Chapter 78
Chapter 78
Several years after He Qian got married, during a family dinner over Chinese New Year, she finally saw He Yuchuan again after all those years.
Back then, after she left for university in another city, she and He Yuchuan had tacitly stopped seeing each other.
She never once visited him at his school, and whenever the holidays came around and he should have been visiting relatives, He Yuchuan would come up with every excuse under the sun to avoid it.
He Qian was avoiding He Yuchuan, and He Yuchuan was avoiding He Qian too.
Perhaps too much time had passed since then. Now they were both grown, and He Qian had even built a family of her own.
This time, neither of them avoided the other. They appeared at the same dinner table at last.
Of course, Qin Song was there too.
He Yuchuan only cracked sunflower seeds and said nothing, glancing at Qin Song one moment and at He Qian the next.
He Qian’s second uncle said, “Xiaoyu, how many years has it been since you last saw your sister?”
He Yuchuan smiled. “It’s been a long time. After my sis left for school, we basically never saw each other again.”
He Qian’s second aunt said, “And you still have the nerve to say that. You couldn’t even make it to your sister’s wedding!”
He Yuchuan said, “Oh, Mom… wasn’t I just too busy then? I’d only just started my job, and my boss wouldn’t approve my leave…”
He Qian’s mother said, “It’s all right, it’s all right! It’s good for young people to be busy. Besides, Xiaoyu has always been close to his sister. His sister would never mind something like that.”
He Qian said, “That’s right. And Xiaoyu explained the situation to me back then too. He couldn’t come in person, but the sentiment was there!”
He Qian’s second uncle said, “Xiaoyu has been out of town all these years and hardly comes home. We barely see him a few times a year. Ha-ha.”
He Qian hurriedly said, “But Xiaoyu and I still message each other on WeChat during the holidays. Not seeing each other is one thing, but our relationship is still the same as ever.”
He Qian’s mother said, “Xiaoyu looks a little different now that he’s grown up, but he’s still just as handsome!”
He Yuchuan smiled bashfully.
He Qian’s second aunt said, “Oh, what’s the use of being handsome? He’s already in his thirties and still dragging his feet about getting married. His father and I are worried sick!”
He Qian’s mother raised her eyebrows slightly. “Is Xiaoyu seeing anyone now?”
He Qian glanced at He Yuchuan.
He Qian’s second aunt said, “No, he isn’t. I’m honestly worried to death… Sister-in-law, help us ask around for Xiaoyu too. See if any of your friends have daughters around his age. They can meet and get to know each other. Even if it’s just making a friend, right…?”
He Qian’s mother said, “Of course. I’ll ask around later. Xiaoyu, what kind of wife are you looking for? Tell your auntie.”
He Yuchuan smiled faintly. “I want someone like my sister.”
Qin Song looked sharply at He Yuchuan. He Yuchuan looked back at him, and the two men’s gazes met across the space between them.
He Qian seemed to sense unfriendly sparks quietly crackling between the two males.
She said nothing. Her hand gently clenched a small corner of the tablecloth.
He Qian’s second aunt did not notice the subtle atmosphere among the three of them and went on bluntly:
“Nonsense! What man wouldn’t want someone like your sister? She’s gentle, virtuous, clean, and capable! You think wonderful girls like your sister are lying around everywhere? You need to work on yourself. Only when you’re as outstanding as your brother-in-law and have your own career can you find a wife as excellent as your sister!”
Qin Song smiled and said, “Second Aunt, you’re too kind. Being able to marry Qianqian is my good fortune.”
He Yuchuan glanced at Qin Song and took a sip of tea.
He Qian studied his face carefully and realized he really had changed quite a bit.
His eye sockets looked deeper than before, and the contours of his features were more defined.
That childish, impulsive energy was gone from him too. His whole presence seemed mature and steady now.
After the meal, Qin Song took a call from Hu Heng, said there was something going on at the company, and left first.
He Yuchuan walked over to He Qian’s seat. “Sis, are you free this afternoon?”
He Qian hesitated. “What’s wrong, Xiaoyu?”
He Yuchuan said, “We haven’t seen each other in a long time. Let’s find a café and catch up.”
He Qian’s mother said, “Go on, Qianqian. You and your brother haven’t seen each other in years. Have a proper chat!”
So He Qian nodded and went downstairs with He Yuchuan.
He Qian asked, “Where did you park?”
He Yuchuan said, “I came with my parents this morning. I don’t have a car. Let’s take a taxi.”
Once they reached the café, He Yuchuan ordered two iced lattes.
He Qian asked, “What kind of work are you doing now?”
He Yuchuan said, “I’m not working.”
He Qian said, “You’re not working?”
He Yuchuan said, “When I first graduated, serious companies didn’t want me. They thought my educational background wasn’t good enough. I looked down on them too, thought the pay was too low. Later, I tried my hand at all kinds of things, but it was mostly random stuff-making friends, building connections, doing a little business here and there. Recently, I haven’t been doing anything. I’ve just been staying at home.”
He Qian asked, “Then do you have any plans now?”
He Yuchuan laughed. “Sis, why do you sound like an HR rep asking me about my career plan?”
He Qian said, “I guess I do… I’ve realized there’s one major sign that you’re getting old. You always end up talking to younger people about the things they least want to discuss.”
He Yuchuan said, “Are you old? Then I’m old too. We’re about the same age.”
He Qian rolled her eyes at him and lifted her coffee to drink.
He Yuchuan suddenly said, “Sis, do you still remember what I told you?”
He Qian said, “You’ve told me plenty of things. Which one are you talking about?”
He Yuchuan said, “I told you that you had to live well. If you weren’t doing well, I wouldn’t just stand by and do nothing.”
He Qian said, “Oh, I remember now. I’m doing very well, so you don’t have to worry.”
He Yuchuan stared into He Qian’s eyes and shook his head. “You’re lying.”