When the children came back for lunch, no one dared to mention that Wang Jian had been there. Even so, Xiao Jin still looked down on Wang Meimei, glaring at her with every glance. If there hadn't been someone in between them, she probably would have pounced on her and started a fight.
"Meimei will stay with us for a few days and then go back home. Please take good care of her," Qin Xiaoyu said.
"Eat meat, come on." Zhou Xing's mother kept putting meat on her plate.
"I'm eating, it's so delicious, I can't even remember the last time I ate meat." Wang Meimei wolfed down her food, finishing three bowls of rice in the blink of an eye.
"That's enough, don't overeat." Zhou Xing's mother was scared.
"She can really eat a lot," Xiao Si's wife muttered under her breath. She was straightforward and had known Wang Jian for a long time, so they were close. Now that Wang Jian had been chased away because of Wang Meimei, Xiao Si's wife was very unhappy and didn't give him a friendly look.
"Enough with the nonsense, go pick up the baby after you finish eating!" Qi Si was in a bad mood.
"There's a nanny here, why do you make me carry you!" Little Fourth Sister-in-law has been spoiled lately and can't stand a harsh word; her eyes widened.
"You're talking back to your man, what's all the fuss about!" Fourth Sister-in-law got rid of Fourth Sister-in-law before Qi Si could get angry.
"Alright, let's eat," Commander Zhou said with a sigh.
"Little fish, isn't my pickled vegetable delicious? I'll make you more if you like it. Wang Jian isn't here; he could eat half a bowl by himself if he were." Grandma Hanhan was like a heartless child, only picking at the unopened teapot.
Grandpa Hanhan was so angry that he kicked her, making her cry out in pain. She didn't dare to say anything and just kept eating her rice, feeling wronged.
Qi Si finished his bowl and left the table on his own.
"Don't come over for meals again!" Grandpa Hanhan said disdainfully. Grandma Hanhan's tears fell into her rice bowl.
"Let's eat," Zhou Xing's mother said, trying to lighten the mood as the atmosphere at the table grew increasingly tense.
Wang Meimei was more outgoing than Wang Jian and was a natural at making friends. Being a child herself, no matter how unlikable she was, no one would openly reject her, so they became friends in just a couple of days.
Apart from Xiao Jin and Xiao Si's wife, everyone else could strike up a conversation.
Xiao Jin was suppressed by Qin Xiaoyu and dared not make a move. Xiao Si's wife was only two years older than Wang Jian, so calling her godmother would be awkward; the two got along more like siblings.
Wang Jian was kicked out because of Wang Meimei, which also made Qi Si feel bad. She hates Qi Si so much that she tries to trip up Wang Meimei whenever Qi Si is not around.
Wang Meimei is quite magnanimous; she wasn't angry or bothered. Xiao Si's attempt at revenge failed, and she was even caught red-handed and punished twice by Qi Si.
Wang Meimei doesn't look much like Wang Jian. She has a typical Central Plains face with long, narrow phoenix eyes that reach into the clouds, slightly thick lips, and somewhat prominent cheekbones. She's not exactly pretty, but how can someone in the prime of their youth be ugly?
Qin Xiaoyu inquired and found out that the child had dropped out of school long ago, but he was only sixteen. It was a bit early for him to start working in the factory; it would be at least a year later.
With Wang Lei and Tang Fengqin's wedding date approaching, things are getting busy at home again. Wang Meimei, being young and able to run errands, is also keeping herself busy.
These past two days, Wang Lei has been busy with his own wedding photos. He didn't like any of the other photographers, so he set his sights on A Lei.
That's true. Apart from A Lei, the same characters and the same scenes all look blank for some reason, but he's the only one who can capture their liveliness.
During the photoshoot, Xiaoli had to manage the fashion, touch up makeup, and adjust the lighting from time to time. She couldn't handle it all by herself, so she asked Qin Xiaoyu and Wang Meimei for help.
