Ji Mingxue looked up at Ji Xingmi and asked, "What are you going to do?"
"I was thinking about visiting Grandpa Hua tomorrow, wasn't I?"
"It's a small alley near Hepingmen, but you can't buy it every day! I had to arrange for someone there in advance to save some for me!" Ji Mingxue nodded at Ji Xingmi's words, then gave her an address.
"Okay, I'll try my luck tomorrow!" Ji Xingmi planned. Ji Mingxue didn't say she definitely couldn't buy it or offer to help, letting Ji Xingmi make her own decisions.
The next morning, Ji Xingmi, with Mushroom in tow, went to find the place but couldn't locate it after searching for a while. Her father had only given her a general direction and no specific location. Ji Xingmi admired her own foolishness; she should have asked for more details before coming.
Her constant wandering caught the attention of an old man sitting at the alley entrance, drinking tea. He called out, "Little girl, yes, you! Come here! Who are you looking for here? I've seen you walking back and forth several times!"
Ji Xingmi squatted in front of the old man and replied, "I'm looking for where I can buy roast duck here! I want to buy a roast duck!"
"Oh~ You're too early! The ducks aren't even in the pot yet!" Hearing this, Ji Xingmi knew the old man must know something and eagerly asked for advice.
"My dad said things here are hard to buy, so I thought I'd come early! I didn't expect to be too early!"
"Hahaha! Making roast duck takes time and skill. If you come this early, you definitely won't be able to buy it. It won't be tasty if it's not cooked long enough!"
"Then, Grandpa, when is a good time for me to come?"
"Come back in about five more hours. Go to the end of this alley, and that door is the place!"
Ji Xingmi was overjoyed to have the exact address and quickly thanked the kind old man who had helped her. The old man waved his hand and continued drinking his tea.
Ji Xingmi and Mushroom walked away. She had time today, so she first went to the warehouse next to the sanatorium. She cleared out some more things from her space, then came out with a flute.
Mushroom didn't seem curious about Ji Xingmi coming out with something and followed her. Ji Xingmi also went to the place where Qin Nuo and the others were renting. This was the address Qin Nuo had left her in a previous letter. When she arrived, Qin Nuo was likely at class; only Aunt Chen and Chen Jiangong were there. Aunt Chen was very emotional upon seeing Ji Xingmi, even shedding tears.
"You've grown so much! Auntie has been thinking of you. It's been almost half a year since you came, and I haven't seen you. I was worried..." Aunt Chen didn't seem to know what she was saying, her words jumping from one thing to another. Chen Jiangong couldn't stand his mother rambling any longer and quickly interrupted, "Mom, why are you saying all this? Xiao Xing'er, come in, sit down!"
"Yes, yes, come in and sit! Auntie will make you some sugar water!"
Ji Xingmi smiled and followed Chen Jiangong inside. They both asked about each other's situations, and Ji Xingmi selectively told them what she could. Chen Jiangong also mentioned the fire at Qianshi Village back then, but he had returned too late. Ji Xingmi didn't dwell on that topic, instead asking about events in the village, which Aunt Chen primarily answered.
As they were chatting happily, the sound of a child crying came from the next room. Hearing the commotion, Aunt Chen went over and soon returned, holding a fair-skinned, plump baby.
"This is?"
"Oh! I really forgot to tell you! This is the child of mine and Nuo Nuo's, he's five months old!" Chen Jiangong said, scratching his head sheepishly. He had thought that since they were coming, they would see him eventually, so he didn't mention it.
Ji Xingmi went forward to play with the baby for a while, then sat back down. The child was too young, and she didn't dare to hold him. The little one was probably hungry and started crying incessantly. Aunt Chen, perhaps afraid of disturbing their conversation, took the baby to another room to feed him.
Ji Xingmi and Chen Jiangong talked a lot, and Chen Jiangong's eyes grew brighter and brighter. When Ji Xingmi left, she left him the keys to the warehouse. Ye Yu was currently busy with his studies, and Gao Yu was at school, so she didn't know if he was still involved. It was better to hand this matter over to Chen Jiangong.
Of course, Ji Xingmi didn't introduce Gao Yu to Chen Jiangong. New opportunities were about to arise, and she wanted to see if this initial partner could truly establish himself.
After Ji Xingmi left, Chen Jiangong took the items out. Chen Jiangong had accumulated a considerable fortune and connections over the past two years. After considering what Ji Xingmi had mentioned, he also believed that if such a day came, what Ji Xingmi said would surely be profitable.
Now, his task was to gradually familiarize himself with the market in Kyoto and establish a foothold there. Seeing the warehouse filled with goods further bolstered his confidence. He closed the door and went to the post office, calling someone he knew from the provincial capital. The person on the other end was very happy to receive Chen Jiangong's news and gave Chen Jiangong an address to visit someone.