Whether man or woman, during the first meeting with their partner’s parents, they would all be very uptight and careful, in case the parents did not like them. They were like this because they cared. If they did not care, then it did not matter at all.
On this night, Lin Su laid on Qin Sheng’s bed and hugged him tightly. She felt his breathing and soon fell asleep unknowingly. She felt that it was a very good sleep, much better than when she slept in her one-person apartment in Shanghai. Or perhaps, she was used to sleeping beside Qin Sheng.
On the next morning, Qin Sheng woke up when the sky was just starting to turn bright. He did not dare to wake up Lin Su and wanted her to sleep more. When he came out after washing up, Wang Li was already cooking porridge in the kitchen.
“Why did you not sleep longer? Why are you up so early?” Wang Li asked in surprise. She knew that Qin Sheng had a very regular routine since young. He always woke up early, slept early and never laze in bed or pull all-nighters. But after all, it had been a while since she last lived with him and she did not know his lifestyle now.
Qin Sheng said with smiling eyes, “I want to go on a walk with you.”
Unless there was a storm and the weather was terrible or if there was something on, Wang Li would take a stroll by Southern Lake every morning and evening. When the Lin family fell apart, her fate took a change. Luckily for her, Qin Sheng and Xin Xin were all grown-ups. Otherwise, it would be too difficult for her to raise up two children on her own.
“Alright then. I only made some porridge, and we can buy some breakfast on the way back,” Wang Li said with smiling eyes. It was rare to see Qin Sheng so filial.
Even though it was early in the morning, Qujiang New District’s Southern Lake was already very bustling. It was filled with aunties and uncles doing their morning exercises and strolling around. It was very rare to see young people. They were usually above 40 and 50 years old.
Qin Sheng accompanied Wang Li and walked at a speed that was neither too fast nor too slow. He examined the emotions of the passers-by and unintentionally noticed Auntie Wang’s white hair and the wrinkles on her face. Over the past few years, Auntie Wang had really turned old. Qin Sheng could not help but sigh emotionally. “Auntie, I was basically not at home for the past few years. You’ve suffered a lot. In the future, I will never disappear again for no reason. I will also come back often to visit you. I can also take care of Xin Xin when she’s in Shanghai, so you don’t have to overwork yourself and worry too much. Just take good care of yourself. When you’re free, go out for walks. As for Uncle Lin, when I have the capabilities, I will definitely fight for his innocence.”
Hearing his words, Wang Li was stunned for a moment. She then said feeling assured, “Qin Sheng, you’ve really grown up. Since young, you were smarter and more independent than the rest. Auntie knew that you are not one to stay where you are. Although I don’t know your life outside and I can’t help you much, as long as you need help, you can call me anytime. The Lin family will always be your family, no matter when.”
“Auntie, I know that you’ve had your fair share of worries for me. I’m no longer the kid that never talk. In the future, it’s my turn to take care of you guys,” Qin Sheng said sincerely.
Wang Li was very comforted to hear that. She was so happy a smile spread on her face. “Right now, Auntie is most concerned about when do you plan to get married and where you are planning to stay for the long-term. Although Lin Su might say so, we cannot let her suffer. She must at least have a place to stay. Although I don’t have many capabilities, I can still help you to gather enough money for a down payment. If I push it a little, it can also be enough to get married. Back then, your Uncle Lin gave Xin Xin and I a path to turn back on out of consideration for you guys’ future. Don’t tell Xin Xin this.”
Wang Li’s words caused Qin Sheng to be so shameful. For so many years, the Lin family had treated him like their own son. But what had he given them in return?
“Auntie, you don’t have to worry about all these. I have very little work now. Under the help of Grandfather’s old friend, I am now a vice-president of an enterprise. My annual income is in the millions, and I can afford to buy a house and a car soon.” Qin Sheng was afraid that this matter would become a constant burden for Auntie Wang, so he had no choice but to tell her some big truths.
Wang Li was shocked after hearing it. “Really? Qin Sheng, is that true? You’re not lying to me, right? Have you really become the vice-president? Your annual salary is in the millions?”
Qin Sheng continued, “Auntie, I definitely won’t lie to you! When you’re free, come to Hangzhou and travel. Then you’ll know.”
“Okay, okay, okay. Auntie knows that you’re successful. If your Uncle Lin knows about this, he’ll definitely be so happy!” Wang Li was so excited that she could barely form a full sentence.
After calming down, Wang Li asked casually, “Qin Sheng, there’s something that I don’t know if I should say.”
Qin Sheng did not mind at all and replied, “Go ahead, Auntie. Just say it.”
Wang Li sighed and said, “Qin Sheng, Auntie is old and don’t quite understand you youngsters’ love relationships. But Auntie hopes that you can settle down. Lin Su is a good girl, I can tell that she really likes you. I hope that you will not let her down. I shall not dwell on what was in the past. Su Qin and Han Bing are all good ladies. You were with Su Qin for so many years, and we are like one family with her. Afterward, when you two broke up, I feel a little embarrassed when I meet her family. And also, Han Bing often gives me a call and ask if I’m doing fine and buy many things for me. I’m also a little embarrassed.”
“Auntie, there are some things that I don’t want to explain. But don’t worry. I won’t let Lin Su down,” Qin Sheng replied with gritted teeth.
Wang Li nodded and replied, “That’s good; that’s good.”
