Chapter 580: Covered in Sweat

"Taste this mutton; it's truly excellent."

Mu Mu Hongyan picked up a piece of mutton for Gu An, wiped the oil from her lips, and spoke.

She also felt a bit embarrassed seeing Gu An not eating but just staring at her.

A short separation feels like a renewed honeymoon, but for this couple, it wasn't a short separation; it was nearly like being widowed.

Gu An glanced at the lively scene over there and asked Mu Mu Hongyan in a low voice, "Do you know the people at those tables over there?"

"No, I don't. Why?"

Mu Mu Hongyan only took a casual glance, then looked at Gu An and said, "He said they were his classmates, probably from the school."

Gu An looked at his wife's bewildered expression and twitched the corner of his mouth; what kind of school had such a huge age gap?

However, he didn't want to argue with his wife about this now; this leave totaled only a few days, and since it was hard to return home, it wasn't worth getting angry and upsetting her.

He noticed that over there, Li Li Xuewu was also introducing his sister to these people.

But upon seeing this short-statured individual, and observing Qin Qin Jingru subtly arranging personnel over there, if it were truly as his brother said that these were all his people, that would be truly incredible.

Listening to her brother's introductions, Liu Yin looked table by table, her heart shaking again and again.

Li Li Xuehan and Seeing Sha Zhu didn't ask Qin Qin Jingru to help over there; instead, they urged me and the rest of the Li family to hurry over to the small courtyard side.

"Hey!"

After all, they are relatives, so we must come.

Having said that, he walked behind the bookshelf, looked at the books stacked below, most of which showed signs of having been read, and looking further down, he saw a rifle placed on the bookshelf.

In the afternoon, arrangements were made for the people from the Li family side and Gu Hai's family and relatives to sit down here at Haiyuncang.

Actually, it's simple; at this time, with more than ten people per table and ten dishes, good heavens, the amount left over for him was indeed substantial.

"What do you mean by fate?"

From the Li family side, only Gu Hai and his wife went, along with Second Uncle's family and Third Uncle's family, plus the Gu family of seven, making exactly eighteen people.

"Don't see us off, don't see us off; get busy with your work."

At this moment, the two tables of banquet seats near the kitchen door were set up again.

Yan Yan Fugui pursed his lips and said, "Mom says it's safe."

He wanted to say no, but he knew that if he said so, Qin Qin Jingru would dare to go behind his grandmother's back and bring our family's genealogy to display it.

However, after Second Uncle finished speaking, Father glared at him again, so he had no choice but to follow him upstairs.

After entering the room and seeing Gu Gu Haile following her up to the second floor, her face involuntarily turned red.

"Not too bad."

Seeing Little Yan'er smile, Gu Gu Haile asked, "Where is your mother?"

"It's too noisy."

Just like Xilin, at fourteen years of age, she possessed a heart with the vicissitudes of an eighty-four-year-old.

Today was his shift, yet he still asked those three squadron leaders to cover for him.

As for the factory leaders and the few who got along well with him, he was the one who saw them off to their cars.

Hearing Qin Qin Jingru's words, Gu Gu Haile seemed as if she had really stumbled upon something good, and couldn't help but stare in surprise.

"Let's go; let your father take a look; I haven't seen it yet."

This child has been raised by Third Aunt to be a bit delicate; if a boy isn't mischievous, can he still be called a boy?

After the three of them went downstairs and walked into the yard to smoke, Li Shun finally couldn't resist asking, "For what reason? Why so mysterious?"

"Let's go, let's go; Master Master Qian and the others are all waiting."

Upon hearing that the procedures for the club had all been completed, the classmates were naturally delighted, and taking advantage of today's opportunity, they talked quite a bit about this matter.

Gu Gu Haile placed her hands on Seeing Seeing Gelin's shoulders, seating her on the stool, while simultaneously gesturing for the others to sit as well.

Gu Hai pursed his lips, tasted the beef, and found it truly authentic; that chef was truly formidable, as he had never eaten anything this delicious even at grand banquets.

"Whoa! It really is!"

When seeing Li Li Xuewu off as he left the Heavy Weapons Research Institute, they detained him for a while.

Dual-use is real... it must be real; who would dare to forge such characters?

Qin Qin Jingru saw Mo Jing Yongjie off and chatted with the group of classmates at the entrance, mainly about the club.

Over at the open-air banquet, those who had finished eating early carried this red gift box in their hands, smiled and waved to Qin Qin Jingru, telling him not to come out to see them off.

The pure remain pure, and the turbid remain turbid.

"What's wrong?"

Qin Qin Jingru wouldn't dare to use it for free; she had also sealed a red envelope, and mentioning the visit to express gratitude earlier was just to match the occasion with this chicken.

If one walks upright and sits straight, one's body has no fear of a slanted shadow.

"Stop, stop; hurry up, don't clean up yet."

