Chapter 144 She Misses Him Too

Chapter 144: She Missed Him Too

After discussing all potential issues one by one, the atmosphere of their family talk lightened considerably.

Zhou Tinglan tugged her shawl around her, a smug smile curling at the corners of her mouth.

"I knew that kid had a thing for our Shuyi. They've still got some things to work out."

Initially, they had thought the two were just having fun. But not only had they been dating for over a month, there was also Ling Jue's attitude towards her and Jiang Shiheng.

The gap between their families was vast, and they rarely crossed paths.

Ling Jue kept his distance from them. Yet, one time when they met outside, he had made a point of coming over to say hello to them both in front of everyone.

It wasn't overly familiar, but his courtesy was evident.

Given his status, he could have easily ignored the relatives of someone he wasn't planning to marry.

But he still came over.

That's when she sensed something more.

Not to mention after they broke up, the ex-boyfriend who should have gone off happily to his arranged marriage kept appearing around Shuyi, stuck around like a bad penny.

Jiang Yuzhou chimed in smoothly, "Of course, if he didn't like Sister Shuyi, then he's got no taste."

His admiration for Ling Jue was one thing—it was a man's natural instinct to admire strength.

But he never felt that Qin Shuyi was reaching above her station by being with him.

The only one unhappy was Qian Youyou.

"I still think he's not good enough for my sister."

"Personality-wise, isn't Little Dr. Chi better? And the things he did before were so awful."

Qian Youyou nursed a serious grudge.

"Men are all untrustworthy." There was a touch of other bitterness in her voice.

Qin Shuyi glanced at her and ruffled her hair.

Zhou Yunhe, on the other end of the video call, laughed, looking at the sulking Qian Youyou with amusement and affection in her eyes.

"But Youyou, you have to understand, dating isn't about choosing a perfect partner. Nobody's a 100% match. Don't choose a saint; choose the person who makes you happy."

Qian Youyou pouted but grumbled, "A saint with selfish motives is indeed even scarier."

Qin Shuyi pinched her cheek, "Suddenly turning into a philosopher?"

Qian Youyou leaned against her.

They talked for a little while longer. Before hanging up, Zhou Yunhe looked at Qin Shuyi.

"Since you've both decided to give it a real go, let me add one more thing from Mom. When two people are together, don't get caught up in who gives more. Your boyfriend doesn't seem great at expressing himself, so don't be shy about being the one to speak up.

Darling, taking the initiative isn't a bad thing, because that person is often the one with more power to steer the relationship."

Letting pride get in the way is never good.

Her daughter wanted to try, and she hoped with all her heart it would work out.

"Mom~ I miss you." Qin Shuyi said goodbye, reluctant to hang up.

After over an hour on the call, once her parents signed off to get some rest, the family continued chatting in the living room.

Jiang Yuzhou and Qian Youyou were eagerly dishing the latest gossip about Ling Jue from various groups, along with the bits of evidence they'd dug up to prove he was no good.

Qin Shuyi couldn't help but laugh.

Soon, Zhou Tinglan yawned.

Jiang Shiheng immediately tucked the blanket around her, "Sweetheart, ready for bed?"

Zhou Tinglan nodded.

Jiang Shiheng then promptly got her shawl and phone, and went to prepare the water she drank before bed.

Jiang Yuzhou watched this whole production, his eyes tracking them.

"Doesn't Dad look just like Captain next door right now?"

Qin Shuyi burst out laughing. Qian Youyou sprang up from the sofa like a carp leaping, "Uncle Jiang! Jiang Yuzhou said you look like Captain from next door!"

She tattled, catching everyone off guard.

Jiang Yuzhou let out a "Holy crap!" Before he could cover Qian Youyou's mouth, he heard his father's ominous announcement.

"Jiang Yuzhou, no allowance next month."

Captain was a big mutt kept by Grandma He in the neighboring villa, who was always following a scent or a treat.

Qian Youyou laughed gleefully.

"Ahhhhh! My savings for the new car are gone! Qian Youyou, I'm gonna get you!"

A sunflower-shaped throw pillow came flying over.

Qian Youyou retaliated in kind and tattled again, "Uncle Jiang, Jiang Yuzhou hit me!"

