Chapter 120: Chapter 120: News Always Leaks, A Spy in the Family?

Lin Qiu said with a concerned look, "Son, you’ve been busy all day, you should rest. My cooking isn’t as good as yours, but I want to make you some of your favorite dishes."

She was a little upset that Jiang Liu had rejected such a wonderful prospective daughter-in-law, but her heart still ached for her son.

Jiang Liu smiled and suggested, "How about this? I’ll go buy some groceries. When I get home, I’ll make two dishes and you can make two dishes, okay?"

He wanted his parents to taste his cooking.

Lin Qiu looked like she wanted to say something, but she held back and simply nodded.

"Then remember to buy tomatoes, potatoes, eggs, and green peppers. I remember those were your two favorite dishes when you were little!"

Jiang Liu nodded, a warm feeling spreading through him.

’Mom will always remember my favorite foods.’

"I’ll head out to buy groceries then. You all can stay here in the shop and enjoy the air conditioning."

Jiang Dahai couldn’t sit still and hurried over. "I’ll go with you. The two of us can have a chat."

"Daddy, aren’t you taking Tongtong with you?"

"Are we not getting along anymore?"

Jiang Tongtong pouted and glared at Jiang Liu.

’If we’re splitting up, I’d much rather go with Daddy.’

’Daddy is the best grown-up in the world.’

"Alright, let’s go."

Jun Qingmeng wanted to go along too, but before she could say anything, Lin Qiu grabbed her arm. "Let’s you and I continue our chat. Don’t mind them."

’I have to keep this future daughter-in-law happy for my son’s sake, in case he regrets his decision later.’

"Mhm!"

Jiang Liu walked out the door.

It was already 8:10 PM.

The sky had darkened, though a faint glimmer of light remained. Summer days were long and the nights short.

Every single one of the seniors out for an evening stroll or walking their dogs knew Jiang Liu.

"Boss Jiang, out for a stroll with your dad?"

"Can you open a little earlier tomorrow? My grandson has to get to school early."

"Tongtong, come here. Grandpa just got his hands on some mangoes. Take a few home with you."

They hadn’t walked far.

More than ten people had already greeted Jiang Liu warmly.

Tongtong even received snacks and fruit from the neighboring shopkeepers.

She was so happy she couldn’t stop beaming.

"Daddy, are you envious of Tongtong?"

"Nope."

"Yes, you are!"

"Alright, I’m envious! Happy now?"

The three of them walked to their parking spot.

Tongtong’s little face lit up with excitement. She trotted over to their blue BYD, patted a tire, and asked proudly, "Grandpa, isn’t our Uncle Che handsome?"

Jiang Dahai chuckled, running a hand over the car’s finish. "Not bad, not bad at all. It’s gorgeous! A car like this is fuel-efficient and comfortable—perfect for a family."

"Hehe."

Once they were in the car, Jiang Dahai proactively took the front passenger seat.

’He had something he needed to say.’

In the back seat, Tongtong happily counted her snacks several times over.

Then she put them in the storage bin, which was already full of other little treats.

She was just like a squirrel hoarding nuts for the winter.

The car started.

Jiang Dahai sighed and said, "Liu’er, don’t be upset with us. I know we made this decision on your behalf, but we were thinking of you, and of a good girl like Qingmeng."

"Your mother and I know this is hard on you, and we understand your concerns. But Qingmeng is a wonderful girl. Don’t go and break her heart. Some things, once they’re broken, can never be put back together."

"Do you understand what I’m saying?"

Jiang Dahai knew his son had his own thoughts on the matter, and he was willing to support him.

But more than anything, he wanted his son to be happy.

He and his wife truly adored that girl, Jun Qingmeng.

If their son rejected her and broke that sweet girl’s heart, Jiang Dahai would be absolutely furious.

Jiang Liu nodded, his feelings in a complicated tangle.

’It’s not that hard to accept anymore,’ he thought. ’But I’ve only known Jun Qingmeng for a few days. I’ll just have to wait and see.’

Jiang Dahai tugged at his seatbelt and probed, "Son, what do you really think of Qingmeng now? Do you like her at all?"

In the back, Tongtong pretended to be counting her snacks, but she leaned forward, her little ears pricked up to listen.

There was a little secret agent in the car!

Jiang Liu thought for a moment, then answered frankly, "She’s great. Qingmeng is beautiful and kind. It’d be a lie to say I’m not moved at all. I guess you could say I’m starting to care about her a little."

