The grand hall of the Feng Family was eerily silent. Qin Jiaxu slumped on the sofa, still in shock. What was he going to do? Being kicked out of the Feng Family was the least of his worries. How was he supposed to explain to his father that the collaboration with Feng Wang had been canceled?
His father valued the Qin Family’s business above all else. This was a collaboration opportunity he had long dreamed of, and now it was ruined by his own actions. He could almost picture Qin Ru’s furious expression.
Even Qin Jiaxu, usually calm and composed, found his mind in disarray.
Outside, Secretary Yang finally arrived. “Young Master Qin, let’s go. The driver is waiting at the entrance.”
As Feng Wang’s secretary, he always appeared refined and courteous.
He was kind, polite, and maintained a certain distance, giving the impression of an understanding gentleman at first glance.
If only his expression wasn’t so cold right now.
Qin Jiaxu tried several times to stand up, but he was terrified. He had just faced Feng Wang, and now he didn’t know how to explain things to his father. The successive blows left him weak, unable to even stand.
For the first time, he showed such a disgraceful side in front of others. Yet, despite his anger, he dared not act out. He calmed himself, then looked up and quietly asked, “Mr. Yang, could you give me a hand?”
It was the tone he often used in the Qin Family. When he spoke in such a pitiful manner, almost no one could refuse him.
“Young Master Qin, you should get up on your own. The driver outside has been waiting for quite a while.”
His smile was distant, and he didn’t even bother with the most basic courtesy.
Few dared to defy Feng Wang, yet here was someone bold enough to act against him.
This Young Master Qin probably wouldn’t have another chance to meet Mr. Feng. So why should he care?
The Qin residence was in chaos.
Qin Ru had been leisurely enjoying tea in the courtyard with his wife and eldest son. But when he saw Secretary Yang and his disheveled younger son at the entrance, a bad feeling crept into his heart.
It had only been an hour since Qin Jiaxu left the Qin Family. That was barely enough time to go to and from the Feng Family, let alone teach piano. How could Qin Jiaxu be back already?
Something had clearly happened.
Qin Jiaxu had hoped to wait until Yang Huan left before gently breaking the news to his parents, avoiding his mother’s disappointment and his father’s anger.
But Yang Huan showed no intention of leaving.
“Xiao Xu, why are you back so soon? Did something come up at the Feng Family?”
Qin Ru initially remained optimistic, unwilling to think the worst. He assumed it was just a scheduling mistake or that Miss Feng had an unexpected engagement.
Qin Jiaxu glanced at Yang Huan and mumbled, “Mr. Feng said the person he invited wasn’t me.”
Qin Ru sighed in relief. “So Mr. Feng just wasn’t interested. It’s fine, we can send Xiao Nian instead.”
After all, both were his sons. What difference did it make who went?
Qin Jiaxu hesitated. “But Mr. Feng said the collaboration with Father is temporarily on hold…” He stopped short, omitting Feng Wang’s request for Qin Nian to go instead.
“What?!”
The courtyard echoed with Qin Ru’s incredulous shout. “Why would the collaboration be put on hold?”
The term “on hold” was just a polite way of putting it. The bidding deadline was approaching, and missing it meant losing the opportunity forever. It was clear the opportunity was being taken back.
“How could this happen!”
“Mr. Feng said we didn’t take his words seriously…”
Qin Ru was so furious he was nearly pounding his chest. He couldn’t and wouldn’t dare blame Feng Wang, so he directed his anger at Liu Baixu, who had initially suggested the idea.
Liu Baixu had been leisurely fanning herself in a rocking chair. But seeing her husband’s increasingly agitated expression as he spoke with their younger son, her intuition told her something bad had happened.
Qin Ru stormed over, face full of rage.
“I told you from the start, Mr. Feng specifically asked for Qin Nian, but you insisted on sending Qin Jiaxu. You said it would be fine, and now look, Mr. Feng is upset. My multimillion-dollar project is gone! Gone!”
Qin Ru was so angry he forgot all decorum, not caring that Yang Huan was present. He unleashed a tirade on Liu Baixu, his emotions so intense that spittle flew from his mouth.
It was the first time Liu Baixu had seen Qin Ru so angry. Normally eloquent, she knew she was in the wrong and dared not speak, only fanning herself more vigorously to quell her inner frustration.
“The Qin Family earns enough to live on, with or without the collaboration, it’s the same.”
She was too proud to apologize, so she tried to console Qin Ru in another way.
Qin Ru sneered. “All you do is attend concerts and art exhibitions. Of course, you don’t know how hard it is to earn money. Our two sons are both over twenty, yet neither can handle the business. One lost the collaboration opportunity entirely, and you still have the nerve to make light of it.”
The blatant humiliation made Liu Baixu’s face flush with anger and embarrassment. She bit her lip and said nothing.
Qin Ru paced back and forth, contemplating how to salvage the situation.
After watching the spectacle, Secretary Yang finally approached with a gift box, smiling as he asked, “Mr. Feng heard Young Master Qin Nian was ill, so he sent a gift and wanted to know when Young Master Qin Nian could come to the Feng Family to teach Miss Feng piano.”
