Chapter 20: Qin Sui Comes to Pick Her Up

The usual plotline.

“Oh.” Lin Su’s reaction was flat.

Seeing that she wasn’t jealous or angry, Gu Lin continued, “Aren’t you curious who that person is?”

“Not curious.”

This attitude is suspicious.

Gu Lin became interested, “Don’t you like Brother Qin?”

“Whether I like him or not is none of your business?” Lin Su’s words were barbed.

She thought Gu Lin would get angry, but she didn’t. Instead, she laughed.

“Hey, I like your personality,” Gu Lin moved a chair and sat next to Lin Su, speaking without any restraint, “At first, I thought you were the type who was weak, only knew how to act, and liked to seek sympathy.  I didn’t expect your personality to be so… special.”

Beautiful and spicy, to her liking.

Unlike that little white flower in the art troupe, who wasn’t as pretty as Lin Su and had a disgusting personality, only knowing how to seek men’s sympathy and calling everyone “brother.”

Just thinking of her made Gu Lin feel nauseous.

Lin Su was speechless.

Gu Lin said again, “Actually, Brother Qin doesn’t have someone he likes. I said that on purpose, and I didn’t expect you to answer like that.”

Lin Su remained silent.

Gu Lin didn’t mind her attitude and continued, “But there are a lot of people who like him.  But I don’t understand why so many people are eager to be stepmothers. Is it that easy to be a stepmother?”

They were used to living in the city and called their mothers “Ma,” while Lin Su and others called theirs “Niang,” but the meaning was the same.

Lin Su gestured for her to look at Qin Keke in her arms, “Isn’t he cute?”

“Cute.” Gu Lin only then noticed Qin Keke.  She was about to reach out to touch him, but Lin Su hugged him away.

“Even if he’s cute, you can’t touch him.”

Gu Lin: “…” This person is quite vengeful.

But she was beautiful, so Gu Lin didn’t mind, “I’m not saying you’re bad, I’m talking about them.”

Lin Su was about to answer when Wang Qiu came out with tea.  Seeing them chatting happily, she smiled, “I didn’t expect you two to get along so well. Gu Lin has a quirky personality, and few people get along with her.”

Gu Lin ignored her mother’s comment and tried to lure Qin Keke with candy, but the child, though small, was exceptionally alert.

It took Lin Su a long time to get him to lower his guard, let alone Gu Lin, who had only met him once.

Lin Su smiled, took the tea from Wang Qiu, put it aside, and took out the things from the basket, “Newly made, try some.”

Wang Qiu was about to politely refuse, but Gu Lin reached out and took some.

After tasting it, Gu Lin gave a thumbs up, “It’s even better than what’s sold at the supply and marketing cooperative.”

Wang Qiu glared at her and apologetically looked at Lin Su, “This child is spoiled.”

Lin Su actually liked Gu Lin’s outgoing personality.  She smiled, “It’s okay, I just brought it for you to try.”

Gu Lin interjected, “It’s so delicious. Can I come and see you often?”

Before Lin Su could answer, Wang Qiu patted Gu Lin’s back, “You little rascal, don’t think I don’t know what you’re up to!”

Gu Lin smiled ingratiatingly.

Lin Su felt a little envious.  In her two lifetimes, she hadn’t had such a close mother-daughter relationship.

Thinking this, she said, “You’re welcome anytime.”

“Really?” Gu Lin, being very familiar, linked arms with Lin Su, “You’re so nice, I like you even more.”

Lin Su was a little uncomfortable but didn’t want to push her away.

However, Qin Keke in her arms got angry. He hugged Lin Su’s arm and declared domineeringly, “She’s mine!”

Gu Lin burst out laughing, and Wang Qiu followed suit.

Lin Su wanted to laugh but held back.

Gu Lin wanted to tease the child, but the child was clearly not easy to tease.  He was small but shrewd, even turning his back to her.

Lacking experience with children, Gu Lin could only talk to Lin Su, “Don’t mind me. I’m like this, a little quirky.”

Lin Su comforted Qin Keke, stroking his hair.  Hearing this, she asked, “What?”

“I like beautiful people, except for that pretentious woman in the art troupe.”

Lin Su didn’t ask who the “pretentious woman” was, only saying, “I have a quirk too. I’m a fetishist.”

“What’s a fetishist? Do you like objects?”

“Yes, especially money.”

Gu Lin laughed loudly after understanding.

Wang Qiu, seeing her and Lin Su chatting happily, got up to prepare a return gift.

After laughing, Gu Lin said, “You know, when they found out you came to join the army, they said you were a country bumpkin and that you were ugly and didn’t match Brother Qin. They were all indignant on Brother Qin’s behalf.”

“One woman with a problem even stopped Brother Qin, saying she wanted to help him find the leader to get a divorce.”

“Guess what Brother Qin said?”

Lin Su wasn’t interested and shook her head.

Gu Lin said on her own, “He told the girl how to get to the hospital and earnestly told her to get treatment. Haha, it’s hilarious. The girl was ridiculed for a long time and still can’t hold her head up.”

Lin Su twitched the corner of her mouth politely.

“Brother Qin is a widower with three children, but otherwise, he’s quite good.  Because he’s good, many girls covet him. You need to have a sense of crisis,” Gu Lin advised.

Because they had no emotional foundation, Lin Su didn’t have much feeling about this, but she still thanked her for the reminder.

“By the way, I heard from my mother that it was Aunt Huang who spread rumors about you, but don’t worry, Aunt Huang’s husband found out and gave her a beating.  We haven’t seen her come out these days,” Gu Lin gave her another piece of news.

