Chapter 567: Secrets

Honestly, considering her current achievements, she’s met quite a few big shots.

Just the other day, she attended city and provincial meetings, interacted with the deputy mayor, Director Bai, and dined at the same table with them.

But what she loves most is this lively scene in front of her.

The people here and their genuine smiles.

These are the ones who followed and supported her from the very beginning.

Today they not only had a banquet but also handed out red envelopes.

Holiday bonuses and prizes from the Qinjiang Chicken Farm, Wangcheng Vegetable Wholesale Market, and the village cadres were all distributed today.

Each thick envelope in hand brought joy to everyone.

And the biggest red envelope was with Lin Chuxia, as she has shares in the pig farm and the vegetable wholesale market.

The village chief had the accountant issue her a receipt, and seeing the string of numbers on it, Lin Chuxia was very satisfied.

Once business was done, it was time to eat and drink.

The village chief originally thought that since Qin Family Village had a bountiful harvest this year, and Lin Chuxia was the rightful contributor, they must ensure she eats well today.

But just as the wine was poured, it was taken away by Qin Yang, who was nearby.

Only then did they realize Lin Chuxia was pregnant.

This was great news; even though the table was full of big men, they knew Qin Yang and his wife had been married for several years.

In those years, Lin Chuxia focused only on her career and finally had time to have a child.

With a child, she certainly couldn’t drink, but she should eat well.

So they began a new round of offering dishes.

In short, the lively atmosphere continued until the afternoon, with the dishes being reheated twice.

Until the men were tipsy and at risk of sleeping here if they didn’t go home, then the banquet dispersed.

Lin Chuxia didn’t drink, and although Qin Yang was made to drink a few glasses, he wasn’t drunk.

If anyone drank the most, it was Qin Han.

Qin Han, being the most familiar with these village cadres and having a straightforward nature and good relations, could drink a couple of glasses with anyone.

Thus, he ended up getting quite tipsy.

Qin Jiang, on the other hand, remained calm throughout; his reserved nature perfectly avoided him being forced to drink.

As the banquet ended, Qin Han was swaying left and right, walking in a zigzag path. Lin Chuxia wanted Qin Yang to support him, but Qin Yang was not pleased.

He cared more about his wife’s well-being than his elder brother’s safety.

It was Qin Jiang who stepped up, putting Qin Han’s arm over his shoulder and helping him back home.

Qin Yang and Lin Chuxia followed behind them, occasionally holding hands.

Until a low giggle came from behind, and they saw Liangliang and Ningning, the two little rascals, trailing behind them at some point.

Along with Qin Jianye from Qinjiang’s family and Niuniu from Qin Wu’s family.

Zhuangzhuang was the cheekiest, pretending to cover his face with his little hands but peeking through his fingers with big eyes.

"Uncle and Auntie, I didn’t see anything, Third Brother told me to watch you two."

Qin Jianye raised his hand and flicked his forehead, "I told you to watch your dad. Second Uncle is certainly drunk, Second Auntie will scold him when they get home. When my dad drinks too much, my mom will scold him. Who told you to watch Fourth Uncle and Fourth Auntie?"

Zhuangzhuang rubbed his head, stubbornly retorting, "You’re lying. You clearly told me to watch Uncle and Auntie. You even said they were holding hands, and that’s something only couples do."

Little Ningning raised her hand, "I know this, Uncle Jia and my mum held hands too. But they did it secretly, thinking I didn’t know, but I already saw it secretly..."

Then she suddenly covered her mouth, her big eyes rolling, "This is a secret; you’re not allowed to tell anyone."

Zhuangzhuang patted his chest, "Don’t worry, I’m the best at keeping secrets."

Qin Jianye wasn’t willing to be left out, "This is our little secret, rest assured, I won’t tell outsiders."

Niuniu also raised her chubby little hand, "Me too."

The little kids were chattering away, making Lin Chuxia laugh heartily.

"Alright, you can save your secrets for later. Auntie bought you candy and cookies, come on, let’s go back, and I’ll get them for you."

Kids love treats the most, and at Lin Chuxia’s words, they whooped and ran home, quickly overtaking Qin Jiang and Qin Han.

Lin Chuxia watched the kids with a smile, imagining that in a few years, her and Qin Yang’s child would be among them too.

But with the children’s reminder, Lin Chuxia remembered that her eldest sister would be returning tomorrow.

Jia Liang would also come over to propose.

"When you go to Yan City to pick them up tomorrow, bring Jia Liang along too; the buses during the New Year are hard to catch."

Qin Yang snorted coldly at the distant roof, "What’s so hard about it? It’s just a little crowded, is he afraid of being stolen by someone?"

Lin Chuxia tickled his palm, "Look at you being all jealous. Well, whatever, just remember to pick up Master, Jianye, and eldest sister, you don’t need to worry about Jia Liang. He can come back however he wants, after all, he’s the one seeking to marry our eldest sister. The more difficult it is, the more sincere he seems."

Qin Yang tightened his grip on her playful fingers, giving a faint "hmm," without saying more.

Lin Chuxia knew that this man was just being stubborn.

......

The weather at the end of the lunar month is the coldest time of the year.

The snow hasn’t melted yet, and with the little northern wind blowing, it chills to the bone.

Luckily, Lin Chuxia was well wrapped up, and the house had heating installed this year. Once inside, the warmth hit, making her feel completely at ease.

"It’s all thanks to Big Brother for installing the heating this year. Living in a house with heating in the city, it would’ve been hard to get used to it here without it."

Lin Chuxia sighed as she took off her coat.

How could she get used to it?

In her past life, she spent decades living in luxury; whether it was an apartment or a villa, the heating was always well set up.

Honestly, the first two winters back without heating were quite a struggle for her.

Thankfully, the Spiritual Spring water nourished her, keeping her healthy this time around.

The kids heard the commotion and ran over from Zhang Guilan’s house.

Once inside, Zhuangzhuang started telling Lin Chuxia, "Auntie, Auntie, my dad got scolded. My mom scolds people fiercely. If baby sister wasn’t sleeping, she would have yelled even louder. I also saw my mom pinching my dad, and he didn’t dare to move."

Qin Jianye, beside him, said earnestly to Zhuangzhuang, "Second Auntie is already very kind. She still let your dad on the kang, took off his shoes, covered him with blankets, and even poured him a glass of water. If my dad gets drunk, he has to share the bed with me, and I have to take off his shoes, cover him with blankets, and pour him water. My mom won’t scold or hit him; she’ll just lock their door and not let him in."