Chapter 98

Chapter 98

Eventually, Jiang Weilin went grocery shopping with Jiang Yiwei.

After finishing their shopping and walking back to the Jiang family courtyard, Jiang Weilin found out who Fu Xunian really was.

“He’s your boyfriend!”

“He’s good-looking enough to match you, Third Sister.”

Recalling Fu Xunian’s appearance and demeanor, Jiang Weilin thought they made a good pair—though his personality was still a question mark.

Still, if their father didn’t object, he must be okay.

“Shouldn’t your first thought be whether he treats me well?”

He only considered whether Fu Xunian was good enough for her, but not whether Fu Xunian treated her well!

“If he didn’t treat you well, he’d have been dumped already.”

Though Jiang Weilin usually seemed carefree, he knew damn well that if Fu Xunian treated Jiang Yiwei poorly—or did anything that rubbed her the wrong way—she wouldn’t give him the time of day.

The fact that she had already brought him home was proof positive.

Jiang Yiwei thought about it and had to admit he had a point.

While she did like handsome guys, if Fu Xunian had a terrible personality, no amount of looks would keep her around.

She realized she wasn’t into empty-headed pretty boys, but rather someone both smart and attractive.

She looked up at Jiang Weilin. “You get me better than I thought.”

She used to think of him as just a simple, somewhat clueless student, but apparently he read her pretty well.

Jiang Weilin grinned. “I’m not dumb—you’re just too sharp.”

He wasn’t the dumb one—that honor went to Jiang Yuexin.

“Alright, enough with the humblebrag. Let’s hurry home, or if Mom scolds us for being late, I’ll forget sibling loyalty and blame it all on you.”

If they got back late and Zhang Cuifen started lecturing them, Jiang Yiwei wouldn’t hesitate to pin the whole thing on Jiang Weilin.

Jiang Weilin looked like she'd slapped him, as if he couldn’t believe Jiang Yiwei would do such a thing.

Tickled by his dumbfounded look, Jiang Yiwei cheerfully carried the groceries and meat, picking up the pace homeward.

Seeing this, Jiang Weilin quickly caught up to her, bitching about her cold-heartedness and how little she cared for their sibling bond.

When they got home, they found Fu Xunian playing sous-chef for Zhang Cuifen in the kitchen.

Zhang Cuifen was grinning ear to ear, calling him “Xu Nian” affectionately again and again.

Even at dinner, she kept loading up Fu Xunian’s bowl, while her own daughter and son didn’t get nearly that kind of special treatment.

If it hadn’t been so late, she would’ve talked Fu Xunian’s ear off all night.

“Do you know the way back? If not, I can give you a ride home,” Zhang Cuifen worried that Fu Xunian might not know how to get back and offered to have Jiang Weilin take him.

Jiang Weilin’s eyes widened instantly, his expression full of refusal.

“No need, Auntie,” he said. “There’s a bus that goes straight to my place. I’ll just bus it.”

Every time Fu Xunian walked Jiang Yiwei close to her home, he’d catch the bus back—there was one that went to a stop near his place.

Sometimes when Jiang Yiwei visited Fu Xunian and didn’t want to bike, she’d just bus it to his place.

“Alright then, let Yiwei see you to the bus stop.”

Zhang Cuifen instructed Jiang Yiwei: “Yiwei, walk Xu Nian to the bus stop and come right back.”

“I know, Mom. Y’all go on inside! I’ll walk Xu Nian to the bus stop.”

Jiang Yiwei shooed Zhang Cuifen and the others back inside.

Then she grabbed Fu Xunian’s hand and headed toward the bus stop.

As they got further from the Jiang family courtyard, Jiang Yiwei asked her companion about his experience that day.

“Did Mom’s enthusiasm freak you out?”

It could be said that Fu Xunian was completely unprepared—he hadn’t expected to get caught meeting Jiang Sanjie and Zhang Cuifen like this.

“Not totally blindsided, just caught off guard.”

