Chapter 582: The Family of Nan Shu

Four people had lunch at a restaurant then lingered in the town center.

During this time, Jiang Qin received a call from Qin Ziang’s father, who asked if he had come home for the holiday and wanted to invite him to dinner.

The Wanzhong Mall in the New Town District is now complete. With the opportunity to collaborate with the government, Qin Ziang’s father seized a few major projects, doubling his assets.

He has been grateful for the green light Jiang Qin gave him ever since.

But Jiang Qin felt the first meal back home should be eaten together by all four family members, with no one missing.

Especially since his absence would greatly upset his parents.

Life, while mundane, still demands a pursuit of ceremonial significance.

Qin Xiongwei expressed understanding and hoped to meet up after Jiang Qin was less busy.

By evening, Yuan Youqin had just gotten home when she ran into Sixth Aunt, Second Uncle, and Third Grandpa.

Before she could understand what was happening, she heard everyone praising their Nan Shu, talking about the gifts she brought at noon for a long time.

“Are these all from Nan Shu?”

“Yes, I’ve never seen such a sensible daughter-in-law. It’s a blessing. Look at my own, barely speaks to me, doesn’t even acknowledge what she owes our ancestor.”

Yuan Youqin couldn’t suppress her smile: “The kids didn’t tell me.”

Third Grandpa spoke while smoking: “We need to set the wedding date soon.”

“Wait a moment, I’ll call out Nan Shu.”

“…”

Half an hour later, it was already dark, Jiang Qin sat in the living room, flipping through TV channels emotionlessly.

Jiang Zhenghong, too, just got off work, sipping tea while his stomach growled.

Father and son exchanged glances, too hungry to wait, and each grabbed a cup of braised beef noodles from the kitchen.

“Had I known it would be like this, I would have gone to the dinner Qin Xiongwei arranged. I heard even the servers were in cheongsams!”

“Women always do this. Once they start chatting there’s no end. Let’s just have something to fill us up for now. They haven’t eaten anyway. They’ll surely cook when they get back.”

Jiang Qin slurped his noodles: “This isn’t the type of ceremony I wanted. Having my treasured son home on holiday without a proper meal of eight dishes and a soup? I won’t accept that!”

Jiang Zhenghong also slurped his noodles, switching the TV to a news program: “We’ll have your eight dishes and a soup soon.”

“I specifically want braised pork.”

“When your mom gets back, I’ll have her make it. Don’t worry son, I’m the head of this household.”

With his head down, slurping noodles, Jiang Zhenghong suddenly frowned, murmuring about escalating tensions in Syria.

Another half-hour passed, and Yuan Youqin arrived home with Feng Nanshu, both more cheerful than the other.

Their ways of showing joy, however, differed.

Yuan Youqin’s happiness was obvious, her smile constant.

Feng Nanshu maintained a blank expression, but her eyes were bright and lively.

Seeing Jiang Qin staring at her, the little rich girl even mouthed “brother” while changing shoes.

Jiang Qin coughed, “Mom, what’s for dinner tonight? I specifically want braised pork. It’s a must.”

“You haven’t eaten yet? We had dinner at Sixth Aunt’s.”

“?”

Yuan Youqin hesitated momentarily: “I think there are leftovers from last night, let me warm it up.”

Quotes from the text: “Ceremony”, “Family of Four Must Be Complete”, “Especially Since I’m the Son”.

Jiang Qin turned to Jiang Zhenghong, hoping his father would make a fair decision.

Posing as the head of the household, Jiang Zhenghong responded: “Leftovers are fine. I love leftovers the most.”

“That’s not what you just said…”

“What did I say before?”

“You said you’re the head of the household.”

“There are some things where I need to be the head of the household, like when your mom and I agree on something. Mostly, I call the shots, but when we disagree, we go by what she says.”

Jiang Qin was visibly upset, sitting angrily on the sofa, but Feng Nanshu soon came out wearing her little floral cotton-padded jacket and sat across him, reducing his anger by half.

Yet, he still felt like staying angry longer—at least for the evening—to make Yuan Youqin feel guilty.

“Little rich girl, what were you all chatting about?”

“Uncle and Aunt praised me as a sensible and good friend, saying having me is your blessing.”

Feng Nanshu looked adorable talking about blessings.

Jiang Qin narrowed his eyes: “Are you sure they didn’t say you’re a sensible daughter-in-law or something?”

Feng Nanshu also squinted: “They said good friend.”

