Chapter 6: Father-in-law and Mother-in-law? (Part 2)

  She went up to the third floor, and her parents' anti-theft door was not closed. Qijie just wanted to knock on the door when she heard her father's angry voice coming from inside: "What's wrong with my daughter being a widow? You let her be bullied like this, introducing her to a cripple, what kind of thing is that, you're her uncle?"

  Another man's voice was heard: "Big brother, don't be in a hurry, listen to me slowly. This person has some inconvenience with his legs and feet, but his family background is good. He is the son of Director Wang of the Labor Bureau. They said that as long as Qijie agrees, her work problem can be solved immediately."

  Qijie frowned, this was her second uncle's voice. At this time, a woman also chimed in: "Yes, elder brother and sister-in-law, the third child of Director Wang's family is not bad-looking either. Moreover, Director Wang is a prominent figure in the county, being his daughter-in-law would be beneficial to our Qijie family."

  Old Qi became even more indignant: "Is it because you have been taken care of? Is it that your family's problem with work after the founding of the country has also been promised to be solved? You, you... Cough, cough, cough..." He was so angry he couldn't speak, and let out a loud cough.

  In such a situation, introducing Tang Yi would be embarrassing for him, so Qi Jie hesitated, but before she could make up her mind, Tang Yi had already reached out to knock on the door.

  The sound of footsteps outside the door, and then it was pulled open. The one who opened the door was a woman in her fifties, with gray hair, dressed very simply, yet looking spirited, except that her eyes were red, as if she had just cried. Seeing Qijie, she was surprised and a bit flustered: "Jiejie, you... why have you come so late?"

  Tang Yi guessed that this was Qijie's mother and hastily said: "Aunt, hello. My name is Tang Yi. I'm Qijie's boyfriend. This time I came to visit the elders."

  Qijie reached out and held her mother's shoulder, asking: "Mom, why are you crying?"

  Qijie's marriage has always been a heart disease for the old couple. The last time someone introduced a young man who was not bad, but later on, he stopped coming to their house and Qijie's father even called him to ask what was wrong. The reply was that he was not a good match for his daughter, which everyone knew was a euphemism, and it must be because of Qijie's widow status.

  Qī Lǎo Diè had no choice but to mobilize relatives and friends to help Qī Jié find a suitor, even adding the condition that she owned a building. He thought that once they found a suitable young man, he and his wife could move back into a bungalow. But then Second Uncle came over today and introduced someone who was crippled, which made the old couple furious. Qī Jié's mother helped her daughter argue with him, but this only led to Second Aunt launching a sarcastic attack, which made Qī Lǎo Diè think of his poor daughter and brought tears to his eyes.

  Suddenly saw a handsome young man saying he was Qijie's boyfriend, looking at the things in his hand and coming with Qijie, it really seemed like that. Turning around to ask her daughter with her eyes, seeing her daughter blush and lower her head, she couldn't help but be surprised and delighted, only this young man looked a bit too young. This thought flashed by, and she didn't have time to think about anything else, turning around to shout loudly into the house: "Old man, old man, come quickly and take a look, Qijie has brought her partner home." While warmly inviting Tang Yi into the house.

  The decoration of Qi's home is also good, with a deep red tea table and deep red sofa, brown floor tiles, the color is slightly heavy and solemn, just suitable for the elderly to live in. Qi Lao Ye and Qi Er Shu and Qi Er Shu are sitting on the sofa chatting, and there is a pile of melon seeds on the tea table.

  Qijie introduced Tang Yi to her parents and second uncle and aunt. Qijie's father was taken aback when he saw Tang Yi, with a vague impression. While inviting Tang Yi to sit on the sofa and have some melon seeds, he thought for a moment, suddenly remembering that this wasn't the friend of Junzi who helped with the house renovation last time? His face fell immediately. What good things could friends of Junzi possibly be? They were all just a bunch of rascals. Last time he saw him, he didn't seem so bad, but unexpectedly, he had set his sights on his own daughter! Qijie's father turned dark-faced, but in front of his younger brother and sister-in-law, it wasn't good to blow up, or else they would just laugh at him even more.

  Qī èr shū and Qī èr shěn were also sizing up Táng Yì with a sideways glance. Originally, they had planned everything out quite well, and if they could just get the marriage between Qī Jié and Wāng Júzhǎng's family settled, then their precious son's job would also be taken care of. Their son Jiàn Guó was already almost thirty years old and still unemployed, causing his parents a lot of distress. With this opportunity, whether or not their niece was willing to make some sacrifices was secondary. But just as they were talking, their niece brought her boyfriend into the house, and Qī èr shū and Qī èr shěn's impression of Táng Yì became even more unfavorable.

  Auntie Qi was the most straightforward, without beating around the bush, and directly asked Tang Yi: "Young master, you're not very old, have you started working? Which unit are you in?"

  Qijie's mother felt a bit unhappy, thinking that she should be the one to ask these questions as her own daughter. She took the melon seed plate and handed it to Tang Yi, smiling and saying: "Crack some seeds, don't be shy." Then she said to Qi Erniang: "When a child first comes home, they need to catch their breath." Qi Erniang pouted, thinking to herself that she didn't know where Qijie had picked up this young man. She had heard that her daughter's behavior was not good, and now it seemed true - who would look for a younger son-in-law? Only you would treat him like treasure.