Fu Xunian had been through plenty of big situations before, so he wasn’t easily intimidated. The only thing was that meeting Jiang Sanjie and the others today felt very sudden.

“I didn’t prepare anything, showing up like this to meet your parents. I’m worried they might not like me or think I have bad manners.”

This was Fu Xunian’s only concern.

He knew that when male factory workers visited their girlfriends’ parents, they brought all sorts of gifts. Fu Xunian had even figured out what gifts to bring when he met Jiang Sanjie and Zhang Cuifen.

But today, after Jiang Sanjie discovered his relationship with Jiang Yiwei, he ended up showing up at her place with nothing.

Fu Xunian had also heard factory workers say that if the gifts were too modest, their partners’ families might give them the cold shoulder or think less of them.

And here he was, showing up empty-handed. This made Fu Xunian worry whether Jiang Sanjie and Zhang Cuifen would have a bad impression of him or dislike him.

“My mom was so enthusiastic and clearly likes you, so you don’t need to worry about that.”

“As for Dad, you really don’t have to be concerned. Today was unexpected, and he knows it was his idea for you to come back with us. He won’t blame you at all.”

Zhang Cuifen’s warmth toward Fu Xunian was something even her own kids took a backseat to.

Besides, it was Jiang Sanjie who happened to discover them together and was the one who asked Fu Xunian to come back.

So, he really didn’t need to worry about Jiang Sanjie and Zhang Cuifen disliking him.

Fu Xunian shook his head. “No, next time I visit your home, I’ll do this right. I’ll make it up properly.”

He planned to cover everything he missed when he next visited Jiang Yiwei’s home.

“Alright then.”

She could see that Zhang Cuifen and Jiang Sanjie didn’t mind, but since Fu Xunian, as the person involved, was concerned, she wasn’t about to stop him if he wanted to be more thorough.

“Xu Nian, doesn’t all this feel kinda magical?”

"Just now, we were talking about whether you wanted to meet my parents, and you said no. Then the next thing I knew, my dad ran into us."

Thinking back on it now, Jiang Yiwei thought it was pretty wild.

One moment they were saying they shouldn’t meet Jiang Sanjie yet, and the next, they’d bumped into him—and even met Zhang Cuifen too.

Like everything just fell into place.

"I honestly didn’t expect to be meeting your parents today either."

Nothing went the way Fu Xunian had planned.

He had intended to wait until after leaving the Third Automobile Manufacturing Plant and getting his auto parts business off the ground before going with Jiang Yiwei to meet her family.

But things turned out completely different—he ended up meeting them early, and even when they found out he was leaving the factory to start his own company, they didn’t seem upset or put off at all.

"Guess it’s just fate. Fate wanted you to meet my parents now."

At least now she wouldn’t have to go through the hassle of avoiding Zhang Cuifen’s matchmaking.

Fu Xunian and Jiang Yiwei came to a stop. "This is far enough."

This was the usual spot where, whenever they went out, Fu Xunian insisted on walking her home. Every time they reached this point, he would stop and see her off to the Jiang family courtyard.

As Jiang Yiwei was about to nod, Jiang Ningning’s voice piped up in surprise.

"Yiwei!"

Jiang Yiwei and Fu Xunian turned toward the voice.

Jiang Ningning and Qu Zhenxin’s eyes zeroed in on their clasped hands.

"You two—what’s going on here?"

Jiang Ningning pointed at their intertwined hands.

What exactly was going on between them?

"This is my boyfriend, Fu Xunian. He came with me today to meet my parents."

Jiang Yiwei said matter-of-factly. No point hiding it now—their relationship was already out in the open.

"So that’s your boyfriend."

Jiang Ningning never would’ve guessed he was Jiang Yiwei’s boyfriend, let alone that he’d come to meet Jiang Sanjie and Zhang Cuifen today.

It totally caught her off guard.

She always thought Jiang Yiwei was single, but it turned out she already had someone—and a looker too.

