BTYFOV Chapter 19

Chapter 19: Fell Apart

 Am I the kind of person who can't marry anyone else and must marry your daughter?

─── ⋆⋅☼⋅⋆ ───

Qin Feng raised an eyebrow.

——Finally, it’s here!

Qin Feng smiled casually and said, "That depends on what kind of job. If it’s something like cleaning the factory or cleaning public restrooms, it certainly wouldn’t be difficult."

The girl's mother frowned. "I can arrange that kind of work too."

Qin Feng pretended to be confused. "What do you mean?"

The girl's mother looked at her son. "Look at your big brother. He doesn’t have any obvious flaws in his height or appearance, does he?"

Madam Zhou and Old Qin frowned at the same time, and they couldn’t help but think of Gu Xue’s husband.

Could this family be planning to have Qin Feng arrange a job for him?

Madam Zhou turned to her son, her eyes full of concern.

Qin Feng’s hand moved under the table, gently patting his mother’s arm, complimenting, "Aunt, your family is all quite good-looking."

The girl's mother said, "That’s right. Your older brother just didn’t have the right opportunity. Otherwise, he would definitely be as impressive as you."

Madam Zhou instinctively wanted to argue.

Qin Feng tugged at his mother again, smiling as he looked at the man who might be younger than him. "This older brother looks like someone with knowledge."

The girl's mother couldn’t help but say, "You really have good taste. No wonder you’re a PhD graduate."

Qin Feng smiled awkwardly. "It’s not as great as you say. Aunt, what exactly do you want to say? There’s no one else here, so why not just say it directly?"

"Straightforward!" The girl's mother couldn’t help but slap the table. "I like people like you. Here’s the thing, originally, we wanted your older brother to take over my position. But I’m in the clothing business, and to take over, you need to know how to cut fabric, sew buttons, or use a sewing machine."

"Your older brother is a grown man; he’s not going to do that. Plus, in recent years, there are more and more clothing factories in the south, and our factory’s business is getting worse and worse. We might be on an extended break soon. I want you to arrange a job for him. It wouldn’t be difficult for you, would it?"

Qin Feng pretended to hesitate. "Isn’t it a bit early?"

The girl's mother couldn’t help but ask, "What do you mean early?"

"I mean, shouldn’t we discuss arranging a job after we get married? That way, it will be more proper."

"After marriage?" The girl's mother was surprised.

Qin Feng nodded. "It’s not that I’m being petty. My conditions are good, but I have three kids after all. If I arrange things for my older brother and sister-in-law, and then you change your mind, who do I turn to? What do you think?" He looked at his parents. "Isn’t that right?"

Madam Zhou subconsciously nodded.

The girl's father was not happy. "So, you really are being petty."

Madam Zhou was upset. "What’s with the way you’re speaking?"

"What’s wrong with what I said?" The girl's father countered.

Qin Feng replied, "That’s right. You might be worried that after we get married, I won’t do it. It’s normal for me to have the same concerns, right?"

The girl's family indeed had this worry, and upon hearing this, the girl's father was at a loss for words.

The matchmaker tried to smooth things over. "We can talk about this later."

Qin Feng shook his head. "This has to be cleared up first, because this is an issue that can’t be compromised."

The girl's older brother frowned. "So you mean it must be after marriage, or there’s no discussion?"

Qin Feng nodded.

The girl's father stood up in anger.

He was quickly pulled back down by his wife.

The girl's mother thought for a moment. "How about this, you write us a guarantee letter?"

Qin Feng looked at his parents and his uncle, smiling faintly as he asked, "Do you think that’s acceptable?"

His father felt it was definitely not acceptable.

At first, he hadn’t noticed, but now he saw that the girl Qin Feng was supposed to be matched with had a worried look on her face, as if she were afraid that her parents and brothers would create a conflict with Qin Feng. He realized that from the moment they sat down, the girl hadn’t said a word.

Even when the two young people greeted each other, she only smiled.

This situation reminded Old Qin of families in their village who would practically sell their daughters by the pound.

Unfortunately, those families' daughters didn’t feel there was anything wrong with their parents. After marriage, they would move all the good things back to their family’s home, treating their brothers better than their own husbands.

Just imagining that made Old Qin uncomfortable.

Such a daughter-in-law was unacceptable.

Even if she looked like a fairy from heaven.

