Pursuing Her Best Friend after Confession Failed-Chapter 339 - 153: Don’t Make a Move Easily, But When You Do, Three Fall at Once_3

He sighed to himself. Jin's taste is certainly good. She found a boyfriend who's excellent in every aspect.

Next came the routine pleasantries and "political vetting," which Li Yuan had long since learned to handle smoothly.

Soon, it was time for dinner. With Li Yuan, the prospective son-in-law, visiting for the first time, the Chen Family Brothers took the occasion very seriously, even inviting two friends from the village to help entertain him.

Second Uncle Chen Qiudong, acting as the Liquor Commander, opened a bottle of Maotai and laughed. "Today, thanks to Little Li, we get to taste what Maotai is like."

The other guests, Chen Qiushi and Chen Jiaguo, also stared intently at the Maotai in Chen Qiudong's hand, swallowing imperceptibly.

Chen Qiudong looked at Li Yuan and asked, "Little Li, you can handle some liquor, right?"

Li Yuan smiled slightly. "Yes, Second Uncle, but my tolerance is just average."

Chen Qiushi teased, "Little Li is tall and strong, and you're from the north. Your tolerance can't be bad."

Chen Qiudong then turned to the driver, Yu Qiang, who had been standing by like an invisible man.

"Brother Yu, would you like a drink too?"

Yu Qiang shook his head firmly. "Thank you, but I have to drive, so I can't drink."

As a professional driver, not drinking was a strict company requirement. He had heard many stories of drivers who couldn't control themselves and ended up causing trouble because of it.

Seeing Yu Qiang's firm refusal, Chen Qiudong didn't press the issue. He had already found out by asking around earlier that the man was a driver from a car rental company.

Eldest Uncle Chen Qiuhan placed a piece of braised rabbit meat in Li Yuan's bowl.

"Here, Little Li, try our Shancheng specialty. See if it suits your taste. This is a wild rabbit we just caught in the mountains."

Li Yuan noticed that while the men were seated and ready to eat, Xia Zhijin, her grandmother, and Ning were not at the table. A puzzled expression crossed his face as he stood up. "Eldest Uncle, Second Uncle, I'll go call Zhijin and Granny to come eat. There's no need to cook so many dishes; this is more than enough."

Seeing that Li Yuan didn't understand the local "rules," the Chen Family Brothers exchanged embarrassed glances.

Around here, women generally didn't sit at the main table when guests were present.

"Little Li, let's sit down and start eating. They're still cooking a few more side dishes," one of them said. "Come on, let's have a drink first."

Li Yuan could only sit down helplessly, his heart aching for Xia Zhijin. This must be a local custom, he guessed.

In the kitchen, Xia Zhining looked at Xia Zhijin, who was wearing an apron and cutting vegetables, and suddenly asked sadly, "Big Sis, are you going to marry Brother Li Yuan? Will you still come back to visit me and Granny?"

Xia Zhijin stiffened. She reached out to touch her brother's head, unsure whether to laugh or cry. Her eyes glistened with tears, and her heart ached.

"Ning, Big Sis will always be by your side, protecting you until you grow up."

Xia Zhining's voice was weak. "But I heard our uncles say you'll be marrying far away and will only be able to come back once in a long while. Big Sis, please don't leave me, okay? I don't want to be without my big sis."

Xia Zhijin's nose began to sting. She bent down and hugged the red-eyed Xia Zhining, her vision blurring with tears.

"Ning, Big Sis won't leave you. This time, your Brother Li Yuan and I came back because we want to bring you and Granny to live with us in Modu. You can go to school there and see me every day. How does that sound?"

"Okay, I'll listen to you, Big Sis." Xia Zhining's sorrow turned to joy. He wiped his eyes, a smile returning to his face.

The old woman overheard them, sighed, and said earnestly, "Jin, I won't go with you to Modu. And I don't agree to Ning going with you either."

Xia Zhijin trembled as she asked in confusion, "Granny, why? Li Yuan promised me he would take Ning to Modu for school and bring you there too."

The old woman looked at the naive Xia Zhijin and sighed to herself before explaining, "Jin, you and that boy, Li Yuan, aren't married yet. Even if you were, it wouldn't be appropriate for you to take us there to live.

"I still have your three uncles, and they won't agree either. As for Ning, just let him go to school here in our hometown. I'm still in good health and can look after him.

"In the future, if you're doing well for yourself, just help Ning out more.

"We women must rely on men in this life. Li Yuan is a good kid, so the two of you should build a good life together. Don't let me and Ning become a burden to you."

As Xia Zhijin listened, tears streamed down her face. She rushed forward, hugged the old woman, and sobbed, "Granny, I will never leave you and Ning. If it really comes to that, I just won't get married. I'll stay here with you and Ning until he's grown up."

The old woman stroked Xia Zhijin's head. "You silly girl," she chided gently, "what nonsense are you talking about? We women always have to get married, start our own families, have a few children, and watch them grow up. The food is ready. You should take it out."

Li Yuan saw Xia Zhijin approach with a dish, her head lowered. He quickly stood up and took her hand. "Zhijin, call Granny and Ningning over. It's time to eat."

Xia Zhijin whispered, "Li Yuan, you guys go ahead and eat. I'm not hungry, and there are still two dishes left to cook."

Li Yuan frowned. The table was already laden with dishes—more than enough for everyone.

Without hesitating, he pulled Xia Zhijin by the hand and started toward the kitchen. "I'll go with you to call Granny."

Xia Zhijin glanced at her eldest and second uncles, looking flustered.

Chen Qiuhan coughed awkwardly and said with a smile, "Jin, go call your Granny to come and eat."

"Oh, okay." Xia Zhijin obediently went to do as she was told.

Taken aback, Li Yuan paused for a moment before sitting back down. He took another sip of his drink and broached a topic he had been preparing to discuss.