CHAPTER 668: CHAPTER 448: COMING TO THE DOOR

By the second watch, this episode of the plot would have won over the Zhou family members, compelling them to wholeheartedly agree to Chuxia practicing medicine.

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When the Lin Family was searching for relatives, the Zhou family didn’t involve themselves, not due to a lack of concern or importance, but because the matrimonial connection between the Zhou and Lin families involved a great disparity in status; always with the Zhou family giving and the Lin family receiving. It was inappropriate for the Zhou family to intervene.

Afterward, the Zhou family did not initiate contact with the Lin Family of the Capital, not out of haughtiness, but out of respect for Chuxia’s parents, hoping that any relationship would be established through them.

Unexpectedly, Lin Wenbin arrived before Chuxia’s parents had returned. At that point, not to host or meet him would indeed have been a true breach of etiquette.

Thus, a night originally meant for a family reunion dinner at the Zhou family turned into a welcome feast for Lin Wenbin.

A City and the Capital City are adjacent to one another, so the Zhou family and the Lin Family of the Capital were approximate equals. Although Lin Wenbin was a younger member of the family, his presence now represented the Lin Family of the Capital, and naturally, he received a warm reception from Old Master Zhou.

Lin Wenbin was outgoing and remarkably eloquent. In no time, he was deeply engaged in conversation with Old Master Zhou, Zhou Jingping, Xu Zhenghong, Zhou Xikang, and Zhou Mikang, among others.

Zhou Gangping and Zhou Shanping, the brothers, spoke less and sat to the side to listen; Xu Yan and Xu Shuxian also joined them with Zhou Yueping and Xu Zhenghong, while the youngest, Zhou Huakang, tucked himself beside the two, chatting spiritedly.

In the matter of searching for relatives, thanks to Jing Monian and Jing Zhe, Old Master Zhou wanted to invite them too, but Zhou Mikang stopped him.

Jing Monian and Jiang Xinwan’s situation was unknown to Zhu Xinqin, and it wouldn’t be fun if it led to a quarrel between the couple. Zhou Mikang meant for the gratitude to be remembered first, and when the Jing Family needed it, the Zhou family would definitely step in immediately.

A true friend does not rush to repay a favor but is there unquestionably when the other is in need.

Feeling that Zhou Mikang spoke wisely, Old Master Zhou did not insist further. The atmosphere at dinner was very harmonious, and he also made plans with Lin Wenbin that after the New Year, he would send Chuxia and Zhou Mikang to the Lin Family of the Capital to pay their respects to the elders, thus officially establishing the families’ relationship.

As for whether the two families would engage in any cooperation or assistance, it was not yet appropriate to discuss; they believed that with time, some matters would naturally find their proper course.

Just as they had cleared the dinner table and sat down for tea, the doorbell rang. Little Jing quickly ran to answer it, and soon hurried back to Old Master Zhou’s side, whispering, "Old master, there’s a woman about thirty years old asking for you, surname Qin. Should I let her in?"

Old Master Zhou couldn’t immediately recall who she might be, but since she came at this hour, it must be for something important. He nodded, "Let her in."

When Little Jing brought in a woman in her thirties, Zhou Shanping stood up swiftly, his face flushing red, "What are you doing at our house?"

Chuxia and Zhou Mikang both recognized her; she was Qin Mei, the counter manager from their trip to the Red Flag Supply and Sales Building who initially had been rude, although later, her attitude improved—not toward the customers but toward Zhou Shanping’s relatives.

Qin Mei glanced sorrowfully at Zhou Shanping and then suddenly knelt down to the old master, "Uncle, please help me..."

"Speak standing up..." Old Master Zhou furrowed his brows tightly and looked at Zhou Shanping, "Do you know her?"

Zhou Shanping nodded, "She is the manager of the daily goods section in our unit, named Qin Mei."

Chuxia had been observing Qin Mei’s expression all along and noticed that upon standing and seeing everyone in the room, her demeanor stiffened markedly, especially upon seeing her and Zhou Mikang, she looked particularly uneasy.

She sidled up to Zhou Mikang, whispering, "It looks like she’s here to impose on Third Brother; with his way of speaking, he’s absolutely not her match."

Zhou Mikang nodded, "Understood, if she’s too unreasonable, I’ll help Third Brother."

Chuxia glanced sideways at him, "How? By dragging her out?"

"Yeah."

Chuxia: "..."

"Just kidding, I’m not that foolish. Just by telling what we saw that day, she won’t be thinking about stepping into the Zhou’s house again. Grandfather hates nothing more than people who judge others by their status."

It would have been alright if this were just among themselves, but today there were guests present. Zhou Shanping’s face was beet red as he grabbed Qin Mei, "Little Qin, whatever it is, we can talk at the unit tomorrow."

"I can’t make it clear with you, I need to talk to Uncle Zhou." Qin Mei resisted, pulling her arm away, "If you push me further, I’ll tell my parents about our affair, and let them sort this out with your parents."

