CHAPTER 471: CHAPTER 471: CAN I CALL YOU

How could there be such a woman in this world! Even perfect to the point where she didn’t dare to harbor envy towards her, instinctively feeling ashamed on her own accord.

"Hello, I’m Yuanying’s second sister-in-law. May I call you Qianqian?" Xu Xiuxiu, noticing Song Qian’s restraint, thus asked in a soothing tone, her smile having a comforting effect.

"Of course," Song Qian replied, nodding in a daze.

"There’s no need to be so formal. It’s just a dinner. Just be comfortable." Xu Xiuxiu smiled, then stood and turned to the serving staff beside her, "Everyone’s here, you can serve the dishes now."

"Right away." The server in the private room immediately turned and left to start serving the dishes.

The crowd lively found their seats. Xu Xiuxiu, now a woman in her thirties, was already a mature lady, exuding endless charm. She also made the meal feel relaxed. As dishes began to steadily arrive, Xu Xiuxiu eased the atmosphere and then, in the role of an elder, started to casually inquire about Song Qian’s family background.

Though she had actually heard about it once from Song Yuanming, asking Song Qian was simply a matter of course, "Miss Song Qian, where are you from? Who’s in your family?"

"I’m from Dragon County in Z city. My parents are alive, but they lack the ability to make much money. Besides them, I have two younger brothers in junior high school who are twins, and another younger sister who’s in high school, currently in her final year," Song Qian answered obediently, without any hint of calculation. After all, that’s the reality of her family situation. If she were to be looked down upon because of it, she’d have no choice but to accept.

"Twins boys, ah! Your parents are indeed blessed!" Xu Xiuxiu herself had boy and girl twins, and upon hearing Song Qian mention she had twin younger brothers, she felt delighted, "And Dragon County isn’t too far from our hometown. But I heard from Yuanying that you’re currently working at a state-owned enterprise in Imperial City, right? How did you end up finding a job so far away from home?" Xu Xiuxiu was quite surprised that the girl had come to the capital all by herself.

"That’s right, I did fairly well academically when I was at school. The school was initially going to arrange a job for me at a company near Z city, but a teacher at the school recommended a job in Imperial City to me. After looking at the benefits and other aspects, which were all quite good, I was quite tempted despite the distance. So I accepted and am now an accountant at a state-owned enterprise in Imperial City. Although my salary isn’t very high, it’s sufficient to support myself, and it’s more than enough compared to some, less compared to others," Song Qian spoke honestly, and there was a sense of pride when she talked about her work.

Although she sometimes felt inferior when comparing herself to Song Yuanming’s circumstances, she was considered quite capable among ordinary girls. In her hometown, she was the object of envy and jealousy!

"Qianqian, you’re an accountant! That’s a great field to be in! It has good prospects, plus most girls aren’t very sensitive to numbers. Since you are an accountant, you must also have your own way of learning mathematics; you’re smart," Xu Xiuxiu complimented politely, helping relieve any awkwardness Song Qian might have felt.

To be honest, the job of an accountant was actually quite good. Especially in the early nineties, for a girl to rely on her own abilities to go to university and now have a stable job showed she was quite capable. Xu Xiuxiu was pleased with this, and saw that the girl, despite feeling the disparity between the conditions of the two families, remained graceful and composed, which was a good sign.

"All accountants have their own way of studying. Once you find the right method, it’s not that hard," Song Qian responded, echoing the sentiment.

Indeed, for many girls, mathematics was a sore point, but she was among the rare few who excelled in it; thus, she spoke with confidence.

However, Xu Xiuxiu still had to ask clearly the things that needed to be said, "Miss Song Qian, have you talked to your family about your situation with Yuanying? What do your parents think?" The union of two people, especially in an era that was progressive yet still bound by traditional values, often hinged on the parents. Love matches were encouraged in the eighties and nineties, but tragic tales of lovers separated by parental opposition were still not uncommon.

Xu Xiuxiu had a rough understanding of Song Qian’s family after hearing her briefly describe her situation, and could guess that Song Qian’s parents didn’t earn much. The burden of her siblings’ schooling laid on Song Qian’s shoulders; would they agree to her marriage at this time? After all, it’s normal for the bride to help out her family to some extent after marriage. But if the responsibility for her siblings’ education falls onto Song Yuanming, that wouldn’t be fair. If it doesn’t fall onto him, then how will they manage their future life? Xu Xiuxiu felt that this needed to be made clear.

This Miss Song Qian wasn’t bad, but still, she had some family burdens. If it were not for Song Yuanming not minding, most men, upon knowing they had to support the bride’s family after marriage, would likely break off the relationship. In those times, rural women were expected to leave all behind after marriage, and many things were beyond their control.

"I plan to visit my family with Yuanying at the end of the year or during a holiday when I’m free," Song Qian thought of her family’s situation with some difficulty but did not say much in front of Xu Xiuxiu and the others. Today was not a formal meeting with the parents, so these matters were not urgent.

"That’s fine! You and Yuanying can discuss it and find an appropriate time to visit your uncle and aunt. It’s basic manners," Xu Xiuxiu nodded in agreement.

Regardless of whether the relationship worked out or not, Song Yuanming should meet Song Qian’s parents, as a matter of courtesy.

"Right," Song Qian nodded.

All in all, the dinner meeting was quite satisfactory. After the meal, Xu Xiuxiu had Song Yuanming take Song Qian back to her company, while she went shopping at the mall with Song Yuanming and the children, planning to send some items to their parents’ home. Father Song had injured his arm before, and although it wasn’t a serious injury, it had weakened him, and he had aged rapidly over the past two years. Xu Xiuxiu was anxious about it and naturally collected various goods to send back home, fulfilling her filial duties in lieu of being able to care for her elderly parents in person.

Meanwhile, after escorting Song Qian back to the office for her to continue working overtime, Song Yuanming drove to the transportation company’s branch in Imperial City to take care of various business matters. Now a young executive, after personally getting involved, he couldn’t help but admire his sister-in-law even more. Managing a business so successfully without being hands-on, he knew just how renowned the "Promise" clothing brand was, and Soup City not to mention, he felt his sister-in-law was simply his idol.