TPH Chapter 29.1

The Protagonist’s Halo [Arc 2] Chapter 29.1: True Love In Period Literature (7)

Mother Qin had thought of calling Qin Qiu, but the school said she had no classes that day and was out of school. She left a message for the school teacher, asking Qin Qiu to come home for dinner. But after hanging up, a sense of unease welled up in her heart.

Her real concern wasn’t just the student’s persistent pursuit of Qin Qiu, but her attitude. The fact that she’d asked her aunt to keep it a secret from her seemed to indicate that Qin Qiu and the student named Chen Xi were not in a normal relationship. What was she thinking?

This worry in her heart made Mother Qin a little absent-minded during her work in the hospital that day, but fortunately there were no important patients.

Qin Qiu returned to her parents’ home in the evening. She had a date with Chen Xi during the day and had a very happy day. She returned to school near dusk, and then her colleagues conveyed a message from Mother Qin. Qin Qiu had to hurriedly put down the gift Chen Xi gave her.

After dinner, Mother Qin sent her youngest daughter, Qin Dong, back to her room to review medical records. Qin Dong had just joined the hospital and was still in the middle of her internship. She stuck her tongue out at her second sister, hinting that her mother hadn’t been in a good mood all day, before obediently walking away.

Qin Qiu’s heart skipped a beat, but she remained calm and composed, smiling without any sign of nervousness. She even poured a cup of tea for her mother and asked, “Mom, what do you want to talk to me about?”

Mother Qin’s face was as cold as frost. “I asked the people in the teachers’ dormitory, and you’ve been coming home very late these past few days, and you’ve even asked others to teach for you.”

Qin Qiu made up an excuse and said with a smile, “Xiaotang came back from Hong Kong two days ago and brought me some books. I also chatted with her about some interesting things in Hong Kong.”

“You still want to lie to me now. Were you with that Chen Xi today? Your aunt has confessed to me.” Mother Qin said angrily.

Qin Qiu frowned. She was surprised that her mother would know about this so early. She was also a little upset that her aunt did not keep her promise.

Seeing that Qin Qiu didn’t defend herself, which was equivalent to admitting the matter, Mother Qin became even angrier and said earnestly, “Qin Qiu, you are a girl, and a married woman. Your reputation is very important. Once your lifestyle is stigmatized, your reputation may be ruined for the rest of your life.”

Qin Qiu turned her head away, silent.

Seeing her like this, Mother Qin immediately gave her a strong dose of medicine, “Do you know where I heard this? Your mother-in-law, Lin Hua’s mother, called me and asked if you were being bullied or harassed at school. She also said she would call Lin Hua and ask him to take some time off to come back.”

Hearing Lin Hua’s name, Qin Qiu felt a headache. She really had no feelings for her husband, especially after meeting Chen Xi, she felt that her marriage life with him was boring and sad. But Qin Qiu also knew in her heart that even if she filed for divorce, Mother Qin and others would not agree, and her father would not allow such a shameful thing to happen.

Listening to her mother’s advice, Qin Qiu felt a little breathless. This was not the marriage she chose, but one they arranged.

Mother Qin continued, “Let me ask you, how did the Lin family know about this?”

Qin Qiu thought for a moment and said in a cold tone, “Maybe it was Lin Yun who said it. She has been coming to school frequently recently, so maybe she heard something.”

Mother Qin didn’t remember much about Lin Yun. She only remembered her as the Lin family’s beloved youngest daughter, young but not spoiled. Although she knew it wasn’t Lin Yun’s fault, she still felt a little angry when it came to her daughter’s reputation.

Mother Qin said earnestly, “Whether it’s pursuing or pestering, you must remember your identity and don’t cross the line. This is not a trivial matter. If you don’t handle it well, the consequences will be very serious.”

Qin Qiu lowered her eyes and was silent for a while, “I understand.”

Over the next two days, Mother Qin asked people at school and Qin Qiu’s aunt, and they all said that Qin Qiu had been attending classes at school and had not gone out. Mother Qin thought Qin Qiu had listened to her and felt a little relieved.

Mother Qin not only took care of her daughter, but also paid great attention to the Lin family.

Although she heard from Qin Qiu’s aunt that not many people in the school knew about this, no matter how cleanly it was handled, there would be no trace left and it would not withstand investigation. Even if it was just some groundless rumors, it would easily cause misunderstandings among the Lin family and make them have a bad impression of Qin Qiu, not to mention that they asked Lin Hua to come back specially.

Mother Qin first took the initiative to meet with Mother Lin to find out what the Lin family knew.

Although the Qin family was of high status, not only did Father Qin admire and value Lin Hua, but Mother Qin also treated Father and Mother Lin with respect, kindness and courtesy. Naturally, Mother Lin would not be on guard.

Mother Lin had nothing to hide and told everything. She also firmly said that she had no intention of doubting Qin Qiu. It was just that as an elder, she was worried that Qin Qiu would be bullied at school, and she was too embarrassed to say it.