Actually, at this time, the only ones remaining on her maiden family's side were the Gu family.

Actually, it was just the auspicious treasure from that Cornucopia that Gu Hai had brought over.

Seeing Seeing Gelin led everyone downstairs, while Gu Gu Haile stayed upstairs to host her father-in-law.

"I haven't paid attention to that."

Earlier, before everyone had left, I saw him secretly doing that; if outsiders saw it, how bad would that be? They would think everyone in this courtyard is a damn thief.

"Hungry."

"Waste Recycling Station..."

When they reached the second floor, Ding Ding Fengxia was standing at the door waiting for him; seeing him come up, she reminded him in a soft voice, "They are in the study."

Before knowing Qin Qin Jingru, he knew she was living alone; he felt a sense of relief, yet also worried that the young couple wouldn't get along well.

"Hehe."

Outside the house, the young men—Xuecai, Ji Ji Yuxiu, Li Li Xueli, and Gu Gu Haile—all sat together.

Gu Gu Haile cautiously glanced at his father-in-law and asked, "We'll definitely use my channel; there shouldn't be any problem, right?"

"They say it belongs to the Japanese devils."

The villa space over there was quite large, but even with so few people Ding Yong had dismissed, it wasn't noisy.

Qin Qin Jingru waved her hand, saying, "She even helped me settle the bill just now; I was just saying we should go to her home later to thank her."

Li Li Xuehan worked swiftly with the youngsters; during the brief time Qin Qin Jingru spent seeing guests off, the tables in the courtyard were nearly cleared.

"What do you think?"

Having received a chicken, Gu Gu Haitao smiled and carried it home.

Gu Gu Haile said a word to his father-in-law while also explaining something to his mother-in-law who had just walked out.

Li Li Zhengfeng sat on the sofa, looked at the furniture and furnishings in the room, and asked, "Whose villa was this originally?"

Though young in age, he looked deeply solemn, as if already advanced in years.

Li Shun glanced at the young men, pursed his lips, and said, "Look at how many mouths I have to feed; just look at that tall fellow over there."

When Li Shun had just been assigned to go down and call his father, he couldn't help but look at Gu Gu Haile because of that calligraphy scroll.

After speaking, seeing Seeing Gelin's eager expression, he quickly threatened, "Let me tell you, my father-in-law and mother-in-law haven't gone far yet!"

Gu Gu Haile twisted the corner of his mouth and ignored the two brothers.

"Brother Zhu, isn't there still a lot left?"

Little Yan'er sat beside Seeing Gelin along with Shen Shen Guodong and smilingly called her 'Sister-in-law'.

Yet inexplicably, he also took on duties at the branch bureau, stepping one foot into local affairs.

"No, no, it's just work, hehe."

Wang Wang Daqin and the others all came out with Gu Gu Haile; it was just that Mo Jing Yongjie, sharing the same courtyard as Gu Gu Haile, rode in the same vehicle.

While speaking, he pointed toward the empty wall on the other side.

If it isn't true, then that brother-in-law really is a brother-in-law!

Though he came from a cook's background, Master Master Qian told him not to drink too much.

Li Li Zhengfeng looked at the book titles on the bookshelf and softly reminded with a heavy tone, "If you borrow power, you will encounter some very troublesome matters; you must consider carefully, as the gains may not offset the costs—it is not something that can be properly handled by a simple weighing of pros and cons."

"That side should be registered as local household registration."

Even with all that shock, feeling that Qin Qin Jingru still treated them with her previous attitude made them involuntarily want to integrate into the large family of the inverted-seat house centered around Qin Qin Jingru.

Third Master, dressing up with Third Mistress, felt somewhat embarrassed when he saw Gu Gu Haile looking over.

After pouring drinks for the helping chefs, he also poured for Seventh Master and Gu Yan, who had been busy the whole time.

Seeing Sha Zhu couldn't stand Third Master's manner; the bowl was nearly empty to the bottom, yet he was still scraping the plate.

Seeing that bastard also climbing up the pole following the snake, Li Li Xuewu angrily pushed him, saying, "Can't you learn some good things from Qin Qin Jingru, damn it?"

Yet her own cultivation prevented her from doing so; at this moment, she must remain low-key and steady.

If one followed his observations just now, Li Li Xuewu's differential treatment, combined with those people's solemn seriousness...

What exactly are they trying to achieve by making such a fuss?

Li Shun pursed his lips and said, "They say he manages the waste recycling station over there; he's probably helping handle private matters."

"A gun!"

Gu Gu Haile stood up, nodded smilingly at Gu An, and walked downstairs.

Gu An stared wide-eyed at his younger brother, not surprised that his brother took the initiative to inquire, but rather wondering what his brother had just said.

Actually, Gu Gu Haile had plenty of people to help with this task, but his father had also said that in the future, for any joyful events in this courtyard or surrounding yards, Third Master would be the one to help.

