That evening, Qin Xingyun did not leave. After dinner, he stayed in the living room watching television.
Su Manman sat diagonally across from him, occasionally glancing his way.
Sensing this, Qin Xingyun unconsciously straightened his back, trying to present his best posture.
Old Master Qin said, “Xingyun, is there something prickling under you? Why aren’t you going to sleep and still sitting here?”
Qin Xingyun replied, “……Why are you always staring at me? Isn’t my little aunt also here?”
He was speaking to both of them at once. “My little aunt picked up my wallet and tried to keep it for herself, and none of you said a word about her.”
Su Manman replied confidently, “I didn’t steal or rob it. Why can’t I keep it? Besides, I returned it anyway. You should be grateful you were born into the right family and became his nephew, otherwise even if you released a dog on me, you still wouldn’t get your money back.”
Qin Xingyun: “……”
“Grandpa, look at her!”
What kind of logic was this?
Old Master Qin said, “Enough.”
He didn’t agree with Su Manman’s behavior, but if he lectured her, she would not only refuse to change but also get angry. This needed slow guidance.
Su Manman raised her chin proudly. “See? Even Dad says I’m right.”
Old Master Qin: “……Manman, actually, when you find something, you should turn it in.”
Su Manman widened her clear eyes. “Turn it in to who? And can you guarantee it will reach the owner? What if the owner says something is missing and blames me for stealing it? These are all things I have to consider. If I keep it, I save trouble and make clean profit.”
Old Master Qin was momentarily speechless. “This…”
It actually sounded reasonable.
Qin Xingyun sneered. “Absurd reasoning.”
“Believe what you want.” Su Manman stood up to get her menstrual supplies.
Qin Lin closed his book and turned around. “Manman, are you going to rest?”
Since she said those words earlier, his mind had not been calm at all. His thoughts kept drifting in inappropriate directions.
“I am. I just need to change my sanitary cloth.”
Qin Lin: “……You have your period?”
“Yes. I need to wash the used one and take a bath. Wait for me.”
Su Manman left.
Qin Lin felt as if a bucket of cold water had been poured over him.
……
After bathing, Su Manman hurried back to the main courtyard and hugged Qin Lin’s arm. “Brother, can we start now?”
Qin Lin lowered his voice. “Not possible during your period.”
Su Manman froze. “Why?”
Qin Lin looked at her innocent, curious expression and remained silent for a long time, unable to explain such matters. “It’s complicated. Anyway, no.”
Su Manman became frustrated. Nothing is allowed, nothing is allowed—you’re the one who’s incapable!
But looking at his extremely handsome face, she swallowed the words.
She angrily climbed into bed.
“I haven’t finished,” Qin Lin added. “After your period ends.”
“You’re just delaying on purpose!”
Qin Lin: “……”
To clear things up, he asked, “Did Dad give you anything besides the marriage certificate?”
Su Manman thought for a moment. “Nothing.”
“Didn’t even give you greeting money?”
“No. Village girls all get five yuan.”
Qin Lin: “……”
“Here.” He took out thirty yuan and placed it by her pillow. “You have more than them now.”
Su Manman immediately smiled. “I forgive you.”
Qin Lin asked, “Anything else Dad gave you?”
“He should’ve given me bride price too,” she muttered.
Qin Lin: “……”
She wasn’t educated, but she could read.
Seemingly simple, but actually very sharp.
If he followed her logic, his salary would disappear quickly.
That would not do.
Qin Xingyun already needed family subsidies despite working for months.
If she got used to money, she would never save any.
He said, “Greeting money and bride price should be given by parents. What I just gave you is pocket money. You won’t be shorted what you deserve.”
Then he took his clothes to shower, planning to come back after she fell asleep.
As he stepped out, he ran into Qin Xingyun.
“You two are sharing a room?!”
Qin Lin felt awkward. “Why not?”
“You didn’t even hold a wedding banquet!”
Qin Lin replied calmly, “Not your concern.”
Qin Xingyun: “……”
……
The next morning, the sunlight carried a faint chill.
Su Manman, bundled tightly, walked along the busy street.
Today she was assigned to handle a case alone.
But when she arrived at the client’s address, the door was tightly shut.
If she returned empty-handed, her colleagues would question her ability.
But walking outside was too cold.
Qin Lin’s hospital wasn’t far. She decided to visit and observe his workplace.
At the hospital, she asked the gatekeeper and found his department.
The office door was open, but no one was inside.
Where did he go? Restroom?
She stood outside waiting.
About ten minutes later, Qin Lin appeared in a white coat, his aura clean and outstanding.
“Bro—”
She was about to call out, but immediately closed her mouth.
At the entrance, there was a red sign: “No Loud Noise.”
If she spoke, she would break hospital rules and embarrass him.
So she quietly leaned against the corridor wall.
Qin Lin noticed her and walked over quickly. “How did you find this place? Are you unwell?”
“Love sickness.”
Qin Lin flushed slightly. “Don’t be shameless.”
Su Manman said seriously, “We shared a blanket last night—why weren’t you embarrassed then?”
Qin Lin: “……”
She noticed a faint mark on his face. “What happened to your face?”
“Probably from a mask during surgery.”
“You’re still handsome even with it.”
Qin Lin’s ears turned red.
She was like this—flirting at night with her body, and in the day with her words, all without seeming aware.
How was anyone supposed to survive this?
“Stop talking,” he said. “People will think you’re improper.”
Su Manman was puzzled. How was calling him handsome improper?
“Have you eaten?”
“No.”
……
Qin Lin took her to the hospital cafeteria.
While eating, she told him about her work. “Later I need to help a couple who are divorcing reconcile.”
Qin Lin found it amusing.
His second brother often complained about her to Old Master Qin, saying no couple she mediated ever stayed together.
“Is everyone in Beijing getting divorced coming to your office?”
“Not all. Some are neighbor disputes over land boundaries. The office doesn’t accept those—the director says the aggressive side is dangerous.”
Qin Lin: “……So you only pick easy cases.”
“If they’re hard, I can’t move them,” she replied.
Qin Lin began to seriously consider changing her job.
She already had a wild personality. If she kept working in such an environment with no clear boundaries, she might become even more unruly over time.