  Old Qi's face was dark and he didn't say a word, sipping his tea water mouthful by mouthful.

  Tang Yi carefully took over the melon seed plate and placed it on the tea table, smiling at Auntie Er: "The job I participated in last year is now at the county committee."

  At that time, Uncle Qi and Auntie Qi both stood up respectfully, but they were also a bit skeptical. Auntie Qi asked doubtfully, "Which department in the county committee?" thinking to herself that it wouldn't be the gatekeeper who guards the door.

  Tang Yi smiled and said, "Not in the department." Qi Ershu and Qi Erni exchanged glances. Indeed, it was a gatekeeper or an external staff member, but that couldn't be taken lightly either. Although not as good as the director's child, the conditions were already quite good, and who knows, maybe by climbing up to a leadership position, they could get into the department. The two people's attitudes improved slightly, and Qi Erni also put on a smile: "Is it an official worker or a temporary worker?" If it was an official worker, getting into the department would be just a matter of time. If it was a temporary worker, that also meant the person had some connections at home, able to find work in the county committee compound.

  Tang Yi said, "Formal work." Qi Ershu and Qi Erjie immediately changed their expressions again, smiling more warmly than before. Qi Erjie even picked up a tangerine from the tea table, peeled it, and handed it to Tang Yi, saying, "This tangerine is sweet, try some."

  Listening to the conversation between the two, Qi Jie's mother felt a bit proud and no longer interrupted Er Niang's words, but instead let her flatter. Qi Lao Ye was furious as he listened to this little rascal bragging without batting an eye, and he panted heavily with rage.

  Qī èr shěn asked Táng Yì: "Then which department of the county committee are you under now?" This gave Táng Yì some face, without directly asking if he was a gatekeeper or an external staff.

  Tang Yi said, "Gu Tao is the secretary in charge of the county party committee's external affairs office." Qi Ershu and Qi Erjie looked a bit awkward, they didn't know what the external affairs office of the county party committee was, but they thought that since Gu Yi was in charge, it must be an important department.

  Qijie gave Tang Yi a glance, smiled and said: "I'm going to wash the fruit." As she passed by Tang Yi's side, she pinched his arm several times. Although she knew that Tang Yi was trying to save face for her, his pretentious attitude still made Qijie grit her teeth in annoyance.

  Tang Yi endured the pain, but knew that Qi Jie was somewhat dissatisfied. Thinking about it, the two people in front of him were also Qi Jie's uncle and aunt, so he couldn't treat them like fools, or else Qi Jie would get angry.

  Qī èr shěn felt uncomfortable without asking about Táng Yì's specific work situation, and was thinking of how to ask more questions when Táng Yì turned to Qī lǎo diē and said with a smile: "Uncle, we met last time, I lied to you then, I'm really sorry."

  Old Qi grunted and didn't respond, thinking to himself: "Let's see how you deal with me after Old Er and the others leave."

  Tang Yi put the peeled tangerines on the tea table and said to Qi Lao and Qi Jie's mother: "Uncle, aunt, this time I came to ask for your consent to be in a relationship with Qi Jie. Don't worry, I will treat her well."

  Qī Lǎo Diē didn't respond, but Qī Jié Mā curiously asked: "You've been talking for half a day, what exactly do you do? I just don't get it?"

  Tang Yi smiled and said: "I..." Just didn't know how to put it, looked up at the TV, pointed at the screen and said: "There, that's me."

  Several people in the room stared at the TV, which was playing a news broadcast from Yan Mountain. County Party Secretary Tang was giving a speech at the unveiling ceremony of the Bureau of Commerce, his youthful energy and passion evident as he gestured with his arms, punctuated by bursts of applause.

  Qijie's mother looked for Tang Yi on the screen for half a day but couldn't find his shadow, and couldn't help but laugh: "Has the camera passed by? How come I didn't see you? Second Aunt, have you seen this kid?"

  Qī èr shěn's heart was not very pleased, thinking that Qī jié was talking nonsense and didn't mention her own work, but instead said she was on TV, and being flashed on the county station was also considered being on TV? How can you be so disrespectful? She pulled a long face and said: "Didn't see."

  Tang Yi scratched his head, somewhat embarrassed, pointing at the TV: "That, that person speaking is me, doesn't it look like me?" He was indeed a bit embarrassed, originally wanting to lightly mention and let Qi Lao Ye and Qi Jie Ma accept his identity, but who knew being stirred up by Qi Er Yi, asking this and that, making it seem like he was showing off, what did he have to show off about with the elderly? Tang Yi's face felt hot, also a bit uneasy, afraid that Qi Jie's parents would lose their good impression of him.

  Everyone in the family looked at the spirited secretary on TV, then looked at the somewhat awkward young man in front of them. No matter how they looked, they couldn't superimpose the two images together, but upon closer inspection, it seemed to be the same person after all.

