The atmosphere was tense when a voice suddenly called from behind, "Oh, am I late?"
Cheng You turned her head and called out with a smile, "Auntie."
Song Qinglan was stunned. "You've already met?"
Director Song ignored her and affectionately took Cheng You's hand. "Yesterday, when I got home, I mentioned it to your uncle and regretted not having more time to chat with you. Fortunately, I have a chance today. Let's make one thing clear, no one is to snatch her from me. You have to come to my place for dinner first thing tomorrow."
Their intimate demeanor made those present scoff.
A village girl from the countryside was worthy of Song Qinghe's such attention.
Zheng Xiuyu, after a moment's thought, figured that Song Qinghe and Song Qinglan, sisters who were never on good terms, were likely putting on a show.
She was happy to watch from the sidelines.
Song Qinghe naturally sat down next to Cheng You and, with an air of familiarity, asked, "Third Aunt of Chengyan, what were you discussing so happily just now? Let me listen in too."
Zheng Xiuyu smiled. "We weren't discussing anything in particular, just that Qi Ning has found a boyfriend. If all goes well, she should be getting married this year."
Qi Ning wasn't particularly capable and didn't want to work. It was best for her to get married as soon as possible after graduation.
At least she was better than Qi Yang, who spent his days in the lab and wasn't married.
Song Qinghe exclaimed in surprise, "I remember that girl Qi Ning took the college entrance examination this year, right? If she didn't get in the first time, she can try again. She's still young, it would be a waste not to study."
Speaking of this, Zheng Xiuyu actually felt a bit regretful.
If her family could produce a university student and bring her face, she would naturally be happy.
But she didn't have much hope for Qi Ning.
"Alas, you're a director at the Worker-Peasant-Soldier University. Your school must have had quite a few students taking the college entrance exam this year, right? How many got in? Nationally, the admission rate is no more than five percent. It's so difficult! To get in, your ancestors' graves must be smoking with good fortune. Look at Zhou Qi, he's a student at the Agricultural Research Institute, and he didn't get in either!"
Zhou Qi, who was inexplicably named, turned grim.
There was no need to step on him.
Zheng Xiuyu was speaking from the heart. At least among her friends' children, very few had been admitted.
Song Qinghe nodded thoughtfully. "Yes, there really aren't many who can get into university."
Zheng Xiuyu felt a little better, at least Qi Ning didn't seem so incompetent.
Song Qinghe asked, "Then Qi Ning will have to work after graduation, won't she? She's ambitious and might not look favorably on ordinary jobs."
Zheng Xiuyu was also worried about this.
She looked at Song Qinglan, not daring to confront her anymore at this moment.
"Sister-in-law, your family must be arranging jobs for Cheng You and Yan too, right? Why don't you help Qi Ning as well."
Song Qinglan stiffened for a moment and nodded coldly.
She never involved the younger generation in the conflicts between sisters-in-law.
Arranging a job was a small matter.
She cast a very discerning glance at Cheng You. "I don't know what you can do, but you probably can't do anything. I'll ask a friend to arrange a job for you, and you can start with that..."
"Thank you, Auntie," Cheng You interrupted her.
Song Qinglan waved her hand. "Don't thank me yet. If you can't do the job well, my friend won't show mercy and will still fire you."
Cheng You smiled and shook her head. "Thank you for your kindness, Auntie, but I don't think I'll need your help finding a job. Please keep this job for Comrade Qi Ning."
Song Qinglan sneered. "You don't even want the job I offered?"
Cheng You was a little helpless. She had only said she didn't need it, not that she didn't want it.
"Auntie, it's not that I don't want the job you offered, it's that I don't need it. If I want to find a job, I should be able to find one myself."
Zheng Xiuyu seized the opportunity. "Cheng You doesn't want it, so give it to our Qi Ning then."
Song Qinglan's expression grew even uglier. This was a job she had specifically asked a friend to find.
It wasn't that she wanted to be particularly good to Cheng You, but rather to show outsiders how generous she, as a mother-in-law, was.
After all, she was Qi family's daughter-in-law, and it wouldn't do to be too stingy.
Now, it was all going to Qi Ning.
"If you don't want it, fine. But if you can't find a good job in the future, don't blame me, your mother-in-law, for being harsh on you."
At this moment, Song Qinghe spoke up. "It's alright, it's alright. At worst, I'll have Cheng You come help me. But she probably won't need my help finding a job either. Cheng You, getting into university is not easy, you must cherish the opportunity, understand? Your ancestors' graves are smoking with good fortune!"
She deliberately imitated Zheng Xiuyu's exaggerated tone.
Cheng You nodded in agreement. "Auntie is right."
Zheng Xiuyu mulled over the words, feeling that something was off.
What did she mean by Cheng You's ancestors' graves were smoking with good fortune? She hadn't...
Wait!
Zheng Xiuyu looked at Cheng You, then at Qi Chengyan.
"What do you mean by that?"
Song Qinghe feigned ignorance. "What are you talking about?"
"Just... what you just said, about Cheng You's ancestors' graves smoking with good fortune?"
Song Qinghe chuckled. "Didn't you say it yourself? That getting into university means your ancestors' graves are smoking with good fortune."
Zheng Xiuyu's mind couldn't catch up. "But she didn't..."
Even the others looked confused.
Cheng You got into university?
Impossible!
Zhou Qi, in particular, his brow was furrowed.
He couldn't get in, so how could Cheng You!
Song Qinghe, seeing their expressions, was delighted and feigned surprise.
"What? You all didn't know? Cheng You is back to attend university!"
Except for a few who were in the know, everyone else was too shocked to speak.
Zheng Xiuyu, in particular, her face turned as dark as ink.
So all the things she had just said were actually praises for Cheng You.
Just then, Qi Shengwen came down from upstairs and vaguely heard them discussing "attending university."
He asked, "University for what?"
Song Qinghe said, "Brother-in-law, you didn't know either? Cheng You is here to attend university. What's wrong with your family? You don't even know your daughter-in-law got into university. If it were my daughter-in-law, I'd at least throw a banquet of dozens of tables."
Qi Shengwen's eyes flickered, and he looked at Qi Chengyan.
Good heavens, he could really hold back.
Soon, he narrowed his eyes and his gaze landed on Cheng You.
"Which university did Cheng You get into?"
"TCM University."
He paused for a moment. That score was not low.
Jin Wenxin chuckled. "So you all didn't know? Qinghe and I were among the first to find out."
Song Qinglan was conflicted. On one hand, she felt satisfied that she had struck a blow against Zheng Xiuyu. On the other hand, she felt a burning pain on her own face.
After all, she had just offered to arrange a job for Cheng You.
With a degree from TCM University, the country would arrange a job for her after graduation; she wouldn't need her to arrange anything.
Cheng You must have deliberately not said anything, waiting to make a fool of her here!
Song Qinghe held Cheng You's hand, as affectionate as if Cheng You were her own daughter-in-law.
"It's Chengyan's good fortune to have married you."
Otherwise, Qi Chengyan would have likely given up on himself and stayed away forever.