Chapter 41 In Our Family, Looks Matter

Chapter 41: Our Family, Judging by Appearances

Some people just radiate an aura that screams "don't mess with me," especially when paired with a suit whose exquisite tailoring alone screams "expensive."

Aunt Wang was instinctively intimidated but still retorted defiantly, "What's it to you? ‘Let her smash it for fun,’ you say? Is this car even yours? Stop bragging."

The car suddenly let out a soft "beep."

Aunt Wang's eyes widened.

Holy cow! It really is his!

"Oh dear, I really need to use the bathroom, and I have to go grocery shopping later. Gotta run," she said, clutching her stomach, mimicking Qin Shuyi's earlier tactic of using the bathroom as an excuse.

But inwardly, she grumbled, Look at how these pretty girls are such man-magnets. Just one meeting, and she's already got some big boss so bewitched he's willing to let her smash his car for fun.

I really need to remind Dazhuang later, don't just focus on looks.

Girls who are too pretty can't be kept faithful.

...

Ling Jue didn't bother watching Aunt Wang scurry away. He looked up at the window of Qin Shuyi's home. Qin's father had already left the windowsill, but Qin Shuyi suddenly popped her head out, sneakily peeking at the commotion downstairs.

Ling Jue stepped further back from the corner, staying out of her view.

Remembering how someone had darted out like a rabbit earlier, the corner of his lips curved slightly.

At least she's smart enough not to entertain matchmaking from outsiders.

That cunning rabbit seemed to have gained a few pounds too. Her complexion looked good, her hair was smooth, dark, and shiny, without a care in the world.

Thinking of this, his smile faded again.

Their breakup truly had no impact on her at all. He was the only one tossing and turning, trapped in memories.

Before coming to S City, he had already asked Special Assistant Li to investigate. Qin Shuyi wasn't moving back to her hometown; she had just asked for time off because her parents returned to the country.

Special Assistant Li's misunderstanding stemmed solely from Qin Shuyi posting on social media with the caption "Home," accompanied by a photo of flowers in her living room.

Ling Jue hadn't been thinking straight either, not immediately spotting the discrepancy.

Right, Qin Shuyi was never one to run away.

He let out a self-deprecating laugh.

The reason for rushing hundreds of kilometers overnight just to tell her "No need to leave, he wouldn't disturb her" now seemed pointless.

He rubbed his temples and decided to conduct an inspection tour at the S City branch office.

He needed to find some justification for his own irrational behavior.

...

Back at the Wangs' house.

After returning home, Aunt Wang started chattering nonstop.

She complained about Qin Shuyi's rudeness and grumbled about that wealthy man being too intimidating.

Her son, Wang Dazhuang—or rather, his proper name, Wang Tao—keenly picked up on the key point. "You saw Qin Shuyi?"

Aunt Wang pursed her lips. "Yes. After all these years, still as slippery as she was when she was little."

But Wang Tao couldn't hear his mother's complaints anymore; he was overjoyed. "Great! I'll go invite her to the class reunion."

Aunt Wang pulled a long face. "Invite what? I already asked her. She's not going."

"Let me tell you, I even saw her checking out that luxury car this morning. That girl has high standards."

Wang Tao paid no mind as he started picking out clothes and fixing his hair. He had seen the car too. Someone who could afford that kind of vehicle lived in a world far removed from ordinary people like them.

What's wrong with looking at a car? Their paths would never cross anyway.

When it comes to someone suitable for a stable life, it has to be a successful person like him, with some achievements.

And besides, they were childhood sweethearts.

Sure, they fought, but wasn't that just to get her attention?

Qin Shuyi looked like a doll when she was little, incredibly popular.

Wang Tao, however, was pretty much the same as he is now—a short, stocky guy. No matter how hard he tried, he couldn't squeeze his way next to Qin Shuyi, so he had to try other methods.

He just didn't expect Qin Shuyi, who looked so delicate and frail, had actually learned a few moves from her dad. Her punches really hurt.

He touched his face. They were all grown up now; she wouldn't actually hit me now, would she?

And his future father-in-law... he'd have to tell Qin Yuan later not to teach his wife to be too violent.

Wang Tao finally picked the perfect outfit and left the house, beaming.

Aunt Wang hesitated, still wanting to talk him out of it. "Maybe you shouldn't go. What if she rejects you a second time? That would be so embarrassing."

Initially, she thought Qin Shuyi was quite good—pretty, has a home in the capital, an only child, doted on by Qin Yuan and Zhou Yunhe. Their money would surely go to Qin Shuyi in the future.

She was a decent match for her son.

But after seeing Ling Jue, she thought, someone that wealthy gets smitten after just one brief encounter.

A girl like that could have any man she wants.

Aunt Wang glanced at her son. Even with a guilty conscience, she couldn't say their appearances looked compatible standing together.

Wang Tao didn't care about any wealthy boss. He frowned. "Boss, boss. How old must a boss be to afford a car like that? Between me and some old man, who do you think she'd choose?"

Aunt Wang: Why does that sound so familiar?

The next second, Wang Tao had already slammed the door and left.

Aunt Wang: ?!

Wait... she blinked in confusion. Did she forget to mention... the car owner wasn't an old man? He was quite a handsome young fellow, even more dashing than male celebrities on TV.

...

Armed with faulty intel, Wang Tao, who went knocking on the Qin family's door, inevitably had his bubble burst.

"Not going? Why?" He stared, unable to believe it.

He never thought Qin Shuyi would say no to him.

“Did you not hear me? It’s Stellar Grand Hotel—the most expensive place in the city. You can’t just book a table, and I’m paying for everything—you don’t have to chip in at all.”

“Not interested,” Qin Shuyi replied directly.

Wang Tao pressed on, unwilling to give up. “Aren’t you on vacation? And I already told everyone you’d be there. A bunch of people are really counting on you being there.”

He had boasted that he could bring Qin Shuyi along, and those people were practically drooling with envy.

If she backed out now, what was he supposed to do?

Qin Shuyi spread her hands. “Not my problem. You’re the one who promised, you explain it.”

Wang Tao’s expression darkened, but he softened his tone. “It’s just dinner. I’ll bring you back right after. Our old classmates are so excited to see you—you wouldn’t want to disappoint them, would you?”

Even resorting to emotional blackmail didn’t faze Qin Shuyi. She remained calm. “I’m just not free. There’s nothing I can do about it.”

Wang Tao insisted, “Can’t you reschedule? What’s so important?”

Qin Shuyi answered, “A blind date.”

“A blind date?!” Wang Tao nearly jumped to his feet.

He forgot all about the class reunion. “Why would you go on a blind date? A girl like you, Shuyi, why would you need a blind date for?”

Then he hinted, “I think it’s better for two people to be together when they know each other well, don’t you agree?”

Qin Shuyi said, “That’s true, but my family has one rule that’s particularly hard to meet.”

Rules were good—rules meant there was room for negotiation.

Probably just money, right? Well, he could make money!

Wang Tao puffed out his chest, brimming with confidence. “What rule? Let me hear it.”

Qin Shuyi glanced at her parents, who were sitting nearby, sipping tea quietly without interfering in the young people’s conversation—yet never leaving the living room.

Zhou Yunhe cleared her throat, looking at Wang Dazhuang with pity in her eyes, and slowly uttered another sentence that shattered him completely.

“Our family… is picky about appearances.”

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