Feng Wang lowered his gaze, showing no particular reaction to Qin Ru’s interjection.
He spoke, “Since that’s the case, why not come to my house to play? Coincidentally, Yuanyuan is planning to learn the piano. If it’s not too much trouble for you, you could teach her.”
This invitation left Qin Nian momentarily stunned, while Qin Ru felt as though he’d been struck by a windfall. My goodness, this was an invitation from Feng Wang! Everyone in Ning City knew that ever since Feng Wang took charge of the Feng Family, they had turned away all visitors. Many who wished to curry favor with Feng Wang found no way to approach him.
Qin Ru hadn’t expected there would be future interactions between the two families. Before Qin Nian could respond, he eagerly accepted, “No trouble at all, no trouble. Ah, in the Qin Family, if there’s one thing we have plenty of, it’s people who can play the piano.”
Indeed, out of the five members of the Qin Family, including Qin Jiaxu, three could play the piano.
He seemed to think he’d made a rather amusing joke and laughed heartily to himself.
Qin Nian was, of course, delighted at the prospect of teaching piano at the Feng Family’s home. He could play the piano and distance himself from the Qin Family—what’s not to like?
What he didn’t notice was Qin Jiaxu clenching his fist silently beside him. Although his upbringing in the Qin Family had taught him to keep his emotions in check, the coldness in his eyes betrayed his true feelings.
Qin Ru escorted Feng Wang downstairs. Qin Nian intended to follow, but Liu Baixu stopped him with a hand, her tone indifferent, “Since you like playing the piano so much, why not play here?”
Qin Nian replied, “I’ve already finished playing.”
Liu Baixu said, “You enjoy showing off in front of guests so much, why not play a few more pieces? Are you happy touching Jiaxu’s things? Do you think you’re worthy of touching Jiaxu’s things?”
Qin Nian understood now. Liu Baixu was indirectly criticizing him, feeling that he had stolen the spotlight from her beloved son, Qin Jiaxu.
“Why not? I’m your child too, aren’t I? If you dislike me so much, why bring me back to the Qin Family?”
This was a question that had plagued Qin Nian for two lifetimes, and at this moment, he finally voiced it.
Liu Baixu laughed, as if Qin Nian had asked a foolish question. “If it weren’t for the Qin Family’s reputation, do you think anyone here would want you back?”
The old Qin Nian might have been upset for days over such words, but the current Qin Nian felt nothing upon hearing them. It was as if an imperceptible grain of sand had fallen into water, leaving no ripple.
In his past life, he had died with clarity, realizing that from the start, there was prejudice and no love. No matter how hard he tried, it was futile.
Qin Nian nodded, “I understand.”
He didn’t pay Liu Baixu any more attention and turned to leave.
After everyone had left, Liu Baixu looked at her adopted son and spoke calmly, “You should start working harder. You’re the child I’ve painstakingly raised for eighteen years. There’s no reason you should lose to someone from the countryside.”
Qin Jiaxu kept his head down, his expression unreadable. “I understand, Mother.”
Feng Wang’s visit, although it didn’t guarantee Qin Ru a project, did give him a chance to bid. While this didn’t ensure Qin Ru’s success, it was enough for him. What he lacked was the ticket to compete with others, and the rest would depend on everyone’s abilities.
Feng Wang had noticed that Qin Nian seemed a bit awkward in the Qin Family. Grateful for Qin Nian’s help with Feng Yuanyuan the previous day, he accompanied him to the Qin Family’s Banquet. This was why he visited the Qin Family today, giving Qin Ru a spot, hoping it would encourage them to treat Qin Nian better. However, Feng Wang didn’t realize that the Qin Family’s peculiar mindset couldn’t grasp his intentions.
Qin Nian found time to leave and went to the office building of the variety show’s Production Team. He successfully signed the contract and arranged to meet with the person in charge a month later to participate in the show.
When he returned to the Qin Family, he found that Feng Wang had already left, and the family was sitting in the living room discussing something.
“Father, I want to go. You know my piano skills. Teaching a child is well within my capabilities, isn’t it?”
Qin Jiaxu held Qin Ru’s hand, his voice almost pleading. When Qin Jiaxu spoke to the family in this tone, they usually couldn’t refuse him.
He was the youngest in the Qin Family, cherished and protected like a precious gem.
Qin Ru, a businessman with little understanding of piano, couldn’t tell the difference between a novice and a master. To him, they all sounded the same.
He had always doted on his youngest son, but switching from Qin Nian to Qin Jiaxu would be a blatant disregard of Feng Wang’s request.
Qin Ru didn’t want to offend Feng Wang and felt a bit troubled. “But Mr. Feng specifically asked for Qin Nian.”
