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Chapter 203: Chapter 172: Qin Shiqi’s New ’Big Move’ (Please Subscribe!)_1
The next day, March 5th.
Saturday.
In the afternoon, as soon as school finished, Tang Qing rushed to the Vegetable Market, because his parents, Father Tang and Mother Tang, had arrived.
The store in the county had been transferred out, and Father Tang and Mother Tang, who had worked hard for so many years, went back to the village to rest for a week before coming over.
Originally, he wanted to have dinner at Li Jianguo’s place in the evening, and let everyone meet each other, but Mother Tang refused. She felt that rushing to Li Jianguo’s place right away might give people the wrong idea. After all, Tang Qing was just a minor shareholder. Although he had Qin Yugang and Zhang Jing on his side and wasn’t afraid of Li Jianguo’s tricks, everyone would still have to interact frequently in the future, and many things must be handled with care on the social front, so as not to embarrass everyone.
So Mother Tang specifically asked him to cook a decent dinner that night. As for Tang Qing’s response to this, what could he say? Parents’ orders must not be disobeyed, it was only a meal, and he didn’t mind cooking. And thinking about Lin Jiaxue’s family coming over as well, Tang Qing was suddenly full of energy and bought lots of things.
Returning to the neighborhood, Tang Qing noticed several ’familiar’ faces around. These were all robots he had exchanged for. Normally, there were only four robots in the vicinity, each with different faces to reduce the probability of being spotted by the target. They took turns to provide protection.
But now, he noticed nine of them, probably because Lin Jiaxue’s entire family had arrived.
Perhaps it was due to the system, he had a remarkable sense for the robots he’d exchanged for. No matter how well they disguised themselves, Tang Qing could spot them from afar, he could even feel their presence even if he couldn’t see them.
Tang Qing arrived home and sure enough, Lin Jiaxue’s family was already there. His parents, Father Tang and Mother Tang, were chatting with his uncle in the living room, and Lin Jiaxue was probably in her cousin’s room.
Hearing the door open, Lin Jiaxue quickly came out of Qin Shiqi’s room. She knew that Tang Qing must have bought a lot of things, so she came out to help.
Lin Jiaxue walked quickly to the door and softly said, "You’re back."
She even took a few bags from Tang Qing’s hands.
"Yes, I am back." Tang Qing smiled, and without rejecting her help, handed over some of the groceries. Many times, one person wants to do everything for another person, letting them do nothing. But often, they overlook the other’s feelings. Your joy comes from doing things for your lover, but the source of their joy may not be idleness, but the ability to do something for you as well. This is the kind of understanding two people in love should have.
Lin Jiaxue was that kind of person. He took care of the heavy tasks, occasionally assigning small things to Lin Jiaxue made her happier.
Seeing Tang Qing and Lin Jiaxue in such a tender moment, the adults were full of smiles. These two, gifted young man and beautiful lady, really made a wonderful pair. But Qin Shiqi on the side didn’t agree. She was chatting happily with Lin Jiaxue just now, but the moment Tang Qing came back, Lin Jiaxue left her and went out, instantly filling her with resentment. Losing someone to talk and vent to, she naturally needed to bother Tang Qing, the ’debtor’.
"Jiaxue, he can carry everything by himself, why are you helping him?" Qin Shiqi said a bit disgruntledly at one side.
Tang Qing, who was enjoying this moment, heard this and immediately was not happy. He said: "Is this how you should behave as a sister, you don’t help, and don’t allow others to help either."
"Yes, why not, it’s right in front of you." Qin Shiqi raised her head and said, as if it was something to be proud of.
Tang Qing couldn’t help but laugh, "Can’t you come up with new lines, you used this one last time."
"I love to use it, so what? Do you have a problem with that?" Qin Shiqi made a ’bite me if you dare’ face.
"Of course I do, it bothers me a lot." Tang Qing said, pouting.
"Dismissed, if you can’t let it go, I’ll ask auntie to deal with you." Qin Shiqi said smugly. This was her ’ultimate move’ that she has not used for a long time. And it worked every time, no matter whether Tang Qing was right or wrong, Father Tang and Mother Tang would always take her side. After all, Father Tang and Mother Tang didn’t have a daughter, so they doted on Qin Shiqi and her sister excessively.
"You..." Tang Qing was incensed, he really couldn’t withstand this move. Ever since he was a child, every time his cousin complained to Father Tang and Mother Tang, he would be the ’scapegoat’ and definitely get scolded. It was an old story for him. Being doted on by his aunt at his uncle’s place, but at home, his parents doted on his two cousins. When they were kids, they used to tattle on each other for fun, he didn’t expect that the same thing would happen again upon their reunion.
What about human rights? Tang Qing protested inwardly.
"Hahaha..."
"Haha..."
All the adults couldn’t help but laugh when they saw Tang Qing’s disgruntled expression.
"Shiqi, you shouldn’t talk about your cousin like that." His Aunt was the first to remark, though her reproof was belied by the unconcealed amusement on her face.
Mother Tang waved her hand and chuckled, "No worries, it just shows their sibling affection."
