Chapter 510

Lin Zhengpeng nodded, turned and went into the house to change clothes.

Just as he finished changing, a knocking sounded at the door.

"Coming!" Lin Zhengpeng hurried over to open the door; standing at the door was Su Qing.

She wore a light pink dress, held two gift boxes in her hands, and had a slightly nervous smile: "Zhengpeng, I'm here."

"Please come in quickly!" Lin Zhengpeng took the gift boxes, stepped aside to let her in, "Don't be nervous, my family is easy to get along with."

Su Qing walked into the courtyard, seeing the yard full of people, her cheeks instantly turned red, and she timidly greeted: "Hello uncles and aunts, hello all aunts."

"Hey, hurry up and sit!" Zheng Juan hurried over, took Su Qing's hand, the more she looked the more she liked her: "This child, she's really handsome and so well-behaved."

Qin Jingru said with a smile: "Su Qing, don't be polite, just treat it as your own home. I am Zhengpeng's aunt; you can call me Aunt Qin from now on."

Su Qing nodded, handed over the gift boxes: "Aunt, this is a little token I brought for you; it's not worth much."

"Why bring anything when you just come!" Zheng Juan chided, but still took the gift boxes, opened them to see fine tea leaves and a delicate tea set: "You child, you're too thoughtful."

Lin Shengli walked out of the house, smiling: "Su Qing, welcome to our home as a guest. Don't stand, come sit and talk."

After Su Qing sat down, she relaxed a bit.

Lin Zhengcheng and a few younger brothers and sisters gathered around, curiously looking at her; Lin Zhengcheng smiled and said: "Hello, sister-in-law! My brother constantly mentions you."

"Don't talk nonsense!" Lin Zhengpeng's face turned red, and he hurried to interrupt him.

A burst of laughter broke out in the courtyard, and Su Qing's nervousness dissipated somewhat.

She talked with everyone about her work and life, speaking clearly and gently, winning everyone's favor.

During the meal, Zheng Juan kept putting food on Su Qing's plate: "Su Qing, eat more, try the braised pork I made, see if it suits your taste."

"Thank you, Aunt, it's delicious." Su Qing said with a smile: "It's even more fragrant than my mother's."

Lin Shengli took a sip of wine and asked: "Su Qing, you and Zhengpeng get along well; do you have any plans for the future?"

Su Qing put down her chopsticks, spoke seriously: "Uncle, I really like Zhengpeng; he is down-to-earth, steady, and responsible. I want to spend more time with him to understand each other better; if he also likes me, we would like to settle our marriage."

"Good!" Lin Shengli nodded: "Marriage is a big matter; you get to know each other slowly, we won't rush you. But one thing: if Zhengpeng dares to bully you, tell me and I'll deal with him."

"Dad!" Lin Zhengpeng exclaimed helplessly, and another round of laughter broke out in the courtyard.

The meal was warm and harmonious; it wasn't until after four in the afternoon that Su Qing rose to say goodbye.

Lin Zhengpeng saw her to the door; Su Qing smiled and said: "Your family is really nice; I'm very happy today."

"My family all likes you." Lin Zhengpeng held her hand: "Once I finish the mass-production work, I'll go to your house to visit your uncle and aunt."

Watching Su Qing's departing back, Lin Zhengpeng felt sweet inside—he knew his happiness had truly arrived.

At the same time.

In the siheyuan at South Luogu Lane, Yan Bu Gui had already found out the news that Lin Zhengpeng had brought his partner to meet the parents.

He sat at home, slapping his thigh: "Opportunity has come! Jiefang, come with me to Lin Shengli's house; just say congratulations to Zhengpeng, and by the way bring up the work matter."

Yan Jiefang hesitated: "Dad, is that okay? Their house is lively right now; if we go, aren't we just causing trouble?"

"What trouble?" Yan Bu Gui glared at him: "We're going to congratulate, it's proper and justified. While they're happy, they might loosen up. Come on, let's go!"

Saying that, Yan Bu Gui took out a bottle of baijiu he was reluctant to drink from the cabinet, grabbed Yan Jiefang, and hurried to Lin Shengli's house.

Arriving at Lin Shengli's house gate, Yan Bu Gui tidied his clothes, put on a fawning smile, and raised his hand to knock.

The door was opened by a guard; seeing Yan Bu Gui and his son, he frowned: "Who are you looking for?"

