Qi Taiguo listened to the crying coming from Qi Fengping’s room, his brows furrowed tightly, and his face was very unpleasant.
Mother Qi couldn’t bear it and said, "It’s just a movie, if she wants to go, let her go. Why are you being so harsh to her?"
"Mom!" Qi Taiguo forcefully placed his chopsticks on the table and looked at her, saying, "Little Ping is already eighteen, she’s a grown girl. Look at what she’s wearing
, and what’s on her lips? It’s okay to dress up, but at this time dressing like this, what is she planning to do?"
Mother Qi choked and said, "What girl doesn’t like dressing up?" Cheng Su also dresses up beautifully, not to mention this young girl as fresh as a scallion.
"Yes, one should dress up, but putting on lipstick in the middle of the night?" Qi Taiguo remarked with implication, "Mom, Dad, you should discipline her more often, don’t let her cause any trouble, she’s only eighteen and still studying!"
Father Qi’s face changed, he understood Qi Taiguo’s underlying meaning, which was to say Qi Fengping shouldn’t secretly date anyone, as she’s still young and might cause a scandal.
Thinking about it, this girl started to learn how to dress up earlier, her lips often painted bright red, sometimes even giggling foolishly.
Mother Qi suddenly realized, mumbled with her lips, "Nonsense, your sister is not like that."
Qi Taiguo picked up his chopsticks again, saying, "At this time, if a girl is not properly looked after, scandal might follow in the future."
Mother Qi wanted to argue back, Father Qi then scolded, "Eat your meal!"
Qi Jianguo dared not make a sound, with the elder brother around, there was no place for him to speak in this house.
...
Qi Taiguo got up before dawn, greeted Father Qi who also got up early, and ran all the way to Cheng Su’s parents’ house.
Mother Cheng and the others were also already up, busy in the yard, caught off guard when they saw Qi Taiguo.
"Is it Taiguo? Oh my, so early, what brings you here? When did you come back, come in quickly." Mother Cheng wiped her wet hands on her apron, pulling him inside.
"My dad broke his foot bone, I took leave yesterday afternoon and came back, and I have to leave soon, so I came early to see if you were up." Qi Taiguo replied with a smile, "It’s just me, Susu didn’t come back with me."
"How’s your dad? A fracture isn’t a small thing, it takes a hundred days to heal bones and muscles!" Father Cheng asked, then urged Mother Cheng, "Go make some pancakes and cook some porridge, let the son-in-law have breakfast before he leaves."
"Okay, I’ll do it right away!"
Qi Taiguo quickly replied, "Mother-in-law, no need to go to the trouble, we’re cooking at home too."
"We have to eat anyway." Father Cheng said with a smile.
Qi Taiguo had to let them go, then pulled out a cigarette and offered it to his father-in-law, sitting on a small stool to chat.
Although Cheng Su didn’t specifically ask him to visit her parents, being stationed at the army for so long, now home for a rare visit, the distance between their homes was short, not paying a visit would seem improper.
So, taking advantage of the morning exercise, he decided to come by.
Qi Taiguo mentioned Cheng Su’s company participating in a competition, hence she’s very busy and couldn’t come back, but will visit them when she has the time.
Father Cheng said a few words about the importance of work when Cheng Zhi, with sleepy eyes, rushed out with a schoolbag, hesitated seeing Qi Taiguo, respectfully called him brother-in-law, then was in a hurry to leave for school.
Qi Taiguo stopped him, took out a couple of Great Unity RMB bills and tucked them into his hand, saying, "Use it wisely."
Cheng Zhi almost jumped with joy, "Thanks, brother-in-law!" He waved and ran off.
"Why are you giving him money? He’ll just waste it!" Father Cheng feigned anger but had a smile and satisfaction in his eyes. The son-in-law was good to his daughter’s family, which showed he was thoughtful and sensible, a good son-in-law indeed.