Chapter 344: Wanting to Pat the Dog’s Head (Make-up Update)

Chapter 344: Wanting to Pat the Dog's Head (Make-up Update)

Xianjin stayed behind, and Qiao Hui gestured toward the door, but Xianjin waved her hand, indicating there was no need to wait.

Seeing the interaction between the two, Chen Fu chuckled, patted the stool, and invited Xianjin to sit down. He waved at Qiao Hui with a benevolent smile, "I'll call you later, don't worry!"

Since I started rooting for 'Gold Ingots' (Jin Yuanbao), I’ve found Qiao Hui pleasing to the eye no matter where I look—earlier, when news of Erlang’s letters came, everyone said he was great, but I couldn’t see it. Perhaps it’s because of my complicated feelings toward my elder brother, but I’ve always felt Erlang wasn’t straightforward, like a half-opened door that needs someone firm and brave to push it wide open.

Of course, some girls really enjoy this kind of dynamic.

Believe it or not, it sells quite well, second only to the torment-the-world stories.

As for other people's preferences, we should respect and understand, but not imitate.

I am Ainiang's husband, and Ainiang raised our daughter with great effort. Why should my daughter go and redeem someone else?

What does redemption mean? It means giving up your energy, time, money, and emotions to support the other person!

I even wanted to marry Xianjin off to the emperor! Let the emperor support my little girl!

Is that possible?!

Redemption, indeed!

Frankly speaking, it's one side selfishly draining the other's energy!

During the dinner just now, Chen Fu had several cups of the cold pear wine, which didn’t make him drunk but made him happy. He said, "...Qiao Hui is really good. Qiao Shanchang raised him very well. He trusts himself and believes in others. It’s not that I’m saying this because he’s accomplished something; I’m not the kind of person who flatters others."

Xianjin nodded, her expression relaxed, "I know. At first, you were planning to match me with that lip-red, teeth-white young master from the Baixiang Pavilion in Jing County."

Chen Fu nodded sagely, "Their yogurt and braised lamb are really delicious. In the next issue of Jing County’s Top 18 Delicacies, I’ll definitely feature them in a dedicated section."

How did we get to braised lamb?

Chen Fu shook his head and brought the topic back, "Qiao Hui, as your father, I hold him in high regard. Even though he’s just a young scholar at Qingcheng Mountain Courtyard now, I’m okay with you being with him."

"Young scholar?"

Xianjin choked, "Father, you’re really acting like you’re above everyone now—" Wasn’t Mr. Fan Jin only in his forties or fifties when he went mad after passing the imperial examination?

Xianjin poured a hot tea for Chen Fu to sober him up and poured one for herself as well.

Chen Fu took a sip, "When are you getting married?"

"Pfft!" Xianjin spit out her tea.

Chen Fu couldn’t dodge in time, calmly wiped his face, and picked up the tea leaves from his chin.

This tea really helps clear the head.

Chen Fu said, "I’m not rushing you. It’s better to be alone than to marry in haste. But with Qiao Hui... Father sees it clearly, one has feelings, and the other is willing, a rare and perfect match. You’ve known each other since you were young, and Qiao Shanchang has always liked you. There’s no mother-in-law in his family. This is the kind of marriage that should happen."

Xianjin wiped her mouth, "Currently, I don’t have plans to get married."

Chen Fu was puzzled, "Then what’s going on between you and Qiao Hui?"

Are you two... seeing each other?

Xianjin said, "We're doing great together..."

Chen Fu interrupted through gritted teeth, "If you dare call him a best friend, I'll break both your legs."

Xianjin paused for a moment and smoothly changed her words, "We're getting along very well as lovers."

Lovers...

Shouldn't you get married before falling in love?

You're in love, but you're not getting married?

Xianjin's words clearly hit Chen Fu like a shockwave.

The two sat facing each other, staring at one another.

Chen Fu, whose head was full of romantic thoughts, tried to understand Xianjin, "Liang Shanbo and Zhu Yingtai? Cui Yingying and Zhang Sheng?"

Xianjin winced at the idea, "Well... there's no need to go to such deadly extremes."

Chen Fu also felt the previous words were a bit ominous and knocked on the wooden table three times with his hands.

Xianjin pondered for a moment and said, "Marriage is currently not within my considerations."

"At present, I have documents from the Japanese pirates and exchange notes from the court to handle, with responsibilities to the court above and dozens of merchants below, not to mention maritime transport, water transport, repairing official roads, and acquiring fodder... all of which require my personal attention. Once I get to the capital, there’s a lot more to do."

"And don’t forget Baoyuan, who’s also young but already a deputy commander and close to the emperor. His responsibilities are no fewer or lighter than mine."

"As you said, Baoyuan and I do care for each other, and we’re seeing where things go, but who can guarantee that this affection will last until the end?"

Chen Fu let out a sound, "Oh... wow..."

Like an abandoned puppy.

Chen Fu was quickly convinced and tentatively said, "So, for now, I don’t need to think of Baoyuan as my future son-in-law?"

Xianjin thought for a moment, "It's up to you. If you want to treat him as your son-in-law, that's fine too. I just don't have plans to marry right now, nor am I planning to jump from one relationship to another."

Chen Fu's silence was deafening.

As a man driven by love, Chen Fu couldn't understand.

But as a father, he unconditionally supported all of his daughter's decisions.

Chen Fu endured and endured, his facial expressions changing several times.

Xianjin said, "Say what you want to say."

Chen Fu stammered, "These words should have been spoken by your mother. She passed away early, so now it's up to me to say them—treat those you are with well, and if you part ways, part well. You're not an ordinary young woman. Other girls rely on men to live, but now the entire paper industry in Xuancheng prefecture relies on you. The greater our abilities, the greater our responsibilities. Not wanting to marry is not a crime, but..."

Chen Fu beat around the bush, running at least a mini-marathon with his words.

Xianjin was left confused, not knowing what to say.

Finally, Chen Fu spoke, "Just don’t go having a baby and mess up my peaceful retirement."

Xianjin: ...

She’s got way too much confidence in herself.

Does she think she's Ultraman Tiga, running on solar power? Come on, she barely has time to breathe, let alone have a first romantic experience! She’s already stretching every minute of the day like it’s rubber.

However, Chen Fu's words did open a new door for Xianjin.

"Dad, let me ask you this, if someone has a kid without getting married, can the kid still take the He family name?"

Xianjin thought of the family grave she’s been dreaming of building. As the one who’ll start the family tradition of the ancestral grave, she knows it’s going to be a tough road.

After a moment of silence, Chen Fu roared towards the sky, "What the hell are you saying?! Are you trying to give me a heart attack?! Get out of my sight and go kneel at your mother’s grave for three days straight!"

Xianjin was shouted out of the main room.

From a short distance away, Qiao Hui cautiously peeked his head around the corner.

Chen Fu bit his tongue, holding back what he really wanted to say. He almost reached out to pat Qiao Hui’s head, just to comfort him. But then he remembered—this ‘son-in-law’ is now a high-ranking official, one of the emperor’s closest advisors.

Unwilling to call his daughter a ‘flake’ in front of her fiancé, he could only choke out, "Baoyuan, you know, sometimes you just have to keep things in perspective. Who would’ve thought we’d end up with such a successful daughter?"

Qiao Hui immediately lowered his head obediently. "It’s fine. I’m just glad she’s willing to give me some kind of recognition."