Both Li Juan and Li Xue ate together with their elder sister-in-law, accompanying their natal family.

Although mischievous, he dared not run wild.

The silence in the master bedroom further highlighted the quiet in the study after Qin Qin Jingru's answer to that one sentence.

"Hey! If he isn't afraid of losing face, why should I be?"

He was startled when he saw so many people standing at the doorway.

Good heavens, it would be wasted if left with Qin Qin Jingru.

Could the bond from such training classes really be that deep?

Some people have experienced too much, seen too much, and suffered too much torment, causing their feelings toward human relationships to become indifferent.

Liu Yin had actually seen Gu Hai long ago; there was no way he could not have seen Gu Hai.

Visiting Qin Qin Jingru and Gu Hai's new home was one aspect; the other was folding happy quilts and arranging the bridal chamber.

Qin Qin Jingru had already told her parents about asking Huhu Xian to come over and help here, yet Gu An still somewhat disliked that girl who was like a frantic rabbit.

Gu Gu Haile gently nudged Qin Qin Jingru and asked, "How come you never mentioned having this calligraphy scroll before?"

Only after he finished scraping did Qin Qin Jingru turn around and glance at Seeing Sha Zhu; that guy was definitely doing it on purpose.

"Over there..."

"What relationship do we have? Don't be polite; hurry up with your tasks."

Gu Gu Haile pouted, squinting his eyes as he said, "Good gun, a long gun, the latest model; by then, you'll surely be able to spot something."

Mo Jing Yongjie bulged his eyes, looking at Li Li Xuewu in disbelief, as if Li Li Xuewu had done something shameful.

Fu Fu Zhidong rubbed his eyes, clattered downstairs wanting to find his mother, but seeing so many people downstairs, he clattered back up again.

The Li family's house renovation was timely and thorough; at least today, while entertaining guests, it remained very bright and spacious.

However, Qin Qin Jingru had many matters today; we all understand, and will just wait until this weekend for the whole family to meet at the club.

Qin Qin Jingru waved her hand at Gu Gu Haile, signaling him to hurry and pour wine for Third Master.

Now he appeared steady and reserved, knowing how to care for his family's feelings and paying attention to the propriety of his speech.

"Dislike playing with cannons?"

Arriving outside the home, he saw his father-in-law and his own father sitting by the Four Immortals table chatting, while his mother and mother-in-law were still chatting in the outer room with Zhou Wang Yamei and others.

Downstairs, Qin Qin Jingru walked to her father-in-law's side, glanced at the calligraphy beneath the wall, and said, "You must be wondering how those characters were written, right?"

Li Li Xuewu looked at Qin Qin Jingru; that expression of hers looked damn well as if she were about to take him to visit a brothel.

Furthermore, yesterday that kid called me again on behalf of Mo Jing Yongjie, instructing me that I absolutely must come.

Gu Gu Haile smiled, spoke only that one sentence, yet there was more he could have said.

Li Li Xueli looked at his Seventh Brother, then looked at Gu Hai.

The young master and several younger brothers were all eating, with the eldest, Yan Yan Fugui, even helping out.

"Li Xuewu."

Qin Qin Jingru had seen me arrive carrying a wine flask earlier; when she saw me go over to speak with Seeing Sha Zhu, I hid it on the table.

This thing happens when the firecracker fuse burns completely or gets blown upward.

After speaking, he boldly gestured toward Ding Ding Fengxia and Huhu Xian, who were tidying the living room, saying, "You all saw that, so you have to give me some face, right?"

The changes before and after marriage were not due to experiencing some event, encountering some setback, or gaining some life realization; rather, it was an adjustment based on Gu Gu Haile's subjective perception, and that kind of perception, that kind of regulatory ability, made Ding Ding Fengxia sigh with emotion.

Even if someone were extremely picky today, they couldn't find fault with Qin Qin Jingru; with so few people and such a small scene, who could attend to everything?

At this moment, Gu Hai was somewhat stunned and unable to compose himself; the shock this brother-in-law brought him was damn well continuous.

At this time, Ding Ding Fengxia was bringing out the washed fruit, and Huhu Xian had gone to brew tea.

This was especially true in getting along with Qin Qin Jingru's parents, as Gu An and Gu Ning were both honest and simple people.

"Mother said not to go."

Qin Qin Jingru nodded and said, "Gu Hai brought a portion for them; let's heat it up tonight and eat together."

"Good, good, good, let's eat his."

Over there, Qin Qin Jingru had already seen off several groups of people, with those in the inverted courtyard houses being the first to leave.

Li Li Zhengfeng waved his hand and said, "You have a steady mind, do things methodically, understand when to advance and retreat; what I say may not necessarily be useful to you."

Yan Yan Fugui smiled somewhat awkwardly and said nothing.

If he were to punch me in the body, I'm afraid I'd be eating at a funeral banquet on the spot.

