Just as Huang Qinqin was enjoying the delicious food, a slight noise reached her ears—it was the sound of a door opening in the yard.
Immediately afterwards, Huang Ermin, Chen Zhaodi, and Huang Jianguo entered the house one after another.
Seeing this, Huang Qinqin quickly served the dish. She divided the pork rib stew with potatoes in two, eating one portion now and saving the other for later.
Although there weren't many ribs, a lot of potatoes were added, so the portion size was still quite good.
"Dad, Mom, Big Brother, you're back just in time! Dinner's ready!" Huang Qinqin said with a smile as she carried a pot of braised pork ribs and potatoes out of the kitchen.
"Oh my, Qinqin, you've worked so hard! This meat smells so good today!" Huang Ermin and Chen Zhaodi exclaimed in unison, their faces beaming with affection and pride.
At the same time, Huang Jianguo stepped forward without saying a word, steadily took the plate from Huang Qinqin's hand, and gently placed it on the table.
Then he turned around and went to the kitchen to get the family's bowls and chopsticks.
The family sat down at the dinner table. Huang Ermin picked up a steamed bun and said, "Eat, eat. Qinqin's cooking skills are getting better and better."
I could smell the aroma even before I came in; these ribs must be delicious!
Chen Zhaodi rolled her eyes at Huang Ermin: "Look at what you're saying, if meat isn't tasty, then what is?"
Then she gently praised Huang Qinqin, saying, "Our Qinqin makes potatoes so delicious, she's really amazing. I wonder which young man will be lucky enough to marry her in the future."
As she spoke, Chen Zhaodi picked up a piece of potato. The moment she put it in her mouth, she closed her eyes and nodded repeatedly, thinking to herself: It really is delicious!
Huang Qinqin smiled as she listened to her parents' words: "Dad, Mom! Eat more if you like it, there will be more tonight! I put a lot of potatoes in today, so we can have another meal tonight."
Huang Jianguo and Huang Jianjun, standing to the side, showed no intention of participating in their parents' conversation.
After all these years, they have long been used to their parents' bickering relationship.
If someone tries to chime in, the matter often ends up with both parents turning against the talkative person.
So for them, nothing was more important than this meal. Thus, the two brothers simply buried themselves in their food, remaining completely silent, choosing to cope with everything through silence.
For a moment, only the sounds of everyone chewing filled the table. Occasionally, there was the crisp sound of bowls and chopsticks lightly clinking together.
"Uh!" With Huang Jianjun's burp, everyone finished eating and put down their bowls and chopsticks.
Huang Jianjun reached out and patted his stomach, saying contentedly, "I'm so full. I wish I could eat meat every day, haha."
Seeing that everyone had finished eating, Huang Jianguo prepared to get up and wash the dishes.
As soon as Huang Jianjun stood up, Huang Ermin reached out and grabbed him tightly, lowering his voice and saying with a hint of guilt, "Jianguo, wait a minute, your sister has something to tell you."
Huang Qinqin looked at Huang Ermin in disbelief upon hearing his words, her eyes wide as she stared at him.
Huang Ermin lowered his head, deliberately avoiding Huang Qinqin's gaze, as if silently thinking: as long as I don't make eye contact with her, it's as if no one is watching me.
After Huang Jianguo sat down again, he looked at Huang Qinqin and spoke softly, his voice as warm as a spring breeze, with a hint of barely perceptible doting: "Little sister, is there anything you want to tell your big brother?"
Huang Jianguo's voice is soft and deep, giving people a sense of warmth and security, just like him—steady, reliable, and gentle.
Huang Qinqin's lips parted slightly, as if she wanted to say something, but in the end she didn't make a sound.
Huang Qinqin turned her gaze to Chen Zhaodi, sending her a distress signal and hoping that Chen Zhaodi would speak up for her.
However, Chen Zhaodi quickly turned her head away without hesitation, avoiding Huang Qinqin's gaze.
Then, she suddenly stood up and said in a stiff tone, "Qinqin, you two can chat slowly. I'll go wash the dishes first."
Before she finished speaking, she had already picked up the bowls and chopsticks on the table, walked straight to the water vat, and started washing them.
Chen Zhaodi's movements seemed somewhat hurried, as if she was eager to escape the current situation.
She was focused on washing the dishes in her hands, and the sound of water echoed in the quiet air, creating an awkward atmosphere.
Huang Qinqin sat there blankly, watching Chen Zhaodi's back, a sense of despair flashing through her heart.
After mentally preparing herself, Huang Qinqin took a few deep breaths and, in a fit of desperation, loudly proclaimed, "Big brother, do you want to go on a blind date?!"
After she finished speaking, she looked at Huang Jianguo expectantly. Huang Ermin and Huang Jianjun, who were standing to the side, were also stunned by Huang Qinqin's straightforward and bold words.
They all turned their gazes to the youngest sister in the family, their eyes filled with admiration—indeed, the youngest daughter is the bravest!
After Huang Qinqin spoke, the whole courtyard fell silent. Chen Zhaodi also stopped what she was doing and pricked up her ears to hear how Huang Jianguo would respond.
Huang Jianguo said to Huang Qinqin with some helplessness, "I'm not considering finding a partner for now. Let's talk about it again in two years. Next time your parents ask you to ask around, just pretend you didn't see them." He then gently stroked her head.
Huang Jianguo's answer was exactly what Huang Qinqin had expected. She had never seen her older brother interested in any girl before, and her parents had already asked him, so asking again wouldn't change anything.
Although Huang Jianguo dotes on him, his elder brother will not compromise on matters of principle.
But Chen Zhaodi, who was washing dishes, suddenly exploded. She shook the water off her hands and rushed over, loudly questioning Huang Jianguo: "You're not considering finding a partner yet? You're already twenty-two! When are you planning to find a partner?!"
When your father and I were twenty-two, you and your brother were already born! What are you thinking?!
Huang Ermin quickly stopped Chen Zhaodi when she rushed over, afraid that she would get agitated and attack him.
Seeing that she was getting a little emotional, he quickly comforted her, "Your eldest son has a job now, maybe he'll find a partner at the factory. He's good-looking, and he's a worker now, so there's no rush, no rush."
Chen Zhaodi calmed down a bit and pressed on, "Boss, tell me, why are you unwilling to go on a blind date? Last year you said you didn't have a job and were afraid of being asked to go to the countryside, so you didn't go. What about now?"
Looking at his parents who were so worried about him, Huang Jianguo answered truthfully: "I think the most important issue for our family right now is not what I want to see, but finding a suitable job for my younger sister."
The requirements for unemployed graduates to go to the countryside are becoming increasingly stringent. No one in my family has been sent yet. Jianjun and I both have jobs, but my younger sister hasn't. I'm worried about potential problems later.
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