So it seems she was somewhat brazen.

Zhou Yueping came over, "Little Qin, right? Speak if you have something to say, don’t think because our family cares about appearances you can manipulate us."

"Who are you?" Qin Mei looked at Zhou Yueping warily, "Can you decide for him?"

Zhou Yueping looked at her coldly, "No one can decide for him. My Third Brother’s matters are certainly for him to decide on his own. However, now that you’re here, if you don’t get to finish what you have to say, you will certainly think we are bullying you.

Alright, I’ll see what you have to say, but don’t blame me for not warning you. If my Third Brother has done anything wrong, my parents will definitely seek justice for you. But if you intend to falsely accuse my Third Brother, then you will absolutely have to take responsibility for your actions!"

The latter sentence, Zhou Yueping almost spat out through gritted teeth. Her Third Brother, Zhou Shanping, was so honest and upright that it was almost foolish. To say that he would bully this woman—she wouldn’t believe it even if she were killed.

Qin Mei straightened up, "He had originally agreed to date me, and we were getting along fine, but then his nephew and niece-in-law went shopping, and I don’t know what they said to him, but suddenly, his attitude changed.

Everyone in the unit knows he was going to marry me, now he ignores me completely, and doesn’t mention the marriage at all. I’ve become a joke in the unit.

If this continues, I won’t be able to live on. I’m a maiden, and he has ruined my reputation. If he doesn’t take responsibility, I’m going to drink pesticide!"

"When did I ever agree to you?" Zhou Shanping was so angry his face turned red and his neck swelled, "Little Qin, you don’t falsely accuse people like this. I never agreed to anything, and I told you not to waste your time on me. It’s always you who keeps coming to find me, now how can you have the nerve to throw all the blame on me?"

"You...if you never agreed, how could I be pregnant?"

This statement was explosive! Everyone’s gaze simultaneously shot towards Zhou Shanping...

"Don’t look at me like that. I have nothing to do with her. I haven’t even touched her with a finger. Even if she is pregnant, it has nothing to do with me.

Qin Mei, if you still have any shame, stop making a scene here. Touch your conscience and ask yourself, since you joined the unit, have I ever wronged you?

No matter whose child it is in your stomach, you can’t falsely accuse me like this. You should be looking for the child’s father to take responsibility, not me!"

"It’s yours." Tears welled up in Qin Mei’s eyes. "I’ve only been intimate with you, I haven’t touched another man, if the child isn’t yours, whose is it?"

The situation was unclear, and it was not appropriate for anyone to interject; everyone could only silently watch Zhou Shanping.

Zhou Shanping’s face was livid by then; he had never expected such slander to fall from the sky and land on him.

Indeed, initially, he had considered starting a family with Qin Mei, but after his nephew and niece-in-law went shopping, he lost interest. A woman who was inconsistent inside and out—he had enough of marrying just one. To entangle himself again would mean he was out of his mind.

But he backed off, and Qin Mei didn’t allow it. She kept going to him every day to report her work, admit her mistakes, and said that it was because she was in a bad mood that day that she lost control of herself.

Afterwards, she indeed did not repeat that mistake in their work, and his revulsion for her lessened a bit. However, his changed attitude made her misunderstand that there was a possibility between them again.

Right during that time, Yingying came to the Zhou family. As Yingying’s grandfather, he had to take responsibility, so he rushed home every day after work.

It was not until one day, when the deputy director of the supply and sales cooperative asked him when they would have wedding candy, that he learned she had already told everyone at work that they had decided to get married.

He was so angry that he went to see her, and tearfully she said because she loved him, she had to use this method to force him to take this step bravely.

Honestly, at that time, he did have a slight wavering. He was only fifty after all, and living a lonely life like this was too solitary. He too wanted a companion, and as a man, a young partner who admired him would not be a bad choice.

Although he was slightly moved inside, he resolutely refused her with his words.

It was during those days that he returned home and discovered that Yingying was slowly changing, until she became completely different from before.

This made him realize deeply how important it was to have a wife with good character. So, when Qin Mei entangled him again, he rejected her with a coldness he had never had before.

Moreover, in public, he no longer gave her face. He wanted to completely sever her hopes, but he hadn’t expected her to resort to this method.

This made him even more grateful for his own wisdom. If he had really married such a woman, his life would probably have been truly ruined.

"Qin Mei, we have never been truly husband and wife; how could I have made you pregnant?" Zhou Shanping looked at Qin Mei and asked word by word.

Qin Mei anxiously said, "How can there be no conjugal relationship? That time in your office, Zhou Shanping, how can you harm me like this?!"

At this point, Old Madam Zhou had no choice but to speak, "Laosan, what exactly happened? If you did something wrong, just admit it."

"Mom, you don’t believe me either?" Zhou Shanping’s forehead bulged with veins. (To be continued. If you like this work, you are welcome to vote for it with a recommendation ticket or monthly ticket at qidian.com. Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users, please read at m.qidian.com.)