The Reborn Sidekick Rejected The Male Lead
Chapter 303 - 294: Relationships

Chapter 303: Chapter 294: Relationships

Lu Jingqiu returned from Niannian’s home and intended to wash up and go to sleep, but she noticed the lights were on in the courtyard, "Nanzhou?"

Jiang Nanzhou poked his head out from the kitchen and said, "Why are you back so late?"

Lu Jingqiu quickly parked her bike and said, "I went to Niannian’s place to discuss some matters."

"Is the small restaurant all set?"

"Yeah, almost. We found a place and are preparing to rent it tomorrow... Uh... what is that smell? It’s so awful." As Lu Jingqiu spoke, she walked into the kitchen. Before she had time to see what Jiang Nanzhou was doing, she was hit by a strong fishy smell. She felt a sudden churn in her stomach and, covering her mouth, hurried outside.

Seeing her like this, Jiang Nanzhou quickly washed his hands and said, "Uncle Liu gave my uncle a fish, and since my uncle isn’t cooking these days, he asked me to bring it back. I made some fish head soup and was waiting for you to come back and have it. What’s wrong, are you not feeling well?"

As Jiang Nanzhou spoke, he approached her and raised his hand to touch her forehead, but the fishy smell from his hand made Lu Jingqiu lose her composure. Unable to hold back, she turned and ran to the flower bed to vomit.

Jiang Nanzhou frowned, hurried to the washroom, and washed his hands with soap. He sniffed them and, thinking there was no more smell, went out to pour her a cup of hot water.

At this time, Lu Jingqiu was sitting in the dining area, feeling much better.

"Did you catch a cold? These past few days I haven’t come over. Did you not cover yourself with the blanket properly at night?"

Lu Jingqiu shook her head, "No, I was fine this afternoon, no, I was fine just now. It’s just... I can’t stand that smell."

Jiang Nanzhou looked at the time and said, "Come on, I’ll take you to the hospital to have it checked."

Lu Jingqiu pulled at him and shook her head, "No need, I’m fine, really, I feel much better now."

"You just vomited, and now your stomach is empty, naturally, you feel better. But this kind of situation will start again soon."

"But I don’t want to move. Let’s do it tomorrow, after school tomorrow, I’ll go to the hospital myself. It’s too late now, and if we go to the hospital, it will just be the emergency room."

"Are you really okay?"

"Yeah, really. I just want to sleep now, I’m sleepy."

"Drink the water, then go up and sleep."

Lu Jingqiu obediently drank the hot water, washed up, and then lay down on the bed. Jiang Nanzhou looked at the pot of fish head soup and could only leave it for tomorrow.

He didn’t dare drink it now, afraid that the smell would make his wife uncomfortable. After cleaning up the kitchen, he also went up to accompany his wife to bed.

Lying beside her, he helped her with the blanket, intending to ask how her last two days at school were, but on seeing her drowsy appearance, he didn’t dare to speak.

So he just lay on his side, watching her peaceful sleeping face.

Lu Jingqiu had slept soundly and comfortably. The next day, if her husband hadn’t called her, she probably would have been late for school.

At school, Luo Xinyue pulled her aside and said, "My mother-in-law told us to come straight over after school. She will help talk to the logistics department. My mother-in-law said she knows the minister of logistics, and all the storefront rooms are under his management."

"Then great, how do we get in touch with Niannian? Or should just the two of us go?"

"I went to her place early this morning to tell her. She will wait for us in front of the train station at noon."

"Okay."

Having agreed on this, they all bicycled to the train station at noon. When they arrived at the store, indeed, Xue Jianian was there waiting for them.

Luo Xinyue didn’t go straight in, "You guys wait here for a moment." After saying this, she went to a nearby shop and soon came out holding a small package.

Lu Jingqiu asked curiously, "What’s that?"

Luo Xinyue whispered, "My mother-in-law prepared this in advance. She specifically told me to come and pick it up yesterday. It’s a box lunch with spare ribs. Still warm."

The two understood immediately and without saying anything, they both gave her a thumbs-up.

Luo Xinyue led them to the office area of the train station, where on the second floor, they met Mother Shang.

Mother Shang was wearing a uniform, in her forties with short hair, and looked especially capable. She eagerly beckoned them over when she saw Luo Xinyue.

"Hello, Auntie."

"You must be Jingqiu and Jianian, I’ve often heard Xinyue talk about you, both of you are good kids, good job. This time, you’re bringing Xinyue along, and Auntie has high hopes for you. Come on, I’ll take you to meet Minister Wang."

"Thank you, Auntie, for taking the trouble this time."

"As elders, it’s only right for us to help out with these little things."

