Chapter 510: The Unfriendliness Smacks Right in the Face

The wedding bed was quickly made, decorated with a dragon and phoenix quilt, tucked coins for good luck at the corners, and garnished with dates, peanuts, longans and lotus seeds filling the modest bedroom with festive and auspicious vibes.

The aunts living in the same complex breathed a long sigh of relief and then straightened up, rubbing their backs and nudged Yuan Youqin, who was standing next to them.

“Look, Da Jun is getting married. When will your kids do it?”

“They’re still in school. Even if I’m anxious, there’s nothing I can do.”

Third Aunt turned to glance at Jiang Qin, who was peeling peanuts and Feng Nanshu, who was wafting her mouth, and couldn’t help chuckling: “Nanshu is really adorable. I wonder how Jiang managed to woo her.”

Yuan Youqin covered the pillow with a pillowcase: “This stinky boy has always been unlucky, even loses money upstairs and downstairs, but this time, surprisingly, he got lucky.”

“Nanshu has a look of good fortune about her,” said Second Auntie from across the door, who couldn’t help but look back.

“Of course, she’s one of our family.”

“You’re quite the rare mother-in-law, doting on her before she’s even crossed your threshold?”

Yuan Youqin patted the pillow: “Married or not, I already consider her my daughter.”

Third Auntie looked toward Second Auntie: “Did you know? Youqin has even given her the family heirloom bracelet.”

“Really?”

“Yes, last time I was out with her third uncle shopping, I saw this girl showing off the bracelet saying It was a family treasure given by Youqin.”

Yuan Youqin smiled silently on the side then gazed at the two chubby dolls above the marriage bed, sighed with some emotion, and couldn’t help but name them in her heart again.

Including three taken at the studio, one during the Spring Festival and now another one, that’s five names she’s picked out.

The women around all looked over together, showing a knowing smile.

Jiang Qin felt a bit creeped out by everyone staring and thought it seemed like Da Jun’s wedding, suggesting looking more at their photos instead of staring at their good friends.

So he shouted, “Let’s go,” and led little rich girl away.

After all, the vibe of unfriendliness here was quite strong; the little rich girl knew even the secrets of good friends’ bond, which she shouldn’t learn too much.

Because every time she learns something interesting, she can’t help but try it out, regardless of who advises her otherwise.

Feng Nanshu followed him, her little hand held as she kept an eye on Jiang Qin’s expressions and swiftly turned away when she saw him looking.

“Nanshu, heading back already?” Third Uncle grinned from the stairwell.

Little rich girl confidently said: “Goodbye, Third Uncle – Jiang’s family is leaving.”

“？”

“Feng Nanshu, your unfriendly spirit is about to smack me in the face.”

The next morning, firecrackers rang through the complex again at dawn, congratulating the newlyweds.

Jiang Qin had just gotten up and was pouring water from the maid’s room when he saw Feng Nanshu rush to the balcony then peeked through the glass intently observing.

Meanwhile, a lion dance troupe entered the complex, followed by the bridegroom and the veiled bride.

Suddenly, there was a loud bang as several youths welcoming on either side uncapped their hand cannons showering the scene with colorful streamers, instantly heating up the atmosphere.

Feng Nanshu stood upstairs, leaning on the windowsill, chin on hands, watching intently.

Jiang Qin leanedback against the dining table offering her a sip of water: “Want to go out and see?”

“Yes.”

“Take another sip and go change.”

Feng Nanshu drank and hurriedly clattered back to her room changing into a black tee and white shorts, her legs slender and skin pale as cream: “Jiang, let’s go.”

Hearing this, Jiang Qin felt a touch of nostalgia, remembering the start of their friendship, which he hadn’t heard in a long time.

Since then, without knowing what happened, it evolved into brotherly hand-holding, hugging and kissing…

Feng Nanshu may not fully grasp what liking someone means, but Jiang Qin knew, she must find him handsome or thus crave him.

Soon, he brought little rich girl to the opposite apartment block; the bride and groom had already entered the hallway while the lion dance team was still swaying at the entry.

Third Uncle, sitting on a stone stool smoking, noticed them and chuckled, “The young couple studying again?”

Jiang Qin, surprised, said: “Third Uncle, what are you doing here? I just went out for breakfast and saw your kiosk not locked.”

“No way, really?”

“Really, don’t you remember if you locked the door?”

“Oh…”

Third Uncle’s face changed, cigarette in mouth, he ran towards the community gate faster than Jackie Chan in a furniture advertisement.