"Ugh, I don’t care. Jiaxue, let’s go and cook," Tang Qing spoke like a petty housewife. Realizing he couldn’t shake off the mocking comments, he decided that out of sight was out of mind, marched Lin Jiaxue into the kitchen, and shut the door behind them, leaving behind a roomful of laughter.
His Aunt had intended to lend a hand in the kitchen, but she was turned down by Tang Qing. If the kitchen were crowded with people, how would he get private time with Lin Jiaxue? Besides, they were in no hurry to get dinner ready. There were plenty of prepared food available. Too many cooks in the kitchen would just make things more chaotic.
"I heard you ranked first in your grade again," Lin Jiaxue casually remarked as she picked vegetables. She always felt more elated hearing of Tang Qing ranking first, than when she herself did.
"Yeah, that’s true. How about you in school? Is anyone bullying you?" said Tang Qing, as he busied himself chopping pork belly.
"It’s been good, all of my classmates are very friendly," Lin Jiaxue replied with a light-hearted laugh. Her laughter sounded extraordinarily joyful.
Due to her stunning looks in high school, she had a slew of admirers in No.2 school, including heirs of officials and wealthy businessmen. However, her heart was already taken. It didn’t matter who pursued her. Despite her constant rejections, her pursuers kept multiplying and growing increasingly bold, making her life miserable. She felt it wasn’t appropriate to discuss this with Tang Qing. Afraid that he might get jealous and do something foolish, she knew well that those pursuers were no ordinary people, a fight Tang Qing would not be equipped to win even with the help of his Uncle.
For some unknown reason, however, all her pursuers had ceased their pursuits since last week. They no longer harassed her, nor tried to strike up frivolous conversations. Instead, they kept somewhat deferential distance.
Intuitively, she sensed that something must have happened, but failed to pinpoint what. She casually asked why her pursuers had stopped, but all they would say was now that the National College Entrance Examination was approaching, they needed to concentrate on their studies. Though it was a lame excuse, that was all Lin Jiaxue could get.
"That’s good then. You should share your problems with me in the future. As your future husband, it’s my responsibility to protect you, so remember to share your woes as well as the joys, understood?" Tang Qing looked at Lin Jiaxue, speaking in earnest.
"Oh, okay," Lin Jiaxue softly replied. Although she agreed with the words, she didn’t give it much thought. Being an independent girl, she wasn’t fond of pouring out her troubles to others, especially not to Tang Qing, as she didn’t want him to worry.
Tang Qing realized Lin Jiaxue was merely humoring him and wouldn’t take his advice seriously for now. It seemed he would need to work on that gradually. Unlike Wang Yan, Lin Jiaxue preferred to shoulder her burdens alone. Wang Yan, Tang Qing’s college friend from his previous life, would readily share with him everything, no matter how trivial. She wouldn’t miss a chance to draw out a long-winded conversation, leaving Tang Qing clueless about where the conversation began.
"Come, let’s share a kiss whilst no one is looking," Tang Qing moved closer, proposing with a light-hearted laugh. By a peck, he didn’t mean a fleeting touch of lips; he fully intended to savor the moment, hence he requested her agreement instead of catching her off guard.
"Is that appropriate, with my Aunt and everyone else outside?" Lin Jiaxue shame-facedly murmured. If they were alone at home, Lin Jiaxue wouldn’t blush at this kind of request. But with so many people around, she didn’t think she could handle the embarrassment.
"I don’t care, I just want one kiss." Tang Qing played the rascal and straightaway planted a kiss.
So, throughout the cooking period, Tang Qing didn’t miss any chance to flirt.
At dinner, all the families chatted merrily. Tang Qing kept serving Lin Jiaxue, picking veggies, peeling shrimp, cracking crab legs. Sometimes, just as he finished peeling a shrimp, Qin Shiqi would snatch it wryly, making everyone burst into laughter.
Last month, Tang Qing’s parents followed Qin Yugang’s advice and decided to open a wholesale clothing store in Lin family’s neighborhood at the Red Flag Wholesale Market. Qin Yugang had already found the perfect store; it was only a phone call away.
The previous tenant was also a clothes wholesaler but had to let go of the business because of some urgency at home. Learning that the ’old leader’ Qin Yugang was looking for a shop in the market, the market management committee immediately played matchmaker and sold the shop as a favor. Qin Yugang had inspected the shop and was satisfied, making it all ready to start the business.
Although Tang Qing’s parents had moved to this city, Tang Qing still lived in his uncle’s house since his parents lived on the second floor of their clothing shop. The shop was significantly bigger than Lin’s house and had a separate toilet.
Taking into account that Tang Qing had stayed here for three years and was used to the environment, they thought it wasn’t advisable to change his living situation before the National College Entrance Examination. They didn’t have to worry, as the shop was within the city and they could visit their son anytime.
PS: A big thank you to reader Dark Soul, Rabbit Dead of Magic Repair, Loneliness, ’God Try Again,’ Red Lady 66, ’Who Should the Right Hand Hold’, and the carefree Unborn who’ve awarded this book, as well as all my friends who have recommended this book.
Your support is greatly appreciated.
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