Chapter 104 : Meeting the Parents

“I’m not saying that getting married is wrong, but you can’t just marry any girl.”

“What kind of girl?” As soon as Xiao Jinhua heard Qu Qingying’s discontented tone, the smile on her face faded. “What kind of girl should Fan Yanxing marry?”

Qu Qingying was stunned by this question. She hesitated for a long time before replying, “At the very least, the family background should be comparable, or the person should have outstanding abilities. One of these points should be met.”

Hearing this, Xiao Jinhua smiled and said, “Let me tell you, the girl you look down on has now made it into the Provincial Broadcasting Bureau on her own. And your so-called excellent son is currently just in the Country Finance Bureau.”

The difference between the provincial and country levels is like the difference between heaven and earth.

Qu Qingying’s expression froze. This statement felt like a heavy slap to her face, leaving her at a loss for words. Xiao Jinhua, not giving her a chance to be silent, continued, “Does this mean Fangming knows about this too? Does he share your view?”

Qu Qingying’s brows slowly knitted together as she thought about this. She never expected that her husband, who had always been on her side, would suddenly agree to this and even persistently advise her not to meddle in the younger generation’s affairs.

She admitted that he made a valid point and she agreed with him, but she couldn’t shake the frustration inside her.

“Not exactly.”

Upon hearing this, Xiao Jinhua and Qu Anming exchanged a glance, both showing a glimmer of understanding. If Fangming nodded, the matter was almost settled. As for the remaining uncertainty, it could be ignored. Even though they didn’t know how Fan Yanxing managed to convince his father, the outcome was positive!

The two of them hadn’t even started laughing yet when Qu Qingying’s voice rose with frustration. “The children are closest to their mothers how come in our family, things are so different? Such a big event, and Yanxing told everyone but me!”

“If you weren’t always opposing Yanxing at every turn…”

“Yes, the child is yours, but everyone is an independent individual with their own thoughts. You can’t always constrain him and think you’re doing what’s best for him. That will only have the opposite effect and drive a wedge between you.”

Qu Anming agreed, “Your mother is right. Look at us, we never meddle with you. You can do whatever you want, and we only offer advice when it’s appropriate. In the end, it’s still up to you to make the final decision, isn’t it?”

“The children like each other and want to marry. So be it. Does the Fan family really need to resort to arranged marriages? How could it come to this?” The final sentence was delivered with a deep layer of sarcasm.

The long string of words left Qu Qingying in deep contemplation for a long time. Her fingers intertwined, and her brows were tightly knit together. Eventually, she couldn’t help but think to herself, Was she really wrong?

She didn’t say anything, and neither did Xiao Jinhua and Qu Anming. They simply continued to sit on the bench eating persimmons, each one plump and round. Peeling off the skin revealed soft, sweet, orange flesh, and taking a bite would fill the mouth with juice.

As time ticked by, Qu Qingying suddenly sprang to her feet from the bench. “Do you have a photo of that girl?”

Knowing her daughter well, Xiao Jinhua immediately understood that Qu Qingying had come to terms with the situation. She smiled and told Qu Anming to fetch the photos from the room. Meanwhile, she continued talking, “Don’t worry, she’s beautiful!”

Qu Qingying twitched her mouth, but at the same time, a hint of anticipation rose in her heart. Qu Anming moved quickly, bringing a few photos and envelopes to Qu Qingying.

“These are the ones Yanxing sent back. Take a look.”

Seeing the familiar handwriting on the envelopes, Qu Qingying recognized that these were from her son. However, she was too impatient to read the lengthy letters and focused all her attention on the photos.

In the black-and-white photos, a woman and a man sat side by side. They either looked at each other with smiles, or maintained a dignified posture, or looked shyly downward…

Every gesture and expression conveyed the fact that they loved each other. The woman was beautiful and the man handsome, it was clear they were a perfect couple, making one want to offer blessings just by looking at them.

Qu Qingying’s fingertips lightly brushed over the photos, murmuring, “She’s indeed beautiful.”

At that moment, the opposition in her heart completely vanished.

“They’re getting married at the end of the year. We should go to their wedding.”

Xiao Jinhua swiftly took the photos back from Qu Qingying’s hands and held them protectively, “There are only a few photos, so don’t damage them.”

Qu Qingying, speechless, replied, “Got it.”

“It would have been better if you had thought this way earlier.” Xiao Jinhua couldn’t help but make a remark. Seeing Qu Qingying’s displeasure, she quickly changed the subject.

As December arrived, despite being in the southern region, the cold wind still cut through the skin. Everyone preferred to stay indoors rather than face the harsh weather outside.

Logically, Liang Qingqing should have been curled up in her dorm room reading at this time, but today she broke from her routine and got up unusually early. She meticulously prepared herself from head to toe, donning the black coat she had just had made a few days ago, her long hair styled into a bun, and wrapping a white scarf around her neck, leaving only half of her charming face visible. She scrutinized her reflection in the mirror from various angles until she was almost late, finally deciding it was time to leave.

