“What promises or no promises within our circle, these things are all understood by default. Otherwise, Sister Xia Yin wouldn’t keep getting troubled by those pesky admirers because of Brother Jingnian.”
Xia Yin smiled at her but didn’t say anything.
To change the subject, Zhou Yu quickly asked, “Do you two want to take a few photos?”
Huo Jingli looked rather disdainful. “So you can stick them up next to Qiao Zhiwei’s?”
Zhou Yu gave an awkward smile. “That could work too.”
“Sister Xia Yin’s father is Minister Xia. Her photos can’t just be posted anywhere.”
Zhou Yu looked at Xia Yin in surprise. “No wonder you have such poise and grace.”
Xia Yin smiled slightly at him. “Thank you.”
“Alright then since you’re not taking photos, just sit for a while,” Zhou Yu said generously.
Huo Jingli set down her teacup. “Sister Xia, let’s go back and wait for my second brother.”
“Do you have something urgent to see Jingchen about?” Zhou Yu asked.
“Not really. Uncle Xia has a German magazine he wants my second brother to translate.”
Although Sister Xia also knew three foreign languages, this magazine was professional and economics-related, so only her second brother could translate it accurately.
Zhou Yu laughed. “He charges money for help now make sure you’ve prepared the fee.”
“What? He even charges Sister Xia?” Huo Jingli exclaimed.
“Who knows?” Zhou Yu smiled.
Huo Jingli said nothing more. Linking arms with Xia Yin, she insisted on saying goodbye to Zhou Yu.
Back at the Huo residence, Huo Jingchen was indeed home. He was lying on a rocking chair in the backyard, a book covering his face, swaying leisurely.
“Second brother.”
Hearing Huo Jingli’s voice, Huo Jingchen didn’t move at all and replied lazily,
“What is it?”
“Translate an economics magazine for Uncle Xia,” Huo Jingli said, lowering her head as she took the item out of her bag.
Huo Jingchen still didn’t move. “My talent is billed by the page now one yuan per page.”
Huo Jingli hurried over, snatched the book off his face, and tossed it aside. “Can you be serious? Sister Xia is here.”
Huo Jingchen sat up, adjusted his collar, then glanced at Xia Yin. “Then I’ll give you a discount.”
“What kind of discount?”
“Ninety-eight cents per page.” As he spoke, he reached out, took back the book Huo Jingli had just removed, and covered his face again. “Count the pages yourself and hand over the money. If calculating the discount is too troublesome, the original price is fine too.”
With that, he extended his hand.
Huo Jingli was about to scold him when Xia Yin stopped her and placed three large denomination bills into Huo Jingchen’s hand.
Only then did Huo Jingchen remove the book from his face again, roll up to a sitting position, and take the magazine from Huo Jingli. “Alright, I’m going to work. Don’t disturb me. I’ll have Jingli deliver it the day after tomorrow.”
“Okay, then I’ll head back first,” Xia Yin said and left.
As soon as she was gone, Chen Qingmei rushed in, snatched the book from his hand, and smacked him on the head repeatedly. “You little rascal! I told you so much the other day did you listen to a single word?
“Xia Yin finally comes by, and you actually have the nerve to ask her for money. Have you fallen into a money pit?”
Huo Jingchen blocked and dodged as he retreated. “Isn’t it like this first time’s awkward, second time’s easier? Everything has to proceed step by step.”
Chen Qingmei finally got tired of hitting him and stopped. She flung the book onto him. “After you finish translating it, deliver it personally.”
“Mom, that decision cuts off Jingli’s income.”
Huo Jingli, who had been watching the show, immediately jumped out when it involved her.
“What income?”
“I was planning to have Jingli deliver it and give her ten yuan as an errand fee. After all, she brought in this job, didn’t she?”
“Ten yuan?” Huo Jingli’s eyes instantly lit up.
Chen Qingmei shot her a fierce glare. “Hurry up and check how your dad’s guest list is coming along. Once it’s done, have the invitations sent out right away.”
Huo Jingnian’s time was tight they needed to get this wedding done quickly so he could return to the army.
“Mom, do you think Brother Jingnian had already developed feelings for Qiao Zhiwei, which is why he agreed to this marriage so readily?” Huo Jingli asked.
Chen Qingmei froze for a moment, then took a long time to react. She stopped in place, her eyes turning as she asked, “Why would you think that?”
“Otherwise, why would he be so proactive? Paying off the debt would’ve settled everything cleanly.”
Huo Jingchen stepped forward and flicked her on the forehead. “What on earth is going on in that head of yours?”
“I’m saying Brother Jingnian had already fallen for Qiao Zhiwei.”
“That’s the kind of thing only women think about,” Huo Jingchen said. “When men marry, it’s not just about liking someone it’s more about weighing pros and cons.
“Of course, mature women are different too. Otherwise, why don’t you ask Mom?”
Chen Qingmei’s gaze flickered. Even so, she had other thoughts.
If he was simply taking over something his son no longer wanted, that was one thing. But if he had been scheming for something his son already had, that would be uncomfortable.
In the end, she said nothing more and only told Huo Jingli, “Don’t talk nonsense. If your father hears this, you’ll get scolded again.”
Meanwhile, Qiao Zhiwei had brought the photos home. Qiao Zhilan took one look and was quite surprised. “Sis, you and Brother Jingnian really are a match made in heaven.”
Qiao Zhiwei hadn’t expected the photos to turn out so well either. She smiled at once.
“Your sister has a new way to make money no capital needed. Do you want to try?”
Hearing there was money to be made, Qiao Zhilan’s eyes widened immediately.
“Yes, yes!”
She knew her sister would have a way.
After Qiao Zhiwei explained her plan, Qiao Zhilan thought for a moment. “But I haven’t been betrothed yet. If I take wedding photos with a strange man, won’t my future husband mind if he sees them later?”
Qiao Zhiwei thought about it and realized she was right. This era was conservative, and there were no such things as professional wedding photo models yet. If people didn’t understand, misunderstandings would definitely arise.
Since Zhilan had this concern, Zhou Yu likely would too.
Seeing her sister lost in thought, Qiao Zhilan added, “Since your photos with Brother Jingnian turned out so well, can’t you keep taking them with him?”
“Brother Jingnian is busy.”
Qiao Zhilan blinked. “Busy even with getting married?”
Qiao Zhiwei nodded. “That’s what he said.”
And he really did seem busy.
Qiao Zhilan linked arms with her. “Just act cute and coax him a little. Men all fall for that.”
She shook her arm again. “You’re going to need wedding photos anyway. You could also make some extra money on the side such a rare opportunity.”
Qiao Zhiwei thought for a moment and nodded.
“I’ll try.”
After all, Huo Jingnian had said they’d go register the marriage tomorrow they would see each other again soon.
The next day at noon, someone knocked on the gate of the Qiao family courtyard. Qiao Zhilan immediately jumped up in delight.
“It must be Brother Jingnian! I’ll go open the door.”
She went out, but through the iron gate she saw her cousin Qiao Wanxia standing there, holding a bag. Her excitement faded instantly, and her expression turned sour.
“What are you here for?”
Qiao Wanxia gave an awkward smile.
“Isn’t Sister Weiwei getting married soon? I came to take a look.”
Qiao Zhilan stepped closer, crossed her arms, and lifted her chin.
“Our Qiao family doesn’t have anything that can help you now, so there’s nothing for you to see.”
“I have something very important to tell Sister Weiwei. I’ll leave right after,” Qiao Wanxia said, looking at Qiao Zhilan with an earnest expression.