Tongtong’s eyes instantly lit up.

She was beyond excited.

’I have to tell Teacher Qingmeng the good news right away!’

Jiang Dahai was very pleased. "That’s good. As long as you’re not resistant to the idea, you can take things slow. Feelings can be nurtured over time."

"You need to take the initiative sometimes. You can’t just let a girl do all the work, fawning over you day in and day out."

"That Qingmeng... she doesn’t seem like she’s from an ordinary family. You’d better handle this with care."

"Alright," Jiang Liu said, shaking his head with a sigh.

Tongtong was still straining her ears, eavesdropping.

’Right now, she wished she could magically produce a little notebook, write everything down, and present it to Teacher Qingmeng!’

After that, Jiang Liu went to the market and bought about eight pounds of green chilies, five pounds of potatoes, and four pounds of tomatoes. He didn’t need to buy eggs, but he picked up another three pounds of bell peppers.

「Back on Yangzhai Street」

Jiang Liu parked the car in front of the shop.

Seeing the car pull up, Xue Guang came out holding a large bag of fruit. "Jiang Liu, take this. It’s for your parents. It’s good for older folks to eat more fruit."

"Alright, I’ll accept it then."

Jiang Liu didn’t try to refuse.

’One shouldn’t refuse a gesture of pure, simple kindness.’

’Accepting it actually makes the other person happier.’

Xue Guang beamed, grinning from ear to ear. "Go on, go spend time with your parents."

Jiang Liu turned around, went back into the shop, and came out with four bottles of fruit juice for Xue Guang.

This made Xue Guang even happier. He presented one to his wife to drink first, as if it were a precious treasure.

In the back kitchen,

Tongtong excitedly pulled Lin Qiu and Jun Qingmeng aside. "Tongtong has a secret to tell you! Daddy said he’s a little bit moved by Teacher Qingmeng! But don’t you dare say Tongtong told you, okay?"

Jun Qingmeng’s mood instantly soared. She quickly asked, "Are you sure that’s what your daddy said?"

’Happiness had come so suddenly.’

’She could hardly believe it.’

"I’m sure! Very, very sure!" Tongtong said, looking at Jun Qingmeng’s anxious expression and nodding her little head emphatically.

"Teacher Qingmeng, can Tongtong trade this piece of information for a bottle of Coke?"

Tongtong cupped her cheeks, her face lit up with joy.

’Coke, here I come!’

"You little rascal!"

Jun Qingmeng and Lin Qiu couldn’t hold back their laughter.

"Jiang Tongtong, what was that you were saying? Daddy didn’t quite catch it."

Jiang Liu had appeared just at that moment, right behind a certain someone.

’So there really was a little secret agent in the family. And he’d finally caught her in the act!’

The expectant smile on Tongtong’s face froze.

She scrambled to hide behind Lin Qiu, grabbing onto her clothes like a shield.

"SOB... Tongtong was wrong! I’ll never do it again! Daddy, can I give myself a little flick on the head as punishment?"

As she spoke, she gritted her teeth, stuck out a pale, delicate finger, and gently tapped her own forehead.

"Ouch! That hurt Tongtong so much! I used all my strength!"

Jiang Liu shot her a glare.

’His own daughter, acting like a little secret agent all day long, reporting back to Jun Qingmeng at every opportunity.’

Lin Qiu nudged Jun Qingmeng, then said pointedly, "Son, your father, Tongtong, and I have something to discuss. Why don’t you and Qingmeng stay here and chat for a bit?"

Before Jiang Liu could even open his mouth,

Lin Qiu had already whisked a reluctant Tongtong and Jiang Dahai away, leaving the "set."

And just like that,

the shop fell silent.

Only the man and woman remained.

Jiang Liu felt the atmosphere grow thick and quickly came up with an excuse. "The glass on the counter needs wiping. I’ll go take care of it."

"Let’s do it together!"

Jun Qingmeng, ever the opportunist, eagerly trotted after him.

The two of them were squeezed together behind the small counter.

They even brushed against each other from time to time.

Jun Qingmeng asked casually, "Jiang Liu, when you said you were a little moved by me... was that true?"

"Mhm, it’s true."

The corners of Jun Qingmeng’s mouth curled up involuntarily. "Then... how moved are you? Like a cool breeze on a summer day, or like hot pot in the middle of winter?"