Qin Shuyi, caught in the crossfire, watched helplessly as Jiang Yuzhou's flying blanket hit the phone, accidentally ending the video call from Ling Jue.

She also got bonked on the head.

Qin Shuyi: ...

She had no choice but to set her boyfriend aside for the moment, grabbed a pillow, and joined the pillow fight.

Ling Jue, playing with Caesar and Princess at home: ?

She hung up on him?!

Oh no, his girlfriend wasn't really being talked out of it by her family, was she?!

...

Twenty minutes later, the three siblings were tired from playing in the living room and went back to their respective rooms.

Qin Shuyi finally had time to reply to Ling Jue's flurry of frantic messages.

"Boyfriend, I got hit (crying emoji)~"

Ling Jue was shocked: "!"

"They don't approve of us, and they even hurt you?"

He tightly furrowed his brows, his face flushed red with anger.

Thinking of Qin Shuyi's sad, teary-eyed look, he headed out while sending a voice message, restraining his fury.

"Baby, don't be afraid. I'm coming to take you home right now."

His expression darkened. Thinking his own mistakes had gotten her hurt, his heart ached, and his eyes grew red.

Hearing the suppressed anger in his tone, Qin Shuyi sensed trouble and quickly called back.

The beautiful girl appeared on the screen looking perfectly fine, her face smooth and unmarked.

Ling Jue examined her carefully, his voice full of gentleness. "Where did you get hurt? Don't worry, I'll be there soon."

Qin Shuyi smiled, her eyes curving like crescents, and wiggled her foot. "What are you imagining? Not that kind of 'hit.' Youyou and Xiao Zhou had a pillow fight, and I got hit."

She shared this fun family moment with him.

Ling Jue's worry immediately faded, and he admitted he had panicked.

He knew her aunt adored her, but still, hearing her tearful complaint made him lose his composure.

He reached out as if to touch her face through the screen, feeling both annoyed and affectionate.

"Making me worry on purpose, huh? You little rascal."

Qin Shuyi was indeed mischievous, always teasing him.

He walked back from the door, holding up his phone to chat with her. "How did it start? Did you get them back?"

Qin Shuyi then told him the joke about Jiang Yuzhou's misfortune coming from his own mouth.

Ling Jue looked at her radiant expression, his gaze gentle.

She rarely used to share such things with him; exchanging small details of daily life wasn't something they did before.

Hearing it now made him realize even more clearly that his treasure truly lived in a very loving family.

Fortunately, she wasn't like him.

"Should I help you get revenge next time?"

Qin Shuyi laughed. "How would you do that? Are you going to challenge them to a fight?"

Ling Jue also curved his lips, thinking for a moment. "Then take them boxing? Your boyfriend is pretty good at boxing."

At his most reckless, he had even fought in underground matches.

Qin Shuyi also touched his face on the screen. "If you hurt them, you'll have an even harder time getting through our family's door."

Reaching this point, Ling Jue finally couldn't hold back the question he wanted to ask.

"So, your family meeting tonight?"

Qin Shuyi looked at him and smiled.

Ling Jue's expression instantly softened. "So, you're still talking to me. Does that mean I get to keep my boyfriend status for now?"

"My boyfriend is very smart."

Ling Jue gazed deeply at her playful, smiling face and suddenly said, "I miss you so much."

He missed her terribly, and it had only been a few hours.

"Can I come see you?"

Qin Shuyi propped her cheek on her hand. "No, I'll get teased."

Her aunt would definitely say something like, "Aren't you two newly together? Can't you bear to be apart?"

Ling Jue sighed helplessly. "Then let's keep the video call on while we sleep tonight."

"That won't work. I'm sleeping with Youyou tonight."

Youyou had been acting a bit off lately, and Qin Shuyi was worried.

Ling Jue shot her a resentful look.

Qin Shuyi checked the time. "I really have to go now. I need to shower and then find her. I'm hanging up."

"You're so heartless."

However, the woman he was complaining about suddenly leaned closer to the screen and whispered before it went black.

"I hope I can see you first thing tomorrow morning."

The call ended, and Ling Jue was stunned.

But soon, an uncontrollable smile spread across his relaxed eyes and brows.

She was indirectly saying she missed him too.

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