The Reborn Sidekick Rejected The Male Lead-Chapter 333 - 323: Gao Family Matters

After eating at my uncle-in-law’s house, they went to Uncle Gao’s place, carrying a box of pastries, two bottles of fine wine, and fruits that they had initially brought for my uncle-in-law.

But my uncle-in-law asked them to take it all to Uncle Gao instead.

By the time the couple arrived at the Gao Family’s house, aside from a few children, only Aunt and Uncle Gao were at home.

To see them visit, Aunt Gao was quite surprised.

Ever since Gao Qing went to study in Capital City, Jingqiu seldom visited their home.

Especially after the conflict with Xia Lin, they had met even less frequently.

"Aunt Gao."

"Oh, Jingqiu, Comrade Jiang, come in. You’re looking for your Uncle Gao, aren’t you? He’s in the study on the second floor."

Jiang Nanzhou nodded and replied, "Thank you, Aunt Gao. I’ll go up to speak with Uncle."

"Sure, you go ahead. It’s around the corner on the second floor. I will stay downstairs and chat with Jingqiu. Jingqiu, come and sit, I’ll go make you some Malted Milk."

Lu Jingqiu watched Jiang Nanzhou go upstairs and then turned to Aunt Gao with a smile, "Aunt, there’s no need to go to all that trouble. How have you been feeling recently?"

"Good, quite good. Next year, y’know, I’ll be retiring. Then I’ll have even more free time."

"Aunt Gao is retiring so soon? Congratulations. It will be your time to enjoy life."

Aunt Gao brought the Malted Milk to Lu Jingqiu and said with a smile, "Enjoy what? Look at all the grandkids—each one needs taking care of. Just like your own aunt, helping your older cousin with his child, it’s been nearly a year since I last saw her. How is she doing over there?"

Lu Jingqiu smiled and said, "My aunt is doing well over there. My older cousin bought a big house there, and the child is already several months old."

Aunt Gao said, "Yes, the kids grow up in the blink of an eye. I heard Comrade Jiang was selected for further training?"

"Yes, he’s leaving tomorrow."

"Ah, once he leaves, it’s going to be hard on you being alone. I heard Uncle Gao say Comrade Jiang was initially reluctant to go, was it because of you, Qiuqiu, are you pregnant?"

Lu Jingqiu chuckled softly, looking down and gently touching her abdomen, a touch of softness on her face, "Yes, I’m two months along."

Aunt Gao quickly sat closer, also touching Lu Jingqiu’s belly, "That’s wonderful. If your mother knew, she wouldn’t know how comforted she’d be."

Lu Jingqiu said, "My mother in heaven can surely see."

"That’s right, as parents, we all want our children to be happy and fulfilled. But my Gao Qing married so far away, it makes my heart ache."

Lu Jingqiu laughed, "Aunt, Qingqing married into such a good family, and you’re still worried? I married far away too, in Capital City."

"Oh, you don’t say. I hadn’t thought of it that way. Now that you mention it, it’s true. Both you sisters married off to Capital City. If you two could settle down in Capital City in the future, it would mean you’d have each other’s company, that would ease my mind. Jingqiu, you know about the unpleasantness Ah Shu and Qingqing had last time. Seeing them as siblings falling out like that doesn’t sit well with me. What’s happening to our family? Ever since Xia Lin married into our family, there’s been no peace. The old saying is right, ’in choosing a wife, one should choose for virtue.’ It couldn’t be more true."

"Aunt Gao, isn’t every family like this—noisy and chaotic? That’s what makes a family. Look at my house, ever since my mom passed away, it’s been empty and cold. And now both my dad and my husband are away, it’s even quieter."

"I’d rather have a quiet home, quieter, at least it would be peaceful."

Lu Jingqiu held Aunt Gao’s hand, understanding her feelings too well. Having grown up in a household full of kids, with a nephew around, it was inevitable to have some bias.

When they were younger, it wasn’t noticeable, but as they grew up and personal interests were involved, conflicts slowly erupted.

As the younger generation got married and started their own families, with more people came more conflicts.

That’s just how large families are, but they also need time to adjust to one another. Once things have settled, life will become more and more prosperous.

"Aunt Gao, life will get better and better."

"I think so too, perhaps."

"Has Qingqing called recently?"

"She has. The young couple is doing quite well." It was only then that a hint of relief appeared on Aunt Gao’s face.

Following this, Aunt Gao spoke about some matters concerning Gao Qing’s in-laws. frёewebnoѵēl.com

Those people seemed amiable, but they still harbored hard feelings about Gao Qing getting involved with their son before the marriage. They truly didn’t think highly of Gao Qing, but recognizing the prestige of her family background, they didn’t dare to be too arrogant towards the Gao Family and remained outwardly courteous.

Jingqiu hadn’t expected this; she thought that Gao Qing had married into a happy family.

Indeed, the ways of the world are unpredictable.

However, with Uncle Gao and Aunt Gao around, her in-laws should not treat her too harshly.

Even if they didn’t like her, they wouldn’t show it in their demeanor towards Gao Qing. Once a child comes along, there will be even less reason for concern in this regard.

Jingqiu chimed in agreement now and then until Jiang Nanzhou came down from upstairs, and then they left together.

On the way, Jingqiu asked him about what they had talked about upstairs.

Jiang Nanzhou replied, "It was just some advice. Uncle Gao wants me to study hard over there and bring honor to our team. What about you?"

"Nothing much, just chatting with Aunt Gao about household stuff and the children."

Jiang Nanzhou was also worried that they might run into Xia Lin during their short visit. The mere thought of Xia Lin made his brow furrow, and he quickly reminded her, "Be careful when I’m not around, especially with that Xia Lin."

"Yes, I will be careful."

When they arrived home, they found Shen Mu waiting at their door; he had been waiting for more than an hour.

Jingqiu hurriedly said, "You could have sat at Shang Ze’s place for a while, it’s still quite cool outside."

Shen Mu replied, "I didn’t think that much about it, I thought you’d be back soon. Brother, I’ll stay here tonight to help you with your luggage tomorrow, and take you over with sister-in-law."

"Sure, come in and warm up."

Once at home, Jiang Nanzhou poured him a cup of hot water to drink.

Jingqiu helped Jiang Nanzhou pack his luggage, to see if anything had been forgotten.

Jiang Nanzhou chuckled, "I’m not lacking anything. The school will provide new uniforms, and we have allowances for meals."

"That’s why I didn’t pack too many coats for you, but I prepared some extra inner clothing."

Shen Mu also came up by then and took out a pair of sheepskin knee pads from his bag, saying, "Second brother, I prepared these for you – they’re made of sheepskin."

Jiang Nanzhou examined them, surprised, and asked, "Where did you get such a good thing?"

Shen Mu smiled, "I bought it from a classmate. His family raises a lot of sheep, and it looked good, so I thought of you, as you often go on missions, and this might come in handy."

Jiang Nanzhou thought to himself that these sheepskin knee pads could be a gift for his father-in-law in Capital City, who would need them more than him, then patted Shen Mu on the shoulder with a smile, "Thanks, little brother."

Shen Mu grinned easily, and Jingqiu suddenly remembered the past times in Ten-miles Village, where Shen Mu used to follow Gao Shu around all day with a ’keep away’ look on his face, a complete contrast to how he looked now.