"And another thing, why are you wearing a long-sleeved dress in this sweltering heat? Are you crazy?" Qin Xiaoyu was increasingly exasperated with Zhou Yue. She wasn't particularly pretty to begin with, and without proper grooming, she looked even worse with her disheveled appearance.
"That's it, I'm not in the mood for anything right now," Zhou Yue said dejectedly.
"You're not even thinking about anything? Then I'll just take Xiaoyu to try the food, and you can go home." Qi Si barged in without knocking.
"A taste test?" Zhou Yue's small eyes lit up immediately.
"A Cantonese teahouse is opening soon. Today is a tasting event. There are many more varieties of dim sum than last time. Do you want to go?" Qi Si said proudly.
"want!"
"What do you want? Come here and fix your hair before you go. I'm ashamed to take you out." Qin Xiaoyu dragged Zhou Yue, who had just been ignited by the food, downstairs.
Qi Si waited for them with his arms crossed, his teeth practically grinding to dust, before Qin Xiaoyu brought out Zhou Yue, who was dressed to the nines.
"Women are such a hassle!" Qi Si stretched his stiff shoulders; he was practically standing like a mummy.
Upon arriving at the teahouse, Zhou Yue realized that Qin Xiaoyu's decision was correct.
The people sampling the food weren't just at their table; they were all prominent figures in the city. Zhou Yue, easily tidied up by Qin Xiaoyu, was poised and elegant. As Commander Zhou's daughter, although she didn't hold any official position, she was someone not to be trifled with because of her father's influence.
Zhou Yue had no idea that she had such a high level of fame, and suddenly she had stepped into the limelight.
Fortunately, she had seen many big occasions and was not intimidated. She handled each situation with ease, just like a socialite.
Qi Si was secretly delighted. He had only done a favor, but he hadn't expected to reap such a great reward. Commander Zhou's daughter had given him free advertising, making it hard for the shop not to become popular.
"Xiaoyu, what do you think about me finding a job?" Zhou Yue suddenly had a whimsical idea, which reminded Qin Xiaoyu.
"Sister Xiaoyue, your idea is great, I support you."
"But I can't do anything. I've been incredibly stupid since I was little." Zhou Yue scratched her head in distress.
"You, how can you be like this, pushing yourself to the brink of death? What's wrong with you? When you were helping out at school, which laborer could do it as well as you?"
"Then I'll work as a laborer at your school..."
"This is getting more and more absurd. If you're going to do something, do something big. It's not like you're incapable."
"Forget it, I'll just stick to being a housewife. It's a pity I'm incompetent; I can't even do the simplest things well." Zhou Yue's eyes dimmed again.
"Sister Xiaoyue, don't despair. Try to think more positively. If you're feeling down, come find me. My door is always open for you."
"I understand." Zhou Yue finally showed a slight smile.
Qin Xiaoyu breathed a sigh of relief after coaxing Zhou Yue home. Just as she got home, she received a call from the Zhou family, inviting her over for dinner.
Qin Xiaoyu understood that Zhou Xing's mother was being thoughtful; she wanted the two children to stay there, but was afraid that she would miss them since they had just returned home, so she coaxed her to go with them.
She wasn't hungry anymore, but she couldn't skip the meal, so she had to hurry over.
"I'll pay for the meals next time," Qin Xiaoyu said with a smile as she entered the door. She had bought a watermelon and was covered in sweat from walking.
“Why are you carrying this heavy? We have plenty at home. Come sit here, it’s cooler with the fan.” Zhou Xing’s mother gestured for the guard to take the watermelon.
Xiao Chen hurriedly ran over and took it to the kitchen.
Every room in the Zhou family home had a floor fan, making it feel like paradise compared to the sweltering heat outside.
"Don't sit next to the fan if you're sweating a lot."
Qin Xiaoyu had just sat down on the sofa when Commander Zhou came downstairs, muttering to himself as he walked. She stuck out her tongue and moved to the side.
"Xiaoyue isn't coming back for dinner again?" Commander Zhou frowned.
"I took her to a Cantonese teahouse for lunch, so she probably wasn't hungry."
"What's this time? You young people just love new things." Zhou Xing's mother came over and sat down. Xiao Chen brought over a plate of sliced watermelon and placed it on the table.
"Xiao Chen, you eat too," Zhou Xing's mother called out. Xiao Chen agreed and went to the kitchen.
"Sister Zhou Yue went out a few days ago. She'll be back when she has some free time. How can we stop her from coming back to freeload?" Qin Xiaoyu reassured Zhou Xing's mother.
"This girl tells you everything, things we don't even know," Zhou Xing's mother said, though she was still a little resentful, she was relieved.
Zhou Xing did not go home. After Qin Xiaoyu had dinner with the two children and Commander Zhou and his wife, they heard the theme song of "Huo Yuanjia" coming from the TV. The two children hurriedly ran into the living room.
Several people sat around the sofa, and Xiao Chen also took a folding chair and sat in the back row.
Zhou Xingjia's TV was a color TV. Back then, color TVs had slightly distorted colors, but they had a unique charm. Qin Xiaoyu, reborn, had her cultural life completely wiped clean, and now she was enjoying herself.
Hanhan is a boy who likes martial arts movies. When he sees an exciting part, he even goes down and throws a few punches, making everyone laugh.
"Find a warrior who knows martial arts tomorrow, and let Hanhan practice a few moves. She'll be starting school soon, what if she gets bullied?" Commander Zhou instructed Xiao Chen.
“Little sister, you should learn too,” Zhou Xing’s mother said immediately.
“Girls shouldn’t learn fighting and killing,” Commander Zhou retorted.
"Why not learn? Can Hanhan protect her little sister for the rest of her life? Girls shouldn't be too weak." Zhou Xing's mother was unhappy.
Watching them argue, Qin Xiaoyu simply listened with a smile, finding it all very comforting. She had never experienced the warmth of family before, but now she was receiving it all, even though the people giving it to her had no blood relation to her. How wonderful it would be if they could truly become family.
After the two episodes of TV were over, Qin Xiaoyu said goodnight to the children and went upstairs to sleep.
Qin Xiaoyu gave the two children a bath and then took a shower herself.
The two children were exhausted after a long day and fell asleep as soon as their heads hit the pillow. The upstairs room was much more ventilated than the bungalow, and with the fan, it was very cool and refreshing.
Qin Xiaoyu, with her long hair loose, sat by the window, lost in thought.
Life is a little strange now. Without realizing it, she has become part of the Zhou family. Zhou Xing's parents have started to care for her like family. Should she really ruin such a harmonious relationship?
The sound of a car came from downstairs; Zhou Xing had returned.
Qin Xiaoyu recalled what happened that night and couldn't help but worry that he would come back to cause trouble. But for some reason, after his footsteps disappeared, they were never heard again. A sense of foreboding crept into her heart; had something gone wrong?
Bai Weiwei was standing between them, and now that Jing Tian was no longer an obstacle, it would be difficult to get around her.
Qin Xiaoyu realized her daughter had entered "little woman" mode, one moment filled with suspicion, the next with insecurity, and then with resentment. Women in love are truly terrifying; men are all heartless jerks. Remember that, don't overthink it!
She scolded herself harshly, but weren't big pig trotters cute? At least they tasted good...
She was truly smitten.
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