Jian Zhiqing didn’t dwell on this matter. For him, getting that stone to nod was not easy, but luckily, the stone did eventually nod. In fact, Qin Xiangyang still doesn’t understand Qin Xiangnuan. The little girl isn’t really just a stone; she’s just too guarded, perhaps because of things that happened in her childhood, which is why she always keeps people at a distance. The unbreakable shackles that others want to smash are also ones she herself desires to break.
But let’s not talk about that for now. Those things, after all, have shattered a bit, haven’t they? As for seniority and such, just go with the flow, right?
Qin Xiangnuan had thought that their relationship had been revealed so suddenly, perhaps there was supposed to be an adjustment period. However, it seems she thought too much; there wasn’t even time for her to get used to it, to adapt.
Li Qiuhua had already come over, and she, along with Granny Lu, had begun discussing the wedding enthusiastically. They chatted away so fervently that they completely ignored the main subject, Qin Xiangnuan.
She lay on the table, her notebook filled with design sketches, which ended up looking like chicken scratch. Indeed, she had a hard time.
What’s the difference between marrying early or late?
There is no difference. Qin Xiangnuan lifted her face, shoving her notebook and everything else to one side, losing her mood.
She propped up her face with one hand, thinking of Jian Zhiqing’s mature and handsome face. The Jian Family’s genes were quite unfair; whether it was Jian Ming, Jian Zhiqing, or Jian Zhiqin, they all had a good appearance. Moreover, the Jian Family’s traditions were very upright, and women in the Jian Family always held a higher status than men. Qin Xiangnuan felt like she had hit the jackpot, struck it rich – like she had gotten herself a fine cabbage.
Actually, what difference does it make between being married and not? It seems there isn’t any, except that they will be living together in the future. And when she thought of that, Qin Xiangnuan couldn’t help but feel scared. Those matters between men and women were what she feared the most and was the least willing to approach.
But Qin Xiangnuan knew that Jian Zhiqing was not Wang Dali. Her mistakes in the past life weren’t because of him, and she hadn’t met him then. If she had met him, perhaps her life wouldn’t be the same. On second thought, it seems she was overthinking again. She’s already entangled with Jian Zhiqing, wrapped up in everything together, destined to intertwine for a lifetime. As for the rest, she let go of her worries – they can arrange it however they like.
She was currently busy preparing for the opening of her fashion store. She was working on the clothes for the store, but the opening would have to wait until next year. Therefore, it’s best to get everyone’s concerns out of the way first, so that all those curious glances wouldn’t land on her. The feeling of being watched and scrutinized, just like a panda every day, was indeed somewhat embarrassing. She could only relax a bit when she was in the system; at other times, it was either Granny Lu dragging her to talk about this and that or Li Qiuhua taking her out shopping.
After much discussion, both families decided to let Qin Xiangnuan and Jian Zhiqing live in the Siheyuan. Originally, they had planned on a large Siheyuan, but since they had built a web cafe in the backyard, Li Qiuhua always felt uneasy about that place. Even though it was her son who opened it, she didn’t really like it. She thought that although young people frequented web cafes, they are not respectable places, and if Jian Zhiqin ever dared to go there, Li Qiuhua would definitely beat him with a broom. Instead of studying properly, he just sneaks into the web cafe.
Jian Zhiqin was pretty pitiful, and he felt sorry for himself.
Even though his family owned a web cafe, he wasn’t allowed to go there. His brother already had a computer, and he wanted one too, but he didn’t dare to ask for one because he was afraid of getting beaten. Although he now had some assets of his own, having shared quite a sum of Spring Festival couplets money with Taotao, his mother controlled all of it, not giving him a single cent.
So, it’s clear that adults just don’t understand them, not at all.
Out of frustration, he even ran away from home, ending up at Granny Lu’s place, claiming that if he wasn’t bought a computer, he wouldn’t return home.
Li Qiuhua didn’t bother with him; with Jian Zhiqing around, Jian Zhiqin couldn’t even think about going to the web cafe.
They wouldn’t let him in – what was the point? Jian Zhiqin didn’t know how many complaints he had about this. Taotao was still young and didn’t know the joys of the internet, but once he grew up a bit, they, as brothers, would unite to stand against the adults at home. They wanted freedom, democracy, to seize power, and their New Year’s money.
"I want democracy," suddenly shouted Jian Zhiqin.
"Democracy what?" Jian Zhiqing slapped Jian Zhiqin’s head. "Go wash the clothes you took off."
Jian Zhiqin put down his fist that he had just held up in the air, realizing he had gotten too carried away and blurted out his inner thoughts. Now he meekly went to wash his clothes.
Even though the Jian Family had few members, their influence in the Capital City was not small. However, Jian Zhiqing’s wedding was a low-key affair, inviting only close relatives and friends.
Qin Xiangnuan had many classmates come over, including Mao Xiaomei, who had become a teacher, and Li Li, who was now a doctor. They all showed up.
"After all, you chose Brother Jian," Li Li said with a smile. During their toughest times, both women were supported by Qin Xiangnuan, who covered their high school meal expenses for three years. They didn’t suffer much, so their relationship with Qin Xiangnuan was much better than with ordinary classmates. This time, for Qin Xiangnuan’s wedding, they could almost predict it, and other than Jian Zhiqing, nobody else would even be considered.
Mao Xiaomei teasingly bumped Qin Xiangnuan. "Spill it, what base have you reached? Is it that you’ve boarded the bus first and now need to pay the fare?"
Three black lines slid down Qin Xiangnuan’s face. Could Mao Xiaomei be more crude?
"What about you two?" She tossed the bomb right back at them. Both of them were about the same age as her, with ordinary family conditions. Now they were finally making money and had found good jobs. She just wondered how they were doing now, whether they had partners yet.
"I’m still a lone wolf," Mao Xiaomei pounced on Li Li, sniffling pathetically. "I was saying I’d become your sister-in-law, but look, now you even have a little nephew."
"Why didn’t you make a move earlier?" Qin Xiangnuan, with a hand on each of them, pinched their faces. Her brother was such a good catch and back then nobody wanted him. In the end, it was her sister-in-law with true vision who picked him out, and now look how well they are doing.
Both girls laughed and begged Qin Xiangnuan for mercy. They were just saying it for fun; they weren’t Qin Xiangnuan, always picking from nearby, but then again, since their grass was greener, not eating it would be the real foolishness. Also, neither of them felt a spark for Qin Xiangyang, Qin Xiangnuan’s older brother; otherwise, they wouldn’t have waited until now and would have made a move earlier.