Only then did Qin Ru remember Yang Huan’s presence. He instinctively put on a flattering smile, though his anger hadn’t fully subsided, making his expression rather comical.
He processed Yang Huan’s words, realizing what had been said. Yang Huan was asking when Qin Nian could go to teach Miss Feng piano?
Teach piano?!
Mr. Feng was still allowing Qin Nian to teach piano?!
The realization filled Qin Ru with immense joy. As long as Qin Nian still had contact with Mr. Feng, there was a chance to make amends.
But he was still somewhat incredulous, given Feng Wang’s reputation as a tyrant in business.
He cautiously asked, “Mr. Yang, do you mean Mr. Feng still agrees for our Qin Nian to teach piano?”
Yang Huan smiled. “Of course, didn’t Young Master Qin Jiaxu mention this to you?”
Qin Ru’s heart sank. He glanced at Qin Jiaxu, who was speaking with Liu Baixu, showing no sign of anything amiss. Qin Ru forced a laugh. “He did, he did. I just didn’t hear clearly for a moment. Getting old, getting old.”
Yang Huan maintained his smile, nodding without comment.
Qin Ru’s gaze fell on the gift box in Yang Huan’s hand. “Mr. Yang, it’s very thoughtful of you to visit our Qin Nian.”
He emphasized “our Qin Nian,” trying hard to show Yang Huan that Qin Nian was part of the family, united with them.
Then he called over a maid. “Go tell Young Master Qin Nian that Mr. Feng sent someone to see him.”
As soon as he finished speaking, a loud crash sounded from upstairs. A suitcase tumbled down from the second floor.
Everyone’s attention was drawn to the noise. Before anyone could react, a figure descended from above, landing on the grass.
Qin Nian winced as he got up from the ground. Fortunately, the second floor wasn’t high, and the grass below his room was soft, so jumping down only hurt a little.
He slowly got to his feet, noticing how lively the courtyard was at midday.
All eyes were on him. Qin Nian glanced around, noting Qin Jiaxu’s presence. Shouldn’t he be at the Feng Family teaching piano at this time?
Without giving it much thought, Qin Nian grabbed his suitcase, ready to leave the Qin Family just like that.
Qin Ru was the first to react. To him, Qin Nian was now a bona fide savior, a godsend. Of course, he had to take good care of his benefactor. He hurried over. “Nian Nian, what are you doing?”
The affectionate address gave Qin Nian goosebumps.
He didn’t understand his father’s sudden warmth and replied coolly, “I can’t afford to eat at the Qin Family. I’m leaving.”
“Leaving?!” Qin Ru jumped at the word. “Who told you to leave? The Qin Family is your home. I dare anyone to make you leave.”
Qin Nian understood. “True, drugging the water with sleeping pills and blocking the door lock doesn’t seem like a way to make someone leave.”
Sleeping pills? Blocking the door lock?
Qin Ru’s mind raced. He wasn’t sure what had happened, but it was clear these were likely his wife’s tactics to send Qin Jiaxu to the Feng Family.
The methods were typical of Liu Baixu. But now, under no circumstances could he show he knew about this. Yang Huan was still present, and Feng Wang’s attitude toward Qin Nian was ambiguous. If Yang Huan learned of the discord between Qin Nian and the family and informed Feng Wang, things would become even more complicated.
The immediate priority was to calm Qin Nian, who was about to leave.
He flushed with feigned anger. “Who? Who did these things? Nian Nian, tell me, and I’ll get justice for you.”
His voice was loud, each word shouted with all his might, as if to show Yang Huan he was truly sincere toward Qin Nian. He turned to Liu Baixu, continuing to shout, “You’ve always managed the household. Investigate this immediately. The Qin Family won’t let our son suffer any injustice.”
Liu Baixu nearly ground her teeth to dust at his words. She couldn’t possibly admit she had ordered the servants to do it.
Helpless, she sent Qin Jiaxu inside to fetch the butler and Aunt Huang. “Go get the butler and Aunt Huang.”
She discreetly pinched Qin Jiaxu’s arm, and he understood, leaving the courtyard.
Qin Nian stood by, watching the family’s performance with a mix of confusion and amusement.
It wasn’t long before Qin Jiaxu returned with the butler and Aunt Huang, who had added the sleeping pills to Qin Nian’s water the previous day.
Both immediately began wailing, claiming they had drugged the water and blocked the door lock because they couldn’t stand Qin Nian.
They even apologized to Qin Nian.
“Young Master Qin, you’re kind-hearted. Please forgive us this once.”
Aunt Huang and the butler appeared sincere, showing none of their previous arrogance toward Qin Nian.
Qin Ru approached Qin Nian, smiling ingratiatingly. “They know they were wrong. To err is human. Xiao Nian, don’t you think we should let this go and just dock their pay as punishment?”
Qin Nian smiled, easily seeing through the ploy to make the butler and Aunt Huang scapegoats.
“Sure, then let’s fire them.”
His tone was light, as if he had truly forgiven them. But his words left Aunt Huang and the butler stunned.
Qin Nian met Qin Ru’s gaze, his expression earnest. “Today they drugged the water with sleeping pills. Tomorrow, they might poison the food. Father, I’m doing this for the good of the entire Qin Family. Don’t you agree?”