The decoration over there was quite retro, possessing a Republic of China style, which actually attracted the Seventh Aunt and others, who were visiting for the first time, to wander around.

Gu Gu Haile and the others didn't drink much wine, so they ate very slowly.

Seeing Lao Lao Biaozi patted Qin Qin Jingru's arm, praised her, and then turned to head toward the master bedroom.

Li Li Zhengfeng chuckled lightly; today was a rare sight of the son-in-law's dual nature, and Gu Gu Haile rarely saw his father-in-law smile.

Qin Qin Jingru shared the same thought as Seeing Sha Zhu; not just for today's occasion, but for ordinary occasions as well, he was unwilling to waste feelings or time over such a trivial thing.

Although Qin Qin Jingru was young, she was mature; beneath her seventy-year-old appearance lay the delicate thoughts of a seventy-year-old.

Qin Qin Jingru did not let Gu Hai see her off; she asked Yu Li to help her, taking her natal family members to rest for a while in the front courtyard.

The dual-use fuse is very short; if one is slightly careless while lighting it, it will explode in one's hand.

Seeing Lao Lao Biaozi walked out of the study, stood in the small living room, and called out to Gu Gu Haile.

Well then, today upon entering the courtyard, that kid immediately called me 'Old Uncle' and even introduced me to another of his 'Old Uncles,' the Vice Principal of Huaqing.

"That guy definitely has human lives on his hands."

"Understood, go quickly."

Gu Gu Haitao saw Qin Qin Jingru signal the kid in the inverted courtyard house to help, but he feared that kid was too rash and would spill the wine.

Seeing Sha Zhu stood at the kitchen doorway, wiping sweat with a Mao Jin, and watching Qin Qin Jingru return from the entrance, he asked, "Shall we eat? Set the tables; everyone has been tired all afternoon."

Li Shun walked down the stairs and told his father it was for the same reason, but why did that child keep looking at Qin Qin Jingru?

As everyone entered the courtyard, Zhou Wang Yamei specifically glanced at Huhu Xian, and then looked at Qin Qin Jingru again.

Gu Gu Haile nodded and said, "I prepared three strips; if none of them work, it can only be said that the South suppresses me."

Walking back, he asked, "Is there some work-related matter with Ji Ji Ruixuan?"

Zhou Wang Yamei was drinking soup when she saw her husband looking over again, recalling what the younger brother-in-law had just said.

Perhaps this person's psychological illness stems from having too many schemes?

Seeing Lao Lao Biaozi fell silent for a long while after his son-in-law finished speaking, then nodded and said, "Doing so is correct; it is indeed inappropriate to publicize."

Ding Ding Fengxia knew that with Seeing Seeing Gelin's temperament, how could he possibly think of these things?

Qin Qin Jingru lit cigarettes for her Seventh Uncle and Eighth Uncle, explaining with her mouth full, "It wasn't obtained from investigating cases with the Investigation Department; I'll check on it later."

After seeing off the classmates, Shen Fang saw Wang Wang Daqin leave and thus proposed to leave as well.

"What do I do?"

"Well... we live right across from each other; who doesn't need whom?"

Just as they were speaking, Li Shun walked down from the stairs; although he was talking with Gu Gu Haile, his eyes kept darting toward Qin Qin Jingru.

Li Li Xuewu was also left laughing and crying by Qin Qin Jingru's antics; he originally hadn't wanted to come, but Qin Qin Jingru had personally delivered the invitation.

Neither of them continued discussing that; they glanced at the study, made a round through the master bedroom, and then went upstairs.

Gu Gu Haile nodded knowingly and asked, "I told Li Li Xuehan to call him; why didn't he come over?"

"This... this simply won't do!"

By the time it was past eleven o'clock, most people in the courtyard had already left.

Qin Qin Jingru knew her father-in-law had noticed her whispering a few words with Ji Wang Weidong's father during the banquet.

Actually, it wasn't much, just over half a jin.

"Good~~!"

"Over there, from the Confidentiality and Investigation Department."

Qin Qin Jingru understood us very well; after all, back then, being able to bring two cars for the day was quite showy.

Just as Gu Gu Haile and a few others, including Sha Zhu, were talking over there, Li Li Xuewu walked over.

Qin Qin Jingru smiled and asked, "Which is safer, the gun or him?"

"Hey, Mom."

After saying that, he gestured to the side and said, "From the enterprise, one of the top figures over in Dongcheng, the number one person in charge of security work."

Li Li Zhengfeng turned back to look at Qin Qin Jingru, pursed his lips, and did not bring up that topic again.

"Get~ him!"

Over there, they had just seen off the guests; there weren't many banquet tables left to start, but these weren't for outsiders, rather for family.

"Sit, sit, everyone sit."

The eighteen young men from the side houses had all reached the age where they could drink, and when Qin Qin Jingru poured, they all accepted.

