Chapter 297: Chapter 297: The More I Use You, The More I Like You

Leaving Nantang Restaurant, Meng Wei suddenly turned to Qian Ling. "You took the bus here, didn’t you? We have a car, so we can give you a ride."

Qian Ling paused, then waved her hand. "No, it’s alright. Jingrui and I will head out together."

Meng Wei just smiled and said nothing more, but her smile was clearly tinged with contempt.

It was as if she were mocking Qian Ling for being only good enough for a man she herself had rejected.

Even someone as naive as Qian Ling could sense Meng Wei’s hostility, but she paid it no mind. After bidding farewell to Jiang Moli and Lu Cheng, she got on the back of Wen Jingerui’s bicycle and they left.

Watching Wen Jingerui pedal away on his bicycle, the knot of frustration in Meng Wei’s heart finally loosened.

’If she had chosen Wen Jingerui, she would be the one sitting on that bicycle, freezing in the cold.’

’And who knows how Jiang Moli would be laughing at her behind her back.’

Just as she was thinking this, she heard Jiang Moli speak up. "It’s still early. Want to go walk around some more?"

"No, we have other things to do!" Meng Wei rushed to refuse.

"Alright then. See you next year."

Jiang Moli waved with feigned disappointment before getting into the Jeep with Lu Cheng.

Only after the Jeep had driven away did Meng Wei feel a sense of relief. She turned to He Ming apologetically.

"Ah Ming, sorry for making you spend so much today."

He Ming led her toward their car. "Don’t worry about it," he said. "Your friends are my friends. A single meal is nothing. The most important thing is that you’re happy."

He Ming’s display of magnanimity and generosity made Meng Wei’s heart flutter.

Once in the car, she couldn’t help but complain about Jiang Moli.

"You’ve seen what Jiang Moli is like—so shameless and tactless. I really don’t know what my third brother sees in a woman like her."

"If you don’t like her, we’ll just see less of her in the future. Your happiness is all that matters."

It had to be said, He Ming knew exactly what women wanted.

His few simple words were enough to send Meng Wei’s heart soaring.

He Ming seized the opportunity, pulling her hand to his lips for a kiss. He looked at her with deep affection. "I have to leave tonight, and I won’t be back for two weeks. I’ll miss you so much. Why don’t you come over to my place for a while? Just to spend a little more time with me?"

Meng Wei hesitated, not saying a word.

Since they had started dating, He Ming had invited her to his place several times.

She knew what He Ming was implying, but she had always held firm to her principles and refused.

Sensing her reluctance, He Ming released her hand. "It’s alright. I won’t force you to do anything you don’t want to. I’ll take you home first."

Noticing his displeasure, Meng Wei couldn’t help but explain, "Ah Ming, I’m not that kind of woman. I just... I want to save myself completely, body and soul, for my husband."

Hearing this, a strange light glinted in He Ming’s eyes.

It was the excitement of a hunter spotting its prey.

"Silly girl, I know that. But we’ll be getting married soon, won’t we? You’re the only one I’ll ever marry. Besides, I just want to spend a little more time with you. I won’t do anything else."

With He Ming’s repeated assurances, Meng Wei agreed to go to his place.

...

Lu Cheng drove Jiang Moli to the military family housing.

Jiang Dahai was deeply nostalgic. Even after more than a decade away from the countryside, he returned to his old hometown every Spring Festival, and this year was no exception.

Since he had a rare vacation, Lu Cheng planned to do his part as a son-in-law and drive his father-in-law and brother-in-law back to Plum Valley.

On the way, Lu Cheng brought up Wen Jingerui with Jiang Moli. "I think that Doctor Wen is much more reliable than Boss He."

Jiang Moli replied, "Wen Jingerui is certainly an excellent man. Otherwise, I wouldn’t have played matchmaker for him and Qian Ling."

Although Lu Cheng admitted that Wen Jingerui was a decent man, he still didn’t like hearing his wife praise another man.

"Then if you weren’t married and had to choose between me and Doctor Wen, who would you pick?"

"You, of course."

