Qin Jianjun turned his head.
Gao Lele continued, "My mom set me up through a matchmaker, wanting me to meet this guy on the weekend. I donât really want to."
Qin Jianjun finally realized something and thought for a moment, "If you donât want to see him, then donât. Marriage is a lifetime commitment. Now the state advocates for freedom in love and marriage. Your parents shouldnât arrange your marriage. Have a good talk with them. As long as your reasons are sound, I think they will understand."
After Qin Jianjun left, Gao Lele couldnât hold back her tears anymore.
Qin Juan watched the two from not far away, frowning. When she saw Qin Jianjun approaching, she asked quietly, "Whatâs going on?"
Qin Jianjun scratched his head, "Itâs probably something to do with her family. Her mom mentioned a suitor and wants to set up a meeting this weekend. She doesnât want to meet him and asked me to go boating in the park this weekend instead. But I donât want to go either; the shop is so busy, where do I have the time to go boating?"
Lin Chuxia laughed when she heard what he said. Seeing no one around, she whispered, "Look here, you silly boy, her family talks about a suitor she doesnât want to see, and she specifically asks you to go boating in the park. Canât you understand what that means?"
As for Gao Leleâs little crush on Qin Jianjun, she and her elder sister had noticed it a long time ago.
Thinking about young love, what theyâre looking for is exactly this kind of clueless and unripe feeling, so neither of them had pointed it out.
But after all this time, this naive nephew of theirs is not just unripe; heâs just utterly clueless.
Without a little reminder, he probably will never get married in his lifetime.
Qin Juan also asked him with a speechless expression, "What do you think of Lele?"
In her opinion, Gao Lele is quite nice: pretty, sweet-talked, and with a good personality.
Her nephew standing with her looked like a handsome couple, quite well matched.
Most importantly, after working together for such a long time, they knew each other well.
Qin Jianjun was scared stiff by his fourth aunt and Auntâs words. He wasnât dumb, he just hadnât thought about it that way.
Now looking at Gao Lele, it was like facing some dreadful flood or savage beast.
"Fourth Aunt, Aunt, I really didnât mean it that way. Iâm still young; I just want to study well, work well, and get my diploma first. As for other things, I really havenât thought about them."
"You could think about it, youâre almost a 20-year-old young man. Now the state advocates for free love, if there is a suitable young lady..."
"No, no," Qin Jianjun hurriedly interrupted Lin Chuxia, "Fourth Aunt, I really donât have that on my mind. In my plans, at least I should consider marriage when Iâm at the age of Fourth Uncle. I genuinely donât want to get married and have children too early."
By the end, his face turned red first.
It was unclear whether he blushed out of embarrassment or urgency.
Lin Chuxia and Qin Juan exchanged a glance, seeing clearly the boy really wasnât thinking about it.
"Alright, donât rush. If you donât have that in mind, just keep your distance from her. Once she understands your stance, sheâll drop the idea."
After all, the window paper hadnât been pierced, and Qin Jianjun couldnât directly tell Gao Lele he didnât like her; that wouldnât leave the young lady with any dignity.
It also happened that they were planning to transfer him to the shopping mall side. With time, sheâd probably forget.
"When youâre not busy later, clean up and come over to my place. Your second aunt is home cooking something delicious for us, she specifically asked me to call you and your aunt over."
Qin Juan also smiled, "Your eldest sister-in-law canât stay idle. She came to the shop a few days ago wanting to help out too."
"Right, weâre going south in a few days. Your eldest sister-in-law said she wanted to stay at your place. She has mentioned it twice now; probably sheâs calling you over today to talk about it."
Lin Chuxia left, leaving only Qin Yang and Zhang Guilan at home.
Although the sister-in-law and the younger uncle were not like the elder uncle and younger aunt, always a topic of gossip in doubtful circumstances, Zhang Guilan still feared that they might cause idle talk and bad rumors for Lin Chuxia and her family.
Although Lin Chuxia didnât care about those things, she thought about Zhang Guilan who would be giving birth in a month or two.
Jiang Hong did have her baby half a month early. If sheâs not at home and Qin Yang goes to work, and thereâs no one familiar like Zhang Guilan in the employee residential complex, that would be trouble.
Itâs also good to move in with Qin Juan; she can take care of her, and neighbor Aunt Jia is also familiar with Zhang Guilan.
If anything happens, Aunt Jia could help call for assistance.
Upon hearing this, Qin Juan readily agreed, "I was just about to discuss this. Itâs perfect for Sister-in-law to come to my place. I worry when Ningning is home alone while Iâm busy. This way, they can keep each other company."
Qin Juan once again sighed with gratitude, thereâs nothing like having relatives by your side.
Despite living with the Zhang Family for eight years, she had never felt the warmth of a family.
But her own relatives, no matter how long they are apart, always keep each other in their hearts.
Especially during such unreserved moments with her sister-in-law and younger siblings, she felt more than ever that she has always been a part of this family.
...
Meanwhile, Zhang Guilan had just returned from the market with groceries.
In fact, there were still vegetables at home, and meat in the fridge. Lin Chuxia didnât want her to go to the market alone.
But she thought it was fine. The market wasnât far from the residential complex, and it wasnât quite off-work hours yet, so the market wasnât crowded.
For a family dinner, they ought to prepare several more dishes anyway.
This fish, for example, was lively and fresh; everyone, especially the younger siblings, loved fish.
Zhang Guilan was pondering whether to steam or braise the fish when someone nearby greeted her.
"This Sister-in-law seems new here. How are you related to Mr. Qin? Are you here visiting relatives?"
She saw a woman of similar age not far away, eyeing her curiously.
Zhang Guilan only knew Sister-in-law Fu, their neighbor, an older sister-in-law. She hadnât met this person before.
But she knew the residential complex was occupied by Qin Yangâs colleagues and their families. Smiling, she replied, "Iâm his sister-in-law, just here to visit them."
She definitely couldnât broadcast having extra children.
Sister-in-law Feng sized up Zhang Guilan again, "A real sister-in-law?"
Zhang Guilan nodded, "Yes, a real sister-in-law."
"You all must be close. Mr. Qin is so outstanding at work, his older brother must be very successful too, right? What does he do?"
Zhang Guilan frowned slightly; this person was rather nosy. Still, it wouldnât be polite to snub her.
She didnât know this personâs relationship with Qin Yang; she wouldnât want to create problems for her brother-in-law.
"He doesnât do much, just farms at home."
After saying that, Zhang Guilan turned to leave, only to be blocked by the woman, who continued to scrutinize her with an unabashed stare, and finally laughed, "Farming? Sister-in-law, you donât look like someone who farms."
In the past two years, Zhang Guilan had managed the Bun Shop, leaving home early and returning late. Through summer, she hardly got any sun.
Her once wheat-colored skin from farming had long turned pale.
Plus, being well-nourished during pregnancy, she really looked fair and plump.
When she first came to the city, Lin Chuxia, worried Zhang Guilan would feel suffocated, took her shopping in the city malls. The clothes Zhang Guilan wore now were all newly bought and indeed looked quite respectable.
Zhang Guilan felt uncomfortable under her scrutiny, knowing she looked different from before, so she didnât explain further, simply saying, "Itâs just dressing up a bit to visit relatives. Well, I shouldnât keep you, I have to get home for cooking."