Jiang Qin grinned to himself about how easily fooled the old folks were, whether the door was locked or not, they often felt it wasn’t.

He chuckled then noticed Feng Nanshu contemplating something, so he sternly advised: “Don’t think because Third Uncle`s a good guy that you should buy things; he’s used to hard times and doesn’t like making money.”

“……”

Feng Nanshu looked up at Jiang Qin thinking, ‘my big bear is so clever.’

Then the pair followed the bridal party into Da Jun’s living room.

The bridal chamber was crowded, including cameramen and photographers. Little rich girl tugging at Jiang’s hand peeped inside tiptoeing with her long curled lashes trembling lightly.

She saw the groom lift the bridal veil with a shiny black rod, revealing a face filled with joy, and she felt a bit of happiness herself.

Simultaneously, in the kitchen, aunties were busy fetching a wooden drawer box, scooping up broad noodles into boiling water.

A minute later they scooped it out into a red porcelain bowl, shouting for room as they made their way inside to feed the bride a spoonful.

Yuan Youqin glanced back at the pot, noticed some noodles left, scooped out a few more, and walked over to feed Feng Nanshu a bite.

“Is it raw?”

“Raw.”

Feng Nanshu chewed and found the noodles were indeed uncooked, so she nodded.

Hearing “raw,” Yuan Youqin’s eyes lit up with joy then joined other women busying themselves.

Seeing this, Jiang Qin couldn’t help showing a speechless expression.

This was a custom from Jizhou, where the bride must eat uncooked ‘Broad-heart Noodles’ upon entering her new home, to hear “raw” wishing for an early birth of a precious child.

Just like his mom, Mrs. Yuan Youqin, to be involved in such tedious customs.

After the ‘Broad-heart Noodles,’ the bride and groom moved from the bedroom to the living room, and the tea ceremony began along with changing surnames, taking about half an hour in total.

Feng Nanshu watched meticulously, more focused than she ever was in class.

“Why do you learn everything?”

“I’ll teach it to Wenhui and Haini.”

“……”

After the wedding feast, life settled back to normal. Jiang Qin and Feng Nanshu either curled up at home watching TV or headed to the library, occasionally meeting Yang Shuan and Guo Zihang for mahjong.

By late July, they started preparing for a business trip.

A trip to Shanghai was due, with some prelim work at Tencent.

He also needed to meet Mr. Pang at Alibaba discussing the promotional plan of Alipay on Zhihu and integrating mobile payments into group-buying.

Actually, Jiang Qin wasn’t too keen on visiting these companies, as they might bring up investments again, but the mobile internet market still relied fundamentally on Alipay and WeChat Pay.

He had to manage not agreeing to shares while also not offending them, truly testing one’s strategic schmoozing skills.

Additionally, he planned to meet young master Cao’s father to discuss logistics supply cooperation.

Jiang Qin confirmed the travel sequence using the task system, sent to Wen Jinrui for handling travel arrangements, including snagging others’ hotel vouchers.

It was the excellent style of group-buying; their company started organizing travel team buildings this month, relying entirely on competitors’ discount coupons for accommodation and travel.

After settling these complex travel plans, Jiang Qin sipped his tea and saw Feng Nanshu slapping her slippers as she ran past his door.

However, passing the maid’s room, little rich girl glimpsed Jiang Qin, then turned back shouting “Brother!” before padding into the bathroom.

“Little rich girl, I’m going on a business trip.”

Tap water burbled a while, then quieted, and she walked into the maid’s room: “Where to?”

“Hangzhou and Shanghai.”

“When will you be back?”

Jiang Qin thought for a moment: “This trip should take at least a half month, so do you want to come along?”

Feng Nanshu was already clingy, and even though Jiang hadn’t left yet, she was starting to miss her good friend. Hearing Jiang invite her, she immediately stood up and began packing haphazardly.

“I meant in a few days, not right now.”

“Oops.”

Finally, they set the departure date for July 20th. Yuan Youqin, knowing this took a day off to make dumplings for them.

She actually enjoyed seeing her son and Nanshu traveling together, as being away from home is a great way to enhance relationships.

“Be careful out there.”

While Yuan Youqin and Feng Nanshu made dumplings, she pulled out the ‘motherly advice trio,’ earnestly instructing her traveling children.

Jiang Qin, peeling garlic, spoke: “I know. Being as handsome as I am, I must take good care of myself when away.”

“Son, you really take after your dad.”

“My dad? His looks are just average.”

Yuan Youqin scooped some meat filling onto the dough: “Not just about looks, but that overconfidence too.”

Jiang Qin: “……”