CHAPTER 430: 430 NEGOTIATED SUCCESSFULLY

After eating watermelon, it was almost eleven o’clock. Jiang Xinyu hurriedly went to steam rice and also made a steamed egg dish.

Qiao Jingyi followed closely behind Jiang Xinyu.

"Jingyi, has Zhou Qingying returned?"

"No, she wrote to me saying she has someone. What do you think she’s looking for? Why stay in such a distant place?"

"I can’t figure out her thoughts either. She’s found someone over there, she must want to settle there."

"Yes, if she gets married, we won’t be able to go over."

"Will she not return for the visit home?"

"She said she’s not coming back."

"If I have time, I’ll write her too, asking if she’s coming back. If not, I’ll send her the gift I prepared."

"You have gifts?"

"Of course. You see this enamel basin? I prepared a set for each of you, along with a teapot. They look particularly beautiful."

"These flowers are really pretty."

"Right? I didn’t know what to give. My college friend’s husband works at an enamel factory, so I begged them to prepare it for half a year, and finally got it done."

"Why didn’t I think to prepare gifts for everyone?"

"You study in the Provincial City, there’s not much there."

"Regardless of whether there’s anything, even if I just bring back some dates, it would be a thoughtful gesture. I really didn’t think of it." Qiao Jingyi said, regretfully.

By eleven-thirty, Jiang Xinyu started cooking dishes.

When all the dishes were set on the table, Yao Shimin came in.

"Vice Factory Director Yao, how do you have such great timing? I just finished cooking and you’re here."

"Haha, I just finished cleaning up at home."

"Uncle Yao."

"Shi Jinghao, hello! Feifei, hello!"

Shang Zhenkun called Yao Shimin to sit down, arranging the two people meeting today to sit across from each other, giving them a chance to look at each other.

"Let me introduce you. This is my high school friend Qiao Jingyi, a graduate from Normal University, now teaching.

Jingyi, this is Yao Shimin, the technical director of our textile factory."

The two stood up to shake hands. Jiang Xinyu noticed Qiao Jingyi seemed a bit uneasy.

Inside, Xinyu laughed wildly, such a big-hearted girl, is she shy?

Yao Shimin had a height of 175 cm, with particularly scholarly features, and could be considered a handsome man.

Yao Shimin also looked quite satisfied with Qiao Jingyi; she’s a very pretty girl. Just by looking into her eyes, he knew she was someone who couldn’t hide her feelings.

The entire meal’s topics revolved around these two. Everyone was interested, so the conversation turned to self-introductions more frequently.

After the meal, the two learned a lot about each other. They had a good impression of each other.

"Comrade Qiao Jingyi, should we chat alone?"

"Sure."

"Then let’s go to my place, it’s not far from here."

Jiang Xinyu chuckled inwardly, Yao Shimin really seemed quite eager.

Qiao Jingyi nodded, and they left together. Jiang Xinyu called Feifei to go to sleep.

This week has been quite tiring. By noon, I’ve already gotten into the habit of taking naps.

Yao Shimin and Qiao Jingyi walked together, arriving at Yao Shimin’s house in a quarter of an hour.

"It’s cool here, but there’s no furniture yet, so we’ll have to sit on the kang. Let me fetch some water. Can you drink cold water?"

"I’m not thirsty."

"Comrade Qiao Jingyi, you know about my situation. I was married before, but now I’m divorced."

"Comrade Yao Shimin, I’m not asking about your past. I just want to know why you want to get married again so soon after divorcing?"

"Because I saw Jiang Vice Factory Director’s daughter Feifei and suddenly realized I really like children, so I want to have one."

"Is that the only reason?"

"Yes, I’ve been married for almost three years, mostly apart, and my ex-wife has complaints about me and doesn’t want to come here. We haven’t had any children over these years. She found someone she likes, so we divorced.

But I want to have children, which means I need a wife.

After meeting you today, you’re an outgoing girl, I’m usually very talkative, I think we’ll have much to talk about going forward."

Qiao Jingyi didn’t expect Yao Shimin to be so candid.

"Okay, let’s give it a try. But I teach in the city, we’ll still be apart most of the time." Qiao Jingyi tentatively asked, then immediately added, "Xinyu told me the textile factory could arrange a job for me. Do you think I should continue teaching or join the textile factory?"

"If it were up to me, of course, I’d hope you come to work at the textile factory. That way, even if I’m busy with work, we’d be able to see each other every day.

But if you really love teaching, I won’t force you. I respect your choice."

Qiao Jingyi smiled, "Let me ask you one last question. You’ve been married before, do you still have feelings for her? If your ex-wife comes back, would you waver?"

Yao Shimin shook his head firmly, "I didn’t want to speak ill of others, but since we might become husband and wife, I want to ease your worries.

My ex-wife started living with another man shortly after we got married. I’ve always been here and didn’t know. It was only last month, when I tried to transfer back, and called her, she told me about the divorce. It was when I went back that I found out the truth.

Also, we didn’t have much affection for each other; it was a family introduction, not a marriage from love."

Now Qiao Jingyi was completely relieved. But she also felt a bit sorry for Yao Shimin; which man could accept such a situation?

"Alright, I need to discuss it with my parents. If you have time, come to my house tomorrow, let my family meet you. My marriage must have their approval."

Yao Shimin was thrilled, quickly nodding, "Of course, I would love to meet your family. I’m just afraid they might mind me."

"I can’t guarantee anything, we’ll only know the result after meeting."

"Alright, I’ll go back with you today. Let’s visit Jiang Vice Factory Director’s place to ask her to give me leave tomorrow."

Since they had opened up, both had a favorable impression of each other, and their attitudes changed.

This time going back to Jiang Xinyu’s house was Yao Shimin riding a bicycle with Qiao Jingyi.

Jiang Xinyu hadn’t woken up yet, startled awake by knocking, she patted Feifei, carefully got out of bed, and went to open the door.

Judging by their expressions, it was clear things were settled.

"Vice Factory Director Jiang, I’m taking Jingyi. Please give me leave tomorrow."

"No problem, I can handle that. Jingyi, are you leaving now?"

"Yes, I’m going home to talk to my family about the situation. If they agree, I’ll let them meet Yao Shimin."

"Okay, there’s a bus in half an hour. Wait a moment, I made peach preserves, take them back for Uncle and Aunt to taste."