After parting ways with Qi Jianming, Cheng Su said to Qi Taiguo as they were walking back, "I donât like Brother Mingâs girlfriend."
They had run into each other in town, and as the saying goes, a chance encounter is better than a planned meeting, so they found a small tavern, ordered some dishes, got a bottle of wine, and sat down to chat.
The girl named Taozi was very cheerful and sweet-talking, always referring to them as "Big Brother" and "Sister-in-law," but Cheng Su didnât like her.
Because her eyes were so shifty, always spinning around, it made her seem too sly, too restless.
Beyond that, she was also a bit impolite.
"The young lady has a sweet mouth, why donât you like her?" Qi Taiguo, having drunk about half a jin of liquor, asked with a flushed face and a laugh.
"As soon as she sat down, she started critiquing my clothes and overall look, which was very impolite," Cheng Su thought of Taoziâs confident and smug expression, her lips curling slightly.
What did she say again? "Sister-in-law, your down jacket looks really nice, but I think black would suit you better, make you look slimmer too, really, all our sisters do this."
Cheng Su asked her what she meant by "our sisters," and Taozi said she sold fashion in a clothing store and because of her good figure, she even acted as a mannequin for customers to try on clothes.
That was bearable since she was Qi Jianmingâs girlfriend, but during the meal, she couldnât stop looking at Qi Taiguo, asking him about life in the military, her eyes practically glued to him.
Doing this, where was she putting Jianming and herself?
"I knew it, youâre just jealous again. That girl is young and doesnât understand much," Qi Taiguo laughed after he heard this.
Cheng Su retorted, "How is this being jealous? I just donât like her being so âanimated.â Sheâs not that young, sheâs already dating someone, yet she lacks respect. I just think sheâs not a good match for Jianming."
Qi Taiguo sighed, "Looks like weâll need to have a daughter in the future, given how picky you are about choosing daughters-in-law!"
"Sure, as long as your parents are happy with it, Iâd be willing to have a daughter," Cheng Su said, giving him a sidelong glance on purpose.
Qi Taiguo smiled and said nothing.
And Qi Jianming was having a go at his own girlfriend.
"What was that earlier? Staring at my big brother all the time. Doing that, where do you leave my face? Iâm the one youâre dating."
Having worked away from home for a year, Qi Jianming had seen the world and wasnât without discernment. All through the meal, Taozi, chattering like a sparrow, kept bothering Qi Taiguo with questions about this and that, while Cheng Su was looking more and more displeased, and he started to catch on.
Taozi was a bit too enthusiastic about Qi Taiguo.
"What, are you jealous? Iâve always admired military men, you know that," Taozi whined.
But truth be told, having a comparison showed who was better, and that Qi Jianguo really was a manly man, so dashing.
Qi Jianming snorted, "I donât know about other things, but I know you lack sense and propriety. Didnât you see the look on my sister-in-lawâs face?"
Taoziâs expression cooled, "What about her look? I just talked a little more with big brother, and she pulls a face? Is she that domineering?" She paused and then said, "And you, whatâs your deal? Coming back here for the New Year was your idea, now that Iâve followed you back, youâre showing me attitude, scolding me? Qi Jianming, whatâs your issue? If itâs that you donât want to date anymore, just say so, and Iâll leave! Who cares."
Qi Jianmingâs face also darkened at her outburst, but since he really did ask her to come back, and their parents were overjoyed, how could he explain if she left? He had to swallow his anger and appease her.
Only then did Taozi let it go, but in her heart, she somewhat resented Cheng Su, seeing her as uncultured and making a fuss over nothing, Humph!