By the time they returned home after a stroll at Southern Lake and buying some breakfast, Xin Xin and Lin Su had not yet to wake up. Wang Li asked Qin Sheng to wake them up. Qin Sheng first knocked on Xin Xin’s door and this girl only responded after he shouted her name for a few times.
When he went to his room, he entered directly. To his surprise, Lin Su was already up and had already washed up and changed her clothes. She was neatly dressed and walking around the room to look at things.
“I thought you haven’t woke up.” Qin Sheng chuckled.
Lin Su smiled and said, “You don’t mind me looking through what’s in your room, right?”
“You’re my wife, so everything of mine is yours. You have the right to know everything about me. What’s there to mind?” Qin Sheng said cheerfully.
Lin Su said with seemingly deep thoughts, “You used to look so young and now you’re like an old man. I didn’t expect Hao Lei to look quite handsome during high school. He looks so much older and mature now.”
Qin Sheng knew that Lin Su saw the picture taken during high school graduation. That was their best days. During that time, they were still very childish, uncontaminated by the impetuous society. Unfortunately, they were totally different now.
“Everyone was once young, no one is still a youth anymore,” Qin Sheng sighed and said.
Lin Su walked slowly towards him and said, “Isn’t there a very famous saying recently? Hope that you still have the heart of a child even halfway through your life. It’s a pity that this is just a dream. Who could still keep the heart of a child halfway through their life? Everyone wants to never forget their initial passion, but who could keep it forever?”
“If I didn’t know, I would have thought you majored in Philosophy,” Qin Sheng joked and said. He was sentimental after hearing her words but did not want to harp on it.
“Who’s that beautiful woman?” Lin Su asked without warning.
Qin Sheng froze subconsciously. He then replied honestly, “First love, Su Qin.”
“You’re quite honest.” The corners of her lips curled into a sinister smile and she said, “But I don’t mind your past. There are many people that like you, which means that I have good taste and all the more shows how lucky I am. Do you still keep in touch with her?”
Lin Su was now leading the conversation all over the place. She was still being nice about it and then suddenly brought back the topic. Qin Sheng’s feeling was constantly fluctuating.
He glared at Lin Su and said, “I met her twice in Shanghai last year, then we never contacted each other since then.”
“Oh, she’s in Shanghai,” Lin Su said thoughtfully.
Qin Sheng was really worried that she would continue lingering around the topic, so he quickly pulled her out and said, “Come out quickly, Auntie is waiting for us to eat breakfast.”
Qin Sheng’s excuse was good, Lin Su snapped back instantly. After all, nothing was as important as getting on her mother-in-law’s good side.
Lin Su and Qin Sheng bumped into the freshly-awake Xin Xin when they left the room. Xin Xin smiled at Lin Su and said, “Good morning, sister.”
Qin Sheng and Lin Su both froze. They looked at each other and did not know what was going on. Just when they had not yet to digest it, Xin Xin had already walked to the dining area.
After walking to the living room, Lin Su started to flatter her mother-in-law. “What a spread! Thank you, Auntie.” But breakfast was indeed very abundant. Buns, fried fritters, soy milk, porridge, pickled dishes, and fruits. Wang Li had prepared a lot.
Wang Li said joyfully, “This child knows how to talk! Quickly sit down and start eating; you all must be hungry.”
After they sat down, they started to chat casually. Lin Su took the initiative to invite Xin Xin. “Xin Xin, I heard from your brother that you’re only starting school in a few days, why not you come with us the day after tomorrow? You can play in Hangzhou for two days and then return to Shanghai.”
“You all have to work, don’t let her come and bother you,” Wang Li said euphemistically.
Lin Su smiled and said, “Auntie, it’s all right. I’m not busy at work. I can also take a few days off and bring Xin Xin around. After all, Hangzhou is a good city. How about this? Auntie, come with us!”
Wang Li shook her head immediately. “I appreciate your intention, but it’s a pity that I have to work. Next time when you two get married and have a baby, I’ll then go and carry the baby.”
Hearing this, Lin Su was so embarrassed that she did not know how to respond. Sitting beside her, Qin Sheng could not hold it in anymore and snickered. The angry Lin Su stepped on his foot below the table.
“Mom, I have a few classmates in Hangzhou, so I can go find them too and go back to school together.” Xin Xin really wanted to go have fun in Hangzhou. She had spent her whole summer vacation in Xi’an and was going to rot from the boredom.
Qin Sheng quickly added, “Auntie, just let her come with us to Hangzhou, I haven’t spend time with this girl in a very long time, I can take this chance to compensate her.”
“Alright then, since you all have said so. If I don’t let her go, I’m really not understanding,” Wang Li nodded and said. She more or less did not bear to leave her baby girl. She reminded her, “Xin Xin, you must listen to your brother when you are in Hangzhou, don’t cause trouble, understand?”
“Mom, I know, I’m not a kid anymore,” Xin Xin said helplessly while she drank her porridge.
After breakfast, Qin Sheng and Lin Su went out. It was more or less the same schedule as when he last came back: First to clean his grandfather’s grave, then to visit Uncle Lin.
Meng Zhe’s call came just as they stepped out of the door. He said that he wanted to treat Qin Sheng to dinner tonight. Qin Sheng was confused as to how this dude got the news so fast. He then found out that Hao Lei told him.
Of course he agreed to it. But he did not know that there was also going to be Wu Hao and Zhao Xuan…