Chapter 376: Meeting the Parents?

Qin Jingqiu didn’t plan to stay in Jizhou for long because it was unfamiliar territory for her, only visiting because of Feng Nanshu.

After having a meal with Feng Nanshu and meeting Jiang Qin formally, she felt relieved.

Besides the necessary activities, Qin Jingqiu had one more thing she wanted to do, but after much thought, she hesitated whether she should meet Jiang Qin’s parents.

Logically, it didn’t make sense since Qin Jingqiu was just Feng Nanshu’s aunt, not her parents, mentioning meeting his parents would be abrupt.

They were both only twenty and it wasn’t really the time for family introductions; it seemed too eager to marry off her niece.

Qin Jingqiu adored Feng Nanshu and had no intentions of sending her away, so she struggled to find a reason.

Jiang Qin was also troubled by this since his parents knew about Feng Nanshu’s aunt’s visit and wanted to meet her.

To them, though not direct relatives, the aunt still counted as family to Feng Nanshu.

Having the young girl over without properly greeting her elders seemed inappropriate, and they were also curious about the family, coming from a prominent household.

But these were the same reasons Qin Jingqiu hesitated; Jiang Qin and Feng Nanshu were only twenty—meeting parents seemed too soon.

Plus, their son kept calling Feng Nanshu just a close friend—what should they call this meeting?

If they proposed the meeting, acceptance would be fine but rejection might make the Jiang family seem overly ambitious.

Adult dealings are truly complex, especially these interactions where doing too much or too little can affect the balance.

“Feng Nanshu’s birthday has already passed before the New Year.”

“Not during my parents’ birthdays either.”

“Nor mine…”

“But meeting is still necessary, after all, lifelong friends matter.”

Jiang Qin was deep in thought at the Jizhou Shuiyang Bar, sitting at a small table pondering over dates, struggling mentally.

Right then, Guo Zihang and Yang Shuan walked in, their new jackets shining, clearly flush from receiving many red envelopes; even their walk had a swagger.

Seeing them enter brightened Jiang Qin’s eyes, as if clearing the clouds.

“Old Guo, Shuan, come, sit.”

Yang Shuan and Guo Zihang exchanged a look: “Got a bad feeling about this, early return to school, huh?”

Jiang Qin waved his hand with a warm smile: “Pick one of you to have a birthday tomorrow.”

“Huh?”

“What do you mean ‘huh’? Celebrate a birthday, Guo, you love birthdays! Remember high school? Climbed walls to celebrate, got caught, and sang ‘Happy Birthday’ outside the dorm for two hours—forgot that highlight?”

Guo Zihang was baffled: “But my birthday is August 26.”

Jiang Qin slapped the table: “I know, can’t we celebrate early? I’ll show you a great party.”

“A birthday celebrated early?”

“Celebrate or not, if not, return Feng Nanshu’s gift to me!”

After hearing this, Guo Zihang immediately shouted they should celebrate, satisfying Jiang Qin who then smiled contentedly.

Guo Zihang was puzzled, so he turned to Yang Shuan. “Old Yang, why is my birthday the one being celebrated early and not yours?”

Yang Shuan twisted his mouth: “Because you spoke up.”

“…”

Now with the birthday advanced for his buddy, Jiang Qin happily started preparations—booked a banquet hall, bought invitations for ‘Guo Zihang’s Birthday Party, Guests Include…’, and thoughtfully ordered a large cake for Guo Zihang.

What is a friend?

This, damn it, is a friend!

Yuan Youqin and Jiang Zhenghong were the first to hear the news. Hearing Guo Zihang had a birthday party and were invited, they were baffled until Jiang Qin mentioned Feng Nanshu’s aunt would also attend, then it clicked for them.

Qin Jingqiu felt the same at first, puzzled why her son’s classmate would invite her, thinking it quite unrelated.

But hearing Jiang Qin’s parents would also attend, she quietly understood.

Very logical, indeed!

Thus, Guo Zihang, born in August, held his grand birthday party on February 19.

Besides Feng Nanshu’s aunt and Jiang Qin’s parents, Kong Sisi, Duan Yan, and Shao Xianghao were invited not for the lively scene but to make the event seem more appropriate.

Qin Jingqiu, a day before, went to a downtown beauty salon for full-body care and even had a dress sent hurriedly from Shanghai.

Yuan Youqin rushed to perm her hair, shop for clothes, and took Jiang Zhenghong for a shave, giving high importance to the event.

So on February 19, both groups arrived at the booked banquet hall as planned.