Old Qin looked at the girl's family and directly asked, "Did you agree to this match just to have Qin Feng arrange work for you?"

The girl's family’s expressions changed, filled with awkwardness, guilt, and anger.

The girl, who had remained silent, muttered, "It’s not entirely that." As she spoke, she quickly glanced at Qin Feng and hurriedly lowered her head, her ears and face turning red.

Old Qin and Madam Zhou exchanged glances.

——Did this girl fall for their good-for-nothing son at first sight?

Qin Feng maintained a calm expression and didn’t feel pleased by the beautiful girl’s affection.

He had seen such looks countless times in both past and present lives.

In his previous life, it was because of his wealth; in this life, it was because of his looks and knowledge.

Qin Feng said, "Then we won’t discuss arranging work. Whether before or after marriage, can your brother support himself?"

As soon as he said this, the girl's older brother glared.

The girl's mother looked at Qin Feng, no longer seeing him as "the son-in-law she’s growing more and more satisfied with." She was very displeased and sarcastically said, "I’ve raised my daughter with all my effort, and she marries you, only to become a stepmother, and you don’t even arrange a job for her? Where in the world would such a good thing happen?"

Qin Feng smiled and said, "If you’re going to put it that way, then I’ll be straightforward as well." He turned to look at his uncle and parents.

Uncle Zhou had never considered having Qin Feng arrange a job for his son. Now, his would-be in-laws were already thinking about it, which made him unhappy. On one hand, he thought this family was improper; on the other hand, he felt embarrassed that they hadn’t handled their nephew’s matters properly.

"Feng boy, if you have something to say, go ahead."

Qin Feng said, "If I didn’t have three kids, I wouldn’t even consider this match with your daughter. At least her education level would be a dealbreaker."

The girl's family’s faces turned bright red once again.

The girl who was supposed to be matched with Qin Feng looked like she wanted to crawl into a hole.

Qin Feng couldn’t help but think of the girls in the village whose marriages were arranged by their parents. "Today, it’s because I didn’t let my desire for beauty cloud my judgment. If it were someone else, they would’ve treated your daughter like a bought wife."

The girl's family all turned to look at Qin Feng.

Qin Feng stared directly at the girl he was matched with. "Your parents raised you, and it’s right for you to be filial to them. But what does your brother and sister-in-law have to do with you? Are you hoping that if you suffer mistreatment in your marriage, he’ll step in and help you?"

The girl's older brother loudly said, "Of course I can! She’s my little sister!"

Qin Feng sneered, "You only know I’m a PhD graduate and spent six years abroad. So you know my character? Do I beat my wife? If I were the kind of man who beats women, and I agreed to your conditions, what if your sister can’t stand my abuse and wants a divorce after marriage? Would you let her divorce me?"

The girl's older brother’s arrogance disappeared entirely.

The girl looked at her older brother, seeing him open his mouth but unable to say a word, and was instantly filled with disbelief.

The girl's mother saw things weren’t going well and hurriedly said, "Don’t listen to him. He just wants to marry you but doesn’t want to arrange a job for your brother."

Qin Feng smiled, "Am I the kind of man who can’t marry anyone but your daughter?"

Everyone immediately thought of Qin Feng’s son, who could already buy soy sauce.

Qin Feng continued, "I agreed to come for the blind date just to find a decent, honest girl who wouldn’t make me worry. And now, on our first meeting, you’re asking me to arrange work? Honestly, I don’t want to say this, but your family really has some nerve!"

The girl's father suddenly stood up, pointing at Qin Feng. "Say that again!"

"Are you angry?" Qin Feng raised an eyebrow and asked.

The girl's father moved past the matchmaker, ready to hit him.

The matchmaker quickly stood up to block him. "What are you doing? Why can’t you speak properly?"

"Has anyone ever spoken like this?" The girl's father shouted loudly.

Qin Feng heard a knock on the door and gave his father a look.

Old Qin and Madam Zhou went out and brought in six servings of snacks.

Qin Feng remained completely still, as calm as a monk in meditation, watching the girl's father flail around. "When I said you don’t understand me, I wasn’t lying. Foreigners like to bully Asians, and I’ve had my share of fights with them over the years abroad. While I’m no Shaolin monk, I could easily take on both you and your son."

The girl's older brother immediately stood up, preparing to challenge Qin Feng.

