Chapter 153 Daily Life of Couples 5
Assistant Chen thought that President Zhou and his wife would have a much easier time in Changping, but that was not the case.
After the villagers learned that Lin Yi'an had returned, people came to her door with gifts the very next day.
The purpose is self-evident.
After the traditional Chinese medicine factory was established, it recruited some people from the village, but most of them were recruited from outside, since many positions require professional knowledge.
The factory manager was hired by Lin Yi'an at a high salary.
Lin Yi'an reiterated that the pharmaceutical factory is currently short-staffed for many positions. Anyone with the ability is welcome to apply for an interview, and those who pass the interview will be hired without needing to give gifts.
They were all villagers, and Lin Yi'an didn't want to offend anyone. She told them the truth, had her parents return the gifts, and politely saw them off.
Lin Su smiled at her and said, "Doing business isn't easy, is it?"
Lin Yi-an nodded: "Although it's a bit idealistic, I really didn't intend to treat the pharmaceutical factory as a business."
She only wanted to ensure that every prescription she and the doctors at the traditional Chinese medicine clinic wrote, and every herb they dispensed, was made from good quality, safe, and reliable ingredients, so that she could be worthy of her patients.
Lin Su understands and supports his sister, but accomplishing something is not so easy.
He said, "If you need anything, just let me know. Although I don't know much about medicinal herbs, I can still give you some advice on business. If you need manpower, I can also arrange it."
Lin Yi'an smiled and said, "Actually, Ming Shi helped with many things at the pharmaceutical factory."
She's fine as a doctor, but she doesn't understand many of the intricacies of managing a factory.
Lin Su looked at his brother-in-law: "When you're not tattling, you're actually quite reliable!"
Zhou Mingshi said, "Brother, have you forgotten what I do?"
Lin Su joked, "If you hadn't reminded me, I would have almost forgotten. That's really unlike me!"
Zhou Mingshi didn't seem to care about his teasing at all, and chuckled, "Work and life are naturally different."
Lin Yi'an laughed beside her. She had been to Zhou's company and seen how Zhou Mingshi worked. He was imposing, calm, decisive, meticulous, and in complete control. He was not at all lazy and relaxed like he was at home. He clearly separated his life and work.
Lin Jingyun tugged at Lin Yi'an's arm: "Do you think if I brought Xu Jingnian back, my brother would be just as critical of him?"
Before Lin Yi'an could answer, a soft voice sounded from behind: "They'll be even more picky."
Lin Jingyun turned to look at her second brother: "Why?"
Lin Hang snorted, "Why do you still ask? Ming Shi got unanimous approval from his family. Who approved of Xu Jingnian dating you? Such a big thing, and he didn't even tell us. He didn't even come to visit during the New Year. He's nowhere near as good as Ming Shi..."
Zhou Mingshi: "..." Should he feel honored?
Lin Jingyun interrupted him: "He said he wanted to come, but I didn't let him. I have to give you some time to prepare yourselves."
Hearing her words, Lin Su said, "Nothing's happened yet, and you're already siding with him. He's so much older than you. It's like an old cow eating young grass. It's disgusting no matter how you look at it."
Although he verbally expressed his disdain for Ming Shi, he secretly approved of his brother-in-law. As for Xu Jingnian, he was an outsider, and whether he could become an insider in the future depended on his efforts.
Zhou Mingshi raised his eyebrows, feeling sympathy for Xu Jingnian, who might become his brother-in-law in the future. Before he could even establish a formal relationship with his second sister, he had already incurred the displeasure of his brothers-in-law, and possibly even his eldest sister.
The Zhou family and the Xu family have business dealings and have had contact with each other. Zhou knows Xu Jingnian fairly well; he is a rare and exceptional person. This marriage should go smoothly if nothing unexpected happens.
During their stay in Changping, they were constantly being visited, disrupting their peace and quiet. After discussing it with Zhou Mingshi and their older siblings, Lin Yi'an decided to return to the capital city ahead of schedule.
Back in the capital, the couple finally found peace and quiet at Tan Qingwen's place.
