go? They’re still busy this late?”