Sweet slice-of-life love story: Wife, Let's love again
Chapter 292 - 287: I’ve Seen Him

Chapter 292: Chapter 287: I’ve Seen Him

Dinner had half a table of meat.

Braised pork, double-cooked pork slices, stewed pork knuckles...

He Cheng ate until his mouth was greasy, thanking his uncle-in-law earnestly in his heart. Although they had meat normally, it was never as hearty as today.

Qin Guanglin held a wine cup, not only toasting with He’s Daddy, but even He Shan kept pouring and urging him to drink.

The two had been living together for nearly two years now, and this future brother-in-law had to be acknowledged, whether one liked it or not, unless He Fang herself said she didn’t like it anymore and wanted to break up. Otherwise, they were definitely family.

"Easy there, his alcohol tolerance isn’t that great," observed He Fang, her face a deep red, as she tried to persuade from the side.

"No problem, this little cup isn’t very big."

He Shan shook his cup and poured himself another drink, raising it toward Qin Guanglin, "Come on, let’s have another."

"Yeah, sure."

Qin Guanglin swallowed the pork knuckle in his mouth, raised his cup, tilted his head back, and drained it with a slurp, then buried his head in his food again.

You can’t show weakness; you have to fill your stomach to dilute the alcohol so you can hold out a bit longer.

"Indeed, big cities develop well. So young and already a company executive, much stronger than me back in the day," He Shan mused with a smack of his lips, putting down his wine cup and sighing, "When I was your age, I was still doing grunt work at the office, carrying files this high every day..."

He gestured with his hand to show the height, "Running here and there, sorting until my head was about to explode, it took a few years to finally make it through."

"Luck, all luck," Qin Guanglin modestly rejoiced, stuffing another piece of meat in his mouth.

Having his girlfriend’s family’s acceptance felt even better than gnawing on a big pork hock.

"This isn’t about luck. Anyone who makes it has their own method."

"Heh, just happened to be."

"You two were classmates, right... Luo City University, one a writer and one an artist, truly a prestigious school," He Shan glanced at He Cheng, whose manner made He Cheng shrink his neck a bit, with a bad premonition.

"Not sure if this kid can even pass the exams... I should buy him more exercise books someday," he called out to Zhao Qing.

Doing well in college wasn’t about making him outstanding or wealthy; it was about giving him more options in life, so he wouldn’t crave for what he couldn’t have — that’s what he had told He Fang before, then pushed her to get into Luo City.

Now it seemed that effort had paid off, living the life they wished for, and that was very good.

"Yeah, over there Fang can also look after him a bit," Zhao Qing smiled.

Qin Guanglin secretly rejoiced in his heart, judging from what was said, He Fang was already considered a Luo City person.

Comfortable.

"Come on, let’s drink another!"

After three rounds of drinks and almost finishing the food, He’s Daddy got more spirited the more he drank, while He Shan tottered off to rest. Qin Guanglin shook his head, feeling almost done for, and hurriedly gave He Fang a meaningful look.

Though he knew he wouldn’t make a scene drunk, it still wasn’t a good look. It was better to take it easy.

"That’s all..."

He’s Daddy swirled the bottle, with just over two taels left, not heeding He Fang’s advice, and poured half into Qin Guanglin’s cup. Then he picked up the bottle, "Let’s finish it."

"..."

After that extra two taels, Qin Guanglin started to sway.

"You alright?" He Fang pulled him to the sofa to sit down, saw him wave his hand, turned back to Zhao Qing to clean the table, stored unfinished food in the fridge, and moved empty plates and bowls to the kitchen to wash.

"Who chased who when you two first started?" Zhao Qing gossiped while washing the dishes.

"Of course, he chased me... I think you’ve asked this before."

"Have I? Maybe I forgot... How did he chase you? That I haven’t asked, right?"

He Fang thought for a moment, "Just happened to meet, then went out for walks, hanging out, and after several such outings we got familiar. Then I found him quite interesting..."

