Running Towards You - Chapter 65

“She really is a grandmother this little one in her arms is her own grandson,” Liu Jia said with a smile, smoothing things over.

Ji Yin immediately understood and smiled as well, glancing down at the chubby little boy. “This child is so handsome, with such a fortunate face.”

Granny Li was once again delighted by these words and shifted the child aside to make way. “Oh, and you’ve brought so many things with you!”

“Just a small token of greeting nothing to make a fuss about,” Ji Yin said humbly.

“We only invited you over for a simple meal. Next time, don’t bother bringing anything,” Liu Jia said with a laugh.

“It’s only proper.”

The group made their way to the living room and sat down. Lu Jiahe formally introduced his parents once more. “This is my mother, Liu Jia.”

“Nice to meet you, Teacher,” Ji Yin said promptly.

Liu Jia chuckled heartily. “I’m not a teacher the real teacher is right behind you.”

Ji Yin turned to greet Professor Lu. “Hello, Professor Lu. I’ve long heard of your reputation.”

“Hello, Don’t you remember me?” Professor Lu asked.

Ji Yin looked at him in confusion before suddenly realizing. “We met once in front of the bookstore. Things were a bit rushed at the time, so I didn’t get a chance to greet you properly.”

“Not that time.”

“Then?”

“Was it you who took my dad to the hospital last time?” Lu Jiahe casually voiced his question.

“No, the last time I helped an elderly gentleman, he…” Ji Yin recalled the old man’s appearance and instinctively raised her hand, covering Professor Lu’s face and leaving only his eyes visible. She studied them carefully and gasped. “It couldn’t have been you, could it?!”

“That’s right, that elderly gentleman was me.”

“!!!”

Ji Yin was so startled that she immediately tried to recall how she had behaved back then.

Seeing her slightly flustered expression, Professor Lu smiled. “I really have to thank you for that day I would’ve been in trouble without you. I should formally express my gratitude.”

“Please, there’s no need to stand on ceremony. It was just a small gesture,” Ji Yin said, the nervousness she had barely suppressed bubbling up again.

“Why don’t you all sit down to talk?” Lu Jiahe suggested, pulling Ji Yin down beside him and patting the back of her hand to ease her tension.

“Old Lu, have you finished cleaning the fish?” Liu Jia asked.

“All done,” Professor Lu replied, turning toward the kitchen. “I’ll go marinate it first.”

Liu Jia sat down to chat with them, her eyes scanning Ji Yin. She happened to glance at the gifts on the coffee table and noticed what looked like a book beneath several boxes.

“What’s this?” she asked curiously, moving the boxes aside. When she saw the cover, she exclaimed in delight, “It’s this out-of-print book?!”

“I remember you mentioned in an interview how much you wanted this out-of-print edition. It just so happened that one of my clients enjoys collecting such books, so I managed to get a copy,” Ji Yin explained.

Liu Jia happily flipped through the yellowed pages. “How thoughtful of you! You’ve even watched my interviews?”

“Yes, I’ve seen all of them. It was through those interviews and magazines that I realized reading isn’t as difficult as I thought. I’ve already finished several books,” Ji Yin said with a hint of pride.

“Really?” Liu Jia laughed. “When did you start watching them?”

“Around last New Year’s, I think. I read your books every day and learned so much from them.”

Liu Jia was even more surprised. She had thought Ji Yin had done some research just to see her, never expecting it had been almost a year ago.

Lu Jiahe gave Ji Yin an encouraging smile, and Ji Yin relaxed as well, proceeding to unwrap the other gifts.

“This is a pearl necklace, which suits your temperament perfectly.” Ji Yin opened box after box. “These boxes contain wild ginseng from Changbai Mountain.”

Each box contained a single ginseng root. Old Lady Li asked curiously, “Is this real wild ginseng?”

“It is genuine. Look at how well-preserved its appearance is the skin is aged and yellowish, the rhizome is slender, the texture lines are wavy, and the rootlets are sparse and long. It must be at least 20 years old. I used to sell ginseng, and I’ve always been honest in my dealings.”

Liu Jia and Old Lady Li were stunned, especially Old Lady Li, who couldn’t help but ask, “So how do you tell the difference between wild and cultivated ginseng?”