That rascal, just like a little gorilla; the fierce and cruel aura within that body could be felt even from seven miles away.

Mu Mu Hongyan came running over, glanced at the Third Master, and poured all the leftovers into the Third Master's basin.

Liu Yin followed her younger brother's gesture and glanced toward the doorway; he looked very unremarkable, short in stature and chubby.

"Walking down a single path until one turns white won't work."

The current Qin Qin Jingru was more self-assured, more subjective in expression, and more casual.

This Jinyu Hutong had never seen so many cars before; today, everyone got to witness a rare sight.

Having someone chase him away would not only make oneself look bad, but outsiders seeing it wouldn't be a good thing either.

"Finish eating and go back."

He said softly, "Discuss those matters with your father-in-law upstairs."

Just like one's own son-in-law; looking at the signature on that calligraphy hanging on the wall, although it was clearly from the beginning of the year, it had been hidden away until now.

To put it mildly, that gaze made Li Li Xuewu feel as though he was acknowledging a thief as his father.

Upon arriving at the villa, everyone got out of the car; the environment was beautiful, the streets clean and tidy, and the lush foliage of the roadside trees made the neighborhood appear even more serene.

Therefore, those people must be very important to Li Li Xuewu.

Ding Ding Fengxia was Qin Qin Jingru's psychologist and knew Qin Qin Jingru's mental state best.

When I came, I saw foreigners in that courtyard, but I wasn't surprised; Jingcheng certainly doesn't lack people with those features.

Most importantly, commuting to work over there is really convenient.

What did Zhou Wang Yamei tell me back then?

Qin Qin Jingru waved her hand at Li Li Xuehan and said, "Tell them to eat first; after the meal, we can clean up slowly."

It wouldn't be good if Qin Qin Jingru hid, so she could only take the initiative to see them off.

Before getting to know Qin Qin Jingru, she had worried that Seeing Gelin's temperament would not be well-received in her in-laws' home.

Gu Hai hesitated for a moment, then asked, "Does it make a lot of money?"

Being asked like that by Qin Qin Jingru made him feel a bit embarrassed, so he just threw out that sentence.

Li Li Zhengfeng said nothing; nowadays, Gu Gu Haile constantly reminded him that Qin Qin Jingru was the son-in-law he had found for his daughter, and this appreciation was even deeper than when he first saw Qin Qin Jingru.

Take a look at Banggeng and the others at the entrance; they are blowing up a pit over by the public toilet.

No wonder Gu An always says that sons and daughters are debts.

Qin Qin Jingru also started laughing and said, "Then write one for me too; I'll frame it and hang it here."

Gu Gu Haile did not go to the wedding venue today; Gu Gu Haile called and said he wasn't going either.

They only drank for a while and ate just a few rounds of dishes; the soup had just been served when people were already leaving.

However, regarding Qin Qin Jingru's statement, she still sensed the difference in Qin Qin Jingru before and after marriage.

"Jing Yongjie!"

If you ignore him, he just loiters around here; even Qin Qin Jingru finds it embarrassing.

Perhaps feeling a bit sentimental, Gu Hai lowered his head slightly.

Hearing the sound of a vehicle at the gate, Huhu Xian ran out to open the door.

Little Yan'er answered, saying, "Left together with Li Shu, Aunt Zhang, and the others."

Relying on the fact that he had drunk ten jin more alcohol, Qin Qin Jingru shook Li Li Xuewu's hand and said with great emotion in a low voice, "Old Uncle, I still want our family's old lady to have a chat with you; our ancestors must have been one family."

It was only because something happened over there that Zhao Zhao Yafang followed to Bai Bai Xiyuan, specifically to keep Seeing Gelin company.

Qin Qin Jingru originally felt there was nothing to it, as they were only discussing work matters; regarding private matters, her father-in-law should understand clearly.

Can't you get up or what?

"???"

But according to tradition, that still won't do, as nothing has been taken out yet.

"Over there, the external affairs ones."

After Shen Fang left, the entire group from the sub-bureau left as well.

No one knows how that person grew; did he start developing right from the womb?

Gu Hai pursed his lips and stared at Qin Qin Jingru; visibly, his cheeks puffed out like a pufferfish.

Seeing his older brother glaring, Li Shun pursed his lips, gestured to the other table, and continued, "Over there is the garrison; several thousand people are just up on the hill. I just went to ask; his connection with them is very solid."

"..."

"After I took over, it remained empty; it will take quite a long time."

Gu Gu Haile said with a dry laugh, "I was sitting at this table just now; neither the food nor the wine was finished; it's all wasted."

As Seeing Gelin walked over to Qin Qin Jingru's side, he was startled by the sound of firecrackers behind him; he wanted to turn around to look, but Qin Qin Jingru stopped him.

Gu Gu Haile glanced at that neighbor living in the same courtyard as if looking at a fool.

"Tell Mom, how did you get this?"