Qin Feng continued, "What I mean is, I could knock your sister out with one punch, leaving her nose and mouth bleeding." He then turned to the girl he was matched with. "I’ve said all I need to. If you want a peaceful life and happiness, you have to make the decision for yourself."

The girl suddenly realized that Qin Feng’s words were directed at her.

But she didn’t understand why Qin Feng would say such a thing.

Was it really, as her mother said, that Qin Feng was trying to stir things up?

Seeing the confusion in her eyes, Qin Feng smiled indifferently and turned to the matchmaker who had stopped her father. "Uncle, sorry for troubling you," he said, handing him a pack of cigarettes.

The matchmaker instinctively reached out, but seeing it wasn’t just one cigarette, he quickly stopped. "What are you doing?"

Qin Feng handed the pack to his uncle.

Uncle Zhou, sitting next to the matchmaker, took the cigarettes and stuffed them into the matchmaker’s pocket. "I might still need to trouble you in the future."

The matchmaker understood and looked at the girl's family and then at Qin Feng. "This…"

Qin Feng spoke bluntly, "My parents are honest people. It doesn't matter if my wife is a bit fierce just as long as her family is reasonable and clear-headed. Otherwise, if my wife is difficult and her family constantly interferes, my life will be a constant mess, more chaotic than a stage play."

The girl's mother couldn’t help but ask, "With your three kids, what kind of woman do you think you deserve?"

Qin Feng replied, "My family has a TV, a fridge, a washing machine, and a rice cooker. My parents are kind and honest, and they can help take care of the kids. I don’t smoke or drink, and I don’t have any bad habits. Anyone who understands my family situation would agree, even if they were a college graduate, I could find someone."

"Then why don’t you find someone?"

Qin Feng smiled. "My son is four years old."

The girl's mother’s face flushed red.

The girl, who had been matched with him, couldn’t help but look at Qin Feng.

Qin Feng smiled at her. "Although I adopted two children, I’m not a saint. You might be a good person, but with parents and a brother like yours, I’d rather stay single for the rest of my life than get involved with your family."

The disappointment on the girl’s face was visible to everyone, her eyes glistening with unshed tears.

Qin Feng hadn’t wanted to be so blunt, but he truly didn’t want to hear, years later, from his uncle, “The girl you went on a blind date with got beaten to death by her in-laws.”

He turned to his parents. "Should we continue talking?"

Madam Zhou couldn’t help but say, "You’ve said everything so directly, what more is there to talk about?"

Qin Feng looked at his uncle.

Uncle Zhou didn’t expect that this family’s temper would be even fiercer than his own, and, feeling embarrassed and angry, was ready to hit someone. "Xiao Feng, I’m sorry."

"No need for that," Qin Feng said, putting an arm around his uncle’s shoulders. "Actually, I’m not surprised at all."

Everyone looked at him as he spoke.

Qin Feng continued, "A 19-year-old girl, like a flower, beautiful, with a decent job, it’s not hard for her to find a college graduate from a family with both parents working. Doesn’t she know that being a stepmother is difficult? Don’t her parents know that?"

Uncle Zhou understood. "But you’re a PhD graduate."

Qin Feng replied, "But I have three children. Unless she has some hidden issues, like a past relationship or a bad reputation." He turned to his uncle. "If there’s any gossip, you wouldn’t even let me know."

Uncle Zhou nodded.

Old Qin couldn’t help but say, "Why didn’t you say this earlier?"

Qin Feng responded, "If I didn’t have you come here to see for yourselves, you’d be complaining about me from the beginning of the year to the end."

Old Qin was at a loss for words.

Uncle Zhou couldn’t help but comment, "No wonder you agreed so quickly before."

Qin Feng smiled. "Marriage is not something so easily decided."

Uncle Zhou recalled the day he told his nephew, seeing Qin Feng’s disbelief. "It’s my fault for not looking into it properly." He turned to the matchmaker.

The matchmaker said, "Well, then let’s all go back to our own homes."

The girl's sister-in-law blurted out, "Now?"

The matchmaker was confused when asked.

Madam Zhou, no longer focused on finding a daughter-in-law, started seeing the people opposite them as enemies. Her mind worked quickly. "How about we eat first before you go?"

The girl’s sister-in-law almost nodded but felt it wasn’t appropriate, so she looked toward her in-laws for guidance.

