Qin Huairu's Thoughts

Silly Zhu spent half the day teaching Bang Geng, only to end up unappreciated for his efforts.

Being lectured by First Elder and Lin Zhen wasn't a big deal.

But being pinched by Qin Huairu truly left him feeling lost.

He was drinking alone, brooding over his troubles.

Qin Huairu opened the door and came in.

"Why are you drinking by yourself?"

Qin Huairu didn't need to say much; a single look, a slight curl of her lips, and a charming smile were enough.

Silly Zhu's gloomy mood from the entire day vanished.

His usual cleverness was gone, his mind filled only with Qin Huairu's smile.

"Heh heh, weren't you mad at me?"

"Hmph, if I were mad, I wouldn't be coming into your room. What, you don't want Bang Geng to grow anymore today?"

Qin Huairu smiled, her eyes falling on Silly Zhu's lunchbox.

"How could I not? The child is growing, he can't be deprived. Take it, take it all."

Silly Zhu quickly closed the lunchbox, stacked them, and handed them to Qin Huairu.

"Wash them clean for me after you eat."

Qin Huairu smiled in satisfaction. "Don't worry, I'll give them back to you tomorrow at work."

Silly Zhu watched Qin Huairu leave, still feeling pleased. Suddenly, he remembered he hadn't eaten enough.

"What a mess, sigh, I'll just have some coarse grain cornmeal cakes!"

Silly Zhu broke off two cornmeal cakes, poked a chopstick of lard into them, and poured a large bowl of hot water over them.

As he was slurping them down, his sister He Yushui returned.

She came in and laughed, "Brother, is this the food you brought back from the cafeteria today?"

Silly Zhu pouted, "You know the answer, why ask?"

He Yushui laughed, "Sigh, this is just your fate, no one dotes on you!"

"Hey, little girl, do you really wish ill of your brother?"

"I wish you well, but you're not living up to expectations. You're usually so smart, but you get all flustered when it comes to matters of the heart."

"Don't just talk, can you give me some advice?"

"Hmph, Sister Qin's cousin has been here all day. Don't tell me you're not interested."

Silly Zhu chuckled, "Well, she's passable, I suppose."

He Yushui asked, "Then have you talked to Sister Qin? Have you brought it up?"

Silly Zhu shook his head, "No."

He Yushui sighed, "Sigh, you really are a silly brother. You need to bring it up, or Xu Damao and Liu Guangtian will."

Silly Zhu laughed, "No way~ Xu Damao was so scared of Lin Zhen today he called him Grandpa. Jingru doesn't fancy him. Liu Guangtian has the intention, but Second Elder and his wife don't fancy country girls. In the end, Qin Jingru, sigh~ she absolutely has to marry me!"

"Hmph! You analyze it so well, but if you don't bring it up, do you expect her to come to you?"

"No rush, no rush, I'll bring it up tomorrow."

Seeing her brother so carefree and seemingly beyond help, He Yushui huffed in annoyance and returned to her room.

Silly Zhu indifferently continued eating.

The Jia family.

Bang Geng didn't care who was there when he saw the delicious food.

His cheeks were stuffed full, and he kept shoving food into his mouth.

The food Silly Zhu brought back wasn't even enough for him alone.

Qin Huairu, Qin Jingru, and Xiao Dang hadn't even started eating yet, but Bang Geng was almost finished.

Qin Huairu quickly put the dishes away.

"Stop eating, save some for Grandma to eat tomorrow morning, or she'll get angry again."

Qin Jingru pouted, "Won't Auntie eat the cornmeal cakes tomorrow morning?"

Qin Huairu sighed, "She can, but can you stand her giving you the cold shoulder all day?"

Qin Jingru pursed her lips and said nothing.

Xiao Dang pouted, "Mom, I haven't eaten a single bite, Brother ate it all. Can you let me have a little?"

Qin Huairu sighed and picked a peanut, placing it in Xiao Dang's soup bowl.

Bang Geng said unhappily, "Mom, why do we have to save it for Grandma? She's not growing any taller."

"Just shut up. You ate all the food. Even Xiao Dang wouldn't say that."

Qin Jingru asked curiously, "Sister, what do you think of Liu Guangtian in the courtyard?"

"What do you mean, what do I think?"

