How I Tamed My Wolfish Husband Back in 80s-Chapter 220 - 222: Disagreeing at the First Word_1

Qin Jin was confident, "I’m not selling to people who don’t wear them. Bamboo weavings are non-essential goods and more expensive than bamboo baskets, aren’t they always in short supply?" He stocked up on the goods and then handled the shipping, how simple was that?

He was just afraid that someone would investigate.

He needed to take good care of it to ensure that it was foolproof.

Li Qiao, "That makes sense." When she got home, she took out her savings, "Here is fifty-five yuan, for you to invest in purchasing goods."

"Invest?" Qin Jin’s lips curved slightly, her verbal support was enough to fill him with drive, "No need, in case there’s a loss, you can still use that money for food."

"Alright then," Li Qiao said again, "Have you sent the package off?"

Qin Jin hummed in acknowledgment.

While they were talking, Xue Sufen came knocking, "Is Old Mrs. Qin here?"

"Sufen ah, I am," Old Mrs. Qin cheerfully poked her head out from inside the room.

"Today is grandpa’s seventieth birthday, madam asked me to invite your family over for cake," Xue Sufen said.

Old Mrs. Qin was extremely reluctant at heart; Jiang Wanqiu was probably taking advantage of Xue’s birthday to show off her offspring all gathered together in joy and to flaunt her children’s achievements, wasn’t she?

And her Jin, with no education or job, presented the perfect opportunity for others to look down on him.

She didn’t want her child to be subject to scorn willingly.

On the surface, she politely said, "Why didn’t you say it was his birthday earlier, so I could have prepared some gifts?"

"There’s no need for gifts, Old Mrs. Qin, let’s go," Xue Sufen said as she stepped forward and took Old Mrs. Qin’s arm.

Old Mrs. Qin’s scalp tingled, who was comfortable going empty-handed? "Sufen ah, wait a moment, I’ll have Jin buy some gifts first."

Qin Jin thought, where am I supposed to buy gifts with the stores closed this late at night?

The black market?

Li Qiao, "Grandma, I’ve prepared the gift already." She went inside and brought out a well-packaged painting of pine trees and cranes wishing long life.

Old Mrs. Qin’s eyes lit up; though she didn’t appreciate art, she recognized that it was a meticulous brushwork painting.

The crane was so lifelike it seemed to leap off the paper, and the ancient charm of the pine was palpable. She smiled, "Ah, Qiaoqiao, when did you prepare this?"

"A while ago," Li Qiao whispered, "It was originally intended as a birthday gift for you. I’ll prepare another gift when I have time."

Old Mrs. Qin smiled warmly, "Why do we need to be so formal with each other in the family?" As she was being pulled outside by Xue Sufen, she gave Qin Jin a look that meant he should stay at home to avoid becoming the subject of gossip.

Qin Jin didn’t understand Old Mrs. Qin’s intention, and puzzled, he said, "Grandma, do you have something in your eye?"

Old Mrs. Qin, "...I saw an idiot."

Qin Jin, "..." What’s wrong with him? Scolded again!

....

The family of three followed Xue Sufen to the Xue Family residence.

The Xue family living room was full of guests, and all eyes turned to Li Qiao and her party when they arrived.

Jiang Wanqiu warmly introduced Old Mrs. Qin, Qin Jin, and Li Qiao to her family’s children, mentioning, "Qiaoqiao and Sufen are classmates, both taught by our third son."

Everyone greeted each other.

Li Qiao thus got to know Sufen’s elder brother Xue Jingyi and Xue’s mother as well.

Xue Jingyi’s facial features bore a fifty to sixty percent resemblance to Professor Xue, though the professor had a more distinguished appearance.

Auntie Xue looked valiant and handsome in her forties, dressed in a military uniform with an imposing presence. Her partner had refined and elegant qualities, a handsome face, and wore black-framed glasses.

There were two children in the family, a boy and a girl.

The boy is the eldest, a senior in high school, and the girl is a freshman.

Old Mrs. Qin said enviously, "Your children are all so good-looking."

Jiang Wanqiu’s heart swelled with pride, "That’s because, when I was young, I was famously beautiful in the town. Xue picked up a treasure."

Old Mr. Xue rebuked, "Look at that face of yours, as wrinkled as tree bark, and you still call yourself a beauty? Aren’t you ashamed?"

