QTIMP -Chapter 45 Character Persona – Greedy (Part 45)

“It’s because we’re not suitable for each other. I want to be pampered and taken care of in everything. I don’t want to deal with complicated family conflicts. I hope the husband I choose will stand completely on my side, whether I’m right or wrong. Your profession and your family environment make that impossible. Under those circumstances, if we were together, either our conflicts would deepen in the future and everything would descend into chaos—

—or I would be the one compromising.”

At this point, Si Qiu spread her hands, the meaning obvious. She didn’t want to be the one who compromised. So that was that.

Xing Huai’en licked his lips and gave a helpless smile. “I’m a little unwilling to accept it.”

Si Qiu patted his arm. “Marriage is about finding the right person, not someone who is ‘good’ in some general sense. Of course, if the person you think is right also happens to be truly good, then that’s hitting the jackpot. So you should go find someone who really matches you.”

Si Qiu went inside. The kitchen was filled with swirling steam—so thick that you could barely make out the people inside. She headed straight to the inner room to find her two close friends.

She continued listening to Qiao Shengnan describe how Feng Yu had gone crazy when she found out Qin Nan had found a partner and was getting married.

Honestly, as long as you didn’t have to live with her day in and day out and just treated her as occasional entertainment, she was rather amusing in this tense and stifling social atmosphere.

The first to get married were Feng Fan and Qiao Shengnan. That year, weddings were all the same—the groom fetched the bride, they bowed to the Chairman, then handed out a bit of candy and melon seeds to the guests, and that was it.

There were no firecrackers. The only bright colors, aside from the red “double happiness” characters pasted up, were the silk flowers in the bride’s hair. One wore a genuine military uniform, the other a replica.

They completed the ceremony, received their marriage certificate, and the wedding was considered done. Si Qiu gave Qiao Shengnan a gold bracelet and a piece of woolen fabric.

Next was Qin Nan’s wedding. It was held at the Qin family home. The new bride was brought into the Qin household and planned to move back to the Li family house after the customary return visit.

This way, everyone’s reputation would remain intact. Of course, in a residential compound full of people, there were always those who knew the inside story. Gossip was inevitable.

But if you didn’t care, then it was nothing at all. Si Qiu likewise gave Li Qingxue a gold bracelet and a piece of woolen fabric.

Then it was Si Qiu’s turn.

She was picked up from the dormitory building and taken to the small courtyard house. The Feng parents gave her 200 yuan. Feng Fan and his wife gave her 80 yuan and a thermos. Feng Rong also gave 80 yuan and bought two enamel basins.

Feng Yu, meanwhile, brought nothing but her constantly eye-rolling eyes.

She was now convinced that this version of Si Qiu in this world existed solely to thwart her. Just when she’d been planning to go on a blind date with Qin the Third, Si Qiu had introduced one of her friends to him instead.

She had wanted to try harder with Xing Huai’en, but when she secretly approached him to talk, he had looked at her as if she were a corpse.

The warning he gave her still echoed in her ears like a curse. Just remembering it sent chills down her spine.

Afterward, she seethed with resentment. “No wonder he didn’t marry Si Qiu in this lifetime—he deserves it. And that just proves how lucky Si Qiu is.”

After Si Qiu was escorted into the bridal chamber, Mother Feng, Qiao Shengnan, Li Qingxue, and Feng Yu followed her inside.

“Qiuqiu, once we’ve seen off the guests, we’ll head to the state-run restaurant. My dad’s already there making preparations.”

“Sister Shengnan, should it be two tables?” Si Qiu silently calculated and asked.

“Don’t worry, we’ve prepared two tables. It’ll definitely be enough. After all, it’s just our own family.”

Li Qingxue patted her hand. “You’re the bride today—the most honored one. You don’t need to worry about a thing. Leave everything to us sisters-in-law.”

Seeing everyone chatting enthusiastically, Feng Yu rolled her eyes. “It’s just a wedding. Anyone would think you’re ascending to heaven.”

“Can’t you speak properly? If you can’t, then go home.” Over the past year, Mother Feng had nearly been driven mad by this daughter, so her tone was anything but polite.

“I haven’t even eaten yet. Why should I leave? And let me tell you, Si Qiu—I’m seeing someone now too. He’s his family’s only son, and both his parents have jobs.

He has a good job himself and earns a high salary. When I get married, it’ll definitely be grander than yours. Don’t forget to bring a gift then.”

Si Qiu looked her up and down before replying, “You’ve really got some nerve. When I got married, you didn’t spend a single cent, but you sure stuffed your pockets full of melon seeds and candy. And you still expect me to give you a gift at your wedding? Dream on.”

Seeing Feng Yu about to speak again, Si Qiu lifted her chin and continued, “If you dare keep yapping, believe it or not, I’ll ruin your relationship.”

Privately, she wondered what was wrong with this woman. If she’d been reborn, shouldn’t she at least have gained some wisdom? Instead, it was like her intelligence had regressed.

If Si Qiu didn’t want her to hurry up and get married and move out—so she’d stop causing trouble for Qiao Shengnan—she would have loved to throw a sack over her head again.

Under the dim yellow lamplight, Qin Bei quickly shut the door and, stiff with nervousness, walked into the room. He saw that Si Qiu’s hair had already been let down, curling softly over her shoulders.

She wore a bright red knitted top and pants, with a military-green cotton jacket draped over her shoulders. Her legs were tucked under the quilt as she sorted through the red envelopes.

Seeing him come in, she waved excitedly. “Qin Bei, come help me record all this money and the gifts!”

All the pent-up strength in his body was abruptly cut off. He could only obediently sit on the kang bed and help her sort everything.

Finally, when they finished, he saw her about to open a chest again. He grabbed her arm, turned, and pressed her down onto the kang.

“Wife, this is our wedding night. Are you really going to neglect me for those things?”

“Oh, why are you in such a hurry? Let me put everything away first!”

The sound of fabric rustling carried an unspoken intimacy.

“In a hurry? Do you want to see my abs?”

“Well… I suppose I can take a look.”

“Then we’ll take turns, wife. Mm, so fair… so soft.”

“Mm, shut up already. Ah—ow…”

“Qiuqiu, in a moment… it won’t hurt in a moment.”