Chapter 37: Refusing to Marry Into the Family

Qiao Yizhou seized the moment to try and manipulate He Shinian for his own gain.

He Shinian ignored the comment, but Qiao Hailin glanced at his son and scolded, "Stop talking nonsense. Your brother-in-law is now the secretary to the Party Secretary; his future is limitless. How could he possibly get involved in your messy affairs?"

"Dad, this is just normal networking, how is it nonsense? Which official doesn't have their own network of influence, and who doesn't help their own people? My brother-in-law is one of us, what's wrong with asking him for a favor?"

Qiao Hailin took a drag of his cigarette and didn't continue. In truth, he was thinking the same thing.

The Qiao family were all greedy, snobbish, and status-obsessed... He Shinian was well aware of this, and he felt quite helpless about it.

"Yizhou, let's talk about this later."

Just as Qiao Yizhou was about to retort, Wei Ziqin walked out of the kitchen and said, "That’s enough, let’s eat."

The table was laden with a feast.

Qiao Yina emerged as well, though her expression was heavy. Had Wei Ziqin said something in the kitchen? Why else would Qiao Yina’s face have changed so suddenly?

Qiao Hailin ducked into his room and returned with two bottles of Moutai, smiling as he said, "It’s rare for Shinian to visit today, so we’ll have some Moutai. By the way, this Moutai was actually brought over by Yina!"

Hearing this, He Shinian’s expression tightened. He recalled the gifts that had appeared at his home a few days prior and looked at Qiao Yina.

She instinctively averted her gaze and said, "A colleague at work gave it to me."

Qiao Yina had been working at the Transportation Bureau for six years and was only a deputy office director. Who would give her a bottle of Feitian Moutai worth over two thousand yuan?

He Shinian was not stupid; he could guess what was going on without even trying. But to avoid embarrassing the Qiao family, he swallowed the words he wanted to say.

Qiao Hailin personally poured a drink for He Shinian. Wei Ziqin helped him to shrimp and filled his bowl with rice. This kind of treatment was something He Shinian had never experienced before.

After a few drinks and some food, Qiao Hailin and Wei Ziqin exchanged a look. They decided to get to the point. "Shinian, we invited you over for dinner today for two main reasons."

"First, to congratulate you on becoming a section chief."

"Second, you and Yina have been together for six years now, and we’d like to take this opportunity to discuss your marriage."

Qiao Yina seemed prepared, her eyes instinctively shifting toward He Shinian.

He Shinian, however, remained calm. "Regarding our marriage, what are your thoughts, Uncle Qiao?"

Qiao Hailin, a heavy smoker, took a drag of his cigarette and said, "You two aren't getting any younger. My idea is that we should hold your wedding before the Spring Festival."

He Shinian was slightly taken aback. Didn't they say last time that if he didn't reach the deputy section-level rank before the year-end Party Congress, they wouldn't allow the two to see each other? Why were they suddenly rushing them to marry before the Spring Festival?

"Uncle Qiao, but I am still just a section chief; I haven't reached the deputy section-level yet."

Qiao Hailin waved his hand dismissively. "What of it? Now that you’ve secured the position of the Party Secretary's secretary, reaching the deputy section-level is just a matter of time."

"Once you’re with the Secretary, never mind the deputy section-level; it won't even be a problem for you to be promoted to full section-level later on."

Seeing that He Shinian remained silent, Qiao Hailin continued, "As for that bet, let's just not mention it again, haha."

He Shinian looked at Qiao Yina and said, "Regarding the wedding, I respect Yina’s wishes. If she’s fine with holding it before the Spring Festival, then I have no objections."

Just as Qiao Yina was about to speak, Wei Ziqin interjected, "Of course Yina has no objections. Don't you worry about a thing. You two just focus on your work, and we’ll handle all the wedding arrangements."

He Shinian didn't commit, and Qiao Yina seemed to have something on the tip of her tongue but held back.

At this point, Qiao Yizhou chimed in, "Dad, leave the running around and the heavy lifting to me. I can help out."

He Shinian asked, "Will the wedding be held by the groom's side first, or the bride's side?"

His question made both elders pause and exchange a glance.

Qiao Hailin set down his chopsticks, sighed, and said, "Shinian, your mother passed away early, and you’ve been without a father since you were young. We’ve discussed it—we want you to move into the Qiao family. From now on, you’ll be both our son-in-law and our son. Whatever Yizhou and Yina have, you’ll have your share, too."

Wei Ziqin added, "We figured that holding two weddings is too much trouble. Just one will suffice. Your uncle and I will handle it. Just invite all your relatives from home so everyone can get together and get to know the family."

Qiao Yizhou joined in, "So that means from now on, Shinian is my brother, and we’re a family in the true sense of the word?"

"No."

As soon as they finished speaking, He Shinian shook his head firmly.

