344: Chapter 344 Learn something

"!!!"

Jiang Shuang watched Jiang Ye's "triple display," which was practically performance art, and nearly ground her teeth to pieces. Her chest heaved violently, and she barely resisted the urge to splash her drink in his face.

This bastard!

Could he be any more shameless?!

This is what he calls "nothing"?! Does he think I'm blind?!

Just as she was about to retort, Tian Haoran's voice suddenly grew louder from the other end, interrupting their "secret conversation."

"Dad! How many times do I have to say it? Ms. Qin and I are still in the stage of getting to know each other; we haven't reached that point yet! Why do you keep pressuring her?"

Jiang Ye and Jiang Shuang looked up at the same time, only to realize that at some point, everyone at the table had focused their gaze on Tian Haoran and Ms. Qin.

No wonder no one had paid attention to them while they were whispering earlier.

"Haoran!"

Second Uncle frowned, looking visibly displeased. "Haoran! You and Little Qin have known each other for over a year, and you're still 'getting to know' each other? If you wait much longer, the chance will be long gone!"

"Exactly, son!"

Second Aunt chimed in from the side, her tone somewhat confused. "Look at how well you and Little Qin match! If the feelings are there, just be together. You have a long life ahead of you; can't you just get along slowly after that?"

Tian Haoran waved his hand irritably. "No, I already said..."

"Haoran."

Ms. Qin timely pulled on Tian Haoran's arm, gently interrupting him.

"Uncle, Auntie, please don't blame Haoran. This... is actually my issue."

She reached out to tuck a stray strand of hair behind her ear, looked apologetically at Second Uncle and Second Aunt, and sighed softly.

"Perhaps it's because of my personality; I take relationships quite seriously and am rather traditional. I believe that for two people to be together, especially when considering a lifelong partner, it truly requires a long time to understand and adapt to each other."

"Although Haoran and I have known each other for a while, there are still some things between us that need time and experience to verify."

"Only when we both feel that the other is the right person, and we fully know and trust each other, will we naturally and truly come together."

"So... please give us a little more time, okay?"

Ms. Qin spoke these words in a soft, gentle voice, full of sincerity.

She not only expressed her "prudence" and "traditional values" but also took the responsibility for not yet establishing a formal relationship upon herself. This gave Tian Haoran plenty of face while cleverly rationalizing their "uncommitted" status.

Hearing this, Jiang Ye immediately opened his phone's memo app and quickly jotted down the key points, planning to memorize the whole thing when he got back.

After hearing this, Second Uncle and Second Aunt exchanged a look, and their expressions softened significantly.

Second Aunt grew even more satisfied the more she looked at Ms. Qin, thinking the girl was sensible, steady, and had self-respect—a truly good girl.

"Little Qin, Auntie knows you're a good child."

She took Ms. Qin's hand, her tone much more affectionate. "That may be true, and the logic is sound, but you're still young after all. Being in a relationship doesn't mean you have to get married immediately. You can start dating and see how it goes, look at this..."

"Auntie, to be honest, when I date, I do it with marriage in mind."

Ms. Qin maintained her gentle smile and shook her head slightly.

"I feel that a girl's youth, emotions, and ultimate destination should be carefully entrusted to the same person who is worthy of that trust. Perhaps I'm a bit idealistic, but that's just how I think."

"Yes! Mom, Ms. Qin is right!"

Tian Haoran nodded repeatedly as he listened and couldn't help but chime in, "Dating without the intention of marriage is just acting like a ro..."

"Haoran, be mindful of how you speak to your elders."

Before the word "rogue" could fully escape his mouth, Ms. Qin nudged him gently and shook her head slightly, then turned back to Second Aunt.

"Auntie, it's our fault as juniors for making you and Uncle worry. But matters of the heart really can't be rushed; they must happen naturally. Anything forced might not last."

Second Uncle and Second Aunt exchanged another look and nodded simultaneously, smiles returning to their faces.

"This girl is truly wonderful!"

She's independent, knows her limits, has self-respect, and clearly comes from a decent family with a good upbringing!

Their son has truly found a treasure!

Seeing this, the other elders at the table also chimed in with agreement, their words filled with praise and approval for a "traditional good girl" like Ms. Qin.

"Look at Little Qin, so sensible!"

"Indeed, there aren't many young people these days as steady as Little Qin."

"Haoran is lucky to have found such a good girl!"

Even Xu Xuan, who had been expressionless and looking at people out of the corner of his eye, couldn't help but steal a few more glances at Ms. Qin, a hint of envy flashing in his eyes.

Only Li Ting looked up from her phone screen. She glanced at the gently smiling Ms. Qin, then at Tian Haoran, who looked like a man who had everything he could ever want in a wife, and frowned.

"Cousin, that may be so, but establishing a formal relationship is an important sense of ritual and a mutual commitment! Otherwise, what exactly is this situation you two have?"

As soon as she asked "what exactly is this," Tian Haoran's face stiffened instantly, and a flash of embarrassment and annoyance crossed his eyes.

Before he could think of an answer, Third Aunt irritably gave Li Ting's arm a light slap.

"Tingting! Don't interrupt when adults are talking! How old are you? What do you know about relationships? Learn more from your Sister Qin Lan; look at how she speaks and conducts herself!"

"...?"

Li Ting was stunned by her mother's scolding. "Mom, are you sure you want me to learn to be like her?"

"Oh, Little Sister Tingting, just listen to Third Aunt; you can't go wrong!"

Jiang Ye, who had been silently watching the show, cleared his throat and chimed in with a smile from across the table.

"Once you've mastered this exquisite 'traditional view on relationships,' feel free to contact me anytime. We can exchange some study notes."

"..."

Li Ting caught the underlying meaning in Jiang Ye's words. She gave him a speechless glare, not wanting to get involved in this mess anymore, and lowered her head to immerse herself back in her phone.