The room fell silent.
Su Manman reflected on whether her earlier words had been too impulsive and frightened the elderly man.
She forced a grin and changed the topic: “Grandpa Qin, do you have photos of your grandson?”
Old Master Qin pointed at the framed photos on the display shelf near the TV wall.
“The one on top is a group photo of four young men. From left to right: the eldest, Xingzhi, in the military, a battalion commander, twenty-five. The second, Xingjian, a police officer, also twenty-five. The third, Xingyuan, a researcher at an institute, twenty-three. The youngest, Xingyun, just graduated from Yenching University, twenty-two, and now teaching there.
The eldest and third are your uncle’s sons. The second and fourth are your second uncle’s.”
Su Manman walked over and examined them one by one. Each had upright features and decent looks.
Unfortunately, none of them matched her preference.
Her gaze swept to another frame beside it, and suddenly her eyes lit up.
A sharp “clang” seemed to ring somewhere in her mind.
It felt as if something had struck her soul—her spirit trembling violently.
In the photo, a young man stood alone facing the camera. He looked to be in his early twenties, dressed casually. His thick hair was naturally parted, his brows and eyes were like a painting. Under the light, one could faintly see his straight nose, moderately sized lips with a barely noticeable upward curve at the corners. His face was flawlessly sculpted, like it had been carved by a knife and axe—strikingly handsome.
Her gaze moved downward, landing on his hand hanging by his side.
Long fingers slightly curved, slender like bamboo, with distinct knuckles.
Beautiful face, beautiful hands.
Beautiful everywhere.
She wanted to marry this one.
“Who is this young man? He’s very handsome.”
Old Master Qin, still unaware of the seriousness of the situation, said proudly, “My youngest son.”
“How many sons do you have? Is he married? Does he have a partner?”
Old Master Qin replied, “Three. Not married. No partner. Why?”
Su Manman said firmly, “I want him!”
Old Master Qin nearly choked on his saliva. “Th-this won’t do. You two are not from the same generation.”
Su Manman replied excitedly, “Why not? I don’t mind the generational difference at all.”
Old Master Qin: “……”
You don’t mind, but does my son?
Of course he didn’t dare say that out loud. Instead, he tried another excuse. “This photo was taken a few years ago. He’s twenty-six or twenty-seven now—he’s older, not as good-looking anymore. He’s also very busy with work and won’t have time to accompany you.”
He was trying to dissuade her from the idea.
This girl really had good taste.
That was his most outstanding youngest son.
Young, already a core backbone in the hospital, with an extremely promising future.
No, no.
Not suitable.
She didn’t care about education or ability.
Just physically speaking, she was twice his son’s size—his son definitely wouldn’t like her.
Better leave him for one of the grandsons instead.
Su Manman said, “Are you looking down on me because I’m from the countryside? Do you think I’m not worthy?”
Old Master Qin quickly replied, “Of course not. I was from the countryside when I was young too.”
He then changed the subject. “You’re in a hurry to get married, but he’s working out of town. He won’t be able to make it back in time.”
Su Manman said calmly, “If it’s him, I can wait.”
Old Master Qin: “……”
This girl… why is she so persistent? Just like Su An.
After meeting Shen Lanxin, Su An had been constantly hanging around her, calling her his wife from afar. Shen Lanxin, who raised gu, would release insects to bite him every time she heard it.
Even so, Su An, bruised and battered, still wouldn’t give up.
This girl… wouldn’t she cling to his son too?
……
About fifteen minutes later, movement came from outside.
Aunt Zhao went to open the door and saw Qin Xingyun first.
The young man’s refined face was filled with worry. “Aunt Zhao, is Grandpa unwell? Where’s Grandma?”
“She went back to the countryside to visit your great-aunt. She said she’d stay there for a few days. He’s not unwell, it’s just…” Aunt Zhao hesitated. “You should go in and see for yourself.”
She looked like she had swallowed something unpleasant.
A stranger girl—before the old man even saw her properly—he had already accepted her as a granddaughter-in-law.