Tan Qingwen was overjoyed when her son and daughter-in-law came to stay with her. Ever since she fell ill last year, her son and daughter-in-law had been keeping a close eye on her daily routine.
Her son was even more direct, hiring her a senior executive to share the workload. She wasn't as busy anymore, and her health naturally improved. With better health came a better mood, so she personally cooked for her son and daughter-in-law.
Her cooking skills weren't great, but they weren't bad either. Few people could inspire her to cook, and she only felt like it when her son and daughter-in-law came over.
Lin Yi'an put on an apron and went into the kitchen: "Mom, let me help you."
Tan Qingwen: "When you and Mingshi go out to play, don't get covered in cooking fumes."
Lin Yi'an was kicked out and had no choice but to listen to her mother-in-law and go out to play with Zhou Mingshi. The two of them didn't play anything else but sat in the tea room and played chess.
For the past twenty years, Lin Yi'an has devoted all her energy to studying and traditional Chinese medicine. Her chess skills are not bad, but they are quite poor. However, she can always win one or two games against Zhou Mingshi. So, when she has free time, she especially likes to play chess with Zhou Mingshi.
The couple was playing chess when their cousin, Tan Chengjun, arrived with gifts. He, as their nephew, would visit his aunt before and after the New Year.
Tan Qingwen came out of the kitchen wearing an apron: "Mingshi and An'an are playing chess in the tea room. You'll have to entertain yourself."
Tan Chengjun: "When I come to my aunt's house, how can I be polite?"
As he spoke, he entered the tea room.
The couple saw him and greeted him with smiles.
Tan Chengjun poured himself a cup of tea, held the cup, and sat down to watch the two play chess.
I couldn't help but laugh out loud while watching it.
Zhou Mingshi said, "A true gentleman observes chess without speaking."
Tan Chengjun smiled and took a sip of tea: "I was thinking about how your uncle often praised your chess skills."
Zhou Mingshi gave him a cold warning look.
Tan Chengjun smiled but remained silent.
Lin Yi'an looked at the two of them with suspicion. When she saw her cousin with a meaningful smile on his face, and then looking at Zhou Ming, his eyes widened slightly. In the end, he didn't say anything, but the corners of his mouth couldn't help but curve up.
At noon, Tan Qingwen prepared a very lavish meal.
She invited her son, daughter-in-law, and nephew to eat: "Chengjun, try the chicken soup. These are chickens raised by An'an's parents; they brought some back with them."
Tan Chengjun ladled out a bowl of soup, took a sip, and said, "My aunt's cooking is still as good as ever."
Tan Qingwen said happily, "If you like it, drink more."
Tan Chengjun: "I'm in for a treat today."
After eating and drinking their fill, the group chatted for a while before Tan Chengjun went home.
After the two returned to their room, Lin Yi'an asked the question that had been on her mind.
Zhou Mingshi: "...He talks a lot."
Lin Yi'an: "He didn't say anything, so I always thought your chess skills were the same as mine..."
Zhou Mingshi looked down at her: "Are you angry?"
Lin Yi'an laughed and said, "No, I just find you so interesting."
Her chess skills are so bad, it must have been difficult for him to rack his brains to let her win, right? I'm amazed he could even come up with that idea.
Zhou Mingshi was stunned for a moment, then came to his senses and chuckled as he pinched her nose.
Before the Lantern Festival, the two of them stayed at Tan Qingwen's place. Every day, their mother fed them all sorts of delicious food, and unsurprisingly, the couple both gained some weight.
Lin Yi'an wondered, "I usually eat like this, so why did I gain two pounds?"
Zhou Mingshi held her waist: "Two pounds isn't much, your waist is still so thin."
Lin Yi-an is good at comforting herself: "I'll lose weight when I'm busy at work."
Tan Qingwen listened to the two talking and couldn't help but laugh. They were usually very self-disciplined, but they had become lax during the Spring Festival. They didn't exercise and, although they ate almost all of their meals, they sat there playing chess and chatting and ate a lot of snacks. The two probably didn't even notice.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com