QTIMP -Chapter 35 Character Persona – Greedy (Part 35)

“After listening to what you said before, I thought about it a lot. Then I asked a friend to help me find a job—I became a driver for the transportation team. I trained under a master for a while, and then I started going out on trips with them. These things were bought during my earlier trips, and I had a head chef cook them. He Kuang has been learning for over half a year now, but his cooking is still a bit lacking, so I didn’t let him ruin these ingredients.”

Si Qiu swallowed the shrimp in her mouth, took a sip of water, and asked, “Hmm, is it a permanent position? That’s pretty impressive.”

Qin Bei smiled, bright and cheerful. “It’s a permanent job. Mainly because I already knew how to drive and repair cars. Otherwise, I couldn’t have gone on long-distance trips after learning for just a few days.”

At this point, he paused before continuing. “Qiuqiu, I’m a permanent employee now. My monthly salary is 42 yuan and 5 mao, not including the various travel allowances. The house we’re in right now is under my name. I spent quite a bit when arranging the job before, so I have a little over 300 yuan left. Adding this month’s salary, it’s just under 400 yuan. But don’t worry. I don’t have many social engagements. I don’t smoke much, and I don’t drink at all. My expenses aren’t high.”

By now, Si Qiu understood what he meant.

“Qiuqiu, can we become revolutionary partners?”

Seeing that she was about to speak, he quickly interrupted. “I know what you require in a partner. I’ve already learned how to cook—better than He Kuang even—and I’ll continue improving. All the housework will be mine as long as I’m home. If I’m not home, you can leave it; when I come back, I’ll do it. I’ll hand over all the money I earn to you. No matter how you spend it. As for my family matters, I’ll handle everything myself. I absolutely won’t let them trouble you. In the future, when it comes to supporting our elders, if it’s about money, my four brothers and I will split it equally. If it requires personal care, I’ll spend money to hire someone. As for children, if you want them, we’ll have them. If you don’t, we won’t. If we do have children, I’ll do my best to take care of them.”

As he spoke, he kept looking at Si Qiu. He truly liked her and knew what she expected from a partner.

So after she reminded him last time, he decisively found himself a well-paying job. Only after stabilizing his life did he come to bring up this matter.

But he wasn’t sure whether the capital he held in his hands could move this woman. The hand holding his chopsticks tightened gradually until his fingertips and knuckles turned pale.

Si Qiu bit on her chopsticks, weighing the pros and cons.

First, she didn’t dislike this man. He looked decent enough and was capable.

The downside was the mess in his family, but since he could handle it himself, it was still acceptable.

Most importantly, in this social environment, she couldn’t remain unmarried forever. The reason she wasn’t being pressured yet was only because she was still young.

But ever since the New Year passed, many people had already wanted to introduce her to potential matches. With her conditions laid out so clearly, she was a hot commodity—who wouldn’t want a bite?

Another key point was that she wasn’t afraid he wouldn’t keep his promises. She had the capital and ability to bear the worst possible outcome in the future.

“You don’t have a childhood sweetheart, do you? No close, unrelated ‘sisters’? No ex-girlfriend, no current girlfriend? No intimate female connections?”

Qin Bei froze for a second, then shook his head vigorously. “No, no, absolutely not. I’ve been in school all this time.”

Seeing the doubt in her eyes, he explained, “There were girls who wanted to pursue me, but I never accepted their goodwill and firmly rejected their revolutionary requests. I just wanted to get into university. Besides, I didn’t even like those girls.”

Si Qiu felt quite satisfied hearing that. “I’m not of age yet. I won’t be able to register for marriage until next year.”

He immediately brightened. “That’s fine! I won’t reach the legal marriage age for another year either.”

He had just realized this after hearing her words. The legal marriage age at this time was 20 for men and 18 for women.

Qin Bei was only 19 this year, so he also had to wait another year. Though management wasn’t strict—many people held weddings at sixteen or seventeen—they just didn’t register the marriage certificate.

Si Qiu was stunned for a moment, and then the two looked at each other before bursting into laughter.

Qin Bei began putting food into her bowl. “Try this. I brought it back specially. If you like it, I’ll bring more next time. I brought you some other things too—I’ll give them to you in a bit.”

“It’s delicious. I like it. I like everything that tastes good.” Si Qiu didn’t have the shy reserve that often appeared between people in a budding relationship.

Qin Bei didn’t feel offended at all. Instead, he said happily, “I knew it. Don’t worry, I brought back quite a bit of dried goods this time. The good stuff we won’t sell—we’ll keep it properly. Whenever you want to eat it, I’ll cook it for you. I didn’t just learn from He Kuang—I also asked others for advice. I may still be a bit short of a master chef, but I definitely won’t let you suffer.”

“I’ll judge by your performance.”

That simple sentence made Qin Bei even more excited. After finishing the meal, he immediately went into the room and brought out a box—a very ordinary wooden box.

Inside were scattered bits of money, two large gold bars, several gold rings, and silver bracelets.

The items were old, but why did they look so dazzling now?

“You’re giving all of this to me? I spend money quite freely. I probably won’t have anything left by the end of the year. What if next year I decide not to marry you? Wouldn’t you suffer a huge loss?”

Qin Bei didn’t answer directly. Instead, he cautiously reached out and slowly took her hand. His fingers were long and easily enveloped her smaller hand.

His palm was rough with calluses; it wasn’t particularly comfortable to be held, yet the warmth of his hand gave her a faint sense of reliability.

Holding Si Qiu’s soft, slightly plump hand—perhaps because she loved eating—it felt like squeezing a ball of cotton. His heart seemed to float in midair.

His eyes remained fixed on her face, unable to move away. “I’ll use this year to fix up the house properly.”

“Now?”

“Yes, now. I’m afraid if we wait any longer, it’ll be harder to manage.”