Chapter 2021 - In Time

She could sacrifice her life for the country and her people, but she would not let her daughter do the same.

Shi Qing laughed. “Sister Zhai Hua, it looks like you aren’t even as open-minded as the old chief and auntie. At that time, both you and Brother Zhai wanted to enter the military and neither of them tried to stop you. Parents are all the same.” She had refused to get married and had only wanted to stay in the military. The only reason her mother had disagreed was that she had been worried that life in the military would be too tough and dangerous. She might even lose her life at any time.

Jiajia had it better than her. At that time, she had no other choice. If she had not entered the military, the Feng family would have had all control over her life. Jiajia did not need to enter the military. Even if she did not become a soldier, she could still have the choice of having a better life. Jiajia was truly a fortunate child.

Zhai Hua was stunned for a moment before she caressed Jiajia’s hair. “That’s right. Only when you become a mom will you be able to understand a mom’s heart. I love Jiajia so much. All I want is for her to live a peaceful life.”

“Mom, you’re being selfish.” Jiajia huffed. “I have the right to pursue my own dreams. Although... Do you really think it’s weird that I have such thoughts since both my parents were once soldiers? Don’t try to bully me with something I said when I was younger. You were the one who cheated me into saying that.”

“Hahaha...” Jiajia was as spicy as a small chili, amusing Shi Qing to no end. “Jiajia’s right. Everyone has the right to pursue their own dreams. When you’re older and still want to become a soldier, I’ll take you under my wings as long as you pass the physical examination.”

Jiajia was pleased. “Thank you, Auntie Shi Qing. You’re here to attend my uncle’s wedding, right? I’ll take you to your seat.” Since this auntie had such a close relationship with her mom, it should be all right for her to bring this auntie to their family’s table. “Mom, you can take care of something else. I’ll help you look after Auntie Shi Qing.”

Zhai Hua did not know what to do with Jiajia. She had finally understood why she had managed to win against her parents to marry Wei De in the end even though her parents had been entirely against the idea. In front of their children, parents were always on the losing end. “I bet you’re happy now. Do you not care about your mother now that you have Auntie Shi Qing? Fine, you should play a part as part of the family and take good care of your auntie.”

It was just as well since Shi Qing had wanted to meet the bride. After so many years, she had no idea how Shi Qing’s temper was. While they were younger, Shi Qing had not had a good temper. If Shi Qing were to get emotional upon seeing Qiao Nan and get into a fight, the wedding might not even happen.

It was exactly because she was good friends with Shi Qing that she would have to keep a close eye on Shi Qing to prevent Shi Qing from ruining Qiao Nan’s wedding.

Zhai Hua winked at Jiajia, who was taken aback. Could that be true? Did Auntie Shi Qing really like her uncle? She had been wondering why this auntie was still single after such a long time since she was quite a good catch, and why no one had introduced Auntie Shi Qing to her uncle.

It seemed as though it had already been done in the past.

After leading Shi Qing to her seat, Jiajia could not help but ask out of curiosity. “Auntie Shi Qing, do you mind me asking a few questions?”

“Go ahead.” She was not blind and had seen Sister Zhai Hua winking at Jiajia earlier.

“Are you married? Do you have any children?” Her mom’s concerns were probably unnecessary. Even if Auntie Shi Qing did have feelings for her uncle, her uncle was getting married today. Besides, Auntie Shi Qing did not look young anymore. There could not be many people like her uncle and Auntie Qiao who waited to get married only at this age.

If Auntie Shi Qing was married with children, there was no way she would ruin her uncle and Auntie Qiao’s wedding. Her mom was overthinking this matter.

Shi Qing purposely tried to scare Jiajia by knocking Jiajia on her head. “I’m not young anymore. I heard that I’m even a few months older than the bride. Unfortunately, I’m still unmarried, and of course, I don’t have any children. I don’t even have a partner. How’s that, Jiajia? Do you want to introduce me to a man like your uncle?”

Jiajia felt extremely awkward upon hearing such a reply. How was she supposed to reply to that? “Auntie Shi Qing, are you kidding me? I’m just a child. I don’t even know many people. How could I possibly recommend someone suitable to you?” Besides, Auntie Shi Qing had even requested to be introduced to a man as good as her uncle. That was way beyond her abilities.

Her uncle was one and only. She would never be able to find another one in this world.

As the pair chatted, Qiao Dongliang perked his ears up to listen in on the conversation. Since this lady had been given a seat at the host’s table, it meant that this woman was close to the Zhai family. Although the Zhai family was bigger than the Qiao family, they did not have many relatives. After a long time, Qiao Dongliang still had not figured out who Shi Qing was.

“The bride’s here.”

Shi Qing had not even needed to look for Qiao Nan since she would appear once the time was right.

Following that voice, Shi Qing quickly restrained herself and stopped teasing Jiajia. Her gaze shifted before landing on a graceful woman dressed in bright red. Yes, she was all right. At least, this woman looked much more pleasing to the eye than Qiu Chenxi.

But what made Shi Qing convinced and sure was Zhai Sheng’s gaze toward the bride. She could not help but acknowledge Qiao Nan’s existence. Her innocent first love had happened more than two decades alone, and this was the first time Shi Qing felt that she could finally let go of her feelings and end her single-sided love.

If Zhai Sheng had looked at his first bride as he had today, Shi Qing felt that she would probably have given up then. She had never expected this scene to be delayed for more than ten years. “Brother Zhai, congratulations. I hope you will lead a blissful life with your wife and have children as soon as possible.”

Shi Qing stood up and walked toward Zhai Sheng with two glasses of wine in her hands, raising a toast to him.

Zhai Sheng was rather surprised to see Shi Qing. “Weren’t you in the capital? You’re here now?”

“You’re my dad’s one and only disciple, so you’re my brother too. Of course, I have to attend your wedding. You’re so mean! How could you not have told me about your wedding? I had to find out about it from others. I barely made it here from the capital. If I was a couple of hours late, I might not even have made it in time for your wedding.”

Yes, Shi Qing had heard about Zhai Sheng’s wedding from someone else. As such, Shi Qing had made hasty arrangements, left all her work behind, and had rushed down to Ping Cheng just to attend Zhai Sheng and Qiao Nan’s wedding.