Tang Fengqin has always been a beloved child in the family. Now that she is getting married, not only has her wife given her a lot of jewelry, but Zhou Xing's mother has also given her a pair of gemstone earrings and a necklace.
When taking wedding photos, Tang Fengqin was worried about losing them, so she refused to bring them along.
"Why not bring it? It's a once-in-a-lifetime event! Bring it, and Mom will replace it for you if you lose it!" Commander Wang said readily. These days, he had been busy running around to the department store with Xiao Mengting and hadn't been able to take wedding photos with her. He felt guilty and didn't know how to spoil her properly.
"No way, you should marry him already. I think I'll suffer if I follow him. Your mother-in-law will eat me alive!" The cousin deliberately teased Commander Wang.
"That's right. Once you enter the Wang family, you're a treasure. Who would dare to make our Fengqin suffer?" Commander Wang proudly put his arm around Tang Fengqin.
"I never would have guessed. This child has always been so quiet and listless, but she's actually very lucky to have married into such a good family." My cousin delivered another witty remark, subtly praising his in-laws, which pleased everyone.
On the day of the location shoot, Qin Xiaoyu felt there wasn't much to shoot in Northeast China in April, as it was dusty and windy everywhere, and she wanted to shoot those scenes later.
But Wang Lei insisted that he saw a nice street scene and just took a few pictures.
The group arrived at the train station in two cars. Qin Xiaoyu didn't think much of it at first, but after walking around with Wang Lei's camera, she realized that this old train station, built before the liberation, was quite charming.
They took a few pictures in front of the train station, but Wang Lei had another idea and insisted on taking a few more pictures on the platform.
Qin Xiaoyu couldn't persuade them otherwise, so she went in to buy platform tickets. She happened to see Ding Xiaojie, so she simply helped them in from behind.
In Ding Xiaojie's dormitory, Tang Fengqin changed into a Chinese-style jacket and skirt, her hair styled at home, and adorned with a pure gold headdress given to her by her wife. As the steam whistle sounded, she walked out of the mist, looking like a beauty from the Republic of China era who had traveled through time.
Wang Lei had no time for group photos; he snatched the camera from A Lei's hand and started snapping pictures one after another.
Qin Xiaoyu and A Lei stood to the side with their arms crossed, watching. They were a little choked by the dog food they were eating. They looked at each other and suddenly felt a little awkward.
"I went to the hospital yesterday."
"By the way, do you need to go for a follow-up check-up? How did it go?" Qin Xiaoyu secretly groaned in her heart. She had been remembering to accompany A Lei for his follow-up check-up, but she had completely forgotten about it.
"It's nothing, it's fine," A Lei said casually.
For some reason, Qin Xiaoyu always felt that his voice was a little strange. Was it really that good?
When they went back to change, Xiaoli and Wang Meimei accompanied them upstairs. Qin Xiaoyu helped carry the equipment and waited in the car.
After a long while, Tang Fengqin and the other two girls came over, their expressions a little off.
"Auntie! My filigree hairpin is gone!"
"Did it get caught in your clothes?" Qin Xiaoyu exclaimed in surprise; that thing was worth some money.
"No, we've searched everywhere, what should we do?" Tang Fengqin was about to cry again.
"Why are you crying? Mom said she'll replace anything you lost. Come on, get in the car. Aren't you cold wearing so little?" Wang Lei put his arm around Tang Fengqin's waist and helped her into the car.
"Get in the car, let's go." Qin Xiaoyu called to Xiaoli and Wang Meimei, who were still standing under the car in a daze.
On the way home, Qin Xiaoyu told them not to mention the lost jewelry when they got home. Others might be okay with it, but his wife is elderly and would inevitably feel distressed and upset.
"Why are Fengqin's eyes red?" Commander Wang noticed.
"My eyes are all red from rubbing them while removing my makeup." Qin Xiaoyu helped to cover it up, saying they were tired and sent them upstairs.
Wang Meimei came out of Building 4, but instead of going to Building 1, she walked straight out. Qin Xiaoyu called after her.
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