“I’m Doraemon, super busy with work~~”
Su Manman hummed a song as she returned home.
Old Master Qin smiled. “You’re in a pretty good mood today. Looks like you weren’t criticized at work.”
Su Manman smiled at the corners of her lips. “Not only wasn’t I criticized, I was praised.”
“Tch! Probably afraid Grandpa wouldn’t let you continue working, so you’re just sweet-talking me.”
Only then did Su Manman notice Qin Xingyun, who was changing channels near the TV. Why was this guy here again?
“Believe it or not! Where’s Brother? Why don’t I see him?”
She peeked into the bedroom.
Empty.
Old Master Qin teased with a smile, “There he is, behind you.”
Su Manman heard a faint creak and turned around. Qin Lin walked in casually.
“Brother.” She greeted him happily, showing off her success. “The task assigned by my workplace went very smoothly today. Even second sister-in-law praised me.”
Qin Lin felt genuinely happy for her. “Keep it up.”
Qin Xingyun was speechless. Wasn’t doing your job properly just basic responsibility? Why was that worth praise?
He said, “Mom said that when you mediate, you tend to get angry at clients. You’re not forcing people into submission, are you?”
As soon as he spoke, both Qin Lin and Old Master Qin looked at him, then turned to Su Manman.
She answered openly, “Why are you all looking at me like that? Do I seem that unreasonable? I only get angry for reasons. But not today. Today it was an elderly couple. The old man was a few years younger than Grandpa and got caught seeing a street prostitute, so the old lady kicked him out. I—mmph!”
Qin Lin covered her mouth. “I believe you. No need to explain in detail.”
From what his father said, she grew up in a remote southern mountain village, rarely interacting with the outside world. She probably didn’t even understand what “street prostitute” meant.
If she explained further, it would only make things awkward for everyone.
Su Manman breathed against his palm, and the clean scent of soap filled her nose. She inhaled deeply, then even stuck out her tongue slightly.
Qin Lin immediately felt the warmth and dampness on his palm. His mind froze for a moment, his breathing turning shallow.
His ears slowly turned red as he lowered his hand stiffly and quickly changed the topic. “Are you tired from work today? Are you hungry?”
“I am,” she replied. “So hungry I want to eat you.”
Qin Lin: “……”
Qin Xingyun was stunned. Now he understood why his uncle had been bewitched by her.
She was too skilled at flirting.
Any man hearing that would not be able to handle it—especially someone like his uncle who had never been in a relationship. It was like a dry house catching fire instantly.
……
That night.
Su Manman stayed in the guest room feeding her gu insects.
As she closed the jar and opened the curtain, she met Qin Xingyun’s eyes through the window.
He took a step back, eyes widening in shock. “You—you…!”
Startled, Su Manman quickly became angry instead.
What was he sneaking around for?
She opened the door, ready to grab him and deal with him properly, but he turned and ran immediately.
Su Manman narrowed her eyes slightly.
Going to complain?
To whom?
Old Master Qin already knew everything.
Report to Brother?
She was actually a little cautious about that.
Qin Xingyun ran breathlessly to Old Master Qin’s room. “Grandpa! That Su Manman—”
“What did she do to you again? Stop provoking her.”
Qin Xingyun: “……Can you let me finish?! She not only keeps red-headed centipedes as pets, she also raises colorful spiders and black scorpions! They look poisonous! That spider is as big as a pot lid! If they crawl out and bite us, we’re done for!”
“How could she not be afraid?”
“Nonsense!” Old Master Qin scolded. “Where would she even get those things in this weather?”
“It’s true! Why won’t you believe me?!”
“I know it’s true,” Old Master Qin thought, but couldn’t admit it.
Otherwise, what if Qin Lin found out and refused the marriage?
Qin Xingyun stomped in frustration. “I don’t care anymore!”
He turned to leave, then suddenly stopped.
“I’m sleeping here tonight.”
His room was directly opposite Su Manman’s. He didn’t dare go back.
“Get back to your own room,” Old Master Qin rejected him mercilessly.
Qin Xingyun left dejectedly. On his way out, he ran into Su Manman.
Her beautiful face was right in front of him, but he didn’t dare look.
“You… don’t mess around,” he warned nervously.
“Mess around what?” she asked lightly.
He quickly fled.
“Tch. Coward. Afraid of wind, rain, and thunder,” Su Manman muttered.
……
Su Manman went to Qin Lin’s room and complained about the guest room curtain.
“It doesn’t block properly. People outside can see inside, but I can’t see out. If someone peeks while I’m bathing, I won’t even know.”
Back in her village, surrounded by mountains, she could hear anyone approaching from far away.
But here, only cold northern wind could be heard.
Qin Lin’s expression changed slightly. “Are you talking about Xingyun?”
His room was opposite hers, and he had stayed over tonight.
“I’m just giving an example,” she said.
She had no proof that Qin Xingyun was peeking.
Probably not.
He only looked at her when talking, unlike real lecherous men who stared all the time.
Qin Lin said, “That room isn’t usually used. Don’t stay there anymore.”
“I still want my own space,” she insisted.
Qin Lin thought for a moment. “I’ll buy a thicker curtain later.”
Then he asked, “How did your work go today?”
If she had caused trouble, he could help her correct it.
Su Manman immediately frowned. “Didn’t you say you believe me?”
“I just want to hear it,” he replied.
She softened a little. “Fine. Where did I stop…”
She then explained everything, including the misunderstanding about the elderly man and “street prostitute,” how the old lady had an asthma attack, how she carried her to the clinic, and how they eventually signed the agreement.
Finally she asked, “So you know what ‘street prostitute’ means now, right? It’s not ‘selling meat’, is it?”
Qin Lin opened a dictionary in silence and pointed at the definition.
Su Manman covered her face quietly, embarrassed.
Damn city people.
Just say prostitute—why give it so many fancy names?
Acting like they’re so cultured.