Before coming, this family had bragged to their neighbors that their daughter was going on a blind date with a PhD graduate who had studied abroad and that they’d be dining at Binhai Grand Hotel.

The neighbors had been envious beyond measure.

Now, returning home right around meal time, how would they explain this to the neighbors?

Qin Feng noticed their faces changing and remained silent, arms crossed, smiling as if he could see right through their thoughts.

The girl, unable to stay any longer, got up and left.

Her mother instinctively followed.

The girl’s father, brother, and sister-in-law looked at the open door, then at Qin Feng.

Qin Feng raised an eyebrow, as if silently asking if they needed him to escort them out.

The girl’s brother motioned dismissively before turning to leave.

The girl’s father shot a glare at Qin Feng’s elders before following him.

The matchmaker sighed and nodded to Uncle Zhou.

Uncle Zhou followed them out to see them off.

Qin Feng turned to his parents. "What are your thoughts?"

Madam Zhou didn’t know what to say.

Old Qin muttered, "Such a good daughter, but how could her parents be like this?"

Qin Feng replied, "It’s only honest people who come to arrange a blind date with their parents. Otherwise, even if they come, it’s not about her mother chattering away but about the parents negotiating conditions with me."

Old Qin couldn’t help but say, "It’s better to find someone with more backbone."

Madam Zhou nodded, "I used to think a sensible and honest daughter-in-law was ideal. After seeing this, I realize she needs to be someone with strong character, at least someone who can handle her family."

Uncle Zhou entered, looking embarrassed as he rubbed his forehead in front of his brother-in-law's family.

Old Qin said, "It’s not your fault. There are plenty of people like that in the village."

The Zhou family thought about their village, and indeed, there were many similar cases.

Earlier this year, there was a family who gave away their daughter for a dowry. As a result, Uncle Zhou had talked a lot about it with the neighbors, sympathizing with the daughter.

"But they are city people," Uncle Zhou couldn't understand. "I heard that the girl’s parents are literate, and her brother graduated from junior high. How can they be so blind, like us villagers?"

Qin Feng replied, "City people and villagers grow up eating the same grains, there’s no real difference. Uncle, is the waiter here?"

The waiter, who had been waiting outside, came in at his call.

Qin Feng asked the waiter to wrap up the snacks and then ordered three portions of braised pork.

The three elders all turned toward him.

Qin Feng explained, "The kids are still waiting at home."

Old Qin nodded. "It’s good we didn’t bring them. Who knows what they would have said."

Qin Feng also felt lucky that his eldest son was sensible. Otherwise, with the way the girl's mother spoke, if Qin Feng had gotten angry, a fight would have surely broken out.

But even with three portions of braised pork, they wouldn’t finish it all.

The braised pork at the Binhai Grand Hotel was served in large portions—each serving was enough to fill a big ceramic bowl, almost two full bowls.

Qin Feng ordered three servings, one of which was for his uncle. His family had a lunch box, so he planned to pack some for his uncle to take home for the kids to try.

At this time, it wasn’t yet meal time, so the chefs were idle. Some were heating oil, others cutting meat. In half an hour, Qin Feng could smell the rich aroma.

In this era, takeout was possible, but they didn’t have takeout boxes. The restaurant's manager, upon learning that Qin Feng knew Chef Du from the kitchen, used a meal box to pack the braised pork for him.

The manager said that he could bring the meal box back to the city whenever he came by.

Qin Feng left his address and phone number, paid for the meal, and then led his parents and uncle out.

There was a bus stop right outside, with no need to cross the road. So, Qin Feng didn’t need to worry about guiding his parents and uncle; instead, he led the way confidently.

"Hey, you're Xiao Feng, right?"

Qin Feng stopped and turned toward the voice. There was a woman in her thirties standing at the bus stop. She was quite tall, about 1.67 meters, with striking features, and she looked somewhat familiar.

"Don't remember me? I'm Wang Meijuan, your sister's middle school classmate," the woman said as she walked over, noticing Madam Zhou and Old Qin. "Uncle, Aunt, do you remember me?"

Madam Zhou nodded, "Yes, I remember. You came to Xiao Ying's wedding. At that time, you were quite pregnant, right?"

The woman smiled and nodded, "Yes, that's right."

Madam Zhou casually asked, "Isn't your child with you?"

The smile on the woman's face froze for a moment, and instead of answering, she asked, "Where are you all headed?"

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