Ch9 - Box

Ji Qinghuai’s work had been postponed. Although he would be busy for a while, he was not in a hurry at this moment and planned to stay at home for a night.

Ji Qinghuai returned to his room and took out a storage box from the drawer. The box was not small but when he opened it, he found that there were a lot of things in it. Although there was still some space, Ji Qinghuai didn’t plan to use it anymore. He began to rummage through the heap of items.

Qin Xiaorou’s voice came from behind him, “Qingqing, what are you looking for?”

Ji Qinghuai put the storage box back in the drawer and thought for a while, “I’m looking for a small box.”

“A box?” Qin Xiaorou asked, “How big do you want it?”

“A palm-sized box should be enough.” Otherwise, it would be too big to use.

Qin Xiaorou smiled, “How would you have a small box in your room? I’ll help you find one.”

Ji Qinghuai thought for a while and agreed. Due to his work, he didn’t stay at home most of the year. Apart from the things he had taken away, he had thrown away the rest so it was impossible to find a small box.

Qin Xiaorou didn’t ask him what he wanted to do with a small box. She picked out a suitable box from her accessory box, pulled out the earrings inside and gave the box to Ji Qinghuai.

Ji Qinghuai took it, “Thank you, mom.”

After thanking her, Ji Qinghuai took the small box and returned to his room. Qin Xiaorou laughed when he saw him walking so fast.

There was a secret her son was hiding.

Qin Xiaorou’s intuition was right. Ji Qinghuai’s purpose for asking for a box was not for anything else, but to store the silver bell from Xie Yan.

Ji Qinghuai took out the bell and put it in the box, the size was just right, so it could also prevent it from colliding and being damaged.

Ji Qinghuai stared at the bell in a trance and couldn’t help chuckling when he thought of the day he annoyed Xie Yan with the bell. When he was about to close the box, his hand was suddenly pressed down. Taken aback, he turned his head and saw Qin Lang.

Ji Qinghuai’s reaction caused Qin Lang to raise his eyebrows. He was all too familiar with Ji Qinghuai so his previous reaction seemed odd.

“Being so absent-minded, what are you thinking about?” Qin Lang questioned. He continued pressing down on Ji Qinghuai’s hand and didn’t let go.

Ji Qinghuai turned his head away, “Nothing.”

Qin Lang didn’t believe his words. His eyes fell on the box on the table as well as the silver bell tucked inside.

“I thought you didn’t like bells?”

In his memory, Ji Qinghuai had always disliked bells, his big brother felt that this thing with too silly and not worthy of his noble temperament.

Seeing this abnormal behaviour, Qin Lang was sure there was something Ji Qinghuai was hiding and he was all ears to listen to gossip.

“Who gave this bell to you?”

Ji Qinghuai: “…”

In fact, he also felt strange. It was just a bell, but why did he feel guilty? The bell was given to him by Xie Yan and he didn’t steal it so why did he feel so guilty?!

Ji Qinghuai replied, “A friend gave it to me.” They had spent half a month together so they could be considered friends.

Qin Lang smiled meaningfully, “Boyfriend or girlfriend?”

Ji Qinghuai: “…”

“Neither.” Ji Qinghuai wanted to explain, but considering that the person in front of him was Qin Lang, he told him about the bell.

After listening, Qin Lang thought, “So, the bell came out smoothly like this.”

Ji Qinghuai: “…”

Qin Lang’s line of sight fell on the bell again. He had only glanced at it in a hurry previously, but now when he looked carefully, he noticed that the bell was small and exquisite. Judging from its material, it was not an ordinary bell. It looked oddly familiar to him.

“Brother, can I take it out and have a look?”

Ji Qinghuai took out the bell and handed it to him. Qin Lang took it and looked at it carefully.

The bell was hollowed out and the whole body was silver-white without any colour embellishments. Looking at the pattern on it, he knew that there was something hidden in it. The carvings were deliberate and definitely not for aesthetic purposes. He was sure that he had seen the bell before, but he couldn’t recall where he had seen it. At the moment, he couldn’t remember anything but he intuitively felt that the origin of this bell was unusual.

“Who gave you the bell?”

Ji Qinghuai took it as a casual question, “His name is…”

Just as he was about to continue, their mother’s voice came from outside, “Qingqing, Xiao Lang, it’s time for dinner.”

Qin Lang put the bell back into the box and said, “Let’s eat first.”

Ji Qinghuai closed the box and went downstairs to eat with everyone.

Today’s dinner was prepared by Ji Xianzhi. Although their old father was stern, his appearance in the kitchen wearing an apron was still very down-to-earth. The dishes he prepared were also very appetizing with its mouthwatering fragrance and appearance.

Qin Xiaorou’s craftsmanship was also not bad and she also nurtured a protégé, Qin Lang, whose cooking skills were even more exquisite.

However, Ji Qinghuai was different. Out of the four in the family, three of them could be a head chef at any establishment but he was the only one who couldn’t cook. He could only eat.

It was also because of this that his mouth was spoiled to no end. Ji Xianzhi felt that his son was too delicate and difficult to serve and so he often disapproved of him for this.

There was lobster at dinner tonight. Ji Qinghuai was wearing gloves and his head was bowed down as he quietly peeled the lobster. When he was almost finished eating, his mother spoke, “Qingqing, I have something to tell you.”

Ji Qinghuai wiped his mouth with a tissue, “What is it?” After that, he took a sip of the juice on the table.

“Aunt Zhao’s house next door has a niece. She is well-educated, reasonable and generous. Your father and I also think that you’ve reached a marriageable age. Why don’t you find a time to meet her?”

Ji Qinghuai choked on his juice. His parents wanted him to go on a blind date??

He asked reluctantly, “Can I not go?”

Ji Xianzhi glanced at him. “You have no ambition and you’re always playing around. You should get married earlier instead.”

Ji Qinghuai: “…”

He retorted, “Dad, if you’re so eager to play with your grandchildren, there’s still a little cutie here old enough to get married.”

“Xiao Lang is so busy, he doesn’t have time to fall in love.” Ji Xianzhi quickly countered.

Ji Qinghuai was dumbfounded by his father’s answer. Is he the only one busy? I’m obviously very busy too!

Qin Lang smiled lightly and said to Ji Qinghuai, “You can take over the East District’s affairs. I’ll go to the blind date for you.”

Ji Qinghuai kicked him from under the table. That would only cause more trouble in the East district. Ji Xianzhi immediately stared at Ji Qinghuai, “Stinky boy, you want to go against us?”

Ji Qinghuai turned to look pitifully at Qin Xiaorou, “Mom…”

Qin Xiaorou shook her head, “Qingqing, it’s wrong to bully your younger brother.”

Ji Qinghuai: “…”

Ji Qinghuai gave up struggling with a hopeless face.

Qin Xiaorou knew that Ji Qinghuai had resigned to his fate, “Then, it’s settled. After you finish your work, pick a time to see her.”

Ji Qinghuai curled his lips, it’s just a blind date.

I don’t understand how I can use the wrong methods for math but still get the correct answer haha