"Is someone bringing food? Then it's fine, if you have time some other day we can meet up again." At this time, Shangguan Qingmu was looking at Qiao Ying with eyes like he was looking at his future daughter-in-law, extremely affectionate and eager.
He turned his head and kept signaling his son to say something.
Shangguan Yu was only good at military drills, and was not usually talkative to begin with. The people he usually interacted with were rough fellows, and his subordinates saw him like they were seeing the King of Hell, so where would he have experience chatting with girls.
Especially ones he just met.
Older Ming saw that the Shangguans, father and son, kept shifting around, and guessed that Shangguan Qingmu had more in mind than just wanting the two young people to become ordinary friends. So he wanted to offer a word of advice.
But Shangguan Qingmu did not give him a chance to speak.
Seeing that his son was unmoved, Shangguan Qingmu resentfully thought that something was lacking. So he personally stepped up.
"Classmate Qiao is from Yuncheng? I heard from Older Ming that after the college entrance exam scores came out, Principal Zhang personally went to Yuncheng to recruit you. You really are outstanding! By the way, who taught you to shoot so skillfully?"
Without even blinking, Qiao Ying replied: "A night market shooting game stand, shooting balloons."
At the time of the military training, she had heard some male classmates mention it.
Instructor Hou: "......"
Shangguan Qingmu awkwardly slapped his thigh: "Uh... that's pretty good, shooting balloons. You should go check out the night market shooting booths sometime," he said to his son.
Seeing his cocky father get smacked down, Shangguan Yu kind of wanted to laugh. He was always saying he couldn't fart out a decent move, but it seemed he wasn't much better at conversing, going up and asking the wrong question right away.
But her answer was really interesting too.
"My son is first-class at shooting too. How about you compete sometime? Come by my military camp for a visit?"
Shangguan Yu: "Dad, she's busy."
Shangguan Qingmu took a look at the silver needles in Qiao Ying's hands, and quickly closed his mouth, quietly saying to his son, "Then, chat after she's free."
Shangguan Yu had listened to his father go on about Qiao Ying for a week already, and knew his father was trying to arrange a marriage for him. But this was the first time he had seen his father take such a liking to a girl.
From head to toe with the compliments, his ears were going to form calluses. If he hadn't strongly disagreed, his mother would have wanted to come along to take a look too.
Shangguan Qingmu had sung Qiao Ying's praises to the heavens, while Shangguan Yu thought he was pretty good himself, yet hadn't received a single word of praise from his father. It was inevitable he would be a little curious about the girl his father claimed was so impressive.
Especially Qiao Ying's extraordinary marksmanship and physical abilities.
Shangguan Yu thought that if there was a chance, he would like to witness it for himself.
He looked at Qiao Ying, completely focused and earnestly administering acupuncture, then looked at Older Ming standing beside her learning too, and knew that his father hadn't exaggerated at all. This girl really did have true skills.
Exceptional people naturally attract attention. Moreover, exceptional and beautiful, with a personality that was neither arrogant nor impetuous.
Such a girl, saying you don't want to get to know her would be a lie.
Just then, the doorbell rang.
Other than Qiao Ying who was busy working, and Shangguan Yu who had the lowest seniority and was the youngest, he stood up on his own initiative and went to answer the door.
It was probably the food delivery.
Shangguan Yu thought it would be takeout or something like that. The door had just opened when he froze for a beat in surprise - "...Boss Qin?"
Qin Hanyue: "You?"
What was Shangguan Qingmu's son Shangguan Yu doing here?
Qin Yan saw the military uniformed Shangguan Yu come to open the door, and thought to himself: He really likes coming to find Miss Qiao, every time he comes he reveals different characters, and not one of them ordinary.
It's like a surprise lottery draw.
Shangguan Yu returned to his senses, seeing Qin Hanyue holding an insulated food jar, and Qin Yan behind him holding an exquisitely packaged meal box.
He boldly guessed:...bringing food?... Qin Hanyue?
Qin Hanyue knows this girl? And their relationship doesn't seem ordinary. Seeing Qin Hanyue appear here, Shangguan Yu was quite astonished internally.
Before Shangguan Yu could ask, the man stepped up, deftly skirted around him, and strode right in like he was entering his own home.
