On the second week of Jian Hang’s business trip, the villa was even more deserted, and the breakfast on the table in the mornings was not as rich as before.

Qin Moling wanted to ask Aunt Geng when Jian Hang would come back from her business trip, but he swallowed the words before he could give voice to them.

Today, a Wednesday, he went directly to Jiang Shenghe’s place after getting off work.

Jiang Shenghe frowned when he saw the uninvited guest, “Why are you here?”

When Qin Moling came to Jiang Shenghe’s house, it was like returning to his own home. The car drove directly to the yard and the auntie opened the door for him. Jiang Shenghe didn’t even know that he was coming.

Jiang Shenghe looked at his watch to make sure he remembered things correctly: it was a Wednesday. Qin Moling said in the group chat that if anyone has something for him to do in the future, they should try to avoid Wednesday nights.

“I have something I need you to do.” Qin Moling took out a piece of paper from his bag and laid it out in front of Jiang Shenghe, “Get me some tea.”

Listed on the paper were all the tea varieties he wanted.

Jiang Shenghe glanced at it and saw that the request was not small, “Giving it away?”

Qin Moling took off his suit jacket and put it on the sofa, “Giving it to my father-in-law.”

Jiang Shenghe took a photo of the piece of paper and saved it in his mobile phone. “Teacher Jian, he drinks this much tea?” It was black tea, green tea, four or five kinds each.

Qin Moling said ‘Hmm’. In fact, only one or two of the teas was for Teacher Jian. All the other ones would be used to cook tea eggs for someone.

He went to pour the coffee himself.

In Jiang Shenghe’s study, he drank a cup of coffee, finished it and then refilled it.

Jiang Shenghe didn’t expect him to stay and drink all this time, so he directly tried to throw him out, “Aren’t you going to leave?”

Qin Moling sat back with his coffee and said, “How does it bother you if I sit here.”

Jiang Shenghe: “…”

He was busy tonight and had no time to argue with him.

Qin Moling stayed here and refused to leave. Jiang Sheng could only think of one possibility, “Are you here with me because you’re hiding from Jian Hang?”

“Why should I hide from her?” Qin Moling took a sip of coffee and said, “She’s on a business trip in Suzhou City.” 

As he said that, something caught his eye on the second row of Jiang Shenghe’s bookshelf. He stared at it.

Qin Moling put down his coffee cup, stood up and went over. On the bookshelf was a figure still in its original box. He had seen a similar figure in Jian Hang’s car, but the one in front of him was much larger than that one, and the costume and pose was also different.

“Why do you have this?”

Jiang Shenghe glanced at it and said, “It’s a birthday gift for Qin Xing.”

It was still too early for Qin Xing’s birthday, but when he saw the suitable gift, he just bought it in advance.

In their circle, Qin Xing was the youngest and loved to play the most. Only when Qin Xing celebrated his birthday would their group even think of giving a gift. When other people celebrated their birthdays, it was a gift enough if they went to attend.

Qin Moling asked, “Is this expensive?”

“It’s not expensive. But this is an official, limited edition figure from the game he plays, and you can’t usually buy it even if you have money.”

When Qin Moling heard that it was a character from the game, he immediately understood why there was a similar figure in Jian Hang’s car.

He picked up the box and said, “Prepare another gift for Qin Xing.”

Jiang Shenghe watched Qin Moling take away the figure, “Put it down. Do you think it’s easy to prepare a gift?” He leaned back in his chair and looked at Qin Moling, “Who do you plan to give it to?”

Qin Moling reassured him, “It’s not for Qin Xing.”

As for who to give it to, Jiang Shenghe asked several times but still didn’t manage to find out.

Qin Moling said before leaving, “I’ll prepare Qin Xing’s birthday gift for you and have Secretary Gao deliver it to your office.”

… …

Back at the villa, Qin Moling carried the box directly to the second floor.

In Jian Hang’s master bedroom, the lights were not turned on and the door was open. While she was away on her business trip, the door was left open every day for ventilation.

Qin Moling walked to the door of the master bedroom, turned on the light, and put the bag with the boxed figure on the bedside table.

He missed their appointment that day, and Jian Hang was a little unhappy.

… … translated by Maela @ whitemoonlighttranslations.com

The next afternoon.

Jiang Shenghe sent someone to bring him the tea he requested. There were ten cans in total, each amounting to fifty grams. Eight of the cans were to boil tea eggs for Jian Hang, and the other two were for Teacher Jian.

The two cans given to Teacher Jian were bought by Jiang Shenghe through some personal connections. The annual production of this tea was limited, only a few kilograms were produced in total every year. It was scarce and in short supply, and was only sold at auction.

Jiang Shenghe had bought some before and kept them to give to the elders of the Jiang family and other family friends. He gave away two cans to Qin Moling so he could be filial to his father-in-law.

Qin Moling got off work as usual in the evening and went to Jian Hang’s house with the tea.

Before going, he called Chen Yu and said he would go and see them.

Today was not a holiday, and her daughter has not yet returned from her business trip. Chen Yu was surprised that Qin Moling would come to the house by himself and said enthusiastically, “We will eat at home tonight. Come, and I will cook a few more dishes.”

Qin Moling did not refuse, “Mom, you don’t have to do much.”

From primary school teacher to mother-in-law—it took him quite a bit of time to adapt to this role change. Even now, it still felt a little unnatural to call Chen Yu ‘Mom’.

When he arrived at Jian Hang’s community, he met Jian Zhongjun who had just returned from school.

Jian Zhongjun and his colleague, Old Gu, were walking back from school together. Old Gu has started joining Jian Zhongjun to walk to work in the mornings, and they also made plans to walk home together after work ended, chatting all the while, and exercising at the same time.

“Dad,” Qin Moling got out of the car and greeted Jian Zhongjun.

“You’ve come home,” Jian Zhongjun said with a smile. He heard from his wife that his son-in-law would come over for dinner tonight. With this in mind, he walked with great energy and there was wind under his feet the entire time.

Qin Moling has a good memory. Although he only met Teacher Gu once, he still remembered the other person’s last name and took the initiative to say hello, “Hello, Teacher Gu.”

There were really not many people who could make him take the initiative to speak.

This was him being Jian Zhongjun’s son-in-law.

After the greetings, they all entered the apartment building.

Old Gu, who didn’t see Jian Hang anywhere, asked, “Is Xiao Hang working overtime again?”

Qin Moling said, “She is currently not at home, she’s on a business trip.”

“Oh, so that’s why I didn’t see her.”

Old Gu felt more and more that this Qin Moling was good. Jian Hang was not at home, but he came to visit his father-in-law and mother-in-law and eat with them. Not everyone has such filial piety.

Marriage First, Love Later translated by Maela @ whitemoonlighttranslations.com

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Chapter 29.3 — Duty
Chapter 30.1 — Wedding Photos
Chapter 30.2 — Wedding Photos
Chapter 30.3 — Wedding Photos
Chapter 31.1 — Stay In The Same Room
Chapter 31.2 — Stay In The Same Room
Chapter 31.3 — Stay In The Same Room