Jiang Moli’s quick, decisive answer made Lu Cheng’s heart soar. "So, you’re saying you think I’m a better man than Doctor Wen?"

Jiang Moli replied, "You’re good in bed."

Lu Cheng: "...And?"

"Exceptionally good."

Lu Cheng was exasperated. "I mean, are there no other good qualities about me that you find attractive?"

Jiang Moli thought for a moment before replying seriously, "With other things, you get tired of them the more you use them. But you’re different. The more I ’use’ you, the more I like you."

Lu Cheng gave up.

’Well, no matter what,’ he thought, ’at least my wife likes me.’

...

When they arrived outside the Railway Bureau’s family housing, Wen Jingerui stopped his bicycle.

Qian Ling got off the back, looking at him with reluctance to part. "You have to work tomorrow, right? Should I bring you lunch?"

Wen Jingerui smiled and nodded. "I’m on vacation starting the second day of the Lunar New Year. If it’s convenient, could I come visit your family then?"

Qian Ling nodded eagerly. "I’ll go home and tell my parents right away."

Seeing the sweet, joyful expression on her face, Wen Jingerui couldn’t help but smile too. "You should head inside. I’m going back to my dorm."

"Okay. Bye-bye."

Only after watching Wen Jingerui ride off into the distance did Qian Ling finally turn, beaming, and head back into the family housing complex.

「At the Qian’s house.」

Mrs. Qian and her daughter-in-law were busy at the stove in the hallway, frying meatballs and crispy pork. Inside, Mr. Qian and his son were cleaning the house.

Qian Meizhen was leaning against the Qian’s doorframe, making small talk with Mrs. Qian.

"Oh, Ling’s back."

Seeing Qian Meizhen, Qian Ling’s smile vanished. "Auntie," she called out.

Qian Meizhen looked her up and down. "All dressed up so nicely today. Don’t tell me you went on a blind date?"

Before Qian Ling could answer, she launched into a tirade. "The Hong Family gave Xiao Rong a betrothal gift of 188 yuan, plus a gold necklace and gold earrings. If you hadn’t been so picky back then, that wonderful match never would have gone to Xiao Rong! Look at you, you’re about to turn 22 and you’re already an old maid. It’s only going to get harder to find a boyfriend from here on out."

Qian Meizhen had come over today for the express purpose of lording the Hong Family’s betrothal gift over Qian Ling’s family.

’Since they looked down on the match she’d introduced,’ she thought, ’she’d just have to see if Qian Ling could find someone better.’

Qian Ling pulled down her scarf, revealing her red lipsticked mouth. "Auntie, thank you for your concern, but I’ve already found a boyfriend."

The moment the words left her lips, Mrs. Qian, her sister-in-law, and even the neighbors all turned to stare.

Every face was a mixture of curiosity and a hunger for gossip.

"You’re dating someone?"

Mrs. Qian stared her down, her expression a clear warning: ’You’d better not be lying about this, or you’re dead meat.’

"Yes, I am! And he’s coming to visit you and Dad on the second day of the New Year!"

With that crisp declaration, Qian Ling marched into the house.

Mrs. Qian, no longer caring about the pot, handed the chopsticks to her daughter-in-law and followed her inside.

"What’s his name? Where does he work? How old is he?"

Qian Ling hung her scarf and bag on the coat rack as she answered her mother, "His name is Wen Jingerui. He’s a surgeon at the First Affiliated Hospital, and he’s twenty-six years old."

The moment she heard he was twenty-six, Qian Meizhen pounced as if she’d found some dirt. "That old? He’s not divorced, is he?"

Qian Ling rolled her eyes dismissively. "How is twenty-six old? And no, he’s never been married. Auntie, you shouldn’t just make things up."

Qian Meizhen pursed her lips. "With a job that good, to be unmarried at his age... there’s probably something wrong with him physically."

"Auntie, you should just set up shop outside a hospital and diagnose people. You can tell if someone’s sick without even looking at them. How amazing of you."

Qian Meizhen was left speechless by the retort. Just as she was about to say something else, Mrs. Qian suddenly slapped her own thigh.

"Ah, I remember now!"

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