Chapter 177 Sister Qin Juan
“Chuxia, this is your brother-in-law.”

“Wenbin, this is Yangyang’s wife, Chuxia.”

When they met for the first time, Qin’s mother gave Zhang Wenbin and Lin Chuxia a formal introduction.

Lin Chuxia smiled generously, “Hello, brother-in-law, you have worked hard on this journey, please sit in the cold room outside.”

Zhang Wenbin saw a flash of surprise in Lin Chuxia’s eyes, and said with a smile, “No wonder Qin Yang has not been in a hurry to find a wife for so many years, it turns out that he has high standards. We can’t find many sisters-in-law like you in Ancheng County, right?”

“Brother-in-law, you are praising me too much. If you want to talk about beauty, isn’t there one next to you? My eldest sister is famous for her beauty in our Qinjia Village.”

Lin Chuxia was not exaggerating. Everyone in the Qin family was good-looking. Qin Juan had an oval face, big eyes, double eyelids, and majestic facial features. Even with the traces of time, she was still pretty.

Zhang Wenbin laughed dryly twice and glanced at Qin Juan beside him, “Yes, yes…”

After a few pleasantries, Qin’s mother invited everyone into the house.

Lin Chuxia noticed the thin and petite little girl next to Qin Juan.

The child inherited Qin Juan’s good looks and was very beautiful, though a little thin, probably because of her mother.

At this time, he opened his big eyes and looked around curiously.

When her eyes met Lin Chuxia’s, Lin Chuxia gave her a big smile and waved at her.

The little girl subconsciously hid behind Qin Juan, clutching her mother’s clothes tightly.

Qin Juan noticed her actions, led him to the front, pointed at Qin Yang and Lin Chuxia and said, “Ningning, this is my uncle and aunt. We have met before. The last time we came to grandma’s house, the bride and groom were my uncle and aunt. Did you forget? Call them.”

Zhang Ningning didn’t say anything, but just kept hiding behind Qin Juan.

Qin Juan pulled her to stop her and insisted that she call for help.

Seeing that the child was really shy, Lin Chuxia said, “Don’t worry, big sister. Ningning will call us naturally after she gets familiar with us.”

Qin Juan pursed her lips, feeling a little embarrassed.

Zhang Wenbin looked back and said in a bland voice, “I think you spoiled him. He’s such a grown-up, but he can’t even call someone.”

As soon as she finished speaking, Zhang Ningning burst into tears, grabbed Qin Juan’s clothes tightly with her little hands, and cried with her head down.

Mother Qin was heartbroken. She hugged her darling and tried to comfort her, but she also spoke with dissatisfaction.

“You only come back a few times a year, so it’s no wonder Ningning is shy. How can a little girl like her remember anything? She remembered it this time, but she would forget it again if you don’t come back for another year or two.”

Zhang Wenbin responded in a good-tempered manner this time, “Mother-in-law is right. I will ask Juanzi to bring the children back to see you more often.”

After entering the room, Qin’s father asked Zhang Wenbin to sit down, and Zhang Guilan poured tea for everyone.

Zhang Wenbin looked at Qin Yang and talked about his unit. He had also read the newspaper and knew about the achievements their unit had made. He asked if it was their project.

Qin Yang didn’t hide anything and answered whatever Zhang Wenbin asked.

These are all things that have been reported in newspapers. They are not confidential and there is nothing that cannot be said.

The men talked, and the women went to the kitchen to prepare lunch and chatted privately. Without outsiders, Qin’s mother looked at her daughter with a distressed look on her face.

“Why do you look thinner? Are you sick, or are the Zhang family treating you badly?”

“Mom, no, I’m doing fine at Zhang’s house. I just caught a cold at the beginning of winter, and had no appetite for a few days. I’m fine now, and it’s the New Year now. If I eat well, I’ll recover soon,” Qin Juan said to her mother with a smile.

Mother Qin was still worried. “You said the same thing last time. Half a year has passed and you haven’t recovered but have become thinner. I’m worried that there’s something wrong with your body. I was thinking that Ningning is older and you’re younger. You and Wenbin should have another child. I know your mother-in-law wants a grandson. We’re not trying to stop her. Having two children is also a companion. But with your health like this, how can you have a child?”

People of Qin’s mother’s generation still hold the old-fashioned idea that raising a son is a way to provide for one’s old age. Even if they do not favor boys over girls, they still feel that having a son provides security.

Qin Juan was slightly stunned for a moment, then smiled again, “Mom, why do you want another child? Have you forgotten what Wenbin does for a living? Family planning is being promoted now, and they should take the lead. If they really have a second child, they will be fired from their jobs.”

Upon hearing this, Mother Qin sighed heavily, “Alas, you should have hurriedly given birth to a child when Ningning was one or two years old.”

Qin Juan didn’t say anything else. Lin Chuxia didn’t know if it was her illusion, but she felt that Qin Juan’s smile was a little bitter.

Xiao Zhuangzhuang ran to the kitchen and wanted to take Ningning out to play.

Ningning stayed by Qin Juan’s side all the time. Even though Xiao Zhuangzhuang invited her warmly, she shrank back and was unwilling to go out.

Mother Qin shook her head again. “Ningning is too timid. You city kids stay at home all day and lose your courage. Ningning is five years old now, right? Xiao Wu’s Niuniu is two years younger than her. She is like a little cannon. Don’t always restrict her, kid. It doesn’t matter if she is a boy or a girl. If she is brave, she will not suffer any loss.”

“Yes, Mom. I know.”

At lunch time, everyone gathered around a large table. The men drank and the women were not in a hurry to eat the staple food.

Lin Chuxia bought a small bottle of champagne and soda.

Petit champagne is a sparkling wine with an alcohol content similar to that of wine. Lin Chuxia and Zhang Guilan can both drink it.

When Qin Juan was offered the drink, she said she would not drink it. “I can’t drink this. I feel dizzy after drinking it.”

“What’s there to be afraid of if you feel dizzy? I feel dizzy too. At worst, I can just take a nap after dinner. Don’t be in a hurry to leave this time. Stay at home for a few days.”

Zhang Guilan invited enthusiastically, and Qin’s mother also looked over when she heard this.

“Stay at home for a few days this time. Yangyang is also at home, so we can have a good talk.”

Qin’s mother now has a lot to say to her daughter. Life at home is good, and even though her daughter is married, she is still a member of the family.

I haven’t told my daughter about the second son’s wife’s business, or the eldest son and his wife’s work.

Also, as a mother, I also have selfish motives. Life at home is good now, so I bought a lot of New Year’s goods this Spring Festival. I want my daughter to stay at home for a few days to replenish her body.

It’s never as free as being at your parents’ home at your husband’s house. Seeing my daughter getting thinner and thinner, how can I as a mother not feel distressed?

Qin Juan lowered her eyes slightly, her smile still gentle, “Let’s talk about it later. There are a lot of things to do at home. Besides, if I don’t go back, I have to ask Wenbin to come over once. He also needs to go out for the New Year.”

“That’s hard to say. There’s no need for Wenbin to come. Let your elder brother take you there,” said Zhang Guilan.

Qin Juan smiled again, picked up a piece of cooked food with chopsticks, and changed the subject to Zhang Guilan, “Sister-in-law, try this. I just ate a piece and it tasted really good.”

(End of this chapter)