Ye’s mother was worried about discussing Sun Ming at the dinner table with Gu Yi, feeling that Ye Qian might feel embarrassed.
She waited until after lunch when everyone had eaten, and Gu Yi had returned to his room, to talk to her.
"Yiyi, Mom went to the store today."
As soon as Ye’s mother entered the room, she spoke to Gu Yi.
"How was it? Did you find anything?"
Gu Yiyi perked up at Ye’s mother’s words.
"Yes, you know the person too, it’s Sun Ming."
Ye’s mother said excitedly.
"Sun Ming seems like a decent person."
She knew Sun Ming as well; initially, he was brought by Li Yitian to find her. He seemed capable and polite.
"How did you discover the two of them?"
"When I went there, the two were chatting happily. I went in and chatted with Sun Ming for a bit, and discovered the young man seems to have an interest in Qianqian."
Ye’s mother narrated the events at the store to Gu Yi in detail.
"Have you asked Qianqian if she and Sun Ming have confessed their feelings to each other?"
Gu Yi could tell from Ye’s mother’s words that she was quite satisfied with Sun Ming.
"I asked Qianqian; Sun Ming has already expressed his feelings to her. Qianqian herself likes him too, but she feels it’s a bit fast, so she’s observing."
Ye’s mother told Gu Yi about her conversation with Ye Qian.
"Is Qianqian worried about something similar to what happened with Wu Liang?"
Gu Yi felt that Ye Qian’s caution surely had to do with Wu Liang.
"I think it’s related to that to some extent. Yiyi, can you ask Yitian about Sun Ming’s character and family situation, okay?"
Ye’s mother initially wanted to urge Gu Yi to find out as soon as possible, but considering Gu Yi still had to go to school, she held back.
"Sure, I’ll give Yitian a call in a bit, see if he’s free to come over these days, and once I’ve looked into it, I’ll tell you."
Gu Yi knew Ye’s mother was anxious to learn more about Sun Ming’s situation; she herself was too.
She was concerned that Ye Qian’s future might be compromised like with Wu Liang.
"Alright then, you rest first."
Ye’s mother saw that Gu Yi had agreed, remembering she had class in the afternoon, and quickly left the room to let Gu Yi sleep well.
"What did you rush off to talk to Yiyi about? Acting all mysterious."
Ye’s mother returned to the room with a smile still on her face.
Ye Fu saw her come in and asked.
Ye Fu spoke, startling Ye’s mother a bit.
Ye’s mother looked at Ye Fu, wondering if men’s minds were made of rough ropes.
Ye Fu often went to the store, but hadn’t noticed Ye Qian and Sun Ming’s interactions.
"If there’s nothing, why are you smiling so happily? Tell me so I can be happy too."
The more Ye’s mother didn’t say, the more curious Ye Fu became.
"Old man, let me ask you something. What do you think of Sun Ming as a person?"
Ye’s mother decided to ask Ye Fu about Sun Ming’s character.
"Sun Ming? He’s a good young man, very capable, methodical in his work, and very courteous to people. Why did you suddenly think of asking about him?"
Ye Fu thought Sun Ming was really good.
But he couldn’t quite grasp why Ye’s mother was asking about him out of the blue.
"If he were to be your son-in-law, what would you think?"
Ye’s mother suddenly asked.
"He’d make a good son-in-law."
Ye Fu casually replied and then looked up at Ye’s mother.
"Do he and Qianqian have something going on?"
He thought for a moment and then excitedly sat next to Ye’s mother.
"You deny being slow-witted, yet you often go to the store and haven’t noticed that your daughter and Sun Ming are a bit different?"
Ye’s mother rolled her eyes at Ye Fu.
"When I’m there, I focus on watching people work; I don’t notice so much. How did you find out?"
Ye Fu chuckled and scratched the back of his head.
"I saw your daughter acting a bit strangely, so I went to the store to take a look."
"That’s great. Sometimes when I watch Sun Ming work at the store, I think it’d be nice if he were my son-in-law; I didn’t expect it might actually happen."
Ye Fu spoke as if Sun Ming were already his son-in-law.
"Don’t get too excited, husband. We don’t know how their relationship will develop yet. I just went to talk to Yiyi about looking into Sun Ming’s specific situation; we can’t let something like Wu Liang’s happen to Qianqian again."
Ye’s mother spoke seriously to Ye Fu.
Even if Ye Qian never married, as a mother, she didn’t want her child to suffer any harm.
"Alright, I understand. This time I won’t interfere blindly."
Ye Fu recalled how he had unintentionally caused trouble with the Wu Liang issue, deciding not to meddle again.
After waking up, Gu Yi quickly called Li Yitian to ask if he’d be coming by soon.
Li Yitian said there were some things at the store and he would have time to come over tomorrow afternoon.
They agreed to meet tomorrow afternoon, and Gu Yi rushed off to school.
A while later, Ye Qian also left home and headed to the store.
Ye Fu initially thought about tagging along to see.
He was pulled back by Ye’s mother.
"I’ll just take a look and promise not to say anything out of line."
Ye Fu quickly assured.
"No way, don’t go causing trouble. Stay home and help me sort the vegetables."
Ye’s mother knew Ye Fu; even if he said nothing, others could still sense his intentions.
To be safe, Ye’s mother decided to keep Ye Fu at home.
"Alright, I’ll stay home and sort the vegetables peacefully."
Ye Fu saw Ye’s mother’s determination and knew he wouldn’t go to the store that day.
The next afternoon, Gu Yi rushed to Jingying Second Store after class to find Li Yitian.
"Why did you need to see me? You wouldn’t say on the phone yesterday."
Li Yitian asked as soon as he saw Gu Yi.
Gu Yi noticed others around and didn’t directly bring up Sun Ming.
"Well, I have something I’d like to consult you about. Have you eaten yet?"
She smiled as she approached Li Yitian.
"Not yet. How about you?"
"I haven’t either. Want to grab something to eat together?"
"Alright, just wait a bit for me."
Li Yitian also knew there were others, and she wasn’t convenient to ask, plus he hadn’t eaten.
They found a noodle shop; it was mealtime, so it was quite crowded, and they had to wait outside.
Li Yitian suddenly asked Gu Yi.
"I just wanted to ask you about Sun Ming’s character and his family’s situation."
Gu Yi got straight to the point.
"Sun Ming? Why did you think of asking about him?"
Li Yitian was quite curious.
"I have my reasons, so just tell me. How did you guys meet?"
Gu Yi wasn’t sure how to say it was for Ye Qian, so she playfully dodged the direct question.
However, she was curious how they met.
"Sun Ming was my high school classmate. Back then, he and his parents had just moved to B City, and life was quite tough. But he studied diligently without feeling inferior like some others who had just come to B City. Maybe because he’s from the north, his personality is quite forthright, and we gradually became familiar. After graduation, he went to B University, and I went abroad, but we’ve kept in touch."