Shortly after breakfast, Qin Nanfeng was called to the study by his father for a talk, leaving Lin Xinyuan sitting on the sofa watching TV with Mother Qin.
Being with Jiang Ningyue made Lin Xinyuan somewhat awkward and uncomfortable, especially since the other liked to ask all sorts of strange questions.
Especially on the topic of when the two would get married, Jiang Ningyue expressed a strong desire, hoping they would marry as soon as possible.
As she spoke, Jiang Ningyue began complaining about her daughter.
“Ah, that girl… She’s already engaged to Xiao Qian, but she insists on waiting until she’s thirty to get married… That’s still three more years to go…”
Saying this, she kindly took the girl’s hand. “So you two need to hurry up! That way Auntie… I mean… Mom can hold a grandchild sooner, right?”
“Uh…”
Lin Xinyuan’s face turned bright red at the woman’s words, but she didn’t know how to respond.
‘Of course I want to get a marriage certificate with Feng Ge as soon as possible, so I can feel more confident. If anyone dares to provoke me, I’ll just whip out the certificate and throw it in their faces! But I can’t say that, it feels weird… not demure enough…’
“I’ll try… Auntie…” That was all Lin Xinyuan managed to stammer.
But Jiang Ningyue was not completely satisfied with the girl’s answer.
After thinking for a moment, her eyes suddenly lit up. An idea that would make Lin Xinyuan both shy and flustered slipped out.
“Hmm… How about this? Why don’t we pick a good day after the New Year and have you two get engaged first?”
“Ah…” Lin Xinyuan’s small face instantly froze.
Her fair, tender cheeks were incredibly cute, and her silly expression combined with her still childish, baby-fat face made people want to pinch them.
In fact, Jiang Ningyue did just that, unconsciously extending her “claws.”
Ever since their first meeting, Mother Qin had found the girl very cute.
Whether it was her appearance or personality, from the outside, she showed no trace of having once been a boy.
Her entire demeanor was so soft and gentle that it reminded Jiang Ningyue of a tabby cat that Qin Nanfeng had raised back at the Qin family’s old home.
That cat also loved to act coy and was very beautiful… Unfortunately, it later drowned in an accident.
Her son had been upset about it for a long time, even calling them. But at the time, she and her husband were too busy and only offered simple comfort to Qin Nanfeng.
Perhaps that was one reason her son’s relationship with them had not been good, and why he even held some resentment…
“Auntie… it hurts…” The girl was stunned by Jiang Ningyue’s sudden action and then let out a pained sound.
“Uh… Sorry, Xiaoyuan.” Jiang Ningyue had only felt that the skin was nice to touch and couldn’t help but pinch it rudely.
Realizing what she had done, she was immediately embarrassed, feeling that her image as an elder was ruined.
‘But what she didn’t know was that it had already been ruined since their first meeting…’
“It’s… it’s okay…” The girl rubbed her released cheek, extremely shy, and quickly shook her head.
“Ahem… It’s decided, then. When the time comes, you’ll get engaged. Just go through the motions.”
Jiang Ningyue changed the subject and couldn’t help thinking of the jade hairpin the girl had been wearing earlier.
“By the way, Xiaoyuan, you’ve been keeping the jade hairpin with you, right?”
Hearing this, Lin Xinyuan was startled. Though a bit confused, she answered seriously, “Yes, Auntie.”
“Hmm, that’s right. That’s a heirloom passed down from the Qin ancestors, usually given to the eldest daughter-in-law. Since Xiao Feng gave it to you, it’s basically set in stone.” Jiang Ningyue nodded and said with a smile, “You’ll definitely be our family’s daughter-in-law in the future.”
Originally, she had kept that jade hairpin herself, but a few years ago, that brat somehow stole it… He wanted to give it to that person… Fortunately, it never actually got given… Otherwise, it would have been really troublesome… And later, she never had a chance to get it back… But thinking that Qin Nanfeng had ultimately given the hairpin to the girl in front of her, even though this girl was special, Jiang Ningyue was still very satisfied.
Hearing this, Lin Xinyuan instantly realized the weight of that jade hairpin.
Her bright almond eyes widened, and at the same time, an uncontrollable mix of bitterness and emotion welled up in her heart.
‘Feng Ge…’
At this moment, though Lin Xinyuan was very shy, her expression turned serious.
Perhaps on other matters, she would be too timid to refuse, but when it came to things concerning Qin Nanfeng, she would not back down an inch!
Absolutely!
She would hold onto that jade hairpin tightly… No one could take it away…
She took a deep breath, her expression both shy and earnest. “Mm… Thank you… Thank you, Auntie! I will take good care of it!”
These words were meant to reassure Jiang Ningyue, and also showed the girl’s unwavering determination regarding her feelings for Qin Nanfeng.
Jiang Ningyue chuckled, but was very satisfied. She reached out and patted the girl’s head. “Good child…”
“Mmm…”
After that, Lin Xinyuan continued to accompany Mother Qin watching a TV drama, chatting as they went, mostly with the other asking and her answering.
Meanwhile, Qin Nanfeng remained in the study and didn’t come out. She guessed her boyfriend must be busy with work or something with his father.
Soon it was nearing noon, and Mother Qin stood up to start cooking. “Xiaoyuan, you keep watching, and tell me how that mistress ends up!”
Hearing this, Lin Xinyuan’s mouth twitched slightly.
Clearly, she wasn’t interested in this drama called “Harmony in the Family Brings Prosperity” at all.
Instead, she found it speechless. Because although it had that title, after watching the whole thing with Mother Qin, she felt the show was completely opposite to its name, extremely melodramatic.
She felt it should be called “Melodramatic Life” or something… on par with that “Brilliant Life”…
“Auntie, why don’t I go cook?” Lin Xinyuan quickly volunteered.
After all, she needed to show a virtuous side in front of Mother Qin, not be like a lazy bug.
Otherwise, how could she make Auntie like and accept her more?
Thinking this, her gaze grew more determined, and she quickly got up from the sofa.
“Hey, hey, Auntie can handle it herself. You’re a guest, how can you help me?” Jiang Ningyue frowned, and as she spoke, she tried to push Lin Xinyuan back down to sit.
But Lin Xinyuan looked very serious. “Auntie, I… I’m Feng Ge’s girlfriend… I want to cook for him!”
As she spoke, the girl’s face turned bright red, and she felt a bit embarrassed inside.
But before Jiang Ningyue could rebut, she quickly added, “And I learned a few tricks from Grandpa when I was in Quancheng! I can definitely do it!”
Hearing this, Jiang Ningyue was momentarily stunned, then couldn’t help but chuckle, which made Lin Xinyuan even more embarrassed.
At this point, Jiang Ningyue had no reason to refuse. Didn’t she hear what her future daughter-in-law said?
‘Oh, she’s already taking care of the home! So virtuous!’
She didn’t expect that her son, despite being so clueless outside these years, could still bring back a good wife from the dormitory!
‘Not bad, not bad…’
The more Mother Qin looked at Lin Xinyuan, the more satisfied she became.
“Alright then, let’s go to the kitchen together? You’ll prepare a feast for your man.”
As for the TV drama, it didn’t matter anymore. What was more important than bonding with her future daughter-in-law? Anyway, it was internet TV, she could rewatch it later…
The girl turned her face away in shame, stammering, “Mm… mm…”