Jiang Ningning tugged Qu Zhenxin along as she stepped forward. "Hello! I’m Yiwei’s cousin, Jiang Ningning, and this is my boyfriend, Qu Zhenxin."

"Hello, I’m Fu Xunian," he smiled at them.

"And I’m Qu Zhenxin," Qu Zhenxin added with a nod.

"Mr. Fu, you look really familiar. Have we met before?" Jiang Ningning squinted at Fu Xunian. She could’ve sworn she knew him from somewhere—but try as she might, she just couldn’t place him.

She was sure she’d seen Fu Xunian before, yet had no impression of him—which struck Jiang Ningning as really odd.

Jiang Yiwei chimed in for Fu Xunian, “Ning Ning, you totally have met Xunian.”

Jiang Ningning had definitely seen Fu Xunian.

But after so many years, even though Fu Xunian was exceptionally good-looking, she figured she’d have forgotten him by now. Yet, Jiang Ningning still remembered having met him once.

Jiang Yiwei’s words confirmed it—she just couldn’t remember when exactly.

“I know I’ve seen him somewhere, just can’t remember when.”

“Ning Ning, remember when I got my first sewing machine fixed?”

That was when Jiang Ningning had met Fu Xunian.

“Oh, it was him,” Jiang Ningning recalled.

Back then, she’d even thought about keeping Fu Xunian as a backup, because a guy like him totally qualified to be her backup, she thought.

Unfortunately, after that one time, Jiang Ningning never saw Fu Xunian again.

Who knew that years later, he would become Jiang Yiwei’s partner?

“You two actually ended up together. I never imagined you’d ever be dating.” Jiang Ningning was floored.

They were actually dating now.

“We didn’t expect it either, that we’d end up together.”

Jiang Yiwei beamed.

Now, Jiang Yiwei wasn’t up for small talk with Jiang Ningning anymore.

“Xunian, it’s about time. You’d better hustle for that bus, or you’ll be stuck waiting forever.”

Jiang Yiwei worried Fu Xunian might miss the bus and have to wait too long.

“Are you taking the bus? I’m heading that way too. Wanna walk together? At least we’ll have company.”

Qu Zhenxin, who had barely spoken until now, unexpectedly took the initiative.

No big deal—he really was taking the bus home, and since Fu Xunian happened to be going the same way, they might as well walk together—better than going solo.

After all, Jiang Yiwei and Jiang Ningning were cousins, so he and Fu Xunian were kinda family too.

“Sure, let’s head for the bus stop together.”

Fu Xunian agreed.

After a quick goodbye to Jiang Yiwei, Fu Xunian and Qu Zhenxin headed for the bus stop.

Once they left, it was just Jiang Yiwei and Jiang Ningning.

Jiang Ningning and Jiang Yiwei walked home at a leisurely pace, trailing behind each other.

"I always thought you were single, figured you weren't seeing anyone."

"Turns out you've been dating Fu Xunian this whole time!"

Looking back, Jiang Ningning felt kinda dumb.

She'd really thought Yiwei was single.

Turns out she was with Fu Xunian all along—and Yiwei had never said a word about it.

"Did you turn down Zhenxin because you were already with Fu Xunian?"

Was it because of Fu Xunian that she refused to meet Qu Zhenxin?

Because she was already in a relationship, she didn’t want to go on a blind date with Qu Zhenxin.

"Ning Ning, when Xu Nian and I got together is none of your business."

She didn’t owe Ningning any explanations about her relationship with Fu Xunian.

"Fine, just asking. No need to get defensive, Yi Wei."

Whatever, if she didn't want to talk about it, that's on her. After all, Qu Zhenxin was already her boyfriend—no one could take him away.

When they got home, Zhang Cuifen asked Yiwei about her situation with Fu Xunian, and Yiwei told her everything she could.

Zhang Cuifen simply said, "I think Xu Nian’s a good guy. It’d be great if you two got married. Don’t go screwing this up."

What Zhang Cuifen feared most was Yiwei making waves.

"Mom, don’t worry! There’s nothing wrong between me and Xu Nian. I promise he’ll be your son-in-law."

