Today is Qin Juan’s divorce day, and also Qin Yang’s birthday.
These years he has been away from home, and like Mrs. Qin, even he often forgets his own birthday, yet now his wife remembers it clearly.
Lin Chuxia originally wanted to hold a celebration at the State-Owned Restaurant, but Mrs. Qin wanted to see their little home and felt that it was more grounded for the family to cook a nice meal together at home.
With many people in the family, there are also many who can cook; Zhang Guilan was already showing a little, so neither Qin Juan nor Lin Chuxia let her do any work; just the two of them, plus Mrs. Qin who insisted on helping, quickly prepared a big table full of dishes.
Ningning was also brought back, and she was exceptionally happy today.
Although she doesn’t know that her dad and mom are already divorced, being with mom, seeing her happy, and having so many people who love her makes Little Ningning very happy.
"Juanzi, tidy up a bit later and come back home with us. Ningning and Zhuangzhuang can go to school together; it’s good for them to have each other’s company."
At the dinner table, Qin Han said to Qin Juan.
Mr. Qin and Mrs. Qin also looked over.
Their daughter getting divorced means she should come home. Even though their younger son’s place is also a home, they felt that wasn’t appropriate. With parents still alive, it’s not proper to live with a sibling.
"Mom, I won’t go back," Qin Juan said.
Zhang Guilan, with concern, interjected, "Juanzi, are you not going back because you’re afraid of village gossip? Don’t worry. Our daughter is a member of our family, whether divorced or not. If our own family doesn’t mind, outsiders have no right to gossip. The more they talk, the more harmoniously our family will live, just to spite them."
Mrs. Qin also looked at her daughter with heartache.
She knew all too well about the tongues in the village, and the number of things they could say about a divorced daughter returning home.
Her daughter had a hard time at the Zhang Family, and going back she would have to listen to all that idle chatter. What had her good daughter done wrong to deserve this?
Yet Qin Juan smiled, "I know, with you backing me, I’m not afraid of anything. I’m not going back because I’ve already found work here; I want to work at my brother’s and sister-in-law’s bun shop."
"You can work at your brother’s and sister-in-law’s bun shop and still come back to An City. There are two bun shops in An City, with your big brother and me to look after you, everything will be convenient."
Zhang Guilan still wanted her to go back; she felt it wasn’t home because it was too far from their place.
Moreover, everything here was not beautiful for Qin Juan, better to leave this sad place sooner.
But Qin Juan insisted, "I think it’s quite nice here, I’ve gotten used to life here. Dad, Mom, I want to stay here."
This time, Qin Yang spoke up, "Let big sister stay here, Xiaxia and I will take care of them."
If nothing goes awry, Zhang Wenbin will return to An City after a while. Since there’s Ningning between big sister and Zhang Wenbin, living far from that man and in different places is the most direct solution.
Lin Chuxia also thought of this. Moreover, staying here, big sister could avoid the village gossip and enjoy some peace.
After weighing it up, it was decided that Qin Juan and Ningning would stay in the city to live.
With Qin Juan’s matter settled, the family began to talk about Lin Chuxia and Qin Yang’s little home again.
Qin Han, looking envious, began discussing with Zhang Guilan about when to build a new house. When the time comes, they would splurge on new furniture and buy a big color TV.
Zhang Guilan, unable to stop smiling, told him to work hard, earn money, and then they could splurge.
Mr. Qin and Mrs. Qin need not mention their pleasure, seeing their children’s lives getting better is all they need for happiness.
Though the matter of Qin Juan getting divorced made her stay awake all night, today, seeing her daughter’s spirits better than before, and her smile broader, they understood that divorce was not a matter of heartbreak for their daughter, but a release.
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