"Your aunt heard about your marriage with Jiang and wants you to bring Jiang over for a al when you have ti," Li Shouzhi said.
Li Shouzhi just found out that his niece possessed incredible life-saving skills. Hospitals in Shen City initially wanted to offer her a Fifth Level Position, but she insisted on working in rural areas. What was the reason?
Since his niece ca here, Li Shouzhi and his wife decided to treat her like their own daughter.
That’s why, upon hearing that Xu Qinghuan has a partner, Zhang ifeng eagerly sent Li Shouzhi to find her, wanting to see him as soon as possible.
What if he’s not a good person?
Jiang Xingye was instantly delighted—not because he wanted to eat at their house, but because receiving the attention and recognition from Xu Qinghuan’s family and friends was more important to him than anything else.
Suddenly, he had the feeling of a new son-in-law eting his mother-in-law and regretted not wearing sothing better.
Xu Qinghuan, always reserved and tranquil, also felt the deep affection from the elders. "Why not make it today? It’s only proper to et both parents before the engagent. Since my father is gone, please let my uncle and aunt represent my elder’s responsibilities!"
Li Shouzhi’s nose tingled, and he couldn’t help but gently touch Xu Qinghuan’s head, "Your aunt is waiting at ho, let’s go."
Jiang Xingye said, "Uncle Li, Qinghuan and I have sothing else to do. I’ll bring her to your house later."
Li Shouzhi needed to go to work as well, so he didn’t think much of it and said, "Alright, then co to the house for lunch later. You don’t need to be formal, we are family."
After Li Shouzhi left, Xu Qinghuan then asked, "Is sothing up?"
"I also have a family mber I want you to et."
Along the way, they would pick up so gifts. It’s inappropriate to visit in-laws for the first ti empty-handed.
Embarrassing himself would also an embarrassing Huanhuan.
Jiang Xingye wasn’t one for appearances, but he would give everything not to make people feel he neglected his partner.
Song Shimian saw Jiang Xingye approaching with a young woman in tow, and he imdiately grinned broadly, limping as he ran into the house. "Third Master, Xiao Ye is here with his girlfriend!"
Even Qin Zhengze, typically steady, was surprised and quickly exclaid, "Hurry, bring out the gifts I prepared!"
As Jiang Xingye entered, he held Xu Qinghuan’s hand, "Third Master Qin, Uncle Song, this is my girlfriend Xu Qinghuan."
Song Shimian froze for a mont at Xu Qinghuan’s looks.
Qin Zhengze did the sa.
The girl was incredibly beautiful!
But both were perceptive and quickly recovered.
"Third Master, Uncle Song!" Xu Qinghuan smiled as she greeted them; it was clear that both had considerable status.
"Have a seat!" Third Master Qin was genuinely pleased; he didn’t expect Jiang Xingye to bring his partner over so soon. He promptly handed Xu Qinghuan a gift, "I thought I’d have to wait until after your engagent for Xiao Ye to let et his future daughter-in-law."
Future daughter-in-law? Xu Qinghuan didn’t know how to respond for a mont.
The gift was housed in a small sandalwood box, undoubtedly an antique. Upon opening, she found a pair of imperial green bracelets, a rarity even in later life.
She hesitated, uncertain whether she should accept, and looked towards Jiang Xingye.
Jiang Xingye nodded to her.
Uncle Song, having returned unnoticed, erged to give Xu Qinghuan another gift, "This has been passed down in my family, said to be passed to daughters not sons. I have no daughter, and if you don’t mind, you can take it."
He looked at Xu Qinghuan with complex, but tender, regret-filled eyes.
This was a Phoenix Jade, and Xu Qinghuan was still contemplating whether to accept. Third Master Qin softly said, "If you’re not afraid these things might bring trouble, then take them. Tis won’t always be like this; clouds will dissipate and the sun will shine soday."
"Things our ancestors cherished for thousands of years won’t truly lose their worth; consider it a way to protect their legacy!"
Of course, Xu Qinghuan wasn’t afraid of repercussions.
Old Man Xia had also given her two bowls; she made up a reason about storing them away, but truthfully had placed them into her special space.
Now, she took the opportunity of putting them in her backpack to store them away again. "Thank you, Uncle Song, thank you, Third Master!"
"Uncle Song, I need to go to Huanhuan’s uncle’s house for lunch and should bring gifts for the elders. Can you help pick out a few things?" Jiang Xingye said unreservedly.
Third Master Qin laughed, "You rascal, you never visit unless there’s sothing you need."
Joking aside, Third Master Qin was clearly happy for Jiang Xingye.
Uncle Song prepared two bottles of malted milk, two bottles of Maotai liquor, two boxes of tea, two boxes of peach crisp, two pounds of pork belly, and two old ducks—almost fifty yuan worth.
Jiang Xingye handed the money to Uncle Song, who refused to accept it, so he forcefully stuffed it towards him, and Uncle Song dared not refuse.
Seeing the gifts packed in a burlap sack, Xu Qinghuan was dumbfounded, "All this?"
It’s actually not necessary to bring gifts, but Jiang Xingye certainly wouldn’t agree.
"It’s your first visit; no amount of gift is too much," Third Master Qin smiled and waved them off, "Off you go, show so respect, rascal."
He coughed twice after speaking.
His body would cough when he’s happy, cough when he’s sad, cough on cloudy days, rainy days, windy days—essentially all year except for a few good days.
According to Uncle Song, he was like a living version of Lin Daiyu.
Once they walked away, Jiang Xingye finally spoke to Xu Qinghuan about how he t Qin Zhengze, "I stabbed soone!"
His voice trembled slightly, and Xu Qinghuan, turning and looking into his eyes, earnestly said, "Ah Ye, that wasn’t your fault. Anyone in that situation would have done the sa. Don’t punish yourself for others’ mistakes."
In the alley, there wasn’t a soul in sight.
Jiang Xingye pulled Xu Qinghuan into his arms, his eyes reddening, feeling a surge of emotion and an urge to cry.
"She’s the one who told that man always hits her, showed her wounds, and I beca furious," Jiang Xingye spoke calmly now. "That day, I was in the county, happened to pass her door; actually, I just wanted to see her."
He hadn’t seen his mother in a long ti,
Xu Qinghuan couldn’t fathom; losing his father at nine, his mother remarried, and he was alone. The longing for maternal love was understandably natural.
He likely never thought that his re longing could have nearly led to ruin.
"That animal was beating her, I heard her cries, and rushed in. I began fighting the man, he couldn’t beat , so he grabbed a knife to kill . I was terrified. I set up a trap, he fell for it, and I seized the chance to wrestle the knife from him."
Jiang Xingye recalled his mother screaming, "Murder! Everyone co quickly! This brat is committing murder!"
He was nearly killed by the man, and his mother accused him for the man’s sake.
At that mont, his heart was filled with a mix of rage and despair.
Just as the man picked up a stool to smash him, he dodged, reversed, and slashed the man’s shoulder; whether it was the blood or his mother’s defense that provoked him, he did indeed think of killing the man at that mont.
He wanted to see how his mother would react after he killed the man.
Ultimately, reason overca impulsiveness.
When he saw the man lying in a pool of blood, soone reported to the police, and at that mont, he was afraid too. His father was a hero, but the son beca a murderer. He didn’t know how to face the world’s scrutiny; he feared they’d say he shad his father, and he fled in panic.
Reviews
All reviews (0)