Chapter 451 - 385 Part 2
"No, that won’t do," Ma Yongming realized his tone was a bit rushed, so he explained, "Arranging an engagement is a big deal for our family, and you did say last time that we are akin to Old Sir Qin’s family... For such a major event, how could Old Sir Qin not attend?"
"Well then! Let’s find a time to visit Old Sir Qin. I’ll go with you. This is the basic etiquette. When the time comes, if Old Sir Qin says he is not available, then let it be."
"After all, whether he has time or not, that needs to be arranged, but it wouldn’t be good not to mention it."
At this moment, Yu Meilan’s face was stiff, her smile significantly strained.
Had it been before today, she might have thought this was a trivial matter... but after Grandpa Qin’s coldness towards her earlier.
She could no longer deceive herself.
Lowering her head, pretending to be shy, "I haven’t had the chance to tell Old Master about you yet. Let’s do this, I’ll talk to him first and then bring you over. Otherwise, bringing you there abruptly isn’t great, after all, the Qin family is different from us."
When Ma Yongming heard these words, although slightly displeased, he understood that he shouldn’t rush things.
"Alright then! You go and take care of that soon! That way, we can also get engaged and married sooner."
"...Okay," Yu Meilan was feeling stifled.
"That settles it, we are not married yet, and it’s not good for me to stay here too long, so I’ll go back first. Once you meet with Old Master, set a time and let me know."
"...Okay," Yu Meilan was also troubled and couldn’t wait for him to leave, so she didn’t ask him to stay.
Ma Yongming glanced at her, then walked out.
Yu Meilan immediately went forward to close the door as he left.
In the room, left alone, her expression instantly turned dark and gloomy.
She was dissatisfied with Ma Yongming... accusing him of dating her because of the Qin family.
She was also very unhappy with Old Master Qin. After so many years, even as neighbors, there should have been some affection.
But he...
She had wasted so many years calling him ’Grandpa Qin’, and her kindness towards him was in vain.
And then there was Qin Ye, whom they had brought back.
If he hadn’t come home, would Old Master Qin still have been good to her?
Ultimately what she hated was that woman... she inexplicably disliked this woman.
If they hadn’t quarreled today, perhaps Old Master Qin wouldn’t have driven her away, as Grandpa Qin had never done so before...
It seemed Yu Meilan suddenly found the person to transfer her hatred to.
**
After work, Rong Wenming, returning home to a very quiet yard, was somewhat puzzled.
His daughter wasn’t there, possibly writing in the house, but where was Qin Mei?
Usually, this girl would be sitting in the main room drawing or reading.
Now, the table was empty.
So, he asked, "Where’s Meimei? Why don’t I see her?"
"She went to the Qin family with Yanyan and little Qin."
"To the Qin family?" Rong Wenming suddenly caught on, "Do you mean our son-in-law is back?"
Madam Rong nodded, "Yes. They haven’t returned this late; obviously, they stayed there to eat, so let’s just have something simple tonight."
Although Rong Wenming was eager to meet his son-in-law, it was indeed rare for him to be home... he must have gone to see his grandfather at the Qin family.
"All right, let’s just have something simple."
"You go wash up, I’ll get it ready. We can eat soon."
Madam Rong then went to the kitchen.
Her idea of something simple was quite casual indeed; it was just the previously steamed buns, served with cold white porridge and the buns.
When Rong Wenming sat down after washing his hands, he saw the dinner laid out on the stone table... it was indeed extremely simple.
He wasn’t particular, though. After all, having plain steamed buns to eat meant they were better off than some.
Qin Family’s meals were quite generous.
A whole table full of dishes—originally, Old Sir Qin wanted to invite the second and third branches over to dine together, but they refused.
Even Qin Zhen didn’t show up.
He intended to come, but some guests arrived at his house, so he ended up not coming.
So, that evening only Old Sir Qin, Qin Ye, Rong Yan, and Qin Mei had dinner together.
They even ate a bit too much.
After dinner, Qin Ye and the others sat with Old Sir Qin for a while.
Old Sir Qin proposed, "Why don’t you all stay over tonight?"
Qin Ye directly shook his head and declined, "No need, we’ll go back and stay at our place tonight."
When he said this, although Old Sir Qin had a tiny bit of hope, he didn’t insist.
"That’s fine then! Come over again when you have time."
Qin Ye and Rong Yan both nodded.
Since they weren’t staying, Old Sir Qin didn’t keep them any longer. "Then you should head back early! I’m just about to play chess with your Grandpa Chen."
Having said this, Qin Ye nodded, "Okay."
Then, the three of them went straight home.
They didn’t loiter outside; they returned to the Rong Family home.
Rong Wenming and his wife were enjoying the cool of the evening in the courtyard when they saw the three of them come back.
The couple hurriedly stood up.
"Why are you back already? I thought you were going to sleep at Qin’s tonight!"
"We didn’t bring any clothes, how could we sleep there? Since we came back, we didn’t feel like going again. Where we sleep doesn’t really matter, but... I’m too lazy to walk back."
Madam Rong rolled her eyes at her own daughter.
"It’s just a short distance... You say you’re too lazy to walk, how lazy can you be?"
Qin Ye hurriedly said, "Mother, actually, I wanted to come back and stay."
Madam Rong: ...
I hadn’t even started on your wife, and you’re already defending her.
However, deep inside, she was pleased. After all, which mother-in-law wouldn’t be happy to see a son-in-law protecting her daughter?
So, she let the topic slide.
"Would you like, I can go cut a watermelon for you? I dropped it in the well this afternoon; it must be cool by now."
"Mom, you sit, I’ll go get it." Qin Ye quickly walked to the well.
Soon, he brought up the watermelon that was hanging in the well and began to cut it.
First, he handed out pieces to his mother-in-law and father-in-law, then gave a slice to his own wife and Qin Mei.
Finally, he grabbed a piece for himself...
Rong Wenming brought up some non-sensitive topics to Qin Ye.
The family talked late into the night, sitting together.
It wasn’t until nine o’clock that Madam Rong hastened them to go to bed.
"Alright, enough chatting. You have to work tomorrow, and Qin just came back today, he’s tired from his work too. Let him rest early."
Rong Wenming nodded, "Right, you guys should rest early!"
"Then, Dad and Mom, we’re heading to our room," Qin Ye’s voice was steady, but whether he felt steady inside was something only he knew.