The next day, Cheng You calculated the time, not arriving too early, but also not exactly at lunchtime.
She appeared at precisely ten-thirty, which was perfect timing.
Cheng You, with Qi Chengyan’s arm linked through hers, arrived at the entrance of Dong Shun Building and saw the woman who had been manning the counter the previous day.
The woman looked at her several times before daring to approach.
“Daughter, was that you yesterday?”
Because Cheng You was dressed so elegantly today, the woman wasn't entirely sure.
Cheng You smiled and nodded, “Boss, is your son alright?”
The woman grabbed her hand excitedly, tears welling up in her eyes.
“He’s fine. The doctor said it was good you stopped the bleeding in time. The child was so young, he might not have made it to the hospital. Thank you! Are you here to eat today? I’ll personally cook a feast for you, and I’ll have someone take you to a private room.”
Cheng You quickly waved her hands, “No, no, isn’t your second floor already booked? I’m here today for a family banquet, so I won’t trouble you.”
The woman looked disappointed, having wanted to thank Cheng You properly.
She had regretted her haste yesterday, not having had the chance to thank Cheng You well.
“Alright then, next time, you must come again, and I’ll treat you to a meal!”
Cheng You smiled, “That’s for sure.”
After bidding her farewell, Cheng You ascended the stairs with Qi Chengyan’s arm in hers.
Qi Shengwen hadn't arrived yet, but Song Yulian and Zhou Qi were already there, entertaining guests.
As they went upstairs, they attracted everyone’s attention.
It was as if the air had stilled.
At some point, a woman around Song Qinglan’s age laughed, “Ah Yan has changed so much since he went to the countryside. Look at his attire, his demeanor, like a young master.”
Song Qinglan’s expression was indifferent. She glanced at Cheng You and said, “This is Third Aunt, go greet her.”
Cheng You smiled slightly, “Third Aunt, I am Cheng You.”
Qi Family’s Third Aunt, Zheng Xiuyu, scrutinized her from head to toe, her gaze incredibly critical, as if she were haggling in a market.
After a long appraisal, she remarked, “It’s different marrying Ah Yan, isn’t it? You must not have worn clothes like these in the countryside.”
Cheng You smiled and sat down, gently touching her cheek.
“No, they don’t sell such nice clothes in the countryside. Even with money, there’s nowhere to spend it. If it weren’t for Chengyan, I wouldn’t even be able to live in such a nice house. He insisted on transferring the siheyuan to my name, which bothers me greatly, as if I’m taking advantage of him.”
As soon as she said this, everyone’s expression changed, except for Qi Chengyan’s.
Qi Chengyan lowered his gaze to her, his eyes filled with deep indulgence.
“Grandmother told me before she passed, that everything she left behind was mine, and I could give it to whomever I wished.”
He said this in front of the entire Qi family.
They had all nodded at the time.
Therefore, even if they harbored resentment now, they had no right to object.
Cheng You inadvertently revealed the jade pendant around her neck.
The imperial green pendant, they couldn't possibly mistake it.
This belonged to the old lady!
Zheng Xiuyu’s eyes turned red with envy. The old lady had countless jewelry pieces, and she had coveted them for a long time.
Cheng You, picking at the pendant with her small hand, tutted.
“I didn’t really like this pendant, mainly because I disliked the color, but he insisted on giving it to me. It’s quite bothersome.”
Zheng Xiuyu gritted her teeth fiercely, “Ah Yan, you’ve only been married a short while, and you’re already eager to give her your entire fortune. Be careful of being deceived.”
Cheng You smiled and waved her hand, “My heart and soul are already deceived, why should I care about these external possessions? Third Aunt, you worry too much. I heard you have both a son and a daughter. Aren’t your nephew and niece coming today?”
Mentioning her children improved Zheng Xiuyu’s mood somewhat.
“Chenghui is busy with his unit and doesn't have time to come. He’s not very capable; after so long in the military, he’s only a company commander, unlike Ah Yan…”
Before she could finish, she covered her mouth, feigning apology, “Oh dear, Third Aunt didn’t mean to, I’m just speaking my mind without thinking.”
Cheng You smiled, unbothered, “It’s alright. Third Aunt said it very well, he truly doesn’t compare to my Chengyan.”
Zheng Xiuyu’s face, which had been smiling, suddenly froze.
In the past, people always compared the two brothers, saying how well Song Qinglan raised her children.
Her three children were all exceptional.
In comparison, the two children from the third branch were ordinary.
Since Qi Chengyan’s accident, while she hadn’t kicked him while he was down, she had felt a surge of triumph.
Finally, she wouldn’t be overshadowed by Song Qinglan.
“Cheng You, my Chenghui indeed cannot compare to Qi Chengyan, but that was in the past. The Qi family is not what it used to be. My Chenghui is at least a company commander, while you and Ah Yan haven’t found jobs yet, have you?”
Cheng You felt a pang of discomfort at her bluntness.
It wasn’t that she felt Qi Chengyan was inferior to others, but she couldn’t bear to see him suffer such indignity.
Why should someone as proud as him be spoken to like this?
Seeing her expression change, Zheng Xiuyu felt much better.
“Chenghui and Qi Ning are mediocre and cannot bring glory to the Qi family, but we parents have low expectations. As long as they don’t tarnish the Qi family’s name, we’ll be grateful.”
Although not explicitly stated, this was a clear slap in the face to the eldest branch.
Especially Song Qinglan, whose face turned ashen.
Since Qi Chengyan’s accident, people had said even harsher things than Zheng Xiuyu.
Cheng You remained silent, suddenly losing the desire to argue with her.
Her demeanor struck Qi Chengyan like a punch to the gut.
If not for him, Cheng You wouldn’t have to lower her head.
Song Qinglan smoothed her hair and changed the subject, “I heard Qi Ning has found a boyfriend?”
“Yes, he’s also a student from a worker-peasant-soldier university. I’ve met him; he’s handsome and has good bearing.”
Song Qinglan furrowed her brows, “Also a worker-peasant-soldier university? Didn’t she consider taking the national college entrance examination?”
In the current climate, university students admitted through the official college entrance examination had higher credibility.
Zheng Xiuyu also wished her child could attend university, but Qi Ning wasn’t academically inclined.
Having grown up in Yancheng, where information was more readily available than elsewhere, she had urged Qi Ning to study early on.
She had put in her best effort, and Qi Ning had scored just over a hundred.
In any case, she had given up now. Graduating from a worker-peasant-soldier university wasn’t bad either.
Qi Ning wasn’t particularly outstanding, so her expectations for her future son-in-law were naturally lower.
“The college entrance examination isn’t that easy. So many students are taking the exam this year, and look at how few are admitted. If it were as easy as just taking the exam, everyone would be doing it.”
Song Qinglan nodded, finding her point reasonable.
Unexpectedly, she heard Zheng Xiuyu sigh, “Girls, after all, get married eventually. If they go to university, it’ll likely waste several more years. Won’t they be nearly thirty when they get married? That won’t do!”
Song Qinglan’s face darkened. This was clearly a veiled jab at her son, Qi Yang.