The group frowned. Qiao Hailin spoke first, "Shinian, why not?"

Qiao Yina had never mentioned the idea of him moving in as a live-in son-in-law; there hadn't been a whisper of it before. Being caught off guard, He Shinian felt passive and unprepared for this demand.

"Uncle Qiao, forgive me for being blunt, but I will not become a live-in son-in-law."

The group went still. This time, even Qiao Yina’s expression grew cold.

He Shinian explained, "Uncle Qiao, Auntie Wei, although I never knew my father and my mother passed away early, I still have my uncle, and my maternal grandparents. They are my family."

"Even if I were to take a step back and say my grandparents were no longer with us, I am still here. I am capable of upholding my own family name."

Hearing this, the Qiao parents looked displeased.

Wei Ziqin said, "Shinian, are you saying that becoming part of our family would somehow wrong you? We are doing this for your own good."

"After you have children, we’ll be retired and can help you raise them. Isn't that a wonderful thing?"

Qiao Hailin said, "Yizhou doesn't have a girlfriend yet, and who knows when he’ll get married—I don't think I can count on him. We have another apartment; if you agree to join our family, that apartment will be yours."

Upon hearing this, Qiao Yina’s expression brightened.

The temptation was truly significant; they were willing to use an apartment as a bargaining chip just to get He Shinian to move in. But He Shinian had never cared for charity he didn't earn.

"Thank you for your kindness, Uncle Qiao, but my mother left me a house when she passed. If I consider buying a home in the future, that is for Yina and me to decide. Your property belongs to you; we don't need it."

Qiao Hailin looked annoyed, but he continued to persuade him, "Shinian, forgive me for saying this, but with your and Yina’s salaries, buying a house, a car, and raising children will be a huge burden for you young people!"

He Shinian continued to shake his head. He was well aware of these pressures and had considered them. But there were certain principles and bottom lines that could never be compromised.

At this point, Qiao Yina finally couldn't sit still. "Shinian, what are you thinking? Do you feel that moving in makes you feel wronged or that your dignity is being tainted? My parents are trying to look out for us and even offered us a house. It’s such a good opportunity; why can't you just appreciate it?"

He Shinian was shocked. He looked at Qiao Yina—could it be that she agreed with the idea of him joining their family?

When she came out of the kitchen earlier, she looked upset; had Wei Ziqin already worked on her?

"That’s not the reason. Even though my parents are gone, I am still the head of my house, and I must uphold it."

The implication was clear: even if He Shinian were the last member of the He family, he would never become a live-in son-in-law.

They all understood. For a moment, the atmosphere grew tense.

Qiao Yizhou tried to smooth things over. "Hey, come on, let’s drink and eat. We’re all family, why be so serious! If Shinian doesn't want to move in, then he doesn't have to. Regardless, as long as he and Yina get married, we’re all one family."

Qiao Hailin glared fiercely at Qiao Yizhou.

Was a son-in-law the same as a live-in son-in-law? A live-in son-in-law had no leverage and had to listen to everything Qiao Hailin said. If they were married and He Shinian was still the Secretary's assistant, wouldn't there be hope for him to climb even higher? He could potentially rise from deputy section-level to deputy division-level before retirement.

Conversely, a regular son-in-law was different; whether he would listen to Qiao Hailin’s commands was another matter entirely.

"Shinian, we mean well, and it’s all for your and Yina’s future. Please think about it carefully," Qiao Hailin continued to lobby.

"Uncle Qiao, I have thought it through. Other things are negotiable, but this is not. The wedding banquet order doesn't matter, whether the groom's side or the bride's side goes first is fine, but we must host our own respective ceremonies."

Seeing He Shinian’s insistence, Qiao Hailin stopped talking. He took a sullen drink, his displeasure now impossible to hide.

Wei Ziqin caught Qiao Yina’s eye and signaled her. Qiao Yina understood and said, "Shinian, are you saying that we have to go to your grandmother’s place to hold a ceremony too?"

He Shinian nodded, his expression solemn.

"I’m not going," Qiao Yina rejected the idea without a second thought. "Your grandmother’s place is full of potholes and the road is hard to travel. It’s crawling with fleas, cockroaches, and rats."

"The pigsty is right next to the toilet. You can't even squat down to use it, and even if you manage to, the mosquitoes bite your backside. How could I possibly go there?"

"Besides, it’s over thirty kilometers away, and the mountain roads are winding. I get motion sickness; the last time I went, I felt like I was going to die. And honestly, who holds a wedding ceremony at a grandmother’s house?"

He Shinian said, "My grandparents raised me from a young age. To me, they are the people I hold dearest. Why can't we hold it at their place?"

"My grandmother’s home is in the countryside. The roads are a bit rough, and the conditions don't compare to the city, but I believe this is a major life event, and it is right and necessary to do so."