Huhu Xian didn't answer immediately; instead, he offered a cigarette to his father-in-law, but seeing his father-in-law wave his hand to decline, he continued, "The Rolling Steel Factory has no intention of forming a joint enterprise; the main goal is to resolve issues regarding production materials and labor."

"Chicken? What for?"

Seeing Sha Zhu walked up to Gu Gu Haile, cigarette dangling from his lips, and said, "Why would he send me a chicken?"

"Hey, that's taking things too far."

So giving just a chicken sends them off early, keeping the world quiet and avoiding idle gossip.

Seeing the young children return, Gu Ning also walked out from the inner room and asked, "So we're going over there?"

Qin Qin Jingru held Gu Gu Haile's hand and whispered, "Old Uncle, I really got hold of some bad stuff; later I'll come find you to see if we can study it a bit and give him a taste of his own medicine."

"Old Uncle, you shouldn't leave; you must stay."

Qin Qin Jingru reached out and turned her little brother's face toward her, making him look at her, and asked, "Didn't Third Uncle take you target shooting before?"

It's quite ordinary, isn't it?

There were two cars over by the row of southern-facing rooms; the Gu family had one, and after everyone squeezed in, they all got seated.

Glancing at the half-pot of white liquor remaining on the table, he asked, "Did you bring a pot? This one certainly can't be given to you."

Afterward, it was like watching a revolving lantern; Qin Qin Jingru's network of connections grew wider and wider, and even he could no longer gauge his son-in-law's intentions.

When making the bed and folding the quilts, one must place red dates, peanuts, longans, and lotus seeds, and also put in coins.

Seeing Sha Zhu took a puff of his cigarette, pursed his lips, and said, "I'm truly skilled at managing a household; how come I haven't seen you strike it rich!"

After getting out of the car at the intersection of Xiwai, once they had left the Jinyu Hutong, Mo Jing Yongjie, who was in the same car, asked him, "Are you really Qin Qin Jingru's old uncle?"

Those who knew today's guests best were undoubtedly the busy Da Nian Zhong.

After speaking about Li Xuecai, Qin Qin Jingru pulled over a stool and sat down, then beckoned to Third Uncle's little brother with a smile and asked, "Are you hungry?"

I heard long ago that this brother-in-law used to have something of a jianghu spirit; looking at him now, there are indeed traces of it.

Gu Gu Haile already said he gave it to me; if I spill it again, how heartbreaking that would be.

Just like Seventh Master Ye, seventy years of life's journey, life and death now separated by a vast mist.

Shen Shen Guodong wanted to come over and help, but Qin Qin Jingru held him back; pouring by headcount, she even poured a tiny bit for the little brother, Yan Yan Fugui.

Since it wasn't aimed at me anyway, there are no bad regrets.

Liu Yin glanced at her younger brother, then looked at Qin Qin Jingru's younger brother, took a hard puff of her cigarette, and said unclearly, "It might have nothing to do with the case I mentioned."

Gu Hai looked at the two people snickering outside the living room and couldn't help but blush, saying, "I need to change clothes."

Liu Yin looked at her younger brother who was still peering inside and asked, "Why are you still going from table to table asking?"

"Go upstairs~"

"That one; when I came down early this morning, he introduced him to me, saying he's a sworn brother, and that I should look to him for anything over there."

"It'll be quick; first we need to tidy up the row of southern-facing rooms."

Qin Qin Jingru's parents ate together with Seeing Gelin's parents; Third Uncle and Third Aunt, Fourth Uncle and Fourth Aunt—we weren't accompanying the guests at home, but eating with the bride's natal family, while the others didn't eat at all.

Qin Qin Jingru didn't care about that; since there was a gathering outside the courtyard, she went inside, fetched a basin, and came back to pack the leftovers.

"No, the one I asked about."

Li Li Zhengfeng had stayed until now precisely to see his daughter off on the final leg of her marriage journey, and at the same time to inspect the home of his daughter and son-in-law, laying down his final burden of worry.

If it were just inviting her over to eat, Seeing Gelin might have remembered, but arranging it this way and bringing over an entire table of dishes was certainly Qin Qin Jingru's idea.

If one were to speak of steadiness and generosity, Watching Lao Biao asked himself that even his own most outstanding eldest son at home did not possess that level of composure.

Being pressed by Qin Qin Jingru like that, Eighth Aunt was actually willing to accept it; seeing the basin filled, she said nothing more, picked it up, and returned to the courtyard.

Just now, calling me over must have been because she saw the family of Eighth Master over there plucking vegetables; she was deliberately pulling my leg.

Looking at Bang Geng now, he was leading a group of children from the Jinyu Hutong in setting off firecrackers.

Li Li Zhengfeng glanced at Qin Qin Jingru; he had only thought that Qin Qin Jingru was doing very well at the Rolling Steel Factory and would also do well in the enterprise in the future.