With one look, Qin Hanyue saw a shirtless man in the living room. Looking closely, he discovered it was Instructor Hou, and Qiao Ying was administering acupuncture to him, with Older Ming standing at the side, and Shangguan Qing sitting on the sofa.
It was quite lively.
"Eh? Boss Qin?" Shangguan Qingmu thought: I'm done for.
How unlucky.
Qiao Ying glanced up: "You've arrived."
Qin Hanyue walked over. "Mm-hmm."
Older Ming hastily nodded a greeting to Qin Hanyue. The idle Shangguan Qingmu got up to say hello, "Boss Qin, long time no see!"
Qin Hanyue set down the insulated food jar he was holding onto the coffee table, then sat down on the sofa: "It has been a while."
Shangguan Qingmu looked at that insulated jar, then looked at Qin Hanyue, evidently quite familiar with coming here, acting entirely like the man of the house. He knew his dream of a daughter-in-law was about to shatter.
Qin Hanyue: "General, you're not feeling well? Here to see a doctor? When you get older, you really must take better care of your health."
Looking at the domineering and authoritative aura of Qin Hanyue, Shangguan Qingmu thought: I'm really done for.
"I'm fine, I came with Instructor Hou."
Qin Hanyue took a glance at Shangguan Yu who had walked over: "You all came to accompany Instructor Hou?" His gaze looked the other man up and down.
Was that military uniform that he hadn't had time to change out of, or had he deliberately worn it here?
Shangguan Qingmu: "Not just for that. I heard Miss Qiao has exceptional medical skills, so I thought I'd introduce the two youngsters to become friends."
Qin Hanyue nodded slightly. "I understand. After all, Miss Qiao is so outstanding. But does the Major General usually have time to make friends at the military camp?" He looked at Shangguan Yu.
Shangguan Yu: "I don't have many friends. Making one or two more can still be arranged."
Qin Hanyue asked another sentence. "So you've become friends?"
Compared to Shangguan Yu with the rank of Major General, Qin Hanyue thought Qiao Ying would prefer to make friends with the higher ranked Shangguan Qingmu, General. Based on his understanding of Qiao Ying - higher value.
But he certainly hadn't forgotten about last time during the military training when Shangguan Qingmu wanted to introduce Shangguan Yu to Qiao Ying for them to get acquainted.
Shangguan Yu: "......"
This sharp line of questioning, how was he supposed to respond? Of course they hadn't become friends yet. Seeing Qin Hanyue's confident and smug manner, Shangguan Yu knew his father had done something stupid.
Qin Yan: The Young Master's experience really grows more and more plentiful, responding with such ease and conclusiveness, grasping things right in his hand.
When it came to Qiao Ying's unusual relationships with Ye Si and Cheng Jinyan, Qin Hanyue could only swallow his anger and watch them fool around.
But Shangguan Yu was different. What was Shangguan Yu?!
Shangguan Qingmu stepped in to smooth things over. "Slowly, slowly, no hurry."
Whether it was to give Shangguan Qingmu face or he simply didn't take the man seriously, Qin Hanyue looked toward Qiao Ying and gently asked, "So what's wrong with him?"
Qiao Ying gave him a simple rundown.
Qin Hanyue: "How much longer will it need?"
Qiao Ying: "Almost done—" She suddenly asked, "Were you away on business the last couple days?"
A few days ago Qin Hanyue had sent her a message saying he was going away on business.
"Mm. I went to Italy." Qin Hanyue paused briefly. "To prepare your birthday present." He had wanted it to be a surprise for her, but he had let it slip now.
Oh well, even if he told her on her actual birthday, she probably wouldn't be that surprised anyway.
Qiao Ying arched a brow slightly, looking at him. "My birthday?"
Qin Hanyue: "It's in March anyway."
Qiao Ying: Not necessarily.
March 8 was the day Father Qiao picked up Qiao Ying. Her real birthday would be a few days earlier. And for Blood Shadow herself, she didn't know her birthday, had never celebrated it, and had never cared either.
Qiao Ying: "What kind of present?"
Qin Hanyue: "I built you a winery."
Qiao Ying unconsciously muttered: "Yet another winery."
Qin Hanyue: "Hmm? You don't like it? Or?"
Could she already have a winery?
Qiao Ying looked at him. "Do you really want to hear?"
Qin Hanyue hesitated. It would definitely not be something he wanted to hear, but he truly did want to know more things about her.
"I do."