"Comrade, we're looking for General Lin Shengli; I am his siheyuan neighbor Yan Bu Gui, and this is my son Yan Jiefang." Yan Bu Gui handed over the baijiu: "I heard his son Zhengpeng brought his partner to meet the parents; we came to congratulate."

The guard did not take the baijiu, saying: "General Lin is currently entertaining guests at home; it's not convenient to see outsiders. Please go back."

"Outsiders? We're not outsiders!" Yan Bu Gui exclaimed anxiously: "We're longtime neighbors, we've watched Zhengpeng grow up; let us in, we'll just say a few words."

"No!" the guard said firmly: "Without General Lin's order, no one may enter. Please leave, or I won't be polite."

Yan Bu Gui still wanted to argue, but Lin Shengli heard the commotion at the door and came out.

Seeing Yan Bu Gui and his son, his eyes turned cold: "San Da Ye, what's the matter?"

"Shengli, congratulations!" Yan Bu Gui hurried forward, handed over the baijiu: "I heard Zhengpeng brought his partner to meet the parents; we specially came to congratulate you."

Lin Shengli did not take the baijiu, saying: "Thank you. I appreciate the sentiment; take the gifts back. There are still guests at home, it's inconvenient to entertain you; please go back first."

Yan Bu Gui rubbed his hands, smiling: "Shengli, actually we have another matter we want to discuss with you. Look, Jiefang has been unemployed at home for so long, while Zhengpeng now has a partner, career and love both flourishing; could you help think of a way for Jiefang to find a job at the Research Base?"

Lin Shengli's face darkened completely: "San Da Ye, I already told you before, the Research Base hires according to regulations; it's not something I can decide with a single word. Why are you still coming?"

"Shengli, I know there are regulations, but look, we're old neighbors; could you make an exception?" Yan Bu Gui refused to give up: "Jiefang can endure any hardship; even sweeping or moving things would be fine."

"No!" Lin Shengli said in an unquestionable tone: "The Research Base is neither a charity nor a place to go through the back door. If Jiefang wants a job, let him rely on his own abilities to take the exam; stop always thinking of using connections."

He turned to the guard and said: "Send them back; without my permission, they are not allowed to come here again."

"Yes, General!" the guard stepped forward, making a "please" gesture.

Yan Bu Gui's face turned deathly pale; the baijiu in his hand almost fell to the ground.

He still wanted to say something, but seeing Lin Shengli's icy gaze, he finally didn't dare speak, pulled Yan Jiefang, and left in a dejected manner.

Returning to the siheyuan, Yan Bu Gui flung the baijiu to the ground, fuming: "Lin Shengli, this heartless thing! He doesn't give an inch of face!"

Yan Jiefang also drooped his head: "Dad, I said we shouldn't go, but you wouldn't listen; now we've made a fool of ourselves."

"You dare to say that about me?" Yan Bu Gui glared at him: "If it weren't for your lack of ability, would I have to debase myself to beg him?"

The two argued in the courtyard, drawing a crowd of onlooking neighbors.

Shazhu snorted: "I say, San Da Ye, you're just asking for it. General Lin is busy with big affairs; he has no time to deal with your trivial matters."

Xu Damao also came over, gloats: "Exactly, trying to go through the back door without weighing your own worth; General Lin won't buy your act."

Yan Bu Gui's face burned from the two's remarks; he hurriedly pulled Yan Jiefang back inside and shut the door.

Qin Huairu squatted at the door of the broken shed, watching this scene, her feelings mixed.

She envied Su Qing for gaining the Lin family's approval, envied Zhengpeng for having both career and love flourishing, and even more envied the harmony and prosperity of Lin Shengli's household.

But all of these are things she herself gave up back then—if she hadn't schemed against Lin Shengli back then, hadn't indulged Bang Geng, would her life have been different?

But there is no regret medicine in the world.

She could only squat in the broken shed, watching others' happiness, living her own life of scavenging.

In Lin Shengli's courtyard, the bustle continued.

Zheng Juan and several women sat together, discussing the marriage of Lin Zhengpeng and Su Qing;

Lin Shengli and Lin Zhengpeng were discussing the details of mass-producing carrier-based aircraft;

The children were chasing and playing in the courtyard, laughter and voices continuous.

Lin Shengli looked at everything before him, his heart full of feeling.