"Aren’t you old too? You old fool!"

The two of them started arguing at the slightest provocation, and the younger family members had to pull them apart.

Li Qiao’s family joined in the merriment.

Jiang Wanqiu was the first to stop talking, she changed the subject to something in Li Qiao’s hands. "Qiaoqiao, what have you brought?"

Li Qiao placed the item on the drawing room table, "A birthday painting for Sir Xue." frёeweɓηovel.coɱ

"Oh, it looks quite nice. Such a piece of calligraphy and painting must have cost quite a penny; you’ve gone to a lot of expense," said Jiang Wanqiu.

Old Mr. Xue saw the signature at a glance, "This is Qiaoqiao’s work! The name is right here. Qiaoqiao is really talented, much better than Sufen and Rui. Rui is the daughter of Auntie Xue, Tang Rui."

"She must have been professionally trained from young," said Tang Rui.

"With her being the Top Scholar in the college entrance exam, when would she have had the time for such special training? This is natural talent, right, Qiaoqiao?" Old Mr. Xue said.

Li Qiao smiled politely and modestly said, "It’s not much of a talent."

Jiang Wanqiu continued with the conversation, "Speaking of talent, we have to mention Jin. A country man managed to marry the Top Scholar. Jin, your little aunt and Jingyi have no partners, why don’t you share some tips?"

Old Mrs. Qin was secretly angry; she knew this would happen.

Old Mr. Xue’s eyes nearly popped out. That old hag, she’s clearly looking down on people. Doesn’t she understand the simple truth after living for so long? When he was young, he started with nothing too, and though he can’t claim to have achieved great success, he has shed poverty and gained some respect.

With Jin being so young and quick-witted,

Isn’t it only a matter of time before he makes a name for himself?

Why publicly point out his shortcomings and make an enemy?

Qin Jin’s face turned unnatural; he finally understood why his grandmother had been giving those signals earlier, intimating that Madam Xue would embarrass him, suggesting that he stay at home. Unfortunately, he had failed to grasp that earlier, and if not for Sir Xue’s standing, he definitely would have lashed out.

He tried to remain calm and said, "The match was arranged by my grandmother."

"How could Qiaoqiao be willing?" Jiang Wanqiu wasn’t satisfied until she exhausted the topic.

Li Qiao realized that Madam Xue deliberately wanted to embarrass Jin. They had come with good intentions to celebrate the birthday; how could they act like this? She had to win back face for Qin Jin. "There are plenty of reasons; he’s good-looking, has high combat strength, strong enough to smash three bricks with one punch. He’s also filial—his grandmother tells him to go east, and he wouldn’t go west. He’s loyal, has high emotional intelligence, and has many friends. When I go out with him, people often call me ’sister-in-law,’ which feels very respectful. Jin writes beautifully, and his cooking skills can rival those of a top restaurant chef. There are too many strengths to count, even with fingers and toes."

Li Qiao went on and on.

Qin Jin’s eyes sparkled with amusement, and all the displeasure accumulated because of Jiang Wanqiu’s earlier comments dissipated.

Old Mr. Xue coughed dryly, "Your grandmother is too superficial, only looking at the surface and not the inner qualities."

Jiang Wanqiu was displeased, "Who are you calling superficial? I was earnestly asking for advice, but you’re the one thinking too much and blaming me." She accused Old Mr. Xue of being the crafty one. She added, "Lingqing, Jingyi, did you hear that? Arranged marriages by elders are the best."

Xue Lingqing silently protested.

Xue Jingyi found an opportunity to vent his frustrations, "Grandma, not to criticize you, but if you were half as reliable as Old Mrs. Qin, how could I refuse? Just think about the girl you found for me last time. You said she was a worker, earning a high salary. But that was really looking down on people. Her face was whitewashed, and yet her neck and roots of her hair were all dark. Her lips were bright red, and when she opened her large, mouth to speak, it was like she wanted to devour someone. She even complained about my height not being six feet, when she herself was barely five feet one. She said she could settle for me, which was so infuriating it left me unable to eat for two days."

The family erupted into laughter.

Jiang Wanqiu’s face turned red with anger; to be embarrassed publicly, to be deemed less reliable than an outsider? Such unfilial offspring!

Off-key, Xue Sufen asked, "Can we eat the cake now?"

Old Mr. Xue directed, "You distribute it to everyone."