Jin Yuanyuan's Top-Tier Life

Chapter 76 We are your eternal support

Jin Yuanbao couldn't think of many places, so he eventually asked Cao Xiaoyu to call Zhu Hongying and ask her if she knew where Jin Yuanyuan liked to go the most.

Zhu Hongying also lost her temper and yelled at Cao Xiaoyu, "Cao Xiaoyu! Why didn't you call me sooner! Can you handle such a big matter? Why didn't you discuss it with Yuanyuan's father? At least you should have told Yuanyuan first. She usually seems carefree and doesn't care, but she's actually very concerned about her image. You've made such a mess of things, she feels ashamed, so naturally she wants to find a place to hide! You lot, you really are a handful!"

She said exactly the same thing as Jin Yuanbao, even the tone of her voice when she scolded him was the same. Cao Xiaoyu held up the phone, even turned on the speakerphone, and Zhu Hongying's shrill voice echoed for a long time in Zhao Zhuoran's van.

Even Jin Yuanbao, sitting in the passenger seat, wanted to cover his ears, but he held back.

After Zhu Hongying finished yelling, she said, "Maybe she's at the Jin Yaya hosiery factory. They've been rushing to finish production these past few days, and the workshop is open at night. As for other places... this child probably doesn't have anywhere else to go... anyway, she hasn't gone home."

What is certain now is that no one knows where Jin Yuanyuan went.

Zhao Zhuoran drove from the city center all the way to Jin Yaya Socks Factory. It was a little over an hour's drive, but thankfully there was no traffic, and the journey was smooth.

The hosiery factory was brightly lit, but the office lights were on, yet no one was there, and the makeshift cots for resting showed no sign of being opened. The teacups were cold, and there was no milk tea, Jin Yuanyuan's favorite, on the table... The employees on duty all said they hadn't seen Jin Yuanyuan, and even Uncle Qin's son, who was on night shift, said no one had come all night.

Standing in his office, Zhao Zhuoran suddenly said, "Maybe Yuanyuan is just in a bad mood. She should find a quiet place to sleep for a while, and she'll be fine tomorrow. There's nothing to lose. Yuanyuan could never like someone like Zhang Dali again anyway."

Several people looked at him, wanting to nod, but they felt uneasy not being able to see him.

"Actually, I think there's one more place we haven't looked for..." Jin Yuanbao suddenly spoke up, glancing at Zhu Hongying.

Zhu Hongying also looked at him, as if she remembered something, but she couldn't be sure.

The two of them walked out of the Jin Yaya Socks Factory and the Jinjiacun Economic and Technological Development Zone, onto the road leading to Jinjiacun. They walked quickly without saying a word.

Zhao Zhuoran asked if he wanted a ride.

Both of them said in unison that it wasn't necessary, as it was just a short walk away.

Cao Xiaoyu followed behind, seemingly lost in thought, so Zhao Zhuoran had no choice but to follow them as well.

In the darkness, the streetlights shone brightly. Although fields stretched out on both sides, and they had entered the old village, there was no one around, yet a sense of peace and tranquility pervaded the air, an indescribable feeling of security and belonging. The sounds of insects chirping in the dark grass, and the gentle murmur of a stream irrigating the land… This was the quiet Jinjia Village, unlike the bustling metropolis. Yet, it was the root of its people, their home amidst green hills and clear waters.

The lush osmanthus tree was right in front of me; even in the darkness, I could see the outline of its branches and leaves. Jin Yaya's restaurant had already closed its doors; after all, it was already two in the morning, and no one was coming to eat.

Uncle Long and Aunt Long have closed the door and gone home.

However, a light was left on in the dining room, making the place feel warm and welcoming.

Jin Yuanbao told everyone to slow their pace and slowly cross the courtyard, heading towards the storage room in the northeast corner. He stopped at the door, glanced at Zhu Hongying, and Zhu Hongying nodded in return. The two of them, unusually, remained in unison, simultaneously calling softly, "Yuanyuan, come out for dinner."

There was no movement in the storage room.

Cao Xiaoyu took another step closer and whispered, "Yuanyuan, I ate all your braised pork!"

There was still no movement in the storage room.

"I ate the braised ribbonfish that Uncle Jin made... I'll leave the stir-fried bok choy for you. Uncle Jin forgot to add salt, so it wasn't very good. Oh, by the way, I'm taking Feiyan to see a movie. Do you want to go? I'll buy you a ticket."

Cao Xiaoyu's voice was relaxed, just like when they talked normally. At that moment, Zhao Zhuoran suddenly felt a pang of jealousy, but he didn't know why.

He steeled himself and said in a low voice, "Yuanyuan, I bought two more groupers. I want to make hot pot. Could you come out and help me clean the fish?"

"Hey! Zhao Zhuoran!" Now Jin Yuanbao, Zhu Hongying, and Cao Xiaoyu roared at him together.

"I'll do it, I'll do it all. Yuanyuan just needs to eat." Zhao Zhuoran immediately changed his mind and lowered his head to admit his mistake.

There was finally movement in the storage room; the door opened from the inside. Jin Yuanyuan, with her messy hair and red eyes, cried, "Can't you just let me get some sleep?"

"Yuanyuan!" Zhu Hongying ran incredibly fast and caught Jin Yuanyuan in one go. Jin Yuanbao wasn't far behind and hugged the mother and daughter as well. Cao Xiaoyu also rushed over, calling out, "Yuanyuan!" Zhao Zhuoran awkwardly rubbed his hands, still not daring to hug her.

"Yuanyuan, don't cry!" Zhu Hongying wiped away Jin Yuanyuan's tears, but started crying herself. "Ignore those bad boys, they're not worth crying over, right? They're not even worth crying over a second time. If you're really angry, just let Cao Xiaoyu beat him up."

"Auntie, hitting someone is against the law..." Cao Xiaoyu said, displeased.

"Then we must stand up for Yuanyuan!" Zhu Hongying kicked him. "Yuanyuan, it's all Cao Xiaoyu's fault. He's bad. Beat him up."

"Auntie!" Cao Xiaoyu immediately released her arms from their embrace and stood far away.

They really do look like a family, laughing and crying, huddled together in warmth.

Jin Yuanbao reached out and wiped away Jin Yuanyuan's tears, sighing softly. "Every time you cried inside, I would watch and listen from outside. I know you have high aspirations, thinking you can always make something of yourself and always be the best. I used to think that way too... But in reality, life is just about the little things. If you can live happily every day, eat your fill, and have no regrets before you close your eyes in sleep, that's a really good life. Big careers, great development, making a lot of money... where are those things so easy? But remember, you should always strive to be yourself, not for those who are vain and don't love you. And our family will always be your strong support."

These long words actually brought Cao Xiaoyu and Zhao Zhuoran to tears.

Zhao Zhuoran disregarded everything and joined Cao Xiaoyu in hugging Jin Yuanbao, Zhu Hongying, and Jin Yuanyuan. The five of them wiped away tears at the entrance of the storeroom of Jin Yaya's restaurant, their emotions moving heaven and earth.

(End of this chapter)