Back to 1984: Earning Money, Raising Kids, and Keeping the Household Busy

Chapter 311 Home Visit
Ding Ruman, the younger sister-in-law, was preparing baby food for her child, while her younger brother, Tang Yu, was not at home.

Everyone was both surprised and delighted to see her return so late at night.

Tang's mother quickly stepped forward with her grandson in her arms and asked with concern, "You haven't had dinner yet since you got back! I'll make you a bowl of noodles."

"Yes, yes, there's still cured meat in the fridge. That's what you craved the most when you were little." Tang's father couldn't stop smiling.

Ding Ruman quickly said, "Mom and Dad, you go and rest. I'll cook for my third aunt."

Tang Jing quickly put the cakes, pastries, and other food she had brought on the table and went to the kitchen to help.

"My brother hasn't come back yet?"

Ding Ruman turned her head and smiled at her, "He's still at the company! The economy is doing well lately, so he's very busy. He also has to coordinate with overseas companies. I often see him working late into the night. I'll bring him some stewed soup later."

Tang Jing then noticed something cooking in the small stew pot next to her and couldn't help but praise, "You're so virtuous and good at managing the household."

Tang Yu's family does have a nanny, but neither Tang's family nor Ding Ruman are used to the Cantonese food she cooks. Usually, the nanny prepares breakfast, while Ding Ruman or Tang's mother cooks lunch and dinner.

Everyone here is easygoing and doesn't hold grudges, so we get along very well.

Ding Ruman quickly made a shushing gesture, "Don't say anything, or Mom will start urging you to be a virtuous and capable homemaker and get married soon."

Tang Jing blushed and said somewhat shyly, "Actually, I came back this time for the wedding. My boyfriend's elders are coming to visit tomorrow."

Ding Ruman's hand trembled, her eyes widened in astonishment, and then she shouted at the top of her lungs, "Dad~ Mom~ Third Aunt's boyfriend is coming to our house tomorrow!"

"What? What did I just hear?" Tang's mother rushed over, carrying her grandson, with Tang's father following closely behind.

The elderly couple blocked the kitchen doorway.

Tang's mother rushed forward and grabbed Tang Jing, "Girl, when did you start dating? How come you didn't tell me about something this big beforehand? Wait, when are you coming over tomorrow? We didn't even make any preparations at home. You naughty girl, you're such a worry!"

Tang's mother became increasingly anxious as she spoke, and seemed somewhat at a loss.

Ding Ruman quickly comforted her, "Mom, don't panic. Even if my third aunt is unreliable, I'm here for you! Tomorrow morning I'll have someone go to the dock to buy seafood, beef, and pork, and then I'll go to the market to order a free-range chicken and duck. I'll buy the vegetables. I guarantee everything will be ready before nine o'clock."

Tang's mother asked again, "What time will they arrive? How many people are coming?"

Tang Jing knew nothing when asked, and under pressure from her family, she had no choice but to call Xu Jian in person to inquire.

"Mom, my boyfriend said he'll be arriving around 10 a.m. tomorrow. He asked if it's okay for us to come?"

Tang Jing blinked innocently.

Tang's mother was so excited she almost jumped up. "Yes! Why not? No, I have to go check the wardrobe for suitable clothes. I need to tidy up properly tomorrow."

“Yes! I have to go take a look too.” Ding Ruman ran after Tang’s mother.

Tang's father pointed at Tang Jing, speechless and at a loss for words.

Of all the elderly couple's children, Tang Jing is the only one whose marriage is still unsettled. Now that Tang Jing has announced that her boyfriend is coming, it's like a windfall, bringing a sense of relief to the worried couple.

The entire Tang family was thrown into chaos because of Tang Jing's situation.

Ding Ruman almost forgot to send Tang Yu some stewed soup.

The next morning, Tang Jing had just gotten up when she found her younger brother, Tang Yu, making tea on the balcony, as if waiting for her. She followed him and sat down. "Don't you have to go to work today?"

Tang Yu scolded, "Sis, your boyfriend is coming to your door and I'm still going to work? Is that appropriate? Tell me right now, who is this boyfriend of yours?"

He had introduced Tang Jing to several business partners before, all of whom were highly qualified and sought highly educated partners, so they hit it off immediately.

Unfortunately, Tang Jing didn't like any of them and told him not to mess around. Because the two lived far apart, after two or three unsuccessful attempts, Tang Yu gave up. He thought Tang Jing would become an old maid and he was mentally prepared for it. He even joked with his son that he would have to take care of his aunt in the future. Unexpectedly, Tang Jing found a partner on her own!

Tang Jing gazed into the distance, a smile unconsciously spreading across her face. She looked down and said, "Speaking of which, you know his family. You remember my college roommate, Xinyue, right?"

Tang Yu nodded somewhat absentmindedly, "It's that exceptionally beautiful young lady who even helped us set up a street stall to make money. You have to remember her, what's wrong?"

"It's her older cousin!"

Tang Yu suddenly realized and became even more concerned about Tang Jing's marriage. "Sister, if that's really the case, I'll have to make grand preparations and entertain her properly today!"

Chen Xinyue was a benefactor to the siblings. He owes his success to her help back then, and he has always wanted to thank her properly, but he hasn't had the chance.

Now that Tang Jing has found a boyfriend from Chen Xinyue's older cousin, isn't that giving him a chance to repay her?

Tang Yu then told his family about his siblings and Chen Xinyue.

Mr. and Mrs. Tang's attitude towards their future son-in-law immediately changed. The old couple were honest people and had never intended to make things difficult for their prospective son-in-law. Now that they knew about these things, they were already planning that no matter what the man's side said, they would not stop their daughter from marrying him.

Ding Ruman hurriedly made a phone call to contact the vegetable market owner to send over some more expensive vegetables.

It was ten o'clock in the morning.

As the Tang family eagerly awaited their arrival, Lin Ying, Lin Qin, and Xu Jian arrived carrying large and small bags of gifts.

The three of them received a warm welcome from the Tang family as soon as they entered the door.

Lin Ying was completely taken aback by his enthusiasm.

It wasn't until Tang Jing introduced Lin Qin and Tang Yu expressed his gratitude to Lin Qin that they understood what was going on.

Lin Ying secretly tugged at Lin Qin's clothes.

Having been sisters for many years, Lin Qin immediately understood her intentions. She subtly helped Lin Ying negotiate with Tang's parents, and occasionally praised Xu Jian.

Looking at the tall and handsome Xu Jian, Tang's mother was extremely satisfied. She habitually asked, "Does Xiao Xu work in our hometown or stay in the provincial capital with our Jingjing?"

Last night, the elderly couple thought about it carefully and guessed that their daughter and Xu Jian got together because they worked in the same place, since long-distance relationships weren't popular these days.

They know even less about online dating.

Xu Jian chuckled and shook his head, explaining, "I do business in Guangdong Province. I met Jingjing when my cousin got married. Later, my cousin studied at the university where Jingjing works, and we met again. We got together after a while."

Tang's mother was overjoyed and slapped her thigh hard. "It's great to be in Guangdong! We live here now and don't go back to our hometown much anymore. It'll be so convenient for us to stay close by."

Tang's father nodded vigorously in agreement.

They were extremely satisfied with Xu Jian.

In their view, since their son-in-law and the bride's family are both in Guangdong Province, their daughter will definitely come back.