Lin Su raised her eyebrows, “I thought her husband would just scold her.”

“No way. If he didn’t discipline his wife, Brother Qin would discipline him.”

“Really?”

“Why would I lie to you? Don’t be deceived by Brother Qin’s appearance. He’s actually quite mischievous and protective.  Speaking of which, he’s been quite good to you and even sought justice for you.”

Thinking of those girls in the art troupe, always saying that Qin Sui would divorce Lin Su, Gu Lin wanted to laugh.

Lin Su is so beautiful, and Brother Qin protects her. They would divorce only in a dream.

She really should take Lin Su to the art troupe to let them see who is really ugly and who is the country bumpkin.

At this time, Wang Qiu came out, putting a lot of good things into Lin Su’s basket. Lin Su was about to refuse when Wang Qiu said,

“It’s not for you, it’s for the three children.”

But she saw the ginseng hidden inside.  This was probably to help her replenish her health.

Aunt Wang was really great to their family.

Lin Su didn’t thank her; it would seem too formal. She would make something delicious and send it to them later.

Seeing her accept it, Wang Qiu smiled, “How are you and Qin Sui lately? Do you want to have another one?”

Their real relationship wasn’t something they could easily share, so Lin Su could only answer vaguely, “Just like that. I don’t plan to have another one. My health isn’t good; I can’t get pregnant.”

Wang Qiu nodded, “Yes, yes, yes. I forgot about that. Your health really can’t handle another pregnancy. But three children are enough. Treat them well, and when they grow up, they’ll treat you like their own mother.”

“Yes.”

Qin Keke, though a small child, sat still. They thought he didn’t understand, but he didn’t really understand.

But he did understand one thing: when he heard about having another child, his licking of the candy stopped. When he heard Lin Su say she didn’t plan to have another one, he continued licking the candy, his eyes sparkling, clearly very happy.

His little feet even tapped excitedly.

He was too young to understand selfishness. He just wanted Lin Su to love only the three of them, and to love him a little more.

Lin Su didn’t notice Qin Keke’s happiness.  Thinking he wanted to play, she wanted to put him down, but he tightly grasped her hand and refused to let go.

With no choice, Lin Su could only continue to hold him.

Hearing Lin Su’s ambiguous answer, Gu Lin felt that Lin Su and Brother Qin’s relationship might not be good.

Brother Qin always had a cold face, a cold personality, and usually didn’t speak to them unless necessary. He wasn’t very considerate either.

Could it be that his lack of romance made Lin Su angry?

Just as she was guessing, she caught sight of a tall figure standing at the door, and Gu Lin was startled and stood up.

Seeing her action, Lin Su and Wang Qiu quickly followed her gaze, only to see Qin Sui standing at the door, with his two older children beside him.

After the surprise, Wang Qiu said happily, “Why are you back so early today? Come in and sit. Are those your eldest and second children? Come in, Grandma will make you some malted milk.”

Qin Sui first looked at Lin Su, relieved to see her safe and sound. Hearing this, he said, “Auntie, I’m here to pick her up. I won’t sit down. I’ll come again another day.”

He specially came to pick her up?

Who said Qin Sui wasn’t romantic?  Isn’t he quite considerate?

Gu Lin was the most surprised.

Was this still the cold-faced Qin Sui?

If that’s his personality, then their relationship should be very good, but why did Lin Su react that way?

Gu Lin found it puzzling.

Lin Su didn’t know Gu Lin’s thoughts. Hearing Qin Sui’s words, she quickly stood up with the basket, holding Qin Keke’s hand while saying goodbye to Wang Qiu.

“Auntie, we’ll go back first.”

Wang Qiu said, “Have dinner here before you go.”

“No, Grandma is waiting at home.”

Wang Qiu, fearing the elderly needed care, didn’t insist but chased them out to give candy to the two older children.

Qin Sui patted Qin Yao’s head, “What do you say after getting candy?”

Qin Yao pursed his lips and whispered his thanks, “Thank you, Grandma.”

“You’re welcome, you’re so well-behaved.”

Looking at Qin Yao, Wang Qiu smiled kindly. Then looking at the silent Qin Ni, she didn’t thank her, but Wang Qiu, having learned the reason from Qin Sui, didn’t mind and felt sorry for her.

After the polite farewells, Lin Su looked at the man who had taken the basket, “Why are you back so early today?”

“I wasn’t busy. I should be back quite early these days,” Qin Sui said in a deep voice.

After hesitating for a few seconds, Lin Su still asked, “Why did you think of coming to pick me up?”

Qin Sui didn’t want to admit he was impulsive, so he used Qin Keke as a shield, “I was afraid Keke would be fussy.”

Oh, I see.

Lin Su fell silent.

Qin Sui glanced at her. Seeing her silence, he also fell silent.

Qin Yao watched from the side, speechless.

Clearly, as soon as his father came back and didn’t see Lin Su, he came here directly after asking.  It wasn’t about worrying about Keke.

His father was so clumsy; he couldn’t even speak properly.

The atmosphere was a little awkward. Qin Yao used his eyes to signal Qin Keke to quickly liven up the atmosphere.

Qin Keke understood immediately and patted his chest to signal that he would ensure the task was completed.

Qin Yao looked forward to it.

Qin Ni looked at the two of them with a confused expression.

Qin Keke cleared his throat and tugged at Qin Sui’s clothes, “Dad.”

Qin Sui looked down at him, “Mm?”

Qin Keke: “The person… who… who do you… like? Is it… hNi Nickname?” Qin Keke pointed at Lin Su.

It was rare for him to speak such a long sentence, and Qin Keke started to stutter.

Hearing this, Qin Sui was stunned.