And even let her choose among four grandsons.
Earlier, she had tried to introduce her own daughter to Xingzhi, but he had refused.
Her daughter was slim and graceful—how was she worse than this fat girl?
Qin Xingyun entered the room and immediately spotted Su Manman. He nearly jumped in shock.
In broad daylight, she was wrapped up like a ghost.
Occupying the entire sofa by herself.
Big as a bear.
He had never seen such an obese person in his life.
Su Manman was also looking at Qin Xingyun. He was slightly taller than average, wearing a long black coat without a single wrinkle, pressed trousers, and shiny leather shoes. A white scarf was casually draped around his neck.
His features were clean and proper—quite decent-looking.
Though not as striking as Grandpa Qin’s youngest son, he was still handsome.
Qin Xingyun asked suspiciously, “Grandpa, what’s wrong with you? And who is this?”
Old Master Qin answered guiltily, not daring to look at him. “Your wife.”
Qin Xingyun: “???”
“Whose wife?!”
“Yours. Her surname is Su, her name is Manman. She’s your fourth match. Isn’t she more handsome than the photo?”
Old Master Qin’s voice grew quieter and quieter.
Qin Xingyun’s eyes widened in disbelief. “Grandpa, do you have a grudge against me? You randomly bring me a fat wife, and she’s wrapped up like a rice dumpling indoors—does she look that ugly she can’t show her face? I don’t agree. It doesn’t count.”
Old Master Qin recalled the past. “When I was young, your Grandpa Su helped me a lot. Without him, I would have died early. This kindness must be repaid.”
Qin Xingyun laughed in anger. “So you’re repaying him with me? Why not let Uncle repay him instead? If debts pass down generations, I’m only a grandson—why should it fall on me? Forget it. I refuse.”
He turned to leave.
Old Master Qin shouted, “Stop!”
Qin Xingyun walked faster.
Furious, Old Master Qin said, “If you leave, don’t come back!”
He stopped briefly, then sighed helplessly.
“She’s too fat. I probably can’t even wrap my arms around her waist—no, she doesn’t even have a waist. Her hands are darker and rougher than a man’s. No temperament at all. Even a homeless person dresses better than her. She probably hasn’t studied much either. My standards for a partner are: high education, beautiful, slim, knows how to do makeup. Which of those does she meet?”
Su Manman knew she couldn’t present herself well in her shabby clothes, especially compared to him.
But being insulted repeatedly—and even compared to a homeless person—made her unhappy.
Didn’t she have any dignity?
“Grandpa Qin, this one won’t do. Next one.”
Qin Xingyun: “……”
She’s still picking?!
Who gave her that confidence?!
Are you kidding?!
He couldn’t take it anymore and left.
Old Master Qin couldn’t catch up. He turned back to comfort Su Manman. “Manman, don’t be angry. This was too sudden today. I’ll talk to him again later, alright?”
Su Manman huffed in dissatisfaction.
Old Master Qin: “……”
……
Qin Xingyun fled the old house and immediately used a public phone to call his eldest brother, Qin Xingzhi.
“Hello, Brother, you haven’t come back yet? Don’t come back. Grandpa’s gone crazy.”
Qin Xingyun briefly explained everything.
“He tricked me into coming back just for this. Today was an eye-opener. You didn’t see that woman—there’s probably no second person like her in all of Beijing. A pig is 200 jin at slaughter, she must be 300. Her voice is awful too, like a duck.”
Qin Xingzhi chuckled. “Don’t exaggerate.”
“I’m not exaggerating at all. From what that fat woman said, she plans to pick one of the four of us as her partner. You better stay far away.”
Just thinking of Su Manman’s massive figure made Qin Xingyun shiver.
Marry her?
He’d rather stay single forever.
He needed to warn his second and third brothers too.
Especially the third—honest and obedient, and the most likely to accept Grandpa’s emotional manipulation.
It was a pity their uncle was on a business trip with no contact info, otherwise he would’ve warned him too.
No way was he letting that woman ruin them.