Chapter 60: Good Brothers
It snowed for three days before the sun finally peeked out.
Xu Qing, who had been diligently practicing martial arts at ho, couldn’t stand it anymore. He took Jiang He, who was happily playing gas, outside for so fresh air, and they decided to stop by his family ho for a al.
He was determined to make Jiang He his girlfriend and, sooner or later, introduce her to his family. This was a perfect opportunity—the heavy snow had halted Xu Wenbin’s excavation work, so there was no overti, and he’d been coming ho early for the past few days.
“Don’t get nervous later. We’re just going to eat and chat... You ca from a rural village in Zhejiang to work, got it?”
“Got it.”
Jiang He was wrapped in a fluffy down jacket, a matching fluffy hat, and the fuzzy earmuffs Xu Qing had bought for her. She looked like a little puffball, sliding along the street like a child.
The snow hadn’t lted yet, but the thin layer of compacted snow from the passing vehicles made the road slippery, perfect for a bit of skating.
“Is it fun?” Xu Qing couldn’t understand her. She’d been cold and distant when she first arrived, but now she was getting livelier. Had she finally loosened up?
“Yeah!” Jiang He nodded, jogging forward a few steps and sliding far ahead.
“You never played like this before?”
“Uh-huh...”
She looked down at her shoes, and Xu Qing imdiately understood.
Those old straw shoes she used to wear would freeze her toes off, even if they didn’t fall apart. Nothing like the warm cotton shoes and socks she had now.
In her ti, snow like this was a disaster—roads blocked, people and livestock freezing to death. Those with extra food could stay by the fire and endure it, while those without had to huddle in drafty shacks and hope for the best or brave the snow to gather firewood.
Sitting by the fire, sipping warm wine, and admiring the snow might sound beautiful, but for those delivering coal, even the mules would slip several tis, let alone people.
“Alright, that’s enough. Let’s get in the car.”
The Didi they had booked was waiting nearby. Xu Qing tucked his hands into his sleeves and led Jiang He over, feeling like a father figure.
Once inside the warm car, Jiang He shrank her neck, cupped her hands, and blew on them for warmth, her eyes darting around curiously.
She had already Baidu’d what a car was. It was pretty much what Xu Qing had said: stick a motor... oh, a ma-da into a vehicle, and it could run. She just didn’t know where they put it.
The driver in the front looked quite comfortable—warm, no need to freeze outside, and no need to pull the vehicle. Just sit there and turn the steering wheel.
“Can I do this job?” Jiang He whispered in Xu Qing’s ear.
“Nope, it’s too hard.” Xu Qing whispered back, the two of them murmuring in the backseat. “It’s dangerous. If you hit soone, it could kill them. Don’t even think about it.”
“Oh...”
Jiang He had already expected this, so she wasn’t too disappointed. The jobs here all required high levels of expertise. Simple physical labor was rare—at least she hadn’t seen much of it since arriving. The easiest thing she’d found was playing gas, but gaming didn’t make much money.
“Why don’t you have a car?”
“Because I’m poor.”
“...”
They chatted all the way to the entrance of the Jiahe Complex. Xu Qing had already let his parents know via the group chat that he was coming over with his girlfriend. He also planned to discuss waiving his rent... well, he hadn’t ntioned that part yet; it was just in his head.
Qin Hao also lived in this complex. Xu Qing looked around but didn’t see him. He was probably at work. Qin Hao’s job often involved staggered shifts, not regular days off, so there was no worry about bumping into him. If he saw Qin’s dad, though, he could say hi.
Just as he thought that, he saw a familiar figure walking a dog ahead.
“Uncle Qin!” Xu Qing called out happily, then glanced at Jiang He and whispered, “Hold onto .”
“...”
“Co on.”
Jiang He hesitated for a mont, then grabbed his sleeve and followed him, walking briskly forward.
Fake... this is just pretend...
“Oh!” Qin Maocai turned around, looking lively. The old man tugged on the dog leash and grinned. “So it was you calling ...”
“Where’s Haozi?”
“At work.”
“Working on a weekend... tough guy. This is my girlfriend.” Xu Qing grinned, introducing Jiang He. “Bringing her ho to et my mom and dad. This is Uncle Qin. He almost beca my father-in-law back in the day.”
“You brat, are you just here to show off?” Qin Maocai laughed, seeing right through Xu Qing’s antics. “Go on ho. I just saw your mom carrying groceries back.”
“No, no, it’s been too long since I freeloaded at your place... I’ll bring so drinks over for hotpot one day.”
Xu Qing chuckled as he walked past. “When did you get the dog?”
“Two months ago. His na’s Xiongba.”
“Great na!” Xu Qing gave him a thumbs-up.
“Wait a sec, Qingzi, co here.”
Qin Maocai called him over, lowered his voice, and said, “Teach Haozi a few tricks when you can. Don’t just... you know?” He glanced at Jiang He, nudging Xu Qing with his shoulder.
“Of course, no doubt about it.” Xu Qing replied confidently, then shifted gears. “But Uncle, with Haozi’s job, he barely has ti off. He’s always on the go.”
“Yeah, tell about it!” Qin Maocai slapped his thigh.
“That’s tricky. His workplace is full of guys. Tsk tsk...” Xu Qing shook his head solemnly. “Uncle, Haozi is too honest. You really need to set him up on so blind dates.”
“Blind dates, huh?”
“Yup.”
“Hmm, I’ll have to think about that.”
“You definitely should!” Xu Qing encouraged. “Look at his job—a civil servant, a steady career. That’s pri dating material. If he tries finding soone on his own, he’s too stiff, talks like he’s interrogating people. Not reliable.”
“Hey, you’re right...” Qin Maocai thought it over and realized Xu Qing had a point.
That kid had no clue how to talk to girls, especially now that he was a police officer. He had even less ti. Dating a female officer? Yeah, right. Dream on.
In both families’ eyes, Qin Hao and Xu Qing were the “model children.” Xu Wenbin liked Qin Hao for being dependable, while Qin Maocai liked Xu Qing for being successful, sohow living well without a steady job.
“Uncle, think it over. We’ll head ho.” Xu Qing waved goodbye, adding, “His job is secure, he’s strong, and he’s reliable. That’s attractive. Arrange a few dates for him!”
“Alright, get going!”
Qin Maocai waved them off, strolling slowly with Xiongba. After that chat, his mind was spinning with ideas.
He used to think being a community officer wasn’t impressive. But now? A civil servant, with job security, benefits, and subsidies—that was a good catch. The boy’s only flaw was being too quiet. He definitely needed so help.
“Let’s go ho.”
Xu Qing naturally took Jiang He’s arm—not daring to hold her hand yet. Baby steps.
“What were you talking about?” Jiang He asked curiously. Xu Qing seed oddly pleased.
“Nothing much, just solving a life problem for a friend.”
Good brothers don’t need thanks.
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