Chapter 23: The Homecoming Visit, Li Huaide Approaches Lou Zhenhua

Today marks the sixth day since Wang Lin and Qin Huairu were married. With the rolling mill closed for the day, Wang Lin decided to take Qin Huairu back to visit her family and host a banquet for her relatives. He had promised her this, and Wang Lin was a man who kept his word; he had kept this matter in his heart all along.

"Old Fan, we can head out now."
"Very well."
Old Fan started the car and set off toward Qin Family Village.

Sitting in the car, Qin Huairu was incredibly excited; she had already decided to show off in front of her old childhood companions. Seeing her acting like a young girl, Wang Lin smiled and gently tapped her delicate nose.

"You, you're almost a mother yourself, yet you still act like a child."
"Hmph, I am not like a child!" Qin Huairu pouted, feigning dissatisfaction.

After Wang Lin and his wife drove away, Jia Dongxu boarded a bus for Qin Family Village, carrying five catties of pork and ten yuan in betrothal gifts to propose marriage. Since the bus station was closer to the village, he arrived five minutes before Wang Lin. Upon reaching the entrance of the village, he saw a crowd gathered as if waiting for someone. This delighted Jia Dongxu; he assumed they had heard he was coming to propose to Qin Min and had gathered to welcome him. He looked down on the villagers, feeling a sense of pride because he was a city dweller.

"Hmph, villagers will always be villagers; they've never seen the world."

He walked over. Seeing him carrying the five catties of pork, an elder asked uncertainly, "Are you... oh, are you the one here to propose to the Qin Min family today?"

Jia Dongxu maintained his smile, oblivious to the odd tone, still convinced they were there to greet him. "Yes, that's right, I am here to propose to Qin Min."

"Oh, then hurry along and don't block the path; we are busy here." The elder, realizing Jia Dongxu was not a hostile outsider, dismissed him.

"You..." Jia Dongxu felt a surge of anger, wanting to demand why they hadn't escorted him or why they would wait for him only to dismiss him—was this a show of force?

Just then, a car pulled up slowly, honking its horn as it approached the villagers.

Qin Huairu rolled down the window and leaned out. "Grandpa Village Chief, are you here to greet me today?"

Seeing Qin Huairu, the elder’s cold expression immediately transformed into a warm smile. "Little Huairu, you’ve finally come back!"

Wang Lin stepped out of the car holding a bag, from which he produced a pack of "Great Front Gate" cigarettes. "Grandpa Village Chief, take these and share them with everyone." He then began handing out candies to the crowd. "Everyone, have some candy."

Unlike the stingy Jia Dongxu, who had only bought cheap fruit candies and had no intention of sharing them, Wang Lin provided White Rabbit creamy candies.

Seeing Wang Lin and Qin Huairu, Jia Dongxu was incensed. "Damn it, why are these two like leeches, following me everywhere? They know I’m here to propose today and are clearly here to stir up trouble." Jia Dongxu blamed the couple, conveniently forgetting that he had never mentioned his engagement plans to them. He hadn't said anything because he was afraid; there were many bachelors in the No. 95 Courtyard of Nanluoguxiang, and if they knew he had a successful match, someone might try to sabotage him—or perhaps Xu Damao might swoop in and steal Qin Min away.

Jia Dongxu turned and walked away in silence; staying would only be more humiliating. He just wanted to get the proposal over with and, if possible, register the marriage and hold the ceremony today. Thinking of Qin Min lying shyly in his arms, calling him "good brother," his frustration finally eased, and a bright smile returned to his face.

Wang Lin had seen Jia Dongxu early on but pretended not to notice. Qin Huairu hadn't seen him at all; had she, knowing her personality, she would have certainly told Jia Dongxu about Qin Min's reputation in the village, which would have surely ruined his proposal.

After distributing the candies, the villagers, led by the village chief, exchanged pleasantries with Wang Lin and Qin Huairu before following the car toward Qin Huairu’s home. Along the way, they gossiped—not about Wang Lin and his wife, but about Jia Dongxu.

"Hey, look at that Jia Dongxu—a city man, yet he actually took a fancy to a woman like Qin Min." This came from a village woman who despised Qin Min, as Qin Min had once tried to seduce her husband, nearly causing a divorce. Fortunately, the woman was clever and lucky enough to discover Qin Min’s affairs with other men in the village, which she then revealed to her husband, putting an end to the talk of divorce.

A young man licked his lips and spoke plainly, "What of it? She’s pretty, that's why." This was a tacit understanding in the village; aside from Qin Huairu, Qin Min was the most beautiful, though her behavior was not something people cared to discuss in detail.

The village chief coughed a few times. "Ahem, stop wagging your tongues." He then flashed a lecherous smile. "Think about it, once Qin Min marries Jia Dongxu, we can say we’ve enjoyed a city woman too, right? It’s a matter of face."

"Hahaha, true! Maybe when Qin Min comes back later, we can still have our fun."

The old village chief was truly shameless, but the villagers were used to it. Knowing what day it was, they lowered their voices as they spoke.

Meanwhile, as Wang Lin was returning to his in-laws, Li Huaide was also getting busy. Li was a man of action, superior to Factory Manager Yang in that regard. Having seen how familiar Lou Xiao'e was with Wang Lin yesterday, he knew Wang Lin had taken an interest in her. He decided to help Wang Lin by acting as a matchmaker to the Lou family.

"Vice Director Li, what brings you here today?" Lou Zhenhua opened the door and, seeing Li Huaide, immediately grew impatient. He was on good terms with Factory Manager Yang and didn't want any trouble that might reach Yang's ears.

"Chairman Lou, your daughter Xiao'e is of age, isn't she? I've come today to suggest a match for her." Despite Lou Zhenhua’s frosty tone, Li remained all smiles, showing no signs of offense.

"What are you up to?" Lou Zhenhua became guarded. He had heard rumors that Li Huaide was involved in messy affairs at the factory, and hearing this, he couldn't help but worry that his daughter had been targeted by him.