"I... I'm just asking, okay? I already know about Xu Damao; he's timid and afraid of trouble. Silly Zhu, well, he's indeed a bit foolish. I just don't know what Liu Guangtian is like?"

Qin Huairu chuckled, "What are you planning? Are you in a hurry to get married? How old are you?"

"I'm eighteen. I can start dating and get married."

"Hmph, it's still early."

"It's not early. I want to take this opportunity to stay in the city. Just tell me, out of those three, who is better?"

"None of them are good!"

Qin Huairu said seriously, "Not only is Xu Damao timid and afraid of trouble, but he also does wicked things. Liu Guangtian is scolded and hit by Second Elder as soon as he opens his mouth at home, and Second Elder certainly doesn't look favorably on your background."

"Then... what about Silly Zhu?"

Qin Huairu paused, "Silly Zhu... you two aren't suited for each other."

"Why not? Is he really stupid?"

"Hmph, he's not stupid at all."

"Then why not?"

"Sigh, don't ask. You'll know when the time comes."

"Mmm... then how much is his monthly salary?"

"37 yuan and 5 jiao."

"That much? Then can you put in a good word for me? If it works out, can we start dating? Please?"

Qin Huairu, worn down, could only nod.

"Let's be clear first, don't blame me if it doesn't work out."

"Got it, thank you, Sister!"

Qin Huairu inwardly didn't want her cousin to marry Silly Zhu.

If they got married, Silly Zhu would have someone from his own family, and it wouldn't be so easy to "bleed" him anymore.

She knew what her cousin was like.

If they really got married, she would definitely control Silly Zhu's extravagant spending, and it might even cause a rift with their own family.

Middle of the night.

Lin Zhen was fast asleep when he suddenly heard someone running rapidly.

Heavy footsteps, almost landing heel first.

Running fast, he crossed the central courtyard to the street in just a few steps.

He didn't hear any heavy breathing, so he was probably holding his breath.

He left the siheyuan and ran towards the public restroom.

It was definitely First Elder Yi Zhonghai.

It seemed the big yellow bean soup had taken effect. He might not be able to go to work tomorrow.

"Hehehe..."

"What are you laughing at? Not sleeping in the middle of the night, dreaming sweet dreams?"

"Hehe, it's nothing, I'm going to sleep..."

The next morning.

Qin Huairu brought Silly Zhu his lunchbox.

Silly Zhu chuckled, "Sister Qin, does your cousin like living in the city?"

"She's from the countryside, how could she not like it?"

"Does she want to live in the city?"

Qin Huairu, impatient, said, "Just say what you want to say. I still need to go to the hospital!"

"Oh dear, don't be angry. I just wanted you to put in a good word for me. If it works out, won't we become relatives? Dongxu will be my brother-in-law, and Bang Geng will be my nephew, Xiao Dang my niece..."

"Dream on!"

Before Silly Zhu could finish, Qin Huairu turned and left.

Silly Zhu was left utterly confused.

"Did he take the wrong medicine? Why is he getting angry with me?"

Silly Zhu mumbled as he walked to the front yard and saw Lin Zhen preparing to ride his bicycle to work.

"Hey, hey, hey, Lin Zhen, wait up!"

"Get lost, don't try to bum a ride!"

"I have something to ask you. I'll bring you a bottle of wine tonight!"

"What is it? Go ahead and say it."

"I want to ask Qin Jingru out. This morning, I mentioned it to Sister Qin, and she was indifferent. I don't get it. If I marry Qin Jingru, won't I become related to the Jia family? Why does she seem a little unhappy about it?"

Lin Zhen chuckled, "You want to marry Qin Jingru?"

Silly Zhu nodded, "Yeah!"

"Then you should just go talk to Qin Jingru directly! Why are you bothering Qin Huairu?"

"Heh~ That's right! Why do I get confused every time it comes to matters of the heart?"

"Even if you weren't confused, you still wouldn't be able to marry Qin Jingru."

"Who says?"

"Me! If you've got what it takes, go find Qin Jingru right now and tell her let's get married."

"Oh, come on. You're just giving me bad advice. I'm not a hooligan. Just watch my performance tonight! I guarantee I'll win her over!"

They left for work.

Xu Damao came out from the backyard and walked to the Jia family's door, softly calling out, "Jingru, are you up?"

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