The pretend birthday boy, Guo Zihang, sat trembling at the head of the table.

“Welc…welcome everyone to my birthday party, please enjoy your meal and have a great time.”

Kong Sisi leaned over. “Zihang, is that your mom? She seems so elegant.”

Guo Zihang glanced at Feng Nanshu’s aunt. “No, that’s Feng Nanshu’s aunt.”

“Eh?”

Kong Sisi was also puzzled. “It’s your birthday and Jiang Qin and Feng Nanshu’s elders are here, yet your own aren’t?”

Guo Zihang pursed his lips. “Funny enough, my parents don’t even know it’s my birthday today.”

“?????”

Meanwhile, Qin Jingqiu sat next to Feng Nanshu, carefully observing Jiang Zhenghong and Yuan Youqin—Yuan Youqin and Jiang Zhenghong likewise observed her. When their eyes accidentally met, they smiled politely, creating a harmonious atmosphere.

But since everyone came under the guise of Guo Zihang’s birthday, it was somewhat awkward to chat openly, so initially, they relied on visual impressions to understand one another.

Qin Jingqiu thought Jiang Qin resembled Jiang Zhenghong somewhat, but his eyes looked like Yuan Youqin’s. Meanwhile, Yuan Youqin thought Qin Jingqiu truly had the young look typical of a well-off household.

Soon after, the birthday feast began, and everyone started to eat and drink.

Knowing today’s nominal protagonist was himself, Guo Zihang adhered to one principle throughout the feast—eat plenty.

As they nearly finished, the hotel staff brought in the cake Jiang Qin had prepared earlier.

With the cake’s arrival, everyone got a chance to stand and move around; who initiated it was unclear, but soon Yuan Youqin and Qin Jingqiu found themselves together.

“Hello.”

“Hello, you must be Nanshu’s aunt, so young! You could pass for her sister.”

Qin Jingqiu grinned broadly: “You look young too, pretty much what I imagined. I’ve been curious to meet you and your husband, seeing how gifted Jiang Qin is, I assumed he inherited it from his parents.”

Yuan Youqin felt a bit pressured—a natural decorum and elegance exuded from Qin Jingqiu, unlike any ordinary housewife, which was likely why Jiang Qin said Feng Nanshu’s demeanor resembled hers.

Yet, it was clear Qin Jingqiu meant well.

Yuan Youqin’s stress lessened, and she smiled warmly: “We’ve wanted to visit you as well, considering we took Nanshu in without formally greeting you, it was somewhat impolite.”

Qin Jingqiu shook her head outright: “Nanshu was lonely here during New Year’s, I should thank you, actually.”

“Nanshu is such a lovable child, I’m embarrassed to say I’ve thought of taking her home with me.”

“Jiang Qin’s fantastic too, Nanshu’s uncle and I joke that she hardly has friends, yet she struck gold quite by accident.”

Praising each other’s children is a quick way for parents to bond, like what Yuan Youqin and Qin Jingqiu achieved, swiftly becoming closer in just a few exchanges.

Both could tell Yuan Youqin genuinely adored Feng Nanshu, and Qin Jingqiu greatly admired Jiang Qin; their conversation flowed smoothly based on this harmony.

Qin Jingqiu shared tales of Feng Nanshu’s childhood while Yuan Youqin recounted how Feng Nanshu helped make dumplings at home—Jiang Zhenghong chimed in as an outside participant, adding detail to the conversation.

“It’s good the kids at university can look out for each other.”

Qin Jingqiu nodded in agreement: “Indeed, Nanshu’s not so adept at daily life, having Jiang Qin watch over her eases my mind though it troubles him a bit.”

“No trouble at all, looking after one’s own…erm, close friend, right?”

Caught off-guard by her slip, Qin Jingqiu paused then the two women smiled at each other, understanding unspoken.

Indeed, some things are too early to define now, parents shouldn’t dictate for their kids, knowing the heart is enough.

Jiang Qin, standing next to the cake cart, patted Guo Zihang’s shoulder: “How’s the birthday feeling?”

Guo Zihang pondered: “Happy, but why does the cake say ‘Guo Zihang’?”

“That means you’re capable!”

“Ah, got it…”

Jiang Qin grinned, turning to Feng Nanshu, noticing the little heiress also looking his way, then suddenly waved her fair arms, flaunting the huge jade bracelet on her wrist.

Seeing this, Boss Jiang smiled contentedly, thinking although the little heiress was a bit naive, she might grasp what this meant.

Correct, their profound friendship was affirmed in this moment by both sets of parents!