Chapter 130 The Anticipation of Meeting the Family
Never in her life had Qin Wanshu felt the need to flee in such disarray. It wasn't that she disliked Zuo Qinghuan's intimacy, but the feeling of losing control still left her slightly unnerved. She knew she couldn't avoid it forever—you can dodge the first day, but not the fifteenth—but for now, returning to the Qin family home seemed like the best way to catch her breath and lay the groundwork for Zuo Qinghuan's eventual visit.
After dinner, Qin Wanshu entered Qin Zheng's study. Her grandfather was practicing calligraphy. Not wanting to disturb him, she waited quietly off to the side until he finished his strokes before speaking.
"Grandpa, I plan to bring Zuo Qinghuan home for dinner tomorrow evening."
"Have you really thought this through?" Qin Zheng asked, his brow furrowing slightly.
"Yes, I'm sure," Qin Wanshu replied, her voice gentle yet firm.
"She might not be the most suitable person for you. Is there any kind of person you couldn't have?" At the very least, her gender isn't suitable, Qin Zheng thought, still not giving up on persuading his granddaughter.
"Grandpa, 'The wren nests in the deep forest but needs only a single branch; the mole rat drinks from the river but needs only a bellyful.' Having her is enough for me. Since I was young, I've always known clearly what I want," Qin Wanshu said with a smile. She had anticipated her grandfather wouldn't simply grant her wish easily, though his opposition wasn't nearly as staunch as it had been three years prior.
"Fine, fine. If you want to bring her back, then do as you please." Wanshu's feelings for Zuo Qinghuan hadn't wavered despite three years passing. It seemed the breakthrough would never come from Wanshu herself. He was also curious to see if the Zuo Qinghuan of three years later was still such a pushover.
"Thank you, Grandpa." Qin Wanshu felt a measure of relief. As long as Zuo Qinghuan stood her ground, even if her grandfather harbored some reluctance, he wouldn't make things difficult for them again. Her grandfather was a man of his word; Qin Wanshu had no doubt about that.
"Have you made up with that girl?" Lin Jingxian asked. Her daughter's demeanor upon returning was slightly different than usual, carrying a subtle hint of allure unique to women in love. Though faint, the observant Lin Jingxian had noticed it.
"Mhm, I plan to bring her home for dinner tomorrow night." Wanshu really wanted her mother to meet Zuo Qinghuan; she felt her mother would like her.
"It's about time you brought her home to meet the family. Mom has always been curious about what kind of girl could possibly captivate our Wanshu," Lin Jingxian said with a gentle smile. Her husband was quite curious about the girl too.
"Maybe it was your daughter who captivated her?" Qin Wanshu teased, a rare playful moment for her.
"My daughter is so stunning and outstanding, it's only natural she captivates everyone," Lin Jingxian chuckled. Although she found the idea of love between two women a bit hard to grasp, seeing her daughter like this – clearly in love – was extremely rare. Perhaps nothing else mattered as long as her daughter was happy.
Qin Wanshu smiled. Tomorrow night's dinner shouldn't be too nerve-wracking for Zuo Qinghuan after all.
Meanwhile, Zuo Qinghuan was stewing at home. That annoying Qin Wanshu! Leaving her all worked up and unfulfilled was bad enough, but now she was abandoned all alone at home, without even a call to soothe her feelings. She desperately wanted to call Qin Wanshu herself but forced herself to resist, feeling like she might actually injure herself from holding back. Zuo Qinghuan was so frustrated she felt like biting her blanket.
Lying in the bathtub, Qin Wanshu picked up her phone from the side, preparing to call a certain someone who was likely sulking.
The phone rang once. Zuo Qinghuan didn't pick up. Twice, still no answer. On the third ring, Zuo Qinghuan finally couldn't hold back any longer and answered. Though she mentally cursed herself countless times, the moment she heard Qin Wanshu's voice, her mood instantly shifted from cloudy to sunny.
Hearing the call connect, Qin Wanshu couldn't help but curve her lips into a smile. She thought Zuo Qinghuan might hold out longer. If she hadn't called, Qinghuan probably would have caved and called her first.
"Why aren't you saying anything?" Zuo Qinghuan demanded, feigning displeasure.
"I wanted to hear you speak first." Zuo Qinghuan really wasn't patient, Qin Wanshu mused, though she genuinely did want to hear her voice.
"Qin Wanshu, I hate you the most," Zuo Qinghuan declared very seriously, letting Qin Wanshu know she was still upset—even though, in reality, all her anger had vanished the moment she heard Wanshu's voice.
Hearing this, Qin Wanshu's smile widened. Why was it that when Zuo Qinghuan said "hate," it sounded remarkably similar to when she said "like"?
"And?" Qin Wanshu asked, her amusement deepening.
"And now I'm suffering from a lonely pillow," Zuo Qinghuan complained. I'm frustrated, okay? How am I supposed to pass this lonely night? "Wait, I hear water... Are you taking a bath?"
"Mhm," Qin Wanshu answered truthfully.
Zuo Qinghuan's mind automatically conjured an image of Qin Wanshu, naked, sensual, and incredibly alluring. Hearing the splashing water through the phone sent an itching sensation through her heart.
"Qin Wanshu, what should I do about being so... unfulfilled?" Zuo Qinghuan asked in her most seductive voice, pulling out all the stops to entice Qin Wanshu.
Hearing Zuo Qinghuan's suggestive tone, Qin Wanshu felt her ears burn, almost fumbling her phone into the bathwater.
"I'm imagining our naked bodies pressed tightly together, Qin Wanshu. I want to caress and kiss every inch of her skin. I want to bury my head between Qin Wanshu's legs..." Zuo Qinghuan's voice poured through the phone, a deliberate, potent seduction.
Qin Wanshu felt her ears grow even hotter, her whole body starting to feel restless.
"Stop thinking about such improper things. Tomorrow evening, I'll pick you up after work, and we'll go back to the Qin house for dinner together," Qin Wanshu quickly changed the subject, desperate to prevent the other woman from uttering more blush-inducing words.
The mention of dinner at the Qin house instantly shattered Zuo Qinghuan's wicked fantasies. Every nerve snapped to attention.
"Okay, I'll prepare," Zuo Qinghuan said seriously. She guessed Qin Wanshu's intention: this was about introducing her to the entire Qin family, different from meeting Qin Zheng alone. Because the significance was different, Zuo Qinghuan felt the need to take it much more seriously.
"Don't worry too much about it. Just relax," Qin Wanshu reassured her.
"Of course, I need to prepare properly! This is different from last time; I'll be facing your whole family—not just your grandfather, but your parents and others too. Tell me about them, what kind of people they are, so I have some idea and can act accordingly when the time comes." This was meeting the parents. Zuo Qinghuan finally understood the feeling of the proverbial nervous bride meeting the in-laws.
Qin Wanshu wasn't worried about Zuo Qinghuan's ability to read people and situations, but seeing her take it so seriously, she figured it wouldn't hurt for Qinghuan to know the temperaments of everyone in the Qin household.
"My mother is a graceful and wise woman; just be your genuine self with her. Although on the surface, Mom seems to defer to Dad in everything, that's just for show. In reality, my Dad always takes my Mom's opinions very seriously..." Qin Wanshu began explaining the main members of the Qin family, allowing Zuo Qinghuan to be better prepared.