Return After Overseas Studies

Mrs. Chen was about to see her eldest son after years apart. Overwhelmed with emotion, she kept wiping her tears and said, "Ling'er is finally coming home. I wonder if he's been doing well over there, if he's lost weight?"

Yuan Jie was also excited, but as a man, he kept his composure. He reassured his wife, "Don't worry. Every time the fleet returns, there's a letter from Ling'er. He's doing just fine over there!"

"Haha, Fourth Uncle and Aunt, instead of worrying about Ling'er's health, you should ask if he's managed to win himself a wife yet." Su Li walked over with a laugh.

Seeing Su Li, Mrs. Chen broke into a wide smile and said, "That's right, Ah Li's got a point. That rascal Ling'er said when he left that he'd fallen for a girl studying abroad over there. Now that it's been so many years, I wonder if he's won her heart. If he hasn't, that's just embarrassing—he better not say he's my son!"

Everyone laughed at Mrs. Chen's words. Yuan Jie patted Yindou on the shoulder and said, "Your little sister is already married. As her older brother, Ling'er can't be too late."

Yindou smiled gently. As the younger sister of the Queen of Qin, Su Li had arranged an excellent marriage for her.

Her husband was top-notch in family background, character, and talent, and he now held a government post.

The whole family was extremely satisfied with Yindou's marriage.

Looking at Yindou's gentle and serene demeanor after marriage, it was clear her husband's family treated her very well.

At this rate, Fourth Uncle and Aunt would be holding a grandchild in no time!

Everyone chatted and laughed on the shore, making the wait much more bearable. After about the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, someone shouted, "Prime Minister Su's fleet is docking! Everyone, move your boats aside so you don't block the way!"

The shout didn't come from an official, but from an ordinary boatman on the wharf.

The people adored Su Li so much that there was no need for officials to forcibly clear the waterway. As soon as they heard it was Prime Minister Su's fleet, everyone moved their boats out of the harbor to make way.

Now, everyone in Qin knew that whenever Prime Minister Su's fleet returned, it always brought back things that made life better for the people.

Fertilizers, seeds, textile machinery—these were all brought back by Lord Su Li on these ships.

The people were always thrilled to welcome the fleet's return.

The ocean-going fleet sailed into the port with great majesty. This was the newest and largest ship Edward had bought from France—huge and sturdy, it dwarfed the ordinary boats!

With such a large ship, they could carry much more cargo in a single trip.

Edward stood on the deck, waving his arms at Su Li on the dock, shouting, "Prime Minister Su, we're back!"

Suddenly, a young man rushed out from behind Edward. Before the ship had even docked, he eagerly leaned over the side, waving wildly at the shore: "Father, Mother, Sis, Yindou—Ling'er is home!"

"Ling'er, it's Ling'er!" Mrs. Chen saw her son and immediately covered her mouth, tears of joy streaming down her face.

Yuan Jie's eyes grew moist, and Yindou waved vigorously at Yuan Ling, "Brother! Brother!"

As soon as the big ship docked, Yuan Ling dashed down like a gust of wind, excitedly looking at the family he hadn't seen in years.

Su Li watched him with a smile. After years apart, Yuan Ling had grown taller and more mature, his eyes shining with wisdom. Su Li knew that his return, along with the first batch of overseas students, would bring earth-shaking changes to Qin!