Chapter 351: Jiang Qin’s Mom Came to Pick Me Up

“Jiang Qin’s mom, why are you here waiting for our classmate Feng Nanshu?”

“She and Jiang Qin are really dating, aren’t they?”

“Tsk, Jiang Qin is quite the child, bringing her back to meet you all without a word?”

“As parents, do you really support them being together? I’ve never seen this happen before.”

Xue Hongying’s gene for being deeply interested in students’ affairs kicked in, peppering her with rapid-fire questions, each digging little pits hoping for juicy answers to fall in.

College teaching is never fun, and it seems Ms. Xue is just finding her own kind of ‘sweetness’ in this dull job environment, although ordinary romances are good too, but none are as addictive as the story of Feng Nanshu and Jiang Qin.

Yuan Youqin was a bit stunned by the questioning, thinking to herself hasn’t college moved past managing students’ love lives? Why does this teacher seem as excited as if she’s caught early puppy love?

Actually, Yuan Youqin’s affection for Feng Nanshu was not much about Jiang Qin but stemmed from the days Feng Nanshu stayed at her place, sharing stories of her past.

Knowing that Feng Nanshu had been living alone since she was eight and without a mother touched her deeply.

They say sons are like their mothers; Yuan Youqin and Jiang Qin felt a similar protective affection towards Feng Nanshu.

Moreover, she really hoped Feng Nanshu would become her daughter-in-law, and this combined effect made Yuan Youqin go out of her way to bring her to school, wash her sheets, doing more than what even a biological mother would do.

In her view, no matter what direction Jiang Qin and Feng Nanshu’s relationship took, Feng Nanshu was still a girl worth cherishing.

This was also related to Jiang Qin’s sudden independence after entering university—he had started his own company and didn’t even need living expenses from her anymore, transferring her unneeded motherly love to Feng Nanshu.

Anyway, this situation is complex, intertwined with Jiang Qin, Feng Nanshu, and her own emotions.

Yuan Youqin had long said she wanted a daughter, but alas, her first child was a son, and wanting another daughter now just wasn’t feasible unless she and old Jiang were willing to quit their jobs, but the cost of that was just too high.

Feng Nanshu, who was without a mother, perfectly filled this emotional gap for Yuan Youqin.

Women are emotional creatures, especially those entering menopause, where many things become natural and don’t even need a reason.

“Jiang Qin’s mom?”

Yuan Youqin snapped back to reality: “Teacher, I’m sorry, I didn’t ask how to address you?”

“Oh, my surname is Xue, just call me Ms. Xue,” Xue Hongying answered.

“Ms. Xue, must be tough teaching at school. Seeing you so young, are you married yet?”

“……”

The two chatted for twenty minutes, during which Xue Hongying’s failed matchmakings during her eleventh holiday were thoroughly questioned by Yuan Youqin.

Besides, she casually mentioned a former best friend, with whom things didn’t progress due to career choices.

Just then, some soothing music from the hall signaled the end of the afternoon classes, and Xue Hongying remembered the fire drill and stepped into the classroom.

But just as she reached the podium, Xue Hongying froze, mulling over how Jiang Qin’s mom seemingly extracted all her personal info yet she hadn’t managed to nibble any of the ‘candy’ she desired?

Good gracious, worthy of being Jiang Qin’s mom…

Xue Hongying pursed her lips but then noticed Gao Wenhui winking from beneath the podium, her spirits lifted as it seemed the ‘candy daddies’ had gotten the info they wanted.

Moments later, classes at the Finance School ended in succession, and Feng Nanshu dashed out of her classroom, footsteps echoing until she reached Yuan Youqin, her eyes sparkling.

Jiang Qin’s mom seems to like me.

Jiang Qin’s mom came to pick me up.

Jiang Qin…

Jiang Qin, Jiang Qin, Jiang Qin, Jiang Qin…

No one would guess that someone with Feng Nanshu’s typically expressionless and cool demeanor could internally resemble a joyfully squealing girl.

“Nanshu, let’s go have dinner first, and then you and Auntie can stroll around the city. This is my first visit to Linchuan, after all.”

Feng Nanshu paused, “Auntie, I don’t know the way.”

Yuan Youqin was charmed by her cuteness, struggling to close her mouth, “No worries, Xiao Wen is waiting for us downstairs.”

“Oh, okay.”

By now, many passersby glanced their way.

A woman waiting at the entrance alone wouldn’t usually attract attention, but with her holding Feng Nanshu’s hand, it certainly did.

“Is that Feng Nanshu’s mom?”

“Doesn’t seem like it, they don’t really look alike.”

“Yeah, I also think they don’t resemble much in features or demeanor.”

“Then who is she?”

“That’s Jiang Qin’s mom; I think someone from Room 503 mentioned it during class.”

“?”

Hearing this insider info, bypassing students couldn’t help but exchange puzzled looks, their thoughts slowly churning.

Weren’t they just good friends? Why do Jiang Qin’s mom and Feng Nanshu seem as close as mother and daughter? What kind of friends have such deep family ties?

“If she’s Jiang Qin’s mom, she could well be considered Feng Nanshu’s mom too.”

“They clarified last time, saying they’re just good friends.”

