Just then, Fang Jingru suddenly arrived.

Qiao Qiqi happened to have enough noodles, so she cooked a bowl for her as well.

The family ate a meal happily, and today Mr. and Mrs. Fang were in charge of washing the dishes.

Qiao Qiqi went back to her room and showed Fang Jingru the manuscript she had prepared before the meal.

After reading it, Fang Jingru immediately praised it highly, "Qiqi, your writing is amazing! It's hard to believe you only went to school for three years. You write so well!"

"Really?" Qiao Qiqi looked delighted, though of course she was just pretending.

Her article, a typical rural-themed piece, simply discussed the country's development over the past two or three decades from the perspective of a middle-aged person, filled with words of praise and celebration.

This kind of article is the most popular in this day and age!

Therefore, no matter how she wrote it, she wouldn't make a mistake, and Fang Jingru's reaction was exactly what she expected.

"Of course it's true. This article hardly needs any revisions. I'll bring it to the newspaper office tomorrow, make some simple revisions, and then it can be published. Once it's confirmed, I'll send you the payment."

Fang Jingru read it again. Although she had read this type of manuscript countless times, she was still very impressed that it was written by someone with only a third-grade education.

"Let me see." Fang Jian saw that Qiao Qiqi's manuscript had received such high praise from her aunt. She originally thought it was an exaggeration, but after reading it, she was also extremely impressed with Qiao Qiqi's writing.

"Qiqi, you're really amazing! Your manuscript is definitely up to professional standards. Why don't you just stay in Beijing instead of going back? With your cooking and writing skills, you can definitely support yourself here!"

Fang Ke thought about it more and more and felt that the plan was feasible. "Once you've established yourself, you can bring your man over too. I heard he's a very hardworking person. I'll ask my dad to help him find a job. Your life will definitely be prosperous."

Qiao Qiqi thought so too, but it was definitely not possible now, because even if Qin Huai could come to Beijing with her, what about Lin Chunying, Qiao Weiguo, Wang Guihua, and Qin Baojun? Would they come?

They lived in the village their whole lives; it was the place where they had lived their entire lives.

Older people often have a sentimental attachment to the past, just like her grandmother in modern times. Her parents wanted to bring her to live in the city because of her health, but she always refused, saying that she was not comfortable living in the city.

When Qiao Qiqi was little, she didn't understand, but as she grew up, she gradually came to understand the old man's homesickness.

Therefore, Qiao Qiqi may stay in Beijing for a short time, but she has no plans to settle down there.

Fang Ke felt her plan was absolutely brilliant as she talked, especially when she looked at the article in her hand. She couldn't help but say, "Qiqi, your man is so lucky to have married you!"

Although it was a compliment, Qiao Qiqi didn't really like hearing it.

Thinking that she had been in Beijing for more than a week, and wondering if Qin Huai missed her at home, she couldn't help but blush and said happily, "He is very good to me, and marrying him is my blessing."

"Oh, oh, oh." Fang Ke was practically dying of jealousy, and she clung to Qiao Qiqi's arm, teasingly saying, "I haven't even said anything yet, and you're already protecting her. Is it really necessary?"

Qiao Qiqi thought to herself: Of course it is!

Because she knew that if someone said that to Qin Huai, Qin Huai would definitely stand up for her immediately.

Fang's mother had just finished washing the dishes and came out of the kitchen. Hearing Fang Ke's words, she immediately said with disdain, "Do you think Qi Qi is like you? She's a serious person, unlike you. You're over twenty and all you do is play. You're even a few years older than Qi Qi. She's already married. In a couple of years, she'll be bringing her child out. And you're still a single dog!"

"Let's chat, no personal attacks!"

When Fang's mother saw that the topic of marriage had come up again, she suddenly felt hopeless about life. "I've already said that it's not that I don't want to get married, it's that I haven't met the right person yet. As long as I meet the right person, I will definitely get married."

"How can you be so demanding? The man has to meet all your height and weight requirements, be handsome, have a good personality, pamper you, be good at housework, cook well, have a good job, earn more than you, be able to play with you, and tolerate your bad temper..." Fang's mother rattled off all of Fang Keyi's initial requirements, concluding—

"Even your father couldn't meet these demands, let alone a man who isn't related to you by blood?"

Fang Ke disagreed, saying, "In short, I will not lower my standards. Since I can't find someone I like who is better than me and treats me well, why should I find a man I don't like, who doesn't earn as much as me, and who treats me badly, to be an eyesore by my side?"

"You..." Fang's mother was so angry that she almost had a heart attack because she saw that every time she brought up the topic of marriage, Fang's mother had countless reasons to confront her.

Then, her gaze suddenly fell on Qiao Qiqi, and she couldn't help but ask for help, "Qiqi, you're about the same age, can you talk to her for me!"

Qiao Qiqi frowned immediately when she was suddenly called out.

She glanced at Fang's mother hesitantly, paused, and then said, "Auntie, do you really want me to say it?"

She was afraid that if she spoke up, it would only make things worse...

But Fang's mother didn't understand what she meant and said firmly, "Just tell me. If you can really help me persuade her to get married soon, I'll do anything you ask."

"..."

Qiao Qiqi was both amused and exasperated.

Seeing that Fang's mother insisted that he speak, he hesitated for a moment before saying, "Actually, I agree with Fang Ke's idea."

Those few simple words instantly froze Fang's mother's expression: "Qiqi, you..."

"Auntie, your original intention in wanting Xiao Ke to get married was to make her happy, right?" Qiao Qiqi asked back.

Although Fang's mother was puzzled, she nodded without hesitation, "Of course."

“Since you want her to be happy, and not just marry her because she’s reached a certain age, then you should put her happiness first and think from her perspective.” Qiao Qiqi glanced at Fang Ke. “The times are different now than they were thirty years ago. Back then, you could get married without even meeting each other, but now that we advocate freedom of love and respect children’s opinions, we should really listen to their voices instead of just paying lip service.”

"You might say that feelings can be cultivated, and that your generation didn't have a foundation of feelings, but you still stayed together for decades and lived very well. But I want to tell you that most people in your generation lived what they called 'life,' not 'happiness.'"

"Most people just get together because they're making do, but very few people love each other as much as you and your uncle do and live happily together."