Li Qin, supporting Wei Shufen with one hand and carrying a large cake in the other, walked into the Han family home with a smile.
She was so excited! It was the first time she had seen the Han family, and they were all so well-organized. She had to find a way to stay.
After the cake was taken away, she greeted Grandma Han in a graceful manner and wished her a happy birthday.
"Auntie, now that I've taken you home, I'll be going now," she said, feigning indifference.
Wei Shufen jumped up from the sofa with a swift movement, even more agile than someone who wasn't injured.
"Oh, Xiaoqin, since you're already here, why don't you eat before you leave? It's Grandma's birthday today, the more people there are, the more lively it will be."
Li Qin chuckled awkwardly, "Auntie, it's not appropriate for me, an outsider, to be here on your birthday."
Wei Shufen grabbed her arm, half-smiling and half-scolding, and said, "What are you saying? You and Xiao Tao are childhood sweethearts, you've known each other since you were little, how can you be considered outsiders?"
When Grandma Han saw Wei Shufen and Li Qin struggling, her expression changed, but not wanting to make the situation too ugly, she spoke up:
"Xiaoqin, right? Stay and have some food before you leave!"
She wanted to see what Li Qin had learned from her studies abroad.
Soon, the food was served, and the birthday feast began.
Everyone started eating and chatting.
In order to give Li Qin a chance to shine, Wei Shufen naturally tried to steer the conversation towards her.
"Xiaoqin, you studied literature abroad, right? You must have read a lot of literary works. Can you recommend some books to me another day?"
Wei Shufen took the opportunity to speak.
Li Qin spoke candidly about both domestic and Western literature, citing numerous classical texts, and her words were full of praise for Western literature.
"Is the moon rounder overseas?" Han Tao suddenly interrupted her and asked.
"Huh?" Li Qin was stunned for a second, her ears turning a little red. She hadn't expected that her eloquent talk would finally catch Han Tao's attention.
"When I was abroad, I focused all my attention on my studies and didn't even notice whether the moon was full or not!" She lowered her head shyly.
Han Lei couldn't help but laugh out loud, "Right, right, Miss Li is so focused on her studies, how could she possibly be paying attention to the moon!"
Wei Shufen awkwardly nudged Li Qin's leg and said sheepishly:
"Come on, everyone, let's all offer the old lady a toast and say auspicious words!"
Li Qin then belatedly realized that Han Tao's words seemed to have a deeper meaning.
She had longed to go abroad since she was a child, and went abroad after graduating from high school. It was common for her to be unfamiliar with some of the social customs and etiquette in China, she comforted herself.
After that, Wei Shufen didn't bring up any more topics for her, and she became much quieter.
It was only when she ate her meal quietly by herself that she truly felt how much Grandma Han loved Lu Wanqing's family.
Especially with the three children, he not only spoke softly and gently, but was also a particularly good listener.
They weren't treated like children at all. When the children spoke to her, she would look them in the eye, put down her chopsticks, and they wouldn't receive this treatment when others spoke.
From this one detail, Li Qin knew how important the children were.
"It seems that I still need to gain the old lady's approval to enter this big family!" Li Qin thought to herself.
In Jane Eyre, the heroine only had the opportunity to interact with the hero after becoming a governess; she could certainly do the same.
"Miaomiao, have you started learning English yet?" Li Qin asked, taking the opportunity to approach Miaomiao after dinner.
Unlike other places, the nursery in government offices teaches some English.
"I've learned it, and I know all twenty-six letters," Miaomiao said proudly.
Li Qin suddenly showed a regretful expression.
"There are only 26 letters? Auntie's English is really good! Do you want to learn from Auntie?"
Miaomiao hesitated a bit when she first met Li Qin and saw her feigned harmless expression. She looked at Lu Wanqing.
"Mom, can I learn English with Auntie?"
Lu Wanqing ruffled her hair and smiled:
"Do you really want to learn? Mommy can teach you!"
As she spoke, she uttered a long string of fluent and clear English.
This was something she and Lin Ye had learned diligently from professional teachers in their previous life in order to deal with foreign businessmen.
The conditions for learning English in my previous life were many times better than in this era, and I learned a genuine London accent.
Li Qin's English, which she learned abroad through exposure and immersion, was completely different from what she had learned abroad.
"Mom, your English is so beautiful!" Miaomiao exclaimed, clapping her hands and pestering Lu Wanqing to say more, completely forgetting about Li Qin.
It was the first time that Ququ and Duoduo had heard their mother speak English, so they both gathered around.
Duoduo: "Mom, I want to learn too."
Ququ: "Mom, you're amazing!"
After the three little ones surrounded her, everyone else was also drawn to her.
In the entire living room, Lu Wanqing seemed to be the center of attention, radiating a captivating glow.
Only Li Qin sat in the corner, clenching her fists so tightly that her fingernails dug into her flesh.
Wei Shufen was also anxious when she saw this scene.
He called Han Tao to his side and said in a gentle tone:
"Xiao Tao, Xiao Qin is a guest today, so don't neglect her. Go and talk to her!"
Han Tao was displeased. "Mom, I'm not interested in Western literature at all!"
"How can you talk like that, child? It's getting late. Take Li Qin home!" Wei Shufen said in a commanding tone.
Han Tao's face darkened immediately. It was supposed to be a happy birthday celebration, but they had to leave an outsider behind. Ignoring Wei Shufen's feelings, he walked straight out, leaving behind the words, "Mom, I have something to do. I'm going back to the research institute first."
Wei Shufen felt a tightness in her chest from anger, and quickly winked at Li Qin, signaling her to chase after them.
Li Qin knew that even if she chased after her, she still wouldn't be able to say anything. Wei Shufen was such a failure as a mother; she couldn't even control her own son.
She suddenly thought of the scene in "Pride and Prejudice" where the second female lead has a fever and stays at the second male lead's house, which is the key moment when the relationship between the male and female leads is heating up.
She quickly chased after him, but let out a shrill scream in the courtyard.
Getting a fever is definitely out of the question, but you can sprain your ankle!
She then had a reason to stay.
The Han family members were interrupted by the unexpected event, and they all frowned. Old Mrs. Han even said to Wei Shufen:
"What a coincidence, you both sprained your ankles at the same time. Hurry up and take them home!"
To make her feelings genuine, Li Qin really went to great lengths to treat herself this time. Looking at her swollen ankle, she felt like crying.
"Let's go, I'll take you home." Wei Shufen helped her up.
Li Qin bit her lip and whispered, "Auntie, my legs won't let me walk anymore."
"What should we do then? No, come to my house, it's right next door," Wei Shufen said helplessly.
Li Qin was so excited she almost jumped up, a smug smile spreading across her face.
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