They’d been dating for ages. If there were issues, they would’ve come up long ago—why wait until now?

That finally seemed to satisfy Zhang Cuifen.

But that night, Zhang Cuifen tossed and turned.

She woke Jiang Sanjie, who'd barely fallen asleep.

"What’s up? Stop tossing—I’m trying to sleep here," Jiang Sanjie yawned.

"You're up? Good, keep me company."

Zhang Cuifen was wide awake, and since Jiang Sanjie was awake too, he might as well talk to her.

From her tone alone, Jiang Sanjie could tell what was keeping her up.

"This is about Yi Wei and Xu Nian, isn’t it?"

"Exactly," Zhang Cuifen answered bluntly.

She really was hung up on Yiwei’s relationship.

"What’s the issue now?"

"Yi Wei’s taken care of now. You don’t have to worry about her being single anymore."

When Yiwei was still single, Zhang Cuifen wouldn’t stop bugging Jiang Sanjie about setting her up.

They even worried Jiang Yiwei might never marry.

Since Jiang Yiwei was a college graduate, could earn her own money, and even ran a shop, Zhang Cuifen was determined to find her a good match. But precisely because Jiang Yiwei was such a catch, it became harder to find a suitable partner for her.

Some even came forward, hoping to set up matches between their sons, nephews, relatives, or acquaintances and Jiang Yiwei.

Zhang Cuifen would play along at first.

But every time she inquired about the other party’s situation, she’d lose interest.

These men were all just looking to mooch off a woman—how could Zhang Cuifen possibly marry Jiang Yiwei off to them?

So she made sure Jiang Yiwei turned them all down.

“No need to worry now—I’m very satisfied with Xu Nian, especially since his parents passed away long ago.”

Now that Jiang Yiwei had found someone on her own, Zhang Cuifen was quite pleased.

Looks, career, family—everything checked out.

Other than an uncle overseas, Fu Xunian had practically no family left in China. Zhang Cuifen and Jiang Sanjie were still young enough to help support their small family in the future.

In fact, Zhang Cuifen had quietly rejoiced—without elders looming over them, Jiang Yiwei’s life would be much easier.

Having endured her own mother-in-law’s cruelty, and knowing full well how much Jiang Lingxin had suffered because of that old battle-axe, Mrs. Lu, Zhang Cuifen believed that without a mother-in-law, Jiang Yiwei’s life would be much smoother.

“Are you worried that Xu Nian might treat Yiwei poorly in the future?”

“Don’t you worry about that. Xu Nian’s a good egg—the kind who’ll treat her right.”

Jiang Sanjie was a good judge of character.

If Fu Xunian weren’t on the level, Jiang Sanjie wouldn’t have allowed him into the house today, wouldn’t have let Jiang Yiwei bring him home, and might even have advised them to break up.

“I trust your judgment.”

Zhang Cuifen and Jiang Sanjie had been married nearly thirty years, and Jiang Sanjie’s ability to read people had always been spot-on—she believed in him.

“I’m just worried that Xu Nian won’t have a steady job in the future.”

While Jiang Yiwei was off getting groceries, Zhang Cuifen grilled Fu Xunian thoroughly about his family background.

Fu Xunian had told her himself that he didn’t plan to stay at the Third Automobile Manufacturing Plant—he wanted to leave and start his own auto parts company.

Zhang Cuifen just didn’t get it.

Kids these days had their heads in the clouds.

Instead of sticking with a steady job, they insisted on opening shops, starting companies, or even selling breakfast.

“Isn’t Xu Nian planning to start a company?” Jiang Sanjie raised an eyebrow. How could that mean he wouldn’t have a job?

Didn’t Fu Xunian say he wanted to open an auto parts company?

Zhang Cuifen gave Jiang Sanjie a look. “You think it’s a walk in the park running a company?”

Give me a break. If it were that easy to start a business, they’d be a dime a dozen.

“Take Ning Ning and Zhenxin, for example—word is they sank a fortune into taking over that food plant.”

