Chapter 542: Just Be Yourself
Chapter 542: Chapter 523: Just Be Yourself
Xinghua understood what Gu’er was saying. People were all the same. Hadn’t her own family hesitated a little when they first heard about the Dong Family’s situation?
“I know, Gu’er. I’m going to Dong Liang’s house the day after tomorrow. What do you think I should bring? What should I say when I get there? What should I do?”
Xinghua was flustered about the visit to the Dong Family. She wanted to make a good impression on Dong Liang’s mother, but she had no experience with this sort of thing and hoped Gu’er could teach her.
“Bringing a gift is just a gesture. They have everything they need at home, so just bring a few small things when you go. It’s the thought that counts. If you bring too much, it’ll just be a burden on them. As for what to do? Just be yourself. Don’t feel like you have to put on an act or suck up to them. After all, if you and Dong Liang end up together, it’s for life. You can’t pretend forever, can you? It’s better to let them see the real you now so you can all get along more easily later. That way, no one can say you were one way when they first met you and then changed. Besides, you have a cheerful personality and you’re not a difficult person. Just be your wonderful self. Who wouldn’t love our Xinghua?”
Gu’er finished speaking and gently stroked Xinghua’s face. She truly believed Xinghua was a wonderful girl. As long as she was herself, everything would be fine. Besides, if Dong Liang’s family were genuinely good people, they wouldn’t find fault with Xinghua. And if they did, then it wouldn’t be Xinghua’s fault—it would be time for her to reconsider marrying into the Dong Family.
“I think Gu’er is right. It’s best to be yourself.”
Marina nodded in agreement. One shouldn’t put on an act just to make a good impression. It’s not sustainable. It’s exhausting for you and for them. It’s much more comfortable to just live as your true self.
Hearing them both say this, Xinghua agreed. If you’re going to live with someone for a lifetime, there’s no need to pretend. It was best to show her true self and interact with them honestly.
“Okay, Gu’er, Sister Na, I get it. I’ll listen to you.”
Xinghua nodded. Her face was slightly flushed, but her eyes, shining with a hint of anticipation, looked very bright.
That evening, after Jiji was asleep, Gu’er told Sun Jiaming about Xinghua and Dong Liang. Sun Jiaming thought it was a good thing as well.
“Gu’er, Li Zhi called the shop today. He wants me to make a trip to Guang City. I’ll leave the day after tomorrow and probably be back in about ten days. There’s a big deal over there. If we can close it, we stand to make one or two hundred thousand. But their requirements are really high and there’s a lot involved, so Li Zhi can’t quite handle it alone. Technically, it would be better for Uncle to go, but Aunt needs someone with her, and he doesn’t feel comfortable leaving her. So Li Zhi wants me to go so we can tackle it together.”
Sun Jiaming didn’t want to go; he wanted to see his wife and son every day. But work had to be done.
“All right, you should go. Call home anytime if something comes up, and keep me updated on your progress. We should communicate often so we can nail this deal. This isn’t a small amount of money. If we land this one, it’ll likely lead to even bigger deals later. If we fail, it might hurt our future business. But be safe, and just do your best. If it really doesn’t work out, don’t force it. There are plenty of other chances to make money.”
Gu’er was an understanding woman. She also wished her husband could be home with her and their child every day, but they couldn’t just push all the work onto others. She couldn’t leave because of Jiji, so it would be unreasonable to stop Sun Jiaming from going.
“Okay, I’ll listen to my wife. Honey, c’mere, let me get a… kiss.”
Sun Jiaming pulled Gu’er into a hug, but he kept his voice down. Even though their son was asleep, they were still in the same room, and it wouldn’t be good to wake him.
“I’m not gonna let you.”
Though she said she wouldn’t, she leaned her head toward him anyway. Sun Jiaming was leaving for Guang City the day after tomorrow; she couldn’t bring herself to deny him these last two days.
“Gu’er, Gu’er, how can you be so sweet? So delicious.”