Qin Jiaxu desperately wanted this opportunity. He cast a pleading look at his mother, and Liu Baixu, though a bit helpless, spoke up, “Old Qin, don’t forget why you were able to connect with Mr. Feng. If it weren’t for Jiaxu’s hard work organizing the Banquet, would Mr. Feng have come? Would you have gotten that spot?”
Qin Jiawei chimed in, “Xiao Xu has studied piano for so long. Surely he’s better than Qin Nian, who came from the countryside. What does he know about piano? Mr. Feng might have just mentioned it casually, and he might not even understand piano himself.”
Liu Baixu lowered her voice, “Old Qin, don’t forget, Xiao Xu is the son you’ve raised for over ten years. He’s part of the Qin Family. If Qin Nian has any ulterior motives, you’ll end up with nothing.”
With the family supporting Qin Jiaxu, Qin Ru began to waver. After all, it was just teaching a child piano. His son had won so many awards, surely he could teach a child.
After some thought, Qin Ru relented, “Then you can go tomorrow morning.”
Qin Jiaxu’s previously gloomy face finally lit up with a smile. He hugged Qin Ru, exclaiming joyfully, “Thank you, Dad.”
Meanwhile, Qin Nian stood at the living room door, having heard everything. He frowned. It was supposed to be his opportunity to teach, yet these people had so casually swapped him out without even informing him.
He looked at the scene of family harmony and spoke calmly, “Mr. Feng asked for me.”
With Qin Nian’s voice, the previously cheerful atmosphere in the living room suddenly quieted. The Qin Family hadn’t expected him to appear.
Liu Baixu, seeing that their discussion had been overheard, remained unfazed. “Since you’re here, we’ll let you know. Tomorrow, Jiaxu will help you teach the young lady from the Feng Family. Shouldn’t you thank Xiao Xu?”
Qin Nian almost laughed at his mother’s shamelessness. “Thank him for what? I didn’t ask him to teach for me. You don’t need to be so presumptuous.”
Qin Ru tried to smooth things over with a smile, “Xiao Nian, it’s just playing the piano. If you like, you can play the Crystal Piano at home. I heard from your mother that you seem to like it. I can have Xiao Xu lend it to you. Playing is playing, wherever you do it, right? What do you think?”
Qin Nian glanced at him, “Not interested.”
Qin Jiawei, seeing that Qin Nian was unmoved, grew impatient. “Qin Nian, you’ll be living in the Qin Family. They provide for you, and now they’re helping you teach others. Instead of being grateful, what’s with your attitude?”
“Taking something from someone else is called helping? Should I thank Qin Jiaxu for enjoying so many benefits in the Qin Family on my behalf? Qin Jiaxu took away my life for over ten years. Now that I’m back, why should I let him continue taking things from me?”
“I thought you were taken by Qin Jiaxu, but now I see you’re just his accomplices, helping him take what’s mine.”
Qin Nian looked at Qin Jiaxu, who sat there with his usual gentle demeanor, like an innocent little rabbit.
Yes, as long as he sat there, the Qin Family would offer him everything.
He stood up, “Xiao Nian, don’t be angry. I completely understand your frustration. Mom and Dad didn’t mean it that way. They just want you to adapt to life in the Qin Family before socializing. If you really want to teach piano, I can let you have it.”
Let? What let?
That was rightfully his. How could this family so easily twist the truth, making him out to be unreasonable with just a few words?
Qin Nian’s indifference and Qin Jiaxu’s magnanimity made Liu Baixu even more determined to send Qin Jiaxu. She said, “No letting. Jiaxu, you’ll go teach piano tomorrow. If he goes out like this, he’ll disgrace the Qin Family sooner or later.”
Liu Baixu turned to face Qin Nian, “If you want to stay in the Qin Family, you should know what to do and what not to do.”
This was a blatant threat. Either stay in the Qin Family and obey, or leave.
Qin Nian lowered his head, hiding his emotions.
He had often cursed his past self for being blind. Once his emotions subsided, he looked up and smiled at Liu Baixu, “Then I guess I don’t need to know. I’ll be moving out.”
Qin Nian’s gaze was contemptuous, full of mockery. After speaking, he quickly left, feeling utterly disgusted at the thought of staying in the Qin Family for even a second longer.
Qin Jiawei watched Qin Nian’s departing figure and sneered, “Moving out? Without the Qin Family, he’s nothing.”
Qin Jiaxu nudged him with his arm, “Brother, don’t say that. Xiao Xu will get upset.”
Though his words were reproachful, his tone was filled with the playful petulance of a favored child.
Liu Baixu stood in place for a moment, then clicked her high heels as she walked to the kitchen.
From Qin Jiaxu’s angle, he could see her instructing the servants. He quietly pressed his lips together. With so many people helping, he was determined to seize this opportunity.