QTIMP -Chapter 298 Character Persona – Violent (Part 26)

Si Qiu hadn’t finished speaking when Jiang Yiming interrupted her.

“Qiuqiu, can you think it over again? If you have any concerns, you can tell me. We can solve them together. Whether it’s the child or my family, none of them will become a burden on your life after marriage.”

Si Qiu gave him a reassuring smile.

“Commander Jiang, don’t get so worked up. The reason I’m refusing you is very simple—I have a bit of a cleanliness obsession. I don’t like using second-hand things. Of course, that includes men. If I, Si Qiu, were to choose someone, I’d only choose someone completely devoted. If not, I’m not that desperate to get married anyway. Marriage isn’t a necessary condition for me to realize my worth.”

That statement was essentially a fatal blow. She didn’t say she minded that he was divorced, didn’t say she minded that he had children, and didn’t say she minded his rural parents.

She simply minded that he was a “second-hand man” used by another woman. That left Jiang Yiming feeling both humiliated and bewildered.

Si Qiu met his gaze and immediately understood what he was thinking.

“You think that at my age, finding someone with your conditions is already a pretty good option. But I have education and I have ability. This is a new socialist country now. My choices are unlimited. Didn’t they always say women can hold up half the sky? There’s no reason for me to use all my skills to build a family for someone else instead of building the country.”

“Right, well said! Who says women must stay at home and take care of the family? It’s not like men are necessarily better than women!”

The voice from the wall immediately drew both of their attention. Jiang Yiming turned around and saw Ye Shubai, who usually looked refined and distant, now crouching on the wall eavesdropping on gossip.

And all of this mess had started because of him.

He had originally planned to clarify everything after his relationship with Si Qiu progressed further, so she would be more able to accept it.

Who would have thought this guy would ruin everything today? Jiang Yiming stood up, fists clenched.

“A family always needs someone to sacrifice in order to keep it harmonious and thriving. It sounds easy for you to say, but could you actually stay at home and take care of a wife and children?”

To his surprise, Ye Shubai nodded.

“I can! Not only can I stay at home and take care of a wife and children, I could even marry into the family!”

Then he grinned and turned to look at Si Qiu, completely unlike his usual restrained, noble demeanor.

“Qiuqiu, you really need to pick carefully when choosing a man. He’s already so old—he won’t be useful in a couple of years. If he can’t even give you a child, you’ll still have to raise his two outsiders.

Just think about it—how stifling would that be?

You have a job and you earn money, but by then you’ll not only have to take care of the whole family, you’ll also have to spend your income on his children. What exactly are you getting out of that?”

“Ye Shubai.”

Jiang Yiming really wanted to throw a punch just to shut him up.

But Ye Shubai, seeing Si Qiu react, became even more energetic.

“He said you don’t need to take care of his parents or children—but children grow up, and parents get old. In the future, school, jobs, illness, hospital visits—how could you possibly not be involved?

If you slip up even a little, people will start pointing fingers. No one will remember what he promised back then.

Not to mention his personality—will he make you happy? Will he take care of you emotionally and physically?

But I’m different. I’m ten years younger than him. My abilities aren’t worse either. When you add it all up, I’m clearly more suitable in every way, right?”

Si Qiu couldn’t hold it in anymore and burst out laughing.

She wasn’t some blank sheet of feelings. She had long sensed that this man had feelings for her, but relationships at this stage of life weren’t something to be entered casually.

She didn’t only look at appearances either. If she was going to get married, she naturally had to carefully evaluate things, so she hadn’t rushed to break through that layer of ambiguity.

Who would have thought this man would be so aggressive?

Jiang Yiming was frustrated to the point of anger, but he didn’t want to give up. First, he genuinely liked Si Qiu. Second, within his own scope of judgment, Si Qiu’s conditions were truly excellent.

He turned back, wanting to try again, but Si Qiu directly interrupted him.

“Captain Jiang, it’s getting late. You still need to return to the military base, I won’t keep you here any longer.”

Jiang Yiming’s expression stiffened, and he finally asked softly, “Are you really not going to consider it again?”

Si Qiu shook her head. “This is resistance from both a physiological and psychological level. It’s not that you’re not good, Captain Jiang—it’s just that we’re not suitable. Sorry, Captain Jiang, I’ve disappointed your kind intentions.”

Jiang Yiming sighed. “It’s my loss. If you ever need anything in the future, you can still come to me.” Then he turned and left.

After the roar of the car disappeared, Si Qiu turned to look at the person on the wall.

Ye Shubai gave her a reserved smile. “Since things are clear now, you shouldn’t keep contacting him, or it might give him false hope. We’re neighbors, and we live so close—if you need anything, you can find me. I’ll help for free, no favors needed.”

Si Qiu looked at him with a smile. “What? You don’t have any delusions yourself?”

Ye Shubai smiled brightly, unfastening a button at his collar. “I already have delusions about you. Whether you accept it or not, that’s a fact—so I might as well make use of it.”

Jiang Siyan couldn’t help but let go of one hand holding the ladder and covered his face. Even Si Qiu laughed—this man’s skin really was getting thicker and thicker.

She waved away the mosquitoes beside her and turned to go inside. “Forget it. It’s better to rely on yourself than others. I’d be rushing to give you a chance even knowing you have bad intentions? Am I out of my mind?”

As she finished speaking, she had already disappeared into the doorway. Jiang Siyan quickly grabbed at him, nearly making him fall off the wall.

Lowering his voice so the neighbors wouldn’t hear, he said, “Ye Shubai, come down first. If you really jump over, believe me—Si Qiu will kick you right back out.”

Ye Shubai had no choice but to climb down the ladder. His expression no longer had the earlier excitement, and he walked gloomily back into the house.

Back inside, Si Qiu pretended to take fabric out of her suitcase and first hung up curtains. She chose a dark blue base with light blue floral patterns—the blackout effect was quite good.

As expected, once the curtains were drawn, the room immediately darkened. She pulled the light cord, and a dim yellow bulb lit up.

She walked around the room and began taking things out from her spatial storage and suitcase.

First, on top of the cabinets, she placed quilts of different thicknesses, blankets, bedsheets, pillowcases, and more.

Below that were undergarments and socks.

Inside the lower cabinet, she hung the clothes she would wear in the coming days.

Then she arranged skincare products on the desk, along with a small mirror and a wooden comb. In the three drawers, she placed hair accessories, small amounts of cash she might need, as well as notebooks and pens.

She then put toiletries on a washbasin rack by the kitchen window. On the other side, beneath the window, she placed a wooden shoe rack.

Various leather shoes, cloth shoes, sandals, and slippers were neatly arranged on it. The floor was paved with red bricks, so it wouldn’t get as dirty as bare earth.

Otherwise, she wouldn’t even want to wear slippers.

In the kitchen, she stocked oil, salt, soy sauce, vinegar, and other essentials.

In the western room, against the back window, there were large jars and smaller containers filled with grains, eggs, duck eggs, and other supplies.