"Alright, I’ll have someone buy the tickets and send them to you. Just tell Grandma to pack some daily clothes; we have everything else here. Also, make sure to let your uncles know so they don’t worry. When you leave, someone will take you to the train station, and we’ll pick you and Grandma up when you arrive."
Zhu Yanyi acted efficiently. Since Xie Zhong had agreed, she arranged everything quickly to prevent her from changing her mind.
"Okay." Xie Zhong didn’t argue further since he had agreed to go to the capital.
Seeing that matters were settled, Zhu Yanyi hung up and went to find Yan Aohan. She could handle these arrangements much faster.
Upon hearing about Xie Zhong’s situation, Yan Aohan immediately made the necessary calls. The train tickets were booked for three days later, giving Xie Zhong enough time to hand over his work.
Zhang Haifeng delivered the tickets to the Xie family as requested by Yan Aohan. Xie Zhong smiled bitterly, thanked Zhang Haifeng, and took the tickets.
"I’ll come to pick up the old master and mistress and see you onto the train," Zhang Haifeng said with a smile.
Having lived in Sicheng Town for years, Zhang Haifeng knew Xie Zhong well. Even without Yan Aohan’s orders, he would have helped.
"In that case, I’ll trouble you," Xie Zhong said, not refusing. She knew Zhang Haifeng was doing this out of respect for Zhu Yanyi.
"Dad, how about Lin Qing and I go to the capital with you and Mom?" Xie Xinyan suggested after Xie Zhong had gathered Xie Jingyu, Xie Shengyu, and herself.
"If you go, who will take care of Little Swallow?" Xie Zhong glared at Xie Xinyan. Little Swallow was the nickname for Xie Yanqin, the daughter of Xie Xinyan and Lin Qing.
"My mother-in-law will take care of her. You know how much she dotes on Little Swallow," Xie Xinyan replied confidently.
Xie Zhong shook his head. "No need. It’s almost New Year. If you two leave, it wouldn’t look right to abandon the whole family here. Neither of you needs to go."
"On the day of departure, Zhang Haifeng from the security company will take you and your mother to the station and see you on board. I may be old, but I still recognize the train station. Even if I didn’t, the capital is the final stop, so I won’t miss it. And Ani will be there to pick us up."
"Dad, please be careful. If my work wasn’t so busy at year-end, I would have gone with you," Xie Jingyu said, looking filial.
"Neither Jingyu’s family nor Shengyu’s family needs to come. We aren’t so old that we can’t stand on our own. Don’t worry," Xie Zhong said. He had long given up on his eldest son, Xie Jingyu. Calling him here was merely for appearances, as he was still the eldest.
Xie Jingyu chuckled, showing little interest in his father’s treatment. In his heart, his career remained the most important thing.
Xie Shengyu looked worried. "How about I take you and Mom? Yingzi is at home, and Tianyun and Guiyun are grown up now. It’s easy for me to take leave."
"Why send anyone?" Xie Zhong waved his hand and glared, rejecting the suggestion. "It’s almost year-end, and logistics needs inventory checks. You’re a manager; can you just leave?"
She looked impatient. "Besides, it’s a small matter. I’ve said it: someone will send us, and someone will pick us up in the capital. Just rest assured, I’ll be fine."
Xie Zhong was used to having the final say in the Xie family. His decisions were not to be opposed. So, despite their worries, Xie Shengyu and Xie Xinyan had to follow his lead.
Fortunately, they had a good relationship with Zhang Haifeng over the years, so they entrusted him with their parents’ safety when he came to pick them up.
Meanwhile, Zhu Yanyi notified Zhu Shunyao and Gu Jingtian after confirming Xie Zhong’s arrival.
"As they say, things get busier as the year ends. Look at you," Yan Aohan smiled lightly, watching Zhu Yanyi’s busy state.
Zhu Yanyi sighed. "There’s still over a month and a half until New Year. If everything goes smoothly, Grandpa can come home for the holiday."
"Actually, you could bring Grandpa to our house," Yan Aohan suggested.
Zhu Yanyi pouted. "I’d like to, but it won’t work. I know Grandpa’s personality too well."
Zhu Yanyi truly understood Xie Zhong, having grown up around him. Xie Zhong cared too much about face. Even though Yan Aohan was his future son-in-law, he was still future. Xie Zhong would never trouble Yan Aohan at this stage.
"Grandpa is quite stubborn. To put it bluntly, he’s very patriarchal. That’s why, even when the family had no money and sold all their assets, he refused to borrow from others in his youth."
Such people were like stones in a pickle jar—hard and stubborn.
Zhu Yanyi smiled lightly. "Grandpa cares too much about face, but that’s also why he has authority in the family. As you know, Second Uncle, Third Uncle, and Aunt are fine, but my Eldest Uncle always likes to scheme."
"Even if Eldest Uncle didn’t scheme, Grandpa had the ability to help him. But because of face, Grandpa rarely helped, which led to Eldest Uncle’s scheming nature."
Xie Jingyu wasn’t born selfish or cold-hearted. It was forced by life. Fortunately, Xie Jingyu was only selfish, not malicious. This was why Xie Zhong, though dissatisfied, never said much.
Yan Aohan raised an eyebrow. "Actually, your Eldest Uncle’s situation isn’t bad. Selfish people have weaknesses. As long as you control those weaknesses, you don’t need to fear him going astray."
"Eldest Uncle won’t go astray. She just doesn’t like to meddle in others’ affairs, especially those without power or influence. She ignores them. But if someone has power, she’ll cling to them. She doesn’t have the guts to harm anyone," Zhu Yanyi said. She had known Xie Jingyu very well in her previous life.
"Should I have someone help her?" Yan Aohan asked. He didn’t mind Xie Jingyu’s behavior. In his view, no matter how selfish Xie Jingyu was, given Zhu Yanyi’s status, if Xie Jingyu were smart, she would only flatter and never oppose them.