Sun Jiaming whispered sweet nothings to Gu’er as he kissed her.
Gu’er was already aroused and could feel Sun Jiaming’s burning passion. The two of them pressed tightly together, and soon, intoxicating moans filled the room.
Two days later, Gu’er saw Sun Jiaming off, and on that same day, Xinghua went with Dong Liang to visit the Dong Family.
When they arrived on the street where the Dong Family lived, everyone who saw Dong Liang carrying gifts with Xinghua in tow couldn’t help but size her up. Some struck up conversations with Dong Liang, asking who she was. The more forward ones just asked him directly if he was bringing his wife home.
Xinghua followed Dong Liang, her face red. The comments made her a little shy, but she didn’t feel awkward or uncomfortable.
Dong Liang, worried that Xinghua might be embarrassed, kept glancing at her expression. When he saw that she was only blushing and didn’t look upset, he finally relaxed.
By the time Dong Liang led Xinghua to his door, the news had already spread throughout the street: the Dong Family’s Liangzi had brought a pretty girl home, and they were carrying quite a few gifts.
Wang Qiu’s first impression of Xinghua was quite good. The girl had a delicate and pretty face, with no trace of harshness or snobbery in her eyes. Upon entering the house, she showed no sign of looking down on the place and appeared very poised and natural.
“Come in, sit down! Here, have some water. You’re Xinghua, right? Our home is very simple, I hope you don’t mind.”
Wang Qiu poured Xinghua a glass of water and went to get her a snack.
“Auntie, please don’t go to any trouble. This is wonderful. Please, you sit down.”
Xinghua stopped Wang Qiu, taking her by the hand and guiding her to a seat.
Wang Qiu patted Xinghua’s hand and was surprised to feel calluses. ‘These are the hands of someone who works hard,’ she thought. ‘But didn’t they say her family is well-off? Why would she have calluses?’
“Xinghua, how did you get these calluses on your hands?”
Wang Qiu asked without thinking, but as soon as the words were out, she felt a bit anxious, wondering if the girl would be offended by the question.
“Oh, these? I’ve had them for a long time, Auntie. My family is originally from a rural village. Kids who grow up in the countryside all do chores, so our hands are bound to be rough. Later, I learned how to knit, and from knitting all day, how could I not get calluses? I’m used to them.”
Xinghua answered openly, feeling she had nothing to be ashamed of.
Wang Qiu was taken aback. She hadn’t expected Xinghua to answer so frankly, and she was even more surprised to learn that she was originally from the countryside.
“So your family is from a village, then? I heard you all are doing quite well now—bought a big house and everything. Your family is really something.”
“My dad went to Guang City a few years ago and made some money, and he bought this house when he came back. The money was earned by my dad. I opened a shop, and my older brother and sister-in-law both work. Our lives are decent now. When we first moved here, things were really hard; we didn’t even have money for food. It was my uncle’s family and my big sister who helped us out. We’re only doing well now thanks to them.”
Xinghua was telling the truth. She now genuinely saw Zheng Changsheng as her father, so it didn’t feel wrong to call him ‘Dad.’ She would also never forget the kindness that Gu’er and the Lin Shan family had shown them.
“Oh, I see. Your dad is really something, then. And your big sister and uncle sound like wonderful people. Here, have some snacks. I just bought these sunflower seeds. They’re quite good, try some.”
As she spoke, Wang Qiu pushed the bowl of sunflower seeds closer to Xinghua. ‘This girl is so genuine,’ she thought. ‘She isn’t fake and doesn’t put on airs. It seems my son has good taste after all.’
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Thank you to YiShengXiAiNi, MissTang101, Angel’sSleeplessNight, and XiaoHuo for the peace charms. Thank you to Hai Feng’s baby060219 and mao10987 for the monthly tickets. The second update will be a bit late. Merry Christmas, everyone, and enjoy the holiday! I’ll post an extra chapter tomorrow.