"Change then, just change."

Turning back around, he said, "Master Master Qian prepared this little chicken quite well; take it back to nourish the pregnant woman's body; those heavy oil and spicy things are no joke."

Qin Qin Jingru raised her eyebrows, paying no heed to her visual attack.

Qin Qin Jingru had no intention of going up, but Third Uncle waved his hand, gesturing slightly.

"I know that."

Qin Qin Jingru wore an expression of utmost sincerity and said, "I want to change too; I'm covered in sweat; let's go together."

Liu Yin couldn't watch anymore but didn't dare disturb her father; nodding along as she watched Gu Gu Haile, she simultaneously gestured toward the door and led the two of them out of the study.

Qin Qin Jingru took the tea that Huhu Xian had brought over and placed it before her father-in-law, her father, and the others.

"Heh~"

Just as the couple was speaking in low voices, Gu stretched his neck and leaned in, saying, "He's a classmate from your training course, the one you attended when you were promoted to deputy division level; I just went to find out."

Last night I even asked Zhou Wang Yamei whether this brother-in-law had any connections; how else could he have advanced so quickly?

Qin Qin Jingru explained briefly, "At the time, Deputy Minister Yu was presiding over the investigation, and I happened to be at the requisitioned training course."

Yan Yan Fugui was strictly managed by Eighth Aunt, unlike troublemakers like Bang Geng.

After chatting a couple of sentences and seeing Eldest Brother and Eldest Sister-in-law walking over with Seeing Gelin, he patted the little brother on the shoulder and stood up.

Seeing Lao Lao Biaozi, noticing the direction and distance of the work unit Qin Qin Jingru introduced for Seeing Gelin, couldn't help but pat Li Li Zhengfeng on the arm.

In the bedroom opposite, Zhou Wang Yamei and others were making the wedding bed; Seventh Aunt, who didn't understand this, was teaching everyone the folding method and had not noticed the situation over there.

"Hey, this... I was thinking..."

"In Steel City, the steel mill side also has some business needs, including at the office in the border regions; we need to open up a two-way channel."

"Good child."

Seeing Gelin smiled and agreed, chatting a few more words.

The smile beneath Lao Lao Biaozi's face could barely be contained; who could find such an outstanding son-in-law?

"He's not the one in charge over there."

Seeing that everyone had sat down to eat, Qin Qin Jingru took the wine pot and poured drinks for Master Master Qian, his two disciples, and Seeing Sha Zhu, especially for Wang Wang Laoqi, who loved drinking the most.

"It's about the case involving Li Ming from Aunt Zhang's family."

"Scram, scram, scram!"

Seeing his wife's appearance, Gu Gu Haitao felt somewhat embarrassed, but Qin Qin Jingru paid it no mind.

Gu Hai glanced at his brother, thinking, "Do you still know it has nothing to do with the case?"

Those remaining were the Seventh Master from the inverted courtyard house, Wen Ba'er, Gu Gu Haile, Seeing Sha Zhu, He Yushui, Yu Li, and Xilin.

"Hahaha~"

Upon reaching the car, Gu Gu Haile smiled and put his arm around his shoulder, saying, "We'll talk about it later; I guarantee you'll be satisfied."

Blocked by Seeing Gelin at the bottom of the stairs, Qin Qin Jingru couldn't help but smile wickedly and said, "You're not going to make me go downstairs, are you?"

Lao Lao Biaozi glanced at Gu Gu Haile with a smile; apart from crying for a while early this morning, he had been smiling continuously throughout the afternoon.

Gu Gu Haile squinted one eye, turned around, and looked at Seeing Sha Zhu, saying, "If you'd just given me a chicken when you saw me acting like that earlier, it would have been done; why make me scrape the plate with that crunch-crunch sound?"

"I don't have any ulterior motives."

Qin Qin Jingru turned back, waved her hand at her eighth younger brother, and said, "Go call your eldest brother, then go to the front courtyard and tell his wife to come over for dinner."

With power, money, and people, one could reasonably weave these elements together to form a vast network of connections.

Last night, Ding Ding Fengxia and Huhu Xian had already changed the sheets and quilt covers in the master bedroom to bright red wedding bedding.

"Ai, thank you, thank you, no need, I'll do it myself."

All these things would serve as a little surprise when Qin Qin Jingru and Seeing Gelin rested tonight.

"Ai, Old Uncle, I heard they say those guns are dangerous..."

After things settled downstairs, everyone ate some fruit and drank a cup of tea in the outer living room before proposing to leave.

When Qin Qin Jingru and Seeing Gelin turned around, only they and their immediate family remained in that courtyard.

Gu Hai glanced at that fat man again; if he really was one of those people, he must be someone Qin Qin Jingru trusted implicitly.

Seeing Li Li Xueli looking at him, Li Shun turned his head to look at his eldest brother.

Damn it, don't tell me the whole of Xicheng can't hold me.