“That doesn’t prove innocence, just that Jiang Qin has odd preferences.”

“But in college, how come even their parents are getting involved? Maybe they are ‘betrothed as children’ since both come from Jizhou?”

“Damn, that Jiang Qin is too lucky. I’ve been single for twenty years, why does he get endless charm from childhood?”

“……”

By six in the evening, Yuan Youqin and Feng Nanshu rode to the city center, with other members of Room 503 tagging along, enjoying a food and shopping spree with Jiang Qin’s mom.

Although Linchuan is not large, its urban area isn’t small either, featuring several busy shopping streets.

Women love to shop, particularly when accompanied; their shopping vigor is quite astonishing.

Throughout, Yuan Youqin held Feng Nanshu’s hand, asking what she wanted to buy, where she wanted to go—truly doting on her like a daughter, much to the envy of Gao Wenhui and others.

They felt as if Feng Nanshu had unravelled some minor internal conflicts, releasing the once spirited and vibrant side of herself.

Meanwhile, Cao Guangyu, Zhou Chao, and Ren Ziqiang also received calls from Jiang Qin inviting them for a meal.

Upon receiving the news, two hesitated.

Zhou Chao felt embarrassed, thinking, “I’ve gained weight, maybe I’ll skip this time.”

Cao Guangyu was worried, “I’m low on living expenses this month, why are you inviting me to dinner again?”

“Stop fussing and come out. Let me tell you, it’s not me treating, my parents are in Linchuan for business and wanted to invite you for a meal.”

“Oh, that’s how it is!”

Hearing this, Cao Guangyu and Zhou Chao immediately felt relieved, changed clothes, and headed to the off-campus pedestrian street.

As they arrived at the entrance of Nanshan Restaurant, old Cao suddenly stopped, letting Zhou Chao and Ren Ziqiang go ahead to the private room. After they left, he pulled over a waiter to ask if the restaurant had a statue of Guan Gong.

Believe it or not, Guan Gong is considered a god of wealth and martial arts, and Nanshan Restaurant indeed had one.

Comforted, Cao Guangyu glanced at the menu Jiang Qin had ordered from, waved his hand grandly, and added two bottles of white wine.

After sorting this out, old Cao swaggered to the private room, entering with a friendly chat with Jiang’s dad.

Once the drinks and dishes were served, while others were busy eating, only Cao Guangyu was busy pouring drinks, toasting repeatedly and ensuring Jiang’s dad’s cup was never empty.

“Young Cao, let me eat something first, even peanuts would do.”

Jiang’s dad was baffled by the persistent hospitality, musing, “My son’s dorm mates seem really fond of him, look how they toast me.”

Jiang Qin was also puzzled, “Why is old Cao acting so strange today?”

Without explaining, Cao Guangyu raised his glass again, thinking, “Once I get uncle drunk and send Jiang Qin away, bang my head three times, hey, I’ll be Jiang Qin’s uncle then!”

Half an hour later, as Jiang’s dad leisurely continued his meal, he glanced at Cao Guangyu, now unconscious on the table.

“This classmate of yours… can’t really hold his liquor.”

“Dad, just keep drinking, young master Cao often acts like this, not sure what gets into him.”

Jiang’s dad nodded and turned to call over Zhou Chao and Ren Ziqiang, urging them to eat more, if not full, order more.

Meanwhile, Jiang Qin was in the chaos of the delightful women of Room 503, watching the latest updates shared in their chat group.

“Jiang Qin, you really missed out. Feng Nanshu was so happy today.”

“Ladies, don’t scatter, let’s meet at Torch Square. There’s an event forward, where the balloons are floating.”

“Jiang Qin, Feng Nanshu mentioned that you once promised to take her to a movie but never did. Now mom wants to take us.”

“Hilarious, Wang Haini just said she also wants a mother-in-law like Jiang Qin’s mom. Nanshu looked quite wary.”

“Gao Wenhui, hurry up, ticket checking is starting, stop taking photos!”

From the meal at Nanshan Restaurant to returning to the dorm, Jiang Qin continuously monitored the QQ group chat, visualizing the scenes from their chats, her lips curling slightly.

Just then, Cao Guangyu groaned, quickly rising from the bed to the bathroom to vomit a couple of times, seemingly a bit sober now.

After exiting the bathroom, plain ordinary Cao sat on the chair stunned for a while, reviewing his earlier actions, finally realizing he had collapsed before the ceremony of becoming sworn brothers.

Damn it, what a great opportunity, and he hadn’t seized it!

Frustrated, Cao Guangyu turned to reach for a teacup on the desk, but discovered his “Playboy” wallet sitting there instead.

“Why is my wallet here?”

“You threw it on the counter after paying, I picked it up for you,” said Ren Ziqiang.

Cao Guangyu was baffled: “Wasn’t Uncle Jiang treating?”

“Who knows what you were thinking. You shouted all around, ‘I’m the uncle, I’m the uncle, I’m paying for this meal, nobody else,’ and even after Uncle Jiang handed the money over, you snatched it back and stuffed it back at him.”

“……”

After hearing Ren Ziqiang’s recount, Cao Guangyu felt like he’d been struck by lightning, realizing he had indeed suffered a double loss.