Reborn as a Rich Woman in the Eighties
Chapter 327 - 326 Gathering

Chapter 327: Chapter 326 Gathering

Lin Xia never would have guessed that Lu Zheng’s place would be so lively, with both her future mother-in-law and her romantic rival appearing by his side.

On the third day of the new year, Jiang Mingyuan drove to their home.

After exchanging New Year greetings, Jiang Mingyuan said, "Lin Xia! Xiaoqing and Ma Hao were just left at the shop by me. I’ll take you there first, then go pick up Sheng Yijin."

"Sure! Then, Elder Brother, wait a moment. We’ll change our clothes and then set off!"

"No hurry!" Jiang Mingyuan said as he sat down on the sofa to wait.

Lin Qiu took the opportunity to change clothes with Lin Xia back at the Eastern House and whispered, "Sis! Should we bring Wu Zhengyang with us to the gathering at Second Brother’s shop?"

She actually wanted Wu Zhengyang to come along. Everyone was young, and it wouldn’t hurt to get to know each other.

Lin Xia tugged on her braid, not indicating any objection.

"You’re really outgoing, aren’t you! If you want to bring him, just go and call him!"

Lin Qiu, delighted, put on her coat and headed to Wu Zhengyang’s house.

Wu Zhengyang was playing mahjong with his elder brother-in-law, second brother-in-law, and Grandfather Wu. As soon as he saw Lin Qiu entering their house, he quickly stood up and handed his mahjong spot to Wu Zhenghong.

"Lin Qiu!"

Lin Qiu greeted everyone in the Wu family, having met Wu Zhengmei before.

She quietly asked Wu Zhengyang, "We’re going to have a gathering at Second Brother’s restaurant. Do you want to come?"

Wu Zhengyang couldn’t help but laugh. "Of course I do!" He had been playing mahjong only because he was bored stiff at home.

Grandmother Wu happily chatted with Lin Qiu for a while, holding her hand.

"Mom! We’ll be going now!" Wu Zhengyang came out in his coat and followed Lin Qiu out the door.

Wu Zhengmei, ever curious, inquired, "What are they off to do?"

"They said they’re going to a friend’s restaurant to eat!" Grandmother Wu replied, watching TV and eating peanuts.

"What’s the name of it?"

"Mingyuan Restaurant!"

"Ah! I know that place, their dishes are not cheap!" Wu Zhengmei’s interest was piqued. "Who’s friend owns it?"

Wu Zhenghong runs a beauty salon here, so she is familiar with Lin Xia and Jiang Mingyuan.

"The restaurant is owned by a friend of Lin Xia!"

"Really?" Wu Zhengmei raised an eyebrow. "Hey, Mom! How come you never mentioned this?"

"Why would I talk about other people’s affairs?" Grandmother Wu hadn’t thought to bring it up after meeting her daughter.

Wu Zhengmei pouted, "Mom! How can it be someone else’s affair? Once Lin Qiu marries our youngest, they’ll be part of the family, won’t they? Their friends are also our friends. Does that person have a partner? My little sister-in-law is still unmarried. If they’re single, it might be worth asking and introducing them to each other, just in case it works out..." In this way, Jiang Mingyuan inadvertently became the subject of a matchmaking plot.

By the time Lin Chun and the others arrived at the restaurant’s private room, Jiang Mingqing and Ma Hao were already seated.

Lin Chun hadn’t met them before, so Jiang Mingyuan made the introductions.

"Xiaoqing! Ma Hao! This is Lin Xia’s eldest brother, Lin Chun, who just returned from abroad! Lin Chun! Who’s older between you and my sister? You’re born in the same year, right?"

"I’m 24 this year!"

"So you’re the same age. How should we address each other? Let’s just call each other by name!"

Lin Chun greeted the two of them with polite courtesy, giving Jiang Mingyuan’s sister a few extra glances, which went unnoticed by everyone.

Jiang Mingyuan laughed heartily, "Then you guys sit down and have a chat! I’ll have some seeds and tea brought up! I’m going to pick up Yijin and will be right back!"

"Go on then! Second Brother!" Jiang Mingqing urged him.

This made Ma Hao chuckle under his breath, earning him several stern looks from Jiang Mingqing.

Lin Xia and Lin Qiu were aware of what was going on, and Lin Chun, observing them, also formed his own speculations.

However, Sheng Yijin did not come alone; he was accompanied by a sweet-faced young lady.

Sheng Yijin introduced her to everyone as Xiao Pingping, the daughter of his mother’s close friend, who happened to visit their house today, so they came together.

"Hello, everyone!" Not only did Xiao Pingping look sweet, but her voice was also pleasant to the ear, evidently a pampered princess grown up with much affection at home.

Upon seeing Xiao Pingping, Jiang Mingqing’s expression immediately soured, understanding that this girl must have a special relationship with Sheng Yijin; otherwise, he wouldn’t have brought her to such an occasion.

Jiang Mingyuan invited them, "Please sit down! Don’t stand around talking! I’m going to have the kitchen start sending out dishes! We can eat and talk!"

Seeing this, Jiang Mingqing stood up and followed Jiang Mingyuan out of the private room, only asking in an urgent tone once they were a bit away, "Second Brother! What’s the deal with this girl? Why did he bring her along?"

Jiang Mingyuan replied helplessly, "Xiaoqing! She’s just a friend! Sheng Yijin’s mom insisted on bringing her along, and we couldn’t very well refuse."

When he had gone to Sheng Yijin’s house, Sheng’s mother had talked his ear off, and when Sheng Yijin had to leave, she had even insisted he bring along the girl, claiming it was nice for young people to get along and play together.

He had always known what his own sister felt.

Now that things had turned out this way, there was nothing he could do about it.

Jiang Mingqing felt particularly upset, "What kind of friend? Could it be they want to match the two of them?" She felt a strong sense of crisis.

"Xiaoqing! Even if that’s the case, we’re powerless to stop it, aren’t we?" Jiang Mingyuan wanted to make his sister see reason; if Sheng Yijin was interested in her, he wouldn’t have gone this long without any indication of his feelings.

If he had no such intentions, why should she waste her time on him in vain?

Yet, when he thought about his own situation, wasn’t he also unable to get over the same hurdle?

So, he said nothing more.

Jiang Mingqing silently nodded, "Yes! Second Brother! I understand!"

She returned to the private room, looking at the people present. Ji Man couldn’t make it today because she had to follow her family to visit relatives; otherwise, Jiang Mingqing would have someone to talk to.

As the dishes were served in succession, everyone ate and drank while chatting, but the atmosphere was never very lively.

Jiang Mingqing, enduring her discomfort, kept talking to Lin Chun beside her, partly to avoid continuously glancing over at Sheng Yijin.

Although it was the first time they met, Lin Chun had keenly noticed the change in Jiang Mingqing’s emotions when Sheng Yijin and Xiao Pingping arrived, but he didn’t ask anything, just cooperated with Jiang Mingqing.

Ma Hao was now doing pretty well in Ji City and had no comments on Jiang Mingyuan’s choices, since he himself had benefited.

After the meal, Sheng Yijin left first with Xiao Pingping.

Jiang Mingyuan then escorted Lin Xia and the others home.

Later, Lin Chun asked Lin Xia, "Does Jiang Mingyuan’s sister like that Sheng Yijin?"

"Yeah! She’s liked him for a long time! But as you saw today, Brother Sheng brought that girl with him..."

Lin Xia, observing the girl Sheng Yijin brought today, also felt that he was particularly attentive to her, which might really mean something.

Lin Chun didn’t say anything more, and Lin Xia didn’t take much notice either; she thought Lin Chun was just curiously asking.