Lu Jingqiu, walking behind, gave Luo Xinyue a thumbs-up, indicating that her mother-in-law was really good to her.

After all, the two families were old friends, and the adults had watched the children grow up. How could they not like them and allow the two kids to get married?

It seemed Mother Shang must have spoken to the logistics minister beforehand, as only Minister Wang was waiting for them in the office. The others must have gone to lunch.

"Old Wang, sorry to have kept you waiting so long. The kids are still in school, and they only have time during this midday break."

"Old Qin, these kids of yours are not bad. Even though they’re still in school, they work so hard and have learned how to do business. Well done."

"The kids haven’t even graduated yet, what business could they possibly be doing? Without us adults helping and watching over them, and with some capital, they’re just trying their hand at something. If they can stir up a little ripple, that’s their own good fortune. At least our efforts won’t be in vain."

"Indeed, as parents, we must worry about these things."

"What about the house? They’ve taken a liking to the one on the left. What do you think, Old Wang, should we go about signing the lease? We’re considered internal staff, right? Is there any discount?"

Minister Wang laughed and said, "Come on, why be so formal among ourselves? You don’t even have to ask, I’ll give you the internal price, thirty-five yuan a month, but you have to pay for six months upfront."

"Six months? Can we do three? It’s not easy for the kids to do this while they’re still students. Where will they get so much money? If all their money goes to us, wouldn’t their funds be tight? Besides, I have a nephew who’s also looking to rent a stall in our mall—a larger one. Make sure to save a good spot for him when the time comes." Mother Shang said, and with practiced ease, poured Minister Wang a cup of tea and personally handed it to him.

Minister Wang, accepting the tea with a smile, said, "Oh, Old Qin, you’re putting me in a tight spot."

"What’s so difficult about that? We’re not asking for a free rental. Xinyue, Jingqiu, Niannian, when it’s time, make sure to come pay the rent on schedule. As for electricity and water fees, don’t skimp on us because we’re family. Pay whatever is due. I can’t help you with this, not even your Uncle Wang. We have rules here, even if I’m your mother, it won’t fly."

"We know, we know. We’ll come over to pay the rent a week in advance to avoid putting Uncle Wang in a difficult position."

Minister Wang, smiling, pointed at the three young girls and said, "Ah, you’re all promising young ones. Since you’ve called me uncle, I can’t be too hard on you. Three months’ rent and one month’s deposit, at thirty-five yuan a month for you."

"Thank you, Uncle."

The group hadn’t expected things to go so smoothly, they even got a discount of five yuan off the original forty yuan.

Xue Jianian immediately paid Minister Wang the rent for four months and signed the rental agreement.

As they signed the contract, Luo Xinyue and Mother Shang said, "Mom, I made this pork rib and winter melon rice this morning. I had it warmed up in the canteen when we arrived. You’ve surely missed lunch because of us today, haven’t you?" Then, she called out to Uncle Wang, "Uncle Wang, you haven’t had lunch yet, right? I made extra, so I’ve got two portions. I’ve saved one for you, we’re really grateful you could wait for us for so long."

With that, she unwrapped the package, took out two lunch boxes, and placed them in front of Minister Wang.

Mother Shang, smiling, playfully tapped her on the forehead, "Oh my, my daughter-in-law is so thoughtful. Old Wang, see how my child-in-law has everything covered."

Minister Wang chuckled loudly, nodding, "Alright, don’t boast about having a good daughter-in-law in front of me." With that, he shook the lunch box in his hand, adding, "Today I also get to share in the blessings and enjoy the kindness of the younger generation."

"Haha."

After the contract was signed and they received the keys, Mother Shang escorted them to the door, reminding them to be careful on their way before she took her lunch box back to her office.

Seeing there was still time, Xue Jianian led them to the house to have a look around after opening the door.

Lu Jingqiu was still immersed in Mother Shang’s display of sophisticated social maneuvers from just before. It was brilliant, the subtlety and natural charm with which she dealt with things effortlessly.

"Xinyue, your mother-in-law is simply amazing. We need to learn more from her. She’s got the art of relationships down to a science," Lu Jingqiu said.

Hearing someone praise her mother-in-law made Luo Xinyue quite proud. She said, "You noticed, huh? My mom always says no one can match my mother-in-law’s attention to detail. There’s no one who doesn’t praise her for being good-natured and thoughtful. My mom told me I should listen more to my mother-in-law and consult her on any big decisions when I’m unsure."

Xue Jianian added, "Your mother-in-law is indeed impressive. We’ll have a lot to trouble her with in running our store in the future."

"That’s not a problem," Luo Xinyue said. "Now tell me, how should we set up our store?"