Qin Jiawei complained, “Mom, don’t say that. After all, she’s Xiaoxu’s biological mother.”
The implication was that it didn’t matter how they talked about Qin Nian, but the housekeeper, being Qin Jiaxu’s biological mother, was off-limits.
Liu Baixu glanced at Qin Jiaxu beside her and said calmly, “What biological or adoptive mother? Does Xiaoxu have any other mother besides me?”
Hearing this, Qin Jiaxu’s expression softened slightly. He wrapped his arm around Liu Baixu’s and, with a hint of playfulness in his voice, said, “I know you’re the best to me, and of course, you’re my only mother.”
Liu Baixu smiled, “You have such a sweet tongue.”
Qin Jiaxu continued nonchalantly, “I told Xiaonian this morning that we’d hold a banquet for him, but now he’s gone. Maybe I wasn’t considerate enough. Xiaonian is such a quiet person, he probably doesn’t like crowds.”
At the mention of Qin Nian, Liu Baixu showed some impatience. Her impression of Qin Nian was limited to a few daily photos and information provided by a private detective, a very ordinary child. The words “plain and unremarkable” were enough to summarize his brief life.
Liu Baixu, obsessed with art and proud of her talent, found mediocrity sinful. She couldn’t bear having such an ordinary child.
She said impatiently, “He’s not worth mentioning.”
Father Qin asked, “Did you call him?”
Qin Jiaxu looked troubled, “Xiaonian didn’t give us his phone number.”
Liu Baixu said dismissively, “Let him be, like some country bumpkin.” She looked at Qin Jiaxu with affection, “It’s just a pity that all your preparations were for nothing. But it’s fine, everyone should gather anyway, with or without Qin Nian. He doesn’t appreciate it anyway.”
Receiving praise from his mother, Qin Jiaxu felt a bit embarrassed.
Qin Jiawei chimed in, “Exactly, how can Xiaoxu and Qin Nian be compared?”
He voiced the sentiment of the Qin family. To them, Qin Jiaxu was someone they had spent over a decade with, someone they had poured their feelings into for years, a presence that even a blood relation like Qin Nian couldn’t match.
As night fell, the lights of the Qin residence came on, and guests from afar began to arrive.
Colorful lights flickered, and fireworks burst in the sky, adding a touch of liveliness to the otherwise quiet Jiangnan Shore.
Qin Jiaxu, dressed in a suit, stood at the entrance greeting guests. A figure brushed past him, patted his shoulder, and as Qin Jiaxu turned, the person jumped in front of him and snapped their fingers.
“Jiaxu, what are you thinking about? You’ve seemed distracted from afar.”
The newcomer was Gu Huai, someone who had grown up with Qin Jiaxu.
The Gu and Qin families often interacted, leading to close ties between their children.
Qin Jiaxu smiled, “Thinking about Xiaonian.”
“Xiaonian?” Gu Huai said dismissively, “Isn’t he the child the Qin family mistakenly took in? Didn’t you organize this banquet for him? Where is he?”
Qin Jiaxu replied, “I don’t know where he’s gone. It’s my fault for focusing on the banquet and not noticing he disappeared.”
Gu Huai was displeased, “How can you blame yourself? It’s clearly that kid’s fault for being ungrateful. You’ve done more than enough for him, no need to feel guilty.”
Gu Huai still remembered when Qin Jiaxu found out he wasn’t the Qin family’s biological child. He had gotten drunk and cried alone by the river, a vulnerable sight that pained Gu Huai.
From that moment, he disliked Qin Nian, whom he had never met.
Since it had been over a decade, everyone had their own lives. Why come back now?
He comforted Qin Jiaxu, saying that if the Qin family didn’t want him, he would take him back to the Gu family.
Perhaps his comfort worked, or maybe Qin Jiaxu was just exhausted from crying. Qin Jiaxu fell asleep on Gu Huai’s shoulder.
The Qin Jiaxu in his arms was sensitive and fragile. The one in his memory should have been full of spirit, but now, tormented by a country boy, he was so haggard. From that time on, Gu Huai began to harbor a strange hostility toward Qin Nian.
Qin Jiaxu took a list from the steward and glanced over it. Most of the invited guests had arrived, and the steward had ticked off their names. His eyes fell on one unticked name—Feng Wang.
The Feng family was legendary in the mountain city but rarely interacted with other family businesses. Qin Jiaxu had seen Feng Wang on TV, and even through the screen, he was impressed by Feng Wang’s appearance and talent… and the immense wealth of the Feng family.
If he could connect with the Feng family, climb up to them, it wouldn’t matter if he wasn’t the Qin family’s biological child. If he could get to know Feng Wang, or even… if he could be with Feng Wang, then he wouldn’t need to care about the Qin family or live so cautiously.
