QTIMP -Chapter 39 Character Persona – Greedy (Part 39)

Si Qiu had surfed the internet in her first life, so in that instant several keywords flashed through her mind: rebirth, transmigration, transmigrating into a book… or foreknowledge of the future?

“Little sister, if you’ve heard anything, could you tell me? Third Sister’s health really isn’t suited for going to the countryside. As for marriage, the family had originally planned to let her wait another couple of years.”

Snapping back to her senses, Si Qiu put on a faint smile—bright yet distant. “The documents here encourage going to the countryside; it’s not mandatory. But then again, who can say for sure? Policies change every few days.”

No matter what the other party was thinking, she had no intention of taking responsibility. So she kept her words deliberately vague.

Yet Feng Rong looked deeply grateful. “I understand. I’ll go back and make arrangements right away. Do you need any help here? Just say the word. When Big Brother left, he specifically told me to look out for you.”

Feng Rong knew that his eldest brother often corresponded with this younger sister, and assumed she trusted him more, so he mentioned it unconsciously.

Si Qiu shook her head. “I’m fine. You should hurry back too—you’ve got work this afternoon. Don’t let me delay you.”

With no other choice, Feng Rong said a few more words before riding off on his bicycle.

Si Qiu was distracted the entire day. Even when Qin Bei came to pick her up to go home and have dinner together, she was still lost in thought. He asked about it, but when she shook her head, he let it go.

After all, there were people coming and going in the building; it wasn’t a suitable place to talk.

“Xiao Qiu’s back! This child is truly blessed. That boy Qin is so attentive—picking her up and dropping her off every single day.”

“Auntie Liu, cooking again? Yes, Qiuqiu just got off work—not as fortunate as your Old Liu, who gets a hot meal the moment he gets home.”

Si Qiu opened her door. The beaded curtain made of grass seeds swayed gently, producing crisp, tinkling sounds.

Qin Bei set down the food, then took out the pot to steam rice.

Si Qiu sat at the desk by the window, organizing her translated manuscripts. But her thoughts were replaying Feng Yu’s past words and actions.

From pretending to stop her from going home, to trying to replace her at university, then getting close to Xing Huai’en, and now hinting at predictions of the future…

She recalled every movement and tone Feng Yu had used. There had always been that air of superiority.

Her words often carried the feeling of someone bestowing charity as if it were inevitable. Yet she also seemed very familiar with the Feng family and didn’t reject the current social situation the way Si Qiu did.

Analyzing it this way, Feng Yu’s situation became easy to guess.

At the thought, Si Qiu smiled. “Just how miserable was your previous life that you want to snatch everything?”

“Snatch what? Qiuqiu, did something happen?”

Si Qiu turned to look at the man bending toward her. “The Feng family’s second son came to see me today.”

“Oh? What was it about? Did he make any unreasonable demands?” Qin Bei’s voice carried a trace of caution.

She shook her head. “No. He just asked about the current situation—wanted to find Feng Yu a job. They’re really attentive when it comes to that troublemaker.”

Hearing this, Qin Bei relaxed slightly. Good thing it wasn’t something hard to handle. If the Feng family went too far, he wouldn’t mind putting a sack over someone’s head.

It had to be said—worthy of being a pair of reservists; their thought processes were exactly alike.

“So, did you give them any advice?”

Si Qiu stood up and glared at him. “Do I look stupid? I don’t want anything to do with their family affairs. Is the rice ready yet?”

“You’re right to think that way.”

He patted her shoulder.

“Dinner’s ready. Go wash your hands.”

Si Qiu removed his hand from her shoulder and hooked her finger lightly into his palm. “Brother Qin is so capable. Oh my, I’m truly blessed.”

Qin Bei floated at the praise. He couldn’t suppress the smile at the corner of his lips; his dimples deepened, and the skin from his neck to his ears turned red as if it might drip blood.

“I-it’s just okay. When my cooking gets even better, I’ll make you more delicious food.”

Si Qiu nodded vigorously. “Then I’ll be waiting. Someone as smart and capable as Brother Qin will definitely reach that level.”

With just two sweet compliments, Qin Bei felt like he was walking on clouds. By the time he finished eating, cleaned up, and left, he was brimming with motivation.

Soon after, Qin Bei set off on another long-distance trip. The house renovation was handed over to He Kuang. Calling it renovation was an understatement—it was practically a complete rebuild.

Since it wasn’t far away, the Qin family heard about it. Qin Bei brushed it off by saying it was He Kuang’s house and that he was only helping out to earn some pocket money.

Si Qiu didn’t understand why he was hiding it. After all, once they moved in after marriage next year, everyone would find out.

Qin Bei carefully took her hand and sighed. “The money for our wedding—my parents must contribute. If I say the house is mine, they might refuse to give it. But why should they? I’m their son just the same. If they pay for one, they should pay for all. If they won’t pay for one, then they shouldn’t pay for any. What kind of treatment is it to single me out?”

After saying that, he carefully observed Si Qiu’s expression.

She didn’t hide her thoughts. “That’s exactly right. It’s not about being sensible or not—those who are too sensible always suffer more. We’re not refusing to support them in their old age. So why should we be treated unfairly? If they truly mistreat us, I really would dare not to support them. I’m not afraid of what people say. That’s how I’ve always thought. You don’t have to be good to me, but you can’t harm my interests. If you don’t, I can still acknowledge you as a good person. But if you harm my interests just to maintain your ‘good person’ image, then sorry—you’re my enemy. Of course, if you’re genuinely good to me, my moral bottom line isn’t something that can’t be adjusted a little.”

After saying this, she met his gaze.

Then the two of them both laughed. Confirming that their values aligned—that was enough.

Once life had a plan, time seemed to pass quickly. In the blink of an eye, heavy snow blanketed the entire city in silver. Qin Bei had already told his family that he was in a relationship.

Although it was still nearly a full year until Si Qiu’s birthday, their families lived close by. There was no way to keep it hidden for long.