"Xu Nian wants to start a company—who knows how much that'll cost!"

Jiang Ningning and Qu Zhenxin had fought before because buying out the food factory would cost a fortune. Zhang Cuifen didn’t know exactly how much they spent, but it must’ve been a pretty penny.

Now Fu Xunian wants to start his own business—who knows how much that’ll cost?

Even if he gets the company off the ground, there’s no telling whether it’ll make money or stay open.

Who knows if Fu Xunian even has enough cash?

"Sanjie, maybe we should talk Xu Nian into staying at the Third Automobile Manufacturing Plant. It's a steady job, isn't it?"

Zhang Cuifen thought staying at the plant was a safe bet and wanted Jiang Sanjie to help convince Fu Xunian.

But Jiang Sanjie shook his head. "It’s good work, but you’re still lining someone else's pockets."

"If you're your own boss, the money you earn is yours."

Jiang Sanjie believed being your own boss was the way to go—your earnings were all your own.

Unlike before, when you couldn't just start a business, now there are far fewer restrictions.

"Don’t keep thinking like things used to be. Plenty of people are doing business these days. You know Dawei’s boy, Yun Jun? He scored a batch of shoes somehow."

"Dawei said each pair cost eight yuan, and Yun Jun sold them for thirteen—five yuan profit a pair."

Dawei’s son had cleaned up selling shoes.

"No wonder I ran into Juanzi earlier, and she told me Yun Jun made enough to pay the bride price."

Huang Yunjun had a girlfriend, but her family demanded a high bride price, which Dawei’s family couldn’t afford. His wife Juanzi had been beside herself over it.

But not long ago, Juanzi told Zhang Cuifen that Yunjun could finally marry and even invited them to the wedding.

At the time, Zhang Cuifen had wondered how things got resolved so quickly.

Now it made sense—Yunjun must’ve earned the money. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have been able to get married.

"A hundred pairs of shoes, five yuan profit a pair—that’s five hundred yuan total."

Five hundred yuan! Zhang Cuifen’s eyes nearly popped out.

That was nearly what she makes in a year.

Thinking about how fast Huang Yunjun made that kind of money, Zhang Cuifen was green with envy.

"See? Think about Ningning—the food factory is hers. She's probably raking it in every month."

The food factory now belonged to Jiang Ningning, and who knows how much she made each month.

"Just look at how Ningning dresses now—those clothes don’t come cheap."

Zhang Cuifen had noticed all the changes in Jiang Ningning—her outfits and accessories went for twenty, thirty, even a hundred yuan a pop.

Clearly, she was rolling in it.

"And think about Yiwei—you think she's not making bank just taking in sewing work?"

"Hiring people, opening a shop—all those random costs. If she really wasn’t making any money at all, why would Yiwei still be doing it?"

"Even if Yiwei loves making clothes, if she couldn't earn money, she'd never quit her job at the Ministry of Textiles."

No matter how much Yiwei loves making clothes, if she couldn't earn money, she would surely choose to work at the Ministry of Textiles.

"Can opening a factory, a company, or a shop really make this much nowadays?"

Zhang Cuifen was even a bit envious—this windfall could equal what they earned in a whole year.

Thinking about it got Zhang Cuifen all fired up.

"Don’t think running a business is easy, you know."

"If you want to make money, you need skills. Without them, you still won’t earn anything."

Nowadays, opening a company, a shop, or a factory can absolutely turn a profit, but you gotta have what it takes. Otherwise, even if you manage to open a shop, you won’t see a dime.

"If you put it that way, can Xu Nian make money by opening a company?"

If Fu Xunian could earn money by opening a company, Zhang Cuifen wouldn't have a leg to stand on.

But if Fu Xunian can't make money from his company, there's really no need for him to leave the Third Automobile Manufacturing Plant.

"I can’t speak for others, but when it comes to Xu Nian, he's a sure bet."

When it came to Fu Xunian opening a company, Jiang Sanjie would bet money he'd succeed.