Chapter 52: Chapter 52: Are You Sure She’s a Shy and Introverted Person?

Bihai Garden, Building 7, Unit 1, Apartment 1102.

In Jiang Xiaoqi’s home, besides her parents, there were three others.

A middle-aged couple and a young man. Judging by the way they were seated, they were likely a family of three.

"Old Zhang, I hear your son got into the Tax Bureau?" Jiang Xiaoqi’s father, Jiang Guobin, asked.

"First in the written exam, first in the interview too. After supporting him for all these years, it feels like our hard work has finally paid off."

The man known as Old Zhang was Zhang Qinghua, one of Jiang Guobin’s old colleagues.

"I have to say, time really flies. In the blink of an eye, more than twenty years have passed. Both our kids are all grown up and at the age for marriage."

"Yeah, and we’ve gotten old," Jiang Guobin said.

"But today’s timing is unfortunate. Qiqi has a lot going on at school. She was even selected as an Outstanding Teacher, so she has to work overtime today. I’m so sorry to have kept you waiting for so long."

Jiang Guobin was also subtly showing off.

"Qiqi is so impressive! She’s only been working for a few years and she’s already been named an Outstanding Teacher," Zhang Qinghua praised. He felt she was an even better match for his son now.

"Both our families used to be state-owned enterprise employees, and our retirement pensions are more than we can spend. Now their jobs are so good too. If they get together, I can’t even imagine how good life will be," said Zhang Qinghua’s wife, Yu Lichun, beaming.

"Isn’t that the truth," Jiang Xiaoqi’s mother, Liu Liping, chimed in with a smile.

"Son, when Qiqi gets back, you two should go out for a walk, see a movie or something. Have a nice chat."

"I know, Dad," said Zhang Qinghua’s son, Zhang Chenglong.

"Give her a call. Look at the time, why isn’t she back yet?" Jiang Guobin said.

"Old Jiang, don’t rush her. Qiqi’s an Outstanding Teacher now, so she’s definitely busy. She’s busy with work, we can’t let something like this get in the way of her duties."

Zhang Qinghua thought for a moment and said,

"How about this? I’ll have my son go pick Qiqi up from work. It’ll give them a chance to spend some time alone. What do you think?"

"That’s a great idea," Jiang Guobin agreed.

"Then it’s settled. We’ll head downstairs with you. We won’t stay any longer and disturb your rest."

"How could you be disturbing us? You’re not strangers," Jiang Guobin said politely.

"I’ll book a place for tomorrow. We can all get together for some tea and a bite to eat. There’s no need to rush things." 𝓯𝙧𝙚𝒆𝙬𝙚𝒃𝙣𝙤𝒗𝓮𝓵.𝙘𝙤𝙢

"Alright then, I won’t keep you."

"There’s no need for such formalities between us."

The two families got up one after another, preparing to see the guests off downstairs.

Chatting as they walked, they reached the main entrance before they knew it.

Zhang Chenglong pressed his car key, and the lights of a Mercedes C-Class flashed on.

"Whoa, a Mercedes!"

Jiang Guobin remarked, "This car can’t be cheap, can it?"

"It’s alright. A little over 300,000 out the door. The main thing is he’ll be working for the Tax Bureau, so he can’t be too flashy. Otherwise, we would’ve bought him an X5. It’s more spacious and convenient for everything."

"You old dog, you’ve really done well for yourself. I haven’t seen you in years, and now you can afford a Mercedes."

Jiang Guobin said with a hearty laugh, now even more satisfied with the potential match.

Having successfully pulled off a casual flex, Zhang Qinghua was quite pleased with himself.

"Son, Qiqi works at Huaihe Second Primary School. Go pick her up. It’s getting late, and it’s not safe for her to come back by herself."

"Okay, I’ll go now."

Zhang Chenglong opened the car door, but just as he was about to get in, he saw a Maybach slowly approaching.

"That car is huge, and it looks great too."

Jiang Guobin praised, not knowing it was a high-end brand under Mercedes. He just thought it was very big and very nice-looking.

"My old friend, that’s a Maybach. It’s also a brand under Mercedes, and they cost several million apiece."

"No wonder it’s so good-looking. The price tag explains it," Jiang Guobin sighed in admiration.

The Maybach slowed down and stopped in front of Jiang Guobin.

He froze for a second, not yet understanding what was happening, and then he saw his own daughter get out of the car.

Huh?

The two families looked at each other, staring blankly, feeling like the situation was a bit surreal.

"Bye, Brother Jiang. Thanks for dropping me off."

"It’s nothing, don’t mention it."

After replying, Lin Jiang drove away.

Watching the multi-million-yuan luxury car drive further and further away, Jiang Guobin felt a pang of reluctance.

"Qiqi, didn’t you say you were working overtime? Who was that man?" asked Jiang Xiaoqi’s mother, Liu Liping.

"My colleague. We were both working overtime at the office, and he gave me a ride since it was on his way."

"Oh, so that’s what it was."

The older generation didn’t have such convoluted minds; they wouldn’t assume something must have happened just because someone worked overtime with a member of the opposite sex.

Unlike young people today, who could imagine every possible position.

"Well, Old Zhang, since Qiqi is back, there’s no need to go pick her up. It’s getting late, so you all should head home and get some rest too," Jiang Guobin said.

"It’s not that late. Let my son take Qiqi out for a bit. Young people should communicate and get to know each other more, don’t you think?"

"Of course, but she just got off from working overtime. I’d like her to rest a bit. There’s no need to rush."

"Right, right, I wasn’t being considerate enough. Let’s leave it at that for today. We’ll let them get to know each other another time."

"Alright."

The Jiang family of three went back inside, and the Zhang family returned to their car.

"Son, you saw what Qiqi is like. Such a quiet, gentle young lady. If you two end up together, your life will take off."

Slow on the uptake, Zhang Qinghua didn’t notice the shift in Jiang Guobin’s attitude. He also didn’t think there was anything improper about Jiang Xiaoqi working overtime alone with a male colleague.

"Plus, she’s a teacher. You won’t have to worry about your own kids’ schooling in the future."

"Yeah, true," Zhang Chenglong said.

"Son, you can’t be too shy. You have to be more proactive," said Yu Lichun.

"Oh, right, Son, do you have Qiqi’s WeChat? You two should chat more often and create more opportunities for yourself."

"No one gave me her WeChat ID."

"Hold on, let me look. Her mom sent me Qiqi’s WeChat ID earlier today. Here it is."

Yu Lichun handed him her phone. "This is it, add her. And listen, I know Qiqi. She’s been shy and quiet since she was a little girl, always speaks softly. So you need to be careful how you talk to her, don’t scare her off."

"Don’t worry, I know. I’ll definitely..."

Zhang Chenglong stopped mid-sentence.

Staring at Jiang Xiaoqi’s WeChat nickname, he was lost in thought.

"Mom, are you sure she’s a shy, introverted person?"

"Of course. You saw her when she got out of the car. Such a nice young lady, not flashy at all."

"Look at her WeChat nickname."

"What’s wrong with her WeChat nickname... Huh? ’Baddest Bitch in Goat Village’?"