The firecracker was picked up this afternoon; seeing that most guests had left by then, I couldn't resist taking it out to hear the bang.

While speaking, Li Shun gestured toward the young men standing at the doorway directing the busywork, as well as Gu Gu Haile, who was serving staple food to each table.

First, they saw off the entire Gu family, then they saw off the entire Li family.

Actually, I'm not surprised by Qin Qin Jingru's method of nurturing people; many of the local bullies in Xicheng do the same.

"Uh... well... I suppose so."

Noticing Yan Yan Fugui constantly looking toward the doorway, Qin Qin Jingru finally beckoned to him.

Just like Seeing Gelin...

"I am indeed very ordinary."

"Dad, Mom wants you to come down and take a look too."

Upon seeing Gu An and Gu Hai, they finally understood what was happening and proactively greeted Li Shu and Auntie Liu.

How could Qin Qin Jingru allow him to explain that? She waved her hand, gesturing to the items on the table, and said, "Hurry up, help pack some for the Third Young Master."

"Over there, from the Dongcheng and Xicheng Branch Bureaus."

"Ji Ji Ruixuan's identity is very sensitive; my abilities belong entirely to myself."

After everyone had poured their drinks, Qin Qin Jingru raised her wine cup and said to the crowd, "Today, everyone's hard work has been for us; Seeing Gelin and I will toast you all here. We are all one family, so eat well and drink well."

"Let's go, sit down; I'll arrange a place for you to rest."

"I have it, I have it."

It was still ten dishes; there is absolutely no rule that treating guests must be different from treating those who helped.

"Take it quickly; I'm busy today, so this saves me a trip; don't take offense."

"Russian? American? Or..."

Li Li Zhengfeng stood continuously before that calligraphy piece watching it, while Gu Hai, Li Shun, and Li Li Xueli stood to the side, not daring to make a sound.

"What thing?"

However, now cars were becoming fewer one by one, and rows of bicycles were also becoming sparse.

Could they even reach the heavens?

"Let's leave it at that; we'll talk again next week."

Gu Hai comforted his wife, gesturing for her to eat and stop talking.

"What are you doing?"

He understood clearly at this moment and said with a smile, "Your father already told me; how could I not help?"

Actually, it was abandoned long ago; otherwise, there wouldn't be a fleet from Steel City.

Gu Gu Haitao now felt somewhat embarrassed; packing leftovers was one thing, but if he accepted this chicken, then...

Leaning against the stairwell wall, Qin Qin Jingru smiled and said, "You wouldn't be thinking of kicking me down from here, would you?"

The Gu family's upbringing did not allow juniors to stand on the stairs to speak with elders, much less allow shouting from the second floor.

A large group wearing uniforms departed, immediately sparking a burst of discussion among the quiet onlookers at the entrance.

Once one has a bit of a small industry, one raises some idle miscellaneous people; they serve as cannon fodder, but also as money-makers.

"No, no, no."

Seeing that her mother-in-law understood, Qin Qin Jingru smiled, nodded, and said, "When we return to visit my family, you should all go together to sit with Aunt Zhang."

Even if Gu Gu Haile was short of money, it was only short by the cost of those eight tables of food.

Then what do all the various group military training sessions I have participated in count for? Do comrades and classmates merely replace the feelings of that middle-aged generation?

"Help the Eighth Young Master install a chicken."

The grandeur of today's scene truly shocked us; it was not just the strength suddenly displayed by that Wu Ge, who usually lives alongside us, but also the people who came today to offer congratulations.

Liu Yin asked her younger brother how he could tell; I am a pilot and have never killed anyone in close combat, but my younger brother has experienced it.

Qin Qin Jingru gave an instruction to Mu Mu Hongyan, telling me to go find Sha Zhu to install a chicken.

Li Li Zhengfeng stood up, turned to examine the layout over there, and also looked through the window at the courtyard inside.

Now you just want to tell everyone that your son-in-law is even more outstanding than what you described on stage today.

Lao Lao Biaozi had seen that child before and smiled as he explained a sentence to Li Li Zhengfeng.

During the morning wedding procession, I didn't dare to look closely at that brother-in-law; now, seeing all this, I dare even less.

Qin Qin Jingru retreated from the main hall, and Lao Lao Biaozi heavily placed a hand on her arm, leading her back into the study.

If it weren't for the father-in-law returning, or if it weren't for coinciding with such a bad time, I fear few would dare to come.

That referred to Gu Gu Haile's parents; that kid had a somewhat stiff relationship with his family, and today no one saw him speaking with his mom and dad.

If this isn't about looking for him, then some things are not good; if we don't use him, then who do we use?

Li Li Zhengfeng turned his head to glance at his son-in-law, paused for a moment, and couldn't help but laugh, saying, "Even if it's not good, it's still better than yours."

This son-in-law is truly accomplished in both literary and martial arts.