"Yeah, if it was not interesting, there wouldn’t be a second time, not to mention becoming familiar," laughed Zhao Qing, "And then?"

"Then he confessed, and we got together — He was so naive and afraid to confess for a long time. When he finally worked up the courage, he was as serious as if he were taking an oath to join the Party."

He Fang imitated the grave expression, "Just like this face."

"Haha, pretty honest guy."

They chatted and laughed as they cleaned up the kitchen. Outside on the sofa, Qin Guanglin had his eyes half-closed, as if asleep, and He Shan had somehow returned to the room and was now snoring on the bed. Only He’s Daddy sneakily took out half a plate of unfinished double-cooked pork from the fridge and sat at the dining table, still nibbling and sipping his drink.

He Fang sternly put away his drink, and He’s Daddy, feeling dejected, stealthily went back to his room.

"Drunk too much?" Zhao Qing saw Qin Guanglin’s dazed look and turned to ask He Fang, "Where does he live?"

"He booked a hotel... Oh, we need to wait till he sobers up," He Fang tried to lift Qin Guanglin but couldn’t, she simply sat next to him and picked up an orange from the table, peeling it while watching TV, "You go check on my brother; I’ll wait till he comes to and then take him back."

"Okay."

Zhao Qing went back to the room, closed the door, and gave the snoring He Shan a couple of slaps on the buttocks before helping him take off his shoes and jacket, grimacing from the smell of alcohol. She contemplated throwing him onto the sofa outside, but then decided against it, remembering Qin Guanglin was still there; instead, she returned with a towel to wipe down his face.

With everything settled and seeing it was past nine in the evening, she stepped out to check, and He Fang was still trying to wake up Qin Guanglin.

"Wake up."

"Wake up..."

"Time to go to sleep."

"Go to sleep..."

He Fang said one thing, and Qin Guanglin repeated after her, not moving an inch, having entered a state of heavy repetition.

"Should we ask Dad for help?" Zhao Qing glanced at the lit room of He’s Daddy, suggesting.

After a pause, she shook her head, "It’s late... and with his size, he’d be hard to handle."

"..."

He Fang pouted and gave up completely, "Sis-in-law, you go ahead and sleep. I’ll just see when he wakes up. Can’t hold his drink and still acts tough..."

"Just leave him on the couch?" Zhao Qing shook her head, "He’s come all this way... help him to your room."

"How could that be appropriate?"

"You’ve been living together for nearly two years, what’s not okay about that?"

"...This is at home."

He Fang never expected that before getting married, Qin Guanglin would have to stay overnight in her own room, on her own bed, and she couldn’t help but feel a little feverish looking at his tender yet old face.

"Alright, I’ll take him to your room."

Zhao Qing was already walking over as she spoke, helping Qin Guanglin up by his other arm, and together with He Fang, they staggered towards He Fang’s bedroom.

"Should we bring my brother over too, so the two of us can sleep together?" He Fang said awkwardly.

"I still want to sleep with your brother, who wants to sleep with you?" Zhao Qing chuckled and pulled back, closing the door behind her, "Go to sleep early, remember to give him a cup of water by the bed, otherwise, he’ll definitely get thirsty in the middle of the night."

If this had been before, she would have definitely found a way to drag He Shan over as well and sleep in her room with He Fang. Now that they all knew the two had been cohabiting for two years, there was no point in being prudish about it; these were people about to buy a house and get married, after all.

And also, it might help the old man to face reality... She glanced sideways at the door to He’s Daddy’s room, turned off the TV and lights in the living room, and returned to her own bedroom.

He Fang watched as Qin Guanglin turned over in bed, hugged her panda plushie, and fell deeply asleep. She sighed and turned around to fetch a towel.

She wondered what kind of looks her older brother and father would give her tomorrow...

"Haven’t slept yet?" He’s Daddy came out for a drink of water and bumped into He Fang carrying a basin back.

