Lin Chuxia looked at the incessant woman and finally caught so clues.
Then she observed Qin Jianjun standing straight, facing the woman’s accusations without any hint of sha, much less an angry rebuttal.
He caught a glimpse of Lin Chuxia’s arrival, smiled slightly, and said, "Fourth Aunt, these are Lele’s parents. Can we talk in your office?"
Upon hearing Qin Jianjun’s address, Gao Lele’s mother looked at Lin Chuxia, her eyes changing slightly, but she soon regained her usual haughty deanor.
"I was wondering how such a bold and brazen poor country boy could be, it turns out he has backup."
Lin Chuxia wasn’t upset, "Backup might be overstating it. After all, we from the countryside have no significant background; even if we have so money, we’re just individual entrepreneurs. We can’t compare with city folks."
The woman glanced at her, giving her a look of acknowledging her understanding.
Lin Chuxia pointed upstairs, "Alright, this isn’t the place to talk. It affects the environnt. Since you’re the parents of Gao Lele, let’s talk upstairs."
Gao Lele’s mom also worried about her daughter’s reputation, but the duo’s attitude sowhat eased her irritation.
Upon reaching the office, her tone was rare softer.
"You’re his Fourth Aunt, right? You look young, but since you are an elder, I think it’s better to discuss this matter with you."
Lin Chuxia made a welcoming gesture, signaling her to proceed.
Gao Lele’s mother glanced at Qin Jianjun and continued: "I ca here today with one purpose: Our Lele can definitely not marry a country man. Initially, we as parents didn’t want to get involved, but these two children took things too far. Lele even rejected the match I arranged for her, soone I ticulously chose from our local Yan City people, working in a governnt office, young and talented, a match for our family. I know young people can be foolish, I don’t want Lele to regret later. She’s my only daughter and I definitely cannot allow her to marry a foreigner."
She then turned to Qin Jianjun, "If you really care about Lele, stay away from her, stop pestering her. She’s out of your league. If you continue to enamor her, it’ll never be possible to pass our threshold."
Lin Chuxia chuckled softly, drawing the woman’s attention, "What are you laughing at? In my view, you too have responsibilities in this matter. As his elder, aren’t you ashad of what has happened? I know in your patriarchal view, you’re eager to bring in a city bride to bolster your family’s status, insisting on not sacrificing your face at the expense of trapping our daughter forever in an immoral match."
Lin Chuxia nodded, "I fully understand what Big Sister is saying. But did you ever inquire why Qin Jianjun decided to work here at the mall instead of continuing at the Bun Shop?"
"It’s just a job transfer, isn’t it? I heard that the mall and the Bun Shop have the sa owner. I also know that my Lele has been eager to work at the mall these days, just because of this poor boy."
"It is a job transfer indeed, but also to keep Gao Lele and Qin Jianjun from seeing each other too often."
The woman was even more puzzled, "What do you an?"
"It ans just what it says. Qin Jianjun is still studying and neither he personally nor his family are planning for him to marry so soon, so he was transferred to the mall. I thought by not seeing each other, Lele would gradually lose interest."
"You an our Lele was pursuing him?" The woman’s face flushed, "Impossible, it must be this boy who fooled our Lele."
She couldn’t accept that her daughter liked a poor boy, and this poor boy wasn’t even interested in her daughter.
Lin Chuxia was about to say more, but Qin Jianjun spoke up first, "I have never deceived Gao Lele, I can also assure you, I will not have anything to do with Gao Lele in the future. Gao Lele is a good girl who deserves to be matched by her parents with soone more suitable, that person is definitely not . Please be assured."
Receiving Qin Jianjun’s earnest assurance, the woman was a bit stunned.
Then she also stood up, "Since that’s the case, rember your words from today."
Then she turned to Lin Chuxia, "I’ve imposed enough."
Once the couple left, Lin Chuxia gave Qin Jianjun a thumbs up.
Throughout this ordeal, Qin Jianjun was innocent, yet Gao Lele’s parents caused a scene in the mall without knowing the whole story, embarrassing their daughter publicly. Despite that, Qin Jianjun did not argue but instead took them to the office to talk, protecting Gao Lele’s dignity.
Had he wanted, he could have clarified that from the beginning to the end it was Gao Lele’s unilateral interest, even the Bun Shop staff could testify he never deceived her.
He did not do so; instead he assured Gao Lele’s parents he would distance himself from her.
Whether in public or before colleagues and Gao Lele’s parents, he vigorously maintained Gao Lele’s dignity.
This was a man’s responsibility.
Qin Jianjun never expected Fourth Aunt to see through his intentions. He scratched his head in embarrassnt and smiled, "Though I don’t like Lele, I can’t let her think all her affection was wasted. Consider it a repaynt for her feelings."
"Well done, boy, you’re promising."
He didn’t feel inferior because he was from the countryside, nor did he feel intimidated by Gao Lele’s parents, handling the situation with neither subservience nor arrogance, simply to reciprocate a girl’s sincere affection.
Although he couldn’t reciprocate her feelings, he ensured she didn’t lose face in public.
...
When Lin Chuxia returned ho at noon, she talked to Zhang Guilan about Qin Jianjun.
They had picked up Zhang Guilan on their way back from picking up goods.
These days Lin Chuxia was quite busy, but still less than Qin Juan who always returned from work quite late.
Whenever possible at noon, Lin Chuxia and Qin Yang would co back ho to have lunch.
Zhang Guilan was also visibly pleased after listening, "Our Qin family’s n, though they might appear careless, they are the kindest at heart."
"As parents lead by example, their children follow," said Lin Chuxia.
Qin Liang and Qian Chuncao’s character was really comndable.
Even under Qin Wen’s constant attempts to stir discord between them, he was unsuccessful.
And regarding Qin Lihua, Qian Chuncao still feels apologetic towards Lin Chuxia.
Speaking of Qin Lihua, Zhang Guilan also sighed, "I don’t know how that child turned out this way. I heard that he and Cai Jun also dabbled in so business at ho, and they are getting by, they recently had a baby girl. It happened right before Sun Lanlan’s incident, when big sister was busy with the greenhouse and couldn’t care for her during her confinent."
"One reaps what one sows," said Lin Chuxia, "let’s not talk about her anymore. Sister-in-law, didn’t you want to check out the mall this afternoon? I’ll take you there, see if there’s any clothing you like, my treat."
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