  Qijie walked over from the kitchen with a fruit platter, smiling and saying, "Today's pears are so sweet..." Before she could finish speaking, she felt that the atmosphere was somewhat unusual. Qi asked, "What's wrong?" Tang Yi gave her a glance, pointing to the TV. Qijie looked over and realized that Tang Yi had revealed his true identity. Her face began to flush with embarrassment, unsure of how her parents would react to her. Seeing her usually critical uncle and aunt looking at her with newfound respect in their eyes made her feel somewhat pleased.

  Qijie put the plate on the coffee table, smiling and saying: "I just tried one, the pears from the south are sweet." She sat down beside Tang Yi on the armrest of the sofa, peeled a pear and shared it with her parents and aunt.

  Here is the translation:

  Qijie's mom took the pear and quietly asked Qijie, "Jiejie, is he really Secretary Tang from TV?" Seeing Qijie nod, Qijie's mom was stunned, the pear in her hand fell to the ground without her noticing. After a while, she came back to herself, hastily stood up, and awkwardly said to Tang Yi, "Tang, Secretary Tang, please sit down, I'll go make you some tea..." Tang Yi quickly stood up and stopped her, pressing Qijie's mom back onto the sofa, laughing, "Aunt, I don't want tea. If you want some, I'll go make it for you." Qijie's mom hastily shook her head. Qi Lao (Qijie's dad) looked at Tang Yi with some suspicion, "You're that young man who helped us with the work last time?"

  Tang Yi smiled and said: "Yes, at that time I was still in the town, and I hadn't confirmed my relationship with Qizhi yet, so I didn't greet you either. Don't blame me."

  Mr. Qi asked again, "So you've known each other all along? You've been hiding it from us? Why did you pretend not to know each other that day at dinner?" With a "slap", Mrs. Qi gave the old man a slap on the back and scolded with a smile, "You're getting senile, do young people's business have to be reported to you too?"

  Tang Yi apologized again, "I should have reported to Uncle and Aunt in time, it was my fault. Qijie didn't tell you also because of me, I wanted to find a suitable opportunity to formally visit you, but I didn't think it through."

  Seeing Tang Yi's attitude was quite sincere, Qi Lao Ye's face finally improved, and Qi Jie Mu couldn't help but smile with her mouth wide open. This is truly a blessing from heaven! How did they end up with such an excellent son-in-law? Moreover, his attitude towards them as elders was respectful, just like a biological son. It seems he must be very fond of Qi Jie. Qi Jie Mu had already considered Tang Yi as her future son-in-law and found him more and more pleasing to the eye. She thought to herself that she never expected her daughter would go from being unlucky to finding such a great partner. As she thought about it, tears began to well up in her eyes.

  Qī èr Shū and Qī èr Shěn were really stunned, and they didn't dare to speak again. In their hearts, they were beating drums, not knowing whether they had heard the conversation between the two of them before entering the door. Qī Jié that little girl has been vengeful since childhood, don't hate us old couple.

  Tang Yi turned to Qi Ershu and Qi Erniang: "Ershu, Erniang, I've heard Qijie mention you before. I was thinking of visiting you in a few days, but it just so happens that I'm here today. Look, I didn't even bring anything." Qi Jie chimed in: "Let Ershu and Erniang take the cigarettes away. My dad doesn't smoke, and the wine is for my dad to drink." As she spoke, she picked up a plastic bag from under the tea table and handed the two packs of Zhonghua cigarettes to Qi Ershu. When Tang Yi and Qi Jie entered the house, everyone was sizing up Tang Yi, but they hadn't noticed what he was carrying in his hand. Now that they saw it, they all gasped - two bottles of high-end Maotai liquor and two packs of Zhonghua cigarettes. It wasn't a lot, but it was worth about four or five months' salary for an ordinary worker.

  Qī èr shū held the Zhōnghuá cigarette and turned it over repeatedly, he had never smoked such a high-end cigarette before, at that moment he wanted to open it and try it fresh. Qī èr shěn pinched him and he came back to his senses, thinking that he couldn't lose face in front of his brother and niece. In an instant, the status of Qī lǎo bà's family in his heart rose sharply.

  Tang Yi chatted with several parents for over an hour before taking his leave. Qi Jie wanted to walk with him, but Tang Yi pushed her aside and said: "You stay behind, your uncle and aunt must have a lot of questions for you." He also said: "I did pretty well today, right? Later on, can you put in a few good words for me?"

  Qijie looked at his awkwardness with a mixture of helplessness and delight. Now she was getting to know Tang Yi's personality better - under pressure, he could talk and laugh freely, pointing to the sky and earth as if he had thousands of troops in his chest. But in front of his real loved ones, he often became like a shy big kid. The more Qijie looked at Tang Yi, the more she liked him, smiling secretly and giving him a peck on the cheek.

  When leaving, Tang Yi more enthusiastically invited Second Uncle and Second Aunt to visit his home when they were free, causing Second Uncle and Second Aunt to speak with trembling voices as if they had received a great honor. Tang Yi then whispered a few words to Qi Jie before taking his leave.