Sweet slice-of-life love story: Wife, Let's love again
Chapter 382 - 372: How Much Was Lost
CHAPTER 382: CHAPTER 372: HOW MUCH WAS LOST
The bank card was clutched in the hands of one-year-old Anya, declaring the result of the first birthday grabbing ritual.
"This little girl might go into finance in the future."
"Accountancy is also possible."
"To be an accountant, she should have grabbed an abacus, counting other people’s money. A bank card is for managing her own money..."
Everyone was talking all at once, each picking the positives, which was considered a kind of blessing.
This was an established custom; even if she grabbed snacks or toys, no one would have the lack of tact to say she was greedy for fun or food. Instead, they would say she "will enjoy good food" or "knows how to enjoy life."
"Hey, that’s certainly my daughter!"
Qin Guanglin was overjoyed and didn’t feel that grabbing a bank card was any worse than a book or a pen. After all, what’s the purpose of studying? Isn’t it to stand out and live a good life?
Grabbing money was a straight shot to the goal, and what book couldn’t she buy then? She could even lock those authors up and whip them for daily updates if she wished.
"Hahaha, just like you, a money-grubber." Chen Rui chuckled as he put away the company seal and teased Qin Guanglin.
"I’m happy with that, much better than you being so old... cough, see how fun it is to have a little one? When are you going to find a wife and have one yourself?"
Qin Guanglin asked Chen Rui, who was only five years younger, while noticing the white hairs beginning to show at his temples.
Time waits for no one; it’d be truly late if he didn’t get married soon.
"How can I start a family before accomplishing my big venture?" Whenever this topic arose, Chen Rui would put on a pretentious, melodramatic air.
"Alright, hurry up and accomplish it."
After tidying up those small items, Qin Guanglin smiled and went over to help his daughter with her longevity noodles.
At the banquet, the focus was on eating and drinking. If it had been just friends like Chen Rui, a few activities would suffice for a good time, but with a bunch of relatives in attendance, feasting became the main event. Chicken, fish, and pork hocks were brought to the table for everyone to indulge in, ensuring the guests didn’t feel their trip was in vain.
"Shall I feed her?"
"Go on, feed her."
"I really haven’t done this before..." Gu Xiaoqing said with a laugh, carefully picking out a strand of longevity noodle from the bowl—not the kind that adults eat, which is one long strand, but rather a whole strand cooked until mushy so that a child could eat it.
"Open wide... ah... from now on, I’ll be your godmother."
Gu Xiaoqing held her other hand underneath Anya’s chin, watching as she obediently ate a small piece of noodle, her face lighting up with a smile.
Looking forward to seeing her grow up and adorably running around calling her godmother.
"Is the kid short a godfather?" Chen Rui quietly poked Qin Guanglin with a finger.
"Do you have an idea?"
"I’ve never tried it, but it looks interesting."
Qin Guanglin was about to respond when suddenly he thought of something, pulled Chen Rui aside, and after a sneaky glance at Gu Xiaoqing, whispered, "What do you think about this godmother?"
"Huh?"
"She’s just like you, doesn’t want to date or marry, just wants to stay single."
"Really? That’s amazing," said Chen Rui, surprised.
"Keep your voice down!" Qin Guanglin quickly gestured for him to lower his voice, saying, "I think you two are quite a match. Do you want me to ask for her WeChat for you?"
Chen Rui had thought he had other intentions and was rather speechless after hearing this, "Is it that all you married folks like to play god of marriage? Bringing together two people who don’t want to get married, to date each other, quite the idea you’ve got there."
"I really think it’s suitable."
"Suitable my ass... Never mind, I’ll just enjoy being single."
Chen Rui, having no interest at all, thought about the inevitable acquaintance with this godmother after becoming a godfather, and dismissed the idea. He went over to sit down for the meal, chatting casually with Xiao Yu, whom he had just met that day.
They still could talk about painting.
"An only child."
Qin Guanglin shrugged his shoulders, greeted everyone at the banquet, and strolled around.
"A daughter is just a waste of money, and they even put on a banquet; anyone would think they had a boy, with how proud they are..."
His ears caught the conversation and Qin Guanglin didn’t like what he heard. He stopped in his tracks and turned around, as his aunt continued to mutter quietly to someone nearby.
She had come with her whole family this time, her son and daughter in tow, probably afraid she wouldn’t get her money’s worth. Seeing the banquet, she was quite satisfied, but too satisfied, starting to complain about the extravagance—it was that kind of sour tone.
Is having a daughter really such a big deal?
As she spoke, someone nudged her and turned her head to see Qin Guanglin’s plump face smiling broadly.
"Tingting, your mom just called you a waste of money."
"..."
"..."
"Ah...haha, just kidding, it was just a joke."
Caught red-handed, the aunt’s face couldn’t help but show an awkward expression, but this awkwardness only lasted for a moment before it changed, and she said with a gravity and sincerity, "Continuing the family line still requires a son..."
"Oh my, no need to worry about that on our behalf. As for losing money, we can afford it."
Qin Guanglin waved his hands cheerfully, then suddenly paused, "Hey, aunt, aren’t you also a lo...ahem, I mean, no offense, just curious how much was lost, so we can also be mentally prepared."
The aunt’s face went red and then pale with anger. Seeing this, the elder aunt couldn’t stand it any longer, "How can you speak to your aunt like that..."
"Elder Aunt, has my cousin found a partner yet? When’s the wedding?" Qin Guanglin scratched his face, feigning concern. "How’s his job going? Surely he’s not still at home?"
"..."
"You’ve got to hurry up. If all else fails, try online dating... My wife and I met online, see how great it is? One day, let him try it too."
...
"What did you do, why did I hear from your aunt that you went and scolded her?"
As the banquet was winding down, Qin’s Mom pulled Qin Guanglin aside and asked in a low voice.
"Ah?"
Qin Guanglin was startled, "No, I just repeated what she said."
"What did she say?" Qin’s Mom was puzzled.
"She said a daughter is a waste of money, I said she’s a woman too..."
Seeing Qin Guanglin’s innocent expression, Qin’s Mom was at a loss. That aunt just had a sharp tongue and happened to let Qin Guanglin hear it.
She mentally complained but didn’t dwell on the issue, then changed the subject, "When are you planning on having a second child?"
"Huh? Who said anything about a second child?" Qin Guanglin was taken aback.
"You only have a daughter, don’t you want a son? Now the country has fully opened up the two-child policy."
"What’s wrong with a daughter? You’re not thinking like my aunt, are you?"
Qin Guanglin frowned. He had never thought about having a second child. Being parents once was enough, he didn’t need to worry about things like financial security for old age. If his daughter wanted to provide for them, great; if not, he and He Fang could still enjoy their time together happily. When they were old, they could hire a caregiver or move to a retirement home, sitting together in wheelchairs and basking in the sun sounded nice.
What’s the use of a son, just to carry on the family name? There are plenty of Qin’s around. It’s enough that their daughter has their bloodline. Otherwise, a son would have to have another son, and a grandson would have to continue the line—if you don’t count numerous generations, even if by good fortune it’s always sons for five or six generations, the day will come when they have only a daughter, and the lineage would still end.
Qin’s Mom didn’t take kindly to being compared to the aunt, "How could I be like her? Would it be good if I were like her?... With everything you have going for you, don’t you want both a son and a daughter? What’s the point of just having a daughter? If you don’t want to take care of her, just have her and I’ll help you raise her."
"We’ll see."