Qin Lin’s lips curved slightly. “Don’t be so sensitive. Grandpa is doing this for your own good. We didn’t hold a wedding banquet, so people will inevitably gossip. Don’t think neighbors don’t interact—if anything happens in a household, everyone knows.”
Su Manman picked out the key point and asked, “They’ll only talk about me, not you?”
Qin Lin: “They will talk about me too.”
They would say he was clever—marrying a beautiful wife without spending a cent.
Of course, he didn’t dare say that out loud.
In these past two days of living together, he had roughly figured out her personality.
She snapped at anyone and everyone.
She would definitely ask: Do you mean I’m cheap?! Hand over all your money!
If he refused, she would throw a fit. If he gave it, she might spend it recklessly.
Su Manman asked, “When are we holding the wedding banquet?”
“Dad said we’ll discuss it when Mom comes back, probably before the New Year,” Qin Lin estimated.
Old Master Qin had many friends. During the New Year, many guests would visit, and they would also visit others. With so many people and so many tongues, Qin Lin didn’t want to hear unpleasant talk—and he didn’t want her to hear it either.
Voices came from outside.
“I’ll go take a look. Stay in the room,” he said.
Qin Lin left, closing the door behind him and greeting the matchmaker. “Hello, Aunt Huang.”
“Hello, hello.” The matchmaker smiled as she looked him over. “What a fine young man. Handsome and capable. If your family agrees, this match is definitely possible.”
Qin Lin glanced at Old Master Qin. Seeing that he had no intention of speaking, he said, “Thank you for your kind words, but I already have a partner. This arrangement won’t be necessary.”
Only then did Old Master Qin speak up. “I only just found out he’s already seeing someone outside.”
“What?” The matchmaker lost her composure. “But his mother insisted he didn’t have a partner. Where is she from? A classmate or a colleague?”
Qin Lin replied directly, “I didn’t have one before, but I do now. Please pass the message along.”
The matchmaker panicked. “I… I already arranged a meeting for today! How am I supposed to explain this? At least come meet her—she’s very beautiful, tall, college educated, working as an accountant in a textile factory.”
Qin Lin refused calmly. “That wouldn’t be appropriate.”
He already had Manman. No matter how good another woman was, he wasn’t interested.
“You educated young people are so stubborn! Marriage is such a big matter—how can you be so rigid? Wouldn’t it be better to compare and choose the most suitable one?”
Hearing this behind the door, Su Manman clenched her fists.
Old witch!
Trying to corrupt her man!
She pressed closer to the door and listened carefully.
Qin Lin replied, “That sounds nice, but honestly, it’s just treating relationships like picking through goods. If there’s nothing else, please leave.”
He walked away.
The matchmaker sighed helplessly and left disappointed.
Su Manman muttered unhappily, “I came at the right time. If I came later, I’d lose him. Why blame me?”
Qin Lin laughed. “Who taught you to find a partner like this?”
“My grandma,” Su Manman said proudly. “She said she chased my grandpa the same way. Feelings don’t depend on gender. Opportunities belong to those who take initiative. If I waited passively and let my elders arrange things, I’d already be your nephew-in-law. Living and sleeping together would be improper—no, it would be called having an affair.”
Qin Lin: “……”
The beginning sounded fine. The ending—better not repeat it.
……
The matchmaker left disappointed.
Aunt Zhao saw her off and couldn’t resist asking, “When did Third Young Master Qin bring his partner home? What’s her education? Family background? Is she pretty?”
Aunt Zhao glanced around cautiously. Old Master Qin’s warning still lingered in her mind.
“I’m not sure about education or family background,” she said carefully. “But she is indeed very good-looking. Probably the prettiest in the whole western district. But her personality… not great. Honestly speaking, she’s rough around the edges.”
She always ordered people around.
Full of demands.
Not even allowed into the guest room.
Did they think she was a thief? They even locked the door.
Didn’t know how to turn on a TV or use a toilet.
A complete country bumpkin.
The matchmaker felt oddly pleased. “So the Qin family is just shallow—only looking at looks. I’ll wait and see them regret not listening to me.”
Aunt Zhao agreed, “It’ll happen sooner or later.”
……
In the deep winter cold, the wind cut like knives.
Su Manman bundled up tightly, carrying a cloth bag, and went out to work.
The first thing she did at the office was warm herself by the fire.
Because of yesterday’s incident, Fang Min and Cheng Jiao both ignored her. Fang Min even said, “This is our stove.”
Su Manman withdrew her hand silently and sat back down, taking out a hot water bottle from her bag to warm her hands.
After a while, Chen Shuyi came over. “Xiao Su, come with me today.”
“What for?” Su Manman asked coldly.
“The leader assigned a task. I’ll take you to learn.”
Su Manman had a bad feeling, but as a newcomer she had no say. She followed without protest.
“Don’t talk randomly this time,” Chen Shuyi warned with a suppressed laugh. “Don’t make up ideas again.”
Yesterday’s gossip had nearly made her laugh to death.
She had thought the girl would be difficult—but she was just naive.
No wonder Old Master Qin spoiled her.
Su Manman said flatly, “I don’t even know what it is. What am I supposed to say?”
“It’s about a couple divorcing. The wife refuses, came to us for mediation, hoping the husband returns to the family.”
Not long after leaving the office, Su Manman suddenly clutched her stomach.
“Second Sister-in-law, I need the restroom. Wait here or give me the address, I’ll find you later.”
Chen Shuyi looked disgusted. “So troublesome.”
She left first after giving the address.
Su Manman returned to the office and realized her period had arrived.
She hadn’t brought sanitary supplies.
So she went to a nearby department store and bought a menstrual belt after refusing the expensive sanitary pads recommended by the clerk.
After finishing, she went to find Chen Shuyi.
While passing a long street, she spotted a leather wallet on the ground.
She picked it up.
Heavy.
She opened it—
“Oh my heavens!”
A thick stack of cash.
She was rich!
Fearing someone would notice, she quickly stuffed it into her bag and hurried toward the station.
There, a familiar figure appeared.
Qin Xingyun.
He also saw her.
Today she wore a gray-blue cotton coat, hair tied in a high ponytail.
A white scarf wrapped around her neck, making her jade-like skin even more flawless.
Bright eyes, beautiful teeth—truly stunning.
If she weren’t so fierce, he might even greet her.