Though Qin Nian couldn’t compare to him now, he wasn’t the Qin family’s biological child. He needed to leave himself a way out.
However, while the imagination was beautiful, reality was harsh. The gap between the Qin and Feng families was too vast, and Feng Wang didn’t socialize much, so they had little chance to meet.
Even though he knew that inviting the Feng family was unlikely to succeed, Qin Jiaxu still sent invitations every time, hoping against hope.
As expected, miracles didn’t happen. He sighed and was about to tell the steward to start the banquet when he saw the steward rushing over, “Second Young Master, someone from the Feng family is here.”
At first, Qin Jiaxu didn’t react, surprised, “Who did you say came?”
The steward said, “It’s Feng Wang, President Feng.”
The steward seemed incredulous, his voice trembling.
Qin Jiaxu quickly gathered himself and instructed the steward, “Go inside and tell Father and Mother. I’ll go find President Feng.” He turned to Gu Huai beside him, smiling, “Gu Huai, go inside and take a seat. I’ll go greet President Feng.”
“Mr. Feng, it’s an honor to have you at the Qin family’s banquet. Your presence truly graces our humble abode.”
Upon hearing the steward say someone from the Feng family had arrived, the Qin parents abandoned their other guests and rushed to the front yard.
Father Qin had recently taken an interest in a project. With his current capability and resources, he wasn’t worried about executing it well. However, some things couldn’t be solved with money and ability alone. After seeking help through various channels, he found he didn’t even have the qualifications to bid. Sometimes, connections were the most decisive factor.
Father Qin had been so worried he was losing hair. His wife was absorbed in art and not involved in business, and his eldest son wasn’t yet capable of taking charge and helping him.
Now that Feng Wang had come, it seemed like a heaven-sent opportunity. If Feng Wang would just hint or say a word, the project would surely fall into their lap. He was afraid the opportunity would slip away, so he immediately went to greet him.
Then they saw Qin Nian get out of Feng Wang’s car, followed by a little girl.
The four members of the Qin family were momentarily stunned.
Why was Qin Nian with Feng Wang?
Fortunately, Liu Baixu, accustomed to socializing, quickly recovered, “Qin Nian, why are you leaving Mr. Feng standing at the door? Hurry inside. It’s raining, and Mr. Feng might get wet.”
This was the first time Qin Nian had seen Liu Baixu since his rebirth.
She was as exquisite as he remembered, and just as before, she didn’t spare him a glance.
After speaking, Liu Baixu discreetly nudged Qin Jiaxu forward, smiling, “Mr. Feng, you wouldn’t know, but Qin Nian just arrived at Qin Nan Villa a couple of days ago. He’s not familiar with the Qin family yet. Let Jiaxu show you around.”
Feng Wang glanced at Liu Baixu and Qin Jiaxu. The flattery in their eyes was something he was used to. Such people wouldn’t even get to meet him under normal circumstances.
He had originally come to see if the Qin family had anything to do with Feng Yuanyuan’s disappearance. Judging by the people in front of him, they probably didn’t have the guts.
Before he could say anything, Feng Yuanyuan, standing beside him, grew anxious.
“Brother, let’s go inside,” Feng Yuanyuan said, grabbing Qin Nian’s hand and pulling him forward. Qin Nian, worried about pulling Feng Yuanyuan, followed with the umbrella.
Feng Wang followed them, and as he moved, Father Qin followed closely, thoughtfully taking the umbrella from Secretary Yang.
Secretary Yang: ……
Are you the secretary, or am I?
Liu Baixu and Qin Jiaxu remained where they were. Qin Jiaxu was still puzzled by Qin Nian arriving with Feng Wang. He couldn’t understand why Qin Nian, who had been out for a day, seemed like a different person and could arrive with Feng Wang.
Liu Baixu didn’t think as much. She was delighted that Feng Wang attended the banquet. After all, not just anyone could invite Feng Wang. Once tonight’s news spread, she’d gain significant face in social circles.
She hugged Qin Jiaxu, smiling, “Our Xiaoxu is amazing, organizing a banquet that brought Mr. Feng here.”
Qin Jiaxu was incredulous, “Mother, do you think Mr. Feng came because I organized the banquet?”
Liu Baixu replied matter-of-factly, “What else? Do you think he came for Qin Nian?” She ruffled Qin Jiaxu’s hair, “Have you been working too hard? Qin Nian just arrived in Ning City. How could he have met someone like Mr. Feng before? Sharing a car with Mr. Feng, he probably just got a ride. Why would you think he came for Qin Nian?”
Hearing Liu Baixu’s words, Qin Jiaxu laughed at his earlier shock. Of course, Qin Nian couldn’t know someone of Mr. Feng’s status. What was he thinking?