"Ah, just about to."

"Where’s Qin Guanglin?" He looked around without seeing Qin Guanglin, "He drank quite a bit, is he able to walk home?"

"Uh... Did you come out for water?" He Fang, holding the basin, didn’t answer his question, but instructed, "Go to sleep early, it’s late, huh."

Seeing He Fang hurry back to her room and closely shut the door, He’s Daddy scratched his head in confusion, took a big gulp of water, and choked, coughing violently.

He felt a vague sense of emptiness, as if something important had slipped away...

The night.

Qin Guanglin slept soundly.

He Fang was smoked by his alcohol breath so much that she could hardly fall asleep for a long time. She almost went to drink two taels herself, figuring if they both stank, she wouldn’t notice the smell.

Before she knew it, it was dawn, and Qin Guanglin woke up still disoriented, mistakenly thinking he was in Luo City. He hugged the body in his arms, planning to laze in bed a little longer, but He Fang struggled to push him away.

"Quick, get out before they wake up."

"Ah?"

Qin Guanglin was dazed for a moment before turning his head and realizing he was in He Fang’s bedroom.

"I... slept here last night?"

He asked a pointless question with a confused face.

"You were drunk as a dead pig; who could carry you downstairs?"

"Oh..."

Without further ado, Qin Guanglin frantically put on his clothes and shoes, creeping towards the door and cautiously gripping the handle, "They won’t be in the living room, will they?"

"They shouldn’t be, not this early... Go quickly, the later you leave, the more likely you’ll run into them."

Knowing that he slept here was one thing, encountering them on the way out was another; she felt embarrassed just thinking about the situation.

It was different from when He Fang stayed over at Qin Guanglin’s place. Qin’s Mom was happy to have her stay longer, whereas He’s Daddy was still in the mood to confront a pig...

According to Murphy’s cat, the more you don’t want something bad to happen, the more it will happen; the cat in the box is doomed.

Qin Guanglin sneakily peeked through the door, just as He Shan came out. Both froze in place, and after a few seconds, He Shan retreated back into his room and closed the door, while Qin Guanglin quickly shut the door and turned around.

"I saw your brother!"

"Then why aren’t you hurrying out? Why are you coming back?" He Fang was irritated.

"..."

On the other side.

He Shan leaned against the door, blinking, and looked towards Zhao Qing, who was propping her head up on the bed, gazing at him.

"I saw Qin Guanglin!"

"So you saw, so what?"

"He came out of Fang’s room!"

"What about it?" Zhao Qing was unfazed.

"..."

He Shan eyed her suspiciously, "You knew already?"

"I’m the one who took him there last night."

"..."

Seeing him standing there dumbfounded, Zhao Qing couldn’t help but laugh, humming and raising her eyebrows, "Drinking leads to mistakes, will you ever learn?"

"Tch... Sigh." He Shan sighed, shaking his head and turning away, "That kid must have drunk a lot too, I remember... well, let it be."

In any case, his sister and Qin Guanglin were in the midst of preparing to buy a house and get married. It was just a matter of time before they shared a bed... they had been living together for two years, what was there to say?

It was just so sudden, and it happened at home; he just wasn’t used to it hitting him so unexpectedly.

Opening the door, Qin Guanglin had already stepped out into the living room, and the two exchanged a glance before looking away.

"Going for a run?"

"Yeah, you... going out for breakfast?"

"Yeah, yeah, right. I’m not too familiar with this area, can you take me there?"

"Sure, sure."

The two of them left the house together, and the living room returned to its tranquil state.

After a long while, the door to He’s Daddy’s room made a sound, and the old man, rubbing his eyes, came out, looked at the door to He Fang’s room, and after a moment’s thought, sat on the sofa and stared at it.

Last night, he had a nightmare, dreaming that Qin Guanglin had sneaked into his daughter’s room in the middle of the night. He had to watch and make sure He Fang came out before he could feel at ease.