“That’s a whole field of knowledge. You have to examine their ‘five shapes and six forms,’ and there are even grade classifications.”

Lu Jiahe smiled faintly, feeling as though Ji Yin had transformed into a confident shopkeeper introducing products.

Ji Yin rattled off a long explanation, and Old Lady Li, feeling overwhelmed by the complexity, said, “There’s too much to remember. How about this I’ll add you on WeChat. Can I ask for your help in selecting ginseng?”

“No problem.” Ji Yin readily added her on WeChat. “You can also go directly to Yanhua Supermarket. The staff there will introduce it to you as well.”

“What if the employees try to trick me?”

“They won’t. We’re an honest supermarket. But if you’re really worried, just tell the staff that I referred you,” Ji Yin said.

“Do you work at Yanhua?” Old Lady Li asked.

“Yes.”

“Alright then, I’ll just come directly to you. I live right across from them.”

“That’s fine.” Ji Yin guessed she was a neighbor, which explained why Lu Jiahe hadn’t introduced her in detail earlier their relationship was probably not particularly close.

“You all are having quite the lively conversation.” Professor Lu dried his hands and returned to the living room.

Ji Yin quickly brought out the gifts for Professor Lu: “Uncle, I brought you several tins of tea. Last time, I gave you green tea, but this time, I brought some black tea and oolong tea, along with a tea set.”

Professor Lu couldn’t control his expression at the sight of the tea. Without any hesitation, he happily accepted it, admiring the tea set and unable to put it down. “Perfect timing I’ll use this new tea set and tea leaves to brew a pot for everyone.”

Liu Jia looked at the gifts on the table. “These aren’t cheap, are they? Next time, there’s really no need to spend so much. We’re already happy with the thought.”

“It’s no trouble, Teacher Liu.”

If Ji Yin had known their other preferences, she might have bought even more.

Seizing the opportunity, Old Lady Li eagerly asked, “Is that car downstairs yours?”

“Yes.”

“Is it borrowed or rented?”

Liu Jia shot her an annoyed glance, then looked at Lu Jiahe and shook her head helplessly. Just as she was about to change the subject, Ji Yin replied calmly, “I bought it.”

“You work at a supermarket and can afford a Porsche?” Old Lady Li exclaimed in shock.

“Maybe it’s because I’m the owner?”

Liu Jia: “?”

Professor Lu: “??”

Old Lady Li: “???”

Ji Yin noticed the same expression on their faces that she had seen on Li Chenyao’s the night before and immediately shot Lu Jiahe a pleading look.

Lu Jiahe smiled and said, “Dad, Mom, I forgot to mention she’s actually the owner of Yanhua.”

The three of them: “？？？？？”

The news was truly a bit sudden. Even Liu Jia, who had weathered many storms, was stunned for quite a while.

But she also knew her daughter well, when it came to serious matters, she would never lie. Having already admitted in front of Old Lady Li that Ji Yin only had an elementary school education, she certainly wouldn’t fabricate another identity just to make Ji Yin look impressive.

“Is that true?” Old Lady Li asked in surprise.

“Yes, if you don’t believe me, when have I ever lied to you?” Lu Jiahe replied.

“You just lied to me about wanting a grandson.”

Lu Jiahe chuckled. “Can’t you tell the difference between a joke and a lie?”

Old Lady Li awkwardly turned away, looking at Ji Yin with disbelief. After a moment of silence, she sighed, “Jiahe really has an eye for talent. She found a big boss right away, no wonder she didn’t take a liking to my son.”

Ji Yin glanced sharply at Lu Jiahe, who responded with, “…”

“You’ve already got your grandson, so stop complaining. If your son had really married Jiahe, you wouldn’t even have a grandson to hold,” Liu Jia said.

Hearing this, Old Lady Li thought it made sense and laughed, “I just feel it’s a pity. Jiahe is such a wonderful girl, how did she end up liking women?”

“I have to disagree with that. The two things aren’t related at all. Whether I like women or not, I’m still just as great,” Lu Jiahe retorted.

“Yes, yes, you’re right. Ah, I’m not good with words, so don’t take it to heart,” Old Lady Li said, at a loss for a response.

