Chapter 771: Xiao Tao, Do You Approve of Us Being Together?

Besides, Jiang Ling knew that even though Xiao Tao had killed someone back then, it had been accidental manslaughter. It wasn’t something he had intentionally set out to do.

What’s more, he had been trying to protect his parents at the time.

Hearing her mother’s words, Jiang Xiaoyue didn’t press the matter, only reminding her to be careful and to call if she needed anything.

Jiang Ling readily agreed.

The next day, Jiang Xiaoyue left for work early, and Jiang Ling waited for Qin Jiqun alone at a street corner.

Qin Jiqun pulled up in an old Santana, which belonged to the restaurant.

After Jiang Ling got in, Qin Jiqun told her to buckle her seatbelt. “I figured it’s too cold to take the bus,” he said. “It’s such a hassle, so I borrowed a car from the restaurant.”

“Oh. Well, drive carefully then.”

“I will.”

Qin Jiqun had injured his leg in the past, but thankfully, it had healed completely without any lasting issues. He got his driver’s license afterward.

It made things more convenient.

Besides, he was thinking that by the time Xiao Tao got out, he might be a bit too old to go back to school or learn a trade.

‘If all else fails, he could just have him learn to drive.’

‘Qin Jiqun had saved up a good amount of money. He could buy a big rig for Xiao Tao to drive and get into the transport business.’

He’d already spoken to his brother-in-law, Sun Jianhua, about it. Sun Jianhua was in the fruit and vegetable business and needed drivers.

Qin Jiqun was much more grounded now and had put a lot of thought into his son’s future. He had money, but he wouldn’t just let his son leech off him. He wanted Xiao Tao to have a marketable skill so he could support himself.

He didn’t want his son to be lazy and good-for-nothing like he had been in his youth.

With snow still on the ground, Qin Jiqun drove slowly. By the time they reached the prison, it was already past ten o’clock.

They had already prepared all the necessary paperwork, so they followed the procedures and entered the visiting room.

A moment later, looking at his son through the thick glass partition, his hair shaved into a short buzz cut, Qin Jiqun felt a lump in his throat.

‘Xiao Tao is still so young.’

‘Sigh.’

‘But what happened back then… you could blame Feng Lan, you could blame himself, and you could even blame the kid, Xiao Tao. In the end, there was too much blame to go around. Everyone shared a piece of the responsibility.’

‘It was impossible to sort it all out.’

‘All they could do was wait for Xiao Tao to get out, start a new life, and let time slowly wash away the unpleasant past.’

When Qin Xiaotao saw his father, he noticed he looked more haggard than before, and his skin was deeply tanned. His heart ached for him.

He knew his father was no longer the lazy good-for-nothing he used to be; he now worked incredibly hard.

The last time they’d met, they had talked about what life would be like after Xiao Tao was released from prison.

They even talked about getting a big dog.

Even though it would be several more years before Xiao Tao could get out, they were both full of hope for the future.

Xiao Tao picked up the receiver and spoke first. “Dad, it looks like you’ve got more gray hair. Don’t push yourself so hard to make money. Just wait till I get out, I’ll earn enough to support you.”

“I’m not that old yet. Why would I wait for you to support me? When you get out, we’ll earn money together and build a good life for ourselves.”

“Deal!”

Xiao Tao was much thinner, and though his hair was shaved to a short buzz cut, his eyes were clearer and brighter than ever.

Xiao Tao was actively participating in his rehabilitation and was also working hard on his studies in prison.

He’d been immature and foolish before, missing his best years for an education, so now he was making the most of his time, reading newspapers and studying as much as he could.

At first, Qin Tao assumed his father was just visiting and bringing him supplies because of the upcoming New Year.

But after they had chatted for a bit, Qin Jiqun cleared his throat awkwardly. “Xiao Tao,” he said, “there’s something else I wanted to get your opinion on.”

Xiao Tao said, “What is it, Dad? Just tell me.”

“Well… it’s about Aunt Jiang Ling. Oh, right, she’s the mother of your older sister Xiao Jiao’s classmate, Jiang Xiaoyue. Do you remember her?”

“I remember her. You’ve mentioned her before. She sounds like a very gentle lady. What about her?”

Seeing the confusion in his son’s eyes, Qin Jiqun suddenly felt a knot of nervousness.

He had brought Jiang Ling with him, but at the entrance, she had suggested waiting outside. She wanted him to feel out Xiao Tao’s reaction first.

If Xiao Tao was strongly against the idea, it would be better for her not to show her face.

Qin Jiqun felt it was a bit unfair to Jiang Ling, but he had to admit her approach was very sensible.

But now that the moment had come, Qin Jiqun looked at his son and found himself at a loss for words.

But Xiao Tao was quick. He thought for a moment before asking tentatively, “Dad, have you fallen for Aunt Jiang? Do you want to be with her?”

“Ah.”

Seeing his father’s reaction, Qin Xiaotao knew he’d guessed right.

He said guiltily, “Dad, is it because I’m still in prison? Is that a bad reflection on you, and Aunt Jiang isn’t willing?”

“No, no, no, Xiao Tao, it has nothing to do with you. It’s… I was worried you wouldn’t approve of me remarrying.”

Qin Xiaotao replied, “Why wouldn’t I approve? But Dad, if you’re getting married again, you really need to think it through. Just make sure she isn’t like Mom.”

He sighed. “To be honest, the three of us in our family… none of us were good people. We were used to being lazy, just full of bad habits. Dad, if this Aunt Jiang is a good woman, you have to treat her right. Don’t be like before, always looking for a free ride.”

Hearing his son say this, Qin Jiqun’s eyes welled up with tears.

He wiped his eyes and said, “Jiang Ling is a truly good woman. All these years, she’s raised that girl, Xiao Yue, all by herself. People tried to set her up with men before, but they wanted her to send Xiao Yue away, and she refused.”

Xiao Tao was taken aback. “Dad, if Aunt Jiang is such a good person… what does she see in you?”

Xiao Tao sized up his dad.

He wasn’t that old, but he had a reputation for being lazy, had been to prison himself, and now had a son who was also in prison.

Not to mention, years of working at construction sites had left him thin and deeply tanned.

‘Anyone would find fault with his dad,’ Xiao Tao thought.

Qin Jiqun didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. He thought for a moment, then said, “Your Aunt Jiang is waiting in the visiting area outside. We actually came today to ask for your opinion. If you agree, we’ll be together and get our marriage license after the New Year. If you don’t, then I’ll just have to apologize to her.”

Qin Xiaotao stared blankly for several seconds before blurting out, “My god, Dad, what kind of incredible luck did you stumble into? Hurry up! Get Aunt Jiang in here, I want to talk to her!”

‘An opportunity like this doesn’t come twice!’

In fact, Qin Xiaotao knew a little about this Aunt Jiang. After all, Jiang Xiaoyue had been his older sister’s high school classmate, and they’d gotten along well.

For such a gentle person to take a liking to his dad… ‘His dad must have hit the jackpot!’

Exasperated, Qin Jiqun nevertheless quickly went to call Jiang Ling over.

Jiang Ling, for her part, was a bit nervous. She could be brave and express her feelings when she was with Qin Jiqun.

But when faced with his son, she felt a little intimidated.

‘Being a stepmother isn’t easy.’

‘Anyone would feel a little apprehensive.’

But one look at Jiang Ling’s gentle face was enough for Qin Xiaotao. He immediately said, “Aunt Jiang, if you don’t mind my dad’s faults, then I’m counting on you to keep him in line from now on! Whatever nasty habits he has, you just set him straight. Don’t go easy on him!”