The Reborn Sidekick Rejected The Male Lead
Chapter 113 - 111: Meeting the Future Mother-in-law

Chapter 113: Chapter 111: Meeting the Future Mother-in-law

Aunt Zhang emerged from the kitchen, breaking the awkward atmosphere between the two, "Wow, Jingqiu looks really pretty in that outfit."

Grandpa Jiang had already returned home, and upon seeing Lu Jingqiu, he cast her appreciative glances. He thought to himself that his grandson had good taste. No wonder he had been dragging his feet when it came to discussing romantic matters, he was waiting for her, it seemed. He had initially thought being transferred to West City was too far, but now, it appeared that the transfer order could not have been timelier.

In just half a year’s time, his grandson had brought home a bride, and such a beautiful one at that, importantly, a college graduate.

Last year, that lad Xianrun should have brought the child over for a visit. If he had done so earlier, perhaps the great-grandchild could have been on the way by now.

"Jingqiu, there’s no need to be formal when you’re there; Xiao Qi and Qinghai are both very easy-going,"

"Grandpa Jiang, I understand," Jingqiu said.

"Grandfather, we will be back late today, so you don’t need to wait up for us,"

"Alright, I am getting on in years and can’t stay up late. Just be careful on the road, and don’t drink,"

"Got it, Grandpa,"

Jiang Nanzhou, carrying some items, pedaled out of the compound’s gate with Lu Jingqiu. The Government Compound and the military compound were some distance apart, roughly a twenty-minute journey.

Upon reaching the guard post where they registered, it was already dark.

The Shen Family lived in a standalone two-story building towards the back of the first section of the compound. Living in a house of this standard indicated a position of no low status.

From afar, Shen Ting spotted Jiang Nanzhou riding the bicycle and rushed back into the house to call out, "Mom, Dad, Big Brother is here."

Their bicycle had barely stopped when Father Shen and Mrs. Shen appeared, followed by Shen Mu, who was holding a little boy’s hand, and a bespectacled man in his mid-twenties standing next to them. Next to Big Brother Shen stood a 26 or 27-year-old woman with delicate features, likely Big Sister-in-law Shen.

"Uncle Shen, Mom, this is Jingqiu."

"Hello, Uncle Shen, and Auntie," Jingqiu greeted them.

Father Shen warmly invited the two inside, "Good, come on in."

Mrs. Shen patted her son on the shoulder and smiled at Jingqiu.

And so, Lu Jingqiu was welcomed into the family home by everyone.

Upon entering, they were in the living room with the kitchen and dining room to the left, and what looked like the bedrooms further inside. Mrs. Shen had cleaned the home impeccably, and atop one row of cabinets, covered with a plain floral cloth, sat a radio, a telephone, a hot water kettle, and a set of cups and saucers.

One could tell Mrs. Shen knew how to keep a nice home.

"Jingqiu, this is Big Brother, Shen Cheng, this is Big Sister-in-law Wei Ling, the small nephew here is Shen Yuxian, and there’s no need to introduce Xiao Mu. This is Shen Ting, the fourth brother,"

"Hello, Big Brother, Big Sister-in-law, Xiao Mu, and Xiao Ting. Hello, little friend Yuxian," Jingqiu greeted them.

The little one mimicked an adult’s manner and said, "Hello, Second Auntie."

Big Sister-in-law Wei Ling invited her, "From now on, we’re family. Don’t be shy at home, have some water first, dinner will be ready soon."

Mrs. Shen said, "Lingling, you chat with Jingqiu for a bit. I’ll go finish the last few dishes."

Father Shen also stood up to head to the kitchen, "I’ll go give your mother a hand."

With the adults gone, the tense atmosphere among the younger ones lively considerably, and Shen Mu spoke, "I thought you wouldn’t be back for another two days."

Jiang Nanzhou replied, "We only spent two days in Yangjiang, and I won’t be staying long in Capital City either."

Shen Mu said regretfully, "Xiuya mentioned yesterday that she could take you to see the Tiananmen Gate if you came."