As she came downstairs, she saw Fan Yanxing waiting outside. Today, they were dressed in a particularly matching manner. His gray coat accentuated his tall and slender figure, broad shoulders and narrow waist, and with his handsome features, he was exceptionally attractive. Even the red leaves behind him seemed to serve as a backdrop.

Liang Qingqing hurried over to him in quick steps, “How do I look today? Do I look good?”

Fan Yanxing, still a bit startled, withdrew the hand he had half extended as Liang Qingqing steadied herself. After giving her a serious look, he smiled slightly, though his tone carried a hint of acidity, “You look good, but you really didn’t need to dress up so carefully just to meet them.”

“Why wouldn’t you need to? This is my first time meeting your relatives, so of course I want to make a good impression.” Liang Qingqing was unconcerned with Fan Yanxing’s sudden display of jealousy but couldn’t help rolling her eyes inwardly.

This guy even gets jealous about his own relatives, such a petty person.

Instead of dwelling on this topic, they quickly finished breakfast and hurried to the train station.

The train station was as crowded as ever. They found a sheltered corner to stand in. Liang Qingqing had forgotten her gloves and had to keep her hands tucked tightly in her pockets, not daring to take them out for even a moment.

“Want me to warm them up for you?”

Liang Qingqing had been focused on the exit when she heard the familiar voice and turned in surprise. She saw Fan Yanhang using the ample fabric of his long coat to shield their interaction from view and then extended his hand to her.

She glanced around, noting that no one was paying attention to them, and boldly took his hand.

His warm, large hand felt like a small furnace against her cold one in the chilly wind, making it hard to let go. Liang Qingqing looked at Fan Yanxing’s chiseled profile, her lips curling into a teasing smile as she winked at him. “Why are you so nice?”

She knew her hands were like ice in winter, but when she touched his hand, he had instinctively pulled back slightly and then held her hand even tighter, even pressing it against his own warm skin around his waist to ensure she stayed warm.

“I’m only this nice to you,” Fan Yanxing replied with a thick skin, unreservedly accepting her praise, his eyes sparkling with a hint of smugness.

Seeing his “self-satisfied” expression, Liang Qingqing felt a bit regretful for complimenting him. She decided to shift her gaze and focused intently on the exit.

The clock hands on the watch kept moving, and soon the exit was filled with waves of people emerging.

Liang Qingqing, with her sharp eyes, spotted Fan Fangming as soon as he appeared. She excitedly and nervously grabbed Fan Yanxing’s arm and pointed out, “The person in black clothes at the far right exit is your dad, right?”

“Yes,” Fan Yanxing nodded, and together with Liang Qingqing, they walked in that direction. Liang Qingqing was so nervous that she almost mirrored his movements, taking several deep breaths to control her overwhelming emotions.

“Uncle!” The first to spot Fan Yanxing were two little kids, who immediately rushed to hug his legs, their small faces looking up as they expressed their feelings of missing him.

Fan Yanhang smiled and patted their heads before looking towards the group of people not far away. “Why did you bring them along?”

“Once they heard there would be a new aunt, they insisted on coming. And they kept their eyes fixed on the girl standing behind you.”

Not just her, but everyone was staring in the same way, eyes wide with curiosity.

“This is my girlfriend, Liang Qingqing.” Fan Yanxing introduced Liang Qingqing, who, though slightly uneasy, managed to remain composed and allowed herself to be scrutinized. The onlookers couldn’t help but nod in approval.

“Finally meeting her in person, let me have a look.” Xiao Jinhua eagerly stepped forward, taking Liang Qingqing’s hand. Her eyes, crinkled with joy, showed her delight. After chatting briefly with Liang Qingqing, she cleared her throat and gave Qu Qingying a meaningful look.

Qu Qingying understood and stepped forward. Her voice was slightly awkward but overall gentle, “From now on, we are family. Don’t feel too restrained.”

“Okay.” Liang Qingqing, interacting with her future mother-in-law for the first time, found the encounter quite pleasant. Qu Qingying seemed kind and approachable, not at all like the harsh mother-in-law she had feared.

“Stop standing around, let’s go to the guesthouse and talk there.”

“Sure.”

The group arrived in grand style and left in the same fashion, drawing a lot of attention with their high attractiveness.

After dropping off their luggage at the guesthouse, they didn’t have time to rest and headed straight to a state-owned restaurant for a meal. The two little kids, having learned that Liang Qingqing would be their future aunt, clung to her, asking all sorts of questions and making her laugh and cry at the same time.

Fortunately, with the mischievous Songzi around, Liang Qingqing had her own effective methods for handling kids. It wasn’t long before the children started listening to her.

“At last, there’s someone at home who can handle them,” Fan Yajun said, covering her mouth with a smile.