Ji Yin caught the underlying meaning this old lady had wanted Lu Jiahe to be her daughter-in-law!

As if!

Ji Yin mentally rolled her eyes at her repeatedly.

“I should go back and cook now, so I won’t disturb you all anymore,” Old Lady Li said, standing up with the child in her arms. She didn’t forget to say to Ji Yin, “Young lady, I’ll come by your shop another day to buy some ginseng as a gift.”

“Of course. We’ll have promotions for the opening of our new branch on New Year’s Day. You’re welcome to come,” Ji Yin immediately replied with a professional smile.

“Wow, you’re already opening branches,” Old Lady Li muttered as she left.

After closing the door, Liu Jia turned to Ji Yin and asked, “Are you really the owner of Yanhua?”

“Yes, Teacher Liu.”

“I’m curious, how did you manage it?”

Lu Jiahe chimed in, “I’m curious too.”

Professor Lu, who was brewing tea nearby, added, “Me too.”

Ji Yin sat up properly and answered obediently, “I started working at fifteen. In the first few years, I hustled everywhere but didn’t make much money. Still, I got exposed to various industries and met many people, gradually finding my way and building connections. Then I opened a billiards hall, but I had too much free time at the shop, so I took on sales jobs, did some side gigs as a shopping agent, and dabbled in other small jobs. That’s how I saved up some money.”

Noticing their increasingly astonished expressions, Ji Yin swallowed and continued slowly, “Later, I saw a supermarket going out of business, so I pooled my money and took it over. At first, Yanhua wasn’t very big. It was only after upgrading and renovating it in the past two years that it reached its current scale.”

Liu Jia smiled and said, “Your journey has been… both tough and inspiring. It’s a pity you’re my daughter’s girlfriend now, or I’d really love to interview you properly.”

Jiyin’s cheeks flushed slightly with a hint of embarrassment, but hearing her openly admit to being Lu Jiahe’s girlfriend filled her with joy.

Lu Jiahe fed her a strawberry. “I’m truly, truly, truly impressed by you. So the billiards hall was yours too?”

“Yes, but I’ve already transferred it and used the money to prepare for the new shop,” Jiyin replied.

Lu Jiahe clicked her tongue in admiration and fed her another strawberry.

After finishing it, Jiyin looked up and happened to meet Liu Jia’s gaze. Only then did she realize how absorbed they had been in their own world. Would Teacher Liu think they were being overly affectionate?

Liu Jia, however, acted as if she hadn’t noticed and asked, “Zaozao, why didn’t you tell us about this earlier?”

“She only found out last night,” Jiyin explained on her behalf.

Liu Jia fell silent for a moment before speaking softly, “I have one last question. Can you answer me truthfully?”

“Of course.”

“You’ve known each other for almost a year. Why did you only reveal your identity to Zaozao last night? Were you testing her?”

Jiyin froze abruptly. The reporter’s questions were indeed sharp…

“I absolutely had no intention of testing her. I was just too pleasantly surprised surprised that someone would genuinely befriend me regardless of my background or status. You might not understand how long it’s been since I made a true friend. Every time I see her after we got together, I’m so happy that I forgot about this matter. I swear to you, every word I’ve said is true!” Jiyin confessed sincerely.

Liu Jia’s gaze rested on her face like gentle sunlight not harsh, yet illuminating her so thoroughly that she felt exposed.

After a moment, finding no trace of deceit, Liu Jia curved the corners of her lips. “I believe you.”

Jiyin breathed a sigh of relief and turned to look at Lu Jiahe, who fed her another strawberry. Without a second thought, she bit into it.

“Here, the first cup of tea for our new family member,” Professor Lu said, handing the freshly brewed tea to Jiyin.

“Thank you, Uncle.” Jiyin accepted it with flattered surprise, her hands trembling so much she nearly spilled the tea.

“Why do you call me ‘Uncle’ but call her ‘Teacher’?” Professor Lu asked. “Isn’t that mixing up the generations?”

“Then, should I call you Professor Lu too?”

“That sounds a bit distant. How about something more affectionate?”

“Then… Grandpa?”

“…”

Liu Jia burst into laughter, and Lu Jiahe’s shoulders shook uncontrollably.

This time, it was Professor Lu who nearly spilled his tea.