Shen Ting nodded eagerly at his side; he also wanted to take this opportunity to go out and have some fun. After echoing his third brother’s words, he didn’t forget to steal a glance at his big sister-in-law.

And indeed, Big Sister-in-law Shen saw it, giving him an unamused side-eye. Shen Ting immediately hung his head guiltily.

Lu Jingqiu was about to respond to Shen Mu, but seeing this scene, she was momentarily stunned.

Jiang Nanzhou, who was next to them, asked, "Did Xiao Ting cause trouble again?"

Shen Ting hurriedly defended himself, "I didn’t." Although he hadn’t lived with his second brother for a few years, during those years, he was always tagging along with his second and third brothers.

Big Brother Shen said, "This kid is about to enter his third year of high school and has just been assigned to your big sister-in-law’s class."

Wei Ling said with a laugh, "I heard from his headteacher last year that he’s quite unbalanced in his subjects. So for this summer vacation, I’ve had him stay at our place, and I’m helping him catch up on his studies."

With his sister-in-law becoming his homeroom teacher, Lu Jingqiu could imagine how devastating Shen Ting’s upcoming year would be internally.

Shen Ting protested, "Big Sister-in-law, I’ve already taken half a month of extra classes, isn’t that enough? Second Brother has just come back, and second sister-in-law is visiting Capital City for the first time; we really should take her out for some fun, shouldn’t we?"

Big Brother Shen shut him down firmly, "Your second sister-in-law has your second brother for company. This summer vacation, you should just buckle down and study with your big sister-in-law. You don’t even look; everyone in our family went to college. If you don’t get into a university next year, every one of us will get a beating, and you won’t escape it."

Shen Ting mumbled petulantly, "Only third brother and second sister-in-law went to college."

Big Brother Shen laughed in exasperation, "Say that one more time."

Wei Ling tugged at him, saying, "He’s not wrong." But then she looked at Shen Ting and added, "Of course, if you want to compare yourself to us, then you could just drop out now. Oh, I hear the educated youth office is still recruiting. Shall I sign you up?"

"No, no, I’ll study, I’ll study, isn’t that okay?"

Wei Ling laughed and stopped teasing him, then turned to Lu Jingqiu with a smile, "Jingqiu, I heard you passed the university entrance exam through self-study?"

Lu Jingqiu nodded, "Shen Mu and I are both exceptions; we could only study on our own."

Big Brother Shen nodded, then said, "The questions in Shen Mu’s time were still easy. I heard that this year’s tests are much harder than last year’s. Next year, I expect they’ll be even harder."

Lu Jingqiu said, "Yes, there are more candidates for the college entrance exam, but the schools have limited capacity, so, Xiao Ting, you really have to work hard."

Shen Ting said with a pained expression, "Second sister-in-law, it’s your first visit to our house and we should be talking about you, so why did we start talking about me right away?"

Shen Ting’s words made everyone laugh. Shen Mu said, "You rascal, who asked to go out and play?"

"Ay, third brother, it was you who mentioned going out first. Yuxian, you back me up."

Shen Yuxian, distracted by candies, hadn’t paid attention to what they were saying. Hearing his uncle calling for him, his eyes spun in confusion.

Father Shen, in the kitchen, whispered to Mrs. Shen, "Tingting, the girl Nanzhou brought back is quite good, don’t think about Xiuya anymore."

Mrs. Shen gave him an unamused glance, "Xiuya already talked to me about this. My initial thought was to urge Nanzhou to get married quickly since he’s not getting any younger. Who would’ve thought that he’d find someone just a few months after transferring there. I have no objections to whoever he chooses; as long as he’s happy, that’s good."

"I think she’s fine, the only daughter of Lu Xianrun. Xianrun used to be Shuhuai’s comrade-in-arms, and I met him a few times before I retired. An upright person, and the daughter he raised shouldn’t be bad either. Now also Nanzhou’s leadership, I think she’s a good match."

Mrs. Shen turned her head and glanced into the living room, "That’s good. Nanzhou mentioned she wants to go to college, so when will the wedding be?"

"You can ask at the dinner table later. After all, as the boy’s side, we should press a bit more."