The only thing they didn’t say was what Lin Yun told them. Although Mother Lin was straightforward, she was not completely ignorant of the ways of the world. Lin Yun was young, and they believed what she said because she was their own daughter. What if the Qin family heard it and suspected or even misunderstood that Lin Yun was slandering their sister-in-law Qin Qiu?

Mother Qin felt a little uneasy, but she remained calm. “In-law, I’ve spoiled Qin Qiu. In her free time, she likes to play with friends, dance, watch movies, and so on. That young man, Chen Xi, who was sent to Jingcheng University by the Chen family, did pursue Qin Qiu for a while, and it caused Qin Qiu a lot of trouble. She didn’t tell me, and I didn’t expect such rumors to spread.

I’ve asked someone to take care of this matter, but Qin Qiu is wrong. She’s already married, but she still plays like a child. I shouldn’t have let her teach at Jingcheng University. I should have let her accompany Lin Hua to the army. Otherwise, such rumors wouldn’t have spread.”

The previous words were meant to dispel Mother Lin’s doubts and downplay Qin Qiu’s actions, but the last sentence was said by Mother Qin with some sincerity.

Not long after they got married, Lin Hua was about to return to the army, but Qin Qiu insisted on not giving up her teaching job at Jingcheng University. Mother Qin was biased towards her daughter and was reluctant to wait a year or two to see her daughter, so when she saw that Lin Hua respected Qin Qiu’s wishes and the Lin family had no objection, she did not force it.

Mother Qin had carefully examined Lin Hua’s character and personality, and was absolutely someone she could entrust her life to. She thought that even if there was no emotional foundation, since Qin Qiu had agreed to the marriage, the two of them would be able to last a long time.

Unexpectedly, something went wrong.

“How can Qin Qiu be blamed for this?” Mother Lin had no doubt that what Qin’s mother said was false. She even spoke up for Qin Qiu, “Qin Qiu is also a victim. It’s better to quell the rumors as soon as possible to avoid damaging Xiaoqiu’s reputation.”

Mother Lin knew what kind of person her son was. Most of his attention was on the army. He was not romantic or considerate, and he didn’t have much time to accompany Qin Qiu. It was unfair to her.

Mother Lin wasn’t the kind of feudal woman who demanded her daughter-in-law be respectful and filial to her parents-in-law when her son was away, never leaving the house. It was a new era, one that valued female independence. Women could hold up half the sky. With a job, education, and a good family background, it was hard to find a good daughter-in-law like that. Qin Qiu was young and in the prime of her life, and she loved socializing with friends and having fun.

The reason why Mother Lin was so tolerant was because Lin Hua had told her all this before. If Qin Qiu did anything wrong, he hoped that Mother Lin could be more understanding. If there was anything wrong, she would tell him everything when he came back.

Mother Lin had never doubted Qin Qiu’s character. “Don’t worry about what others say. We all know in our hearts that Qin Qiu is a good child. Outsiders are just jealous of Qin Qiu’s excellence. We will never hurt our relationship with Qin Qiu because of such a small matter.”

Mother Qin forced a smile and said, “It’s really kind of you to say that, mother-in-law. I’m worried that this little thing will affect the relationship between husband and wife, and also delay Lin Hua’s work in the army. I heard you say before that you wanted Lin Hua to come back, right?”

Mother Lin: “That’s true.” It’s because she was anxious after hearing about it.

Mother Qin smiled gently again and said, “I think it’s not necessary. I heard from Old Qin that Lin Hua has had an important mission in the army in recent months. If he comes back now, it will be delayed. With Lin Hua’s ability and qualifications, it is very likely that he will be promoted to the next level this year.”

What Father Qin said was naturally false. It was just an excuse made by Mother Qin to persuade Mother Lin not to let Lin Hua come back. At least not now. After two or three months, these things will be wiped clean, everything will be calm, and there will be no impact.

For her daughter’s happiness, Mother Qin can be said to have put in a lot of effort.

After hearing her words, Mother Lin was somewhat persuaded. She thought that it was too rash to ask Lin Hua to come back so hastily. Now Mother Qin has explained that it is not a big deal and the Qin family has handled it. If she makes a fuss about it, asking Lin Hua to come back thousands of miles away and affecting his job promotion, she would be a little inconsiderate as a mother.

Mother Lin said with a somewhat apologetic smile, “What my In-law said makes sense. I was just too anxious and flustered.”

Mother Qin smiled gently, “We also want Qin Qiu and Lin Hua to be well, right?”

When Mother Lin returned home that night, she relayed Mother Qin’s words to Father Lin, and suggested that it would be better for Lin Hua not to come back. Mother Qin had explained everything to her. If she made a big deal out of their misunderstanding, it would not only delay her son’s work, but also affect the relationship between Lin Hua and Qin Qiu.

Father Lin frowned. As a grown man, he didn’t understand these things, so he let Mother Lin decide.

Fortunately, it was said at the dinner table, and Xiao Han heard it clearly, “Aren’t you going to let Big Brother come back?”

Mother Lin handed her daughter a piece of bacon and said, “Don’t worry, don’t worry about your sister-in-law. This is not a big deal.”