Jiang Qin felt deceived but lacked evidence, remaining silent before heading into the kitchen: “Mom, what did you all talk about for so long?”

“The whole neighborhood was praising Nan Shu.”

“What praises? I want to hear if they match the facts.”

Jiang Qin plucked a green onion from the balcony, casually peeling it as he asked.

Just as Yuan Youqin was about to speak, she suddenly held her words: “Son, perhaps you also like hearing praises about Nan Shu? Let me tell you, your mom feels the same. I’m happy hearing praises about her.”

“Not really, I was just asking casually.”

“Just casually asking? Well, how about this: if you clean this pot, I’ll tell you exactly how they described her.”

Frustrated and still hungry, Jiang Qin snapped: “Which brush should I use?”

Yuan Youqin pointed towards the brush, then repeated the praise from friends and neighbors about Feng Nanshu being a sensible daughter-in-law and even suggesting engagement if not marriage.

Jiang Qin tried to suppress a smile: “A beautiful misunderstanding indeed.”

“Jiang Qin, forget about having leftovers then!”

“?”

Dinner was served quickly, not leftovers, but still, it turned out to be four dishes.

In fact, knowing they would be home today, Yuan Youqin had bought the ingredients the night before and cooking was no hassle.

Stir-fried pork with peppers, Nan Shu’s favorite.

Boiled shrimp, another one of Nan Shu’s favorites.

Beef brisket with radish, time-consuming but yet another favorite of hers.

Lastly, the dish of old salty vegetables was Jiang Qin’s favorite.

Although not hungry, Feng Nanshu still enjoyed the dinner, mainly admiring the atmosphere of eating together as a family of four.

She then looked at the heirloom bracelet on her wrist, fiddling with it under the table.

“Such a precious bracelet. You’d probably cry a long time if it broke, right?”

Jiang Qin watched her for a while, suddenly wanting to tease her.

Hearing this, Feng Nanshu indeed startled, clutching the Jiang family heirloom tightly.

Over the next two days, Jiang Qin truly enjoyed staying at home, handling some routine approvals during the day and occasionally stepping out with Feng Nanshu, Guo Zihang, and Yang Shuan, including a visit to a New Year film.

He can’t recall the content but vividly remembers how bright the little rich girl’s eyes were.

These days continued until the 16th, when Jiang Qin traveled to Shanghai.

With the New Year approaching, Group-Buy was busy promoting a festive goods festival. All major shopping areas actively cooperated, offering various discounts.

Sales under Group-Buy’s Premium Selection soared, reaching a new peak in store-based services, with Xihan Heqing’s strategic partnership shopping area seeing endless customers daily.

Beyond online sales, Group-Buy’s supply chain profitability was formidable, revealing the sharpness of Jiang Qin’s strategic vision.

Goods go through distribution and processing, naturally raising prices.

Like taking half a watermelon, slicing it, and boxing it—sometimes selling for more than a whole one. It’s the same principle.

Group-Buy’s supply chain starts from direct sourcing to merchant processing, ending with platform sales, a combination that left no money on the table in this virtually unchallenged market.

“During the festive good festival, our platform’s cut from signed Group-Buy Supply Chain merchants drops from ten percent to nine.”

“This not only encourages merchants to sign but also boosts sales volumes.”

“Additionally, interlinking various business chains can increase. Store services can offer daily special vouchers, which in turn can provide discount coupons for Group-Buy’s Premium Selection.”

Jiang Qin arrived at the airport by three o’clock in the afternoon and started to inspect various sites.

First was the supply chain warehouse in Shanghai, followed by Group-Buy’s Shanghai branch and several key commercial marketing sites.

Tan Qing now also had his secretary, who continuously took notes as Jiang Qin went on.

“Let’s have another coupon rush on the 25th of this month.”

“This is Group-Buy’s first festive good festival since consolidating the market. We need eye-catching sales figures and can even sponsor some satellite TV evening shows for promotion.”

“And that tour bus strategy we used when fighting for the market can be employed again.”

Tan Qing nodded: “Understood, boss.”

Stretching, Jiang Qin remarked: “Without Public Review as a reliable partner, I’m even unsure how to handle lunch.”

“You could order takeout, boss.”

“Makes sense…”

Impressed, Jiang Qin clarified: “Has Fast Order already started operating here in Shanghai?”

Pointing to a bus stop across the street, Tan Qing responded: “Look, boss, there’s an offline ad for Fast Order.”

“Any reaction from Hungry?”

“Not yet. It seems their current focus is on peripheral cities.”